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“Blue.”
“What?” The three of us all look at him like he’s crazy.
“You heard me. No more pretending.”
No more, or just no pretending while we’re here. What happens when we fly home? I wonder to myself, but don’t say anything.
“Her hair is usually a stunning shade of blue. Let’s fix that.” He points to my brunette locks as he speaks to Gloria, who nods and immediately starts walking around the beauty shop, pulling foils and wheeling over a cart as Chloe pushes my shoulder down, prompting me to sit in the chair.
Archer and Enzo make excuses to leave, not wanting to stay and gossip, but Chloe stays. Hours go by, and every so often, she winks or starts a conversation, sensing my discomfort. I maintain my blue, so I don’t usually have to spend this much time sitting. I get jittery and bored, and it all feels too restraining. My knee bounces up and down as I grow impatient, but Gloria soon spins the chair to face the mirror, and boom. It’s like seeing myself again after a long trip away. It’s true I’ve been in Archer’s world, playing the role he needed from me, but now I’m back.
From a seat behind me, I hear Chloe squeal in delight. She’s clapping when she comes up and tells me how much she loves it.
“This is defiantly more you. Blue is so your color, and Archer’s right, you should wear it proud.”
I didn’t think of it like that, but maybe me changing my hair was why he got so pissy before we left. We say our thanks, and Chloe gets a message from Enzo, who apparently misses her. Marriage goals right there, folks.
We grab a car to take us to our houses, and I’m the first stop. Of course, she hugs me goodbye, and we promise to hang out more before I leave.
I walk up the grand marble stairs and easily push open the front doors.
“Hello!” I shout from the entryway. My hair took hours, and the sun has gone down already. I head to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat. Instead, I find a mess. Not a mess, more of a disaster. Flour covers the marble island along with pots and pans with black sauce dripping off the sides. Something red is splashed against the back of the stovetop and the floor, and the smell is pungent.
Archer looks up from washing his hands and grabs the towel off his shoulder with a scowl that would make a lesser woman run. He looks mad, and instead of answering my greeting, he throws the towel on the counter along with the spilled mess. I notice then that there are pasta noodles everywhere—on the side of the fridge, the counter, and the ceiling. I raise a brow, crossing my arms, and when his eyes meet mine, they instantly soften. His jaw releases and he heaves a heavy sigh.
I can’t help smiling at all the effort he clearly put into trying to cook. I walk over and reach for his hand, pulling him behind me as we walk out the sliding glass door. I don’t stop there, leading him off the back deck and down the steps that lead to the beach. We follow the cobblestone walkway, and I hear the waves and noises from the city. It only takes a minute for my eyes to adjust, and when I do, it’s exquisite. The water is lit up from the moon’s reflection, and I stop just to slip my shoes off.
“What are we doing, Willow?”
“Whatever we want,” I say, still holding his hand. He licks his bottom lip, sending a warm rush of desire over my already sweaty body. Rio is hot, and being with this sinful man is even hotter, but I still have a point to make, so I drop his hand and take off, running down the private stretch of beach, laughing from the adrenaline. I pull my sundress over my head as I go and throw it over my shoulder, only glancing back to see he’s running after me with a devilish grin.
“I like this side of you. When the all-business Archer Alexander, relaxes around me.” I smirk.
“It’s kinda hard not to do that around you.” He grins and I feel like I’ve won a prize. Before I can reach the clasp on my bra, he’s on me, spinning me to face him. We’ve stop running but not laughing. Then he wraps his arms around my waist protectively, tugging me against his bare chest.
“I think if anyone were out here, they would still see me,” I whisper, teasing him, and he growls, brushing his nose along mine.” It’s an intimate and gentle gesture that surprises me.
“You are for my eyes only.” Archer is usually uptight and worried about something, but not since we’ve been in Rio. He’s more relaxed and easier to joke around with. This Archer is someone I’m quickly falling for.
