Want to know what Zy will do now that nothing is keeping him from Tessa? Get Wicked and Forbidden NOW!

  * * *

  WICKED AND FORBIDDEN

  Zyron and Tessa, Parts One & Two

  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire, Book 4.5

  By Shayla Black

  Click to learn more!

  (available in eBook and print)

  5 Stars! “Shayla Black weaves a story of lies, deceit, passion and mystery. …a story so captivating the characters become real.” – Goodreads Reviewer

  * * *

  Want to attend Brea and One-Mile’s wedding—for FREE? Don’t miss their Bonus Epilogue. Click here now!

  How about an ebook for FREE??? Join my VIP Newsletter and receive a trio of steamy series starters to read immediately.

  * * *

  Interested in signed Shayla Black print books, cool bookish merch, or early access to Shayla’s latest eBooks? Visit the Shayla Store.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Wicked and Worshipped! If you enjoyed this book, please review and/or recommend it to your reader friends. That means the world to me!

  Continue the Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire adventure with Zy and Tessa!

  * * *

  WICKED AND FORBIDDEN

  Zyron and Tessa, Parts One & Two

  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire, Book 4.5

  By Shayla Black

  Click to learn more!

  (available in eBook and print)

  * * *

  Chase “Zyron” Garrett’s employment agreement forbids hookups with co-workers, which isn’t a problem—until Tessa Lawrence, the office secretary and single mom, is harassed by her vengeful ex-boyfriend.

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  Wicked and Forbidden is their complete, uncensored story. This collection includes:

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  Wicked as Lies: He wants her…and he doesn’t care that she’s the enemy.

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  Wicked and True: He'd protect her from the world. But who will protect her from him?

  PREVIEW

  WICKED AS LIES

  January 26

  Chase Garrett, known to most as Zyron, stepped off his bike and locked up his helmet. His hands fucking shook. On the long walk up the shadowy path to the familiar front door, he let out a slow breath. Calm wasn’t happening.

  He’d waited forever for the right to touch Tessa Lawrence. He’d been her friend, her co-worker, and her protector. But most of all, he wanted to be her lover.

  Today, everything had changed. So tonight, that might finally happen.

  Night enveloped him, chilly, still, and clear. Stars winked in a vast midnight sky. The world seemed to have stopped, as if it held its breath in anticipation. Or maybe that was just him, working to keep his lungs functioning and his head screwed on straight. Thoughts of Tessa made him hungry and desperate. Always had. He’d never craved a woman the way he did her.

  Would she finally say yes?

  At the front door, he knocked and told himself he wasn’t making a mistake. He wanted to do this. Yeah, but he had to do this. His bosses hadn’t left him any choice.

  It took a minute, but the porch light came on. He sensed Tessa on the other side, saw a shadow pass in front of the peephole. Finally, she eased the door open. Her face was bare, her blond hair in a messy bun on top of her head. Her bottom lip was rosy and puffy, as if she’d been chewing on it in worry. She wasn’t wearing anything fancy, just a plain set of long-sleeved cotton pajamas in a muted green with a simple satin trim, but they hugged every curve of that body he’d craved for ten seemingly endless months. They also told him she wore nothing underneath.

  All his blood rushed south. He started to sweat.

  “Zy.” She sounded surprised, but she looked as if she’d half been expecting him. “What are you doing here? It’s getting late. Are you okay?”

  “Did you really think that, after today, I wouldn’t come?”

  “No.”

  “Is Hallie asleep?” he asked of her infant daughter.

  “She fought some, but I got her down about thirty minutes ago.”

  He enjoyed spending time with the little girl, but she was a distraction they didn’t need tonight. “Good. Can I come in?”

  She hesitated. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Did you get a new contract today?”

  Another hesitation before she nodded. “Joaquin emailed it to me.”

  “Did you sign it?”

  “Zy…” She bit her lip again, this time as if she tried to stop herself from answering.

  He wasn’t letting this go. He’d waited for her. He’d wanted her. And he intended to take her. “Did you?”

  She sighed. “Yes.”

  “So did I, first thing this morning. The restrictions keeping us apart are gone.”

  “They are, but—”

  “There are no more ‘buts’, Tessa.”

  Finally, she nodded. “How did you know?”

  “The bosses told me.”

  “Why?”

  She wasn’t asking why they’d rewritten the employment contracts and rescinded the clause that had prevented them from having any non-work contact of a sexual nature. No doubt the trio of bastards they worked for had fed her some story. They were good at that. Probably why they were successful. No, Tessa wanted to know why they’d told him about her contract.

  Because they want me to get close to you, to fuck you, and find out if you’ve been selling us out. Right now, I hate my goddamn job…but I want you more. “Because when they changed mine, I asked about yours. You know why.”

  “I do.”

  Good. “Can you think of a single reason I can’t come in, strip you down, and make love to you? Tell me right now.”

