Page 101 of The Re-Proposal

The empty parking lot is being taken over by a fleet of sleek black SUVs. It’s either the FBI, the CIA or…

Cody.

What’s going on now?

The three of us stalk to the door and peer outside. I recognize Cody’s town car as well as the vehicle for his security team.

He climbs out of the car and buttons his suit jacket like he’s filming the next James Bond movie. He sweeps his sunshades off and his eyes meet mine. An electric shock snaps down my spine.

That’s right, Ris. Come to the dark side. I remember his line from my dream and my entire body bursts into flames.

Oh great.

I want to be mad at him.

Iammad.

But if there’s anything more tempting in this world than Cody Bolton’s sea-green eyes, I sure haven’t heard about it.

“What’s the play here?” Laura asks urgently. “Are we laying out the red carpet? Ripping him a new one? What? Because I need time to prepare myself. It’s hard for me tonotgiggle around that guy.”

I frown.

Ms. Phoebe pats my hand. “Let’s see what he has to say first.”

Scary-looking men in suits start pouring out of the SUVs behind Cody. Shocked, my brows fly up. Either his security team tripled overnight or he’s about to do something even more annoying.

I recognize Clay Bolton in the throng of security guys.

My heart lightens a bit.

Clay is involved in this. I’m hoping that’s a good sign. He wouldn’t voluntarily join in his brother’s nonsense, right?

Cody steps inside and I lift my chin, trying not to show how frazzled I am.

“Mr. Bolton, always a pleasure.” My voice is crisp and formal. I can’t have him thinking that staying over last night means anything’s changed between us.

“Do you mean that, Miss Maura?” Cody tilts his head. His gaze moves over the bruises I painstakingly concealed. “Your mouth is saying one thing, but your eyes say another.”

Prick.

I force my lips into a neutral smile.

“That was an entrance.” I gesture to the tall guys in suits. “Are you filming a mafia movie?”

The corners of his lips turn up in a ghost of a smile.

Oh-ho.

Nope.

I will not be swayed.

“Do you want to explain what’s going on?”

Cody moves forward and stands so close to me, his spicy cologne wafts around, overpowering my annoyance and taking over my senses.

“Did you have breakfast?” he says in my ear. “Should I have done what I really wanted and brought in a chef?”

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