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

by Rachelle Ayala

  Better to be with a scholarly man, one who didn’t have the opportunities and lived in a world of ideas and dreams.

  Andie’s breath burned in her chest. There was no place like home in Itasca where scholars roamed and ideas bloomed.

  Once she was finished with this gig, she was going home to a simpler life in the stacks of the library—where she belonged.

  Chapter 13

  The music in the club was too loud, and the women’s combined perfume assaulted his nose. Cade’s skin cringed at the fingers raking over him. A blonde was hanging onto one arm while a petite Asian sat in his lap. All his buddies were likewise surrounded by hordes of babes with perfect bodies wearing barely there, fuck-me clothes.

  Hot, available, fast, and easy. Only problem was he’d have to get a hotel room. Rob’s place was off limits now that he’d knocked up his sister, and obviously he couldn’t bring the chicks to his own house, not with Andie living there.

  “Have another shot.” The Asian perked her tiny lips. “Come on, open up. Down the hatch.”

  Cade clamped his mouth and shook his head. He loved playing with them and refusing. It only made them more eager.

  The woman squirmed over his erection and ran her fingernails over his chest while the blonde blew in his ear. “I want you to fuck me all three ways. Think you can do that big boy? Uno, dos, tres, can you count to three?”

  Her breath was too hot and sticky, and raised goose bumps, not the arousing kind, but the icky whiteboard marker squeaking kind.

  He shuddered and turned away from her. “Not tonight, babe. I’m looking for one way with one woman.”

  “Boring.” The Asian chick stroked his erection. “Big man like you? What a waste.”

  She leaned into his face without slanting to dot a kiss on his lips. Guess her nose was so flat she could do that, but it seemed strange to stare straight into her open eyes.

  Fortunately, his nose kept her from pressing in too deeply. The kiss was tasteless and bland, but he let her continue since she seemed safer than the blonde. She closed her eyes, getting into it, and finally turned her face.

  Cade rolled his eyes and swallowed a sigh. His teammates were right. He’d lost his edge. He didn’t even want sex three ways ’til Sunday, and the kiss was as colorless as stale chewing gum.

  Oh shit! His mouth opened as he caught sight of Andie walking into the bar with that freakazoid coworker of hers. The guy was wearing the top hat of a Hasidic Jew, and his beard was curled down both sides. He had to be sweltering in that flowing black wool coat in the height of summer in LA.

  The Asian chick took advantage of his open mouth to probe him with her tiny tongue. How convenient of her to have a curtain of straight black hair. He repositioned her like a prop to hide his face.

  Andie and her coworker elected to sit at a recently vacated bistro table near the dance floor. They ordered drinks and talked. Didn’t they chat enough at work? Why was it she couldn’t get enough of that geek?

  Cade’s mouth was getting numb, and he was sure he’d need a supersized swipe of Chap Stick, but Andie and Leroy hadn’t done anything interesting. At this point, he’d even prefer to see them step out on the dance floor so the crowd could jeer at the anomalous sight of an Asian guy wearing Hasidic Jewish garb dancing with a redheaded Dorothy with red ruby slippers. Truthfully, Andie’s blue and white gingham checkered dress looked like a throwback all the way from Kansas. What was it, costume day at work?

  He chuckled under his breath, causing the Asian lady to disengage her lips.

  “What’s so funny?” Her mouth puckered into a tiny pout.

  Cade placed two fingers over the woman’s lips and at that moment, Andie caught sight of him. Shit. Double shit. Triple shit.

  Andie’s eyes widened, and she rose from the table abruptly, leaving the bewildered coworker.

  “See that guy over there in the top hat and coat?” Cade whispered to the woman on his lap. “Go make him happy.”

  “I’d rather make you happy.”

  “Trust me, he’s way more skilled than I.” Cade carried her to Leroy’s table and parked her there. “I’ve got to catch Dorothy before she’s blown away by a tornado.”

