Forever a Stallion

All he wants is forever—in her arms

Phaedra Parrish’s life takes a sudden turn when she discovers she’s a member of the legendary Stallion clan. In Dallas to meet her newly found half brothers, the worldly photographer isn’t looking for romance—or commitment. But self-made hotel tycoon Mason Boudreaux III won’t take no for an answer. Under starry Texas skies, the dashing and debonair CEO is showing Phaedra what men in the West are really like.

Mason’s got everything riding on his make-or-break business deal with the Stallions. Now the corporate playboy has an even stronger reason to merge with them: his desire for their exquisite, free-spirited sister. But Mason wants more than just a business deal. He wants to get to know the woman behind the camera. From a sprawling Western ranch to an exotic private island, Mason woos Phaedra…but will she say I do to a lifetime of forever in his arms?

She nodded her head as she

eased around him, treading gently

to keep from falling into the water.

As she stepped into his space, Mason inhaled the scent of her perfume, a light floral fragrance wafting beneath his nose. Before he realized what he was doing, he clutched her arm, pulling her to him. He hesitated for only a moment, Phaedra meeting his intense stare with a look of her own. Her breath caught deep in her chest, and her heart raced unexpectedly.

Without a second thought, Mason leaned in to kiss her, allowing his lips to lightly graze hers. His breath was hot with wanting, his full lips quivering in anticipation. He pulled away and stared into her eyes a second time and then he dropped his mouth to hers, meeting Phaedra’s lips in a deep, soul-searing kiss.

Time seemed to come to a standstill. Phaedra felt as if the world had rotated her into the stratosphere, with everything spinning around her. Mason held her tightly, his hands burning hot against the bare skin of her arms and shoulders. His body melded tight to hers and both were in awe of the sensations, feeling as if they were melting one into the other. When he finally pulled back, both of them gasping for air, he knew beyond any doubt that he had absolutely fallen in love with Phaedra, and Phaedra was falling in love with him.

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

Writing since she was thirteen years old, Deborah Fletcher Mello can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first romance novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2005 she received Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel The Right Side of Love, and in 2009 won an RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. Most recently, Deborah’s eleventh novel, Promises to a Stallion, has earned her a 2011 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Hero of the Year.

For Deborah, writing is as necessary as breathing and she firmly believes that if she could not write she would cease to exist. Weaving a story that leaves her audience feeling full and complete, as if they’ve just enjoyed an incredible meal, is an ultimate thrill for her. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.

Forever a Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I have absolutely loved my four billionaire brothers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion. With their individual stories finished, I was ready to move on. But something kept pulling at my creative spirit, demanding that I continue what I’d started, and it soon became clear that the Stallion family’s story was far from over.

Discovering the illustrious Phaedra Parrish, the one and only Stallion sister, came as a complete and total surprise to me. But as the details of her story unraveled, I found myself completely enthralled. I loved introducing Phaedra to her brothers and watching the new family dynamics unfold.

Forever a Stallion also introduces the Boudreaux family out of New Orleans, opening the door to much, much more to come.

As always, I appreciate the love and support that you continue to show me. I love to hear what you think, so please don’t hesitate to contact me at DeborahMello@aol.com.

Until the next time, take care and God bless.

With much love,

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.deborahmello.blogspot.com

To Wes “Third” Woody,

You are a source of sheer inspiration.

Your bright smile absolutely moves my spirit.

Please know that you are much loved.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 1

Mason Boudreaux extended a large hand toward the president and chief executive officer of Stallion Enterprises. John Stallion shook it heartily, cementing his company’s five-billion-dollar acquisition of the Boudreaux hotel chain.

“Congratulations!” Mason intoned as John’s brother, Matthew Stallion, popped the cork on a vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne.

John nodded. “And congratulations to you, as well, sir. I’m sure this means that you will be wearing retirement quite well.”

“I don’t know about retirement.” Mason let out a deep chuckle. “But I imagine I’m going to have a hell of a time with whatever my next business venture might be.”

Matthew passed each man a crystal flute filled with drink. “Well, Mason, if your next adventure is as profitable as this one was, you’ll be doing exceptionally well for yourself, my friend.”

Mason nodded his agreement as he lifted his champagne glass in salute, celebrating the sale of his hotel-owning company to the Stallion family. At his age of thirty-seven, selling the forty-five hundred hotels that constituted Boudreaux International Hotels and Resorts was a testament to his hard work and dedication. The multibillion-dollar payment was an acknowledgment of his success.

“And now that Boudreaux International is under the Stallion umbrella, I can only hope and pray that we will continue to build on all of your accomplishments,” John said, grinning broadly, “which is why I’m happy that we could convince you to stay on board in a consulting capacity. I’m certain that we’ll need to draw on your knowledge and experience.”