  Even by the vague lights of the porch, he saw color flush her cheeks. “Did you mean what you said on Christmas Eve?”

  “Every word.”

  Tessa dragged in a shaky breath as she stared at him with big green eyes. Finally, she stepped back, her baby pink toe nails a soft splash of color against the white tile of her foyer. “Then there’s no reason at all. Come in.”

  Click to purchase!

  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire

  Thank you for joining me in the Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire world. If you didn’t know, this cast of characters started in my Wicked Lovers world, continued into my Devoted Lovers series, and have collided here. During Zy and Tessa’s journey, you’ve read about some other characters and you might be wondering if I’ve told their story. Or if I will tell their story in the future. Below is a guide in case you’d like to read more from this cast, listed in order of release:

  WICKED LOVERS

  Wicked Ties

  Jack Cole (and Morgan O’Malley)

  She didn’t know what she wanted…until he made her beg for it.

  Decadent

  Deke Trenton (and Kimber Edgington)

  The boss’ innocent daughter. A forbidden favor he can’t refuse…

  * * *

  Surrender to Me

  Hunter Edgington (and Katalina Muñoz)

  A secret fantasy. An uncontrollable obsession. A forever love?

  * * *

  Belong to Me

  Logan Edgington (and Tara Jacobs)

  He’s got everything under control until he falls for his first love…again.

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  Mine to Hold

  Tyler Murphy (Delaney Catalano)

  His best friend’s ex. A night he can’t forget. A secret that could destroy them both.

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  Wicked All the Way

  Caleb Edgington (and Carlotta Muñoz Buckley)

  Could their second chance be their first real love?

  * * *

  His to Take

  Joaquin Muñoz (and Bailey Benson)

  Giving in to her dark stranger might be the most delicious danger of all…

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  Falling in Deeper

  Stone Sutter (and Lily Taylor)

  Will her terrifying past threaten their passionate future?

  * * *

  Holding on Tighter

  Heath Powell (and Jolie Quinn)

  Mixing business with pleasure can be a dangerous proposition…

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  DEVOTED LOVERS

  Devoted to Pleasure

  Cutter Bryant (and Shealyn West)

  A bodyguard should never fall for his client…but she’s too tempting to refuse.

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  Devoted to Wicked

  Cage Bryant (and Karis Quinn)

  Will the one-night stand she tried to forget seduce her into a second chance?

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  Devoted to Love

  Josiah Grant (and Magnolia West)

  He was sent to guard her body…but he’s determined to steal her heart.

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  Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire

  Wicked as Sin/Wicked Ever After (Wicked and Worshipped box set)

  Pierce “One-Mile” Walker (and Brea Bell)

  He’s dangerous. She’s off-limits. After one taste, nothing will stop him from making her his.

  As the Wicked Lovers: Soldiers for Hire world continues to collide and explode, you’ll see more titles with other characters you know and love, so stay tuned for the conclusion of Trees and Laila’s story, as well as duets about Kane, Matt, and others!

  I have so much in store for you on this wild, Wicked ride!

  Hugs and Happy Reading!

  Shayla

  Other Books by Shayla Black

  WICKED LOVERS: SOLDIERS FOR HIRE

  Steamy, High-Octane Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  FREE! Wicked as Sin (One-Mile & Brea, part 1)

  Wicked Ever After (One-Mile & Brea, part 2)

  Wicked as Lies (Zyron & Tessa, part 1)

  Wicked and True (Zyron & Tessa, part 2)

  Wicked as Seduction (Trees & Laila, part 1)

  Wicked and Forever (Trees & Laila, part 2)

  Coming Soon:

  Wicked as Secrets (Matt & Madison, part 1) (May 9, 2023)

  * * *

  REED FAMILY RECKONING

  Sultry, Angsty Family-Drama Contemporary Romance

  SIBLINGS

  FREE! More Than Want You (Maxon & Keeley)

  More Than Need You (Griff & Britta)

  More Than Love You (Harlow & Noah)

  BASTARDS

  More Than Crave You (Evan & Nia)

  More Than Tempt You (Bethany & Clint)

  More Than Desire You (Xavian & Corinne)

  FRIENDS

  More Than Dare You (Trace & Masey)

  More Than Hate You (Sebastian & Sloan)

  NOVELLAS

  More Than Pleasure You (Stephen & Skye)

  More Than Protect You (Tanner & Amanda)

  More Than Possess You (A Hope Series crossover) (Echo & Hayes)

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  DOOMSDAY BRETHREN

  Sexy Paranormal Romance

  Tempt Me with Darkness (Marrok & Olivia) (October 24, 2024)

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  FORBIDDEN CONFESSIONS

  Sexy Bedtime Stories - Contemporary Romance

  FIRST TIME COLLECTION

  Seducing the Innocent (Kayla & Oliver)

  Seducing the Bride (Perrie & Hayden)

  Seducing the Stranger (Calla & Quint)

  Seducing the Enemy (Whitney & Jett)

