Page 2 of Off Limits Mogul

It’s pretty pathetic when your bed is calling you more than two willing pussies.

I catch sight of a waiter approaching, balancing a tall glass of beer on a tray, and I let out a silent prayer.

Hey, sexy thing. Come to Daddy.

I thank the waiter before bringing the glass to my lips, guzzling down a quarter of my drink.

“Seriously, am I calling at a bad time? I know your trip has nothing to do with pleasure.”

“Nope. I’m in Ho Chi Minh City to put out fires.” I drop my glass on the table. “My day started at six a.m. and I’m just having dinner now.”

“Ouch,” Noah says.

“I’m brain-dead.”

“Being the COO of one of the leading audio bass headphone companies in the world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” he says with a laugh.

“Tell me about it,” I say. “I swear to God, I got gypped.”

“In what sense?”

“I should’ve set my sights on the CEO title of SCORE MAX Audio Bass instead of being the chief operating officer. That’s the cushy job?—”

“One your business partner holds. You want to dethrone Beckett Christensen?”

“I’m thinking of it.”

“Vietnam isn’t treating your kindly.”

“So far, the days have been interminable and punishing. And it’s hotter than Hades down here––ball-melting scalding-hot is a more accurate description of the heat level. While I struggle to breathe in this oppressive humidity, pretty boyBeckett is in LA party-hopping and hogging the attention of the press.”

“What’s new about pretty boy Beckett getting the attention of the media? Isn’t that an everyday occurrence?”

“Yeah, but he’s making headlines for another reason these days.”

“Trouble in paradise? I thought Beckett and you have the perfect partnership?”

“We do,” I say. “However, I sure as hell can’t wait to get back to LA. The only plus side to this trip—other than dealing with this production crisis that blindsided us—is that we get to hang out for a few days. When are you flying in?”

“About that…”

“You can’t make it?”

“I can’t.”

“What happened?”

“I thought I’d be able to steal four days while production is shooting another scene without special effects, but I have to stay put in Doubtful Sound. The freak storm in New Zealand delayed production, and now we’re playing catch-up.”

“Another time, then.” I try to hide my disappointment.

“I’m really sorry. We haven’t seen each other since I left LA, and I was looking forward to it, but this is my big break. I can’t screw it up––”

“I know how much this opportunity means to you. This TV series will change your life. You do what you have to do. When the time is right, we’ll connect.”

“Thanks for understanding,” Noah says.

“If things weren’t as hectic on my end, I’d try to make it to New Zealand, but after Vietnam, I’m heading to South Korea.”