I

t was expected that Cruz would do everything in his power to avoid me. Even when I wheeled in his refreshments, he was engaged in a call or conveniently in the bathroom, anything really so he didn’t have to speak to me. As much as it hurt me, I was also grateful he made it easier to work in his presence. After a week, I had gotten used to it. Well, up until I met his fiancée, Ivy, in the flesh.

It was on a Thursday, and I was doing my usual round of refreshments in his office when he emerged from the door with this stunning woman draped on his arm. I was in the middle of rearranging the porcelain pot and the fresh cream when they surprised me with their enamored presence, so I spilled a little cream on the tray. Obviously, I was beyond shocked. I wasn’t exactly the poised kind, nor was I elegant, so I was pretty sure I appeared inexperienced and unprofessional. If it were Steph or Denise, they would have handled it with effortless elegance.

Before I could beat myself up for my major blunder, Ivy decided to take charge of the situation while Cruz remained cool as a cucumber.

“Serena, right? I’ve heard so many things about you. It’s about time we finally meet. I’m Ivy, Cruz’s fiancée.” Ivy was a tall, long-legged brunette who screamed heiress by her practiced smile, the slight tilt of her head, and the soft-spoken voice she addressed me with.

As much as I wanted to study how well they went together, I was more worried about what she had just said.

So she had heard things about me? Uh, such as what, exactly?

“It’s great to meet you, too, Ivy.”

“Why don’t you join us for coffee, Serena? I’d love to know more about you,” she offered, leaving me disconcerted.

“Serena is busy, Ivy,” Cruz instantly interrupted, barely glancing at me. “I’m sure she has better things to do.”

I did, like stomp his balls into the ground for being a coward and a hot jerk rolled into one.

Still donning my awkward smile, I merely nodded in agreement. “Yes, Mr. Elliot is correct. I have all these papers stacked on my desk. You know, work and stuff …” I was rambling whatever else I could think of, anything to get away from this awful situation.

I rapidly bid them good-bye, uncaring how it made me look. The second I got away, I made a beeline towards the bathroom, needing to hide from the shame that seized me.

Someday … Someday, I could look at him without feeling any of these emotions, and I couldn’t wait until that happened. I was sick to my stomach at the thought of how I had thrown myself at him and how he had graciously declined my advances.

I stayed a while in the bathroom until I felt safe to come out. Emerging, I searched for Denise and explained I was feeling ill and that, if she didn’t need me for the rest of the day, I would rather be excused to go home and rest it off.

She understood and didn’t give me a problem. Therefore, at three in the afternoon, I found myself in the bedroom, in bed, with my eyes wide open, wondering how things had become so shitty. It had begun as an exciting adventure, and now it wasn’t.

A loud knock on the door made me lose my breathing.

Before I could move, it was pushed open, and in came Archer with a confident, cocky grin splayed across his face.

“I heard you were feeling under the weather.” He lifted his hand, wiggling the glass filled with amber liquid in it.

Upon seeing him stroll into my bedroom, I instantly sat up, frowning as my eyes studied what was in his hand. “Uh, what’s that?”

“A shot of whiskey. Believe me; you’ll be good as new. It’s brilliant, really. I use it for anything.” Archer moved towards my bed, handing me his charming cure for all sickness.

Snickering as I took the glass and cradled it with both hands, I sent him a grateful smile. “I’m sure you use it without needing a reason.”

His playful grin grew, drawing my undivided attention. “Ah, love, you know me too well. Now drink up, and then let’s get out of here.” Typical Archer move, free-spirited and always on the move for the next adventure.

I raised my brow at him. “Where to?”

“Anywhere but here. You need some cheering up, me thinks,” he said, lying on my bed, displaying his toned body while he stared at the ceiling, whistling to his own tune.

I was too distracted by his random actions, so I forgot the drink he had brought me until he told me to drink up. I knew, without a doubt, I would be grossed out by the taste of it, but I didn’t let it deter me. Archer was right; I did need some cheering up, and I could get my cheering sooner once I downed the strong drink.

Just as expected, the second I tipped my head back to drink it to the last drop, I squirmed from the horrid taste, swallowing it all, anyway.

“Fuck, that was gross.”

“Atta, girl.” He cocked his head towards me before sending me a wink. “Now that we have that over and done with, get your bathing suit on. We’re going swimming while we watch a fun movie.”

I paused, grinning at him. “Swimming? Where?” His spontaneous personality was infectious.

“Didn’t you know? No one gave you the grand, ol’ tour, eh? There’s a pool downstairs, next to the gym,” he drawled amused at my reaction.

There was a gym, and I had no idea about it? Damn.

“Give me five. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

I barely glanced at him as I jumped out of bed, skittering towards my closet. I plucked out my two-piece suit then slammed the door shut to my bathroom. I was naked in a flash before shimmying myself into my matching jade green bottoms then tying the straps of the suit around my neck. Checking myself out in the mirror, I was pleased to find I looked pretty good with my toned abs and pert breasts. Not to mention, the jade color made my green eyes stand out even more, making them vibrant and intense.

“Okay, I’m done!” I announced as I stepped out of the bathroom, ready to have a lazy afternoon.

The second Archer saw me, he simply stared for a while, and then he gave a long, drawn out whistle. “Fuck me, Serena. I don’t think it’s possible to go for a swim, after all. I don’t think the cool water can cure what’s going on with me at the moment.”

Ah, freaking Archer, seriously? This wasn’t the damn time to get turned on.

“It’s not as if you haven’t seen a woman in a bathing suit, so stop being a pervert for a second and just have fun with me, please? It was you who came in here, promising some cheering up, so don’t give me this stupid excuse.”

He gave a hearty laugh then cleared his throat, seeming serious all of a sudden. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but I give you my word: I won’t do anything that might not please you.”

“That’s good enough, I guess,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. “Can we go now, pretty please?” I begged just as he rolled out of bed and gave me a look that indicated exactly how much he wanted me.

For some reason, this didn’t bother me. I was used to guys finding me attractive; consequently, Archer was not any different. Well, maybe with the exception that he was more good-looking than most men out there.