{"title":"Ruthless Devotion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/RD-RFR2.png?v=1781723069\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"more-than-want-you","title":"MORE THAN WANT YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eI wanted nothing more than revenge…until her.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Maxon Reed—multimillionaire, mogul…shark. If a contract isn’t high profile and big money, I pass. Now that I’ve found the deal of a lifetime, I’m jumping. But one cutthroat bastard stands between me and success—my brother. I’ll need a totally devious ploy to distract cynical Griff. Then fate drops a luscious redhead in my lap who’s just his type.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSassy Keeley Kent accepts my challenge to become Griff’s perfect girlfriend. But between the witty conversation and the days together, I’m having trouble resisting her. The quirky dreamer is everything I don’t tolerate…but she’s utterly charming. I more than want her; I’m desperate to own her. I’m not even sure how drastic I’m willing to get to make her mine—but I’m about to show her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eMore Than Want you was fabulous, sexy, smart, and had one AMAZING heroine! I am totally in LOVE! More Than Want You had me falling in love with the plot, the characters, and the delicious and tempting romance.\u003c\/em\u003e\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e– Marie’s Tempting Reads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Want You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/MTWY_tagline_2025.jpg?v=1759326262\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maxon \u0026amp; Keeley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 89k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 267 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alpha Hero, Anti-hero, Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity, Manwhore, Opposites Attract, Revenge, Temporary Fling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 Inside MORE THAN WANT YOU 🔥\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eExcerpt coming soon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330142597361,"sku":"MTWY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330148298993,"sku":"","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328744710385,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/1_MTWantYou.png?v=1781718243"},{"product_id":"more-than-need-you","title":"MORE THAN NEED YOU","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eI discovered my ex’s secret. Now I’ll do anything to claim her for good.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eI’m Griffin Reed—real estate’s bad boy and a cutthroat bastard. Trust is a four-letter word and everyone is disposable…except Britta Stone. Three years ago, she was my everything before I stupidly walked away. I thought I’d paid for my sin in misery—until the night I learn we have a son together and she’s engaged to another man. Now I’m determined to claim her and make the three of us a family. Since Britta won’t even speak to me, I have to get ruthless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI make the gorgeous, independent single mother a deal: spend twenty-four\/seven with me until her wedding day—under my roof and, if I have my way, in my bed. If she doesn’t love me by then, I’ll leave for good. Britta vows she’ll never want me again…but our stolen, passionate kisses make her a liar. I pour on the romance and slowly set about coaxing her surrender. Once she can no longer deny what’s in her heart, then I’ll stop at nothing to prove I more than need her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt’s a dream-inducing story that will undeniably touch your heart and have you cheering for that second chance\u003c\/em\u003e.\" - Marie's Tempting Reads\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Need You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/02_MTNY_Tagline_2025.jpg?v=1746124359\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Griff \u0026amp; Britta\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 109k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 336 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alpha Hero, Bad Boy\/Good Girl, Forced Proximity, He Falls First, Love Triangle, Second Chance Romance, Secret Baby, Single Mom, Workplace Romance\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💔 Inside MORE THAN NEED YOU 💔\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA big banner across Britta’s backyard stops me cold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCongratulations on your engagement, Britta and Makaio.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHoly. Fuck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDespite the fact that Britta no longer belongs to me, my head races. My blood boils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNow what? I’m hardly in the mood to stand here and toast the bride.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBut when I find Britta in the crowd, she’s wearing a pencil skirt in a sedate gray that clings to a curve in her hips she didn’t used to have. Her ass looks lusher, rounder. Her hair, though wrapped up in some classic twist, looks longer or thicker—something.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThe lust that hits me is stronger than ever.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJesus, when am I going to stop wanting her?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThree years ago, I corrupted every bit of her purity and left her with a pregnancy she hadn’t planned for—and myself with a mountain of regret.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMaxon told me that I broke something in her. Is she bitter? Withdrawn? How much does she hate me now?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHow many beds has she slept in since mine?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eI swallow back the ugly questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNo one has noticed me yet. I need to approach her, think of something rational and non-confrontational to say. Or turn around and come back tomorrow, when she doesn’t have a whole bunch of company who will gawk at me the minute I demand to see my son. When she isn’t celebrating her pending union to another man.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBut I can’t make myself leave. I just stare, willing her to look my way.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSuddenly, she stiffens. I see the moment she becomes aware of my presence. She tilts her head toward her right shoulder. The cock of her ear and the jut of her chin follow. She pauses for a sliver of a second, as if she’s not sure she truly wants to know if I’m just beyond her line of sight, making her senses flare.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Britta,” I call out to her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAt the sound of my voice, she whips her head around, as if she’s heard a ghost and is eager to dispel the notion I could be standing ten feet behind her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eOur eyes meet. My breath stops. God, she’s still so fucking beautiful to me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eIn that moment I know one thing: no matter what’s happened or how long it’s been, I want her back. Whatever Britta thinks, she’s still mine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA gasp falls from her lips. She drops her drink, her face going pale in an instant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eI take a step toward her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHer eyes are still a stunning shade of blue, almost turquoise, like the warmest ocean waters near the shore. They’re slanted and slightly far apart, framed by heavy lashes. The effect is exotic, sexual. Her pillowy mouth sucks me in next, bent with an exaggerated bow on top and a puffy curve on the bottom. I still dream of that mouth. I remember every time I kissed it, every pleasure it ever made me feel. Tonight, she’s exaggerated her pouty lips with a soft gloss that makes me want to tell everyone else at this gathering to fuck off so I can eat it from her now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNo one else has lips as enticing or soft as Britta Stone. Believe me, I’ve looked. A lot. I can’t un-remember the way her eyes flared wide for me when her mouth opened to let loose the gasp of orgasm she could no longer keep in. It was one of the sexiest things ever. Even now, I sometimes close my eyes and stroke my cock to her memory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAny wonder seeing her in the flesh is making me harder than hell?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAny wonder I’m now determined to have her back?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“What are you doing here?” she demands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e “Somewhere in the back of your head, you must have known this day would come. I want to see my son.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHer eyes widen in shock. Her chest caves in, as if my words are more of a battering ram than a question. She braces her left hand over her heart. She’s wearing a round diamond solitaire on a simple gold band. The sight of another man’s ring on her finger enrages me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSomeday, somehow, someway, I’m going to replace it with my own.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330179068145,"sku":"MTNYOU1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330179100913,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328742973681,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/2_MTNeedYou.png?v=1781654173"},{"product_id":"more-than-love-you","title":"MORE THAN LOVE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eI made her my temporary wife. Now I'll do anything to claim her forever.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Noah Weston—MVP quarterback and seasoned player. Though I’m retiring from America’s most iconic team a football hero, a secret threatens my well-planned future. To regroup, I escape to my private ocean-front paradise. But property caretaker Harlow Reed destroys my zen with her sexy red bikini and sassy attitude. After discovering my problem, she offers to help…if I give her sweaty sex and nonstop orgasms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince I’ve got game, what do I have to lose?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree months—that’s how long it should take for us to scratch this itch and solve my issue. But the more I peel back complicated Harlow’s layers, the less I can picture my life without her. When I learn how badly she’s been burned by love, I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I don’t merely want her. I more than love her enough to make her mine for good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eI loved More Than Love You so much. The author is so good at pulling at my heartstrings and making me feel her words. She also never fails to have me turning up the A\/C, even in the winter, with her very sensual sex scenes that have me feeling like a voyeur and loving every second of it.\u003c\/em\u003e” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e– iScream Books Blog\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Love You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries: \u003c\/strong\u003eRuthless Devotion\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Noah \u0026amp; Harlow\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100k\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 305 pages\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes: \u003c\/strong\u003eAge-gap, Alpha Hero, Angst, Breeding, Famous Billionaire, He Falls First, Marriage Pact, Runaway Bride, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTemporary Fling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e❤️ Inside More Than Love You ❤️\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“So you’ve heard the rumors? And you’re believing this woman who says I met her at a party and knocked her up without first talking to me?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not leaving because of you, Weston. Look, you’ve got your hands full, and frankly I don’t need more drama. I’m not mad. You met her long before me, so what you did with her in February is none of my business. I don’t think your mom is going to be thrilled that you’ve indiscriminately spread your DNA around, but…” She shrugs and reaches for her purse. “You’ll figure that out, I guess.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI wrap my fingers around her arm. “I am not your father. Or your ex. I didn’t do this.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe seems to lose some of her composure as she jerks from my grip. “Did you hear me? It doesn’t matter. I didn’t know you then. The truth is, I woke up this morning and realized I was done processing what happened a few days ago in the shower. I think this…fling means more to you than it does to me, and I’d rather not hurt you. So I’m going to do you a favor and leave. You’re going to be great. I left the names of some fantastic therapists on the island—both speech and psychological. You may need both since anxiety seems to be a real trigger for you. Any of these people would be really qualified to help you.” She gives me an entirely false smile as she gathers her luggage. “I wish you the best.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“This is bullshit.” I jerk the bags out of her hands as fast as she can pick them up. “You’re absolutely running away from me because you think I got that woman pregnant. You’re scared to trust that I’m not Barclay or Simon.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Hell yes. Look at me, Harlow. When have I ever hurt you?” She presses her lips together mulishly and picks up her big suitcase again. I yank it from her grip. “When have I ever done anything except try to help you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe doesn’t answer, just grabs her computer bag and hoists it onto her shoulder. I grab the strap in my fist and jerk it behind me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Stop it!” she insists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You stop,” I growl. “You’re not leaving, goddamn it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Oh, I’m not? So you’re going to keep me here against my will?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not letting you run out over nothing.” I lock the door behind me and lean against it, arms crossed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarlow is determined, but compared to me? She can’t beat my size, strength, or persistence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not running out. I’m getting out of your way and getting on with my life. That’s it. So give me my bags and move so I can leave.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Nope.” I shake my head resolutely. “You don’t get to do that. Did you forget? We have a contract. You’ve signed it. I’ve paid you. You’re obligated to stay here with me until Labor Day.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe’s a tiny thing, but her giant temper makes an appearance. “That’s how you want to play this? So you are my father, after all? Besides the illegitimate kid on the way, you fucking think you know how I should run my life better than I do and you don’t give two shits how I feel? Nice. Next you’ll be telling me that I’d be better off marrying well, too. Never mind my aspirations or ambitions… So who, in your estimation, should I whore myself to for a ring on my finger?