Promises to a Stallion

Stepping into the flow of heated water Travis pressed his hands to Tierra’s shoulders, moving his body close to hers. His fingers skated down the length of her arms, tickling her flesh.

Tierra closed her eyes as she moved against him, pressing her back up against his chest. A shiver raced from the pit of her stomach and into her limbs. She felt a delightful throb between her legs.

Tilting her face to his, Tierra kissed him. Their lips touched first, then their tongues, meeting like old friends. Their passion rose in intensity, his tongue eagerly searching her mouth, reaching as far as it could. Tierra moaned as Travis danced in her mouth then gently sucked on her lips. He couldn’t remember ever having tasted anything so sweet.

Tierra opened her eyes wide, staring deep into his. In that moment she couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere more than where she was right now. More important, she knew she didn’t have to.

“I want you,” Tierra murmured before kissing his mouth again.

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

has been writing since she was thirteen and can’t imagine 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 Slam Jam’s Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel The Right Side of Love, and in 2009 she won a RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion.

For Deborah, writing is akin to 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 the 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 finds her.

Promises to a Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

To the late Mrs. Hattie Joanne Woody, who demanded excellence, nurtured greatness, instilled compassion, and inspired a generation of dreamers to reach beyond the stars.

Your love thrives in your son’s heart and I am grateful for it.

Dear Reader,

It’s raining men, Stallion-style! Those billionaire brothers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion are back and this time they’re riding with family cousin Travis Stallion, another stud who definitely doesn’t disappoint.

I absolutely loved writing Travis and Tierra’s story. Inspired by a real-life love story, I couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities of a couple meeting, falling in love and making the decision to marry in less than thirty days.

Thank you for taking this amazing journey with me. Your words of encouragement and support continue to keep me writing and motivate me to write well.

I always love to hear what you think so please feel free 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

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

Every head in the room turned to stare at the beautiful young woman who had just released an unnerving scream at the top of her lungs. Startled expressions turned into curious stares, and a few amused smiles, that swept from corner to corner as the other patrons of Ridgeland Diner noted her infectious smile. Something had obviously made the woman extremely happy.

Seated at a cushioned booth, Tierra Braddy was jumping excitedly in her seat. Clearly embarrassed, the man seated beside her looked around sheepishly. He was hardly impressed, but his twenty-eight-year-old baby sister was fully taken by the good news she had heard.

“Girlfriend, you are the best,” Tierra exclaimed into her BlackBerry. Her deep brown gaze met the dark eyes that resembled her own. She was grinning widely, but her brother’s full lips were turned into a deep frown. She poked her tongue out at him as she continued her cell phone conversation. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” she said just before disconnecting the call she’d been so eagerly engaged in.

“Let me guess,” Tingin Braddy said, leaning back against his seat, his arms folding over his broad chest. “You were able to pull off a dozen gold-winged doves for this wedding of the century?”

Tierra’s eyes widened in delight. “Better. We are confirmed for the chapel at Briscoe Ranch. Isn’t that great?” she exclaimed, her whole body quivering with excitement. “You remember Eden Waller, don’t you? She married Doug Waller’s brother Jack.”

“I remember Doug. I don’t think I ever met Jack or his wife.”

Tierra shrugged. “Well, Eden and her sister are the event planners at Briscoe Ranch, and they weren’t sure the renovations would be completed in time for us to use it. But she said they are officially finished and mine will be the first wedding in the building since 1949! How great is that!”

“Grand,” Tingin responded, no hint of enthusiasm in his voice. “But let me ask you something very important,” he said, leaning forward in his seat and resting his elbows atop the table. He leaned his chin against the back of his cupped hands and met her curious stare evenly. “Are you sure about this, Tea? Because it’s not too late to change your mind.”

“I can’t believe you would ask me something like that!” The young woman’s voice was laced with attitude. “I have been planning my dream wedding since I was ten years old. That’s how sure I am.”

“I get the dream wedding part, kiddo. We were all just hoping you’d find a dream groom to go with those nuptials.”

“Don’t start, Tingin,” Tierra said, the hint of a reprimand on her tongue. “Don’t spoil this for me. You know how I feel about Damien.”

“That’s not the problem, either. It’s how Damien feels about you that has me concerned.”

The smile on Tierra’s face had folded down into an annoyed frown. “Big brother, be in a relationship that lasts longer than a minute and then you can have a conversation with me about somebody loving somebody.” Her negative attitude had magnified substantially.

Tingin held up his hands as if in defeat. “My apologies. Don’t get your spine all bent out of shape. I wouldn’t be a good big brother if I didn’t ask, Tierra.”

