by Shayla Black
Raine looked half terrified. “Wow, that’s awfully honest.”
“Best to set the expectation up front.”
She let out a deep breath and fidgeted, trying to drop her gaze once more. He didn’t allow it, lifting her chin again and bending until their eyes met. “Answer me, Raine. Yes or no?”
“I-I’ve wanted a good Dom. I thought it would be Hammer, but…” She closed her eyes and frowned.
Liam bit his tongue. She wanted to feel valued above all else—needed it. He tucked that knowledge in the back of his head and let her continue. “But?”
“I can’t be less than honest with you. You know where my heart is. As much as I would love to explore everything you could teach me—really, I would—I don’t know if I could give you the devotion you deserve. And I doubt Hammer would ever give his consent, even for you. It might be better for us all if I just left.”
He trapped her against the counter in an instant, pressing his body to hers. Her lips parted in question. Her wide gaze jumped to his, then she focused on his mouth. An electric jolt rattled down his spine. Damn, she was potent.
Yanking her soft curves flush against the hard ridges of his body, he ached to dig his fingers into her hair, pull her lips under his, and eat away at her mouth until she moaned. Liam forced himself to stop. This wasn’t about him, but Hammer. And Raine.
Dragging in a rough breath, he palmed her nape tenderly with one hand, fingers teasing the perfect pink shell of her ear with the other before trailing down to caress her throat. Finally, he settled his hand on her chest, just above her plump breast. Her breathing changed to soft pants. He could feel her heart beating madly under his palm. She wasn’t immune to him. An intoxicating rush of power filled him.
Then he took her wrists in his free hand and brought her arms up slowly, bracing them against the cabinets above, her breath caught. A triumph he didn’t welcome spiked inside him. Still, he bent to Raine, giving her ample time to push him away. She didn’t. Her tongue swept nervously across her upper lip. His cock jerked. Then he couldn’t stop himself from seizing her mouth with his own, capturing her gasp.
Soft. So fucking soft. And sweet. Bloody hell… Pleasure fired through his blood like a potent drug as he delved inside. She melted beneath him.
Curling his tongue around hers, he feasted on her addicting flavor, hungry to memorize it. One kiss melted into the next, and he devoured her, inhaling her into his lungs. She turned to liquid desire against him, wild and tumultuous. One leg slid surreptitiously around his, capturing his calf, pulling him in tighter against her small frame, splitting her thighs open. He should pass up that perfect invitation, but he didn’t. Instead, he ground himself against her pussy, leaving her no doubt that he desired her. Despite Raine’s little skirt, her flesh burned him. A low groan ripped from his throat. He didn’t need air or space or tomorrow, just more of her. Right fucking now.
THEIR VIRGIN CONCUBINE
Masters of Ménage, book 3
Available Now
By Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
The country of Bezakistan – renowned for its wealth and the beauty of its deserts
Piper Glen is thrilled when Rafe and Kade al Mussad ask her to visit their country on a business trip. Madly attracted to both, the virginal secretary knows that neither of her intensely handsome bosses desires her. But every night she dreams of having them both in her bed, fulfilling her every need.
Rafe and Kade have finally found the perfect woman in Piper. Sweet and funny. Intelligent and strong. Before they can reveal their feelings, the brothers must fulfill an ancient tradition. Every sheikh must steal his bride and share her with his brothers. They have thirty days to convince Piper to love them all forever.
The country of Bezakistan – notorious for its danger…
Sheikh Talib al Mussad knows his villainous cousin seeks to take his throne. If Talib and his brothers fail to convince the beautiful Piper to love them, all will be lost. After meeting Piper, he knows he would risk everything to possess her heart.