  PROTECTORS COLLECTION

  Seduced by the Bodyguard (Sophie & Rand)

  Seduced by the Spy (Vanessa & Rush)

  Seduced by the Assassin (Havana & Ransom)

  Seduced by the Mafia Boss (Kristi & Ridge)

  FILTHY RICH BOSSES COLLECTION

  Tempted by the Billionaire (Savannah & Chad)

  Tempted by the Executives (Marcus, Kate, & Josh)

  Coming Soon:

  Tempted by the Bosshole (Bella & Nathan) (January 12, 2024)

  * * *

  THE WICKED LOVERS

  Sizzling Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  Wicked Ties (Morgan & Jack)

  Decadent (Kimber & Deke)

  Delicious (Alyssa & Luc)

  Surrender to Me (Kata & Hunter)

  Belong to Me (Tara & Logan)

  Wicked to Love (Emberlin & Brandon)

  Mine to Hold (Delaney & Tyler)

  Wicked All the Way (Carlotta & Caleb)

  Ours to Love (London, Javier, & Xander)

  Wicked All Night (Rachel & Decker)

  Forever Wicked (Gia & Jason)

  Theirs to Cherish (Callie, Thorpe, & Sean)

  His to Take (Bailey & Joaquin)

  Pure Wicked (Bristol & Jesse)

  Wicked for You (Mystery & Axel)

  Falling in Deeper (Lily & Stone

  Dirty Wicked (Sasha & Nick)

  A Very Wicked Christmas (Morgan & Jack)

  Holding on Tighter (Jolie & Heath)

  Devoted to Wicked (A Devoted Lovers crossover) (Karis & Cage)

  * * *

  THE DEVOTED LOVERS (Complete Series)

  Steamy Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  Devoted to Pleasure (Shealyn & Cutter)

  Devoted to Wicked (A Wicked Lovers crossover) (Karis & Cage)

  Devoted to Love (Magnolia & Josiah)

  * * *

  THE UNBROKEN SERIES

  (co-authored with Jenna Jacob)

  Scorching Ménage Contemporary Romance

  Raine Falling Saga (Complete)

  The Broken (FREE Prequel!)

  The Betrayal

  The Break

  The Brink

  The Bond

  * * *

  Heavenly Rising Saga

  The Choice

  The Chase

  The Confession

  Coming Soon:

  The Commitment (August 22, 2023)

  * * *

  THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN (Complete Series)

  (co-authored with Lexi Blake)

  Steamy Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  Scandal Never Sleeps

  Seduction in Session

  Big Easy Temptation

  Smoke and Sin

  At the Pleasure of the President

  * * *

  MASTERS OF MÉNAGE (Complete Series)

  (co-authored with Lexi Blake)

  Sizzling Contemporary Romance

  Their Virgin Captive

  Their Virgin’s Secret

  Their Virgin Concubine

  Their Virgin Princess

  Their Virgin Hostage

  Their Virgin Secretary

  Their Virgin Mistress

  * * *

  STANDALONE TITLES

  Naughty Little Secret (Sexy Stranger/Office Romance)

  Watch Me (Steamy Romantic Suspense)

  Dirty & Dangerous (Sizzling Ménage Romantic Suspense)

  Her Fantasy Men (Sizzling Reverse Harem Contemporary)

  A Perfect Match (Sweet Opposites-Attract Contemporary)

  * * *

  THE HOPE SERIES (Complete Series)

  Steamy Contemporary Romance

  Misadventures of a Backup Bride (Ella & Carson)

  Misadventures with My Ex (Eryn & West)

  More Than Possess You (Echo & Hayes) (A Reed Family Reckoning crossover)

  * * *

  SEXY CAPERS (Complete Series)

  Steamy Contemporary Romance

  Bound and Determined (Kerry & Rafael)

  Strip Search (Nicola & Mark)

  Arresting Desire (Lucia & Jon)

  * * *

  HISTORICAL ROMANCE

  STANDALONES

  The Lady and the Dragon (Sexy Georgian Privateer Romance)

  One Wicked Night (Sexy Regency/Forbidden Love Romance)

  * * *

  STRICTLY SERIES (Complete Duet)

  Sexy Victorian Historical Romance

  Strictly Seduction (Madeline & Brock)

  Strictly Forbidden (Kira & Gavin)

  * * *

  BROTHERS IN ARMS (Complete Trilogy)

  Angsty Medieval Romance

  His Lady Bride (Gwenyth & Aric)

  His Stolen Bride (Averyl & Drake)

  His Rebel Bride (Maeve & Kieran)

  BOXSETS/COLLECTIONS

  Wicked and Worshipped (One-Mile and Brea duet)

  Wicked and Forbidden (Zyron and Tessa duet)

  Wicked and Enslaved (Trees and Laila duet)

  More Than Promises (Reed Family Reckoning: Siblings)

  Forbidden Confessions: First Time

  Forbidden Confessions: Protectors