by Shayla Black
“I feel the same.” Seth’s voice turned low as he gave them both a squeeze.
Beck slipped his arms around her and Seth, comforted by the way she laid her head on the big guy’s chest with a soft sigh and sent him a contented smile. Their circle was complete.
“Thank you both for sticking by me. Dragging all those skeletons from my closet was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“You were braver than hell.” Seth patted his shoulder.
“You were. I could tell it wasn’t easy, but you did great,” Heavenly assured. “And I love that there are finally no more secrets between us.”
Seth tensed. The gesture was subtle, but Beck felt it. Yeah, the big guy had stuff he’d vowed to spill. Since he’d come clean and Heavenly had stripped away all her barriers last night before letting them take her without any, maybe he’d take this opportunity to jump on the confession train…
Before he could give the PI a nudge, Heavenly broke into his thoughts. “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to your brother. Is he going to be all right?”
“I hope so. Time will tell, but I’m worried about him.” Beck sighed. “No matter what, he’s going to find a whole new world tough to deal with, but it’s going to be even more difficult without his wife and daughter. I can barely wrap my head around a loss like that…”
“I know.” Sympathy softened Heavenly’s face. “My heart hurts so much for him. I can’t imagine what he’s going through and how he’ll ever recover.”
Seth went taut. The big guy might be standing right beside them, but his face said he was a million miles away. “He won’t. Something like that haunts you forever.”
His words held so much heartache, the hair on the back of Beck’s neck stood on end. “You’re not talking about your dad anymore, are you?”
The PI glared his way. “It’s ancient history.”
“So was my shit,” Beck pointed out. “Is this what you and I talked about last night?”
Heavenly frowned. “What’s going on? Seth?”
When the big guy didn’t reply, Beck raised his brow. “He told me last night that once we dealt with Jed and the Saint Squad, he’d clean the skeletons out of his closet.” He turned to Seth. “Now we’re in the clear...”
“I don’t want to do this now, man.”
“Then when? I’m not trying to be an asshole, but you know what they say. Confession is good for the soul.”
“Not this kind. Jesus, couldn’t you wait?” Seth huffed in frustration.
“For what?”
Heavenly’s frown deepened. She drew back. “You’re really hiding something?”
“Goddamn it. I want to tell you and…” Seth growled, began to pace. “It’s going to change everything.”
His eyes were full of ghosts.
“My worst didn’t make a fucking difference. Yours won’t, either,” Beck encouraged.
Seth scoffed. “Oh, it will. Mine is worse. Way worse.”
Heavenly followed Seth, circling his arm with soft fingers. “There’s nothing you can say that will change how I feel. I know who you are here.” She touched his forehead. “And here.” She laid her palm over his heart.
“You think that now…” Seth shook his head. “Goddamn it, how did this get to be about me?”
“It’s about us,” Beck pointed out. “We’ve worked hard to get here. We’re in this together. You and Heavenly have helped me more than I could ever have hoped. Let us give it back to you, man.”
Nervous strides took him across the bedroom again as he raked an agitated hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“It matters to me. It matters to Beck,” she insisted. “Don’t shut us out.”
Seth turned his stare on her, looking so tortured. “Angel…fuck. I don’t want to hurt you. Either of you. The closer we’ve gotten, the more this fucking eats at me.”
“But not enough to talk to us? Remember all the times you told me I’d better not lie? You made me tell you everything, no matter how shameful, how embarrassing, or how terrible. You insisted that ‘people can’t be in relationships with partners who aren’t honest. Without that, what do we really share? And why should we go on?’ Remember?”
She sounded somewhere between hurt and ready to lose her little temper. Beck kind of wanted to cheer her on.
Seth scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll apologize all you want. All day. All night.”
“Weren’t you also the one who said, ‘We don’t want your apology. We want you to be open with us. No more hiding anything. Ever’?”
“Are you going to throw all my words back in my face?”
Her voice softened. “We’re not attacking you. We’re trying to listen and help you.”
“It’s time to walk the walk, man.” Beck nodded.
Seth blew out a harsh breath. “What I’ve done…it’s unforgivable.”
