Page 39 of Reckless Kiss

Erica turned to look in the direction he nodded. A tree with no branches or leaves at the bottom of the cliff had an orange buoyancy aid hooked onto a dead branch stump. The rope was coiled around the stump underneath.

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, stay out of the water and get help,” Archer warned.

“I’ll stick with you. I can swim, but I’m not experienced enough to fight a tide.”

“Good plan. I’ve set the alarm, so we don’t forget about the time. There is nothing on the island to act as a shelter if we get stuck.”

Strolling, the journey lasted five minutes. Erica guessed she could run the distance in three minutes. When they reached the white sands on Stuart Island, a silence fell about them. No squawking birds like on the main island. The waves lapping at the shore lulled her, relaxing her muscles.

Archer laid out the blanket in the shade of a rock while talking.

“This was where me and my brothers and sister would run away to when we wanted some peace from the house. When our mother left without a word, we were all lost. I remember it was like any other day. She kissed my cheek, hugged me, and wished me a great day at school. Daisy was six months old and in her cot upstairs in the nursery. Jason was tearing around the grand foyer, and Luke crawled around after him. Just like any other day setting off for school. I keep thinking back to see if she hugged me longeror harder.”

His confession floored her. So many questions rattled through her head, and none were appropriate to ask. She did, and she didn’t want to pry.

“What did you do when you came over here?” she asked as she lifted items from the basket to put on the blanket.

Erica made a runway of food between them, leaving space for Archer to lie down when he was ready. Watching him stand still with his back to her, she glanced at his thighs. Then, chastising herself for lusting after a man talking about his hiding place when he was hurting, she looked away.

With a large rock behind them and Copper Island in front of them, there wasn’t much else to see apart from clear water and white sand. The imposing house, Turner Hall, loomed large at the top of the cliff covered in greenery. Edward Hall peeked out above tall trees, its turrets steel grey. Erica toyed around with plates of sandwiches and bite-sized nibbles to be in the order she would like to try them. When Archer turned to face her, she gave him her best comforting smile, hoping he would come and join her.

“I got lost there in a memory, sorry,” he said, dropping to his knees and then to his side. “Maggie prepared the food, so we have to guess what’s here. She usually makes what she wants to eat, whatever she fancies on the day.”

“It looks fantastic. I’m going to try the sandwiches first.”

“I didn’t think to check. Are you vegetarian or have any food preferences?”

“I’ll eat most things once,” Erica answered, then took a bite out of a triangle sandwich. “Ham and mustard,” she said, lifting the remainder.

“Mine is beef and horseradish. I detest horseradish,” Archer said, grimacing.

Erica laughed at his disgruntled face, hiding her smile behind her hand. “You want to swap?”

“I would. Ham and mustard is my favourite.”

Erica handed over her sandwich and took his. Archer took her by surprise and leaned in for a quick kiss.

“We should talk about the deal we made the other night,” Archer said.

“Do you have a plan?”

“Nope, I hoped you would have made one?”

“Well, we could date for a few weeks. Then you could propose, then we get married.”

“Simple, I like it,” Archer said, nodding.

They fell silent as they picked their way through the food, exchanging bites of pieces they liked until they were full. Archer packed away the remaining food and dishes and put the basket to the side. When the space was vacant, he scooted closer to Erica, tugging at her waist to lie down next to him. He turned to kiss her forehead when he had her tucked into his side with his arm around her shoulder. A shiver ran slowly down her spine, spreading heat as it reached the base of her back. It was a tender caress a loving husband would give his wife.

“There is a lot more we need to talk about, honey, but I don’t want to ruin the mood.”

Erica thought the same as she cuddled closer, looking over his bare feet to the water’s edge. The contentedness she felt was a strange feeling. When she took time away to learn her lines and research her role, it was in short bursts. After a few days, Erica would grow bored and gravitate to her home in London. Lying on the sand under the blazing sun, she couldn’t imagine spending time in a busy city.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked.

“We can’t have sex,” Archer blurted, keeping his hand cupping her shoulder.

“Okay, disappointing, but okay,” she said hesitantly. “Can you tell me why?”

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