Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six (5 page)

Cade knelt up on the bed and rubbed Andie’s hip gently, reassuring. Even though she’d verbally invited him in a flirtatious manner, her body language had shut down, as her brow furrowed and she worried those pouty beautiful lips of hers. Had she been comparing him with someone from her past?

“Think the wings are getting cold? I can nuke them if you’d like.” He dotted a kiss on her forehead. “Was this too much?”

“No, it was wonderful. What’s wrong?” She reared up on her elbows and crossed her legs. Her eyes cast about, searching his face.

“Nothing’s wrong. You’re beautiful and unbelievably sexy. But we should slow this down.”

She lowered her eyes, checking his groin. Women always did that, as if they needed to reassure themselves that he desired them.

Placing her hand on his massive erection, he said, “There’s no malfunction down there. I want you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Dammit, I don’t know if I can control myself.”

“Except you are,” she muttered. “You’re backing off. You’re very much in control.”

“I won’t be if I taste you down there. Then I’d want to be inside, naked skin to naked skin, and then what?”

“You mean you don’t have a condom?” She pulled a sheet over her nakedness and sat up. The horror in her eyes that he’d slip up without protection was proof enough that he’d been wise to slow down.

“I wouldn’t ever invade you without your permission, and I’ve never done it without protection.” He swallowed regret at the thought he’d blocked his own cock. “It’s just we have to be on the same page and have the same expectations.”

She pulled her knees to her chest and crossed her arms. “I knew it would come to this. Every guy wants to make sure I have no expectations, and I don’t. Really. I’m totally satisfied with sock knocking sex as long as you want, and when you want to call it quits,
hasta la vista
, baby.”

Something about the way she dismissed him twinged his heart, just a little, even though that was what he was about to propose, a hideaway fling, nothing heavy and serious.

“So, you’re really okay with me upping and leaving when the time comes?”

“Of course.” She tugged the sheets closer and shuddered. “Can I put my clothes on?”

“Do you want to?”

Biting her lip, she patted around the bed for her jeans and panties.

Since Cade prided himself a gentleman, he went to the living room to retrieve her bra and blouse, then handed them to her without meeting her eye.

“Please, don’t be ashamed or anything,” he said. “I loved the way you opened up to me. I think it’s wonderful.”

“I know, and I’m not going to sit here and hem and haw and tell you I’ve never done this before, although I haven’t had sex in more than a year, but don’t worry, I know you’re not judging me. It’s society and the double standard.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t ever shortchange yourself. You’re beautiful, responsive, hot, and smart.”

She wiped the sweaty red strands of her hair back over her forehead. “I know, and that’s why I never have to settle for anyone. Let’s not overthink this, outlaw. How long are you going to be in town?”

She asked that as if it didn’t matter, but her voice wobbled, and her eyes darted away from him before she pasted on an overly bright smile.

“End of March,” he said, pulling on his sweater.

“Is that when the dog shows start?”

Not really. Training camp didn’t start until the end of July, but Cade hadn’t been planning to spend all of his free time hiding. For one, he had strength and conditioning camp at the end of March. He should be completely refreshed by then and ready to go back in a big way. Confident and positive, especially coming off an affair with a woman who appreciated him without knowing who he was.

He noticed she was fully dressed, so he took her hand. “Why don’t we hit the bar downstairs? Or go out for a bite? Night’s still young.”

“Sure, we could do that.” Andie slid off the bed and clasped her fingers between his. “We still have time.”

“We still do.” He pulled her close and captured her sweet, succulent lips.

# # #

Andie put on her coat and stiffened her spine. One orgasm, no matter how awesome, should not have reduced her to wishing and begging Cade to stay. End of March meant they had roughly six weeks. Plenty of time.

She’d show him the frozen waterfalls, they could go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, target shooting, even downhill skiing.

“Ready?” Cade patted his dog and checked his water bowl. “I have to be back to walk him before midnight. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, I should get home before then.” She stepped into her slip-on duck boots and pulled on her gloves.

Cade stopped in front of the door and kissed her. His eyes were focused and intense, and he seemed to want to say something.

Andie stepped back from the kiss, hating the wall of awkwardness that had descended between them. “Maybe I shouldn’t have asked when you were leaving. Maybe having a set date is the wrong thing. I mean, just because we’re here today doesn’t mean we have to see each other for the next six weeks.”

“Are you seeing anyone else?”

Her head shook before she could open her mouth. She wanted to say ‘yes,’ she was seeing others, loads and loads of other guys. She didn’t want to be dependent on him, or seem too clinging. Not on the first date.

