Tempted by the billionai.., p.8
Tempted by the Billionaire,
p.8
He shrugs as he reaches into his desk again. “I hoped, but you drive a hard bargain. Time for me to drive one.”
“For what?”
“I have another open position I’d like you to fill.”
Is he crazy? “Chad, I’ve already been acting as your assistant and working Townsend’s old job, plus training Dan and—”
“I know it’s a lot, and you’ve done amazingly well. But I’m not looking for you to fill another position at Force Financial. This time, I want you to fill the role of wife…with an upgrade to mother of my children hopefully soon.” He kneels at my feet and opens a blue ring box to reveal a stunning flash of brilliance I’m sure is huge and beautiful—but all I care about is him and the love in his eyes. “What do you say, sweetheart? Marry me?”
Oh. My. God. I’m shaking. Literally trembling all over with shock and happiness. Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. The day I interviewed was essentially the day we moved in together. Since then, we’ve been almost inseparable.
“Yes.” I nod, feeling tears prick my eyes as I fling myself against him. “Yes!”
“I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Force.” He pulls from the embrace just enough to slide the ring on my finger.
The halo-ringed oval diamond on the glitz-crusted white-gold band is huge and dazzling. And I couldn’t be more thrilled. He lays a kiss on my lips that’s somehow the perfect mixture of passion and hope. We melt together for long, blissful moments.
As usual, I feel slightly dizzy when I ease back. “There’s just one problem, Chad. You can’t upgrade me in the future to mother of your children.”
“Why not? I know we’ll have to plan because your new job will be a lot of responsibility, but I’m almost forty and—”
“I’m already mothering Hades.”
“That beast doesn’t count.”
“He does.”
Chad scoffs. “He’s a feline puffball.”
“He’s a fur baby with feelings.”
“Given those kneading his claws into my skin? He doesn’t feel anything but bloodlust.”
“He does. You’re just mad because he seems to like me more than you.”
“No, that’s expected. You bribe him with treats.”
“But I also give him the heartworm medicine he doesn’t like.”
Chad shrugs. “You pet him.”
“You do, too, when you think I’m not looking.”
“Facts not in evidence.”
I raise a brow at my fiancé. “I took video last night of you two reading annual reports on the sun deck. He was on your lap, and you were indisputably petting him.”
His lips wobble into a smile. “The little bastard wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“And you loved every minute of it. Just like I think you’ll love every minute of being a daddy to this one.” I take his hand in mine and put it over my still-flat belly.
His smile turns into an open-mouthed gape. “You’re…”
“Pregnant. So even if you don’t count Hades, you’ll have that daddy upgrade come March.”
Chad pulls me into his embrace and plasters my body to his. “Oh, my… I couldn’t be more thrilled. I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you, too. Now we just have to figure out when to get married and when to tell everyone we’re a couple.”
“The sooner the better, but let’s worry about that later.” With a heavy-lidded gaze that says he wants me naked and under him, he lowers his head for a kiss.
I meet him halfway, our lips colliding, knowing this man will make me so blissfully happy—and keep me on my toes—for the rest of my life.
Get ready for the next Forbidden Confessions: Filthy Rich Bosses coming January 24, 2023!
TEMPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE
Forbidden Confessions:
Filthy Rich Bosses, Book 2
by Shayla Black
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(will be available in eBook)
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SEDUCING THE INNOCENT
(A Forbidden Friends-to-Lovers Romance)
Forbidden Confessions: First Time, Book 1
by Shayla Black
Click to purchase!
(will be available in eBook)
Hot! Hot! Hot! 5 Stars! “… lavish and steamy and the sex…TOO HOT TO HANDLE may be one way of describing it and I LOVE THAT!” -Marie’s Tempting Reads
How far will she go to persuade her brother’s best friend to touch her?
I’m Kayla.
I’m twenty-one.
And I’m all alone in the world—except for my late brother’s best friend.
But Oliver intends to move back to London.
I’m in love with him. I have to persuade him not to leave…somehow.
If I confess I’m a virgin and show him how far I’ll go to keep him, will he stay?
Maybe, but I also never suspected he’s keeping a shocking secret of his own…
* * *
Enjoy this Forbidden Confession. HEA guaranteed!
EXCERPT
One of his warm hands leaves my breast and skates down my waist, settling over my hip to bring me closer. I can smell a hint of toothpaste and coffee on his breath.
“Have you let any of those tossers you’ve dated kiss you, Kayla?”
I swallow. What will he do if I tell him the truth? “A few.”
He scowls as if my answer pains him. “Did you like it?”
I wanted to, but… “It was all right. No one has blown my panties off.”
I suspect Oliver could.
His eyes soften. “Kissing can be wonderful. Someday, when you find a man you care about, one who knows what he’s doing, you’ll love it.”
I have a man I very much care about standing right in front of me, and the thought of kissing Oliver makes my body throb in arousal. I sway closer, pressing my aching breasts against his chest. “What about you? I’ll bet you know what you’re doing.”
