Chapter 31
Erica
Archer pulled his body out of the pool in that sexy way only men could do with powerful upper body strength. The water dripped off him like he was under a shower. Erica ogled him for a few minutes as he twisted to sit on the pool’s edge. She marvelled at her soon-to-be fake husband, wondering if she could keep it strictly business. Licking her lips and then ducking under the water, Erica swam to where he was sitting and emerged between his splayed legs. Resting her hands on his thighs, she looked up at his face, and his chin dropped to gaze back.
“Are you ready to meet the vicar?” he asked, hooking his hands under her armpits and lifting her clear out of the water to plant a kiss on her lips. He lifted her higher, and Erica straddled him, balancing precariously on his thighs. Archer held her tight until she settled.
“I feel nervous. My last wedding was done in the local council offices,” Erica said.
She stiffened when she ran through what information was required. If Archer noticed, he didn’t say anything.
“The vicar will put you at ease. Of course, it helps that you and I like each other, not that the vicar will care if this is a love match or not. He’s been the vicar on the island since he was eighteen, so he is probably too old to be too curious.”
“Is he friends with your aunt?”
“Most definitely,” Archer replied.
She sank down on his legs, relief flooding her. If the vicar were friends with his aunt, then the meeting would go in their favour. Erica had the feeling Archer’s aunt would ensure there would be no hiccups. Archer grabbed her arse and pulled her closer, getting her to sit directly on his hardness.
“Visiting the vicar turns you on?” Erica asked, shifting from side to side.
“You in a bikini turns me on. It won’t long before our training sessions will be over, so I’m making the most of the view.”
“Time seems to be flying so fast.”
“When we see the vicar today, he should be able to marry us within one month, then that will leave you free to go.”
His words hurt her heart. She was so at home in his arms that leaving seemed a lonely prospect. Archer was matter of fact even if his erection and hands said otherwise. At every turn, he was reminding her the arrangement was temporary. She could leave in a couple of months, except his aunt had thrown in the never get divorced clause. Had Cynthia done the same to Archer? Erica dared not ask. Otherwise, Archer might ask more questions about what his aunt had said to her.
“How long will the meeting be? ”
“Twenty minutes tops. I have an outing planned for us first,” Archer said.
“Sounds mysterious.”
“You’ll have to wait and see. But first, we need breakfast, and Maggie wants to meet you.”
“The famous cook of Turner Hall.”
“The very same. Maker of the best bacon sandwiches. You don’t have to eat them. She can make you anything you want.”
“I’m not a fan of bread. Well, my stomach is not a fan of bread. I can watch you devour your breakfast like a caveman.”
“Caveman, eh?”
Archer shifted his hips, inching near the edge of the pool. He had a wicked gleam in his eye.
“I think you’ll find I’m a gentleman,” he said. “But for that comment,” he added, dropping Erica into the water.
He was standing on the edge of the concrete path when she came back up, pushing her hair off her face.
“I was comfy there,” Erica said through a laugh.
Archer gave her a cheeky grin, hands on his hips highlighting the muscles at the edge of his shorts.
“Can’t get too used to comfiness, Erica. I’m taking my caveman ass off to get changed. I’ll meet you back here in half an hour.”
“All right. I’m sorry about the caveman remark. I didn’t mean it,” Erica called out to his back, walking away. Archer lifted his arms and flexed his muscles in a Popeye move.
Erica sank into the water, treading as she worked her legs and arms, watching him move until he turned the corner around the side of Turner Hall. Then, with a long sigh, Erica swam to the other side of the pool and used the metal steps to get out of the pool. Grabbing her towel, she wrapped her body up and walked back to her cottage. When she met with the vicar, she would have to state her profession for the paperwork which would end up on the marriage certificate. It was on the tip of her tongue to confess when he had her arms around her, but she backed out. Maybe the vicar won’t ask, and she can fill in a form.