Page 17 of Love Unwrapped
Andi’s breath released in a slow exhale. Her eyelids closed, and her body arched forward, taking all of Blake. There was no doubt this was a very bad idea—one she couldn’t find it in herself to do anything about other than to lock her legs around his waist and roll her hips forward in an urgent request for him to move.
He did, in the best possible way. There was no awkwardness—of course there wasn’t. They were fluid together. Blake moved and she followed, their sex creating an instant perfect rhythm. Even in their unending antagonism of one another, they were in rhythm. They each knew exactly where to land a hit. But this…a whole new level. Andi groaned as she wondered if all they’d been through had been some weird precursor to spontaneous, perfect sex. Oh God, when he moved like that she couldn’t even think, something she’d never been able to turn off in any other situation.
“It feels good,” Andi panted out, her hands reaching for him, wrapping around Blake’s biceps, just needing to touch him.
“I knew it would,” Blake whispered, lowering to place a lingering kiss on her lips, the small puffs of his warm breath sending tingles racing across her skin. He was sweet and gentle, wrapping her in his arms as he expertly moved in and out of her body.
The puckered skin of the scar on his right arm drew her attention and she traced it to his back where it sprangled out in various directions. Good heavens, what this man had been through. She couldn’t even imagine. Andi splayed her hands on his back, smoothing a trail down to grip each of his ass cheeks.
“It’s too good. I’m close, Andi.”
“Me too.” Her fingernails dug into the flesh of each taut globe, urging him to move faster and harder. She swore she heard a chuckle as her grip tightened, then he lifted himself inches off her. He shifted so he could move his skilled fingers between them, then worked magic against her clit while he picked up the pace, pistoning in and out of her. She crested, her orgasm hurtling through her body, seizing control of her lungs. She tossed her head back against the couch cushion, her body tensing as the spine-tingling orgasm tore through her. Andi dove over the edge to oblivion, soaring on waves of bliss.
Lips trailing lightly over the skin at her neck brought her back to the room in the most delicious of ways. Andi smiled with her eyes still closed, assessing her body. She’d never had an orgasm knock her out cold. Usually she was energized, ready to get up and go after sex, but whatever had happened here had been something altogether different. The word replete barely covered it. The fact that Blake’s cock slipped from her when they shifted slightly let her know she hadn’t been out long.
“You’re beautiful,” Blake whispered, his big body resting against the back cushions of the couch, partially on her.
“I’m not.” Her smile turned into a yawn that turned into an unladylike jaw-cracking yawn. He chuckled again, a sound she really liked. She couldn’t muster the energy to lift a hand to cover her mouth, but she did enjoy the tips of his fingers trailing lightly up and down her tummy, circling the mound of her breast.
“You always have been. Nothing’s changed.”
Andi stared at Blake, watching so much emotion darken Blake’s gaze before his hand fully cupped her breast, the pad of his thumb swiping across the nipple.
“I already want you again. I’m certain I always will.” Blake’s lips touched Andi’s.
She opened, more than ready to do it all again. As she tried to urge his tongue inside her mouth, he lifted his head and hand away from her.
“You’re tired.” He shook his head. “You’re going home and I’m finishing those cookies.” His voice had an inviting lilt, one that made her move into him, sliding her palm down the deep ridges of his muscular biceps.
“I’m not leaving you to finish alone,” she said, mimicking his tone.
“Ryan’ll be back at some point. Even if he’s not, you’re going home. You’re yawning, and it’s been a long few days. Emotional days. Get some rest and”—he leaned down to kiss her again—“we’ll do it all again.” He glanced around them. “Maybe we’ll use a bed next time.” He shifted off her more fully. “Do you need me to drive you? I can.”
“You’re being awfully sweet.” That had his bright smile curving the corners of his lips as he cupped her head, his thumb caressing over her cheek.
“Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.” That was exactly what she needed to hear. She swiped at his arm playfully and stretched her body as he shoved himself off the sofa. He kissed her in a light, loving way before he rose, a peck on the lips and one on the tip of her nose. He turned away, most likely to deal with the condom, and she got a full view of his back. He was gorgeous, the perfect male specimen. The only thing marring that perfect skin were the scars running over his shoulder, underneath one arm and around his back, then down the side of his body. Andi rose, getting to her feet. Her naked body wasn’t even a concern as she reached out to touch his marred skin.
“I want to hear this story.”
Blake’s chin came over his shoulder, and he studied her face for a moment, before saying, “Someday. I like you touching me.” He puckered his lips, and she stepped closer, moving in front of him to press her body against his, then lifted on her tiptoes to meet the kiss. “You need to go get cleaned up or I’m going to say fuck it and take you again. Babs won’t ever understand why the cookies weren’t done because I couldn’t stop making love to her granddaughter.”
She wrapped her arms around Blake’s waist, loving his teasing, but knowing he was right. Besides, her grandmother didnotneed to know about this, if for no other reason, than the stubborn woman would think she’d successfully matched them. And that would never do. She could wait a lifetime to hear that gloating. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Straight through there.” He pointed to one of three doors in the back of the office. Andi broke away from Blake and gathered her clothes. He backed away from her as she went into the bathroom. She flipped on the light as she shut the door, then turned and got a start when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her ponytail had come free, her blond hair spilling wildly around her shoulders. Though there was more mascara under her eyes than on her lashes, her flushed face and shining eyes told a tale of happiness, of a well-sated woman. When was the last time she’d see that look on her own face?
Of course you’re happy, you’re headed down the road of self-destruction.
The words were so vivid inside her head that she thought she may have spoken them aloud. The thought did diminish some of the relaxed state the orgasm had allowed her to bask in. There was no question that she’d let down her guard. Andi looked away from the mirror, pushing the negativity aside along with her image. She’d needed tonight, more than she’d known, based on the erratic thumping of her heart, as it begged her to pay more attention there and not to what her head tried to warn her against.
She sighed. Maybe shewastired. Blake was right. It had been a trying few days, an emotional rollercoaster of having to confront her past. She’d take him up on his offer to leave. If she left now, she could get a good seven hours sleep before having to wake and be back first thing in the morning. And maybe in there somewhere she could figure out whether her heart or her head had the right answer. Satisfied with her plan, she began dressing.
Chapter 10
Andi’s eyes fluttered open. She stared at the ceiling in her dark bedroom before lifting her cell phone from the mattress beside her and running a finger over the screen. The bright light almost had her missing the time. Four thirty in the morning. She had an hour left to sleep before she had to be up and preparing to package cookies again. Who knew how back-breaking something as simple as baking cookies could be? She closed her eyes and dropped her phone, willing herself back to sleep. It didn’t work.
She’d had sex with Blake Mangold, who had sweetly called their time together “making love.” Apparently, she had needed the release. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had good sex. She needed to do that more often... The feel of Blake moving inside her had her drifting on the memory of last night. Did Blake like to cuddle? She did, a little. She wished he was there with her right now. Would he be that kind of man to wake and make them breakfast in bed?
Andi shook her head at the crazy thought. She popped open her eyes, again staring at her ceiling. She didn’t do things like have sex in a bakery where anyone could have walked in on them. Bree and Ryan could have come back at any point. Or what if Chelsea had to come back for something? They’d been on his office couch, for heaven’s sake. She had been lonely and vulnerable, having avoided dating in order to advance her career. Her involuntary snort gave an audible reply to what she thought of that statement. She’d avoided dating because she made intolerably bad choices in men.
