Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six (27 page)

Sometime later, Andie’s consciousness struggled to the surface of her orgasm induced stupor. She was in Cade’s arms, snuggled on his sturdy chest in the afterglow of the most tremendous quake of passion she’d ever experienced.

But not all was well, not by far. Oh yeah, her entire body glowed with a warm, diffused sense of well-being, pleasured to submission by the powerful, sensual football player in her embrace.

Even asleep, he had one hand wrapped in her hair and the other one possessively cupping her throbbing ass.

Except why had she been punished? She wasn’t the one holding out on the relationship, giving it the silent treatment this past week, refusing to talk. Sure, she’d screwed up with not coming clean about Declan, but exactly how far into a relationship was she supposed to go before baring all of her past? Should she mention the detention she got in middle school or the ‘D’ she received in public speaking in sixth grade? Or even the bungled first kiss when her retainer got caught in the guy’s lip ring?

After all, he’d only asked her to be his girlfriend less than forty-eight hours before she found out she was still married to the nightmare from ex-street.

Andie didn’t want to rouse herself from their delightful trance, but her rising temper prodded her to shove herself from the warm haven of Cade’s arms.

Cade inhaled sharply, waking. He blinked and reached for her. “What’s wrong?”

She wanted to say ‘nothing,’ to stay in the languorous zone of sated lovemaking, or had it been a fucking punishment, or some other twisted fantasy of his?

But she bit her lip and stared down at him, making no effort to cover her heaving nakedness. “Us, me. I’m confused.”

Concern knit his brow, and he reached for her, pulling her down to his side onto a pillow facing him.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He pressed his fingers over her temple, brushing back her hair.

She covered his hand with hers, unable to resist rubbing her cheek in his palm. “That was awesome, what you did in bed, but what you did before, shutting me out, that hurt.”

The scar over his upper lip twitched as he blinked, his eyes widening. Sure, it wasn’t exactly fair to bother him after the awesome sex they’d had, but when else was he going to lie still enough to talk?

He’d been so busy with training camp, competing for the starting quarterback position, driving his mother around and visiting Roxanne and the baby, that Andie hadn’t been able to corner him.

His thumb stroked her cheek, and he swallowed. “I wanted to give you space to figure out what you’re going to do. In case you still …”

“Still what, Cade?” She perked up, alerted to his suspicions. “Still care about him? Still want to be married to him? Still want him back?”

“Something like that.”

“Then why didn’t you ask me? Why’d you cut me out? Act like I was just a roommate and avoid me all week? Do you know how that made me feel?”

“Sorry.” His eyebrows lowered and his jaw tightened, scowling. He sounded like a little boy whose mother made him apologize.

Chills swept Andie’s scalp and she stiffened, drawing in a harsh breath. What was going on here? What did he want from her? Was it only a woman to dominate, to come and go at his beck and call? Someone whose feelings didn’t matter, like the groupies who offered a round of hot sex as a release of tension?

“Just sorry?” Andie’s voice rose as she popped off the bed, scrambling for her clothes. Oh, heck, she knew her redhead temper was getting the better of her, but so what? He deserved to know how he made her feel. “I’ve had a week of hell. Trying to get Declan to sign those forms, running around looking for a lawyer I can’t afford, and coming home to find you gone or avoiding me. No communication. Nothing. Then suddenly, you’re throwing me over your shoulder and fucking me within an inch of my life, and all I get is sorry? What happens tomorrow? Or even tonight? Are you going to pretend I don’t exist?”

“No, I
am
sorry.” He tugged her hand, clasping his fingers between hers. “I was hurt. I thought you wanted Declan back. Like you were glad to find out you were still married to him. I wanted to give you space.”

“Without letting me explain?” Andie was getting herself truly worked up. Her nerves rebounded between remembered passion and pain. “Leaving me to think you’d regretted asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“I never regretted that.” He drew her into his arms. “I only thought to respect the sanctity of your marriage. I didn’t want you subjected to gossip or labeled an adulteress, or even worse, get you in trouble at work. I know how much you need this job.”

“Oh, fucking bullshit on the marriage thing. It was a mistake, get it?”

“I know, but still, it hurt me that you married that douche.” Cade pressed her ear over his pounding heartbeat and caressed her head.