Khalil al Bashir has long coveted his cousin’s rule. Without a bride to seal their birthright, his every wish will come true. If Piper falls for them, he will lose everything but Piper can’t love them if she’s dead…
EXCERPT
Tal stared out. The limo must have pulled up while he was wishing he could choke the breath out of Khalil. He couldn’t miss the woman Cooper spoke about. She wore a sundress, the delicate material flowing around her knees like a handkerchief blowing in a summer breeze. On her feet were a pair of yellow heels. Stilettos. He was a sucker for stilettos. He especially loved them when they were settled on either side of his neck as he fucked his way into a soft, hot pussy.
His breath caught. His entire body stiffened, especially his cock. She was lovely. So soft. Her hair was brown, but shot through with reds and blondes that caught the light and practically gave her a damn halo. Except nowhere, in any ancient text, did angels have cleavage like hers. The dress had been selected to show off her plump, ripe breasts, the V-neck and the turquoise color of the gauzy material flattering her skin. She had on a pair of sunglasses, but even without seeing her eyes, he could tell she was gawking. Her gorgeous, full lips were slightly parted in awe as she took in the sights. Her mouth looked small. He would likely have to force his cock in, but she would have that same look on her face when she came.
Tal had to catch himself. What was he doing? His bride was here, and he was reacting to some bimbo his brothers had brought along. A gathering rage rode through his system. This had to be Kadir’s doing. Rafiq wouldn’t think to bring his latest girlfriend along when they were supposed to be focused on securing a bride.
Sure enough his youngest brother got out of the limo and was immediately all over the brunette.
His heart sank. Poor Piper. Had she been forced to watch Kade’s behavior the whole trip? Was this how his brother meant to show him he wouldn’t accept Tal’s choice of bride?
“I will kill him.” Piper deserved better than Kade’s scorn. She might not be the most beautiful woman in the world, but she was sweet and smart and he was actually looking forward to having her as a companion. Over the last few months, he’d grown closer to the woman than any he had in years. He appreciated her quick wit and her soft heart. The woman with Kade was beautiful, but she likely didn’t have half of Piper Glen’s smarts. She might make his dick hard, but Piper would be his wife. Their wife. He would never allow his youngest brother to dishonor her this way again.
“Oh, wow. Uhm, boss, you told us she was kind of homely. We have two different versions of that word, man.” Dane shook his head as Rafiq joined Kadir.
Rafe, his ultimately reasonable brother, the one he counted on, walked right up to Kade’s little bit of honey-on-the-side and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her, his lips molding to hers before he broke it off and smiled. Rafe pointed up as he talked to her.
Tal knew exactly what his brother was saying. He was pointing out the architecture on the palace. He gave every visitor the same speech about the marble and arches, and the center of the palace that dated from the fifteenth century. But now he gave the speech with an intimate smile on his face as his hands tangled with the brunette’s.
Rafe wouldn’t dishonor their promised bride. Rafiq believed in his country’s traditions. He was circumspect.
So…that gorgeous, curvy thing was his Piper?
Dane huffed behind him. “Holy shit, Tal. If she’s your little smarty-pants bride, she doesn’t look like an egghead.”
Tal strode forward, his heart racing. No way. He’d seen her pictures. She was plain. She would engage his brain but not his heart. Careful. He’d been so fucking careful.
“Rafe?” He called out to his infinitely more reasonable brother. “The trip went well?”
Introduce me to my plain but brilliant bride. Tell me she’s shy and still in the limo.
Kade’s arm tightened around the brunette’s waist. “Talib! It’s good to see
you.”
He stopped, halting a few feet before her. “And you, brother.” His youngest brother was the wild one. He loved Kadir. He did, but he worried about him, too. Still, he couldn’t help but notice the way his youngest brother’s hand slipped into the brunette’s and her fingers curled around his.
“Talib, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce you to…” Don’t say Piper. Don’t say Piper. “…Piper Glen. I believe you two have been speaking. Piper, habibti, this is our brother, his Serene and Royal Highness the Sheikh of Bezakistan, otherwise known as Talib al Mussad.”
