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

by Rachelle Ayala

  She was on the edge, close, his tongue dragging and his lips working her to a frenzy, when he sucked her clit with a long kiss then, unexpectedly, he let go.

  “What …” Andie’s breath snagged in her throat, and she was turned onto her stomach.

  A sharp smack landed on her behind. It. Really. Hurt.

  One.

  Another one. Ow … but the pain spread into heat. Heat and fire.

  Two.

  He lifted her onto her knees and slapped her again. The jagged sensation broiled raw, radiating to her throbbing pussy.

  Three.

  How much more could she take? The sound of unzipping was followed by the rip of plastic. The blindfold was removed as he shoved his cock into her, filling her and stretching her so hard and fast that her already sensitive, blood-infused nether regions exploded with a deep underground volcanic explosion.

  Cade pounded her hard and fast, his fingers digging into her flesh, grabbing and pulling her against him as she screamed her impending orgasm, matching the crescendo of the crazy jangling beat.

  Right as pleasure spurted forth like shooting lava, Cade pulled her hair, wrapping it around his hand, and jerked her head up so that both pain and pleasure overtook her like the slamming of a train. A deep orgasm shook her entire clenching body with mind-drugging pain and the purest and longest ride of ecstasy she’d never known possible.

  The music shrieked to a scratchy end as Cade cut it and fell on top of her, his heat enveloping her, his mouth nipping and biting the back of her neck, her shoulders, covering her with his brand of crazy, maniacal love.

  Chapter 13

  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.”
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  “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.”

  Chapter 14

  “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 Ma
ine 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.