“Damn. I’ve got less than ten minutes until class starts. I need to go.”

  “I’ll walk you there and meet you when it’s finished.”

  She stood and kissed him slowly. “I’ll thank you properly later.”

  “I’ll definitely look forward to that.”

  As their embrace ended, he saw Miguel in his peripheral vision. The asshole hadn’t missed their exchange. And since he was wearing his starched uniform, he must be on duty. Perfect.

  After a glare Miguel’s way, Cage escorted Karis to the yoga studio, then dashed through the lobby and exited the hotel, catching a taxi. He had just under an hour to dig up some answers.

  Since Trees had hacked the resort’s entire file on Miguel Nabaté, including his home address, Cage intended to make full use of the information. No, he wasn’t playing by the rules…but neither was Miguel.

  Hoping the guy lived alone, he exited the taxi in front of the old, blue-stucco apartment building. “Wait here.”

  When the driver nodded, Cage sought out apartment 201. It took less than two minutes to find the door, pick the lock, and begin sifting through the cluttered space. Cage thanked his police training. He’d searched hundreds of locations and had a nose for contraband. He’d find whatever Miguel had stashed here. Maybe he should feel bad about the illegal search and seizure. But he didn’t—in the least.

  What a fucking slob. Cage grimaced at the nasty pad just before he struck gold. Inside the drawer of a dresser, he found a half dozen passports, all reported stolen—including Karis’s.

  “Gotcha, you motherfucker.”

  Shoving them all in his pocket, Cage rearranged the apartment exactly as he’d found it, then locked the door behind him. A glance at his phone told him he had thirty minutes before Karis’s yoga class ended. She would be safe with the others until then.

  Jumping back into the taxi, Cage urged the driver to floor it to the hotel. Everything was going according to plan…

  Until he returned to the resort’s yoga studio and found Karis gone. With the class in session, he couldn’t ask anyone questions.

  Cursing, his heart pounding, Cage dashed to their room to see if she’d returned there. Empty. Nor could he find her in the gym, hanging around the lobby, or by the pool…

  Don’t panic. Don’t panic. He repeated the litany over and over. It didn’t help.

  When he poked his head into the restaurant where Miguel worked, he couldn’t find the creeper there, either. That made Cage’s gut tighten with worry even more. When he stopped a pair of waitresses to ask around about Miguel, they shrugged, swearing they hadn’t seen him in a while.

  Son of a bitch. Raking a hand through his hair, Cage forced himself to think. Where would Miguel have taken her? He’d have many options, and the resort was too big to search quickly without help.

  Hotel security. Cage sprinted to the guard station and found a strapping guy in a pseudo-police uniform, baton at his side, shiny shoes gracing his feet. His name tag proclaimed him Mateo. Yeah, this guy was mostly for show, but he had a gleam in his eyes like he was itching for real action.

  Cage rolled the dice and hoped for the best. “One of your waiters, Miguel Nabaté, has a habit of stealing women’s passports so he can strand them at the resort and seduce them. The guy took my girlfriend’s passport a few days ago.” He tossed the collection of official documents he’d collected at Miguel’s apartment on the counter. “And now she’s missing. I need help finding her ASAP. He’s potentially dangerous.”

  The guard flipped quickly through all the passports and swore. Face tightening, he barked a few words of Spanish into the walkie-talkie sitting near his elbow. After a few static-filled replies, Mateo regarded Cage with fury.

  “Mr. Nabaté has been warned repeatedly that his nephew is a liability. Everyone on property is looking for Miguel now. A scan of the employee parking lot indicates his car is still here. No one has seen him leave the property. Where did you last see your girlfriend?”

  When Cage explained, Mateo called to speak with the yoga instructor. The exchange was brief, and when it ended, the guard nodded as he hung up. “Your girlfriend stayed for roughly half the class, then excused herself because she received an urgent note. The instructor did not know what it said. I will access the camera feed in the common areas to see if I can ascertain what happened next.”

  “Great. Can I help?” Cage flashed his Dallas PD badge.

  Mateo was taken aback, but shrugged. “Of course.”

  After a quick troll through the security footage, they finally spotted Karis leaving the yoga studio. She paced down the hall, then passed through the lobby. She didn’t glance twice at the elevators, but dashed through the double door outside, toward the ocean, looking frantic. She paused on the back patio and looked around, glancing at the note in her hand.

  Miguel wandered into the shot a moment later, said something in her ear, and patted her on the back. Seconds after, she went limp in his arms. Then the dirtbag dragged her behind a bush and down a little-traveled path, out of the shot of the camera. The time and date stamp said that had happened twenty minutes ago.

  Cage’s heart stopped. He’d gone out of his way to reconnect with her after their New Year’s fling. They’d cleared the air and gotten truly close. It couldn’t be too late. “What’s down that path?”

  The guard shrugged. “A liquor storage shed for the bar.”

  “Take me there.” It wasn’t a request.

