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

by Rachelle Ayala

  “What? I thought …” Andie’s face flushed. What if it was Cade who’d gotten her the role? Hadn’t he said Mr. Silver was his friend, or had Sylvia mentioned it? After all, she had no acting experience, and this move to a starring role as Michal was even more surprising. But no, Declan was only distracting her. She stuck to her guns. “The divorce papers, mister.”

  A smart-aleck grin crept over Declan’s face. “You mean you don’t know what you did with them?”

  “I had them with me in the car. They say the police gave everything to you. My purse, my cell phone and anything else I had.”

  “You left everything at my place, except for the divorce papers.” Declan spread his hands, face up. “If you come home with me, I’ll give you your phone and purse.”

  “No, you bring it to us,” Andie said. “I don’t really know you anymore, so I’m not going to your house.”

  “You sure, babe? Because right before your accident, you ripped up the papers. You told me how glad you were to find out we were still married. We went to my place to celebrate your promotion to the concubine role and had a bit of a rehearsal, what I’d call an undress-rehearsal. You were thrilled. You called it kismet and fate, and then you hopped into bed with me, screaming my name when you came all over my f—”

  Pow. Cade’s fist connected square on Declan’s jaw, and the dickhead went down like the rag doll girly man he was.

  Chapter 15

  “How well do you really know Cade?” Andie’s mother cornered her once they were back in their bedroom. “The man was covered with blood.”

  “We almost got mugged, okay?”

  “What exactly happened?” Her mother drew a tired hand over her brow and turned down the sheets. “I worry about you.”

  “Well, don’t. Cade handled it, and we’re fine.”

  “What did he do, kill someone? He had blood sprayed all over his clothes. Tell me everything. I can’t rest until I know.”

  Andie flung herself into the bathroom and stared in the mirror. Ugh, even she had blood on her. Was it Declan’s or the thug’s or Cade’s? What a mess.

  Cade had broken Declan’s jaw, and of course, her freaking ex was threatening a lawsuit. True, Declan deserved it, telling all sorts of lies and being provocative, but still …

  “Look at you.” Her mother followed her into the bathroom. “What kind of guy decks another guy because he’s fighting for a girl?”

  The machismo kind, the one who loves and protects, the Papa Bear type. Andie’s mind raced with all kinds of excuses while her body went fluffy and soft wanting to be wrapped up with his hard, potent physique.

  “Look, we were both amped up from the gangsters, and he comes talking trash. Did you hear what he said about me? Besides, you slapped him, too.”

  “My slap didn’t knock him out and require an ambulance. You’re lucky the police didn’t arrest Cade or you and question why you two were covered with blood.” Her mother grabbed a makeup wipe and dabbed Andie’s face.

  “The policemen were too busy asking Cade for autographs, and of course Bret started hamming it up for them.” She’d distract her mother, although it was useless. Once Mom hung onto something, she worried it like a terrier with a dead rat.

  “That’s what’s always bothered me about athletes. They think they’re above the law. What would you do if Cade used his fists on you? I heard about those football players who beat their wives and kids.”

  “Oh, come off it, Mom!” Andie swept her hand aside and splashed water on her face. “There you go all judgmental again. I thought we were helping Cade with the baby.”

  “You were supposed to help, then you go gallivanting off with that strange girl all day buying revealing clothes. I think we should go back to New York. You look well enough to fly.”

  “I’ll need to ask permission from my job.” Andie cranked the hot water for the shower. “Can we talk later? I need to get this blood off of me. It gives me the creeps.”

  “As well it should. I’m going to turn on the news and see if they have anything about what happened, since you won’t tell me.”

  “Cade saved that guy’s life, okay?” Andie tore her bloody clothes off. They were brand new and now ruined. “He tried to rob us and then ran across the tracks. His foot got stuck as a train was coming. Cade pushed him off the track, but he lost his foot. You satisfied?”

  “You’re telling me he walked away from the scene of a crime and didn’t call the police? How do you know the guy lived?”

