Love Unwrapped

by Kate Asher

  Andi slumped again in his arms, giving up her fight and shivering slightly. The night was cooling off fast and no doubt that puddle hadn’t warmed up much today, even with the direct sun. Having a wet foot wasn’t doing her any favors. “Fine. Get me to the bathroom so I don’t track mud, but that’s it.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Blake bounced her a little higher in his arms, as though he needed a better hold on her, but he just wanted to hear her squeal and have her tighten her arms around his neck. Mission accomplished. He grinned at the scowl she sent his way.

  They headed through the restaurant to the office in the back, Martha leading the way. She opened the door for them and then opened the door to the small bathroom. Blake let go of her legs and slid her down his front, maintaining an arm around her mid-back until she settled onto her one clean foot. Andi patted his shoulder and hopped to the sink.

  She glanced up in the mirror and met his gaze. “Uh… I think I’ve got it from here.”

  Blake cleared his throat and closed the door behind her. Something had shifted between them with the drama out front. He wasn’t sure what, but she didn’t look at him with irritation when she’d returned his gaze in the mirror. That had to mean something.

  He turned around to find Martha hovered nearby. “Hal should have had signs up for that hole. I’m so sorry your girl almost got hurt.” She wrung her hands, clearly distressed over the incident. He’d probably feel about the same way if someone were injured in front of his bakery.

  He touched her hands to stop her worrying them. “It’s fine. No harm done. Just a little mud.”

  “Well, the pizza will be free.” Martha nodded definitively after that proclamation.

  “That’s not necessary, but thank you. Our friends called in a to-go order for Manly Cakes. It should be ready.” Blake glanced around the office and nodded toward one of two chairs in front of the desk. “I’ll just wait here for her, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Of course. Of course. You wait. I’ll get your order together.” With renewed purpose and direction, Martha fluttered from the office.

  About ten minutes later, Andi came out of the bathroom with one shoe on and one in her hand. She had paper towels and was scrubbing remnants of mud off the tennis shoe. It looked like she’d gotten most of the mud off her jeans already. She glanced up and stopped midstep with a gasp.

  “Oh. I didn’t know you’d be in here. You scared me.” She plopped down in the chair near him, still working on the sole of her tennis shoe. Again, the scowl she reserved for him was notably absent. Heaving a sigh, she set the shoe on the floor. “Well, that’s about as good as it gets, I think.”

  Blake shifted forward in his chair, then said, “Let me,” as he lowered himself to one knee on the floor in front of her. He picked up her dirty tennis shoe and unknotted the damp laces.

  He glanced up. Andi’s eyes widened. “You don’t have to—”

  “Oh, I insist.” He smiled.

  “Fine.” She thrust her foot his direction, but with a small smile, and he put her shoe on and tied the laces. Then he placed his palm around her ankle. The moment their skin touched, she gasped. His skin prickled with awareness as he lowered her foot to the floor. He slowly moved his gaze up her leg to the body, all the way until he met her gaze. There was a question in her eyes he couldn’t decipher, but he sensed interest there too.

  When he placed his hands on her knees, she didn’t look away. He couldn’t be imagining the flare of attraction shining at him, could he? Blake leaned forward, waiting for her to complain or swat him away, but she sat frozen. Her parted lips and shallow breaths drew his gaze to her mouth. She licked her lips, but still didn’t move a single inch, as though waiting to see what he’d do. He placed his hands on the arms of the chair and leaned in farther, wedging himself between her knees. His lips were a feather width away from hers. Butterflies banged against his belly with the rat-ta-tat-tat of a machine gun on rapid fire. Still she didn’t move, but her small sigh drew him to close the distance.

  The moment his lips touched hers his world exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors. Andi finally moved, bringing her hands to his shoulders. He worried she wanted to push him away. How could she not feel their chemistry, the practically electric connection drawing them together? But she surprised him, curling her fingers in to pull him closer. She sighed and they melted together into the kiss. He shifted to put one hand on her waist, tugging her forward on the chair until she practically straddled him where he knelt in front of her. The other hand, he placed behind her head, intensifying the angle of their lip lock.

