Page 93 of The Re-Proposal

This isn’t the kind of scenario I imagined when I saw myself in her bedroom. Hopefully, after I take care of this little problem, I can fix that.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, princess.” I run my fingers over her forehead. The makeup is beginning to wear off and the bruises are showing. The discoloration around her jaw is intense. Deep purple against light brown.

It looks painful.

Gritting my teeth, I walk out of Clarissa’s bedroom and call my brother.

He answers immediately, his voice alert. “What’s wrong?”

“Someone hurt Clarissa.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll put my guys on it.”

I’ve never been more grateful for his military background than I am now.

“Let me know when you have a hit,” I growl, stalking to my car.

I’m going to find the bastard who put his hands on my woman.

I’m going to make him pay.

And then I’m going to come back to my princess and hold her through the night.

11

SPECIAL DELIVERY

CLARISSA

Feather light touchesgraze my cheek, gently leading me out of slumber. I crack my eyes open, astonished when I see Cody hovering over me. Green eyes sparkle. Blond hair falls messily over a strong forehead and hewn cheekbones. A jaw that could cut glass distracts my eyes from his wicked smile.

“What are you—”

“Sh.” He places a finger to my lips, sending streaks of heat down my spine. “Don’t talk too much. Those bruises still look pretty painful.”

What bruises? I don’t feel anything but soft butterflies as he strokes my chin.

He balances up with one elbow staked in the pillow, head tilted curiously toward me. “You ready to tell me what really happened?”

“How about no.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer, Ris.”

“I don’t care what you take.”

“How about if I take you?” He rolls on top of me and pins my wrists against the pillows. “Hard and fast. Since you don’t care.”

Every inch of my skin burns at the delicious threat.

There’s a part of me that warns I should push him off.

Another part wants to be destroyed by him again.

“You think I’m scared?” I lift my chin.

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