  Andie stepped into the shower and slammed the door. As the hot water drilled her body, she leaned her forehead on the cool tile. What did she know about Cade other than how he made her feel? Cherished, protected, beautiful, and loved.

  Shouldn’t that be enough? Apparently not with Mom, who was making a list and checking it twice with the naughty outweighing the nice.

  When Andie got out of the shower, her mother was eating a cup of yogurt and staring at the nightly news.

  “A man got run over by a train and lost his lower leg. Nothing was said about you or Cade.”

  “Of course not.” Andie wrapped her hair in a wet towel. “The thugs weren’t going to tell the police they were robbing us. Now, can we get to sleep and call it a day?”

  “Sure, it’s not every day that begins with a baby being abandoned by his mother, followed by your husband insulting you, then drugs delivered to the doorway, hoodlums amputated by a train, and your husband’s pretty face rearranged by your football player mystery man. Sure. Just another wonderful day in Hollywood. Or should I say, Hollyweird.”

  “You forgot you being anointed Pinball Queen of LA.” Andie smirked and turned off the light.

  # # #

  The ticking of the bedside clock mirrored the thumping of Andie’s heart. She lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling. How could she be so wound up after the day she’d had and not be able to sleep?

  Beside her, her mother snored and snorted, while crickets creaked outside the darkened window. Andie lay as still as she could since it was impolite to toss and turn when sharing a bed with her mother.

  She hefted a sigh, her mind busy, and her body hyperaware of her surroundings.

  Somewhere in this house full of movie memorabilia, Cade’s big, warm, hunky body was sprawled out on a mattress, available for hugs and cuddles—maybe more.

  Had she ever done it with him before? After all, she was supposedly living in this room, decorated like a bachelor’s love pad with a large screen on one wall and padded headboards over a firm bed backing up to a set of mirrored closet doors.

  The velvet bedspreads and satin sheets screamed sensuality, not that her saintly mother noticed, and she’d bet the video cabinet which was currently locked, held erotic movies. She licked her lips as the area between her legs moistened. Why wouldn’t Cade remind her of what they’d done together? The man was too damn honorable!

  She edged out of the bed, careful not to wake her mother. What she needed was fresh air and the coolness of the night to tamp down the heat inside.

  No, not true. What she really needed was Cade, the way he kissed, as if she were the center of his universe, and the loving embrace, firm and protective, but yielding and tender at the same time. Everything, from his sensuous, sexy scent to the deep profoundness of his eyes held her utterly and completely enthralled.

  Of course she had noticed the giant bulge prodding her back while they watched her mother play pinball. Cade had been shy about touching her, but he’s snuck in some feels in a pinball arcade full of electronic blings and shooting noises.

  Andie steadied her breathing as she made her way down the spiral staircase. Gollie was sleeping at the foot of the stairs, and Red was guarding the double doors to Cade’s domain. He’d taken the baby tonight, but since she was up, maybe she should do the night feeding duties. Except what would he think if she just waltzed into his room unannounced?

  The thought stirred the tingles between her thighs, and she smiled as she headed for the great r
oom across from the doors.

  What was she thinking sneaking up on Cade? Red lifted his head and stared at her, but Gollie, ever affectionate and loving, got up and swished to her side.

  “Oh, sweetie, I need a hug.” She crouched down and wrapped her hands around the dog, who sniffed her and licked her face. “My mind’s all a jumble, like a big puzzle turned upside down.”

  Petting and running her fingers through the dog’s silky fur felt good and calming, and brought her down from her Cade induced yearnings. Andie wasn’t sure how long she’d sat on the floor when she heard a step behind her.

  “Hey, you’re up.” Cade said, coming closer. “You okay?”

  She leaped to her feet, and all her pent up desire and passion ignited like a rush of hot air. He stood there, bare-chested, with a pair of sweatpants sagging on his delectable hips—all hot skin and ridged muscles.

  Her tongue felt tied, unable to function other than wanting to taste his lips and lick the salt from his skin.

  “I couldn’t sleep,” she muttered. “You know, with everything that happened. It’s unreal.”

