twenty-second, is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was it normal?”

  “Not really. It was late and a bit short, but I was under a lot of stress.”

  She sent Liam an apologetic frown. He merely squeezed her hand.

  The doctor nodded. “That sometimes happens, but it’s nothing to worry about. But I don’t foresee any problems from today’s ordeal. Even so, I recommend you follow up with your OB/GYN in a week or so and have him check you out thoroughly.”

  “Why?” Liam asked with an alarm that reflected Hammer’s own.

  Had fucking Bill raped her after all?

  The doctor ignored Liam and cocked his head at Raine. “Didn’t you know? You’re pregnant.”

  ** Doms of Her Life will return with book 4, The Edge of Dominance, and will contain both a conclusion and new beginnings for our beloved characters. **

  His To Take

  A Wicked Lovers Novel

  By Shayla Black

  Coming March 3, 2015

  Click here to pre-order!

  Racing against time, NSA Agent Joaquin Muñoz is searching for a little girl who vanished twenty years ago with a dangerous secret. Since Bailey Benson fits the profile, Joaquin abducts the beauty and whisks her to the safety of Club Dominion—before anyone can silence her for good.

  At first, Bailey is terrified, but when her captor demands information about her past, she’s stunned. Are her horrific visions actually distant memories that imperil all she holds dear? Confined with Joaquin in a place that echoes with moans and breathes passion, he proves himself a fierce protector, as well as a sensual Master who’s slowly crawling deeper in her head…and heart. But giving in to him might be the most delicious danger of all.

  Because Bailey soon learns that her past isn’t the only mystery. Joaquin has a secret of his own—a burning vengeance in his soul. The exposed truth leaves her vulnerable and wondering how much about the man she loves is a lie, how much more is at risk than her heart. And if she can trust him to protect her long enough to learn the truth.

  * * * *

  “…What about you? You’re with another government agency, so you’re here to . . . what? Be my lover? Does Uncle Sam think you need to crawl between my legs in order to watch over me?”

  Joaquin ground his jaw. She was hitting low, and the logical part of him understood that she was hurt, so she was lashing out at the messenger because she didn’t have anyone else. But that didn’t stop his temper from getting swept up in her cyclone of emotion. “I’m not here on anyone’s orders. In fact, I’ll probably be fired for pursuing this case because Tatiana Aslanov isn’t on my boss’s radar. When it became obvious the agency intended to do nothing, I couldn’t leave you to that horrific death. So here we are. But let me clue you in, baby girl. Uncle Sam doesn’t tell me who to fuck. I can’t fake an erection, even for the sake of God and country. That kiss we almost shared? That was me wanting you because just being in the same room with you makes me want to strip off everything you’re wearing and impale you with every inch I’ve got.”

  When he eased closer to Bailey, she squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “Don’t come near me.”

  That defiance made him wish again that he was a spanking kind of guy. He’d really like to melt that starch in her spine. If she wasn’t going to let him comfort her, he’d be more than happy to adjust her attitude with a good smack or ten on her ass, then follow it up with a thorough fucking. A nice handful of orgasms would do them both a world of good.

  “I am so done with people lying to me,” she ground out.

  That pissed him off. “You think I’m lying to you? About which part? Your parents being agents? That I’m sorry? Or that my cock is aching to fill your sweet little pussy until you dig your nails into my back and wail out in pleasure?”

  Her face turned pink. “You’re not sorry about any of this. I’m also not buying your sudden desire bullshit.”

  “I will be more than happy to prove you wrong right now.” He reached for the button of his jeans. “I’m ready if you are.”

  In some distant corner of his brain, Joaquin realized that combating her hurt with challenge wasn’t going over well. On the other hand, something about arguing with her while he’d been imagining her underneath him hadn’t just gotten his blood flowing, but boiling. If fucking her would, in any way, prove to her that he wasn’t lying, he was beyond down with getting busy. If she let him, he’d give it to her hard and wicked—and repeatedly.

  “No!” She managed to look indignant, but her cheeks had gone rosy. The pulse at her neck was pounding. Her nipples poked at her borrowed shirt angrily.