“You always have to try and spoil things, Tingin. Ever since we were little kids. You get some perverse thrill out of trying to burst my bubbles, don’t you?”

The man laughed heartily. “You have me all figured out. I’ve been plotting since the day you were born to bring you down,” he said sarcastically.

Tierra punched her brother in the arm, the gesture just hard enough to get his full and undivided attention. “Well, stop. It’s not working.”

“Ouch, that hurt.” Tingin rubbed his upper arm.

“It was supposed to. Now,” Tierra said, changing the subject as she gestured toward their waitress for the bill. “I need to go confirm my flower order. Do you want to come with me?”

Tingin dropped his paper napkin to the table and shook his head. “I think I’ll pass, but give me a call when you go for the menu tasting!”

Tierra was still annoyed with her brother as she headed in the direction of McKinney Avenue and the Timeless Fiori floral shop. Her appointment with Hilary, the head designer, had been a last-minute scheduling, and Tierra didn’t like that she was feeling out of sorts when the moment should have been one of her happiest. She heaved a deep sigh. Why aren’t I happy? she wondered.

Tierra had always been certain that she would one day be Mrs. Damien Porter. She’d been convinced ever since she’d laid eyes on the boy the day she and her brother had moved into their grandmother’s north Dallas home, just two doors down from where Damien lived. The two had both been twelve years old. The term rocky didn’t begin to define their relationship. For as long as Tierra could remember, she’d been enamored with Damien, and more times than she cared to count, Damien had been enamored with someone else. All through school Damien had been attentive and caring, but his attention could too easily be diverted elsewhere. Their high school cheerleading team had given Tierra a real run for her money, but despite his many trysts, their friendship had always drawn Damien back to her side.

College had proven to be the turning point in their youthful infatuation. Her senior year at Texas Southern University and her interest in the TSU Tigers’ star quarterback had pricked Damien’s jealous streak, and that quarterback’s interest in Tierra had finally motivated him to make a commitment to her. He had professed his adoration for her, and the two had been virtually inseparable from that moment on.

His proposal had come five years ago, just after Damien had enlisted in the military. But the engagement had been an extended one since Damien hadn’t felt it necessary for them to jump right into anything. Then with his recent deployment to Afghanistan they’d been hesitant to officially set a date. But now he was expected back for a little rest and relaxation, and the two intended to tie the knot while he was home on extended leave. Meanwhile, Tierra had been left with the mechanics of putting together a wedding all by her lonesome.

Now with the plans for her dream wedding coming together, albeit slowly, her brother had to spoil the fun by reminding her once again that no one—not him, their grandmother or her few friends—were actually happy about her marrying Damien. Every one of them believed the man couldn’t be trusted to honor her love by being forever faithful. But Tierra trusted that once they were husband and wife the two of them would prove everybody wrong. She heaved another deep sigh. She still couldn’t shake the melancholy that had gotten a hold of her.

She forced herself to smile. Damien would be home in less than thirty-six hours, and then the last pieces of her life plan would all fall into place. Determined to kick her excitement into gear, she accelerated the vehicle, exceeding the posted speed limit. If nothing else, Tierra couldn’t wait to get to her future. She was a young woman who couldn’t wait to be a wife.

Chapter 2

Staff Sergeant Travis Stallion drew two fingers around the collar of his military dress shirt, anxious to lose the necktie and formal uniform. He would have given anything to have traveled home in his combat uniform, the casual, camouflage-colored attire far more comfortable, but he was representing the United States Army, and his dress greens were mandated.

As he threw his hand in the air, gesturing for a taxicab, he was counting down the minutes when he could pack away everything military and don his favorite jeans and white T-shirt. But he had one more stop on his list of things to do before he could officially begin his leave and simply relax for the next thirty days.

Stepping inside the yellow cab that had stopped in front of him, he leaned back against the vinyl seats and closed his eyes, purposely avoiding the conversation the young taxi driver was trying to have with him. He was too tired from his travels to talk, so he pretended to sleep to avoid the polite chitchat.

As the driver finally focused on maneuvering the car through the heavy traffic, Travis tapped his hand against his heart and the many mounted ribbons that adorned his chest. Confirming that he still had possession of the sealed envelope he’d placed in the inside pocket of his green dress coat, he took a deep breath, then slowly blew warm air past his full lips.

He’d given Private First Class Damien Porter his solemn word that he would deliver that sealed envelope to Porter’s girl, who lived in Dallas, where he would be staying for the next thirty days. The young woman’s downtown address would be his last stop before he found his way to his own family’s home for the month.

As the taxi pulled up in front of the Main Street address and the high-rise apartment building, Travis asked the driver to wait for him to return.