  Andi brought her arms around his neck, clutching his back. He was desperate to get closer to her, even though not an inch of space remained unspoken for between their bodies. Lightheadedness assailed him and he pulled back enough to get oxygen into his lungs. Andi’s matching pants drew his attention, and he kissed down her jawline before pulling back enough to catch her gaze.

  Though she had a little furrow of confusion marring her brow, she touched his cheek a moment before pulling him into the kiss again—a request he’d never deny her. He’d never felt such passion from merely kissing another person. He didn’t know what this meant for their future, but he’d worry about that later. Much later.

  ~~~

  The way Blake’s velvety tongue slid eagerly across hers had Andi wrapping both arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she melded her body against his. Her fingers slid through his silky hair, and she angled her head, taking the hungry kiss deeper, a move he seemed more than willing to accommodate. Having Blake in her arms, kissing her like his life depended on this embrace, was about the headiest moment in her life. They fit, just like he had said, and it felt exhilarating, every one of her nerve endings springing to life for the first time in her experience. Oh God, had she been attracted to him all along? What else would make her insides melt like butter on a griddle at the mere touch of his lips?

  Blake’s strong fingers stroked down her back until those muscular arms wrapped tightly around her waist, easily pulling her off the chair, plunging his tongue deeper inside her mouth. The moments of her having control of the kiss were gone, Blake wrapped a hand around the back of her head, tangling his fingers into her ponytail and kissed her with such force it stole Andi’s reason. She was helpless to this man.

  Her body came down on his. Blake settled back on his heels and held all her weight. She straddled his thighs, her feet barely touching the floor behind him. He crushed her against his chest, his arm at her waist tightening like a vise. There was no denying that those jeans covered a thick arousal rubbing and pressing against her center. She was lost as he conquered her, plundering her mouth like he plundered her judgment.

  “Oh my,” Martha said.

  When Andi reared back, the hand at her head locked her to him, his tongue sliding across hers one last time before he broke from the kiss. His face was inches from hers, his gaze holding such intensity that her fingers dug into his shoulders to help steady her.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt. You two continue. Your pizza’s ready.” Martha walked back out the door muttering, “Young love. Young love.”

  She couldn’t tear her gaze away from Blake, and he didn’t seem able to do anything more than blink as the door separating them from the kitchen clicked closed again.

  “That might’ve been worth the wait,” Blake finally drawled.

  Andi sucked her lips between her teeth, knowing without question that every girl in their high school had gotten it right: Blake Mangold was the sexiest man alive. Her fingers eased and she forced her gaze down to try and gain perspective. “Keep your eyes on mine, Andi.”

  She lifted her gaze, feeling warmth rush in, easing any uncertainty away. “I think that’s the first time you’ve used my name.”

  “Not by a long shot.” Based on his expression, it seemed to pain Blake. He placed his hands on her hips and lifted her off him, gently setting her back on the chair behind her. His fingers trailed her si
des then moved over her tummy to caress down her thighs. He watched every move his fingers made until he met her gaze again. “I want more of those kisses.”

  “Blake…”

  His smile was instant. He laughed at her, pressing his fingers to her mouth, stopping her from speaking. “Just give me right now.” He nodded and lifted his fingers an inch, testing her compliance. When he seemed sure she wouldn’t buck him, he spoke. “Tell me later all the reasons that wasn’t a good idea. It’ll give you time to create a more thorough list of objections.”

  Now his teasing seemed sweet, and Andi smiled. “I don’t argue against everything.”

  He cocked a brow and pushed back on his heels to get to his feet before reaching for her hand. She allowed the hand-hold, because honestly, as long as she was touching him, the freak out in her head remained held at bay. He brought her to her feet and her hand to his lips. She stared as he pressed his lips to her knuckles.