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI won’t let her manipulate the situation or my composure when she’s only trying to push my buttons. “You want to marry well, baby? Marry me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe scoffs and frantically grabs her luggage again, this time trying to scoop multiple pieces in her grip at once. “Yeah, right. That’s not going to happen.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI divest her of her bags again, earning a screech of frustration from her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Give me one good reason why not,” I challenge. “Just one.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Hand that over.” She reaches for her makeup case, but I set it behind me, too. “You want one good reason, Weston? Okay, you piss me off. We barely know each other and somehow you get under my skin and manage to scratch around and give me hives and—”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI laugh. That’s not a reason to let her leave me. If I’m crawling under her surface and getting to her, that’s a reason to make her stay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You think that’s funny?” she challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No. But I think that makes us even. You get under my skin, too. You make me want you, make me need to understand you, hold you, heal you—”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m not broken!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is, but not irreparably. “All right. But how many men have you dated you didn’t care about at all? Who let you walk all over them? Who couldn’t handle your backbone?” Her pause tells me the number is high, and she’s aware of it. “I can handle you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I don’t want a man who thinks he needs to try. When I agreed to marry Simon, I just wanted a decent guy to spend my years with, one who’d be there for me when it mattered. One who’d give me the children I want. I didn’t care about adoration or devotion, just kindness and the appearance of happiness. I still want those things. I don’t think you can give them to me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Try me.”\u003cbr\u003eShe studies my face and frowns. “You’re serious?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Completely.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You’re crazy.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You didn’t say you were looking for sane, baby. Marry me. You want a decent guy? I’m here. You want someone who will spend their years with you? I will. I’ll always be here for you. You want kids? I will happily get you pregnant. I’ll relish it. You might not care about adoration or devotion, but I’ll give you those, too. I’ll endeavor to be kind and do whatever it takes to make you genuinely happy, not just help you look as if you are. All you have to do is say yes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’ve known you for nine days.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI shrug. “So? You listed off your wants, and I’m telling you I’ll fulfill them. What do you say, baby?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e📚 Start reading now\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330190340337,"sku":"MTLY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330190373105,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328741302513,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/3_MTLoveYou.png?v=1781650715"},{"product_id":"more-than-crave-you","title":"MORE THAN CRAVE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI need to hire a wife. But I only want my assistant.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm Evan Cook—billionaire tech entrepreneur and widower. Professionally, I’ve got it together. Now that I’m alone, my personal life is a disaster. Since I’m a busy man, remarrying is the practical solution. But I’m done with love, so I decide to hire a wife. The ideal woman must be intelligent, organized, attractive, and available—both in and out of bed—without expecting romance. Come to think of it, Nia Wright, my beautiful, sassy assistant, is the perfect candidate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUntil I touch her. Now I can’t stop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter a reckless night together, I’m determined to marry her. Not only does she light me on fire, but she ticks every box on my list and she's far too sensible to fall for me. But the more we’re together, the more she steals my heart. When the past suddenly blindsides me and Nia’s shocking, years-long secret threatens to tear us apart, can I prove I more than crave her before it’s too late?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eWith beautifully written characters and a storyline that I could not put down this was a fabulous read. It needs more than 5 stars!!\u003c\/em\u003e” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e–The Overflowing Bookcase\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Crave You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/04_MTCY_Tagline_2025.jpg?v=1746186053\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evan \u0026amp; Nia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 98k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 310 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Accidental Pregnancy, Alpha Hero, Angst, Billionaire, Dominant Hero, Friends to Lovers, Interracial, Nerd Hero, One-night Stand, Workplace Romance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💋 Inside MORE THAN CRAVE YOU 💋\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eJaw clenched, I charge down the hall of the burlesque club. I’m probably making the stupidest mistake of my life. This could get messy fast. And I’m done caring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   I barrel inside my assistant’s dressing room. Nia whirls, dressed in an inch of stage makeup, a silky white robe—and nothing else.\u003cbr\u003e   “E-Evan? What are you doing here?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Why the hell are you taking off your clothes for strangers? And letting that guy put his hands all over you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Last time I checked, boss, it’s after hours and I don’t have to justify my personal life to you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “You do when your behavior reflects badly on Stratus Solutions.”\u003cbr\u003e   “I never take off my mask, and I never use my real name. What’s really bothering you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   The rational part of my brain tells me to shut up, but that ship has sailed. “I think you’ve slept with your partner.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Not that it’s any of your business, but we haven’t dated in almost two years.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “But he’s touched you.” I clench my fists. “I’m…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Jealous?” Soft surprise crosses her face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Yes!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Because you…want me?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Yes.” I grab the sash securing her robe and start working the silk apart. “Do you want me to stop?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “No.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   “Do you want me inside you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   She gives me a jerky nod. “Now.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   God, is this actually happening? Three days ago, Nia was the ideal assistant. Right now, she’s my ultimate fantasy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e   Breath sawing, I rip her robe open. She’s completely bare. I appreciate the generous curves and shadowed valleys of her body while I tackle my zipper. The instant my cock springs free, I take myself in hand and align my aching crest against her silky, slick opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Last chance. Or I’m going to fuck you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Start reading now\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330195288305,"sku":"MTCY","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330195321073,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328732356849,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/4_MTCraveYou.png?v=1781632467"},{"product_id":"more-than-tempt-you","title":"MORE THAN TEMPT YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI romanced her for revenge…but what if she’s not the enemy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Clint Holmes—hands-on business owner and a beast in the bedroom. Life was great—until fate ripped my father from my life. Now the only thing that matters is finding the woman responsible and making her pay. But beauty Bethany Banks is a Harvard-educated shark used to playing dangerous corporate games. How can a blue-collar guy like me outsmart her?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne glance, and the answer is obvious. I seduce her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuring our slow-dance of secrets and lies, I get to know the supposed ballbuster…only to discover her ambition and tough exterior hide a woman who’s vulnerable and heartbreakingly alone. Instinct urges me to protect her, but I came for retribution. Night after night, I ply her with my burning touch until I drown in her pleasure. Suddenly, I’m addicted and questioning everything, especially the fine line between love and hate. But when the past comes back with a vengeance, exposing the truth, can I prove that I’m more than tempted to make her mine forever?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cem\u003eI nibbled my nails to nubs one minute and had to turn up the A\/C the next. I enjoyed the hell out of every step of their journey and was sad to turn the final page. I wasn’t ready for the goodness to end…sigh\u003c\/em\u003e.” – iScream Books Blog\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Tempt You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/05_MTTY_Tagline_2026.png?v=1781716056\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clint \u0026amp; Bethany\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 244 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alpha Hero, Angst, Blue-collar Hero, Enemies to Lovers, Revenge, Secret Past, Temporary Fling, Workplace Romance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e Inside MORE THAN TEMPT YOU \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Brush off your rusty bartending skills. You’re in. You start in three hours.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI let out a sigh of relief. \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eGame on\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eLast night, Ash and I stayed up, plotting the best tactic for me to interact with Bethany. If I’m going to win her over and be her “pal,” I can’t pose as a customer who buys a drink or two. I need time with her. Working together seems like the smartest ploy. Since Ash is in good with the manager of this dive bar, he can give me the same shifts as Bethany. She and I will have being new on the job and new to the island in common. After those conversation starters, I’ll figure out how to build our rapport from there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Thanks, man. I owe you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI get cleaned up, check in on my brothers, pace while I wait for Ash. I try to nail down my opening approach—what I’ll say to coax her into talking to me, how I’ll thaw her emotional ice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eBy the time Ash arrives, I’ve got a rough plan in my head, and it starts with flattery. Don’t most people like to be buttered up? Then I’ll give her some aw-shucks, fish-out-of-water crap while I play on whatever sense of adventure she has about exploring our beautiful surroundings. By this time tomorrow, I’m hoping she sees me as a budding acquaintance who may soon become a confidant. Then…once she spills her guts, I’ll nail her to the wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAfter a quick lunch at Zippy’s by the airport, we head to Lahaina. “The bare is tourist central, being near the hotels and right on the beach. We’ll be busier as the night wears on. But you’ll have a few hours to acclimate—and sidle up to your victim.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“She is \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003enot\u003c\/i\u003e the victim.” My father was, and—thanks to Bethany Banks—he’s no longer here to defend himself. That’s my job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAsh winces, contrite. “Sorry. Bad choice of words. I meant your target.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I know. I’m just…” Touchy? Nervous? No, uncomfortable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eThe truth is, I’m not loving any of this. Deception goes against my grain. I’m usually honest, even painfully blunt at times. I try to stay friendly about it, but I make my point without mincing words. Hell, I work in oil fields, so that wouldn’t fly anyway. But I can’t handle Bethany as if she’s a fellow oil man. She plays cunning corporate games like a deadly shark. The only way I’ll have a chance to beat her is to convince her I’m no threat at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI try to quell my irritation. I have to do this. For myself. For my brothers. But mostly, for Dad. He deserves justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eWhen we pull up to the bar, two things hit me right away. First, despite Ash’s protests, it’s a dive. Granted, it’s a dive with charm, but the place looks as if it’s been here at least forty years, most of them without significant upgrades or improvements. Second, every single person appears to be having a great time—except the petite blonde who’s carrying a serving tray, wearing a strappy white bikini top and denim short-shorts, walking in my direction with shoulders squared and economical strides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHer wide-set eyes, surrounded by a thick fringe of dark lashes, hit me like a sucker punch of green. Wisps of platinum hair manage to soften the sharp angles of her face, but her full mouth pressing into a severe line shouts a silent keep-away. Her cleavage, however—which looks one-hundred-percent real—lures me closer. I can’t help but gape as, chin raised, she strides past me, heading for the bartender on duty with purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eThat’s\u003c\/i\u003e Bethany Banks?” I whisper to Ash, fighting an instant, blazing erection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe merely sends me an I-told-you-so grin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eDamn. She’s fucking hot. Not just kind of. Not just a little. She’s smokin’. She’s a full-blown, five-alarm, inferno-inducing blaze. As much as I hate to acknowledge that, why lie?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHer pictures did \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003enot\u003c\/i\u003e do her justice. They all made her look like a corporate drone. This woman… Whoa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI don’t stop to consider all the reasons I shouldn’t. I turn and watch her walk away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eThe view from the back is equally stunning. Delicate strands of her pale hair tumble from a loose bun and brush her slender nape. Her intricate bikini top crisscrosses her shoulder blades and wraps around her narrow rib cage, the white fabric emphasizing the faintly peachy glow of her skin. Her hips, wrapped snugly in well-worn denim, flare below her tiny waist and sway enticingly with every step.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Put your tongue back in your mouth if you’re not going to seduce her,” Ash whispers in my ear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI rip my gaze from her to glare at him. But why bite his head off when he’s right?