  # # #

  Heedless of the people she bumped and squeezed by, Andie ran out of the bar and onto the busy Hollywood sidewalk. She had no clue where she was, since Leroy had driven, but she had to get away. Seeing Cade with a hot woman on his lap just about destroyed her. He didn’t even belong to her, but her heartbeat skyrocketed and her head expanded like she was about to explode. This was exactly the reason why she’d divorced Declan. The man couldn’t keep his pants on, not even on their supposed honeymoon.

  Good. Fucking. Riddance. She’d signed the divorce papers faster than a jackrabbit on a blind date. Hopefully she’d never see his mug again, especially since she’d already convinced Leroy that Declan was too sissy for the David job. Leroy had reluctantly recommended another actor to Ronaldo. Close call averted.

  But with Cade? She could never, ever get over the worry and hurt of knowing he could at any minute, at any second, be having sex with another woman. She was just too possessive.

  Running down sidewalks covered with stars, she dodged palm trees and strolling couples. The landmark Chinese Theatre was on her right but she wasn’t in the mood to stop for a look-see. She kept going, past a Hard Rock Café and a Sephora store. A row of taxicabs sat in front of a Metro marker for the Hollywood and Highland subway station.

  Andie flagged down a cab, and when she opened the door, the driver arched an eyebrow and said, “Where to? Kansas?”

  “Sorry, Hollywood Hills.” Andie felt like an idiot. Why, oh, why had she decided to join in the fun at work and wear a costume?

  “Might get you there quicker if you clicked your heels.” He chuckled and leered at her, his tongue lolling like Red over Gollie, or at least back before Gollie was spayed.

  “You want the fare or not?” Andie grumbled, and the driver put on a more professional look.

  “Sure, just let me know where you want to go.”

  She gave him Cade’s address and climbed in. She really had to put more effort in moving out. Leroy had a few leads, and now that she learned of the LA Metro subway and rail system, she could get a cheaper place closer to downtown and not need a car.

  The cab pulled up onto the driveway of Cade’s house. While Andie scrambled to pay the fare, a black Porsche screeched to a halt and Cade jumped out.

  “Let me get that.” He rushed the cab.

  “No, don’t. Actually, I’m getting back in,” she said to the driver.

  “No, she’s not.” Cade handed the driver his credit card and snatched Andie by the arm.

  “Is there a problem here?” The driver narrowed his eyes at Cade. “You need to take your hands off her or I’m calling the cops.”

  “Fine, okay.” Cade let Andie go, but pinned her with his gaze. “I’ve missed you. Truly. Please stay and at least talk to me.”

  His voice was calm and low, and he seemed to be serious. Could it be true that he’d missed her as much as she wanted him to? Was he only out on a date because he was bored stiff? After all, he’d dumped the woman and came after her.

  Andie stared at Cade as an irresistible force field drew her into his arms. “I missed you, too.”

  He kissed the top of her head and held her tight. “Then let’s start over. Let’s be friends and try again.”

  Andie’s throat froze, and all she could do was nod and smile and hug him. A second chance. A new life. Maybe these ruby red slippers were magical after all.

  “Ahem, your credit card?” The driver cleared his throat. After running it, he handed it back to Cade and winked. “There’s no place like home. Just watch out for the flying monkeys.”

  # # #

  Cade held onto Andie, not wanting to let go. Beside them, his car door was still open and the headlamps were still on. The key-in-ignition chime pinged repeatedly, but he couldn’t lose this moment.


  She had missed him. She wanted to be friends and start over. He didn’t dare kiss her, especially since he hadn’t brushed his teeth and cleaned his mouth with mouthwash. It would be too tacky.

  He would just hold onto her and hug her and not move, forever.

  Woof. Woof. Their dogs barked from the backyard.

  “I forgot to feed them,” Andie said. She snapped out of Cade’s arms. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to go out. Leroy and I were working late and—”

  “You don’t owe me an explanation.” He held up his hand. “Let me get the car in the garage, and we’ll take care of the dogs. Hop in.”

  She climbed into the passenger seat and leaned over, kissing his cheek. “I’ve been so horrible. We have to talk. I’ve driven you out of your house and messed up your life.”

