Seduced by a Stallion
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“Matthew Stallion’s office. How may I help you?”
“Hello, Carol. Do I have any messages?”
“Hello, Mr. Stallion. Just one message, sir. Your brother John asked that you contact him before you take off on your vacation this afternoon. He said he’ll be in his office most of the day.”
Matthew nodded into the receiver. “I’m actually changing my plans, Carol. If you’ll call and cancel my reservations, please.”
“But you were so looking forward to your vacation. Are you sure?” she asked, her tone concerned.
Matthew smiled to himself. “Positive. Something’s come up.”
There was a slight pause as his secretary waited, hopeful that Matthew might tell her what that something was. He didn’t.
“I’m going to take the rest of the day off, though, and I’ll be in the office tomorrow. If you’ll please transfer me to John’s office.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Stallion. Just one moment,” Carol said as she put the call on hold.
Seconds later, John Stallion’s baritone voice spilled out of the speakers.
“Yo, bro! How’s it hangin’?”
Matthew chuckled, the familiar greeting reminding him of when they were just boys themselves. “High and steady,” he responded, his head waving from side to side.
“Better than low and heavy,” John answered with a deep laugh. “So, when do you take off?”
“I’m not. I signed up to mentor the kid who jacked my car and I need to put some things in place to do that. I’ll postpone my trip until I can better arrange my schedule.”
John laughed. “A personal, one-on-one butt whupping. Poor kid. Guess he didn’t have a good lawyer.”
“He had one of the best. That’s why I’ll be mentoring him and not someone else.”
John nodded into the receiver. “You still need to take some time off. We all do. Fighting that hostile takeover drained our energy. The last few months have taken their toll on every one of us.”
“So, why don’t you and Marah sneak off to the islands for a few days? The beach house is available. Your wife would like that, and since I’m staying, you won’t have to worry about the office.”
“Not much, anyway.”
Matthew chuckled as he maneuvered his car through the throng of traffic that slowed his trip. “Not at all. I’ll make sure no one burns the joint down before you return.”
“I wasn’t worried about no one. I was worried about you.”
“Well, I won’t burn it down, either. Nor will I give it away or send it into bankruptcy before the week is out. Next week, however, might be a different story, so you better take that time now and hurry on back.”
His brother laughed. “Marah and I are on the plane as soon as I can get her packed. Thank you. I owe you one.”
“Yes, you do,” Matthew answered. “Send me a postcard.”
“I’ll do better than that. I’ll bring you back some sand so you see what you missed.”
“I love you, too,” Matthew said with a wry grin plastered across his face. “Talk to you later!”
As he disconnected the call, Matthew guided his car toward the interstate leading to the ranch. He suddenly felt like riding his favorite black horse. It had been that kind of day.
* * *
“Why?”
Katrina took a deep breath, filling her lungs with warm air. Collin had just about pushed her last nerve and it was taking all her resolve not to explode. “Because I said so,” she answered, her tone firm, the stern look she gave her son emphasizing that it was in his best interest to end their conversation.
“It’s not fair!” the boy exclaimed instead, pouting profusely, as though he were five and not fifteen.
“Me spending my entire day in court over your nonsense wasn’t fair, either, Collin. I had something else I would have liked to do, too. But you took that option away from me. There are consequences for our actions. You stole a car. You wrecked that car. You could have been injured. You could have injured someone else. Punishment for that is going to last you some time.”
“But I’m being punished. The court is making me work for that man. It’s not fair for you to punish me, too!”
Katrina chuckled. “You’re lucky I don’t go get me a switch from that tree out there. Then I’d show you just how unfair life is. Now, you are not going to the mall with your friends. You’re not going today, and you won’t be going tomorrow or anytime next week, so don’t ask. In fact, if you don’t go to your room and give me a moment of peace, you may not see your friends or the inside of a mall for another six years. Then you can tell me how unfair your sweet, spoiled life is. Do you really want to try me?”
She stood with both hands clutching the lean line of her waist. Her neatly arched eyebrows were raised high, her expression challenging. Collin heaved a deep sigh, then turned an about-face, muttering under his breath as he headed back up the staircase toward his room.