  Please, please, please, hold me again, wrap me in your arms and never let go. I needneedneed you.

  She remained rooted to the floor as he stopped in front of her, arms crossed and brows crinkled with concern.

  “I know, I couldn’t unwind either. Do you want to talk?”

  “Not really. It’ll make me more hyped up and excited.”

  He rubbed her back, fanning the flames and heat inside of her, and she couldn’t help taking a deep breath and arching into him and kissing the top of his shoulder and gosh, the truth? She wanted him, needed his touch and more. She had to feel his love, know it and embed him deep inside her soul. She had no clue whether he’d been with her before, and she definitely couldn’t ask. But whether she had or not, she was ready. She licked the column of his neck and tipped her toes to suck on the soft skin behind his ear.

  “Andie, don’t.” Cade held her, pushing back. “You don’t really know me yet.”

  The slap of rejection pushed her pulse down, but the heat welling from below shoved her emotions on overdrive. She rubbed her nose in the crook of his neck, steeping herself with his sexy scent, freshly showered with a tinge of sweat.

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she held on and moved her belly against his crotch. He said he wanted to slow down, but the hard rock rising to prod against her said otherwise.

  She leaned into his arousal, shifting her body up and down, teasing. “I know enough, and I want more. Much more.”

  “Are you remembering how we were before?” His voice rumbled through his chest, accompanied by the deep strong beat of his heart.

  “Maybe … my heart remembers.” And my body too, especially my body.

  He kissed the top of her head and wrapped one hand around her neck, entwined in her hair. Gently, he rained kisses over her face, dotting each cheek, then stared into her eyes, his blue ones like beacons of hope—a safe harbor. Home.

  “I want you too, but I can’t take advantage of you.” He stroked the back of her neck.

  “Then let me take advantage of you.” She advanced on him and pressed her lips to his, speaking through her teeth. “Let me show you how I feel about you.”

  Face it. She was hot and horny and wired.

  He kissed her back, but too soft, almost as if he were afraid she’d break. His lips cherished her and painted her with his feelings, as if every kiss was a flower, a treasure, and spoke his heart—that he belonged to her and would take good care of her. Yet, he was restrained. Too careful.

  Andie lunged into him, pulling his head down and thrusting herself at his open mouth. She wanted his tongue, to feel the strength of his desire, to share every moan and each heavy breath, to sweat and to churn. To go deep, all the way to the end zone.

  Instead, he broke away, panting and steadying her as her knees gave way and her heart sagged. She lowered her face, the sting of rejection hurting her eyes.

  Maybe he cared about her, or felt guilty she had crashed in his car, but she wasn’t the type of party girl he was used to bedding. The thought that she turned him off upset her stomach, and her breath hitched at how much she’d assumed of him.

  “Sorry, I’m sorry,” she muttered and turned to walk away.

  “Andie.” Cade took her hand, clasping his fingers between her. Wordlessly, he led her across the great room and through the double doors into a bedroom suite. A bassinet lay at the side of the bed.

  He lowered himself into the bed and pulled her on top of him. There was no need for words. She understood perfectly as she gazed into his eyes right before she tore into him like a tigress, her hair shielding their faces as she devoured him with a fury and intensity she’d never known before.

  Chapter 16

  The last thing Cade wanted Andie to feel was rejected. He’d seen the way her face fell and her shoulders slumped when he’d backed off. That was not his intention, ever, because he wanted her more than she could possibly comprehend. Maybe he should stop mourning her memory loss and how she couldn’t recall the heat that had been between them. It was way past time to make his mark, and create new and more explosive moments—give her all the love she deserved.

  He relaxed, knowing he wasn’t hurting her or taking unfair advantage. He let her be the aggressor and savored her pushing him into the bed, loving the full force of her pounce and the crush of her lips over his. His heart thundered in sync with her lush female body smashing over him, sparking every nerve with expectation and excitement.

