STAR DENISE RICHARDS WAS SHOCKED

Denise Richards and rocker Richie Sambora

Actress DENISE RICHARDS was shocked by the hostile reaction that greeted the news she was dating her friend HEATHER LOCKLEAR’s then-estranged husband RICHIE SAMBORA. Former Bond Girl Richards, who divorced the father of her two daughters, Charlie Sheen, in November (06), started dating Bon Jovi rocker Sambora last year. At the time, Sambora was separated from actress Locklear - the couple’s divorce was finalized last month.And Richards admits she was surprised at how the media assumed she and Sambora had behaved deceitfully. She says, "It was really one-sided. I was shocked at how judgmental people are. Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors, except for the people involved. We need to be grown-ups."I didn’t have an affair with Richie during his marriage, nor did he during mine. I am a loyal girlfriend and a good friend."I hadn’t spoken to Heather in quite a few months when Richie and I got together. I wasn’t her best friend who said, ‘By the way, I’m sleeping with your husband.’ "Quite frankly we couldn’t help it. The attraction was there and we have such a strong connection."