The second the words leave my mouth, my heart careens out of control.
“I shouldn’t kiss you, Kayla,” Oliver practically groans.
“Please,” I beg. “Just once.” When he stares at my lips, they tingle. Everything in my body flushes hot. Even my skin feels too tight. And the ache between my legs coils relentlessly. “You’ve already touched my breasts.”
“Are you bloody trying to kill me?” His voice sounds rough with need.
That excites me even more.
“Is one kiss asking so much?” I clasp his T-shirt in my fists and tilt my face under his.
He hesitates for a long moment, his eyes searching mine, nostrils flaring, jaw rigid.
“Kayla,” he growls. “Goddamn it…”
Just when I’m sure he’s going to walk away, Oliver grabs me by the nape, holding me immobile. His breathing turns hard and rough. I tremble. He’s wrestling with himself. My heart revs. What is he thinking? Is there any chance he’ll kiss me?
Suddenly, he jerks me against his body and seizes my lips.
MORE THAN PROMISES
Reed Family Reckoning: Siblings, Books 1-3
By Shayla Black
NOW AVAILABLE!
(available in eBook)
Click to purchase!
* * *
Meet Maxon, Griff, and Harlow in the Reed Family Reckoning: Siblings box set! Three full-length novels for one price.
MORE THAN WANT YOU
I wanted nothing more than revenge…until her.
“Amazing! Everything I didn't even know I needed or wanted in a romance novel. Hot. Spicy. Addicting.” – Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
MORE THAN NEED YOU
I needed to win more than anything…until her.
“…A beautiful HEA, one that will remain one of my all-time favorites!” - Romance Between the Sheets
MORE THAN LOVE YOU
I loved being a player in all ways…until her.
“The perfect blend of romance, lust, love and standing in your own way. I love the story.” - Alpha Book Club
About Shayla Black
LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER!
* * *
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than eighty contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
* * *
As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.
* * *
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
* * *
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Other Books by Shayla Black
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
WICKED & DEVOTED
Romantic Suspense
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)
Coming Soon:
Wicked as Seduction (Trees & Laila, part 1) (March 15, 2022)
Wicked and Forever (Trees & Laila, part 2) (April 26, 2022)
* * *
REED FAMILY RECKONING
Angsty, emotional contemporary romance
SIBLINGS
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)
Coming Soon:
More Than Desire You (Xavian & ??) (November 1, 2022)
FRIENDS
More Than Dare You (Trace & Masey)
More Than Hate You (Sebastian & Sloan)
1001 DARK NIGHTS
More Than Pleasure You (Stephen & Skye)
More Than Protect You (Tanner & Amanda)
More Than Possess You (A Hope Series crossover) (Echo & Hayes)
* * *
FORBIDDEN CONFESSIONS (Sexy Shorts)
Sexy Bedtime Stories
FIRST TIME
Seducing the Innocent (Kayla & Oliver)
Seducing the Bride (Perrie & Hayden)
Seducing the Stranger (Calla & Quint)
Seducing the Enemy (Whitney & Jett)
PROTECTORS
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
Tempted by the Billionaire (Savannah & Chad)
Coming Soon:
Tempted by the Executive (January 24, 2023)
* * *
THE WICKED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Steamy 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)
* * *
THE DEVOTED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Steamy Romantic Suspense
Devoted to Pleasure (Shealyn & Cutter)
Devoted to Wicked (Karis & Cage)
Devoted to Love (Magnolia & Josiah)
* * *
THE UNBROKEN SERIES
(co-authored with Jenna Jacob)
Raine Falling Saga (Complete)
The Broken (Prequel)
The Betrayal
The Break
The Brink
The Bond
* * *
Heavenly Rising Saga
The Choice
The Chase
Coming Soon:
The Commitment (June 7, 2022)
* * *
THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN (Complete Series)
(co-authored with Lexi Blake)
Steamy 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)
Steamy 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
Watch Me
Dirty & Dangerous
Her Fantasy Men
A Perfect Match
* * *
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)
Bound and Determined (Kerry & Rafael)
Strip Search (Nicola & Mark)
Arresting Desire (Lucia & Jon)
* * *
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
STANDALONES
The Lady and the Dragon
One Wicked Night
* * *
STRICTLY SERIES (Complete Duet)
Victorian Historical Romance
Strictly Seduction (Madeline & Brock)
Strictly Forbidden (Kira & Gavin)
* * *
BROTHERS IN ARMS (Complete Trilogy)
Medieval Historical Romance
His Lady Bride (Gwenyth & Aric)
His Stolen Bride (Averyl & Drake)
His Rebel Bride (Maeve & Kieran)
BOXSETS/COLLECTIONS
More Than Promises (Reed Family Reckoning: Siblings)
Forbidden Confessions: First Time
Forbidden Confessions: Protectors
First Glance (A trio of series starters)
The Strictly Duet (Victorian historical romance)
Shayla Black, Tempted by the Billionaire