  He put his hands on his hips. If she looked down, she’d see his straining zipper. “Do you still think I’m lying?”

  “I’m done with this conversation.”

  “If you’re telling yourself you don’t want me at all, then you’re the one lying.”

  “Pfft. You might know facts about me on paper, but you don’t know me.”

  “So if I touched your pussy right now, you wouldn’t be wet?”

  He’d always liked a good challenge. It was probably one of the reasons he loved his job. But facing off with her this way made his blood sing, too.

  “No.” She shook her head a bit too emphatically. “And you’re not touching me to find out. Leave me alone.” “You’re worried that I’d find you juicy.

  You’re afraid to admit that I turn you on.” He stalked closer, his footfalls heavy, his eyes narrowing in on her.

  “Stay back,” she warned—but her eyes said something else entirely.

  “Tell me you’re not attracted to me.” He reached out, his strike fast as a snake’s, and gripped her arms. He dragged her closer, fitting her lithe little body against him and holding in a groan when she brushed over his cock. “Tell me you want me to stop. Remember, you don’t like liars. I don’t, either.”

  She didn’t say a word, struggled a bit for show. Mostly, she parted her lips and panted. Her cheeks heated an even deeper rose. Her chest heaved. Never once did she look away from him. “I’m involved with someone else.”

  “If you think whatever you’ve got going with Blane is going to stop me . . .” He didn’t bother to finish his sentence; he just laughed.

  “So you’re not listening to me say ‘no’? You’re not respecting my feelings for another guy?”

  “Let’s just say I’m proving my sincerity to you.” He tightened his grip. When she gasped and her stare fell to his lips, triumph raced through his veins. “I’m also testing you. That pretty mouth of yours might lie to me, but your kisses won’t.”

  Joaquin didn’t give her a chance to protest again. Normally, he would have. Women 101 was never to proceed without express consent, but this thick air of tension electrifying his blood and seizing his lungs was something entirely new and intoxicating. Their fight seemed to be helping Bailey forget her shock and sadness, not to mention the fact that it revved her, too. She wasn’t immune to him—not by a long shot. Thank fuck.

  Thrusting a fist in her hair, he pinned her in place and lowered his head.

  About Shayla Black

  Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

  Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. RT Bookclub has nominated her for a Career Achievement award in erotic romance, twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards.

  A writing risk-taker, Sh
ayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

  Connect with her online:

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  Also from Shayla Black/Shelley Bradley

  Click to purchase

  EROTIC ROMANCE

  THE WICKED LOVERS

  Wicked Ties

  Decadent

  Delicious

  Surrender To Me

  Belong To Me

  “Wicked to Love” (e-novella)

  Mine To Hold

  “Wicked All The Way” (e-novella)

  Ours To Love

  Wicked and Dangerous

  Forever Wicked

  Theirs To Cherish

  Wicked All Night

  Coming Soon:

  His to Take (March 2015)

  Pure Wicked (e-novella, September 2015)

  Sexy Capers

  Bound And Determined

  Strip Search

  “Arresting Desire” – Hot In Handcuffs Anthology

  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

  Coming Soon:

  Their Virgin Mistress (April 14, 2015)

  Doms Of Her Life (by Shayla Black, Jenna Jacob, and Isabella LaPearl)

  One Dom To Love

  The Young And The Submissive

  The Bold and The Dominant

  Coming Soon:

  The Edge Of Dominance

  Stand Alone Titles

  Naughty Little Secret (Shayla Black writing as Shelley Bradley)

  Watch Me

  Dangerous Boys And Their Toy

  “Her Fantasy Men” – Four Play Anthology

  HISTORICAL ROMANCE (as Shelley Bradley)

  The Lady And The Dragon

  One Wicked Night

  Strictly Seduction

  Strictly Forbidden

  Brothers in Arms

  His Lady Bride, Brothers in Arms

  His Stolen Bride, Brothers in Arms

  His Rebel Bride, Brothers in Arms

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (as Shelley Bradley)

  A Perfect Match

  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