First Glance (A Steamy Series-Starter Anthology), page 58
He brings me in for a hug, then eases away. “I promised Allen I wouldn’t cry tonight. And you better not, either. You’ll ruin your makeup, and you look too stunning for tears, darling.”
“Can’t have that...”
“Exactly. Now, come on. You have a New Year’s party to hostess.” He winks.
I wink back. “I do.”
He leads me into the hall, where my best friend, Kristi, is already waiting, in a gorgeous red dress that shows off her killer curves and a giant smile. “You look amazing. I’m so happy for you, girl.”
“I’m happy for me, too. Maybe for the first time in my life.”
She sighs wistfully. “I wish I could be half as lucky.”
“You will be.” I squeeze her hands. “Let’s put it out into the universe. I know there’s a man out there who will love you unconditionally forever. We just have to find him.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” she quips. “But today is about you. Ready to make your grand entrance?”
“Beyond.”
She turns to a niche in the hallway and hands me a cluster of roses. “You’ll need this.”
We share a last smile, and the music starts. Kristi walks down the hall and into the dining room in time with the music, catching the eye of more than one of Rand’s single officers. Then the music changes, David squeezes my hand, and it’s time.
Suddenly, the small crowd stands and I walk past a lot of familiar faces—Rob, my mother and her husband, two of Rand’s brothers, and their parents—all wearing beaming smiles.
At the end of the room, my gorgeous hunk of a bodyguard-turned-boyfriend waits for me with his heart in his eyes. His older brother, Ransom, stands beside him, looking handsome and a bit mysterious in a charcoal suit.
“So I take it this isn’t actually a New Year’s Eve party?” Rand’s brother, Rush, calls out, clearly catching on.
“No, it’s a wedding. Surprise!” I call over my shoulder.
Everyone chuckles as the minister smiles and asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do.” David pats my hand softly before placing my palm in Rand’s and dropping a tender kiss on my cheek.
Ten minutes later, our previously stunned guests are still grinning or conspicuously sniffling as the minister pronounces us man and wife.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Rand does with gusto to a roomful of whistles and catcalls when the pucker goes on longer than is strictly polite.
“Get a room!” Rand’s youngest brother, Ridge, shouts.
My husband—wow, it seems crazy to say that—takes my hand and starts dragging me down the makeshift aisle. “Best advice I’ve gotten all day. Good night, everyone. Thanks for coming!”
I dig in my heels as everyone laughs.
Ransom approaches first and welcomes me to the family with a kiss on the cheek. His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. All of Rand’s brothers have an edge, as if they’re expecting danger at any moment. Then again, that’s the norm in their world.
Rand pulls me in for another kiss as his mother opens her arms for a hug. Charlene is a lovely, kind woman, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law.
“You look beautiful, Sophie.” Her eyes water. “I know you and Rand will be very happy.”
“We will.” I know it in my heart.
“We promise,” my husband adds, tossing a possessive arm around my waist.
“And since you’re the first one of your brothers to get off his backside and get married”—Charlene sends Ransom a pointed glare, which he pretends not to notice—“when can I expect some grandkids?”
Rand sighs. “Mom, we’ve literally been married three minutes. Let us go on our honeymoon and settle into some sort of normal life. Then we’ll start talking—”
“July,” I cut in softly, casting a hopeful stare to my husband.
He swallows. “Y-you want to get pregnant in July?”
I bite my lip and shake my head. “We’re going to have a baby. In July. Surprise…”
Rand pales. “Oh, holy shit. You’re serious? We are? You’re already pregnant?”
“Yes.” I blink, and my stomach plummets to my toes. “Please tell me you’re happy.”
“Happy? No.” Then the biggest smile I’ve ever seen crosses Rand’s face. “I’m thrilled! Oh, honey…”
He lays his lips over mine, and the small, trusted crowd of guests claps for the beginning of our long, happy life together.
Thank you for reading First Glance! If you enjoyed this collection of firsts in series, please review and recommend it to your reader friends. That means the world to me!
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Want to see the next Garrison brother protect and claim his lethal boss’s off-limits daughter?
SEDUCED BY THE SPY
Forbidden Confessions: Protectors, Book 2
by Shayla Black
(available in eBook)
Click here to purchase!
What will she surrender to him for his protection?
I’m Vanessa.
Someone has broken into my place…but taken nothing.
I’m terrified.
And alone.
My work crush appears unexpectedly and offers to keep me safe.
At what price?
We have a past Rush doesn’t remember…
So I offer him a night he won’t forget.
But he already knows everything about me—my ambitions, habits, and forbidden desires.
And that’s not the only secret he’s been keeping…
EXCERPT
Something is wrong. Trouble brews in my gut. I’m still alive because I’ve learned to listen to my instincts.
So I do the one thing I haven’t done in all the months of watching her. I get out of my car and head for her house.
Ahead of me, the wind blows her door ajar. I see no sign of her. That’s not good. Standing in the gathering darkness, I peer through the crack and see only the vague outline of her purse on a nearby chair. There’s a pile of something—clothes?—on the kitchen floor. Her alarm isn’t whining.
Vanessa is nowhere in sight.
