Page 5 of Off Limits Mogul

“Rhys is doing Noah a favor,” I say.

“I get that your big brother’s best friend would open his door to you, but can you handle it?” There’s genuine concern in her voice.

“It’s no different from crashing with a family member,” I say, trying hard to convince myself it’s nothing more.

Michaela twirls a forkful of noodles, poking through an equal portion of chicken and shrimp, before bringing the perfect bite to her mouth. “But he’snotfamily.” She shoves the food in her mouth and chews, her eyes still glued to me.

“In many ways, he’s the only family I have in the US right now.”

“But he’snotfamily.”

“Fine. He’s not family.” She wins. “I lost everything when I left London. What other choice do I have? It’s not like I have any money left to live on my own in a city like LA. Heck, I don’t even have enough to rent a pantry in someone’s kitchen for three months.” I push around my food on my plate. “Luxury homes in LA have a guesthouse. I’m sure Rhys has one. He’ll shack me up there and forget all about me. That way, I won’t invade his space.”

“What if he doesn’t have a guesthouse?”

“Hehasa guesthouse,” I say.Please God, he must have one.

“Guesthouse or not, you’ll be living close to him,” Mikki says.

“No big deal.”I hope.

She stares at me like I’m blowing smoke through my ears.

Okay, maybe I am.

“Keira, you showed me photos. Rhys Hartford’s gorgeousness is on a planetary scale. How are you going to live with—or near—that man without either tripping all over yourself or fanning yourself all day long? And, I’m not talking about fanning your face.”

She’s wrong.

Rhys isn’t gorgeous.

He’s DEFCON 2 degree of hotness.

When he walks into a room, I’m certain panties drop.

Mine have a few thousand times.

I cross my legs to stifle the pressure building. My body is keenly aware I no longer have to adhere to my vows of chastity.

No, no, no, Keira.

Hot embarrassment floods through me because once again Rhys is taking up every bit of space in my brain.

Despite the A/C in the restaurant, my whole body is flushing.

Will I survive living that close to a DEFCON 2 state of emergency? How am I going to manage to avoid melting into a pool of heat when I’m around him?

I’ve asked myself those questions a million times since Noah announced Rhys was more than happy to welcome me into his home. Since I can remember, those two have been as tight as brothers. I’ve often felt left out––and a little bit jealous––of their bromance. The age difference between my brother and me has never played in my favor.

You can do this, girl.

You’re not that silly teen and teenager who drooled all over your older brother’s best friend like a loser.

So, what if Rhys Hartford is successful, talented, and a self-made, badass, billionaire mogul?

He’s just a man.

I flash back to that kiss I stole from my long-time crush—the kiss I’d longed for.