Andie couldn’t help trembling in his embrace. She snuggled her face in his broad chest and inhaled his virile, male musk. “I don’t need the job as much as I need you, Cade, and I don’t care if people think I’m disrespecting my marriage vows.”

“I know now, except Declan’s holding the strings. He still wants you, babe. He told me you were only using me to make him jealous, that you’re still his.”

“And you believe him?” Andie lifted her head to stare into Cade’s eyes.

He flinched and his eyelids flickered, unable to keep his gaze steady. Was he still doubtful? What could she possibly do to prove to him she was over Declan? Because she was, wasn’t she?

She had this powerhouse football player, a guy with a heart larger than the planet Jupiter, and a man who completed her, make her feel secure and every bit a woman as she’d ever desired.

“I love you, Cade. You have to know that.”

“I want to know that, Andie. But no one’s ever loved me before, so I don’t dare get too comfortable. It can be taken away like that.” He snapped his fingers.

Poor guy. How many times had he gotten used to a foster family only to be removed? How many people had he tried to bond with only to lose contact?

Andie brought her face level to Cade’s and peered into his eyes. “I want you to trust me. I mean, I can’t help it if something were to happen to me. My father had a stroke. He couldn’t help that, but my mother still loves him and takes care of him, and I know he still loves her, even if he can’t express it.”

“I’ve never seen it work. I want what your parents have, but knowing me, I’ll probably screw it up, just like I did when I ignored you. Now, you’re pissed at me.” His head dangled and he lowered his gaze.

“You haven’t screwed up anything. I’m still here, aren’t I? I didn’t move out. I even let you throw me over your shoulder and have your way with me.”

That last line drew a chuckle from Cade. “I like having my way with you. Didn’t it feel good?”

“It was awesome, but it doesn’t substitute for talking and communicating.”

“I’m not good with talking.” Again, he sounded like a reluctant little boy at the principal’s office.

Andie put on her most encouraging voice. “You’re doing fine right now. It’s not hard. If you want to know something, ask me. If I do something to piss you off, tell me. I won’t break.”

He blew out a breath and shook his head. “I don’t know. This thing with your husband’s screwing up everything.”

“I don’t think of him as my husband.”

“But you must have loved him, Andie. I can’t see you marrying a guy if you didn’t care.”

Dang. Maybe she wasn’t quite as ready for this level of openness as she thought.

“I can’t lie. I did love him, at least the guy he used to be. Hollywood changed him. Fame, women, being in California. Guess we were too young. He got an opportunity, and suddenly he didn’t want to be tied to me, the boring librarian.”

“Except he says he wants you now. Maybe he’s tired of picking up women in clubs and partying. He told me you’ve always been in love with him. See why I’m worried? All you’ve said is what he did to you, cheated on you, dumped you, and acted like a jerk, but now he wants you back. You have your chance.”

“I don’t want it, Cade. I’m with you now. Can’t we be together without thinking about the past?”

“I’m trying, except he’s still your husband. You know it killed me to see him kissing you?”

A heaviness fell over Andie’s chest. “I’m sorry you had to see that. He surprised me. I wasn’t kissing back. I don’t know how to get him to give up on me.”

“I don’t either, and the truth is, if I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t sign the divorce papers as long as I thought I had a chance. Did you give him any idea he might still be in the running?”

“Of course not.” Andie flopped herself back onto the bed and palmed her face, dragging her fingers down through her hair. “I don’t understand why he’s holding out. What does he hope to gain?”

“He wants you, Andie, and as long as he has you, I can’t marry you.” Cade played with her hair, stroking it. His eyes took on a dreamy quality.

“You want to marry me?” Stars and flowers bloomed in Andie’s heart, and a fresh glow blossomed on her cheeks.

“Yeah, I do. It’s time I settled down and started a family. Well, heck, I already started a family, but I want to do it right.”

Andie flushed with joy. This was a special moment. Cade wanted to marry her. Unlike Declan, where she had to pester him for a commitment, Cade was offering it right up. Except he was right. There was nothing they could do about this until Declan gave up on her.

“You’re already doing everything right.” She encouraged him. “You’re claiming your son, and you’re going to be a part of his life.”

“Yeah, except with you I screwed up. Well, I guess we both screwed up. My firstborn son isn’t yours, and your first husband isn’t me. We don’t have many firsts left.” Cade’s lips turned down and he shrugged.

