Page 146 of Off Limits Mogul

“You’re taking good care of all her needs.”

In every sense of the word.“I’m doing my best.”

“She keeps going on and on about you,Rhys this and Rhys that.In her eyes, you can walk on water.”

“The last time she saw me, I was in a different place in my life. I was crawling out of a hole. She’s seen the before and after. She hasn’t seen the ups and downs in between.”

“You know how she is. She can easily be impressed.”

His comment rubs me the wrong way.

“We can all have twinkles in our eyes when we don’t know the full story,” I say.

“I guess you’re right,” he says. “I hope she isn’t breaking your balls.”

I wince.

No, but she’s doing a great job emptying them.“Keira is Keira, right?”

He chuckles. “Some things never change. The guy who goes after her is in for a rude awakening. You need balls of steel to be with a woman like my baby sis… either that or no balls at all.” He lets out a boisterous laugh and play-punches my arm.

My body vibrates from the impact.

The beating is going to hurt real bad.

He leans in closer. “Seriously, she isn’t driving you nuts?”

“Seriously, she isn’t.”

“Good. If anyone can handle her, it’s you. It’s a good thing yourcojonesare big enough to handle that fiery temper of hers, huh?”

I wish he’d stop talking about balls.“Her personality sure keeps me on my toes.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t invade your space for too long.” He took my words the wrong way. Shit. “While I’m here, I intend on having a serious discussion with her. She needs to get her life back on track so she can afford to move out.”

“There’s no rush,” I say, “No rush at all.”

“Rhys, I’m abusing our friendship.”

I drop the knife I’m holding on the counter. “Listen, Noah, I know firsthand what it’s like to get back on your feet when you’ve lost it all. The house is massive. Keira isn’t in the way. Things are different now. It’s not like before when she lived in LA and she had you, Chelle, and me. Do you want her to live alone in a small apartment in a dubious neighborhood? As for getting her life back on track, you should talk to her. You’ll be surprised.”

He cocks an eyebrow.

“What?”

“You sound almost as protective of her as I am.”

“It’s because I am.”

I go back to preparing breakfast.

I’m keenly aware of the moment she enters the kitchen. The floral scent of her new perfume permeates the air.

“Rumor has it my big brother is in town,” she says,

I catch a glimpse of her from over my shoulder.

She’s wearing a pretty, aqua-blue sundress with spaghetti straps that hits her mid-calf. She’s barefoot. Under the morningsun with her short hair slicked back and without a trace of makeup, she’s so fucking beautiful.