Page 81 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

"Does that count as a question?" Archer glances up at me through his thick lashes and goes back to work pullingeverything out. He strolls over, grabbing two plates, setting one in front of me, and shoving a stack of napkins between us.

"Thanks for the food," I tell him, digging into the box of lo mein.

"No problem." Archer dumps some noodles onto his plate and pops a giant piece of broccoli in his mouth.

"And for the place to stay," I add.

He shoots me a glance. "You're welcome?"

"What?" I shove his shoulder playfully.

"You're being nice," Archer says. "Must be the tequila."

"Oh, whatever."

We eat our food in silence for a little while, the only sound other than our chewing is the faint music that Archer put on playing in the background.

I bite the end of an egg roll and pivot the stool toward Archer. "What's your favorite color?"

Archer finishes swallowing the food in his mouth and pats his mouth with his napkin. "I didn't realize we were going to get so personal with our questions."

"Oh, come on."

His gaze meets mine, something so intense in the way he's looking at me. "Green." Without taking his eyes off me, he reaches for his glass of tequila. "This is because I'm thirsty."

I smirk at him. "You sure do loosen up when you've been drinking."

"The more I drink, the less there is for you." Archer sets the cup down. "I think it's my turn."

"Ask away, big boy."

He leans a little closer, his tattooed arm resting on the counter. "Did you mean it when you said I was a bad kisser?"

My cheeks redden and there's nothing I can do to conceal the heat flushing my entire body. I consider my options, opting to take my glass of tequila and down it.

Archer doesn't even try to hide the grin on his face. "Thought so."

"You're the worst," I tell him, despite us both knowing I'm lying.

"Okay."

I go right into the next question. "What's your favorite tattoo?"

Archer lifts his shirt, exposing his ink-stained skin, and points to a lock that's just over his heart.

"Where's the key?" I ask him, the limit to my questions seemingly endless tonight. I'm not sure where this game begins or ends anymore, and the insatiable hunger to learn more about this mysterious man only continues to grow.

Archer drinks, not wanting to give me the answer to my question. Or maybe because there is no key to his heart, it was lost somewhere along the way when the woman he was in love with died.

"We've covered relationships, parents, siblings…what else is there?"

"Politics and religion?" I suggest sarcastically.

Archer chuckles. "I'd rather drink."

I grab onto my glass and raise it in the air between us. "You and me both." I tip it back, swallowing the liquid for no reason other than wanting to keep this buzz going. This is the first time in a while I haven't felt so heavy and I want nothing more than for it to last, even if it means the uncertainty of whether I'll have a hangover tomorrow or not.

"It's kind of terrifying, really," Archer says.

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