Mason took a sip of his drink. “It’s going to be a great partnership and I’m glad we’re keeping it in the family,” he said as he gestured in Matthew’s direction.

Matthew laughed. “I appreciate that, brother-in-law. More than you know.”

“Oh, I know!” Mason said, laughing with him. “I know my sister. I’m sure Katrina has just about worked your last nerve offering her advice about this deal. I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s wrangled me to give her opinion.”

“You know it!” Matthew said, thinking of his beautiful new wife. Mason’s sister Katrina and he had married a few weeks earlier. His whirlwind relationship with the district court judge had taken them both by surprise and now the couple was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child together. “And those pregnancy hormones have not helped.”

The third oldest Stallion brother, Mark, chimed in as he stepped through the conference room door. His baby daughter was clutched to his chest, the six-month-old little girl looking around in wide-eyed wonder. “Well, the wives are headed upstairs. Good news traveled fast.”

“I swear, it’s like they all have radar.” John laughed and shook his head. He leaned to nuzzle his niece’s chubby cheek.

“I heard that, John Stallion,” his wife, Marah, said as she led the way into the oversize room.

John laughed as the beautiful woman moved to his side. He leaned to kiss her lips, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. “I didn’t say anything, baby!”

Marah rolled her eyes as she kissed him back. “Uh-huh. Sure you didn’t!”

Mark’s wife, Michelle Stallion, waved her hand in greeting as she brought up the rear. “Hey, everyone,” she said brightly as she reached to take her daughter from her husband’s arms. Mark wrapped them both in a deep bear hug.

“Congratulations!” Katrina shouted. She moved to kiss her brother’s cheek first and then her husband’s. “This is so exciting!” she said as she nestled close against Matthew’s chest.

Matthew caressed the bulge of new baby that protruded from her abdomen, his fingers lingering where the baby kicked once, and then a second time. “Yes, it is!”

With the arrival of the women, the chatter in the room rose exponentially. Mason was feeling right at home as he looked around at the gleaming faces. Family—the best cheerleaders any man could wish for. He and his sister Katrina came from a large family, so this felt very much like home to them both. He grinned widely as he noted the endearing gestures she and her husband exchanged.

He couldn’t help being in awe of the wealth of love that filled the room. With Matthew and Katrina; John and his wife, Marah; and Mark, his wife, Michelle, and their new baby girl, Irene, the room overflowed with love.

Mason was suddenly introspective as he imagined what it might be like to have someone of his own to love. He had mastered professional success to the detriment of his personal life. Although he’d enjoyed the many beautiful women who had gone hand in hand with his lifestyle, he’d grown weary of the endless workweeks and his playboy lifestyle. Mason found himself not only ready for a change, but actively searching for the comforts family and stability would afford him. Selling his business could not have come at a more opportune time. He could feel himself grinning at the prospects.

His thoughts were interrupted by the persistent chatter. He shifted forward in his seat as he drew his focus back to the conversation.

“Where’s Luke?” Katrina was asking. “And Joanne? I thought they’d be here.”

John shook his head. “Last-minute wedding chores. They had to have their final session of couple’s counseling with Reverend Barnes, and this was the only time he could fit them in. They’ll catch up with us all later.”

“Speaking of chores,” Marah interjected. “We ladies have a very long list of things to get done. Between the rodeo and the wedding, we’ll be running from one event to the next through the end of the month, and that takes some preparing for. Each one of us is going to need a few new outfits to wear. Isn’t that right?” she said as Michelle and Katrina nodded in agreement.

Mark winked toward his brothers, shaking his head. “I told Luke to elope but no, you women had to throw in your two cents. He and Joanne could have been married by now. Done and finished. Then none of you would need to do any shopping at all!”

John laughed. “Do not get these women started, please.”

Marah tapped John against the chest. “You’ve got some nerve.”

“Don’t pay either one of them any attention,” Katrina said, rolling her eyes skyward. “Matthew will tell you that he enjoyed every second of our wedding. Didn’t you, honey?”

Matthew leaned to kiss her cheek. “That’s right, my darling! Walking down the aisle with you was the best thing I ever did,” he said, winking at the men.

Mason chuckled. “It sounds to me like you guys have your hands full.”

Matthew’s head bobbed up and down. “Oh, no, not at all,” he said, his eyes widening mischievously as Katrina punched him playfully in the arm.

Mason grinned broadly as he watched his sister and brother-in-law, the two teasing each other playfully. It had been a long time since he’d seen Katrina so happy. Joy shimmered out of her dark eyes, everything between her and her husband exemplifying the dynamic relationship they shared. An unexpected hint of jealousy flooded Mason’s spirit. As if reading his mind, Katrina moved to her big brother’s side, wrapping her arm around his broad shoulders.

