Excerpt
* * *
As Liam crept further down the hall, he heard Raine bustling in the kitchen. Slowing his step as he reached the door, he watched her bowed head and shaking shoulders. A shuddering sob later, the girl reached for a stainless steel bowl, grabbed a few cups of sugar, some eggs, and butter.
A fond little smile curved his lips. Raine was rarely predictable—except in this. The short-fused firecracker often flew off in ways he’d never seen in a submissive, and Liam was never sure when or how she’d explode. Obviously, she’d had no formal training, and no one took her to task. But when she started thundering like a summer storm, Raine always came to the kitchen as if being one with the dough soothed her.
Seeing her tears and defeated posture, Liam itched to rattle Hammer into next week for closing himself off from the very woman who could save him.
Raine cracked an egg over the bowl and sniffled to hold in her tears. He drew in a bracing breath. What to say to the distraught girl? If he barged in, she’d bristle and give him a cold shoulder. He had to tread carefully since he didn’t know exactly what ran through her wee head. And that meant he couldn’t let her in on his plan. Raine needed to feel valued, not like she was simply bait. Nor would she truly learn to submit if she believed what lay between them was only an act for Hammer’s benefit. It had to come from her soul or Macen would see straight through it. His friend’s jealousy must spur him to act. Most of all, he didn’t want Raine hurt. If he made her his conspirator and the ploy failed, the defeat would crush her delicate heart.
“Maybe I should just quit.” She grabbed a wooden spoon and attacked the dough, adding in brown sugar. “Leave. There’s nothing holding me here, that’s for damn sure.”
His gut clenched at the finality in her miserable words. He refused to let her go without doing everything in his power to persuade her to stay. He had to act now.
Raine yanked a fresh dishtowel from the drawer, pressed it to her face, and took a few deep breaths to calm herself. A long moment later, she threw the towel down, flipped on the faucet, and shoved her hands under the stream of water. She hissed in a breath, and he frowned. How badly had she cut herself?
“Except…this is home. Where would I go?” she muttered as she cut off the water. “But how can I stay here?”
That was his cue.
Liam raised his fist and knocked on the door. Raine whipped her head around, hope brimming in her eyes. It visibly died when she realized he wasn’t Hammer.
She surprised him when she cast her gaze to the floor submissively. “Hi, Liam. Sir. Um, if you’re here because you’re worried or something, I’ll be fine. I’ll bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies and be as good as new.”
So sweet. And lying. Eventually, he’d both soothe and paddle her until she learned to be honest, but for now he simply tried to set her at ease. “While I’ve little doubt about your culinary skills, since your baked goods are most excellent, I doubt they’ll mend your woes, lass. Show me your hands.”
Obediently, Raine held them out. Liam stepped closer, taking her wrists in his grip and examining her fingers. “You’ve a few wee cuts, but nothing serious.” He gave her a smile and gently kissed her palm. “I think you’ll live.”
She stiffened. “I told you I’m fine.”
“Your hands, yes. What about your heart?” He watched her shoulders slump. “I’ve come with a proposition. Would you hear me out?”
Click to purchase
Want a meaty read packed with angst, drama, heat—and a sexy badass who’s…
* * *
WICKED AS SIN
Wicked & Devoted, Book 1
By Shayla Black
March 3, 2020!
* * *
He’s ruthless. She’s off-limits. But he’s just met his one weakness…
Now nothing will stop him from stealing her heart.
* * *
Pierce “One-Mile” Walker has always kept his heart under wraps and his head behind his sniper’s scope. Nothing about buttoned-up Brea Bell should appeal to him. But after a single glance at the pretty preacher’s daughter, he doesn’t care that his past is less than shiny, that he gets paid to end lives…or that she’s his teammate’s woman. He vows to do whatever it takes to make her his.
* * *
Brea has always been a dutiful daughter and a good girl…until she meets the dangerous warrior. He’s everything she shouldn’t want, especially after her best friend introduces her to his fellow operative as his girlfriend—to protect her from Pierce. But he’s a forbidden temptation she’s finding impossible to resist.