“And leave your phone on the table,” Katrina called. “I told you no cell phone, no television, no nothing, and I meant it.”
The boy paused. The look he tossed his mother was harsh as he came back down and dropped his new Droid onto the hall table. Minutes later, loud music echoed from upstairs, the boy’s stereo turned up high. Calling his name, Katrina waited for a brief moment before silence filled the space.
She wasn’t naive, though. She knew her son had only plugged headphones into the sound system. She’d give him until she herself climbed the stairs to her bedroom before she ordered him to turn it off, reminding him that “no nothing” included his beloved stereo system.
Moving into the kitchen, Katrina peered into the refrigerator for something to drink. It was way too early for her to have a glass of wine, but she truly wanted a tall glass of chardonnay. She hadn’t eaten anything, though, and wine on an empty stomach would not serve her well. She should have stopped for lunch like she’d planned, but everything about the morning’s events had thrown her right off course.
She reached for a pack of pepperoni and some slices of pepper jack cheese. Katrina mused that a light snack with that wine would constitute lunch and that couldn’t be so bad. She popped a loaf of crusty French bread into her oven just before uncorking the bottle and filling a crystal goblet with the elixir. Savoring that first sip, she took another deep breath of air, dropping down into a cushioned seat at her kitchen table.
If she were honest with herself, she would admit that dealing with her son hadn’t been her greatest challenge that morning. She was accustomed to dealing with kids who’d made mistakes, testing the limits of whatever authority ruled their daily lives. She’d always known there would be moments with her own child, although car theft had never crossed her mind. She hadn’t, however, imagined herself fighting the emotions that a certain man had incited.
Matthew Stallion. Katrina took a gulp of her drink, a large swig that was better reserved for shots of tequila, Jack Daniel’s or a hearty beer, not the delicate wine that filled her glass.
The man’s reputation had preceded him. In fact, because of her own investment interests, Katrina had been closely following the recent events surrounding the failed attempt at a hostile takeover of his family’s business. Social Services and the legal community had many good things to say about the advocacy programs the Stallions had in place to assist families in need, especially the mentoring programs for students. She’d been hopeful that she herself would be able to avail herself of their services for some of the cases she knew she would likely have to preside over in her new district.
Rising from her seat, she moved to the cherrywood cabinets and pulled open a bottom drawer. Reaching beneath a stack of papers, she lifted out a magazine hidden inside. The full-color image stared up at her, Matthew’s seductive smile gracing the cover.
Texan Magazine had named the thirty-five-year-old man Bachelor of the Year, and he was looking every bit the part in the engaging head shot they’d captured. She imagined that he had garnered much attention from the honor. Katrina figured that a man like Matthew Stallion probably had no need for any help in that department, though, musing that he was clearly not a man who lacked female attention.
Reaching for her glass, Katrina took another sip, then remembered the bread, which was just a heartbeat away from being burned toast. Pulling the loaf from the oven, she dropped it on the countertop. She suddenly didn’t have much of an appetite.
She sighed, blowing warm breath into the air. Katrina hadn’t given any man a second thought since forever. The fact that she was giving Matthew a second, third and fourth thought completely unnerved her. But the man had been engaging. She’d been impressed with how he’d handled her son, seeming genuinely interested in the boy’s well-being. Being someone that young men could look up to seemed foremost in Matthew Stallion’s mind.
That enigmatic smile of his had caused her heart to race, her stomach to do flips as if she was on a roller-coaster ride. As they’d parted, he’d shaken her hand again, clasping it between both his palms, and the current of electricity that had rushed up her spine had left her breathless.
Katrina shook the memory from her mind, draining the last of her wine from the glass. This is crazy, she thought to herself, reaching to refill her glass. She was not interested in any man and particularly not in that man. Stuffing a slice of cheese into her mouth, Katrina shook her head from side to side. Convincing herself that she wasn’t interested in Matthew Stallion was certainly proving to be the biggest challenge of her day.
Chapter 4
Matthew waited patiently on the stone steps of Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church. Sunday morning service would be starting at precisely eleven o’clock and he was excited that the Broomes family would be joining him.