Before I charge in, she comes tearing around the corner. The moonlight shafting through the windows tells me she’s not naked—but it’s close. It also puts her figure in silhouette. Under the silvery beams, I glimpse a flash of her pale hair and creamy, soft skin. The rest of her is all but swallowed up by stark shadows that outline the jut of her breasts and the hard points of her nipples. The slight sway of her back is like a willow—bending and moving with grace. The round curves of her pert ass attest to her youth and enthusiasm for Pilates. Her thighs are slender, her calves strong, and her feet delicate.
I burn. I hunger. I need.
I push it aside when I realize she’s running to the kitchen like her very fine ass is on fire and she scoops up her clothes.
Before I can charge in and find out what’s wrong, she yanks her slightly squeaky front door wide open. She’s not expecting me. I don’t want to scare the hell out of her. But the way she’s scrambling and trembling tells me that ship has sailed.
What spooked her?
I need to find out and neutralize it—now.
WHAT TO READ NEXT
WICKED AND DEVOTED SERIES
Don’t forget the epic conclusion of Brea and One-Mile’s story!
WICKED EVER AFTER
The good girl is keeping a secret? He’ll seduce it out of her until she begs to be his.
REED FAMILY RECKONING SERIES
Griff fights ruthlessly to claim Britta for good!
MORE THAN NEED YOU
I discovered my ex’s secret. Now I’ll do anything to win her back.
FORBIDDEN CONFESSIONS: PROTECTORS SERIES
Rush Garrison does the one thing that might get him killed. He falls for the boss’s daughter.
SEDUCED BY THE SPY
What will she surrender to him for his protection?
LET’S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER!
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than eighty contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.
As an only child, Shayla occupied herself by daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and started pursuing a publishing career. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America, her heart was with her stories and characters, so she left her pantyhose and power suits behind.
Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, gaming, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOU.
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Other Books by Shayla Black
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
WICKED & DEVOTED
Romantic Suspense
Wicked as Sin (One-Mile & Brea, part 1)
Wicked Ever After (One-Mile & Brea, part 2)
Wicked as Lies (Zyron & Tessa, part 1)
Wicked and True (Zyron & Tessa, part 2)
Coming Soon:
Wicked as Seduction (Trees & Laila, part 1) (March 15, 2022)
REED FAMILY RECKONING
Angsty, emotional contemporary romance
SIBLINGS
More Than Want You (Maxon & Keeley)
More Than Need You (Griff & Britta)
More Than Love You (Harlow & Noah)
BASTARDS
More Than Crave You (Evan & Nia)
More Than Tempt You (Bethany & Clint)
FRIENDS
More Than Dare You (Trace & Masey)
Coming Soon:
More Than Hate You (November 9, 2021) (Sebastian & Sloan)
1001 DARK NIGHTS
More Than Pleasure You (Stephen & Skye)
More Than Protect You (Amanda & Tanner)
More Than Possess You (A Hope Series crossover) (Echo & Hayes)
FORBIDDEN CONFESSIONS (Sexy Shorts)
Sexy Bedtime Stories
FIRST TIME
Seducing the Innocent
Seducing the Bride
Seducing the Stranger
Seducing the Enemy
PROTECTORS
Seduced by the Bodyguard
Seduced by the Spy
Seduced by the Assassin
Seduced by the Mafia Boss
Coming Soon:
FILTHY RICH BOSSES
Tempted by the Billionaire (February 8, 2022)
THE WICKED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Steamy Romantic Suspense
Wicked Ties
Decadent
Delicious
Surrender to Me
Belong to Me
Wicked to Love
Mine to Hold
Wicked All the Way
Ours to Love
Wicked All Night
Forever Wicked
Theirs to Cherish
His to Take
Pure Wicked
Wicked for You
Falling in Deeper
Dirty Wicked
A Very Wicked Christmas
Holding on Tighter
THE DEVOTED LOVERS (Complete Series)
Steamy Romantic Suspense
Devoted to Pleasure
Devoted to Wicked
Devoted to Love
THE UNBROKEN SERIES
(co-authored with Jenna Jacob)
Raine Falling Saga (Complete)
The Broken (Prequel)
The Betrayal
The Break
The Brink
The Bond
Heavenly Rising Collection
The Choice
The Chase
Coming Soon:
The Commitment (June 7, 2022)
THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN (Complete Series)
(co-authored with Lexi Blake)
Steamy Romantic Suspense
Scandal Never Sleeps
Seduction in Session
Big Easy Temptation
Smoke and Sin
At the Pleasure of the President
MASTERS OF MÉNAGE (Complete Series)
(co-authored with Lexi Blake)
Steamy Contemporary Romance
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Secretary
Their Virgin Mistress
STANDALONE TITLES
Naughty Little Secret
Watch Me
Dirty & Dangerous
Her Fantasy Men
A Perfect Match
THE HOPE SERIES (Complete Series)
Steamy Contemporary Romance
Misadventures of a Backup Bride
Misadventures with My Ex
Coming Soon:
More Than Possess You (A Reed Family Reckoning crossover)
SEXY CAPERS (Complete Series)
Bound and Determined
Strip Search
Arresting Desire
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
STANDALONES
The Lady and the Dragon
One Wicked Night
STRICTLY SERIES (Complete Duet)
Victorian Historical Romance
Strictly Seduction
Strictly Forbidden
BROTHERS IN ARMS (Complete Trilogy)
Medieval Historical Romance
His Lady Bride
His Stolen Bride
His Rebel Bride
Shayla Black, First Glance (A Steamy Series-Starter Anthology)