  He pressed a finger over her mouth. “Later, okay? Right now, I just want to enjoy having you close to me.”

  Hiding a smile, Cade parked the car in the garage and together, they went to the backyard to fetch their dogs.

  There’s no place like home, and there’s no home without Andie, Red, and Gollie.

  Chapter 14

  Andie and Cade lay on a double lounge chair in his backyard overlooking the Hollywood Bowl. There was a concert going on, and the evening was balmy, but not humid. Crickets chirped softly in the foreground, and in the background, faint orchestral music along with a light show illuminated the amphitheater below them.

  “How about we take a tour of Hollywood tomorrow and then end it with a picnic and concert at the Bowl?” Cade whispered in Andie’s ear.

  “Sure.” She snuggled on his chest. “You’re too good to me.”

  “About time you realized it.” He loved the way she felt against him, all soft and curves, smooth skin and silky hair. “I want you to know, I haven’t been going out at all until tonight when some buddies of mine pushed me to go. I’ve been living at my agent’s house in the guest room, alone.”

  “You don’t have to explain.”

  “I want to, because I want you to trust me. The last woman I slept with is still you. It’ll always be you, although to be honest, I was tempted several times, but somehow my body’s dead, and I don’t go through with it.”

  “Your body’s dead? Then how come you’re so hot, and your heart’s thumping?” She moved her ear over his chest. “Yep, you’re very much alive.”

  “Only for you.” His erection was already straining to pop out of his jeans, but he wasn’t about to let her in on it. Not tonight, when having her in his arms was enough, or so he tried to convince his body to behave, obviously without success.

  Andie lifted her head to speak. “I haven’t kissed anyone either except for that one time. I mean, he leaned over to kiss me. I was shocked.”

  Cade shifted his weight to readjust his boner, pointing it away from Andie as much as possible. Something about the way she left out certain details bothered him. It wasn’t as if he was that great at reading people, but the slight catch in her voice and the way her body retreated a few millimeters suggested she was uncomfortable.

  “Why were you out with him tonight if he shocked you that night?”

  Andie hesitated, swallowing her panic. Her heartbeat accelerated, and sweat bloomed on the back of her neck. She couldn’t come between a man and his best buddy, could she?

  “I had a talk with him and we came to an understanding never to mention the kiss again.” Crap. She was lying, or at least misleading him. How could she stand there in judgment of David for his lies and cover up with Bathsheba when she, Andie Marie Wales, was lying about Ronaldo?

  “That’s it?” Cade tipped her chin so she could see his blue eyes bathed in the light of the moon. “The two of you work really close. Ronaldo says you’re always together. If I were Leroy, I’d go crazy being so close to you and not being able to touch.”

  Andie swallowed a growing fear in her throat. She didn’t want to restart this relationship with another lie. Had she always been such a liar before? She’d always prided herself with her honesty. Was it only because she had nothing worth lying about?

  “What’s wrong, Andie?” Cade’s thumb swept her trembling lower lip.

  She blinked and closed her eyes. “I lied. I’m sorry. I’ve probably been lying since the day I met you. I lied when I said it wouldn’t matter if you left, and I lied when I told you I wanted you to leave.”

  “Okay, so you lied. Who’s the guy you kissed?”

  “He smoked me out, Cade. He didn’t kiss me because he wanted to. He was testing me, and I failed.”

  “Testing you? Why?”

  “Because he’s your buddy. He wanted to see if I was good enough for you.”

  “Ronaldo?” Cade dislodged Andie from his chest and pushed out of the lounge chair. “I’m going to kill him.”

  “No, no.” Andie scrambled to his side and grabbed his arm. “He basically showed me that the only reason I’ve ever been monogamous was because no one else wanted me. It’s easy being loyal and pure when no one’s beating your door down, or the only guys interested in you are ones you’re not attracted to. He wanted me to understand that you’re the way you are because hordes of sexy females are always throwing themselves at you, like that hot chick at the bar.”

  “Then he’s got it all wrong.” Cade jerked his arm away from her and stormed off across the lawn.

