Page 90 of Reckless Kiss

Gregg jumped at Archer’s voice and tripped when he backed away, landing on his arse. Archer strode by with an exhausted Erica and climbed the pathway. When he got to the top, Teddy and Yanny were waiting.

“Is she okay?” Yanny asked, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

“She should be fine, just exhausted from treading water for so long. I’m going to get her back to the cottage and into bed. Do you know where you’re staying tonight?”

“Don’t worry about me. Daisy is sorting me out, just concentrate on Erica.”

Letting out a whine, Teddy jumped up Archer’s leg.

“She’s okay, buddy. You saved her life,” Archer told the dog.

Teddy jumped up Archer’s leg again, trying to get to Erica. Archer dipped down into a crouch so Teddy could lick her face, and then Archer made his way across the lawn to the cottage. Taking the stairs two at a time, he went to her bedroom and into the bathroom. She was coming round but still groggy.

“Archer?” Erica said.

“Yeah, honey.”

“You came running,” she said, lifting her arm to cup his cheek.

It was entirely unhelpful as he tried to remove her wet clothes, but he let her caress his cheek, still holding back the tears that he could’ve lost her.

“I’ll always come running. We all will if you’re in trouble,” Archer replied.

Erica’s head hung like she was drunk. He’d sat her on the chair in the corner by the shower unit, but it wasn’t proving easy.

“Archer, is everything all right?” Daisy called out.

“Are you alone?” he shouted back.

“Yeah, it’s just me. Do you need help?”

“I do, she’s like a dead weight, and I don’t want her to get a chill.”

Daisy entered the room and undressed Erica while Archer held her upright. Between them, they got her washed, dry, and into PJs. Daisy watched Erica while Archer took a shower and put on the clothes Daisy had brought up.

When he was changed, he returned to the bedroom to see his sleeping angel tucked in under the covers.

“Where’s Gregg?” Archer asked Daisy, not taking his eyes off Erica.

“Luke took him down to the port side in the buggy. He’s going to make sure he’s on the next boat off the island. I think he would have chartered a boat himself if there wasn’t a ferry due to leave in the next hour.”

“I could’ve lost her, Daisy,” Archer said, relieved Gregg had gone.

“But you didn’t, focus only on that fact. I’ll leave you two alone. Your phone is next to the bed on charge. If you need me, send me a message.”

“Thanks, Daisy. I owe you. I owe all of you.”

“You don’t owe us anything, big brother. You’ve spent your whole life looking out for us. This is the least we can do.”

Archer hung his head and then took a long breath through his nose. He heard the door click closed, and he looked up to find it was just him and Erica.

Walking to the other side of the bed, he stepped out of his shorts, pulled off his t-shirt then climbed into bed. He was an experienced swimmer, but even he was exhausted from the rescue and carrying Erica back.

Archer brought her tight to his side and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 41

Erica

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