Hustled
Roya Carmen
Publication date: November 20th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Fun and Games.
An indecent proposal.
And a whole lot of heartbreak.

Pro billiards player Caine Hall is hot as hell. When he walks into the pool hall I co-own with my husband Reeves, I nearly fall all over myself. Over a few playful games, we get to know each other. He’s smooth and sly, and Reeves instantly hates his guts. He’d kick him out if Mr. Hall didn’t just happen to be our landlord.

He says he wants to help us, and we’re all ears. But when he makes us an outrageous proposal, we can’t believe the gall of the man. Caine wants to spend time with me. It’s innocent enough, albeit very weird. We’re desperate because we’re behind on our rent, so eventually, after much pondering, we reluctantly accept.

Caine treats me like a princess and shows me a whole new world. He takes things slow, just like he does at the pool table. Yet… he scares me — he’s intense and obsessive. And as he abuses his power, his demands and proposals intensify.

Reeves and I are falling apart. We keep telling ourselves we’ll say no next time, but Caine has got us both under his spell, efficiently manipulating us both in very different ways.

I’m anxious about my marriage and my unpredictable, hot-tempered husband. Yet I can’t stop thinking about Caine. He’s in my head. He’s under my skin. Reeves and I have agreed that this is simply a financial arrangement, something we’re doing for our livelihood.

So why have I let Caine hustle his way into my heart?

Hustled is a STANDALONE story. It will be part of a series of 3 standalone books – related but separate stories.

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EXCERPT:

“I officially rescind any future proposals. There will be no money. You’re absolutely right. You’re not a whore, and I’ve been completely out of line. You may go now.”

My jaw drops to the floor. Who does this guy think he is? “I may go now?”

“Yes, please go. ” He pulls away, and I ache for him. The sudden absence of his warmth leaves me hollow inside, like someone has scooped out my insides with a cold spoon.

My body betrays me completely—my skin prickles with goosebumps, my breath catches in my throat, and there’s this terrible, painful emptiness that only he can fill. I lean forward slightly, instinctively chasing his touch before I catch myself.

The space between us feels charged with electricity, crackling with unspoken need. A hint of his cologne—that tangy, distinct scent—still lingers in my nostrils, teasing me, reminding me of how close he was just seconds ago. My fingers twitch at my sides, wanting to reach out, to pull him back against me.

I hate the power he has over me. I hate how my body responds to his without my permission, like it belongs to him instead of me. But I can’t deny the physical ache that spreads through me, radiating from my core outward, making me feel both weak and desperately alive at the same time.

I shove him hard.

He recovers quickly. “Do I need to call security? ”

I watch him as he walks away from me. I’ve really done it this time. What must the man think of me? He reaches into his desk. For a chequebook? For a security button?

I huff. I hate him so much, I can’t stand it. “And another thing, Mister. You’re not as perfect as you think. One of your ears sticks out more than the other… it makes you look goofy.”

His gaze reaches mine, and that maddening smile curves his lips again. “Is that so? I never realized. Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention, Jenna.”

Just as he’s about to take a seat at his desk, he changes his mind and stands. “Let me show you out,” he says cooly, and every syllable grates me — how dare he be so calm and collected, when I just want to rip his head off.

But when we get to the door, he presses me against it, his body claiming mine—and I lose complete control.

I’m his. All his.

His hands find the hem of my skirt, rough and demanding as he hikes it up. My back presses against the cold door, a stark contrast to the heat of his body pinning me there. I gasp as his fingers trail up my thighs, leaving fire in their wake.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispers, his breath hot against my neck. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

But I can’t. The words won’t come. All I can manage is a desperate whimper as his hands climb higher, stroking the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. My head falls back against the door with a soft thud.

“Caine,” I breathe, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears.


Author Bio:

Mom, writer, bookworm, comic artist, and hopeless romantic.

Author of The Ground Rules trilogy, the One Week series, the Riverstones series, the Orchard Heights series, and the You collection.

ALL my books are standalone reads with the exception of The Ground Rules Book 2 and 3. Although the books are standalone reads, when reading a complete series, it is best to do so in chronological order to avoid spoilers. And if you’re a comics fan, check out my comic book: A Romantic Life. 🙂

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𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙢𝙚, 𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮. 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚.

