The next morning Hannah skipped up the massive stone steps to Cody’s house wearing one of her new, and ridiculously expensive, workout outfits courtesy of Bianca’s fine taste and Cody’s deep wallet. Underneath it—her lacey LA PERLA lingerie clung to her skin like it was designed for her body alone. Hannah had to admit, maybe there was something to paying an obscene amount for clothing. Because she currently felt like she could conquer anything!

She rang the doorbell with confidence. When the butler answered, she smiled brightly. “Good morning.”

“Here for Master Cody?”

“Yes. I’ll show myself to his room.”

It seemed all Cody needed was a good night’s sleep because he was in a great mood when Hannah waltzed into his room. Fresh out of the shower, he was wearing nothing but a towel. Hannah’s eyes darted straight to his glistening abs, following the sculpted V-shape muscles that disappeared beneath the towel.

“Doll face!” he exclaimed when she walked in. “You look ravishing.”

“Well you’re in a good mood this morning.”

“Well it’s a beautiful day for extortion.” Cody’s said giving her a dazzling smile that carved dimples into his cheeks. “And besides, why wouldn’t I be in a fantastic mood with you in my life?”

Despite his sarcasm Cody’s gorgeous features made Hannah’s nerves flutter. “I don’t know, maybe because the last time I saw you, you couldn’t get away from me fast enough. And you were rude on the phone last night.”

“You can’t expect everyone to be as perfect as you, Hannah.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Don’t worry about it. My head’s in the game. Now we better get going, doll face,” he added in an exaggeratedly snooting voice. “We don’t want to be late for tennis.” He smirked pulling the towel from his waist to tousle his hair.

Hannah got an eye full of Cody and tried to stifle her shock as she ran from his room.

“Meet you in the car,” he called after her not even trying to suppress his laughter.

* * *

Hannah sat in the car trying to regain her composure. What was Cody’s deal? He was like Jekyll and Hyde. She’d never encountered someone with so many mood swings. Maybe it was because of his drinking problem. Had he fallen off the wagon again? She hadn’t wanted to bring it up, but if it was going to get in the way of her success it needed to be addressed.

Cody slid into the passenger seat of Hannah’s car and frowned. “Pull up to the garage,” he ordered.

“Why?”

Cody arched his eyebrow and sighed in exacerbation.

“Fine,” Hannah grumbled.

She drove past the house to a two-story, six-bay garage. It was bigger than Hannah’s house! Cody hopped out and punched a code into the keypad and one of the doors soundlessly slid open. He disappeared inside and then popped out dangling a set of keys.

“You don’t have a license,” Hannah reminded him.

“Yes, but you do,” he smiled. “Park that rust bucket behind the garage. You’re driving my car.”

“W—”

“Because being seen in your car isn’t doing either of us any favors.”

Hannah begrudgingly parked her old Volvo behind the garage in the plentiful parking. By the time she lugged her backpack and tennis gear around front, Cody had pulled his car out.

Hannah nearly dropped her bags at the sight of Cody sitting in the passenger seat of his purring black Range Rover. The windows were down and he was chewing on the corner of his sunglasses as the early morning sunlight flickered across his chiseled features. He looked like he was modeling for a photo shoot.

Focus, Hannah!

Cody popped the hatch and Hannah threw her bags in the back of the SUV and an eerie thought crept into her mind. Had Elena ridden in this car? She knew it wasn’t the car she’d died in. The news had repeatedly flashed images of the totaled sports car. Perhaps if they’d been driving this car, Elena would still be alive. It was built like a tank.

She slipped into the driver’s seat and the soft leather upholstery seemed to wrap around her. Cody reached across and hit a button on her door. Hannah’s seat smoothly repositioned her so she could reach the pedals.

“Wow. The car knows how to adjust to its driver?” Hannah asked, impressed.

A darkness fell over Cody’s handsome features. “No. Those were Elena’s settings.”

“Oh.”

“Just hold down the program button and it’ll reset to remember you.”

She did as she was told, but Cody’s pleasant mood had evaporated, filling the car with awkward tension. Hannah hated that she’d hit a sore spot with Cody again. He’d seemed like he was actually willing to play along this morning until she’d pissed him off with her questions. Well, since he was already mad . . .

“About yesterday,” Hannah started. “I’m sorry about drinking in front of you. That was insensitive.”

“Why?”

“Because of your problem. I was drinking champagne before I kissed you and that was thoughtless. It won’t happen again.”

Hannah could feel Cody staring at her. And then he burst into hysterical laughter.

“Hannah, do you think your champagne kisses are some sort of kryptonite?”

“I don’t want to be the cause of a relapse.”

Cody snorted. “I don’t have a drinking problem.”

“Isn’t that what people who have drinking problems say?”

“I wasn’t at rehab for drinking!” Cody grumbled.

“Then for what?”

“Hannah, enough with the twenty questions!” Cody shouted. “You’re the one who needs my help. Let’s focus on your problems, not mine.”

Hannah pulled over and turned on Cody. “You’re right. I’m the one in charge of this relationship and I would appreciate if you would treat me with respect.”

“You’re twisted if you think this is a relationship, Hannah. You’re blackmailing me to go to a party.”

“You agreed to help me. Are you going back on your word?”

Cody stared at her, hard, as if he was trying to make up his mind. “No. But I’m renegotiating.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means this is now a partnership, not your dictatorship. It’s the only way this works and we both get what we want?”

“And what is it that you want, Cody?”

“Don’t worry. It won’t get in the way of your plans.”

“I’m not comfortable helping you accomplish something that you won’t tell me about.”

“Take it or leave it, Hannah.”

“I’m not bluffing. I’ll report your actual test scores.”

Cody shrugged.

“Fine!” Hannah put the car in gear and continued their drive to school in silence. She didn’t care what Cody’s motives were, as long as she got what she wanted.

* * *

What did he want?

Cody asked himself that question over and over during their silent drive to Stanton. He thought he wanted to stick it to the Goldens. To find a way to get back at them for how they’d treated him and Elena, and for what they were saying about Hannah behind her back. He’d been so angry last night. What gave them the right to treat people the way they did? He refused to stand by and watch the Goldens ruin another life. He wanted to protect Hannah. But the more time he spent with her the more confused he became. Maybe Hannah didn’t need protecting. She was fearless and stubborn. She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by him. In fact, she challenged him, and it was infuriating.

He actually enjoyed slamming tennis balls at her during their morning practice session. It was a great way to get his frustrations out. He even returned a few serves shocking the hell out of her.

“Not bad for a basketball player, huh?” he teased.

“Former,” she replied.

“Bad sportsmanship isn’t a good look on you.”

Hannah rolled her eyes and fired a shot at his head.

Cody nailed it and whooped in celebration. “That’s three in a row.”

“Are you keeping score?”

“Yeah, aren’t you?”

She didn’t reply.

“That’s three more questions you have to answer.”

“Clock’s ticking.”

“Tell me about your family. Do you have any siblings?”

“No. It’s just me and Dad.”

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“Sorta explains why you’re a robot without a girly bone in your body.”

This time it was Hannah who closed up. She dropped the ball she’d been about to serve and stomped over to her bag, shoving her racket in and slinging it over her shoulder.

“Where ya going?”

“I’ve had enough practice for this morning.”

“I was just kidding. Well sort of, but come on. If you can dish it you gotta be able to take it.”

“I can. Insult me all you want, Cody. But leave my family out of it.” She stormed away heading for the locker rooms.