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Yeah. I just…” I blow out a breath. “You warned me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“And you didn’t believe me. We need to get you laid.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI suspect Ash is right…but suddenly I’m wondering who the hell will divert my attention when Bethany so thoroughly snagged it. She’s the enemy…and my dick doesn’t care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330204201201,"sku":"MTTY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330204397809,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328743923953,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/5_MTTemptYou.png?v=1781713411"},{"product_id":"more-than-dare-you","title":"MORE THAN DARE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI dared her to spend a hot, no-strings night with me.\u003cbr\u003eNow I’m determined to keep her forever.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Trace Weston—recently reformed bad boy and full-time single father. My life is already complicated, but when my sister-in-law asks me to give her bestie, who just ended her long-term relationship with a cheating jerk, some hot, post-breakup pleasure, I’m game. I never expected to want Masey Garrett with a burning hunger, but she’s shy, sassy, driven, and incredibly kind. Suddenly I’m falling fast…but she’s only mine for a night.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat’s a former player to do? Change the rules.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow she’s under my roof day and night. We’re playing house…but I want a real family. Though she loves my newborn son, the skittish beauty keeps her feelings about me a secret. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to win her over, but other than passion, how can I persuade Masey I’m the man for her? Sure, I could drop an L bomb…except that once imploded my heart. But when her past turns her world upside down, can I chance everything and dare Masey to stay with me forever?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eMore than Dare You…was every bit of a sexy, can’t-put-this-book-down page-turner I wanted it to be.\u003c\/em\u003e” – Reading in the Red Room\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Dare You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/06_MTDY_Tagline_v2025_a14159af-2885-426b-8908-ff6bd88886b9.jpg?v=1748707272\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trace \u0026amp; Masey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 78k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 244 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bad Boy\/Good Girl, Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers, Insta-love, One-night Stand, Single Dad, Temporary Fling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 Inside MORE THAN DARE YOU 🔥\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eTrace\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“\u003ca name=\"Meet_at_the_bar\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eYou ready for a night of meaningless sex?” My brother, Noah, swallows back his whiskey neat, then turns to me at the swanky hotel’s bar with a sly smile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eNormally, I would be all in. Well, let’s be honest; I still am…but with less hedonistic abandon. “Why not? Mom is watching Ranger this weekend, so this is the first time in five months I won’t be a slave to my infant son’s whims or erratic sleep schedule.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I get you, man. Being a new dad has been challenging, too. I can’t even imagine how rough it’s been on you to suddenly become a single dad.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHe’s not kidding. One minute, I was a single, footloose bachelor, playing the field and having fun. Getting lucky was never a matter of actual luck, just showing up with decent conversation and a smile. Yeah, I’m advantaged. I’ve got good genes. My job as a charter boat owner-operator helps me keep fit. I grew up the less sports-inclined younger brother to a local football god who eventually turned pro and made a pile of money. So if I wanted to score off the field, I had to be creative. I learned charm. Flirting is like breathing. And I usually do all right. Or I did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eBut ever since learning that I fathered a son during a drunken one-night stand and Ranger’s mother giving me permanent full-time custody, my life has been upside down. I’ve been living like a monk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’m so out of practice, man. I’m worried my parts are rusty.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eMy older brother laughs. “I’m sure your hand has ensured your parts work just fine. Besides, it’s like riding a bike.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Well, since I left all the athletic shit to you, that doesn’t make me feel better. So what’s the deal with this girl?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Masey Garrett—that’s her name—just arrived here from Cali. Like my wife said when she called to ask if you’d, um…show her a good time, she and Harlow were sorority sisters. And they’re besties. Masey is a beauty influencer, whatever that is.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Her name is helpful. The rest…” I shrug. “Not really important. I just want to know why she’s looking for a one-night stand.” And exactly what I’m getting myself into.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eNoah leans in. “I’m not totally sure. I haven’t met Masey. She didn’t attend our wedding last June because her dad had just died, and this douche broke up with her a few days later. Nice guy, huh?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Sounds like a real prince.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“But I know she’s had the same boyfriend since she was fifteen, so Harlow’s take is that Masey is finally ready to get back up and ride a bike or two of her own.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eNeglected and lonely. I’ve done girls like her. I’m doing Masey as a weird favor to my sister-in-law, but helping out shouldn’t be a hardship. “Do you know what she looks like?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’ve only seen pictures.” But he’s smiling. With Noah, that’s either a really good thing…or really bad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Out with it. Is she a troll?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“No. She’s not your usual, bro, but I think you’ll like her. Little thing. Pale. Huge blue eyes. Sassy. She’s got good girl written all over her.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eInteresting. She sounds fun to corrupt. I shift in my seat to hide my suddenly hard dick, and my brother laughs. Clearly, I’m not fooling him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Anything else?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eOn the bar in front of Noah, his phone dings. He glances at it. “No, but you can ask my wife. Here’s Harlow now.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Hey.” I kiss Harlow’s cheek. “Look at you. A dress \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eand\u003c\/i\u003e makeup?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Right? I finally don’t look like a sleep-deprived new mom, thanks to Masey. She’s a magician with makeup. But that \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eis\u003c\/i\u003e her business.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Anything I should know about her?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHarlow doesn’t mind that we get right to it. “I’m sure my husband gave you the basics, but the important part is, she’s really nervous.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Why?” I’m not scary or anything. “She’s just wanting a one-night thing, right?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Yeah. She’s looking to pop her post-Thom cherry with a manwhore who can show her everything she’s been missing. I told her you’d be perfect.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI try not to let Harlow’s words sting. Normally, I’d grin at that description and own it. I can’t deny that’s who I am. Well, who I was. But being a dad has made me look at life more seriously. I have my eye on the future now. Not the endless pussy I can chase but the actual months and years in front of me…and what I should fill them with. For Harlow, though, I’ll do this favor and help her friend feel good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Sure.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eShe winces. “Sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean to.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“It’s fine. So she wants to know what it’s like to have someone other than Thom make her feel good?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Yes and no. Yes, she wants to know what it’s like for someone other than the selfish douche she dated for ten years to make her feel anything.” Harlow leans in and drops her voice. “But when Thom dumped her for a chick who masturbates online for a living, he told Masey she sucked in bed. It’s not good for a girl’s confidence.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eI don’t know Masey and I don’t know Thom, but I’m pretty sure I know who the jerk is in this scenario. “I’m sure it’s not.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eNinety-nine times out of a hundred when some guy tells a girl that she sucks in the sack, it’s not her issue. But Thom is probably one of those without a self-reflective bone in his body and he can’t see how he contributed to their lackluster sex life. I’m not expecting Masey to be the best lay ever. But I doubt she actually needs more than a few 0rgasms and a confidence boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Even so, she wants to know what she could be doing better.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eIf Masey is looking for pointers, that’s easy enough. “No problem. Anything else?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“There’s a guy back home, apparently. Her hot neighbor. He asked her out right before she left home, and they plan to get together when she returns. Not that she thinks they’ll hop into the sack right away, but…better to be prepared, you know. Other than that?” Harlow shakes her head. “She’s not looking for more than a good time tonight, so don’t worry she’ll turn into a clinging vine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eSomehow, Harlow’s assurance makes me even more uncomfortable. But she’s merely asking me to help a friend in need, so I let it go. “Got it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Great. Just…be nice. I know you will. But she’s been through a lot with Thom. Even though she’s glued herself back together, she’s more fragile than she lets on.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eIt’s not a problem since I’m not usually an asshole. “Absolutely.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I appreciate you doing this. If you’ll send her off in the morning with a loopy grin, I’ll be eternally grateful.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“One loopy grin, coming right up,” I reassure her. “If you’d like, I’ll make sure she’s bow-legged, too.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHarlow flashes me a megawatt smile. “That would be great! I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite brother-in-law.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“I’m your only brother-in-law.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Details.” She gives me a playful wave of her hand. “Anyway, she wanted me to assure you that if you don’t find her attractive, there won’t be any hard feelings. Buy her a drink and tell her you’re busy tonight after all. Just do it gently.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eAt this point, I can’t picture that. Masey sounds like she needs TLC, and my sudden misgivings aside, I need to get laid after a five-month dry spell. It’s not a match made in heaven, but we can make it work for a night. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem. I’m assuming that if she doesn’t find me attractive, she’ll let me down easy, too?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Sure.” Harlow shakes her head. “But that won’t be an issue.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Why do you say that?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eShe leans in with a conspiratorial whisper. “I showed her your picture. I think I had to wipe the drool off her chin.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Well, at least she has good taste,” I quip. “Got one of her? I haven’t seen—”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eA woman walks into my line of vision, a mere dozen feet away. Instantly, she ends my speech, stops my heart, and makes my dick jerk like a divining rod in her direction. She’s got reddish-brown curls that sway around her shoulders, a delicate profile, lush lashes that fan the palest porcelain cheeks, a red bow of a mouth that nearly has me crying for relief, and curves for days under her clinging, va-voom red dress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e“Holy shit,” I mutter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003eHarlow turns and follows my line of vision. When her gaze lands on the brunette, she flashes a smile. “Masey!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Start reading now\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330665902321,"sku":"MTDY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330667344113,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328733700337,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"11 eBook Bundle (\u0026 Save!)","offer_id":45549315686641,"sku":"RFRBNDL","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/6_MTDareYou_931c165d-69f8-4203-a3ef-f69e65baa8d4.png?v=1781637316"},{"product_id":"more-than-hate-you","title":"MORE THAN HATE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI seduced my rival for a deal. Now I’ll do anything to claim her for good.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Sebastian Shaw—CFO, pragmatist, and moneymaker. I’ve mismanaged love in the past, but when it comes to business, I’m pure shark, able to cut down any threat to my success…except Sloan O’Neill. We’re vying for the same major client, so I do what any self-respecting cutthroat does to gain the upper hand: spy on the ball-busting piece of work. She may be gorgeous and unnervingly clever, but I have skills. My gutsy hourglass-shaped roadblock doesn’t stand a chance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUntil I realize I’m falling for her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuddenly, everything from my objectives to my morals is cloudy. Stay loyal to my best friend and boss to win this critical client at any cost…or give my heart another chance? But the more time I spend with my redheaded adversary, the more I realize she’s not just ambitious but kind, vulnerable…and perfect for me. Sloan has no idea how far I’ll go to make her mine—but she’s about to find out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne of my top 5 of the year. I couldn’t put this book down. This crazy, intense, sexy book will keep you on your toes and the pages turning from start to finish\u003c\/em\u003e.” – Goodreads Reviewer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Hate You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/07_MTHY_Tagline_2025_df562c2d-5804-44dc-ad5d-c484a5fc7c49.jpg?v=1749135240\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sebastian \u0026amp; Sloan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 79k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 278 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Angst, Enemies to Lovers, Insta-love, Marriage of Convenience, Revenge, Sudden\/Forced Marriage, Temporary Fling, Virgin, Workplace Romance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eInside MORE THAN HATE YOU 🔥\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“What’s up, buddy?” I ask, answering Evan’s call.