Page 27 of Off Limits Mogul

I fish for my keys in the pocket of my jeans and hand them to him.

Larkin slides them on the bar. Miguel grabs them and puts them out of reach.

Great.

I’m grounded.

“I’m a good listener, Mr. Hartford.”

I consider his invitation. “Women are fucking complicated,” I say.

“The entire gender at large or one in particular?”

I choose not to answer his question. “That’s what I like about Dark Compulsion. Uncomplicated.”

I don’t allow women into my head, but a tiny spitfire seems to be doing a good job messing me up.

“Why aren’t you there now?” Larkin’s tone is challenging. “There’s still a bevy of women eager to find a match for the evening. Panties will drop the second a pretty boy like you walks into the room.”

Keira’s words ring loud in my ears, her indecipherable expression, still haunting me.

Was it disappointment?

Jealousy?

That time of the month?

I shake my head.

Damn you, Keira.

“I was having a few drinks before heading there,” I say.

“Well, you’re done drinking for the night.” That challenging tone again.

I hold his warning gaze.

“The best way to forget a woman is to top another, Mr. Hartford,” Larkin says. “Two women, if you have a lot to exorcise… three, if you need to fuck yourself into a sex coma.”

I can’t help my laugh.

A message flashes across my phone screen, forcing my gaze down to the bar.

I shouldn’t care, but I vowed to take care of her. I’d never let Noah down.

I meet Larkin’s gaze. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course.” He nods and turns his attention to his drink.

I snatch up my phone.

Three words.

Keira

I’m so sorry.

I drop my phone on the bar with a groan.