Page 156 of The Re-Proposal

Well tough.

I tilt my head up. “And thank you too. Without the crew you hired and all the money you invested, this never would have happened so fast.”

“I’m glad Maggie likes it.” He massages my hip with his hand, kneading into the smooth flesh beneath my shirt. “Are you happy?”

I smile because it’s the question he asked me when I drove him home this morning.

“I’m happy.”

“Good.” His stare is dangerous, volatile, explosive, like fireworks in the summer. A burst of color that goes on forever.

I pull back. “You should go. Don’t keep everyone waiting.”

He dips his chin.

I watch him walk away, sliding my gaze over his big shoulders and down the long, masculine lines of his legs in those tailored trousers.

He gets further and further away.

Restlessness builds in my heart.

Screw it.

Moving on impulse, I bound up the stairs. “Cody!”

He stops and turns, his eyes widening in surprise.

I grab his shoulder, haul him down and plant a slow, sensual kiss on his cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He wraps a brawny arm around my waist, pulling me closer. The intensity of his gaze sends prickles of heat over my skin. I’m wound tight from just kissing his cheek. What’s going to happen when we finally kiss for the first time in ten years?

“Ehem.” Laura walks up the stairs. “You two mind filming that K-drama somewhere else? Have some mercy on us single folks.”

“Don’t mind her. I like it.” Ms. Phoebe grins.

I pull awkwardly away from Cody. Lifting my hand in a stiff wave, I mutter, “Bye.”

He chuckles and the sound rumbles through me like a river, caressing every part of my body and burrowing under my skin. Who knew that a laugh could be that pushy? It’s staking its claim on my body, my bones, my blood.

Cody leans down and whispers in my ear, “Kiss you later.”

I shudder at the promise.

With one last look at me, Cody walks away.

Laura squeezes my hand. “Can I be a bridesmaid at your wedding? Please, please, please.”

“There is no wedding.” I push her hand away. “We’re not together.”

“What are you talking about? He looks at you the way I look at cheesecake.”

“Laura, what isthatsupposed to mean?” Ms. Phoebe scolds.

“It’s like he wants to devour her. Inhale her. And when he’s done with that, he’ll lick the plate until every last scrap is gone.”

Forget burning like the sun.

I’m burning like a volcanoonthe sun.

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