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“You there, Bas? Make contact with Sloan yet?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Trying to.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Wine her. Dine her. Recline her—whatever it takes to find out who her spies are. If someone under our roof is providing our competitors information about our Wynam campaign, we need to deal with them ASAP.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThat’s the cover story I gave Evan to explain my impromptu trip to Dallas. Sloan has information about our pitch that she shouldn’t, and I have no idea how she got it…but she might be willing to tell me face to face. Evan was all for getting to the bottom of the guilty party’s identity, which made talking him into this trip simple. But we really do need to know, so in one ten-minute conversation, I doubled my number of mission objectives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIt’s fine. I’ll handle it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eOnce I find Sloan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“On it. Hey, I’m checking in. I’ve got to go.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“If you get something soon, call me. I’ve got another six hours before I head to London.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Will do,” I say, hoping that’s a promise I can keep.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eMinutes later, the clerk directs me to sign an electronic pen pad, then hands me my room key. “Your room is on the eighth floor. You have a great view of the city. Enjoy your stay.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNormally, I would. Dallas has good food and decent people. Now I’m too ratcheted up to care. “Thanks.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAs I make my way toward the bank of elevators, my phone rings. It’s Sloan. Finally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Talk to me,” I growl into the device.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I can’t,” she whispers. “I got your messages. Shane is suspicious. He’s suddenly assigned me to a task. I don’t know what to think…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe fact it’s so last minute seems fishy. “Sloan, I’m worried about you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I have to believe my boss is too squeamish and too lazy to be truly violent.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI hope she’s right…but what if she isn’t?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’ll catch up with you tomorrow,” she murmurs into my thoughts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI let out a breath. “How will I know it’s you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Oh, right. You’ve never seen me.” I hear the self-deprecation in her voice. “Well, I looked at your picture on your website, so I’ll find you. Gotta go.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe’s gone before I can object.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShit. Normally, I love dirty corporate games, but this is twenty kinds of clusterfuck. I need to start preparing excuses and lies now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAll I can think about is Sloan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIn fact, maybe it’s time to be honest with myself. I want Sloan—like I’ve rarely ever wanted a woman.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eFor the first time, I’m going to willfully and gleefully cross the sacred line between business and pleasure. There’s something about Sloan—about the way I feel when I talk to her… I need to understand why I’m so hooked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eWhen I wake after a restless night, I grab my phone. My last text from Sloan came around three a.m., joking about being on her second gallon of coffee. I don’t dare text and wake her up now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHours drag by, and even though it’s a gorgeous day in Dallas and exploring the city is pleasant, the waiting chafes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIt’s after noon when my phone finally rings and her name crosses my display. “Sloan?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Hi. I’m awake and mostly okay. Last night was weird, but I ran across something when Shane sent me to his office to fetch his laptop cord. Well, I searched his office since I was there alone. I didn’t dare take the document last night, and Carissa tells me he and another group have been in the office since noon. She’s pissed she had to come in on a weekend, and they’re running her ragged doing their menial shit. Anyway, once they’re all gone, I’ll tiptoe into the office, grab this smoking gun, and come right to you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“No.” At the moment, I’m inclined to tell her to fuck the smoking gun. “Come now. We’ll talk about your find and figure out next steps—”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“This is really important. I swear. If I don’t grab it… I’m already worried when I go back it will be gone.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“What is it?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“You have to see it to believe it. I’ll be there about ten. Meet me in the bar?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Let me come with you. I don’t want you running into Shane alone in case he’s still there.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Jeremy, I can’t. Please. I know what I’m doing. I have a plan. Trust me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSloan hasn’t left me much choice.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e“All right. I’ll see you at ten. If you don’t make it, I’ll come looking for you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’ll be there.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAt nine thirty, I head downstairs. People are coming in. It’s not congested yet, but it’s definitely more crowded than last night. I resist the urge—barely—to text Sloan and ask if she’s all right. Hopefully, the boss who fucks and sucks his way through most workdays is too far in his orgasm coma to suspect that she knows anything. Or too wrapped up in his “process emergency” to care about her now.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI find a table in a quiet corner and sit to wait. And wait. Texts go unanswered. I start to panic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAt ten-thirty, the door from the street opens, bringing a gust of strong wind with it. In walks a redhead in a silky champagne dress that dips off the shoulders, nips in with her tiny waist, then clings to the lush curves of her hips before ending above her knee. She’s wearing a pair of sparkly platforms that wrap around her ankles, lending her petite figure a good four inches of height and making her legs look miles long.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eHoly shit\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe stops in the middle of the dimly lit bar and scans the room, looking for someone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eMe?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eOn autopilot, I make my way to her, every hair on my body standing up and every inch of my skin tingling. “Sloan?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI drag my gaze up from her pert ass in time to see her whirl around to me, rosy lips slightly parted and a blazing curl cupping the side of one softly rounded breast. I swallow.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eOne look at her…and I’m in deep trouble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Jeremy?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Yeah.” I hate lying, and before I leave town, I’m going to tell her my name. Now just isn’t the time. “You okay?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe nods. “Fine.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eClose call. “Thankfully. I’m glad you’re here. You look…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Tired. I know. I’m definitely feeling the effects of pulling an all-nighter.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIs she kidding? “I was going to say gorgeous.” I can’t stop staring at her. She’s about the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. “It’s really a pleasure to meet you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“You, too.” She sticks out her hand, then retracts it with a laugh. “A handshake feels weird since I know you so much better than that.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eTrue, but I don’t want to make Sloan. “It does.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’m a hugger.” She bites her lip, looking my way with eyes like a hazy blue day and a pouty mouth I’m dying to taste. “Is that all right?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“That’s great.” I try not to sound lecherously enthusiastic as I open my arms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe sends me a soft smile and walks right in. Then I’m holding her tighter than is strictly polite, but she doesn’t complain. In fact, she wraps her arms around my neck, puts her head on my chest, and sighs into me. “This will probably sound crazy, but I needed this. I feel safer already.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Not crazy. I feel better, too.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eA few moments pass, and neither of us speaks. I grip her. She clings. Together, we breathe. I inhale her hint-of-strawberry scent. It makes me hard. I exhale lust, watching with excitement as she closes her eyes, nestling her cheek against my chest, and breathes it in.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eFuck. We’re fully dressed and standing in the middle of a crowded public space, and I’m already more aroused—and invested—in Sloan than the last half-dozen women I took to bed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNever mind being in trouble. I’m toast.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height: normal; margin: 6.0pt 0in 0in 0in;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Start reading now\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330730717425,"sku":"MTHY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330733043953,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45283442622705,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/7_MTHateYou.png?v=1781649139"},{"product_id":"more-than-desire-you","title":"MORE THAN DESIRE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI made her my fake fiancé for revenge. But I’m playing for keeps.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince my former best friend slept with my ex and blackened my reputation, I’ve been dying to get even. Now his innocent little sister needs a fake fiancé her brother can’t bully. As a billionaire, I make deals, so I’m down…as long as our engagement comes with benefits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe’s sizzling hot, and I can’t wait to have her writhing beneath me while I'm screwing her brother. And when it’s over, I’ll break her heart for fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut once our whirlwind engagement begins, I remember how sweet she is.\u003cbr\u003eI find out how ballsy she is.\u003cbr\u003eI can’t deny how perfect she feels in my bed.\u003cbr\u003eAnd I fall deeper than I bargained for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo to make her mine, I’ll have to play dirtier than ever…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e…revenge is a dish best served warm and with the sparks coming from the two of them this will be the sweetest and hottest story you will read in quite some time. Shayla Black once again proves to her readers why love, passion and a little bit of angst is something that she molds into a masterpiece\u003c\/em\u003e.” - The Overflowing Bookcase\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Desire You is part of the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/08_MTDesY_Tagline_2025_9ce961d3-7e9d-4ef3-bba5-845abbc34ea5.jpg?v=1781639437\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Xavian \u0026amp; Corinne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook, trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 86k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 251 Pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alpha Hero, Angst, Bad Boy\/Good Girl, Billionaire, Dominant Hero, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Engagement, Forbidden Love, Revenge, Temporary Fling, Virgin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 Inside MORE THAN DESIRE YOU 🔥\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Xavian Costa.” I step around my desk and approach, hand outstretched. The gesture is professional, but I’m mostly itching to touch her. “How can I help you? You said something about a proposal?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Yes.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe closer I get, the more familiar she seems. I stop in my tracks. “Have we met?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe takes my hand with a noncommittal smile. A sizzle jolts up my arm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHoly shit. Did she have the same reaction?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe looks startled, then quickly jerks her hand from mine, like I’ve burned her. “Thank you for meeting with me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSo she feels it, too.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’ll leave you now. Let me know if you need anything.” My assistant hustles to the door and closes it behind her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNow I’m alone with a woman who likely lacks the funds to invest. Rather than escorting her out, like I should, I’m hoping I can persuade her to lose her clothes and spread her legs for me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eInstead, I clear my throat and gesture to the chair in front of my desk. “Have a seat, please.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe nods and grips the pale clutch in her hand like she’s nervous, then crosses the room, her heels a soft click on my bamboo floors. The scent of her perfume wafts past me like a tease, something tantalizing I can’t put my finger on. Something I’ve never smelled until her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAs we both take our seats, my heart revs. Through thick lashes, she lifts her gaze. Our eyes meet again. The zing of awareness nearly knocks me back.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eJesus, I’ve been attracted to women before, but this pull is insane. Still, she’s supposedly here for business.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“What can I do for you, Ms. Rose?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eWith a nervous curl of her hair behind her ear, she swallows. “I wanted to talk to you in person. Like I said, I have a proposal. I think we can help each other.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eTo scratch an itch? I’m all for that. But the determination on her soft face tells me her pitch has nothing to do with sex. “You’re not here to invest.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“No.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“You led my assistant to believe you were.” There’s a chiding note to my tone. “I’m a busy man.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I know. I’ll make this as quick as possible.” She sets her clutch on the edge of the desk, then takes a deep breath and lifts her chin. “I’m Corinne Emerson, Parker’s sister.