Andie wrapped her arms around Cade’s shoulders and kissed the tip of his nose. “We still have many firsts left. First true love, first honeymoon, first house together …” She trailed her tongue in a circle around her lips and lowered her voice. “First blowjob.”

Cade’s face reddened, and he sighed loudly. “Don’t tempt me, woman. Well, hell then, since Declan said you’re using me to make him jealous, let’s seize the moment,
carpe diem
, and make him the hell so jealous he’ll sign that divorce.”

“That’s a great idea. Yes, let’s flaunt it everywhere until he can’t take it anymore.” Andie tapped Cade’s chest, tickling the tiny hairs. “Let’s go out. I’m kind of hungry, and you haven’t been the best tour guide lately.”

“Then I definitely owe you a date. Somewhere public to show you around.” His face creased with a wicked grin.

“Where to?” Andie smacked a kiss on Cade’s lips. This was more like it. The Cade who was going to fight for her, rather than lick his wounds and hide, was back. “Weren’t you going to visit your baby?”

“Later. Tonight’s about us. Have you ever been to an outdoor movie screening?”

“Outdoor movies? Like a drive-in?”

“Nope, more fun. Typically, they’re on an athletic field and there’s a large screen. You sit on beach towels and eat from the food trucks gathered around the outside. We can even bring Gollie and Red.”

“Sounds fun, but I need a shower first.” She tugged herself out of his embrace and bounced off the bed.

He grabbed her around the waist. “No time, babe. The movie starts at dusk. We’re going to get dirty rolling on the blankets on the grass anyway.”

“And what will we be doing while the movie rolls?”

He wiggled his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “Putting on a show for every cell phone camera out there. By the time we’re done, everyone in LA will know you belong to me.”

Andie held her hand up for a high five. “You got it, big boy.
Carpe diem
.”

He slapped her palm, a huge grin splitting his face. “Hell yeah. Let’s
carpe
the fuck out of this
diem
.”

“We’re seriously going to watch a movie in a cemetery?” Andie looped Gollie’s leash around her wrist as Cade handed her a bundle of beach towels.

“This is
the
happening scene around here,” Cade explained, looping a heavy backpack over his shoulder along with two low beach chairs. “First, we visit the food trucks and load up before claiming a spot on the grass.”

“Between the tombstones?”

“Not quite. Have some respect, missy.” Cade adjusted the sunglasses over his nose and tugged his Indiana Jones wide-brimmed hat over his head. “I’m not ready to be mobbed yet, not until we get our grub.”

Andie wrinkled her nose. “Look at that line of porta-potties. Pink? Only in Hollywood.”

The dazzling array of food trucks, colorful and splashy, along with the piquant aromas mixed with the sizzling of frying and grilling, was out of this world. Trucks dressed like red lobsters, complete with painted claws and sporting anime characters popping off the top, competed with every ethnic delight under the sun, from Algeria to New Zealand.

“I can’t possibly decide.” Andie’s mouth gaped as her head whipped from side to side. “Back in New York, we’d have maybe one or two choices, steak and fries, or hot wings and subs.”

“You mean upstate New York,” he smirked. “I bet the City would be more colorful. Hmmm … How about trying The Boba Taco or The Schmuck Truck? Oh, look, my favorite, India Jones. Care for some chaat tacos with blue corn tortilla shells? Or check out the Korean beef and kimchi quesadilla, or how about a grilled cheese wasabi tuna sandwich?”

“I’m not used to the way all of these foods are using ingredients coming from different cuisines. Seems kind of, I don’t know, all mixed up?”

“Exactly. That’s LA style, and you’ll be amazed how they all fit together, like kosher hot dogs with chorizo chili and tamarind chutney. Sure you don’t want a sushi burrito?”

“Uh, no.” Andie’s stomach flip-flopped from all the combinations. She eyed the giant red lobster inflatable swinging from the side of the big red Gangsta-Lob truck. “Those lobster rolls look scrumptious.”

“You’re such a Middle American.” Cade tweaked her cheek. “Sure you don’t want a
horchata boba
? Mexican cinnamon rice drink with tapioca pearls.”

They both ordered Maine lobster rolls and coleslaw with fries and settled for an all-American fresh squeezed lemonade.

“Next time, I’ll be more adventurous.” Andie inhaled the fragrance of the cold, sweet, and tangy lobster meat in the warm, buttery bun, aching to take a bite.