Heavenly sent Beck an alarmed stare. He was worried, too. He didn’t know how bad it could be, but until this moment, he’d never suspected Seth’s secrets would be all that grave. Now he was having second thoughts. But they’d come this far…
“Spill it, man. We’ll deal.”
“You’re going to regret this. Every time you look at me you’re going to think I’m a monster. But okay…” He cursed, then clenched his fists, his face etched with harsh lines. “I’ve done a lot of things. Unspeakable things. I have so much blood on my hands. But the worst? Eight years ago, I killed my wife and son.”
* * *
THE END…for now
Watch for the next installment in the
Doms of Her Life: Heavenly Rising saga.
We cordially invite you to THE COMMITMENT.
(Approximately late 2020 or early 2021.)
From the authors of Doms of Her Life: Heavenly Rising, don’t miss the super-sexy serialized tale of one tempestuous woman thoroughly in love with two friends and their battle to see who will ultimately win her heart.
* * *
DOMS OF HER LIFE: Raine Falling.
Complete series available!
* * *
ONE DOM TO LOVE
Doms of Her Life: Raine Falling (Book 1)
Now Available!
Click to purchase!
Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.
* * *
Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?
* * * *
5 out of 5! “Purest Delight …an extraordinary journey into the lives of three passionate people. I was hooked from page one. The emotions jumped off the page. I was consumed by such an array of feelings I’m not likely to forget it anytime soon. This story is beautifully intense and complex.” - Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
* * *
5 out of 5! “This book is so hot it should come with its own fire extinguisher! Run…don't walk…buy this now!” - The Romance Reviews
* * *
5 O’s… oh my! “One Dom to Love
is rife with steamy hot sex, bondage, kinky play and lustful desires, but that is not the crux of the story. The real story is in the relationships of these three people. These three ladies have woven a wonderful story of love, sex and betrayal.” - Tasty Wordgasms
* * *
MORE IN THE DOMS OF HER LIFE: RAINE FALLING SERIES
THE YOUNG AND THE SUBMISSIVE (Book 2)
* * *
THE BOLD AND THE DOMINANT (Book 3)
* * *
THE EDGE OF DOMINANCE (Book 4)
Want a steamy romance about a bodyguard who crosses a forbidden line and falls for his gorgeous, very famous client? Meet Cutter Bryant - the first of the Devoted Lovers.
A bodyguard should never fall for his client…but she’s too tempting to refuse.
DEVOTED TO PLEASURE
Devoted Lovers, Book 1
By Shayla Black
Click to purchase!
(available in eBook, print, and audio)
Bodyguard and former military man Cutter Bryant has always done his duty–no matter what the personal cost. Now he's taking one last high-octane, high-dollar assignment before settling down in a new role that means sacrificing his chance at love. But he never expects to share an irresistible chemistry with his beautiful new client.
Fame claimed Shealyn West suddenly and with a vengeance after starring in a steamy television drama, but it has come at the expense of her heart. Though she's pretending to date a co-star for her image, a past mistake has come back to haunt her. With a blackmailer watching her every move and the threat of career-ending exposure looming, Shealyn hires Cutter to shore up her security, never imagining their attraction will be too powerful to contain.
As Shealyn and Cutter navigate the scintillating line between business and pleasure, they unravel a web of secrets that threaten their relationship and their lives. When danger strikes, Cutter must decide whether to follow his heart for the first time, or risk losing Shealyn forever.
* * *
MORE IN THE DEVOTED LOVERS SERIES
DEVOTED TO WICKED (BOOK 1.5)
DEVOTED TO LOVE (BOOK 2)
5 Stars! “Devoted to Pleasure is this book full of suspense, mystery, angst, explosive sexual chemistry, drama and passion filled romance read.” – April’s Blog of Awesomeness
5 Stars! “Shayla Black is one of the best writers of romantic suspense (and steamiest!), and Devoted to Love is another sexy, edge-of-your-seat love story that will tempt you to stay up late into the night devouring it.” – Mary Dubé, Frolic
5 Stars +! “Shayla Black has a unique knack for writing storylines that draw the reader in while at the same time creating characters they cannot help but fall in love with. The Devoted Lovers series is quickly becoming another top notch series that readers old and new cannot get enough of.” – The Overflowing Bookcase
LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER!