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHer admission is like a slap. No wonder she looked familiar. I see it now, though her face is less round and her curves more filled out. She grew from a cute kid into a drop-dead gorgeous woman. And Parker knows my weaknesses… \u003ci\u003eGoddamn it\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI stand. “Get out.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAs I march toward the door, she grabs my arm, her grip desperate. “Please. Just listen. Three minutes. If you still want me to leave then, I will.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Since your brother sent you to spy on me, everything you’re going to say is a lie. His ploy doesn’t surprise me, but it’s low—even for him—to dangle his eminently fuckable sister in my face. You should think twice about letting him use you as bait.” I pull free from her hold and yank open the door to my office. “Go. We don’t have anything to say.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“We do if you want revenge.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI shouldn’t be taken in by her BS or her pretty face, but that grabs my attention. “Explain.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe side-eyes the yawning portal. “Shut the door and I will.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI’ll probably regret this, but she said the magic word—\u003ci\u003erevenge. \u003c\/i\u003eSlowly, I comply. Of course I know Parker sent her to befuddle me with lust, gain my trust, and find out what I’m up to so he can devise new ways to bury me in the press. Or find fodder for his next book. Either way, I’m not falling for his bullshit. But I will take advantage of Corinne’s visit. If I keep her talking, she might divulge something useful, something I can use to destroy her brother once and for all.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSlowly, I shut the door and return to my seat. “Three minutes. If you don’t answer every one of my questions wholly and truthfully—”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I will.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eCasting her a skeptical glance, I set a timer on my phone. “The clock is ticking. Let’s pretend you’re not lying to me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’m not.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI scowl. “Why would you come to help me, of all people, get revenge against your brother?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“It’s a valid question…with a long explanation.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIs she trying to buy more time to lure me in? “Make it short.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe lets out a breath. “I run my own business. I started it in college as a fun way to make ends meet. Three weeks ago, everything changed and I’m in a financial bind. I need assistance now.” She pauses. “Or a fiancé.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eFor ten silent seconds, I simply stare. What she said doesn’t make sense, probably by design. I’m reluctant to get drawn into her sob story since I’m already too interested in the rest of her, but… “All right. I’ll bite. Your brother won’t help you with an investment or a loan?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eCorinne shakes her head. “He’s the roadblock, and he’ll kill four years of my work if I can’t find a way around him.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHer problem isn’t mine. It’s likely all bullshit anyway…but what if it’s not? What if her quandary really does give me the opportunity for sweet revenge against Parker? Since he can’t stand being thwarted, he would absolutely hate it if I helped her with whatever business issue he’s blocking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eBut even if I don’t, I could still win. Corinne and I share a mutual attraction. If we spent a filthy fuckfest of a weekend in my bed, my nemesis would absolutely despise that.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThat possibility alone makes her spiel worth listening to.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Tell me more.” I kill the timer on my phone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Thank you.” She sounds as if she genuinely means that.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI’m not convinced she would willingly traipse into my office to backstab her one-and-only brother. Corinne used to worship him. Then again, she was a kid. It’s possible she grew up, realized what a self-serving shitbag Parker is, and decided to take action so he can no longer hold her back.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I’ve always wanted to make jewelry,” she continues. “It’s something my mom and I enjoyed doing together when I was a kid. After she and my dad died, I kept doing it. I got good at it.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSince I have a vague recollection of her making a necklace for a friend the Christmas we met, I simply nod. “Go on.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“When I started college, my tuition, room, and books were paid for, thanks to an educational fund my parents started for me, but I needed money for food and expenses.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Parker had money.” He inherited a fortune from his late grandparents our junior year of college. The party we had in Vegas that spring break with a tiny fraction of it was sick.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I didn’t want his. I still don’t. Too many strings. And he’s always been big on me earning my own way so I could learn the value of a dollar and all that. That’s fine with me.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSomething Parker himself never had to do… “And?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I fell back on making jewelry. It was better than waiting tables until two a.m.” She shrugs. “So, as a freshman, I started an online store, selling my handcrafted jewelry.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Makes sense.” I’m impatient to get to the point. “What does this have to do with me?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“During the last four years, my business grew from something that paid for a few extra bowls of ramen each week to something that afforded me a nice little living. Nothing extravagant, but I could keep a roof over my head and have an occasional splurge, especially once I homed in on hand-beading bands for smart watches.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eLike the unusual one she’s wearing? “Where’s the problem? Did business drop off?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe shakes her head. “The opposite, actually. Three weeks ago, one of the \u003ci\u003eReal Housewives,\u003c\/i\u003e with millions of Instagram followers, made a completely unsponsored video, raving about the beaded smart watch band she bought from me. Orders blew up, and since then I’ve sold what I normally would in a year.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“That sounds like a good problem to have.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Yes…and no. I make everything myself in a corner of the lone bedroom in my seven-hundred-square-foot apartment in LA. I need a bigger space. I need some new tools. I need to hire staff to pack and ship all this stuff, handle customer service calls, and make me an occasional sandwich. I can’t do everything on my own anymore.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThat sounds like a genuine problem, but… “Your brother still won’t help you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe shakes her head. “He told me to get a ‘real job.’”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eOf course he did, while he’s living in a fucking McMansion in Malibu putting the shit he makes up in his head down on paper. The asshole. “If you’re working full-time and making a living, you have one.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Exactly.” She throws her hands in the air. “He keeps insisting I could be hired by a Fortune Ten company since I have a business degree with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. He conveniently forgets that I was a double major and I also have a BA in fashion design. But according to him, that isn’t worth the paper it was printed on. The thing is, I don’t want another job.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAnd he shouldn’t push her to get one. Unfortunately, Parker is always convinced he’s the smartest person in the room, and his ego won’t tolerate an opinion to the contrary. “Sounds like he hasn’t changed.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe presses her lips into a flat line. “He hasn’t.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI’m stupidly tempted to reach across my desk and caress her soft cheek in reassurance. I don’t. I’m still not convinced her visit isn’t merely a tactic to catch me off guard. “I understand the reasons you’re looking for financial help.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Without too many strings.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThat counts me out—at least under normal circumstances. I’m meticulous when it comes to managing clients’ money; even more so when it’s my own. But I get that she’s not looking for another Parker in her business. “What good would a fiancé do you? Well, unless he’s rich himself…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“I don’t want a handout from anyone. But a fiancé would help with my grandparents’ trust.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“They left you money, too.” Of course they did. So why isn’t she using that?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“A lot of it. Enough that I could be one of your clients if I could get my hands on it. But Parker—”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Holds the purse strings, and he won’t give it to you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“You know my brother well,” she returns acidly. “The way the trust is put together, I get all the funds without requiring anyone’s approval or any other stipulations at twenty-five. But that’s three years away. If I don’t get help now, my business will be long dead by then.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe’s right. When lightning strikes with a product, especially anything trendy, every minute counts. But something niggles at me. “Parker inherited all of his at twenty-one, no strings. Not you?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“No. My grandparents were old-fashioned. They were convinced I wouldn’t know how to manage that kind of wealth until I was older. Or had a man’s ‘steadying influence.’” She rolls her eyes. “So I could have the money today…if I got married.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe picture is clear now. If she’s telling the truth—big if—she must be horrifically pissed off at Parker. I would be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThen again, Parker is a master at weaving a woe-is-me tale. He probably crafted this one and spoon-fed it to his accomplice—a.k.a. his oh-so-bangable little sister—to finish bringing me down.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSo I feel compelled to poke holes in her story. “How will a fiancé help you if your grandparents’ trust stipulates that you have to be married to get your money before you turn twenty-five?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Well, technically, Parker is the trustee, so he could decide to give me my inheritance now. Of course, he refused.” And she doesn’t merely look pissed, but hurt, too. “He might change his mind, though, if giving me the money was the difference between me burying myself in my work and marrying you.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Start reading now\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44330856972529,"sku":"MTDESY1","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330860052721,"sku":"","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Hardcover (Discreet)","offer_id":45328736059633,"sku":"","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"11 eBook Bundle (\u0026 Save!)","offer_id":46037978906865,"sku":"RFRBNDL","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/8_MTDesireYou.png?v=1781639563"},{"product_id":"more-than-pleasure-you","title":"MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I convince her our hot but temporary engagement should last forever?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Stephen Lund, confirmed bachelor…and son of a successful billionaire whose sins I can’t forget—or forgive. Though he insisted I get over his transgressions, I can’t. So I put space between us with a temporary getaway to Maui. My rental’s sexy caretaker, Skye Ingram, is a beautiful distraction. Yeah, it’s a terrible time to start a fling, but I can’t help wanting to give her every bit of pleasure she’s willing to take.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Skye needs a date to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, I’m game to play her pretend fiancé. The jerk should see what he passed up…and that I’m holding her now. But our pretend engagement begins to feel real. Our passion certainly is. So are the consequences. When I’m confronted with the reality that our lives are now irrevocably entwined, I have to choose between leaving Skye to return to the life—and wealth—I’ve always known or abandoning everything familiar to start over with the woman who awakened my heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn outstanding, deliciously hot, fun and addictive plot that had me hanging on every word.\u003c\/em\u003e” – The Sassy Nerd Blog Review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Pleasure You is short novel in the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/MTPleasY_Tagline_2026_Chat.png?v=1781658813\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e✔️ \u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stephen \u0026amp; Skye\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 33k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 87 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Billionaire, Fake Engagement, Surprise Pregnancy, Temporary Fling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e Inside MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“\u003ca name=\"Skye_needs_a_date\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eWhat were you thinking? I can’t conjure up a fiancé out of thin air.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eWho the hell is that?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDespite the fact my head throbs, I look away from the calm blue ocean, glancing over my shoulder and above the rim of my sunglasses at whoever invaded my vacation rental uninvited. The source of the unfamiliar female voice isn’t hard to find. The blonde bustling around the living room fluffing pillows on the sofa has a cell phone pressed to her ear—and a really nice ass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“You’re not supposed to ask who I’m dating now,” she insists. “We broke up.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIs her ex sniffing around? I can’t see the blonde’s face, but the language of her very fine body tells me she’s annoyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I know you’re in a rough spot, Finn. Your wedding is this weekend. But you can’t ask me to fake-date any of your friends, even for a night. I know them all way too well. More importantly, so do your parents.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHer douchecanoe ex really just asked her to lie to everyone at his wedding by faking an engagement with some guy she doesn’t like? I haven’t caught a glimpse of the blonde’s face, but nothing I’ve seen leads me to believe she needs help finding someone new.