Page 150 of The Re-Proposal

“Bolton,” the assistant chokes, “do you know how many zeroes are in this number?”

I push my head around Cody’s bulk so I can see Vargas. “How many zeroes?”

“Let’s just say, you don’t owe me that fifty anymore.”

I let out a little squeak.

Cody smirks and puts his mouth up against mine, hovering across it until his lips are at my ear. “Next time you want to bet on whether I’ll give you what you ask for, princess,” he slides his finger down my throat and my muscles tense, “bet on me.”

I slash him angry eyes even as my legs go weak.

The elevator stops.

Straightening his jacket as if he didn’t just blow everyone’s minds, Cody stalks out. I swallow hard, fighting the heat blooming inside my body.

He’s ridiculously aggravating.

Even if he is hotter than a five-alarm taco at that food truck I like.

Vargas smirks and bows to me, ushering me off the elevator first. “Nice doing business with you, princess.”

I snarl at him.

He laughs and trails us as we walk through the foyer.

The lobby goes silent when Cody shows up. I’m pretty sure the entire room is staring, but no one bothers to greet us.

Neither does Cody.

He’s putting out harsh ‘don’t approach me’ signals.

Everyone complies. They shuffle back to put as much room between him and them as possible.

How disconcerting.

Aren’t they people too? Don’t they work for him?Withhim? Make him all those billions in his bank account? The least he can do is acknowledge them.

I smile at a woman who’s trembling and holding onto her coffee for dear life.

“Good morning.”

The woman’s jaw drops and she looks at me like I grew a tail.

“Good morning.” I greet a man who’s holding a briefcase up to his chest.

“Morning.” I call out a little louder.

Cody realizes he’s stalking ahead of me and slows his pace again. We walk side-by-side, but I don’t stop being polite.

“Morning.” I beam a smile in the direction of a security guard.

Cody narrows his eyes like he doesn’t understand why I’m talking to anyone.

I nudge him in the side.

He purses his lips.

I nudge him again.

---