Page 67 of Reckless Kiss

Erica snorkelled around in circles, following one seal in particular. A while later, Archer indicated they swim to the shore. As soon as Erica could stand on the sea bottom, she stood up, and pulled off her mask, smiling wide.

“That was amazing, Archer. Thank you so much for arranging it.”

“Seeing the wonder on your face when the seals joined us was worth it.”

“It was magical.”

The water was up to her chest. Erica swayed back and forth with the movement of the water. Archer brought her close and kissed her. She was grateful she wore a wetsuit because Archer turned the kiss indecent as he devoured her mouth, tasting every inch of her. She let the water give her buoyancy and wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his erection as she pressed her pelvis to his hips. Still, with their tongues entwined, Archer walked them out of the water and onto the sandy beach. It was a secluded cove surrounded by rocks. He dropped to his knees and covered her body while still kissing her. She was frantic, trying to get closer in thick wet suits. Finally, he broke the kiss and stared down at her.

“Turn over,” he said, his chest lifting up and down with his panting.

She did as he asked. Archer pulled the flap across and then pulled down the zip of the wet suit exposing her back. When he realised she wasn’t wearing anything on top, he pushed her onto her back again.

“You’re not wearing a bra,” he said.

“Was I supposed to?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been this close to a woman wearing a wet suit.”

Archer curled his fingers under the collar and peeled it down. It trapped her arms at the side. He looked left and right and then tugged the wet suit to expose one of her breasts.

“Archer,” she said as he sucked on her nipple, pulling it hard into his mouth.

“I know, but I can’t help myself. You’re naked under here.”

He left her breast alone, covered her modesty, and left her arms where they were. She sank further into the soft sand under his weight, looking up at his handsome face. He was playful. Her earnest, focused, and resolute man was being daring and playful.

Except he wasn’t her man, not really.

“We were the last people to go out and see the seals today, but I’m not going to risk stripping you and having my way with your body,” he said.

Archer let out a pretend sob and tugged her wet suit up to her neck. “Goodbye, boobies,” he said.

Erica laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck when she was free to move. She cuddled him close, loving the feel of his body on hers, wishing they’d met under different circumstances at a different time. Archer rolled them, so he was on his back. He pulled her to his side, arm wrapped around her shoulder, and they stayed like that in silence for an endless time. Erica could hear the seals in the distance calling out to each other. The water lapped at the sand a couple of feet from their position. But all she could feel was her thundering heart. Sneaking a hand over Archer’s muscles, she put her palm over his heart.

It was hammering too.

Chapter 33

Archer

At some stage, he’d nodded off in the afternoon sun with Erica tucked into his side. The vicar would not be angry if they were late, but Archer was never late for anything. He’d shaken Erica awake and kissed her slowly until she was fully alert.

“We need to get moving to see the vicar,” he said, cupping her chin and kissing her nose.

It was so easy to be intimate with Erica. Her calming nature soothed his soul. Years of working in a loud, boisterous environment on the rigs had him yearning for something or someone quieter. He was about to lie to a man of God, which scared him more than his aunt reneging on their deal.

The cove where they landed after swimming with the seals was nearer to Turner Hall than the cove where they went out on the motor boat. He walked Erica to her door and told her he’d pick her up in an hour. That gave himenough time to hurry back to Maggie, iron his shirt, and change.

He drove the golf buggy to Erica’s cottage and then headed down into the town. Erica fidgeted next to him, looking in every direction but him. He couldn’t see her eyes as she wore oversized dark sunglasses.

“Are you okay?” he asked when they stopped at the top of the driveway to the vicarage. Like most of the older homes on the island, the vicarage was large, with land all around. All Saints Church stood majestically off to the right of the vicarage, looming tall above them.

“We’re going to lie to a man of God,” she whispered.

“Just think of all the couples who get married, thinking they’re in love and thinking they will spend the rest of their lives together only to get divorced six months later.”

“That’s depressing,” she commented.

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