Page 86 of Reckless Kiss

“I’m her husband,” Gregg said.

“This is Gregg, and he’s my ex-husband,” she told Archer at the same time.

Archer took a step towards Gregg, but Erica slipped between the two men facing Gregg.

“Take a step back, Gregg. You’re no match for Archer,” she said.

In every aspect, she thought. Erica could feel the heat coming from Archer at her back, but he wasn’t touching her. All she wanted to do was fall back into his arms and find comfort. Instead, Gregg looked over her shoulder and took several steps away, running his hands through his hair.

“Why are you here, Gregg? Yanny told you I couldn’t make the lunch meeting.”

“But you could have lunch with Jason Turner, your fiancé,” he said, spite oozing from his words.

“I’m not marrying Jason Turner. Where the hell are you getting that from? And why do you care? You asked me for the divorce, and you’ll have a baby soon with Monica.”

“It’s not my baby. I’ve been a fool, lured in by the lying bitch,” Gregg said.

“Hey, no name-calling,” Erica barked, pointing her finger at him. “Be respectful.”

“She tricked me into thinking I was the father of the baby. I’ll call her whatever I like,” Gregg replied.

“You’re no better,” Erica screeched. “You were having an affair while we were married before we split up. You’re a hypocrite, and you’re a lying bastard.”

“What happened to respectful?”

“Fuck off,” Archer said behind her.

Gregg looked over her shoulder and completely changed his demeanour. “I’m sorry, babe. I don’t know what I was thinking. When she told me she was pregnant so soon after I’d slept with her, I thought I had to do my duty and stand by her.”

“But you didn’t think it was dutiful to stand by your wife and not fuck around?” Erica said, spitting her words out.

Archer had curled his fingers around Erica’s bicep. It was a loose grip but one that could tighten in a second should she decide to lurch for her ex-husband.

“You were never home, always on set filming your latest movie or promoting. It was a lonely life.”

“You knew what my life was like before we married. Countless times you told me you didn’t mind I was away. I trusted you.”

“I’m sorry,” Gregg said, holding his head in his hands. “Can we talk? Somewhere we don’t have an audience?”

Erica looked to her side and saw Yanny, Daisy, Jason, and Luke standing in a row with pensive stares.

“I need to take a shower. Where are you staying? I’ll meet you at your guest house.”

“I have nowhere to stay. I came in these clothes. I needed to see you.”

“Fucking hell,” Archer said behind her.

Erica craned her neck to look at him. His eyes dropped to her face. All she felt was comfort, even if he looked at her with frosty eyes.

“If you’re not marrying Jason Turner, then all these people can back off and let us talk.”

Teddy barked at her feet, his yap aimed at Gregg. Erica bent to scratch the dog’s head and let him lick her hand in greeting. She was glad the dog was on her side.

“Are there some spare clothes Gregg could change into?” she asked Archer.

He rolled his eyes and looked at his two brothers. Gregg was nearer Luke’s physique than Jason or Archer.

“I’ll be back in ten minutes. You, arsehole, do not go into that cottage. I’ll come back with some clothes and can take you to get a shower. You stink.”

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