* * *
Then fate strikes, forcing Brea to beg Pierce to help solve a crisis. But his skills come at a price. When her innocent flirtations run headlong into his obsession, they cross the line into a passion so fiery she can’t say no. Soon, his past rears its head and a vendetta calls his name in a mission gone horribly wrong. Will he survive to fight his way back to the woman who claimed his soul?
Click to order
* * *
I’m spilling ALL the tea on this pair when my Wicked Lovers and Devoted Lovers worlds collide in epic fashion to start my NEW Wicked & Devoted series—full of all the steamy, suspenseful romance you crave!
LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER!
ABOUT ME:
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly eighty novels. For twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eleven years.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband and daughter, as well as two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
* * *
TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOU.
Connect with me via the links below. The VIP Readers newsletter has exclusive news and excerpts. You can also become one of my Facebook Book Beauties and enjoy live, interactive #WineWednesday video chats full of fun, book chatter, and more! See you soon!
* * *
Website
VIP Reader Newsletter
Facebook Author Page
Facebook Book Beauties Chat Group
Instagram
Twitter
Amazon Author
BookBub
Goodreads
YouTube
* * *
If you enjoyed this book, please review it and recommend it to others. It means the world!
OTHER BOOKS BY SHAYLA BLACK
Click to purchase
* * *
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
MORE THAN WORDS
More Than Want You
More Than Need You
More Than Love You
More Than Crave You
More Than Tempt You
More Than Pleasure You (novella)
Coming Soon:
More Than Dare You (May 5, 2020)
More Than Protect You (novella) (October 6, 2020)
* * *
WICKED & DEVOTED
Coming Soon:
Wicked As Sin (March 3, 2020)
* * *
THE WICKED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Wicked Ties
Decadent
Delicious
Surrender to Me
Belong to Me
“Wicked to Love” (novella)
Mine to Hold
“Wicked All the Way” (novella)
Ours to Love
“Wicked All Night” (novella)
“Forever Wicked” (novella)
Theirs to Cherish
His to Take
“Pure Wicked” (novella)
Wicked for You
Falling in Deeper
“Dirty Wicked” (novella)
“A Very Wicked Christmas” (short)
Holding on Tighter
* * *
THE DEVOTED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Devoted to Pleasure
“Devoted to Wicked” (novella)
Devoted to Love
* * *
THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN (Complete Series)
(by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Scandal Never Sleeps
Seduction in Session
Big Easy Temptation
Smoke and Sin
At the Pleasure of the President
* * *
MASTERS OF MÉNAGE
(by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Secretary
Their Virgin Mistress
Coming Soon:
Their Virgin Bride (TBD)
* * *
DOMS OF HER LIFE
(by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, and Isabella LaPearl)
Raine Falling Collection (Complete)
One Dom To Love
The Young And The Submissive
The Bold and The Dominant
The Edge of Dominance
* * *
Heavenly Rising Collection
The Choice
The Chase
Coming Soon:
The Commitment (Late 2020/Early 2021)
* * *
Seducing the Innocent
Seducing the Bride
* * *
STANDALONE TITLES
Naughty Little Secret
Watch Me
Dangerous Boys And Their Toy
“Her Fantasy Men” (Four Play Anthology)
A Perfect Match
* * *
THE MISADVENTURES SERIES
Misadventures of a Backup Bride
Misadventures with My Ex
* * *
SEXY CAPERS (Complete Series)
Bound And Determined
Strip Search
“Arresting Desire” (Hot In Handcuffs Anthology)
* * *
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
(as Shelley Bradley)
The Lady And The Dragon
One Wicked Night
Strictly Seduction
Strictly Forbidden
* * *
BROTHERS IN ARMS (Complete Medieval Trilogy)
His Lady Bride
His Stolen Bride
His Rebel Bride
* * *
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
THE DOOMSDAY BRETHREN
Tempt Me With Darkness
“Fated” (e-novella)
Seduce Me In Shadow
Possess Me At Midnight
“Mated” – Haunted By Your Touch Anthology
Entice Me At Twilight
Embrace Me At Dawn