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

by Rachelle Ayala

  “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.

  Chapter 15

  The next morning, Andie crawled to work feeling as lazy as a tree sloth. She’d finally gotten that hot, steamy shower with Cade after choking in the dust of the orderly evacuation of the cemetery. She had to hand it to the Angelenos. A transformer had blown, and the movie was cut off at the climax. It was pandemonium, almost. People were screaming, but also laughing hysterically. Dogs barked and strangers poked her in the dark, saying “boo.”

  But heck, these folks were probably so used to inching along on the freeways during rush hour traffic, enjoying the radio talk shows or listening to audiobooks, they didn’t even mind the slow shuffling crawl, lit by a few emergency lamps, past tombstones and monuments to the packed parking lot.

  Andie, being a New Yorker, would have been bleeping everyone and driving herself nuts. But as karma would have it, they’d still had a few extra lobster rolls, so it had been a good time to chow down.

  The elevator arrived at her floor. Andie hunched and unhunched her shoulders, ready for work. As soon as the elevator doors swung open, she knew it was going to be a bad day.

  Declan Reed stood in the lobby with a crowd of reporters.

  Oh no. Had he signed the deal for The Love Lives of King David? It looked that way, else why would he be at Silver Studios giving an interview?

  She let the doors close, but someone punched the button and the doors swung open again. Her boss, Ronaldo, greeted her.

  “You’re late.” His gaze dragged over her from top to bottom and back. “You’re presentable, as a librarian.”

  What didn’t he like about her grey power suits? She’d paid a pretty penny for the name brands at a consignment store where Wall Street bankers dumped their clothes. So what if they were a couple of years out of style?

  “What am I late for?” Andie shook cobwebs from her brain.

  “Negotiations to close the deal with Declan Reed. Didn’t you get my text message?”

  “Uh, why would you need me?” Andie’s cell phone had run out of charge since she was unused to being tethered by an electronic device. “I thought Leroy and I were going to a museum to look at ancient Philistine fertility rites.”

  “Later. Your husband’s signing with the condition you’ll play a role on the movie.” Ronaldo was still standing halfway inside the elevator with his hand on the door, preventing it from closing. “I know you don’t have acting experience, but how hard would it be to be a serving maid? All you have to do is keep your face to the floor and walk in and out carrying trays and kneeling.”

  “Serving maid?” Andie’s heart flailed against her chest, flabbergasted. Was that a backhanded slap or what? If anything, she should be Michal, David’s wife, but having two redheads in today’s ancient Israel drama would have critics raising eyebrows, even though redheads did exist in the ancient Near East and were considered to be descended from the gods.

  “Yes, David’s favorite maid.” Ronaldo wiggled his bushy eyebrows. “The one who turns down his bed, draws his bath water, serves him meals, and trims his hair and beard.”

  “I thought Michal did that.” Andie stepped out of the elevator so Ronaldo could let go of the door. At least the chronicler in Michal’s Window made a big deal about hair trimming and bath time, with Michal joining in to give him a real thorough and steamy cleansing.

  Ronaldo ushered her past the reporters interviewing Declan with a hand at the small of her back. Behind them, Declan preened in front of the reporters, but didn’t glance at them. Stuck-up ass. The only thing she wanted from him was his signature on the divorce papers.

  “What kind of historian are you?” Ronaldo sneered. “Everyone knows David had hundreds of concubines, and I’m sure he had a favorite.”

  “Concubines? We’re including them in the show?”

  “Of course, and if you knew your history, you’d know concubines were serving maids a master had sex with. You think they just let them hang out and file their nails all day long?”

  “Of course, I knew that.” Andie brushed past him and headed for her cubicle. “When Absalom rebelled, David left his concubines behind to keep house.”

  “Right,” Ronaldo said, following her. “We thought having a commoner in the kingdom and telling everything through her point of view would be much more personable and relatable to today’s audience. You’ll, of course, be suitably jealous of all of his real wives, since they get to sit around and do nothing, whereas you have a lot of work to do.”

  “Wait, I’m going to be the narrator? I don’t know how to act.”

  “No worries. There will be a voice over, not you, of course, but a voice actress. She’ll narrate while you silently serve. Sort of like what’s going on in your head, while on the surface, you’re being the demure and submissive concubine.”

  Didn’t sound like a very glamorous role, but then, it was a foot in the door. Except it would mean more face time with Declan, not less. Not only would she have to work with him on the historical accuracy of his portrayal of David, but she’d also have to rehearse with him and go through take after take of all his scenes. This was something she should discuss with Cade first.