  “I’d like to see the side of you that doesn’t argue then. Let’s go back to the bakery so you can show me.” His cocky, confident attitude charmed her, not at all irritating like before. She trailed out of the room behind Blake, who maintained his hold on her hand as they moved though the restaurant toward the counter to pick up their pizza order. The twinkle of the Christmas lights, the soft Christmas carols playing in the background, everything added romance to this moment in a way she’d never have admitted before.

  She’d kissed Blake and the world hadn’t imploded around her. With the way he kissed her, maybe she did believe he’d been holding a torch for her all these years. That warmed her more until Blake paid for the pizza—he insisted they take his payment—and they stepped outside. She hadn’t brought her jacket and the temps had dropped another ten degrees while they’d been inside. The crisp night air held such a chill that she left Blake’s side and darted around the puddle to jump inside the delivery van.

  “I don’t remember the winters being this cold,” Blake said, handing her the pizza as he climbed inside the van from the driver’s side.

  “Global warming. Start the heater.” He did as she directed, then reached behind the seat and pulled a navy jacket from the back. She refused when he handed it to her, but ultimately accepted his offer of additional warmth. The jacket smelled like Blake, something spicy and citrusy. A scent uniquely him. She balanced the pizza on her thighs and edged the jacket around her shoulders.

  Blake pulled away from the pizza place, and as he drove them back to the bakery, the heat began blasting in earnest.

  “I was so proud to earn that jacket. You look good in it.”

  “How are you not freezing?” Maybe the still-damp shoe didn’t help with the chill, but he looked perfectly happy in just a T-shirt and jeans.

  “You’ll have to trust me when I say the feeling of cold was trained out of me in short order. This is nothing.” He gave her a wink when she glanced his way.

  She couldn’t help the silly smile, knowing it was telling. She turned away, staring out the side window, watching the businesses she’d grown up with all pass by until Blake turned in to the parking space right in front of the bakery.

  “The lights are off,” Blake said, putting the gear shift in park, and she looked out the front window to see the lights in the workroom were also off. Then she remembered the parking space next to the van had had Bree’s car parked there. It was now empty. “No way.”

  “Bree’s car’s gone. Maybe we took too long, and they went for dinner,” she added, trying to find any explanation other than the obvious one.

  “There’s a note on the door.” Blake shut off the van, hopped out and went straight for the door. She waited, wanting him to unlock the bakery before she left the vehicle. His facial expressions when he saw the note up close said it all. He was frustrated, threw a hand in the air, and stared at her through the front windshield. She pointed to the door. When he did unlock it, she got out, dashing forward, carrying the extra-large pizza box inside.

  “Ryan’s talked Bree into showing him around Sacramento. They’ll apparently see us in the morning. Bree says to call the magic fairies. What the hell?”

  Andi put the pizza on the counter while Blake flipped on the light switch.

  “How many cookies do we have left?” she asked, rubbing her cold hands together.

  “About five hundred.” The man who had been so sweet just minutes ago had turned fierce, his brows sliding into a hard V as he looked around the workroom, taking a mental inventory.

  “Only five hundred? We can do that, no problem.” Andi reached for a slice a pizza before going for her apron. She’d wear his jacket a little while longer. It smelled too good to take off.

  Chapter 9

  “No eating in the prep room. Let’s take the pizza to my office and eat there. Even if we have to finish tomorrow, we’ll have plenty of time. I’m surprised they got through as many as they did.” Blake grabbed the pizza box from the counter and headed toward his private area. He couldn’t decide if he was aggravated with Ryan or pleased. He had no doubt Ry’s drive in getting those cookies complete was to force some extra alone time between Blake and Andi. He wasn’t known for his subtlety, but getting Bree to agree to show him around Sacramento, when he’d been here a number of times over the last couple years, was an ingenious plan.

  That kiss at the pizza place swung him right over to the pleased side of the meter, though. They’d been interrupted there, and Blake had no idea if he could get them back on that track, but he’d take advantage of Ryan’s machinations. Even Andi couldn’t deny they had chemistry. They’d both wasted so much time being stubborn.