“I take that as a ‘no.’” He grinned and dotted a gloved fingertip on her nose. “Then I won’t see anyone else either. Not even your boss, Margo. “

“Oh, I didn’t mean anything.” Panic sizzled in her veins. He wanted to date Margo too? Had to be. Before she had gotten off work, Margo had sauntered around the circulation desk primping and showing off the address and phone number Cade gave her. Andie would be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t jealous, but when you’re stuck in a small town with a dearth of hot, available men, competition was stiff whenever a new man walked in.

“You can date her if you want,” she quickly added.

“I don’t want anyone but you.” He leaned in and cupped both hands around her face. “So, if you can stand not going out with anyone else while I’m here, I’d like to monopolize your time one hundred percent.”

This was music to her ears. Andie couldn’t help the grin that cracked her cheeks or the bounce in her steps. She hopped on tippy toes and locked her lips to his.

Six weeks. Anything could happen in six weeks. Maybe he’d fall in love with upstate New York and make this town his home base. There were sure to be Irish Setter clubs in New York state. This could work.

The kiss was long and slow, and Andie didn’t want to let go. He was so delicious, pressing into her with hunger and grace, his lips strong and firm, yet soft and sweet, his tongue both lazy and demanding.

She twined her arms around his neck, dragging him down closer as she arched her back. Her fingers caressed the back of his neck. Her moans were muffled by his mouth. She closed her eyes and let all thought go.

His phone started ringing in his pocket. Reluctantly, Cade disengaged, but not before tenderly tucking a strand of her hair over her ear and giving her a wink, promising more delights to come.

“Sorry, I can’t think who’d be calling me.” He answered the phone. “Hello? Oh, sure, she’s right here. For you.”

“Me?” Andie mouthed, but took the phone. She wasn’t even sure which end was which, but put the top part at her ear. “Hello?”

“Gollie’s missing.” Her mother’s voice sounded urgent and frightened.

“Gollie? Gone? What happened?”

“The alarm went off at the vet and when Dr. Menon went to investigate, he found several of the pens wide open. Gollie’s was one of them.”

“You mean someone stole her?” A sinking sensation floored her stomach. “But, it’s the dead of winter. She’ll freeze out there.”

“They’re organizing a search party, which is why I called you. Meet them at Dr. Menon’s.”

“I’ll be right over. Mom, we’ll find her.” She handed the phone to Cade after her mother hung up.

Cade had already heard from her side of the conversation and was putting a leash on Red. Grabbing her hand, he led her from his apartment.

Cade dug flashlights out of the toolbox in the back of his SUV and handed one to Andie. They were parked outside the vet clinic. Two other pet owners had already arrived, and Dr. Menon was showing them the area where they boarded the dogs.

“You see here?” the vet said as Andie and Cade approached. “Wire clippers. Someone cut the chain link fence to get to the inside deadbolt release.”

“But why?” one of the other owners wrung his hands. “How many dogs were taken?”

“Five are missing, all retrievers,” Dr. Menon replied. “I suspect they were going for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever left here for boarding. I’ve contacted the owner who’s still en route from his vacation.”

“But my dog’s just an ordinary golden retriever,” a woman said. “Why would they take her?”

“Mine’s not one of those either,” Andie agreed.

“The Duck Tolling Retriever is worth two thousand dollars. I’m betting the thugs hired to do the job didn’t know exactly what they looked like so they stole all the dogs that are similar. Yours is a retriever collie mix, which means she looks similar.”

“What are we going to do?” Andie asked. “Did you call the police?”

“I did,” the vet said. “What I’m more worried about is once the thieves realize the other four dogs are not the one they were after, they’d dispose of them.”

“No, it can’t be.” The woman choked back a scream, and the man next to her stomped his feet, shaking his jowls.

“Maybe they’ll just let them go,” Andie said. “Maybe they’re out there somewhere. We have to find them.”

“That’s true,” Cade said, reaching out and tugging Andie into his arms. “My dog can help. Let him sniff the pens of the missing dogs.”

“Is he trained for search and rescue?” the vet asked.

“No, but Gollie’s his girlfriend, and I know he’ll want her back.”

“Oh, the one in heat. Got it. Your mother brought her in right before the clinic closed, so I haven’t had time to examine her yet. Come this way.”

The vet led Cade, Red, and Andie to Gollie’s pen. He allowed Red to sniff around, then led him outside. His nose busy, he trotted over the snow, picking up a trail to the edge of the parking lot. Unfortunately, he started circling and circling before stopping.

“That’s probably where they got her into the truck.” Cade pointed to the large tire tracks.

“I’m calling the media and offering a reward,” Dr. Menon said. “We’ll find the dogs, but I’m afraid there’s not much we can do tonight.”

Tears trailed down Andie’s cheeks, and she swiped them with her scarf. “It’s snowing and cold. She could be dumped at the side of the road somewhere out there.”