Collin was scheduled to start his program that afternoon. When Matthew had called his mother to make the arrangements, he’d suggested they meet him for church first, then brunch, before journeying over to the ranch to give Collin the tour and explain what would be required of him over the next twelve months. Katrina Broomes had seemed reluctant at first, but with persistence Matthew had changed her mind.
Reflecting back on the conversation, Matthew couldn’t help but note how reserved the good judge had been. Her cool demeanor had intrigued him.
“Church?”
Matthew had smiled into the receiver. “Yes, it’s first Sunday, communion Sunday, but Pastor Barnes will have us out early. He’s not one of those long-winded ministers.”
“I don’t know. I…”
“It will be good for Collin. I was raised in the church and it’s done wonders for me,” he’d said with a light chuckle.
There’d been a brief pause before she responded. “Collin’s been to church before,” she’d said with just a hint of attitude, as though he’d passed judgment on how she was raising her child. Then her tone had softened as she continued. “And it is good for him. I have to admit, though, that since we moved, I’ve been remiss in getting us up on Sunday mornings for service. I haven’t found a new church home that we’re both comfortable with yet.”
“Well, I promise you’ll both enjoy the experience. And afterward we can grab a bite to eat at Nicola’s. They have a wonderful menu. So please, say yes.”
Katrina paused, giving his offer some intense consideration. The man persisted.
“We could always eat somewhere else. Would you prefer French cuisine? I eat most anything, with the exception of fast food. I don’t do burgers from any place that asks whether or not you want to supersize your meal.”
Katrina laughed, her head waving easily from side to side. “What’s wrong with their burgers?”
“Nothing, I’m sure. But a real meal involves real food. I know a great steak house, if you want something more traditional.”
“Italian is fine. We’ll meet you at the church,” she finally responded.
Matthew’s excitement spilled into the receiver. “Great. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
As he hung up the telephone, dropping the receiver back onto the hook, he suddenly felt awkward. He hoped the judge didn’t think he was out of line. He’d been anxious, overly excited that she was amenable to his suggestions. He had really wanted to make their meeting a date but knew the timing would not be appropriate. He found himself hoping that she’d not found his behavior or his enthusiasm too inappropriate.
Shaking the memory, Matthew looked out to the parking lot just as Katrina pulled her BMW X5 SUV into an empty space. Matthew’s smile widened into a full grin as he smoothed the front of his suit jacket, his excitement building.
As mother and son exited the car, Matthew couldn’t miss the annoyed expression on young Collin’s face nor Katrina’s frustration as she admonished the boy to hurry up. Nor did he miss how stunning the woman was in her navy blue silk suit with its ruffled jacket. Even though the skirt stopped just above her kneecaps, there was no missing the long length of her toned legs and the curve of tight calves above her three-inch pumps.
Matthew had to remind himself where he was as he fought not to stare so blatantly. Mother and son climbed the stairs to meet him, Collin lagging noticeably behind.
Katrina extended her hand in greeting. “Mr. Stallion, I apologize. I hope you haven’t been waiting long, but we were running a little behind this morning.”
Matthew nodded. “Please, call me Matthew, and not to worry… I used to drag my feet and make my brother late every Sunday, too.” He winked an eye in Collin’s direction. “Mr. Broomes, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Collin eyed him warily. “Yeah, whatever.”
Katrina shot her son a cautious glare. Matthew shook his head ever so slightly, his gaze meeting hers evenly.
“I’ve got this,” he said softly, his hand tapping lightly against her arm. “He’ll be fine.” His voice rose ever so slightly, his tone deepening. “That will be the last time Collin greets anyone with disrespect.” Matthew’s gaze met Collin’s directly. “Won’t it be, Mr. Broomes?”
The look Matthew gave Collin made the boy take a step back, unsure what might be coming in his direction.
Matthew smiled brightly as he greeted Collin again. “Good morning, Mr. Broomes. I’m glad you could make it this morning.”
The boy nodded, his head bobbing ever so slightly against his lean neck. “Morning.”