  For a moment, he lay still, absorbing every square inch of her hot skin, every caress of her hungry lips, and the way she grabbed him, her fingernails digging into his flesh, and her legs straddling him, squeezing his hips, pushing that moist center of hers over his throbbing dick. She was a goddess, surpassing all others. She was the missing piece to his life, the filler for that hollow place in his heart, the One he was destined for, and yes, he rather enjoyed her taking advantage like this.

  Her slick tongue plundered his mouth, and she sucked the air from his throat, then sparred with him, writhing and moving in his arms. Wild. Needy.

  He caught his breath and grabbed her head, wrapping her hair around his hand, pulling her closer, the moans growling from deep in his chest. He bit her lower lip, and felt her passion rise as she bit him back. The pain flicked his arousal up another notch, shooting fire through his veins.

  If this was how mainlining felt, he could almost understand addiction. Only, Andie’s brand of love was more than a physical high—she fucked with his mind and emotions, and the way she was, all flushed and heated and sweaty was one giant mind and body rush.

  The moan that tore from his throat ripped all restraint from him. If his tigress wanted fierce, he’d give it to her. With a deep throated growl, he pushed her up and tore her nightgown, exposing her bouncing breasts.

  Her chest heaved as she splayed her palms over his bare chest, and he grabbed her breasts, greedily lifting his head to suck on her sweet, pink and fully erect nipples.

  Latching onto one, he twirled the other one in between his thumb and fingers and dry humped her as she rode and rubbed her soaked panties over the bulge straining through his sweatpants.

  He needed control, required it. Tonight was about Andie taking what she needed, regaining her trust and opening herself. He’d be there, for sure, to give her more than she expected. He’d revel in her every moan, arouse her further than she’d ever gone, drench her thoroughly with pleasure so much that she’d go insane without him.

  The way Andie rode him, moaning and rubbing, was driving his cock up a tree, crazy and aching to get off. Dammit, the one thing he always wanted was to make sweet, and slow, gentle love with her, but the need had always been too crazy and too urgent. His hips jerked to meet her, and the friction between their legs blazed too hot for him to hold back.

  “Hurry, inside. Need. You.” Andie gasped, lifting herself to scramble with his waist
band. He’d barely squirmed his pants down before she pushed off her panties, exposing the place he was dying to enter.

  “Condom.” Cade’s hand shot toward the nightstand, ripping the drawer off. It clattered to the ground. He turned toward it, but bumped his head on the bassinet.

  The baby squealed and started hiccupping, the harbinger to a full forced wail. Shit. What awful timing. He rocked the bassinet, jiggling it too hard, and instead of calming Bret, he ended up waking him fully.

  Cade slapped his forehead as his erection waned to the sound of a crying baby and Andie’s laughter.

  “That’s what happens when you don’t wear a condom. Thanks for the reminder.” She covered her nakedness with a sheet and reached into the bassinet. “You sweet, poor weetle thing, did we wake you up? Make too much noise?”

  “Looks like he’s hungrier than me,” Cade said with a tinge of jealousy at how his son was turning toward Andie’s breasts.

  “Oh, no, I’m not your mommy.” Andie giggled, caressing Bret’s little head and kissing him. “Let me get my clothes on and change your diaper.”

  How did she do it? Turn her passion off like a switch? Cade’s gut grumbled as he pulled his sweatpants up and he padded to the kitchen to heat up the formula.

  # # #

  Andie pulled on an oversized T-shirt, one of Cade’s, and wiggled into her panties. Nothing like a crying baby to kill off all desire. She couldn’t stop giggling. That scene had to be funnier than any movie, the way Cade shook that bassinet, hoping to get Bret back to sleep and how he’d scattered his condoms all over the floor.

  Even though her body was still thrumming with need, she had to admit the timing sucked. Maybe Bret would gobble everything down and fall back asleep without further disturbances.

  An hour later, she admitted defeat. Bret was struck by colic and Cade was relegated to sitting on the rocking chair with the baby over his shoulder, rubbing his back.

  “Let me take him back to my room,” she said. “You have to prepare for the game coming up.”