“She has a thick fur coat. Maybe she found shelter or someone took her in.” Cade tried to comfort her, but knew his words rang hollow. Beside him, Red whined and his head drooped. “If it makes you feel better, we can drive around some and look for her.”

# # #

Andie squeezed her eyes and peered out the foggy windshield while Cade drove. Everything looked the same, miles and miles of trees and shrubs covered with snow and an occasional field surrounded by fences.

“Is there anywhere she could have run to if she got away?” Cade asked. “Where was she living before?”

“In a converted barn serving as a rescue, Fran’s Haven. Can we drop by there and look?” Andie put her hand on Cade’s knee and squeezed. He’d been so good to her, driving her around looking for her dog. “It’s on the way back to town.”

“Sounds good,” Cade agreed. He followed her directions, and they wound their way to an old, dilapidated farm. The lights were dark and no one answered the door.

“They might not be up,” Cade said. He waved his flashlight over the driveway. “No sign of tire tracks and paw prints. Why don’t you call in the morning and put them on alert?”

“You’re right. It’s late and we should head home.”

“The reward should help, right?” Cade patted her hand as he helped her back into the SUV. “I can throw in more money. Figure it this way, once the thief realizes Gollie’s not the expensive dog, he can make money by pretending he found her and claim the reward.”

“True, but you don’t have to put up any money.”

Cade switched on the overhead light and took out his phone. “I want to. Let me leave a message with Dr. Menon.”

While he texted the vet, Andie couldn’t help admiring his strong profile. He was so kind and generous, and he loved dogs. Any man who’d spend hours searching for a dog was a hero in her book.

Cade looked up from his phone and their eyes met.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Andie said, suddenly feeling shy. How long had she known Cade? And why did it feel as if she’d always known him?

He tugged her into his arms and held her, his hands massaging circles on her back. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s hard to believe, but before I met you, I didn’t have anyone to care about other than Red. I didn’t have any real friends, just people who hung around because they wanted something from me.”

“What about family?”

He held her tighter and hefted a long, deep breath into her hair. “Didn’t have any. I was one of those babies no one wanted to adopt. It was foster home after foster home until I started playing ball. Then my coach took me in, but he was only interested in me winning games for the team. He used me and I used him to get a scholarship.”

So, he had been an athlete. Figured he’d kept his physique from habit. She leaned back and lifted her gaze to his face. “What happened? Did you go to college?”

“Yeah, I did.” His nerves felt on end, jittery and unsettled. Why was he exposing himself when he’d finally found peace away from the hangers-on, his party friends, his agent, and media attention?

Her fingers brushed over his growing beard and she caressed his jaw. “I can’t believe no one wanted to adopt you.”

“I had fetal alcohol syndrome, learning disabilities. I was born with a cleft palate.”

A cleft palate? Andie narrowed her eyes and studied his upper lip. The scar was obscured by his facial hair. No wonder he wore a beard, although many guys did during the winter to keep their face warm.

“Cade, those things don’t define you.” She stroked his fuzzy cheek. “They’re part of you, but not all of you. You’ve overcome a lot and you have a big heart. That’s the most important.” She pressed her hand on his chest, right over his Flash tattoo.

“So, my heart’s the most important to you?”

“Yes, even more than your brain. I’m pretty bright, and my father’s brilliant, but my mother has the best heart. She cares for little animals and people who can’t give anything back to her. She would have adopted you. So would I.”

“Why? I needed special classes and expensive surgeries.”

Andie traced her finger over his upper lip, careful not to linger on the cleft indentation. “Someone gave you those things, didn’t they? And even though they didn’t adopt you, they still cared.”

“I’d never thought of it that way.” He felt the prickling of tears in his eyes. “I always saw myself as unwanted, without anyone. I never thanked the donors who paid for me, or the foster parents who raised me. I guess I was too busy resenting them for not adopting me.”

“It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? Half empty or half full. Hero or villain, winner or loser, loved or abandoned. David was one of the most depraved sinners. He murdered his friend to take his wife, but God saw him as a man after his own heart. He had a warm and tender heart.”

A lump formed deep in Cade’s throat, and his heart clenched tight with a feeling he’d never known—one that ached him to the core, yet filled him with warmth and wanting something more than a Super Bowl ring or an MVP award.

“I too, want that heart.” He clasped her hand, the one on his chest. “I want you to show me how to be a man like David.”

“You already are. You just don’t believe it.” She leaned her forehead against his, and this time, when they kissed, it was pure, and sweet, and different.

His emotions shifted, expanding and filling him with comfort and power, beating to the drum of victory.

I’m a winner. I’m a hero. I’m loved.