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eYeah, I shouldn’t eavesdrop, and she clearly has no idea I’m sitting on the lanai, but even if I had the energy to get up, I couldn’t manage it clandestinely now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe tosses her hand in the air. “It’s not like I hang out in a singles mecca where I can pick up someone for the hell of it and decide to get married three weeks later.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Sorry.” She pauses, then sighs. “No. I really don’t care how you met Dana. You and I were never going to last, so I’m happy you found someone to spend your life with. I just wish you hadn’t told your parents I’d be bringing my nonexistent new fiancé.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHe did \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003ewhat?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs she paces the room, she listens, shaking her head. “I get that, but it’s not my fault they like me better than Dana.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSuddenly, she holds the phone away from her ear. “Don’t yell. I know. Apology accepted, but I’m working today. We have a guest arriving tomorrow. I’ll see what I can do once I’m off tonight. In the meantime, if my Prince Charming just happens to appear, I’ll let you know. Bye.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWith a sigh, she ends the call, pockets the phone, then pivots for the kitchen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHalfway through her turn, she spots me on the lounger through the open door and gasps. “Oh, my god. I didn’t expect anyone here. You overheard my conversation, didn’t you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMy first full glimpse of her is a TKO to my solar plexus. Her big brown eyes and her kissable pink mouth compete for the most mesmerizing feature on her stunning, makeup-free face. Disheveled golden hair spills around her slender shoulders, one slim section swaying in a bohemian braid with the breeze, brushing her mouthwatering breasts, which are hugged by a form-fitting white T-shirt. Shapely tanned thighs extend from brief denim cutoffs and end in bare feet decorated with cheery aqua polish and a toe ring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe’s not my usual kind of woman, but she’s fucking gorgeous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhy would anyone ever think she needs help finding a date?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Hard not to,” I admit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe closes her eyes. “Are you our next guest, Mr. Lund?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI nod, then regret it instantly, holding a hand to my aching head. “Just Stephen.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’m both very sorry and incredibly embarrassed.” She heads outside, hand outstretched. “I’m Skye.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe name fits her—earthy, natural, sun-kissed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs I slide my palm against hers, something new hits me. It’s more than a vibe, more than mere interest. Even more than simple lust, though I feel that, too. “Nice to meet you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe ends our handshake and slips into professional mode. “Welcome to the Aloha Rainbow house. I’ll be the property caretaker and your chef during your stay. I’m sorry the place wasn’t ready. I was told you wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“That was the plan…until I got a concussion. A friend of mine arranged an early check-in with the owners so I could recover in peace.” Bless Bethany for realizing I need some quiet and solitude—and not just to recover from my injury. Plus, my whack on the head buys me an extra day to evaluate whether this property is right for commercial development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry to hear that. Can I get you something?” Then she winces as if she worries her voice might be too loud and drops to a whisper. “Or do you just want me to stop talking?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI manage a smile. “You’re fine, but I spent last night in the hospital. The mattress was uncomfortable and the food was lousy.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“That sounds horrible.” She rushes forward to take my suitcase. “Would you like to go to bed?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Wow, you move fast. I mean, we \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003ejust\u003c\/i\u003e met. Normally, I’d at least buy you dinner first, but…” I wink her way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHer big eyes slide shut again. “Every time I open my mouth today, I insert my foot.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI laugh. “I knew you weren’t hitting me up for sex. Clearly, you’ve already got problems.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Those aren’t important. Let’s get you settled. I’ll take this upstairs to the master bedroom.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I got it.” The gentleman in me prods me to my feet to take my suitcase from her.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA wave of dizziness flattens me, and I stumble back on my ass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“How bad does your head hurt?” she asks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Like someone gave a metal-thrash drummer a double dose of speed, a sturdy hammer, and a steel trash can lid.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe winces. “Sounds terrible. Let’s put something in your stomach first.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe sets my suitcase aside and helps me to my feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI feel ridiculous for needing to lean on Skye, but the dizziness is no joke. But even if my head is protesting, the rest of me is perking up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAfter all, I’m injured, not dead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe smiles in understanding as she settles me on a barstool at the kitchen peninsula, then sets about cooking. “Did you have a car accident?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“No. A guy tried to bash in my head with a baseball bat.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHer eyes widen as she starts chopping. “Someone attacked you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I was defending a friend. It didn’t end as well as I’d hoped.” For anyone. But Bethany is all right. That’s what’s important. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’m also a licensed massage therapist. If you’d like an hour of my time…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe lure of relief—and yeah, her touch—is too much to resist. “How about after food?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Sure. I have a table I can set up on the lanai.” She grins as she assembles whatever she’s cooking on a baking sheet. “You can have a romantic sunset massage for one.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhile I’d love to get her naked, too, I’m in no shape to do anything but smile back. “I’ll take it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI watch Skye toss together the small meat-covered slices of bread, then she shoves them under the broiler. “Is your friend okay?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Fine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I’m sure she appreciates your help.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBethany isn’t in a place to appreciate anything right now, so I just shrug. “What can I say? I care about the people around me. So why don’t we talk about your problem?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSkye stiffens as she removes the crostini from the broiler. “That’s not necessary.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“So you’ve already got a solution?” I challenge, knowing full well she doesn’t.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe grabs a spatula from a nearby drawer, then plates the food while ignoring my question.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Finn is your ex, right? His parents don’t like his bride-to-be, Dana.” I frown. “Why would he invite you to his wedding?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“He didn’t; his parents did.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“So Finn’s folks invited you to the wedding, hoping…what? That he’ll see you and change his mind about marrying the ‘wrong girl.’ But since you’re over each other, he told them you found someone new. And now they’re expecting you to bring your new fiancé. Only you don’t have one. Does that sum up the situation?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe pushes a plate of crostini toward me. “Eat.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI dive in with gusto. Pleasure melts my taste buds. “This is amazing.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Thank you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Of course. I’ll go get the massage table.” She disappears, then returns a moment later with a fluffy white robe and helps me to my feet, guiding me to a half bath off the living room. “Change here. I’ll set everything up.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhen Skye shuts the door behind me, I shimmy out of my clothes. I’m a bit wobbly, but I manage to get naked and wrap the robe around me. When I open the door, Skye is tucking the last of the soft white sheets around the massage table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Get on the table, face down. I’ll be back in a few.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSkye bustles away. My stare glues itself to the golden waves of her hair brushing her back, above the sensual sway of her ass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eMy usual hookups are ballbusters in pencil skirts and stilettos. I enjoy melting women with strong wills into tiny, moaning puddles. But I’m not looking for a fling now. And forget relationships. Yet…when I lay eyes on this woman, I’m tempted to make an exception.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI squint against the afternoon sun as I peel off my robe and get supine on the massage table. Ocean waves crash, lulling me to a more relaxed state. A warm breeze skates over me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Ready?” Skye asks from a few feet away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Beyond. What are you charging me for this?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe pauses for the briefest of moments. “Nothing.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“I read the materials mentioned that massage was by appointment only and that there was an associated fee.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Normally, but this one is on me since you stepped up to defend a friend. That’s amazing.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSkye is \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003egiving\u003c\/i\u003e me this massage when she isn’t even the person I helped? “I just did what any friend would.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“That’s not true, but the fact you think so says a lot.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe makes me sound like some sort of saint. Nothing could be further from the truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhen her palm covers my nape and her fingers massage my seemingly concrete neck, I melt onto the table with a groan. “You’re fabulous at this.” As she slides her digits down the line of my aching spine, I groan. “Yes, right there. Oh…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDutifully, she digs in and wrests another moan from me. If I’m honest, it’s not the reason I’d like to be groaning with her, but hopefully I’ll be capable of more than flirtation tomorrow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“You carry a lot of tension in your neck and mid-back.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“High-stress job.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSkye fans her knuckles under my shoulder blades, eliciting another raw sound of pleasure. “What do you do?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e“I work with my dad. We have a global acquisitions and investments business.” Or we did. I don’t know what’s going on anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe digs her dainty elbow into the small of my back, wrenching another throaty groan from me. “If you keep that up the neighbors are going to think we’re back here getting freaky.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eHer melodic laugh buoys me. “You’re in luck. Our long-term renters are away for the holidays.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“Good to know. But you’re so amazing at this, I’m going to need you to massage me again. I’m happy to pay you, but if you’re helping me with my problem, I should help you with yours. Why don’t you let me take you to Finn’s wedding?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eShe freezes. “You can’t be serious.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“You need a date, and I can make that happen. C’mon… I’ll be the best fake fiancé you’ve ever had, baby. What do you say?”\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\" class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":47639607083249,"sku":"MTPLSURE","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330883350769,"sku":"","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/5.5_MTPleasureYou_d52f8e58-2002-4f80-b7b1-94846bf49d69.png?v=1781657044"},{"product_id":"more-than-protect-you","title":"MORE THAN PROTECT YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep the gorgeous, gun-shy single mother safe—\u003cbr\u003eand prove I’m the man for her?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Tanner Kirk—Certified firearms instructor and mixed martial arts enthusiast. When I filed for divorce at the end of an empty marriage, all I wanted was a vacation in paradise, not another woman in my life. But how can I possibly say no to Amanda Lund, a young single mom desperate to learn self-defense? Or refuse the banked desire on the guarded beauty’s face?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI can’t.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo I seduce Mandy until we’re burning up the sheets…and soon find my heart entangled with her bruised and battered one. But when a nemesis from her past tries to destroy our future by unearthing my secret, will she understand and forgive me—or give up on us forever?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eI adored these two so much! They were so perfect together! I love how Ms. Black manages to slip in just the right amount of suspense and passion...\u003c\/em\u003e” – The Sassy Nerd Blog\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Protect You is short novel in the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/MTProtectYSMTagline.png?v=1781712043\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tanner \u0026amp; Amanda\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 53k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 141 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Age-gap, Danger, Forced Proximity, Single Mom, Temporary Fling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e Inside MORE THAN PROTECT YOU \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e“I need my hands free…just in case.” \u003ci\u003eSomeone violent is lying in wait.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTrace nods like he understands. “Masey and I have been here for a bit. We haven’t seen anyone.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Great.