She freed her hand and pulled her sunglasses off. Her blue eyes went wide and that truly magnificent chest swelled. “Tal?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fucking fuck fuck and a goddamn fucking duck. He’d only heard her voice a few times, but it was imprinted on his brain. That soft Texas twang with the hint of smarts and vulnerability. Piper. His Piper. His goddamn fucking virginal bride who would be his companion and who would rarely tempt his cock but never once move his soul.
Both were completely poleaxed because she was so beautiful.
“Hello, Piper. Yes, I am Sheikh Talib al Mussad. Or Tal, if you please.” There was nothing else to do. He had to introduce himself. Funny. He’d thought this would be a prideful moment when he revealed himself to be so much more than she’d expected, and he found himself almost shy. He didn’t show it, of course.
Her blue eyes took him in. “Talib. Of course. How stupid of me, but then I have been for months, it seems.” She stopped, her shoulders slumping a little. “Or am I wrong? Are you my Tal?”
This was supposed to be a special moment, when she looked up to him. Instead, she looked betrayed. “Yes. I am Tal, Piper. How is your sister?”
He knew everything about her. He knew about her family and her love for Mindy. He’d already taken care of the girl’s education, though Piper wouldn’t realize that for a few days. He knew about his bride’s upbringing. He knew what she liked and what she didn’t.
Until now, he hadn’t known how her eyes would pierce through him and see straight to his soul. He hadn’t known how his cock would pound at the very sight of her.
Her whole face contorted as if in pain. “You’re the third brother?”
Why did guilt roil in his gut? “Yes. It is good to meet you in person. I have enjoyed our talks over the internet. I am very eager to continue our discussions now that you are here.”
Her eyes dropped away, studying the ground in front of her. She didn’t pull away from his brothers, but he could feel her confusion.
“You’re the sheikh?” Her voice was a bleak monotone. “And you let me think you were just another researcher.”
He couldn’t let her win this argument. If he allowed his guilt to show, she would have the upper hand. It wasn’t how he intended to begin a marriage. “Bezakistan is my country. I didn’t lie to you, Piper. I work very hard for my country. This project means the world to me.”
“Of course. I’d like to go to my apartment, please. When would you like my presentation? I need a few hours to settle in and get everything in order.” She was cool and competent, that flustery feminine energy from before fleeing, leaving a somber woman in its place.
“Don’t worry about that right now,” Kade said. “You need to rest, habibti.”
“I will show you to your rooms. Don’t be angry with us. Let us explain about security measures. Talib cannot simply tell everyone who he is. And he really does the work he said he does. He has a master’s degree in economics.” Rafe’s hand tangled in hers.
Her eyes went up, taking in the grandeur of the palace. “This is where I’m staying? Well, naturally.” Sarcasm dripped, and she looked furious. Closed. “I’d like to rest now. I want to get my presentation ready. And what we discussed on the plane? It won’t work. I’m not that girl. So you all need to rethink this because if I’m here for any reason other than the job, then I should just buy a plane ticket now and head home as soon as my presentation is over.”
Oh, she was here for a job. She was here for the most important job he could think of. She was here to be their wife, to save his throne. It didn’t matter how much she moved his cock. He had a crown to think of. She was going to be theirs. Her beauty and innate sensuality that tempted him so were problems he would deal with later.
He caught sight of Khalil, stalking behind the palace walls, his stare taking in Piper.
This was precisely why he hadn’t wanted a woman who would move him. The idea of Khalil even looking at her as a potential way to get under his skin had his blood pressure rising. It would be hard enough to protect her with a cool head, but if his emotions came into play? He had to shield her from being a target for rebels and neighboring radicals. Everything rested on her soft shoulders.
He needed her wedded and bedded and pregnant as quickly as possible. He had no intention of hurting her, but he had no intention of letting her go.
“Please, allow me to show you to your rooms.” It was time, perhaps, to play on everything he knew about her. “I apologize for the subterfuge. I wanted a thought partner in this process. Can you honestly tell me you would have spoken as openly as you did with me had you known who I am?”
