Page 90 of The Re-Proposal

Soon her voice calls, “Would you like something to drink?”

I join her in the kitchen.

“Cody?” Her tone is gently teasing now. Her smile has the correct posture. Both lips extending up. A slight flash of teeth. But her eyes are wary and guarded.

“Where’s your bathroom?” I snap.

Her eyebrows wrinkling, she points.

I march down the hallway. The mirror in the bathroom reveals a man with blond hair and a feral scowl marring his face.

I look dangerous.

Ifeeldangerous.

It’s because she’s hurt.

I go crazy when Clarissa Maura’s in pain.

It’s why I left without talking to her the day after the wedding. It’s why I kept my distance when every vein in my body strained to be close to her.

Turning to leave the bathroom, I freeze.

Something’s… off.

I see the mess of makeup items scattered over the sink. Makeup powder dots the edge of the surface. A tube of lipstick is still open.

She was in a rush to hide something on her face.

My veins turn to ice.

When I return from the bathroom, Clarissa’s still in the kitchen. She’s leaning against the counter, one sexy, bare foot propped up behind her.

Eyes on the contract, she says, “Cody, this is a very simple document. You didn’t have to drive all the way here just to…” The rest of her words turn into a squeal when I grab her by the waist and lift her on top of the counter. Mocha-colored eyes going wide, Clarissa croaks, “What are you doing?”

I don’t answer.

Tensely, I take her face, noticing the swelling right beneath her eye.

She tries to pull back. “Cody, stop.”

I remove my hand, but I don’t pull back. “Is that a bruise?”

She drops her chin to hide the swelling from me. “No.”

From the corner of my eye, I see the pain medication and remnants of a first aid kit on the table.

My mind snaps with blinding fury as I put all the pieces together.

Clarissa wraps her fingers around my wrist. “I’m okay. Really. It’s no big deal.”

Jaw clenching, I slide my arms over the counter, bending my head so it’s almost resting in her lap.

This is not an injury from falling off a table or she wouldn’t have tried to hide it.

Someone battered her beautiful skin.

Someone put their hands on her.

---