“Just keep the meter running,” he said as he exited the cab. “This shouldn’t take long at all.”

The taxi driver nodded, settling back in his seat to wait.

As Travis stood on the sidewalk, taking in his surroundings, he was impressed with the location. The neighborhood was an upscale one, and be somewhere he could eventually see himself living, he thought. He was just steps away from Neiman Marcus, the Urban Market Grocery and Café and the Main Street entertainment district, and he was in walking distance to the Arts District and Victory Park.

Inside the building he was greeted warmly by the building’s concierge.

“Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?”

Travis nodded with a quick flick of his head. A faint smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m here to see Miss Tierra Braddy, please. My name is Travis Stallion.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll let her know you’re here,” the man said as he reached for the telephone resting atop the marbled desk.

After a brief exchange, he pointed Travis to the elevators. Before the soldier could step inside, the man called out to him. “Excuse me, sir, I just wanted to say thank you.” He gave Travis a quick wave of his hand. “We really appreciate the armed forces and what you men are doing for us over there.”

Nodding his gratitude, Travis allowed the doors to close shut between them. Seconds later the conveyor stopped on the twenty-second floor. Heading down the carpeted hallway, he made his way to the young woman who stood waiting in her doorway, intrigue painting her expression as she watched him approach.

“Hi,” Tierra said excitedly, extending her hand in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Staff Sergeant Stallion. Damien has told me so much about you.”

And Damien had, extolling the man’s many virtues in every conversation the two had ever had. Her fiancé had been in awe of his thirty-one-year-old platoon leader, holding the man in high esteem. His descriptions, though, didn’t do the handsome man justice. Tierra was surprised by the smoldering stare that was eyeing her so intently. His pale, almond-shaped eyes seemed to draw her in like a moth to a flame. Tierra was slightly surprised by their intensity, and her reaction. She tried to shake the sensation from her thoughts.

Taken aback by the vibrant smile washing over him, Travis was briefly stunned himself. He hadn’t expected the woman to be so extraordinarily beautiful. But beautiful she was, with her deep brown eyes, caramel candy complexion and a full luscious pout a man could imagine himself kissing. Tierra Braddy was probably the most exquisite creature he had ever laid his eyes upon. A flood of electric energy surged through his spirit.

Travis was suddenly aware of her small hands clasping tightly to his own large appendage. His gaze fell to the perfectly manicured fingers that warmly caressed the back of his own hand, then rose back to the woman’s smiling face. The moment was strangely surreal, feeling as though it were playing out in slow motion. His tongue suddenly felt too big for his mouth, words caught deep in his chest.

So focused on her own rising anxiety, Tierra didn’t seem to notice Travis’s sudden discomfort. Fighting to stay focused, she eagerly pulled him inside, closing the door tightly behind them as she chatted nonstop.

“This is such a surprise. Damien didn’t tell me you were coming stateside. Where is he? Did you two travel back together? I’m so excited to meet you!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Ms. Braddy,” he finally managed to mutter, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears. “Please, call me Travis.”

She repeated her questions.

“No, ma’am, we didn’t. That’s why I’m here. Private First Class Porter asked me to personally deliver this to you,” he said, reaching inside his breast pocket for the letter that had traveled home with him.

Travis forced himself to continue. “He stressed that it was very important you receive it as soon as possible.”

The look of fear that crossed the woman’s face suddenly tore at his heartstrings as she took the envelope from his fingers, her own hand shaking ever so slightly. Her confused stare met his.

“There’s nothing wrong with him, is there?” she asked, a rise of distress spilling into her tone. “Damien’s okay, isn’t he?”

Travis nodded. “When I last saw him he was doing just fine.”

Tierra exhaled a deep sigh of relief, pulling the letter to her chest. “You scared me,” she said, her voice dropping a few octaves.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Travis responded. He took a step toward her, the move unconscious as he suddenly wanted to pull her into his arms to ease the nervous edge that had gripped her spirit. “I really didn’t mean to upset you.”

Tierra giggled softly, mildly embarrassed. “I’m fine,” she said, brushing her palm against his forearm. “I’m also very rude. I haven’t even offered you anything to drink. Can I get you something, Travis?”

“No, but thank you for offering. Unfortunately, I really have to be going,” the man said, moving back in the direction of the door. “My taxi is waiting for me downstairs.”

“But you’ll come back? Right?” Tierra asked, the words slipping past her full lips before she could stop them. She stammered ever so slightly. “I…I mean, when Damien gets here tomorrow. You’ll come back and have dinner with us, and you’ll come to the wedding, I hope?”