“There will be a lot of beautiful, successful women for you to meet while you’re here in Dallas, Mason,” she said casually.

Mason smiled. “Really?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.

Katrina nodded. “You might even find us a new sister-in-law if you play your cards right, big brother!”

Tossing his head back, Mason laughed heartily. Saying nothing aloud, he leaned to kiss his sister’s cheek. From your mouth to God’s ears, he thought to himself, his smile brightening even more. From your mouth to God’s ears!

Chapter 2

Phaedra Parrish closed and locked the front door of her family home after bidding a member from her mother’s church goodbye. People had been popping in to check on her since the funeral, and with the day being her twenty-eighth birthday, there had been a revolving door of family and friends coming to give her support. It had been a long day and an even longer month, and she was glad for the wealth of silence that quickly enveloped the room. She sighed deeply as she dropped down onto the cushioned sofa that sat opposite her mother’s favorite rocking chair.

As she stared at the empty seat, Phaedra’s tears clouded her dark eyes. It didn’t feel as if a whole month had passed since her mother, Arneta Parrish, had last rocked in that chair, everything seemingly well. Then without warning, a pulmonary embolism had taken her away. Their family doctor had reasoned that she’d probably been experiencing symptoms days earlier, the blood clot traveling from her leg to her lung. But Phaedra had not been there to know, and now her mother was gone from her.

Swiping at the tears that fell down her cheeks, Phaedra closed her eyes and inhaled, filling her lungs with a deep breath. She couldn’t help wishing that she’d come home as originally scheduled instead of extending her photography assignment those additional days. Had she been home, then just maybe her beloved mother would still be there with her.

Even as the thought crossed her mind, Phaedra could hear her mother admonishing her, the woman’s deep alto voice echoing in her thoughts. “You’re wasting time, little girl! Focus on what you need to do and get your narrow behind to doin’ somethin’ worthwhile.” And just as the thought crossed her mind, she felt a warm breeze blow through the room and a gust of wind gently caressing her cheeks.

Phaedra rose to her feet, wrapping her arms tightly around her torso. Across the room she imagined that her mother’s chair was rocking, the movement ever so slight, and she couldn’t help smiling, sensing that Miss Arneta was still there, still watching over her, still intent on keeping her on the straight and narrow. She shook her head from side to side as she laughed. “Yes, ma’am,” she said out loud, chuckling softly.

Moving through the modest home, Phaedra checked that the lower level was secure, ensuring that all the doors and windows were locked. Leaving the one light on in the hallway, she headed up the stairs, hesitating for a brief moment in front of her mother’s bedroom door. She’d known that at some point she would have to sort through her mother’s things, and although it wasn’t a task Phaedra had looked forward to, she knew it had to be done.

Pushing the door open, Phaedra flicked the light switch on the wall as she moved inside the small room. Dropping down against the full-size mattress, she drew her hands across the handmade quilt that decorated the bed. She missed her mother with a vengeance. Her grief was so consuming that she couldn’t imagine how she was going to survive. She let out a deep sigh.

As she moved to stand back up, Phaedra’s heel brushed against a large shoe box protruding from beneath the bed. Reaching down, she drew her hand against the exterior surface, pausing as she thought about its contents. She’d found the container while searching for her mother’s favorite black heels to take to the undertaker. As she’d scanned the documents inside, none of it had made any sense to her. Refusing to acknowledge what she’d discovered, she’d tossed it to the floor, kicking it back beneath the bed. She’d known that she would eventually have to revisit it all and she’d chosen to ignore it until there was nothing else on her plate to deal with.

Slipping her tank top over her head and stepping out of her shorts, she dropped the garments to the floor. Pulling back the covers, she crawled into her mother’s bed, drawing the comforter around her small frame. The box rested against the bed beside her, and her hand shook ever so slightly as she tossed the container’s cover to the floor. Pulling the documents into her lap, Phaedra took a deep breath and then a second.

If anyone had asked her about her mother having secrets, Phaedra would have sworn on her own life that there wasn’t anything about Arneta Parrish that she didn’t know. But Arneta had carried the biggest secret of her life to her grave, never disclosing the bombshell that would soon be her only daughter’s life.

Arneta’s collection of diaries rested on top. Pulling the leather-bound journals into her hands, Phaedra pulled at a black-and-white photo that served as a page holder for the most recent entry. The image was of her mother and a man Phaedra didn’t know, the couple caught in a deep embrace. Her mother was smiling, joy shining in her expression. The handsome man’s smile was not as bright, something in his eyes telling a very different story. But he had a kind face and it was obvious that his presence was making her mother very happy.