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the place is safe, just that whoever’s stalking Amanda is clever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eShe climbs out of the car and dashes around to claim Oliver, cradling her son protectively as she shoots me an apologetic glance. “Sorry. He’s still behind on his sleep.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDoes she think I’m going to be angry because he’s fussy? “It’s no problem.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eShe sends me a stilted smile, then turns to my buddy. “Hi, Trace. Do you know where I can lay him down?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I just got here, but Masey is inside. She knows her way around this place.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I’ll ask her. Thanks.” She grabs Oliver’s diaper bag from inside the muscle car, soothes her fussy son with a whisper, then shoots me a sidelong stare before she disappears inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“How’s that going?” Trace asks once she’s out of earshot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI watch Amanda walk to the house. Every instinct I possess tells me to stay on her ass—not just the bodyguard in me…but the man. The latter is the only reason I’m giving her an inch of space. “She’s wary.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Of you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Until just now, I didn’t know if it was me or men in general. But she doesn’t have a problem with you.” And that chaps me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“What do you think is going on?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I have some theories.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMostly that she’s attracted to me, too. She’s definitely looked. God knows I have. Anything happening between us? It’s a bad idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTrace nods. “Got any luggage?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Yeah. I could use a hand.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHe hauls my duffel and Oliver’s rolling suitcase with the race-car motif inside. I handle Amanda’s enormous bag and my gun case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI haul Amanda’s bag into the corner and spot her and Masey talking. Both look through the wide, open arch to the spacious closet, where I see Oliver already stretched out on the floor, surrounded by pillows, dead asleep. That will do until the crib arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Need anything else?” the brunette asks Amanda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Did you find a grocery store nearby? Or a delivery service?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMasey fills her in on both. Trace starts hauling boxes out of what looks like an office space next to the master while his infant son babbles and shakes a soft toy from his bouncy seat in the corner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn his way back in, I snag his attention. “Hey, man. Where did you stash my bag?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI need to tour the place, assess its strengths and weaknesses, make any adjustments necessary for safety before night falls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Living room. I didn’t know where you’d want it. The spare bedrooms are on the other end of the house.” He thumbs in the opposite direction from the master.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat’s too far away from Amanda when she’s at her most vulnerable…but sleeping in the same room with her would be a bad, bad idea. “I’ll crash on the floor of that room next to hers.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“If you need anything else, let me know.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Thanks. And thank Masey for lending us a safe place to crash. It’s above and beyond.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHe sends me a sly grin as he lifts another box. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t regret staying with me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMasey follows him out the door when a roadside assistance truck arrives to change a flat tire on Trace’s truck. But I don’t see Amanda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhere the hell is she?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eShit!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI tear through the house. She’s not in the master bedroom or the office beside it. She’s not in the living room, the expansive kitchen, or either of the spare bedrooms on the far side of the house. Alarm sets in after I scan the laundry room. She’s not in the garage, either.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhen I realize I’ve searched the entire house, alarm turns to panic. The place is empty. Amanda is gone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eFuck\u003c\/i\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI scan the house again, running from room to room—kitchen, laundry room, living room, office—shouting her name. I don’t give a shit if the little ones wake up. I need to find this woman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMy heart revs. Terrible possibilities pelt my brain. Did someone follow us? Wait for the first moment I was distracted to seize her and drag her away against her will? Do god knows what to her\u0026gt; Is she, even now, fighting off the asshole with the knife, struggling for her life?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Amanda!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePanic burns through me. I try to remind myself that Amanda has fended off this guy before. She may be small, but she’s strong-willed. She’ll fight for herself. She’ll fight for her son.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBut with me here, she shouldn’t have to, much less alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Amanda!” I tear out of the master again and charge toward the hall. “Amanda!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“What?” I hear her just before I round the corner. I find her standing in the middle of the hall, staring at me like she has no idea why I’m overreacting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMultiple reactions hit me at once. Relief. Of course I’m thanking God she’s okay. Anger hits next, and I march straight for her. I’m damn near seething when I shove her against the nearest wall and pin her to it, planting my palm over her head. “Where the fuck did you go?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Out back. To see the beach.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIs she kidding? “Alone? Without telling me where you were off to?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I-I…” She doesn’t finish her sentence, but I see understanding cross her face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Didn’t think?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eShe sighs. “I’m not used to answering to anyone.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Get used to it.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Look, I hired you to keep me safe, not to be my—” She bites her lip like she knows better than to finish that sentence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Daddy?” I lean closer. Our eyes lock. “Is that what you were going to say?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe air between us turns thick. I see her breasts rising and falling inches from my chest. Her rough breaths are audible. Her eyes dilate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDo I scare her? Or is she aware that I’m not merely a bodyguard, but a man?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAmanda raises her chin. “You’re not.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt takes all my willpower not to touch her. “If you’re going to wander off alone when someone is out to kill you, I have no problem being yours.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFootsteps stomp through the front door moments before Trace and Masey round the corner and spot us. I jerk back. Amanda looks away in embarrassment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTrace clears his throat. “We just…um, need to grab Ranger and his gear from the office.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Sure.” I gesture him to the room at the end of the hall. I’m trying my damnedest not to look guilty, but I feel the thick sludge rolling through me, pushing the flash of anger from my veins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAmanda didn’t need me to yell at her. We haven’t had time to cover ground rules and best practices. And I still jumped down her throat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eMaybe my ex-wife wasn’t totally wrong about you being overprotective and possessive\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBut this is way worse. Stronger. Maybe I’m just on edge—I hope that’s it—but not knowing that Amanda was safe did something to more than my temper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTrace and Masey step past us and disappear into the office. An instant later, Amanda backs away from me, putting distance between us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I’ll just…get some water.” She whirls for the kitchen as if her ass is on fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt takes everything I have not to follow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe silence is awkward as Trace and Masey emerge with Ranger, then disappear after a few mumbled words, closing the door behind them with a final click.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI let out a breath and scowl. I’ve botched everything, and I need to apologize.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn my way down the hall, I pass the front door, ensure its locked, then do the same with the double glass doors overlooking the Pacific. Finally, I take a deep breath to get my shit under control before I head into the kitchen. Amanda faces the sink, staring out the window. The glass in her hand is shaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI feel like a shit. “I’m sorry.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eShe gives me a tight shake of her head. “You’re here to protect me, and I…wanted to see the ocean.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer explanation makes sense, but her hesitation as she voices her excuse tells me she’s lying. “I don’t believe you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eShe sets her glass on the pristine white counter and stares over her shoulder at me. “I have a lot on my mind.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWe’re getting closer to the truth, I sense. But that’s not everything. “Any of that have to do with me?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“Why are you here?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“For the money.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“If that’s the case, why won’t you stay on the job beyond a week?” Her gaze drills me. “I suggested a sum that should have been more than acceptable. You didn’t even consider it. As long as you lie to me, I won’t feel bad about lying to you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDamn it. Every time I fall into the trap of thinking she’s soft and vulnerable, she proves she’s made of stronger stuff. “I’m not lying; I need the money. But I also agreed because I don’t like women or children being threatened.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I’m not asking the right questions. Why were you worried about me just now? Honestly.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhat is she pushing me for? “It would be better if I didn’t answer that question. Once I tell you, you can’t unknow the answer.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOur gazes connect, and electricity pings between us. Goose bumps flare across my skin. Desire kindles in my gut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer whisper is the match that sets me ablaze. “You want me.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eI could try to lie, but Amanda knows. The elephant isn’t just in the room, it’s squatting in the middle. “Fine. You want the truth? I’ve already thought about stripping you naked and fucking you until you scream about a hundred times.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":47639611670769,"sku":"MTPRTCT","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330900816113,"sku":"","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/6.5_MTProtectYou_213e56c2-0622-4eb4-9b0c-ed581585ee50.png?v=1781666517"},{"product_id":"more-than-possess-you","title":"MORE THAN POSSESS YOU","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI persuaded my best friend that I should be her first…\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI’m Hayes Elliott. Since second grade, I’ve had one best friend, Echo Hope. When she graduates from college, of course I have to give her something amazing. Since I’ll be on a business trip to Maui, I’m bringing her along for a week of fun and sun. But once she sheds her long skirts, serious buns, and combat boots for bikinis, I can’t deny how stunning she is…and I can’t stop wanting her. Worse, she’s determined to lose her V-card—and has asked one of our man-whoring buddies to pluck it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’ve got to step in.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s underhanded, but I offer to do the job properly. Since I’m no one’s Prince Charming, I have no intention of following through. Suddenly, the kisses start and the clothes come off…and I can’t remember why I’m not supposed to make her mine in every way. Or why I shouldn’t be in love with her. But if I want Echo for more than a vacation fling, I’ll have to fight. And she’s about to find out how determined I am to upgrade my best friend to wife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eA beautiful story of love and family... Drama and a fast-paced, steamy and entertaining story\u003c\/em\u003e.” – Goodreads Reviewer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e**More Than Possess You is short novel in the Ruthless Devotion Contemporary Romance series, but every book can be read as a standalone. A HOT, romantic story with strong language, sexy times, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after!**\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/MTPossessY-Tagline-2026-V2.jpg?v=1781664661\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\/Hope Series\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain Characters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hayes \u0026amp; Echo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trade paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 149 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Grumpy\/Sunshine, Manwhore, Virgin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e Inside MORE THAN POSSESS YOU \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eQuarter after noon? I jerk upright. How the hell did I sleep so late?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI scramble for my phone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Rockwell',serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eWhere are you?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e I text Echo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe message goes unread.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eLying here won’t help me find her—or get the answers to my burning questions. Is she still upset? What is she thinking? What is she doing?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAfter charging out of bed, I rake a brush across my teeth and my fingers through my hair, throw on the first pair of shorts and tank I find in my suitcase, then grab my phone—texting Xavian as I leave the room.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Rockwell',serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSeen Echo this morning?