Page 21 of Reckless Kiss

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope. I lasted ten minutes once, never again. Who wants to sit still for two hours looking at a screen.”

“I think they call it escapism.”

“There are other ways to escape,” Archer said, taking a quick glance at her mouth. “Anyway, I’d better go look at the other cottages. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

Erica nodded her understanding and watched him walk out of her house. Her relationship with Gregg had been over for months, and she hadn’t lusted after anyone until this guy. A man who hated films. At least she wouldn’t have a problem with him knowing who she was while she hid away.

Chapter 13

Archer

All three cottages were precisely the same as the one he stayed in and hers. He stopped on the path, realising he knew the feel of Erica’s breast in his hand. Soft, supple, perfectly sized, with a large nipple.

He wanted to kiss her so badly. The pull he felt when she sat on his lap, curling in against his body while she found her grounding. The electric shock wouldn’t have hurt, but it would have surprised her. He was used to being shocked, but if Erica had never experienced it before, she would’ve been startled.

Carrying her to the bed was over the top, but she was game. It took all of Archer’s willpower to stop pulling the towel off her body and burying his face between her trim thighs.

Archer knocked on her front door and pushed the door open, walking in. He called outhello,and she shouted she was out in the back garden. Archer watched her through the window for a few moments whileshe was talking and waving her hands in the air. Her earbuds were firmly in her ears, with the cord trailing down into the back pocket of her jeans. Then his focus was solely on her backside.

“Eyes up here, sunshine,” she said.

Fuck.

Her smile lit up her whole face. Archer wanted that smile just for him, ban her from smiling that way to anyone else.

Ignoring what his dick wanted after seeing her bottom and killer smile, he cleared his throat and went outside to see her.

“The other cottages are the same, but it’s an easy fix. I’ll get them repaired in the next few hours. I need to go into the town to pick up some supplies. Someone has wired up the switches incorrectly.”

“Sounds like someone hasn’t done their job properly. However, I have faith you’ll sort it out. Are you new to the estate?”

“Kind of. Why?”

“Is the town busy with people?”

“Define busy?”

“Crowded, people looking you in the eye, that kind of thing. Stopping to have a chat. Or is it strangers passing on the street getting on with their lives?”

“The former, definitely. The townfolk can smell new blood instantly. Then they’ll charm you into revealing everything about yourself. If you resist, they’ll engage other means.”

“Christ. I’ll stay here.”

“You don’t like people?”

“Not at the moment. I’m a private person and clam up when asked personal stuff.”

“Best you stay here then. Is there something you need? I can pick it up for you.”

“Nothing in particular. I thought I could wander around the town and browse in the shop windows. But if I’m likely to be stopped, I’ll stay here. Two months is a long time to be cooped up. I want to get some exercise.”

“If it’s exercise you need,” he said with a smirk he couldn’t stop. “Then you can walk around the open land up here on the cliffs. It’s all Turner land. If you walk to the end of the garden, past the gap I took you through before, there’s a well-worn path connecting all five cottages and leading you down the beach below. It’s a private beach for Turner use. The townspeople know they’re not allowed on the beach. Plus, you can only get to it by that path or by boat.”

“Turner use?”

“It’s a broad term, but back in the day, both Turner Hall and Edward Hall were filled with family, staff, and a constant flow of friends coming to stay. Whoever was staying in either hall could use the beach.”

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