Her eyes flared a little and then slid away from his. “Probably not. I think I called you an idiot on a couple of occasions.”
He brought his fingers to her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “My math was faulty, and yours was correct. And you called me an ape with my head up my backside because I was being stubborn when you knew you were right.” He sighed a little, letting his face fall, noting all the while that she utterly softened with every layer of guilt he heaped on her. “I loved our talks, Piper. Ask anyone in the palace. I set aside that time to work with you, and it was sacred. I walked out on a conference with the British Prime Minister because I had a call scheduled with you.”
Yes, she was flustered again and that was right where he wanted her. And Rafe was a bastard because there was no doubt he’d dressed her for this occasion. The brilliantly colored sundress was lovely and modest, but he couldn’t miss the swells of her breasts and the way her skin caught the sunlight. Rafe had trussed her up like a gorgeous bird ripe for the plucking.
“I would have waited,” she murmured.
“But I could not.” He let his hand drop. He was actually surprised that when he looked back on the incident, he meant every word he said. He could remember sitting there listening to the Prime Minister talk about deeply important issues and he’d been watching the clock, waiting for the seconds to tick by until he could talk to her, her slow accent soothing him. He sighed. “It does not matter. I will admit I brought you here for selfish reasons. I thought to dazzle you with everything I have to offer. I have obviously failed.”
That gorgeous skin flushed, and he knew he had her. She just stared at him, clearly uncertain what to say.
“I will leave you be, Miss Glen. Again, I apologize for the deception. I can only hide behind my desire to begin a relationship on equal ground. Please allow my brothers to show you to the rooms I have prepared for you. I will leave you be until such time as we conduct business. I wish you good rest and please enjoy my country.”
Tears pooled in her eyes, but he couldn’t let those sway him. It was time to make his exit and allow the wonders of the palace and her own soft heart to work in his favor. He bowed politely and turned to go, Dane stepping in beside him, Landon and Cooper in flanking positions.
The big former SEAL had a frown on his face. “That was a pretty piece of manipulation if I ever saw one. You’re a ruthless son of a bitch, Tal.”
He walked forward. Dane wouldn’t be the last person he pissed off. By the time this was over, he might lose everyone.
But he would keep his crown. One way or another.
A DOM IS FOREVER
Masters and Mercenaries, book 3
Available Now
By Lexi Blake
A Man with a Past…
Liam O’Donnell fle
d his native Ireland years ago after one of his missions ended in tragedy and he was accused of killing several of his fellow agents. Shrouded in mystery, Liam can’t remember that fateful night. He came to the United States in disgrace, seeking redemption for crimes he may or may not have committed. But the hunt for an international terrorist leads him to London and right back into the world he left behind.
A Woman Looking for a Future…
Avery Charles followed her boss to London, eager to help the philanthropist with his many charities. When she meets a mysterious man who promises to show her London’s fetish scene, she can’t help but indulge in her darkest fantasies. Liam becomes her Dom, her protector, her lover. She opens her heart and her home to him, only to discover he’s a man on a mission and she’s just a means to an end.
When Avery’s boss leads them to the traitorous Mr. Black, Liam must put together the puzzle of his past or Avery might not have a future…
EXCERPT
“I want you.” She wanted him so badly. She just didn’t trust that he could possibly want her.
“No, you don’t, but you will.” He stepped back and tucked his shirt in. “We’re going to do this my way. We tried yours and it didn’t work, so I’m taking control. I should have done it in the first place. If I thought you had some, I would tell you to change into fet wear, but you don’t happen to have a corset and some PVC hiding in that closet, do you?”
“I don’t know what PVC is,” she admitted, her heart aching a little. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Lee. I don’t think I can be what you need. I’m not experienced, and what experience I have wasn’t very good. Don’t get me wrong. I loved my husband, but the sex wasn’t spectacular. I think I’m just one of those women who can’t be sexy. I was trying to please you, but I couldn’t.”