  “What if I say no?” Andie propped her hand on her hip. From the corner of her eye, she spied the denizens of her part of the cubicle jungle peeking out from their cubbyholes with various levels of amazement and shock etched on their faces.

  Guess no one ever said ‘no’ to Mr. Silver.

  “You want to go home or stay at this job?” Ronaldo’s voice turned gruff.

  “I want the research job, but working so closely with Declan would be a decidedly hostile work environment.”

  Ronaldo spread his hands wide and looked up, not quite rolling his eyes, since that wouldn’t have been boss-like. “It’s Hollywood, baby. We don’t usually take untrained actresses, but Mr. Reed insisted. His only condition for signing is for you to play his concubine. He even agreed to our terms as far as compensation. Everything. Don’t tell me you’d ruin this for the entire team here at Silver Studios.”

  Gosh, he seemed to act as if they’d all be out of a job without signing Declan and that it would be up to her to take one for the team.

  “Surely there are other actors in Hollywood.”

  “Are you CEO of Silver Studios or am I?” Ronaldo crossed his arms and lowered his eyebrows. “Don’t forget who signs your paycheck.”

  “Sure, of course.” Andie’s mind whirred. Shouldn’t she get something out of this? If she was going to have to poke her finger down her throat and work as Declan’s serving maid, then she had demands, too. “One condition. Mine’s really easy.”

  “Oh, ho. I love easy.” Ronaldo’s mouth slid into a leer. “Spill it.”

  “He signs the divorce agreement the way it is. I’ll only be his concubine on screen if we’re divorced in real life.”

  Ronaldo pointed both index fingers at Andie. “You drive a hard bargain, little missy. I’ll see what his agent says.”

  “Oh, no. I’m going to tell him directly.” Andie pulled the envelope with the divorce papers from her desk and headed for the lobby. She grabbed a pen from Sylvia’s desk and unsheathed it, ready for battle.

  “Fine, fine, your name is Dinah. You’ve known David since childhood. You used to play healer together, you know, the ancient Israeli version of playing doctor.” Ronaldo marched after her. “I’ll have papers for you to sign this afternoon.”

  “Only if Declan signs the divorce right now.” Andie charged toward the lobby where Declan held court.

  As soon as she emerged from the cubicle section, a sharp-eyed female reporter broke from the crowd and rushed toward Andie.

  “Miss Wales, or should I say, Mrs. Reed, care to explain the pictures of you and a certain football player at a cemetery last night?”

  Blush. Of course she and Cade had planned on this, showing off their relationship, despite her being still married. Oh well, thi
s was Hollywood, and she had nothing to lose with a little notoriety.

  “What’s going on between you and the Flash quarterback?” another reporter asked. “Especially the PDAs.”

  “Public display of affection? This is public display of perversion.” A particularly florid man huffed.

  “Quiet, quiet.” Andie waved the divorce contract at the mics. “My husband here is about to become my ex-husband. Watch him sign. If he wants me to be his concubine, then we can’t be married, since concubines are sidepieces. Of course, we, at The Love Lives of King David Series, have to be historically accurate in every detail.”

  She shoved the pen and paper at Declan and said, “Sign if you want me to play your serving maid. That’s my final condition.”

  The arrogant, upturned face of her soon-to-be ex tilted in a regal fashion. He pressed the papers on the wall and scrawled his signature so hard it ripped into the paper.

  With a backhanded toss, he threw the signed paper at her. “I’m only too glad to sign now that I’ve seen what you’ve become—a tawdry tramp. You’re showing your true colors, and I’ve got you exactly where I want. You and I both know illicit sex is a lot spicier.”

  The surrounding coworkers cheered and huzzahed while Declan clamped his arm tightly around Andie’s shoulder and kissed her on the lips.

  Gross. Yuck. Poo.

  Only she had committed to acting the role, and she had to at least not struggle. No, a concubine might not crave the attention of her master, but she was also not allowed to protest. She had to take it. She had no rights.

  Her life was only going to get worse, but at least she’d gotten the papers signed. Not only was she a free woman, she was about to become an actress, too.

  Hollywood really was the town where dreams come true.

  Nightmares, too, apparently.

  Andie clamped her mouth shut, teeth clenched while pushing away from Declan’s greedy lips.

  How much had she just sold her soul for?

  # # #

  “Hustle, hustle, move, move,” Coach Settles yelled into the megaphone.

  It was hot, in the upper nineties, possibly hitting the century mark. Cade was sweating bullets under his shoulder pads and gear, running up and down the field working throw and catch drills with the receivers.