Page 27 of His Weekend Wife

CHAPTER SEVEN

Anger flashed through Ash. How dare he! She stepped into the middle of the room. Pulling the belt of the robe tighter around her waist. “Who the hell is she?” Did he honestly believe she’d have a threesome with him? She controlled the urge not to trudge toward him and slap the smirk right off his grinning face. “If you think for one second that I’m the kind of girl to play your games, you’re mistaken.”

Declan’s grin grew to revolting lengths. “Oh, bella. Your jealousy humors me.”

“Hello, you must be Ash?” The leggy blonde swayed across the room, her perfectly manicured hand thrust out toward Ash.

Looking past the woman, Ash nailed Declan with her sharp stare. “Declan?”

“Relax, sweetheart. It isn’t what you think. Meet Analisa, the owner of the beauty salon here in the building.”

“So you don’t just date models!” Ash was growing angrier by the second. She couldn’t believe she’d come here.

Analisa smiled coyly and her cheeks turned pink. “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake—”

“You bet there’s been a mistake, lady! Declan is my husband. Did he tell you that little detail?”

“Yes, he did.” Her cheeks turned darker red.

“You’re a piece of work, Declan!” Ash couldn’t believe he stood there, with a smug grin and his hands pushed into his front pockets. She darted toward the door, but he was on her, gently wrapping his fingers around her elbow and pulling her back.

“Not so fast, sweetheart.” He nuzzled his nose in her hair. “Although I’ve been known to entertain myself with two, sometimes three, women at a time, when it comes to you, I’m perfectly selfish. I wouldn’t share you with anyone because I want you for myself,” he whispered.

Analisa’s laugh was shaky.

Ash swung around, meeting Declan’s humored gaze. “Then what is she doing here?” She wished her voice didn’t tremble. “I-I…I don’t quite understand.”

“I’m here to do your hair, love.” Analisa shrugged as if to wipe away the misunderstanding. “You did tell me to come on up when I got here.” She was looking at Declan.

“I did and it’s okay. I just didn’t have an opportunity to explain. I was…” He swept his gaze over Ash. “Sidetracked.”

Analisa delicately cleared her throat. “Will you be a sweetheart, Declan, and bring up my cases from the hallway? My assistant had an emergency and she’ll be running late. These heels might be gorgeous, but I’m afraid they aren’t made for climbing stairs.” She laughed.

Declan didn’t take his eyes off Ash, staring until she shifted uncomfortably. He stepped around her. No sooner had he left the room when Analisa started sliding her fingers through Ash’s hair, examining the ends closer.

“How long has it been since you’ve had a trim, hun?” The woman’s nose wrinkled slightly.

Did Ash have to admit that it had been a good year, maybe two? “A while, I’m afraid.”

“Yes, I can tell. No problem though. I have magical hands. That’s why Declan called me in. It’s in pretty good health though and you’ll see, after we put in a few highlights, it’ll be thick and luscious.” Excitement spread over her pretty face.

Ash didn’t mind the trim, but she did mind that Declan felt that she needed ‘fixed’ up.

“You go on into the bathroom and once Declan brings up my things, I’ll be right in and we’ll get started.” She waved Ash toward the bathroom.

Ash reluctantly did as she was ordered, wishing instead she could give Declan a piece of her mind.

Inside of the bathroom, she admired the gorgeous features of the extravagant space. In the center was a ridiculously large whirlpool, deep enough that she could wash away all her troubles. She had a strong urge to climb in now, forget the hair, but not with Analisa waiting to get her hands on Ash. She had a feeling Declan would demand that the beautician wait until Ash was finished. There was just no way around this.

“Just as Declan had promised, a vanity with a chair,” Analisa said as she floated into the room, carrying a large purple bag with her. She set it next to the vanity and scanned the room with wide eyes. “Holy crap this is nice.”

“Yes, it is,” Ash agreed and took a seat in front of the mirror. On top sat a large basket brimming with elegant bottles and containers. Ash took out a bottle of shampoo, uncapped it and sniffed the coconut lavender scent. She could have bathed in it as it smelled so good. Replacing the cap, she started to reach for another bottle, but Analisa was wrapping a plastic cape around her shoulders.

The beautician went right to work, running her fingers through Ash’s hair and massaging her scalp. “You will have such pretty hair when I’m done. We’re starting with a great, clean slate.”

“Thank you.” Ash guessed. For not having her hair done in so long, she should be happy Analisa had any kind words to say. Looking at herself in the mirror, the bright lights shone the truth upon her. Declan had been right when he said she had dark circles under her eyes. Her nails were broken and she hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in so long she couldn’t remember.

Analisa did have magical fingers. She worked on Ash’s head with a gentleness that made some of the tension in her muscles drain. She relaxed back, closed her eyes, and allowed the woman to work her enchantment. It wasn’t every day she was pampered, and it was only hair.

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