  Mateo didn’t hesitate. He bellowed into the walkie-talkie, then strapped it to his belt before leading the charge out the back of the resort.

  The crashing waves of the ocean and the sound of his pounding heart were all Cage could hear—until they were mere feet from the shed. Then Karis’s scream of terror split the air.

  Breaking out in a cold sweat, Cage lunged for the door and tried to rip it off its hinges. Of course, the bastard had locked it.

  “Get me in there,” he growled at Mateo.

  But the tall guard was already shoving the key into the lock and wrenching the door open. Cage shouldered the guy out of the way and found Karis trapped in the corner, holding the strap of her torn bikini with one hand and threatening Miguel with a hefty bottle of booze in the other.

  Cage saw red. Karis was his. No other man would ever touch her, especially against her will.

  Miguel whirled to the sound of the interruption with a snarl. Cage charged him and grabbed the waiter by the back of his stiff jacket, punching him in the jaw. “I warned you. Back away from my girlfriend.”

  “Cage!” Her voice trembled.

  He wanted to go to her, comfort her. First, he had to deal with the threat.

  “It was a simple misunderstanding,” Miguel backpedaled. “She said she wanted a tour of the private areas. I misinterpreted her request and—”

  “Fuck you. I found the passports you’ve stolen from other women in your apartment. Security knows. Your uncle soon will, too. You’re going down. And you’re not putting another finger on my woman—or any other—for a long while.

  Miguel sputtered and blanched. “No. No, I—”

  “Shut up, asshole.” Karis swung the bottle and broke it over his head.

  The scent of cheap gin doused Miguel as he crumpled to the ground.

  It was over. Thank god.

  “We apologize profusely, señorita,” Mateo said as he motioned to his peers to take Miguel’s inert form from the shed.

  Karis looked away from the sight, flinging herself against Cage with teary eyes. “Thank you. The note said you were hurt and needed me.”

  “Miguel tricked you.”

  She nodded. “I feel so dumb. I didn’t think. Thank you for coming after me…”

  He cradled her face in his hands. “I always will. I love you, cupcake. You okay?”

  “Yes.” She hugged him, silently assuring him. “You got to me before…”

  Cage knew all too well what Miguel had intended. He’d seen the angry lust in the man’s eyes. He’d seen that same look in others he’d arrested, too. He held her as tightly as he dared, grateful she was safe in his arms.

  “I’m so damn glad.” He caressed her back with a soothing touch. “I found your passport. You want to go home?”

  Obviously, there would be a security interview, police reports, and other official stuff first. But Cage was determined to get her on a plane tonight.

  She nodded, tears spilling. “Yes.”

  “You got it. Would you…um, want to move in with me when we get there?” As soon as the words slipped out, Cage almost groaned aloud. Could his timing be any worse?

  “Yes.” The emphatic nod of her head backed up her answer.

  He hesitated. Since everything between them was going surprisingly well, maybe he should go for broke. “How about if we got married, too? Maybe it’s too fast but I know how I feel about you.”

  “Yes.” Karis pressed a kiss to his lips.

  The grin that crossed his face spread through his whole body. “Really? You want to marry me? You’re not just saying yes on autopilot?”

  An adoring smile creased her face. “I know what I feel, too. You’re the love I’ve been looking for since I stopped believing in fairy tales. I’m not saying yes on autopilot. I really would love to be your wife.”

  “Well, all right! Let’s go home, get a ring on your finger, and start our lives.” He helped her attach her torn strap, then took her hand in his and led her outside.

  They emerged into the waiting crowd of security. The police took Miguel away, and his uncle frowned fiercely, shaking his head.

  Once the red tape was behind them and they were waiting at the gate for their flight home, Cage kissed her softly. “Hey, fiancée. I love you.”

  She cupped his cheek, looking deep into his eyes. “You’ve made the dreams I stopped believing in come true. I love you, too.”

  Cage knew he’d never get tired of the view. “And just think, all the cupcake I want for the rest of my life. Hmm. I’m hungry right now…”

  Karis laughed as they boarded the plane to start their perfect future.

  Want the ultimate bad boy seduces good girl romantic suspense, set in my sultry Wicked world?

  Meet One-Mile and Brea…

  WICKED AS SIN

  One-Mile and Brea, Part One

  Wicked & Devoted, Book 1

  By Shayla Black

  Available in eBook, print, and audio.

  Click here to purchase!

  She begged him to rescue his enemy from death. In exchange, he demanded her body…

  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'll do whatever it takes to steal her heart.

  * * *

  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?

  ABOUT SEDUCED BY THE BODYGUARD

  * * *

  What will he demand in exchange for keeping her safe?

  I’m Sophie, pop-star princess.

  My career is on a superstar trajectory.

  Until the bullets start flying.

  The bodyguard I hired to protect me drags me to safety.

  But now I’m trapped alone with a man I barely know.

  One who lights my body on fire.