“Go ahead. I know you’re hungry after all the exercise.” Cade grinned, licking his lips.

Both Gollie’s and Red’s tongues trailed from their mouths as they eagerly waited for Andie to accidentally drop pieces of the succulent lobster.

“Only one bite, I promise,” Andie said, as she tasted the buttery tang of the lobster and light coat of mayonnaise. It was as good as she remembered on trips with her father to the old lighthouse home he grew up in.

Between her and the dogs, the roll was soon devoured, but Cade made up for it by buying replacements. “Now we have to find a spot. Check out those creepy headstones and monuments.”

“It’s not so scary. How could it be with all those swaying palm trees?” Andie marveled at the festive look with crowds of people and their colorful beach towels streaming toward the open grassy knoll where the movie would be projected.

“You didn’t happen to notice what was playing, did you?” Cade tugged on the dogs’ leads. “It’s why they made an exception and allowed people to bring their pets.”

“What?” A bone-chilling shiver ran down Andie’s spine. So far, all the dogs were well behaved, and there were drinking bowls filled with water, as well as people handing out dog biscuits and poop bags. Why should she be concerned?

A banner for
Pet Sematary 2
flapped between two makeshift poles. Shit. Andie’s stomach dropped to her knees and the lobster tossed and turned inside. “I hate horror movies.”

Cade clamped her around the shoulders. “Not if you’re under the blanket with me.”

“Blanket? Under?”

He didn’t answer, only grinned in that half-cocked manner that he was pulling her leg. They wound their way over the grass, but every area was covered with people.

“Sorry, excuse me,” Andie muttered, trying not to step on someone’s blanket or towel. She held the dogs close. Fortunately, they were well behaved. Hopefully, there weren’t any female dogs in heat, or Red would be hard to control.

Ahead of her, Cade removed his hat and sunglasses, and then stood still, scanning the crowd. The buzz around them silenced and first, it was a man who stopped talking on his phone and narrowed his eyes, then two women tapped each other, whispering and pointing.

Finally, a bolder lady stepped toward him. “Uh, excuse, me, are you Cade Prescott, quarterback for the LA Flash?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, all down-home friendly.

A boy tugged him. “Can I have an autograph?”

“Cade, what are you doing?” Andie’s teeth gritted. Here she was, standing in the middle of a crowded cemetery with two dogs and a bag full of lobster rolls. They were about to be mobbed.

“Tell you what,” Cade said to the crowd. “Make room and let me get my towels down and I’ll sign for twenty minutes.”

Andie’s jaw dropped. Talk about efficient. The crowd parted for Cade as if he were Moses at the edge of the Red Sea. People pulled their towels aside and helped Cade lay his spread down. He arranged the two low backed beach chairs and gestured for Andie to sit, then tied the dog leashes to one of the chairs.

Red and Gollie sat down behind Andie, and Cade was prepared to hold court.

Unlike how she imagined, the crowd was orderly, maybe even mellow. Everyone’d been out in the sun for hours already and had that typically Californian slow way of talking, melodious and smooth.

“Dude, that your girlfriend?” someone asked. “Can I get a picture with you guys?”

“Sure, everyone, my girlfriend, Andie, and my dogs, Red and Gollie.” Cade looped his arm around Andie and brought the dogs in front of him.

He laid kisses on Andie’s cheeks, turned her head and bent her back for a deep one over the mouth, playing to the crowd who whooped and cheered.

From the side of her eye, Andie noticed dozens of people jumping into the photo, in front of them, behind them, to their sides.

“I love you, sweetie,” he whispered in her ear. “And someday, I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the world.”

“What’s wrong with today?”

“Each day better than the last.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely.” He dotted a kiss on her nose. “Now, let’s have our lobster rolls.”

Andie wasn’t sure about eating while being filmed and watched by their friendly movie neighbors, but after a while, she ignored them. The crowd here was subdued, perhaps used to having celebrities among them, and everyone was in a cheerful mood, anticipating the horror movie.

Cade and Andie took turns feeding each other chunks of lobster and kissing in between, making out to the buttery buns and tang of mayonnaise and sweet, tender meat.

The sun shimmered lower, casting shadows over the tall, thin palms in the background and the squat, thicker ones close by, creating a reddish haze in the sky while a band played blues rock on the stage in front of the gigantic building-sized screen.