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNo reply.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eGoddamn it. I hope like hell she hasn’t done something rash.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eIn the hallway, I see Xavian’s door propped open by the housekeeper. When I poke my head in, the maid is making his bed and tidying his room. No sign of X.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNo matter how many times I press the button to call the elevator, it doesn’t come faster. Finally, I reach the lobby and bound down the stairs, scanning the pools on either side of me. Honeymooners? Check. Parents with little ones? Those, too. Teenagers hang out, and retirees look damn glad their days of keeping up with kids are over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eBut I don’t see either X or Echo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eRetracing the garden path I trekked last night, I search the adults-only pool. But it’s so well hidden, the sucker is virtually empty. A senior citizen in a swim cap glares, silently warning me not to interfere with his laps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eCrossing back to the expansive lawn, I scan every visible inch of the property, including the balconies where brunchgoers are feasting. Nothing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNext, I scramble to the walkway and down the steps, avoiding a screaming passel of kids and a pair of lovers holding hands while eye-fucking. Past a riot of tropical flowers, I reach the end of the cement path and zip my stare over the resort guests hanging out at the hotel’s private beach to the soundtrack of someone’s too loud radio blasting Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNo sloppy bun or ugly yellow one-piece, which is all Echo has ever worn since her swim team days in the tenth grade. Maybe she’s in the water. Maybe she’s avoiding me. Or maybe she’s with Xavian, who’s “comforting” her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHe fucking better not be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eThen a woman’s ass in a two-sizes-too-small orange bikini snags my attention. This isn’t just any ass. Every golden inch of it is wide and round and juicy perched on top of a teeny, tiny waist. I shouldn’t be distracted when I’m looking for Echo, but this might be the most epic backside I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’d like to lay a lot more than my eyes on it. She’s also got curvy thighs that make me want to run my tongue down one side before I settle my mouth between them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eA glance warns me I’m not the only guy fixated on her long, loose braid swinging from one lush hip to the other, swishing against her pert ass with every slow, barefoot step she takes across the warm sand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eWait. She moves like… Holy shit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNo. That can’t be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eBut this woman is the right height. She has the same shade of caramel brown hair. I know Echo said she’d bought some bikinis…but that can’t be the body she’s been hiding under ankle-length skirts, too-big shirts, and comfortable sandals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eRight?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eXavian pops up from the ocean and starts chasing her. A giggle sounds above a crashing wave, and before the woman even turns her head, the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach warns me that the bikini babe with the most fuckable, bootylicious ass I’ve ever seen is my best friend.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe looks over her shoulder at X with a grin, then tosses her head back when he wraps his arms around her and tickles her ribs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eYep. It’s Echo. Fuck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAnd just like Nelly says, it’s getting hot up in this joint. Holy shit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI slept beside \u003ci\u003eher\u003c\/i\u003e last night? Without once touching her? Yep. And I’ve somehow looked past her without actually seeing her for years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eShe turns a mock glare at Xavian before laughing again and poking him in the abs. He retaliates by lifting her into his arms and heading straight for the surf. She squirms and protests. He murmurs something, his green eyes glued to her, his face way too close.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eI see red.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Echo!”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eXavian whips the two of them around. Her smile melts into a guilty expression as he sets her on her feet. Then I get a good look at the rest of her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eWhat’s left of my composure disappears.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eNever mind the cleavage her new and much briefer dresses have been flashing me. This bikini top is nothing more than two nanoscopic triangles, held together by a flimsy string. The swells of her breasts and a mind-boggling amount of side-boob fill my vision. The thin, damp fabric clings. Her hard nipples jut. Water drips down her sun-kissed ribs, licking over the ripe curve of her hips like a lover. I feel an instant, blinding urge to wrap my palms around them and clutch them tight as I sink my cock inside her, hold myself deep, and ruin her for every other man.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eStop thinking like that about your best friend\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eBut why be less than honest? The desire to strip off that bikini and coax her under me is blinding. Shocking. And undeniable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003e“Hayes,” she manages finally. “We were just, um…hanging out until you woke up.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eSlowly, I close the distance between us. I don’t mean to stare, but I can’t tear my gaze from her. \u003ci\u003eThis\u003c\/i\u003e is the funny, tender, romantic goofball I’ve been sharing movies, special occasions, and my deepest thoughts with?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eHow did I not \u003ci\u003esee\u003c\/i\u003e Echo?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: italic;\"\u003eAnd now that I have, I don’t know how I’ll unsee her.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in; line-height: normal;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e📚\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart reading now!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":47639642079473,"sku":"MTPSESS","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Paperback","offer_id":44330922410225,"sku":"","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/6.75_MTPosessYou_eeb6431f-f403-4190-a71d-f0a3ed807923.png?v=1781659482"},{"product_id":"more-than-promises","title":"MORE THAN PROMISES","description":"\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRuthless men. Fierce devotion. Love that consumes...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMORE THAN WANT YOU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eI wanted nothing more than revenge…until her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cem\u003e...fabulous, sexy, smart!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMORE THAN NEED YOU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eI discovered my ex's secret. Now I'll do anything to claim her for good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cem\u003e...will undeniably touch your heart and have you cheering for that second chance.\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMORE THAN LOVE YOU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eI made her my temporary wife. Now I'll do anything to claim her forever.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"\u003cem\u003eI loved More Than Love You so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/RD_Underlay.png?v=1781470374\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e✔️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruthless Devotion\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContains\u003c\/strong\u003e: More Than Want You, More Than Need You, More Than Love You\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormats:\u003c\/strong\u003e eBook\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWord Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 298k\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e N\/A\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior Reading Necessary?\u003c\/strong\u003e No\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Alpha Hero, Angst, Antihero, Fake Relationship, Famous Billionaire, Forced Proximity, He Falls First, Love Triangle, Manwhore, Marriage of Convenience, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePregnancy Pact, Revenge, Second Chance Romance, Secret Baby, Seduction, Single Mom, Temporary Fling, Workplace Romance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Start reading now!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44378132349169,"sku":"MTP1","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/3.5_MTPromises_34ab2d93-a050-4b6f-9584-0a9f6ae839d3.png?v=1781803882"},{"product_id":"ruthless-devotion-collection","title":"RUTHLESS DEVOTION COMPLETE DARK ROMANCE COLLECTION","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEXCLUSIVE COLLECTION - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"594\" data-start=\"528\"\u003eREVENGE. BETRAYAL. OBSESSION. LOVE WAS NEVER PART OF THE PLAN.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll spicy contemporary romances are either \u003cem\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/em\u003e or Barnes \u0026amp; Noble bestsellers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5,499+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reviews!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🔥 11 dark, addictive romances. One unforgettable series to obsess about.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside this steamy, heartfelt series\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Want You \u003c\/strong\u003e- Maxon and Keeley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Need You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Griffin and Britta\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Love You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Noah and Harlow\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Crave You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Evan and Nia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Tempt You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Clint and Bethany\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Pleasure You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Stephen and Skye\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Dare You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Trace and Masey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Protect You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Tanner and Amanda\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Possess You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Hayes and Echo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Hate You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Sebastian and Sloan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than Desire You\u003c\/strong\u003e - Xavian and Corinne\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/RD_Underlay.png?v=1781470374\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✔️Instant download • Secure transactions • Read on any device\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropes: \u003c\/strong\u003eAge-gap, Alpha Hero, Angst, Antihero, Bad Boy\/Good Girl, Billionaire, Blue-collar Hero, Breeding, Dominant Hero, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Engagement\/Relationship, Forbidden Love, Forced Marriage, Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers, Grumpy\/Sunshine, Insta-love, He Falls First, Love Triangle, Manwhore, Marriage of Convenience, One-night Stand, Revenge, Runaway Bride, Second Chance Romance, Secret Past, Single Mom\/Dad, Surprise Baby, Temporary Fling, Virgin, Workplace Romance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow readers are raving:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"Sexy, passionate and oh-so-clever!”\u003cbr\u003e– Lauren Blakely, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  \u003c\/strong\u003e\"Absolutely brilliant and a total must read!!!” – Best of Both Worlds: Books \u0026amp; Naughtiness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"…every bit of a sexy, can’t-put-this-book-down page-turner I wanted it to be.” – Reading in the Red Room\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ \"An outstanding, deliciously hot and addictive romance that had me hanging off every word.\" - The Sassy Nerd Blog\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌺 \u003cstrong\u003eHe Lost Her Once. Now He's Determined to Claim Her for Good. \u003c\/strong\u003e🌺\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs I step into my ex-girlfriend's backyard, a big banner across the yard stops me dead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT, BRITTA AND MAKAIO.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Britta is no longer mine, my head races. My blood boils.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow what? I’ve hardly come to toast the bride.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut when I find her in the crowd, the lust that hits me is stronger than ever.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree years ago, I corrupted every bit of her purity and left her with a pregnancy she hadn’t planned for—and myself with a mountain of regret.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow much does she hate me now? How many beds has she slept in since mine?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI should probably come back when she isn’t celebrating her engagement to another man, but I’ve come too far.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Britta,” I shout.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe whips around. Our eyes meet. My breath stops. God, she’s still so beautiful as she bears down on me, her eyes shocked and furious. “Why are you here, Griff?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“You must have known this day would come. I want to meet my son.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe braces her hand over her heart, flashing me a diamond solitaire. The sight of another man’s ring on her finger enrages me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSomeday, somehow, I will replace it with my own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1135\" data-end=\"1185\"\u003e📚 \u003cstrong data-start=\"1138\" data-end=\"1185\"\u003eStart your Ruthless Devotion obsession now.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shayla Store","offers":[{"title":"eBook","offer_id":44409661980913,"sku":"RFRBNDL","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Signed Print","offer_id":44439971660017,"sku":"","price":124.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Super Ultimate Spicy Romance eBook Bundle","offer_id":45632644514033,"sku":"SUSB","price":125.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/files\/RD_iPads2026.jpg?v=1781484809"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0684\/0936\/0625\/collections\/ReedFamReck_SIBLINGS.jpg?v=1709662130","url":"https:\/\/shaylablackstore.com\/collections\/ruthless-devotion-collection.oembed","provider":"Shayla Black's Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}