“It’s Matthew, Mr. Stallion or sir. I know your mother taught you better. Try it again.”
Collin paused briefly, looking from one face to the other as they stood staring at him. His mother appeared to be holding her breath, waiting for him to mouth off. His new mentor’s stare was unreadable, the man’s dark eyes only slightly menacing. He finally responded. “Good morning, Mr. Stallion.”
Matthew nodded his approval. He directed his next comments to the two of them. “Why don’t we go in and find a seat? My family is waiting for us.”
Family? Katrina’s eyes widened noticeably. The man had said nothing before about them joining any family. As he guided her into the sanctuary, her hand gently clutching the elbow he’d extended, she could feel her legs quivering ever so slightly. She tossed a quick look over her shoulder to see Collin following obediently behind them, his expression more curious than reproachful.
A uniformed usher led them to the front of the church, then guided them to what was clearly Matthew Stallion’s usual seat. Katrina was only slightly taken aback by the two men who sat in the pews in front and in back of them, both of whom bore a stark resemblance to the man by her side. They each possessed the same distinctive features: black-coffee complexion; chiseled jawline; dark, haunting eyes; plush pillows for lips and the same warm, welcoming smile.
Matthew paused to let Collin enter the pew first. Katrina followed, and he took the seat on the end.
He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “This is my brother Mark and his wife, Michelle,” he said, patting the shoulder of the man in front of them. He gestured to the man sitting alone behind them. “And that’s my baby brother, Luke.”
Katrina smiled in greeting as both men wished her a good morning. A minute later John Stallion eased into the church, led by his wife, Marah. The brother named John gestured for Luke to slide down the pew so the two of them could take a seat beside him, tapping Matthew on the shoulder in greeting as he did. Marah leaned forward, her hand tapping Katrina lightly.
“Good morning,” she whispered softly. “Welcome.”
Katrina smiled again, words failing her as she sat there taking it all in. Morning worship service had yet to begin officially, but a praise session was in full swing. An elderly man was standing two pews in front of them, eulogizing everything he’d been blessed with since the last time he’d been in the sanctuary. He’d barely taken his seat before another senior citizen broke out in song. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and Katrina found herself tapping her foot to the music, pleased that she had made herself come. Even Collin seemed interested as he directed his attention to the students sitting in the choir stand.
Matthew had been right. The morning service went quickly. Holy Scripture was followed by prayer, the choir sang beautifully, and the pastor’s message was short, sweet and to the point.
Standing beside her, Matthew was completely engaged. Katrina was moved by his devotion. As he bowed his head in thanksgiving, lifting his hands in praise, she sensed that he took that devotion seriously. Watching him, Katrina instinctively knew that Matthew Stallion was truly a man of faith.
As the pastor gave the benediction, Collin leaned into his mother’s side, his head hovering just above hers. He dropped his chin down to her shoulder. Katrina smiled at him, her soft gaze meeting his.
“What did you think?” she asked him.
Collin shrugged. “I liked the music,” he answered.
Matthew nodded his head in agreement. “That’s my favorite part, too.”
Behind them John laughed warmly. “I always thought the sermon was your favorite part,” he said.
“Just like them passing the collection basket is yours,” their baby brother, Luke, interjected.
The adults all laughed. Collin turned to stare at the men standing around him. His gaze came to a rest on Mark.
“Hey, I know you,” he said suddenly, his large eyes widening with excitement. “You won the national bike race last year. You’ve won all the races.”
Mark extended his hand, shaking the boy’s heartily. “I’m Matthew’s brother Mark. You must be Collin. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
The boy grinned. “Hi!”
“And I’m Luke, and the old guy right there is our big brother, John,” Luke said, introducing himself.
John nodded his head in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said as Matthew finished the formal introductions.
Marah smiled sweetly. “Judge Broomes, we’d love to have you join us back at the ranch for lunch.”
Katrina smiled back. “Thank you, but…” She paused, tossing Matthew a questioning look.
Matthew interjected, “Thanks, Marah, but we have plans.”
Marah nodded, clasping her arm around her husband’s. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we need to say hello to the pastor before he disappears.”