𝗛𝗶𝘁 & 𝗥𝘂𝗻 by @authorkinsleykincaid
ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1 ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ꜱᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴀɢᴇɴᴄʏ ᴅᴜᴇᴛ

𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏 

🔗 https://amzn.to/4cj0i0b

#HitandRun #KinsleyKincaid
Trick or Treat: The Rebirth by @km.rogness_author

Available Now on KU

🔗 https://a.co/d/fzlhGw3

BLURB

Five years ago, Scarlett's life changed drastically.
Manipulated into believing she was responsible for the death of her friend, four masked men swooped in to torment her, making her life hell.
By the time she found out the truth it was too late; they had already turned her into someone as ruthless as them… though, someone much worse. The night they died tragically at her hands, a part of Scarlett died too—the good part.
Now she's hurting in ways she doesn't understand. On top of that, she's confused, hiding dark and twisted thoughts that are far worse than the memories of the horrendous things they did to her.
She spent years trying to find some sort of balance for her life while continuing working to rehabilitate society's most dangerous villains and meticulously plotting her revenge.
Scarlett's finally ready to pick up where her masked men left off—determined to finish what they started. She soon realizes there's nobody left. So with no clear target, who is she after and… why? More importantly, who is going to help her?
The nightmare in Salem is back, and this little sinner is hell bent on living up to her name. Just like five years ago, this Halloween will be one that no one ever fucking forgets.

**** This is book 2 in the Nightmare in Salem duet. Book 1, Trick or Treat: the alternate ending must be read first in order to understand the events and characters in this book.

THIS IS NOT A DARK ROMANCE.
IT'S AN EROTIC HORROR.

#TrickorTreatTheRebirth #KMRogness #EroticHorror
The past they buried …became the future they couldn’t resist.

Beneath Her Sins by @sk_pryntzauthor

🔗Pre-order it here → https://amzn.to/3NrTqDR

What to expect…
Self ouchie MMC/FMC
False Prophet
Yakuza
Female Chastity belt
Seduce a priest.
Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned
There will be tears
Familiar friends

Jedidiah:
I was supposed to walk away clean.
One dead man. One tempting woman.
And a whole lot of blood on my hands.
I never asked to be her savior. I damn sure wasn’t looking to be a priest. But penance tastes better than prison, and hiding in a collar kept my past where it belonged—six feet under.
That is…until she showed up.
In my church.
On her knees.
Now the woman I saved is playing the saint, whispering scripture while dragging hell back to my doorstep. I recognize her but I can’t prove she’s the devil sent to damn me. But my body can. Every taunt of her wicked words pulls me deeper.
The worst part?
I want her to ruin me.

Sayuri:
He was my salvation.
And my destruction.
He killed my husband and vanished, leaving me to take the fall.
For years, I dreamed of finding him. Not to thank him.
To burn him. Break him. Watch him bleed like I have all these years.
Now I have found him again, preaching sermons in some forgotten little church, while hiding behind stained glass and God’s mercy like it could save him. I’ve joined the flock. Become his disciple. Learned every way to tempt a priest into sin.
But I wasn’t ready for this man.
Not his hands.
Not his guilt.
Not the way he says my name like a confession.
I came here to destroy him, to show him the darkness he thought he could outrun…so why am I feeling the burn of the flames meant for him?

#skpryntz #mafia #taboobooks #beneathhersins
Bad Bunny by @authorlexidavis 

🔗 Available Now! ➤ https://amzn.to/4sS6iCG

Bad Bunny is a steamy page-turning, heart-pounding, swoony bunny shifter fantasy featuring a possessive prince, fated mates, forced proximity, enchanted weapons, ancient magic, and a heroine who refuses to bow to destiny. Perfect for readers who love paranormal romance, fantasy shifters, protective alpha heroes, and high-stakes romantic adventure.

You’ll love Bad Bunny if you enjoy:
🐇Bunny Shifter
💘 Strangers to Lovers
🐇One Bed
💘 Fated Mates
🐇Royal on the Run
💘 Steamy Fantasy Romance
🐇Touch Her & 💀

This Easter, the hunt is for a throne. And her. 

#lexidavis #spicynovella
Made To Break: Boys of Lockridge by @ashlynnauthor

Preorder: [https://a.co/d/a6BvR6H](https://a.co/d/a6BvR6H)

 Last Chance ARC Sign up:[https://forms.gle/psN6i8xY3JTjq9zR6](https://forms.gle/psN6i8xY3JTjq9zR6)

Release Date: 3 weeks

 Dark College Bully Romance

 Psychological Torment

 Obsession, power imbalance, and unforgivable MMC’s

#MadeToBreak #AshlynnAuthor #BullyRomance