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than seventy novels. For twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
* * *
Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.
* * *
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
* * *
LET ME LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU.
Connect with me via the links below. The VIP Readers newsletter has exclusive news and excerpts. You can also become one of my Facebook Book Beauties and enjoy live, interactive #WineWednesday video chats full of fun, book chatter, and more! See you soon!
Website
VIP Reader Newsletter
Facebook Author Page
Facebook Book Beauties Chat Group
Instagram
Book+Main
Twitter
Amazon Author
BookBub
Goodreads
YouTube
* * *
If you enjoyed this book, please review it and recommend it to others.
SERIES BY SHAYLA BLACK
For more info about Shayla’s books, visit ShaylaBlack.com!
MORE THAN WORDS
Contemporary romances that depict a love so complete, it can’t be expressed with mere words.
* * *
DEVOTED LOVERS
Steamy, character-driven romantic suspenses about heroes who will do anything to love and protect the women bold enough to be theirs. Begins where Wicked Lovers ended.
* * *
WICKED LOVERS
Dark, dangerous, beyond-sexy romantic suspenses about high-octane men and the daring women they risk all for, even their hearts.
* * *
PERFECT GENTLEMEN
Suspenseful contemporary romances about the “Perfect Gentlemen” of Creighton Academy. Privileged, wealthy, and powerful friends—with a wild side.
* * *
MASTERS OF MÉNAGE
Very sexy romances about men of power and danger who share a kink—and a special woman. Though she’s inexperienced, she isn’t afraid to embrace all she desires.
* * *
SEXY CAPERS
Sassy, sinful contemporary romances with a pinch of suspense that show both the fun and angst of falling in love while snaring bad guys.
* * *
DOMS OF HER LIFE: RAINE FALLING
Super-sexy serialized contemporary romances about one tempestuous woman thoroughly in love with two friends and their battle to see who will ultimately win her heart.
* * *
DOMS OF HER LIFE: HEAVENLY RISING
Super-sexy serialized contemporary romances about one innocent and the two frenemies desperate to her touch, protect, and claim her as their own.
* * *
MISADVENTURES
Sexy, rompy standalone contemporary romances with a fun premise, fast pace, and high heat.
* * *
NON-SERIES TITLES
Romances published independent of a series, some sexy, some sweet, all with a happy ending that’s finished and complete.
* * *
HISTORICALS
Sexy stories about the bold rakes and audacious beauties of lush eras gone by.
* * *
PARANORMAL
Set in contemporary London, magic, myth, and emotions blend in the passionate, good-versus-evil Doomsday Brethren series.
LICKS OF LEATHER
The Alphalicious rock stars from Licks of Leather are coming your way! Go backstage and beyond with this sizzling new series that’s sure to make your heart sing…and everything else throb.
ROCK ME LONGER - Book 1
Coming November 5
Meet Burk, the sexy lead singer. He’s a bad boy who falls hard for good girl, Sofia, the band’s new road manager—and the one woman who’s totally off limits.
ROCK ME HARDER – Book 2
ROCK ME SLOWER – Book 3
ROCK ME FASTER – Book 4
ROCK ME DEEPER – Book 5
ABOUT JENNA JACOB
* * *
USA Today Bestselling author Jenna Jacob paints a canvas of passion, romance, and humor as her Alpha men and the feisty women who love them unravel their souls, heal their scars, and find a happy-ever-after kind of love. Heart-tugging, captivating, and steamy, Jenna’s books will surely leave you breathless and craving more.
* * *
* * *
Meet her wild and wicked fictional family in Jenna's sultry series, The Doms of Genesis. Become spellbound by searing triple love connections in her continuing saga, The Doms of Her Life (co-written with the amazing Shayla Black and Isabella LaPearl). Journey with couples struggling to resolve their pasts and discover true love in her romantic suspense series, Passionate Hearts. Or laugh along as Jenna lets her zany sense of humor and lack of filter run free in her steamy contemporary series, Hotties of Haven.
* * *
CONTACT JENNA:
Website
E Mail
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon Author page