  Andi hung the apron back on the spindle and followed behind him. He set the box on the low table in front of the couch. “Feel free to sit anywhere. What can I get you to drink? I’ve got water”—he opened the fridge and winced—“and beer. That’s about it. I can run out front and grab us something else if you have a hankering for anything in particular.” He glanced over his shoulder to where Andi had one hand on the sofa for balance as she bent over and pulled off her tennis shoes.

  She smiled his direction when she caught him looking. “Wet shoes are the worst.” She stuffed her socks inside them and wiggled her toes. Lord have mercy, even her wiggling toes stiffened parts that did not need to be stiff at the moment. Andi settled on one side of the couch, curling a leg underneath her. “Water is fine with me.”

  Blake grabbed two bottles and some napkins and sat on the other side of the couch, turned so he could face her. Then he set their bottles on the coffee table.

  Andi looked around, taking in the room. “This is a great space. I had no idea all this was back here from my one peek through the doorway.”

  “Yeah, the old owner used it as his own efficiency apartment, so it’s basically a little home back here. There’s even a small bedroom through that door. I crashed here many a night when I first started Manly Cakes. I won’t complain about how well the store did from the moment I opened it, but keeping up with demand left a lot of late nights and early mornings.” He grinned at the memory of that first year. Chelsea had manned the front, but he’d produced every single item himself and consulted with clients about their special orders. He’d even taken charge of deliveries. “Now Chelsea, Wyatt, and a few other part-time employees take up the slack some so I can have a life.” Blake flip back the lid of the pizza box and picked up a slice. He bit into the cheesy gooey goodness. “God, that’s really good.”

  Andi laughed. “I know, right? It’s been my favorite pizza place for years. They even do by-the-slice at lunch. There’s no way I’ll believe you grew up here and never experienced their pies?” She had a dubious expression, but not antagonistically so. They’d made progress. A constriction in Blake’s chest—one he hadn’t even been aware of until this moment—loosened.

  “I haven’t been there since I was a teenager. I didn’t remember it being this good. Maybe it’s that my entire diet isn’t junk food like when I was sixteen.” He groaned and
leaned back in his seat, savoring another bite. Finishing the slice in record time, he shifted enough to reach the water bottle on the table and took a swig.

  Andi set her half-eaten slice, nestled in the napkin, on the coffee table and shifted in her seat enough to take off his jacket. “I guess I should give this back. Thank you for the loan. It did the trick.”

  Blake reached for the jacket and their hands touched, electricity zinging between them. He jerked his gaze up to meet her wide eyes. She’d felt it too. He twined their fingers and didn’t let go. He reached over with his other hand and tossed the jacket behind him, then used the grip he still had on her to yank her forward. She gasped and put a hand out to brace herself, which put her right where he wanted her. She had one hand braced against his pec and her body slanted over his, her mouth within inches of his lips.

  When she licked her lips, he couldn’t resist. He tilted his head and raised the inch until they met again, skin to skin. The vibrating zing of electricity pulsated between them, like streaks of lightning through a clear dark sky. Blake had never experienced that sensation with another human being.

  At the touch of their lips, Andi sank down onto this chest, melting into him with a small moan. He twined their fingers together and ran his other hand through her hair to cup the back of her head. Their tongues dueled. She tasted of cheese and the tang of tomatoes, but underneath the flavor was undeniably…Andi. He reveled in the essence that was purely her, sweet and regal, but with a hint of spice and sass.

  He pushed forward until he had her on her back underneath him, her head on her end of the couch. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, much like she’d done at the pizza place. He couldn’t get enough of this woman. He’d thought she was perfect when they were teenagers, but now she was all woman and that teenage version paled in comparison to what she’d become. He couldn’t imagine being more attracted to someone. Without the walls between them, their chemistry made his body sing. The tune they created would sell triple platinum if they recreated it on an album.