Page 139 of The Re-Proposal

I smirk.

“Cody!”

I chuckle as I open the door to Mimi.

Clarissa Maura is the woman of my dreams, and my favorite thing in the world is spoiling her—whether she likes it or not.

* * *

“I don’t like it.”Ris folds her arms over her chest and pouts.

Seeing those ruby-red lips puckering like an invitation to sin isnothelping me or the beast in my pants.

“What’s not to like?” I subtly adjust myself.

Clarissa mocks my tone. “Here’s a new house. Don’t get pregnant for another douchebag screw up.’ It sounds both rude and condescending.”

“Two of my best traits.” I nod at the security guard who waves my car forward.

“It’s not her fault she fell blindly in love and missed all the signs.”

“No man should ever put his hands on a woman. He’s the blight of the earth for mistreating someone he claims to love. But falling blindly and missing all the signs? That partisher fault.” I back into my private parking spot. “She’s the one who chose him.”

“And he probably wasn’t flinging her around and yelling at her when they were dating. Men are the liars. Women are the ones who buy it, sure, but at least we have pure hearts.”

“If someone screws you over once, shame on them.” I think of the embarrassing loss I took my first year of business. “But if they screw you over twice?”

The angry expression on her face lights me up as she twists a little and narrows her eyes in my direction. “We all make mistakes.”

“If you make the same crappy decision over and over again, it’s not a mistake anymore. It’s a choice.”

“Love messes with the brain.”

“And laziness messes with money. Do we blame love and laziness or do we blame the person who indulges in it?”

Ris folds her arms over her chest, bringing my attention to the cleavage peeking out of her fancy white blouse. The top is paired with long, flowing pants that show off her sexy hips and trim waist. Her hair is pasted down in a sleek ponytail that falls down her back.

Clarissa looks good enough to feast on and the fact that she gave in and wore the clothes I bought her is a miracle.

No, not a miracle. It’s Mimi.

I’ve already decided. Mimi is going to be the godmother of our future children.

“What about you?” Clarissa arches a brow.

Oh, I already don’t like this. “Don’t compare me with that abusive bastard. I have never andwillnever put my hands on a woman.”

“I know that, Cody.” She leans forward. “I’m saying, according to your own logic, I shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. It would be foolish of me to jump back into bed with you after you didn’t show up to our wedding.”

My eyebrow furrows. “Youdidjump back into bed with me.”

“Not likethat.”

“We shared a bed, princess. I’m your teddy bear.”

“Ugh.” She cringes. “Don’t.”

I smirk.

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