Page 96 of The Re-Proposal

Was it sexy at the time?

No.

Not even a little bit…

Okay.

Yes.

It was a little sexy. Which is probably why I ended up having a dream involving his tongue and my neck.

What red-blooded woman wouldn’t feel a slight flutter in a situation like that? And heaven only knows Cody Bolton makes my heart flutter with one glance from those electric green eyes.

I should never have let him into my apartment.

I'm not supposed to be caving to him. I'm supposed to be holding my ground and doing the opposite of whatever the heck it is I’m doing right now.

I blame Maggie's disgusting bastard of a boyfriend. If he hadn't chased us into the night screaming obscenities and threats, I wouldn't have been so rattled when I got home. And thus, I wouldn’t have invited my ex to stay with me in a moment of utter vulnerability.

I head to the bathroom. The lights blare on and reveal a woman who looks like she had a low-down, dirty fight with a racoon.

“Ah, crap. I didn’t wash my face last night.” Reaching for my cleanser, I pump the foam into my hand.

When I towel dry and check the mirror again, I wince harder.

Falling asleep with a full face of makeup is terrible for my skin…

But not as terrible as slamming my head into the edge of a dumpster.

The bruises on my jaw and cheek are even worse today. Looks like I’ll need extra-strength foundation.

As I apply the pain cream Cody left me, I try to figure out my next move.

Should I go to the police even though Maggie begged me not to?

‘Please don't do anything.’

Agitated, I brush my teeth.

‘Please, Clarissa.’

Maggie’s desperate pleas came right after we jumped into a taxi last night. Her ex-boyfriend had been huffing and puffing, trying to keep up. If we were in the Flintstone era, maybe he had a chance of catching up to us. Thankfully, modern cars are faster than humans on foot.

'What do you mean don't do anything? We need to go to the police! He assaulted me and stalked and threatened you.'

‘I know. And I’m so sorry you’re caught in the middle of this. But I can't afford to go to the cops yet.’

‘Maggie, whatever he has over you, it’s not worth it.’

‘It’s worth everything!’

“We have to tell someone. What if he tries to hurt you again? There won’t be any evidence that he’s dangerous.'

“That's a risk I have to take.’

‘Maggie, why—’

‘He has my daughter.'

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