That brilliant smile washed over him a second time. Travis suddenly felt like a match had ignited him on fire. He would have given anything for a cool wave of air to still the heat that had rushed from his head to his feet. “Certainly,” he muttered softly, trying to ignore an obvious wave of jealousy that was washing over him. “I look forward to it,” he said, the polite fib rolling like butter off his tongue.

“Thank you for stopping by,” Tierra said. “I know Damien really appreciates everything you’ve done for him. And this—” She gestured with the sealed mailer. “This was truly above and beyond your call of duty.”

Nodding his head, Travis excused himself, then stepped into the hallway. As the door closed behind him, he suddenly couldn’t help but wonder what had been secured inside the envelope he’d just delivered.

Locking the door behind her unexpected guest, Tierra moved from her foyer to the large windows that looked out to the lighted ball atop Reunion Tower and the neighboring Bank of America building. The stunning views had been a key selling point when she had searched for her first home. But Damien hadn’t been impressed.

Damien hadn’t wanted her to invest any of the money she’d inherited from her late grandfather into a home. The man had had a million get-rich-quick schemes that he thought would be more fruitful. But Tierra had erred on the side of caution, seeking out her grandmother’s advice and advice from the attorney who’d been hired to oversee the small fortune she and her brother had been blessed with. The security of real estate had proven to be exactly what she’d needed, despite Damien not wanting to support her decision.

Sliding a manicured nail beneath the sealed flap, Tierra tore open the envelope, anxious to read what was inside. She smiled to herself, hoping the sweet words Damien had written to pave his way home would endear him to their friends and family.

Pulling the neatly printed note from inside, she read it once, twice and then a third time. An hour later she was still reading it over and over again, the first of many tears streaming over the curve of her high-boned cheeks as she tried to make sense of the words that tore at her soul.

Chapter 3

The taxi driver, still trying to make small talk about the political issues currently in the headlines, pulled his taxi past the gated entrance of Briscoe Ranch, maneuvering the circular driveway to the front entrance of the large home. With a quick nod of gratitude, Travis pressed two twenty-dollar bills into the man’s hand and made a quick escape from the backseat of the vehicle.

As Travis watched the car make its way back off the property, he turned around to take in his surroundings. 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. The ranch housed two 20,000 square-foot event barns and a country bed-and-breakfast. With the property being central to Austin, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, Briscoe Ranch had made quite a name for itself. Travis was duly impressed.

Turning back toward the steps and the front door, he grinned widely when it suddenly swung open and his cousins Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion all came barreling down to greet him.

The noise and banter was reminiscent of when they’d all been under the age of ten racing from one end of their late grandparent’s home to the other. Each and every summer the cousins would come together and play until they were all exhausted. Those had been some of the best times in their young lives.

Travis couldn’t help but note the deep family resemblance. The four brothers were the spitting image of his uncle, their father, David Stallion, and David’s brother Joseph, Travis’s father. All the men boasted imposing statures, black-coffee complexions, chiseled jaw lines and charismatic smiles. That striking family resemblance had skipped Travis, with him inheriting his mother’s café au lait complexion and her light hazel-green eyes. But even with their differences, side by side he and his kin looked like chocolate and vanilla reflections of each other.

“Yo, soldier boy!” Mark Stallion bellowed, wrapping the large man in a big bear hug.

Luke slapped his cousin’s palm. “Travis, my man!”

“Isn’t he pretty in his uniform.” Matthew laughed, his tone teasing as he embraced his cousin.

“Exceptionally!” John responded, he and Travis shaking hands as they bumped shoulders. “Welcome home, family!”

“It’s good to be back.” Travis grinned. “And look at you guys! I see this good life has been treating you four very well,” he said as he patted Mark’s abdomen.

John laughed. “That’s sympathy weight. Mark’s wife is expecting a baby, and for every pound she gains, Mark is gaining five.”

Mark flipped a finger at his older brother. “Maybe two, but definitely not five.”

“When did you get married?” Travis said, surprise showing on his face. “Weren’t you going to be a confirmed bachelor forever?”

The large black man laughed, his head shaking. “I was, but then I met Mitch. I just couldn’t help myself. The woman just took my breath away,” Mark exclaimed, joy shimmering in his eyes.

Travis nodded, the memory of his encounter with Tierra Braddy suddenly intruding on his thoughts. He could fully understand how a woman might take a man’s breath away, because Tierra had clearly left him gasping for air. He turned his focus back to the conversation and his cousins, who were regaling him with info about Mark’s mechanic wife and their whirlwind romance.

“My girl tamed this Stallion man big-time,” Mark said, his laugh a deep rumble that flowed from his midsection.