  But someone wants me dead.

  Rand can save me from evil.

  But his protection comes at a price…

  * * *

  Enjoy this Forbidden Confession. HEA guaranteed!

  Arlington, Texas

  July 4

  10 a.m.

  Sophie

  This morning is already hotter than the underside of Hades, but it’s also Independence Day. My agent, David, insisted that hometown-girl-made-good appearing in one of the biggest parades in Texas is an effective grassroots way to spread the word about my new single and upcoming album, so here I am. Besides, I’ve traveled the globe for the better part of a dozen years. It’s comforting to spend a day near home, surrounded by the smell of smoking brisket and the sight of people waving Old Glory.

  “Ten minutes,” David proclaims as he sticks his head into the little bathroom at the back of one of the shops at the top of the parade route.

  Of course he’s wearing a suit, despite the fact it’s already a hundred degrees. And he looks impeccable doing it. The man is a stickler.

  “Thanks.” I check my red lipstick in the dingy mirror.

  This is as good as it’s going to get. My sparkling red minidress is an attention-getting showstopper, but the Stars-and-Stripes stilettos really command a double take. I feel a bit like USO Barbie…who suddenly decided to walk a street corner.

  Then again, it matches my new image. Gone is my squeaky-clean child-star persona. Now I’m an adult—and David never misses an opportunity to remind people that puberty hit me hard and fast by dressing me in things that cling to my ass and show off the fact I very definitely have boobs. It’s annoying…but I can’t argue with the results. It’s working.

  I’m just not sure I care anymore.

  Another problem for another day.

  “I’m ready,” I tell him as I hide my liquid lipstick in my cleavage.

  When I look up from tucking the tube between my breasts, there’s a stranger beside David, towering over me and watching my every move. I would feel ridiculous…but with a glance, he knocks out my breath and steals my good sense.

  Holy sex drive! I have no idea who this guy is or why he’s here, but he’s as gorgeous as a god, with shoulders almost as wide as the doorframe. His dark eyes are like midnight. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that hugs the bulges of his biceps and exposes tattooed sleeves down both arms. Black denim and black boots complete the look. He’s going to swelter in today’s heat…but he’ll look damn fine doing it.

  “Hi,” I say stupidly.

  He nods. “Ms. Larsen.”

  David intervenes. “This is Rand Garrison, your security detail for the parade.”

  The name fits him—hard, blunt, almost brutal. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same,” he murmurs.

  The word doesn’t sound like a mere pleasantry. This man isn’t the sort to bother with silly things like decorum or etiquette. I’ve met his type before—very serious and convinced he’s one of the few who stand between order and anarchy in this dangerous world.

  “Where’s Rob?” I ask about my usual security detail.

  “Tossing his cookies like he’s doing a reenactment of The Exorcist. So you’ll spend the day with Rand, former Marine and most recently a Dallas SWAT captain. Any questions?”

  For a two-hour lip-synching gig? “No.”

  “Great.” David claps his hands together impatiently. “You look fetchingly patriotic. Shake what God gave you for Uncle Sam, and you’ll do great. I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the route with Graham.”

  Graham Normoth, the new British pop sensation with a velvety voice and sensitive face. Women all over the globe swoon and scream for him. Probably because they don’t actually know him as a human being.

  “He’s here?”

  “He flew in last night. He wanted to surprise you…but jet lag and traffic and whatnot. He told me he can’t wait to see you after the parade.”

  “Oh, great.” I do my best to sound chipper, but I’m pretty sure David knows I’m not happy.

  Rand steps back and into the glow of overhead lights. He’s even more striking. The wide diagonal scar through his left eyebrow that skipped over his eye and sliced its way down his cheek before stopping short of his mouth only gives him a sexier edge. Ironically, when he gestures me out of the doorway and into a deserted hall, I find myself gawking like I’m the fan staring at a heartthrob.

  David hangs back, watching Rand settle an enormous, furnace-hot hand on my naked skin above the backless dress’s scooped edge. He smiles.

  What are you up to?

  I don’t have time to ask before Rand hustles me out of the little shop and guides me down the back of the parade route, flanking me as he escorts me to my waiting float, all while maintaining his palm on my bare back. It’s all I can do not to shiver at his touch.

  “Do you know where I’m supposed to go?” I ask to cut the tension.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know the parade route?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did David arrange for you to ride the float with me?” It’s a must since I’ve had a few unnerving incidents over the last couple of years.

  “Yes.”

  Clearly, Rand Garrison isn’t a talker.

  “Anything else I should know?”

  “No.”

  Damn, he’s probably the most attractive man I’ve ever met—and that’s saying something—but he seemingly has zero interest in me. Between the people I meet in this business and the internet, I get propositioned a lot. I’m rarely tempted. Now that I might be…he’s not. Just my luck.

  It doesn’t matter. After today, I’ll never see this guy again. I just need to perform for the next couple of hours and get on with my life.