Chapter 20
Archer
Archer and Teddy strolled across Turner Hall’s lawns, then around Edward Hall’s rear gardens. Then, approaching the side opening that led into the cottages’ gardens, nerves hit Archer square in the belly.
What if Erica had changed her mind?
He couldn’t delay. If Erica didn’t want to marry him anymore, he needed to know and search for a new fake wife.
From his viewpoint, he saw Erica in the back area under the canopy of the patio area. She seemed to gravitate there like she was always meant to live in the cottage. Her oversized sunglasses sat on top of her head as she read whatever was on her lap. As he walked a couple of seconds later, Erica held her hand in the air and mouthed words. She could’ve spoken them aloud, but he was too far away to hear. She alternated from looking down and then repeating the action.
When she did it a third time, her head looked at him approaching, and a broad smile lit up her face. His heart soared in response to her cheerful non-verbal welcome.
She still liked him, but did she still want to marry him?
By the time he reached her chair, Erica was on her feet, the pile of papers face down on the table with her glasses resting on top.
“Hi,” she said.
Her smile was still warm and welcoming, but her eyes told him she was nervous. Just the sight of her caused Archer to grow hard. He thought she was lovely in another kaftan, reds, and pinks in a riot of colour, giving her tanned skin a healthy glow.
“Hi,” he said, cupping her face in both his hands.
Archer couldn’t help himself and kissed her lightly on the lips, brushing against her mouth in a soft touch. Her hands and arms came around his waist and held him. Erica tilted her head and kissed him back. He wanted to deepen the caress, but knowing she was still on board was more important. This would be the last time he would check. The next time he greeted her would be a more passionate embrace.
Keeping his hands on her face but leaning back, he was aware he was pressing his erection against her body. That wasn’t the point he was trying to make, but her grin turned salacious. Archer needed to be in charge of this relationship but was finding he was happy for her to equal or take the lead. He’d never been with a woman who was so open about attraction. Having a confident woman in his arms was the sexiest thing he’d ever experienced.
“I need to ask you something?” Archer said.
“Yes,” she answered, pressing her hips against him.
Christ, this woman would be the end of him. Yet, he wanted nothing more than to pull the kaftan over her head and gaze at her nakedness.
“Can we focus?” he asked with a chuckle.
“You have my undivided attention, Archer. Since the moment you entered my back garden with your adorable dog.”
Archer looked around her body to find Teddy in the exact spot Erica had been sitting, sleeping. He thought Teddy was faking sleep so no one would move him. Archer didn’t blame him.
“Are you still on board with the reckless plan?”
“Yes,” she said, frowning. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, not at all. In fact, I think I might be in danger of really liking you for a fake wife.”
Archer didn’t intend to be so forthright. The words tumbled out. Erica smiled, searching his eyes for sincerity. He hoped she found it.
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
“It depends. If you’re capable of breaking my heart, I might be in real trouble.”
Her face became unreadable. Archer felt her body press tighter to his, but her expression told him she knew what heartbreak felt like.
“We’ll be fine, Archer. You worry too much.”
“I think we could do with ironing out some details and getting to know each other if we’re to fool my aunt. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Exactly what I’m doing today, but I could do with a break. What do you have in mind?”
“I thought we could go across to one of the uninhabited islands for a picnic. The tide works well to walk across at midday. We’ll have a few hours before we need to come back across the causeway.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Wear something to swim in, in case you want to take a dip,” Archer said.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he said, staring down at her mouth.
“Kiss me, Archer,” Erica whispered.
Banding his arms around her back, he captured her mouth with his and gave her a hard kiss, holding firm for a few seconds. When he broke the connection, he opened his mouth, and so did Erica, crashing together again. The consuming kiss felt so good. When Archer slid his tongue against hers, his erection grew harder. Erica’s chest was pressed against his torso, and he knew she was braless as soon as her erect nipples became obvious. He lifted her as he walked to the chair and sat down. Erica straddled his thighs and placed her hands on each side of his neck, kissing the life out of him. Heavy breathing, strong lips, and the sexiest flicker of her tongue had him dizzy with arousal. He grabbed at the material covering her hips, keeping it decent, but he wanted to drag her dress up far enough to see if she was wearing underwear.
Erica sat back, hand on her chest, taking deep breaths as her chest heaved. The drunk heavy-lidded gaze she was shooting his way made him lose his mind with lust. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, but he couldn’t have sex with her. That was a line he couldn’t cross if he were to keep his heart intact.
“I could get addicted to this mouth,” Erica whispered, swiping her finger along his bottom lip.
Archer licked the pad of her finger and then took it into his mouth, sucking hard just like he wanted her to do to his dick.
“I should go before things get too heated.”
“Archer, I think you already gave me an orgasm from that kiss. I’m on fire,” she said, leaving her finger in his mouth while he toyed with her.
His hands held her hips in place, so she didn’t feel how hard he was for her. Erica fell forward as she removed her finger and kissed him again. Slow, languid, sensual. She hugged him around his neck, and he barely moved while she explored and teased.
When her hands stroked down his abdomen and to the waistband of his shorts, he stood up, placing her back on her feet. Archer still held her tight to his body but ensured she couldn’t get her hands between them.
“Not now, not here,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.
He was determined not to fuck Erica, but if he ever failed in that mission, having sex in front of his dog on the patio furniture was not how he wanted it to happen.
“Why?”
“Too many eyes, honey.”
Archer stroked the back of his hand across her cheekbone and then threaded his fingers through her hair at her nape.
“Okay,” she said. “What time shall I be ready tomorrow?”
“I’ll pick you up at eleven. Just bring yourself. I’ll arrange everything else.”
“Okay, Archer Turner, I’ll be ready. Now let me go before I drag you inside.”
Archer groaned at her suggestion, dropped a soft kiss on her lips, and stepped away. He whistled to Teddy to get down from the sofa. Teddy trotted to Erica, who let him lick her hand, and then he came to Archer’s side.
“Bye,” he said quietly and walked away.
It was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Archer wanted nothing more than to take her inside and into bed.