Flipping the photo over, Phaedra read the name on the back side. James David Stallion. The photo was dated a year before Phaedra was born. Resting the photo back inside the book, she continued to flip through other papers on James Stallion’s life.

There was a letter dated just a few short months after the photo, Mr. Stallion apologizing for a quick departure, wishing his dear friend Arneta a bright and successful future. The ink had faded in spots, drops of moisture having dampened the paper. It was obvious her mother had cried over that letter, remnants of her tearstains having marred some of the words.

Tucked in the envelope with that single letter was a yellowed newspaper article that had been folded closed. It was the obituary that carried the news of James Stallion’s death. The man had died in a fiery car accident with his beloved wife, Irene, the couple leaving behind four young sons.

Four sons. Four boys who’d grown to be four very successful men. Phaedra’s mother had kept tabs on the Stallion kin, collecting articles of their many accomplishments. Flipping through the articles, Phaedra couldn’t help being impressed. But she didn’t understand her mother’s reasons for caring, the woman having never mentioned the family to her daughter. Phaedra had to wonder why.

Adjusting the pillows beneath her head, Phaedra flipped through the diaries until she found the one dated the year before her birth. She opened the journal to the first page, pulling her knees upright as she rested the book against her thighs. She was suddenly anxious to know her mother’s secret and the story that she’d never been told. And she was anxious to read them in her mother’s own words.

* * *

One week later flight number 1267 from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Dallas, Texas, departed, leaving Phaedra with one hour and thirty-five minutes to rethink what she was planning to do before touching down. Her stomach knotted, feeling as if her sugared beignet and chicory coffee breakfast was not going to sit well. Phaedra knew it was only nerves, anxiety pretending to be her new best friend since she’d read her mother’s journals, opening a chapter into her own life that she’d not been prepared for.

Phaedra drew her manicured fingers against her Coach bag, two of her mother’s journals and some supporting documents secured in a side pocket. It hadn’t taken any time at all for her to go through her mother’s papers and discover that there had been much about the woman that she hadn’t known. The writings had read like a bestselling romance novel, detailing the highs of her mother’s relationship with James David Stallion. And then the lows, James David Stallion disappearing from Arneta’s life like a dream lost too soon to a morning sunrise. James leaving before ever learning about the child Arneta would eventually raise alone.

James David Stallion. Phaedra’s biological father. The secret her mother had never wanted her to know. Phaedra shook her head for the umpteenth time since finding out, her eyes lifting to stare out the airplane window. An endless bright blue sky marred by an occasional tuft of cloud brought a slight smile to her face. The view was magical, soothing the inner turmoil that threatened Phaedra’s peace of mind.

All of her life Phaedra had believed that Daniel Parrish had been her father. Daniel Parrish had only been married to her mother for short two years before disappearing into the Louisiana penal system. Reading her mother’s story, Phaedra discovered Arneta had already been pregnant when she’d met and married Daniel.

After many years of therapy Phaedra had come to terms with having an absentee father who preferred a life of crime over his loving wife and daughter. Her mother had often used her own life as an example of what happened when a woman made bad choices over men who were not deserving of her. She’d been apologetic for not having served Phaedra better.

When Daniel had died, still locked behind prison walls, Phaedra had mourned the loving father she had wanted him to be, not the apathetic parent he had actually been. And through it all, her mother had never once considered that Phaedra needed to know the truth of her paternity. But reading her mother’s words, Phaedra had come to understand that her mother had wanted only to protect both her daughter and James Stallion, the only man she’d apparently ever loved. Holding the truth close to her heart had been Arneta’s way of shielding all of them from heartbreak. But Arneta had been wrong because her heart had been broken, and now Phaedra’s heart was broken, too.

Heading to Dallas, Phaedra was now hoping for an opportunity to meet the siblings who shared her bloodline. Hoping against all odds to connect with her father’s family, the family that was also her own.

Chapter 3

“Wow!” Mason called out, his eyes widening as they settled down against the bleachers to watch the annual Wild West rodeo show that was about to begin. The entire morning had been a whirlwind of events, one happening right after the other. Mason would never have imagined the magnitude of the Briscoe-Stallion Annual Rodeo, it being the most attended community event in Dallas each year.

Briscoe Ranch was well over eight hundred acres of working cattle ranch, an equestrian center and an entertainment complex that specialized in corporate and private client services. With the property being central to Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Briscoe Ranch had made quite a name for itself.

Back in the day, Edward Briscoe, the ranch’s original owner, had been one of the original black cowboys. Not long after the birth of his three daughters, Eden and the twins, Marla and Marah, he and his first wife had expanded their Texas longhorn operation, adding two twenty-thousand-square-feet event barns and a country bed-and-breakfast.