Andie was so enveloped in Cade, tucked into him so close that she barely noticed when the sun had finally set and the creepy music of the movie had started.

Shit. This was scarier than she’d thought. Beside them, Red and Gollie lay curled up with their eyes closed, and the attention of their fellow moviegoers was diverted to the large screen.

Andie covered her eyes, but she couldn’t cover her ears. The sounds freaked her out, and she buried her face into Cade’s chest at a tense moment. Why were these people in movies so freaking fearless and stupid?

She slipped lower onto the grass, resting her head on Cade’s thighs and pulled a towel over them. “I don’t want to see any more.”

“You sure?” He stroked her hair and opened his legs to give her more room to hide.

She couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his crotch growing. It was dark, no one was paying attention to them now that they were engrossed with the movie, the dogs were asleep, and she was huddled under the towel.

Andie licked her lips and nuzzled the giant erection in front of her. Now was as good a time for a first. Cade’s sexy scent stirred her in all her moist places, promising damp and naked summer nights and more adventures in Cade’s movie theater bedroom.

Cade shifted in his seat and bent, growling a warning. “Don’t, Andie. Not here.”

“Why not?” She rubbed her chin against his cock and peered from under the towel.

He groaned and shrugged, perspiring, and his eyes glazed over, considering, before turning resolutely back to the large screen.

I’ll take that as consent.

Andie laid her face on the outline of his bulge and covered her head. “It’s so scary. I can’t take this. Hide me, please.”

His hands were over her head, patting her, even as he stretched his legs out and leaned back on the chair, giving her better access.

As screams and howls erupted from the sound system, and crazy, scary music thumped around them, she unzipped his shorts and unleashed his cock.

“You naughty boy,” she mumbled more to herself. “You weren’t wearing underwear.”

His shaft was fully loaded, coated with a drop of pre-cum on the tip. Oh, how silky he felt, his skin stretching up and down, like velvet over iron. A silky glove of the finest, stretchiest skin. She closed her grip around him as he knocked his head back and moaned while his thighs twitched.

The towel over her head gave her privacy, and she didn’t need to see to do what she’d often imagined with disgust, yes, because she hadn’t ever wanted to take a guy’s dick into her mouth before. Except now, with Cade, it was something she yearned to taste, to savor, although she doubted she could throat him deep enough. Nothing like a good college try.

Taking a deep breath, Andie mouthed it, silky and slick, painting the tip with her tongue, and then boldly closing her lips around the head.

Cade stilled, stiffened his thighs, probably trying to control himself and not draw attention from the moviegoers around them. She felt, rather than heard, the deep rumbling groan in his chest as she moved her head, trying not to bob too obviously under the towel.

Everything was so tasty, better than the lobster, so clean and stimulating, and she salivated, wanting to take him in deeper. Her tongue rolled around his cock, and she sucked at it and mouthed it, keeping her lips over her teeth.

Cade’s hands were at the sides of her head, holding her, unsure whether to thrust up or keep her still. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep control even as zaps of incredible pleasure rose from Andie’s soft, luscious mouth.

He stared at the movie, pretending to watch it. Across the screen, people were fleeing. A zombie had risen from her grave, and the sound system was full of screams and shouts, covering up the moans rumbling in his throat.

Damn. She was killing him, taking him to heaven and hell, splaying him out like an offering in the cemetery, under a wicked half-moon, half shrouded by mists.

Gasping and holding his breath at the same time, he squeezed his stomach muscles to hold in the grunts, to keep from bucking against her throat, because that had to be what he was hitting. But she wasn’t gagging. She wasn’t pushing away. Her cheeks and lips moved in unison, taking him in and sucking the life from him.

He longed to cuddle her close, to tuck her in and then bang the hell into her, but sweat trailed down his back and his legs twitched, shuddering, tightening around her body.

And right when the pulsing started frantically, when he was catapulting toward the stars, she pulled the towel off her head and peered at him, eyes wide with triumph with a look so deliciously naughty and sinfully sexy, he shot straight to the moon.

A loud thud slammed through the outdoor park as the movie went dark, and people screamed all around while excited dogs barked.

Cade jerked and trembled as ice mixed with spice in the most ball-bursting climax he’d ever experienced.

Carpe. Fuck. Diem. Andie.