“It was nice to meet you both,” Katrina said as the couple waved their goodbyes.
“We have to run, too,” Mark said. He pressed a large hand to Michelle’s blossoming belly. “Mitch and I are going shopping for baby furniture,” he said, calling his wife by her childhood nickname.
Michelle rolled her eyes. “No, Mark’s going shopping for baby furniture. He’s just dragging me along.”
“Congratulations. Is this your first baby?” Katrina questioned.
Mark nodded, his thick dreadlocks waving against his shoulders. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, leaning to kiss his wife’s cheek. “My baby is having our first baby!”
Luke grinned. “This is quite an accomplishment for our brother.”
Mark laughed. “You know it!”
Matthew chuckled. “What’s on your agenda, Luke?” he asked.
“I’m spending the afternoon with Joanne and her parents.”
“Where is your fiancée this morning?” Michelle asked, shifting her weight to one hip. “It’s not like her to miss Sunday service.”
“Her mother is here from Paris, and her father wanted them both to go to Sunday Mass at the Catholic church this morning. I thought I’d give them some family time together, so I passed. I told her I’d meet them afterward.” The younger man took a quick glance at the diamond-encrusted Harry Winston watch on his wrist. “I need to get going, or I’m going to be late.”
Luke winked an eye at Collin, who was staring at him. He punched his fist in Collin’s direction and the young man met the gesture with a fist of his own, the two slapping palms and clutching fingers in the newest handshake. “Good luck, kid. He’s really not so bad when you get to know him,” Luke said, his eyes gesturing toward his brother.
Collin smiled. “Thanks, dude,” he chimed, cutting a cautious eye at Matthew.
The family eased their way toward the front doors. The church’s congregation had thinned out quickly. Matthew’s fingertips lightly grazed Katrina’s arm and back as he guided them forward. She felt a tremor of energy sweep through her. Tossing a quick glance over her shoulder, she met his dark stare, saw the tender smile filling his face. The look he gave her was intoxicating, and she suddenly found herself consumed by the sweetest temptation.
“Is everything okay?” Matthew asked, his deep tone soothing.
Katrina nodded, a wave of nervous energy flooding the pit of her stomach. “Everything is fine,” she answered softly, her gaze still locked with his. “Just fine.”
But as she stepped out into the balmy afternoon air, butterflies dancing in her midsection, Katrina Broomes really wasn’t quite sure of anything at all.
Chapter 5
Matthew had convinced Katrina to leave her vehicle in the church parking lot, assuring her it would be safe until they returned. Opening the passenger-side door of his Maybach Landaulet, he extended his hand to help her get in. When she was seated comfortably and was adjusting the seat belt around her petite frame, he nodded toward Collin.
“Once you’re off probation and you get your driving permit, I might let you drive. Until then, though, you need to make yourself comfortable in the backseat.”
“You’d let me drive this?” Collin asked tentatively. “Really?”
Matthew nodded, his hand braced against the rear door as Collin stood ready to step in.
“Yes, I would, but you’ll have to prove that you can handle that kind of responsibility first.” Matthew nodded again, gesturing with his head. “Now, hop on in. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
Minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Nicola’s Ristorante Italiano.
“This is very nice,” Katrina said, taking in the surroundings.
As Matthew led them inside, she was impressed with the dramatic soaring ceilings, the elegant chandeliers and the rich, dark woods offset by splashes of crimson and gold. The atmosphere was sophisticated, intimate and a touch seductive. She was equally impressed with all the staff who greeted him by name, going out of their way to ensure that he and his guests were comfortable.
Matthew nodded as a hostess guided them to a corner table on the patio. “This is one of my favorite places to eat,” he said. “The cuisine is northern Italian. All of the pastas are handmade. They don’t have any freezers, so the groceries are delivered twice a day to ensure the ingredients are market fresh.”
“We’re very proud of our menu,” the wide-eyed brunette waitress said as she placed glasses of ice water on the table in front of them. “Our chef is also an award-winning cook. And we have a wood-burning oven imported from Italy, too!” the woman exclaimed, her face beaming with pride.