  “Wait, Cade. Don’t be mad at him.” She followed him through the French doors, but he kept walking.

  He crossed to the other side of the great room and opened the double doors to the hallway toward his bedroom.

  Andie wasn’t going to let him go. They weren’t communicating, and they’d never get anywhere until they had that heart to heart.

  He swung the door open, but couldn’t slam it in her face. She grabbed his shirt from the back. “Cade, tell me what you’re thinking. Please.”

  “I don’t want to talk.” He stood with his back toward her.

  “Then let me talk. Will you listen?” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her face on his back.

  His back muscles tightened and she felt him nod. “Okay.”

  “I lie, Cade, because I’m afraid. It’s easier to tell you to leave or that I can’t deal with your baby or your womanizing, or the fact that you’re a pro athlete than to face my fears.”

  “I told you I would never hurt you. I promised it.”

  “You will hurt me, even if you don’t try, and I’ll hurt you too, if only accidentally.”

  “Then what do we do?” He unclasped her hands and turned around to face her. “Are you saying we’re both liars and cheats?”

  She couldn’t help but nod, even as tears flooded her eyes. “Even the man after God’s own heart lies and cheats. That’s what I’ve been learning all week. It’s because we’re always lying to ourselves, Cade. The difference is whether we believe those lies or not.”

  She could feel the anger diminishing, as his muscles softened. Admitting that she’d lied hadn’t ended the world, but could he ever trust her again? She wanted more than anything for Cade to believe in her. But how could he, when she didn’t even know what to believe about her own feelings?

  Cade gently stroked her hair, then cupped her face with both hands and lowered his head to hers. “What happens if we don’t believe those lies?”

  She let out the breath she’d been holding. “We face our true selves, and it’s ugly, real ugly.”

  “No, Andie.” He kissed her forehead. “It’s when we face our true selves that we can love, and then it’s all beautiful again.”

  That sounded so deep and beautiful. Andie’s throat tightened. She wanted to tell him how much he meant, and how much she’d suffered while he was gone, but would he believe her?

  “I won’t say I love you, because I don’t want to lie.” She tried to sound casual, maybe even carefree. It was a teaser to lighten the mood. She wasn’t ready yet to commit to her feelings. Not unless he felt the same way.

  “
Then I won’t say I love you, either.” A grin crinkled his eyes, and he rubbed his nose against her. “I un-love you, and that’s a lie I don’t believe.”

  “I un-love you, too.”

  “I don’t want to kiss you.” He picked her up and sat back on the bed with her, and his lips touched hers, minty and fresh, with a sting of mouthwash.

  Liar. If he hadn’t wanted to kiss her, he wouldn’t have brushed his teeth before meeting her in the backyard.

  # # #

  Sex was still too much to handle. That was no lie. Which was why Andie woke the next morning in her bed alone.

  She called her mother. Now that she and Cade had decided to take it slow and she wasn’t frantically biting her nails to the nub, she could confidently speak to her parents about how much she enjoyed California.

  Her mother had learned to video conference, so Andie brought them up on the large projection screen in her room. Her father was sitting in a wheelchair. He waved with his good hand and showed her how he could move around by controlling the joystick.

  Andie had given them her sign-on bonus, and her mother had already hired part-time help. Indeed, her parents looked happier, even though they missed her.

  “How’s California treating you? You look great,” her mother said.

  “It’s wonderful. I’ve been working a lot. I have to tell you about my colleague. He’s this Asian guy who thinks he’s Israeli, and every day he wears a costume to work.”

  “That’s Hollywood for you,” Mom said while her father grinned and nodded.

  “He’s not the only one. The admin is always dressed in half-and-half jackets. She cuts thrift shop jackets in half and stitches them together, and I went out as Dorothy with a blue gingham jumper and ruby sequined shoes.”

  Both her parents laughed.

  “Did your wish come true? Or are you telling us you want to come home?” her mother asked.

  “It did, sort of.” She swung the camera around to show her parents her room.

  Her mother ohhed and ahhed while her father gave a big thumbs up.