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Second-chance romance
Orthopedic surgeon Nathaniel Stallion is ready to put down his scalpel to pursue his real dream—opening a restaurant in Carmel, California. He’s even hired a top-notch marketing guru to ensure his success. But Rebecca “Bec” Marks isn’t the unassuming buddy he remembers from college. This Bec is confident and wreaking all kinds of havoc on his libido. Now his best friend’s sexy curves have him thinking less about a publicity strategy and more about carnal seduction...
Bec has had eyes for Nathaniel from day one. And regardless of Nathaniel’s naivety to her not-so-innocent schoolgirl crush, her ardor for the tempting newly crowned restaurateur remains intact. This time around she’s determined to win his heart for good. But when a rival beauty and Bec’s meddling ex-fiancé threaten her romantic plans, she’ll pull out all the stops to convince this Stallion that his soul mate has been right in front of him all along.
Writing since forever, DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2008, Deborah won the RT Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. Deborah received a BRAB 2015 Reading Warrior Award for Best Series for her Stallion family series. Deborah was also named the 2016 Romance Slam Jam Author of the Year. She has also received accolades from several publications, including Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. With each new book, Deborah continues to create unique story lines and memorable characters. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
Also By Deborah Fletcher Mello
Passionate Premiere
Truly Yours
Hearts Afire
Twelve Days of Pleasure
My Stallion Heart
Stallion Magic
Tuscan Heat
A Stallion’s Touch
A Pleasing Temptation
Sweet Stallion
To Tempt a Stallion
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
To Tempt a Stallion
Deborah Fletcher Mello
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ISBN: 978-1-474-08271-6
TO TEMPT A STALLION
© 2018 Deborah Fletcher Mello
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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Version: 2020-03-02
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“I don’t know what to think, Nathaniel Stallion. When it comes to you and me...well...”
He took a step closer to her, shifting his weight and warmth nearer to her. He clasped her hands between his own, entwining their fingers together. “It’s like you were saying last night. The bond between us is practically sacred. You are as much a joy and a blessing in my life as I am in yours. We’re good together and it has scared the hell out of us both. But it’s time we stopped being scared. We’re missing out on the best thing that could happen to either of us. And like you said, I don’t want to miss out on anything more.”
A slow upward bend of Rebecca’s mouth made her entire face glow. She nodded slowly. “So you did hear what I said last night.”
“I heard every word, Bec.”
She bit down against her bottom lip. “So what now?”
A low gust of air blew past his full lips. Nathaniel lifted her hands and kissed the backs of her fingers. His touch was gentle, his lips like silk against her skin as he kneaded the flesh softly.
Dear Reader,
Temptation always leads to trouble, as Nathaniel Stallion quickly discovers with his favorite girl, the one and only Rebecca Marks. Best friends, neither anticipates their friendship becoming anything more. But much more can’t help but happen when these two try to fight their attraction to each other.
I really love this story! I love it as much as Nathaniel loves Rebecca—the full-figured beauty giving him all kinds of feel good! And of course, he’s a Stallion, and Stallion men are everything AND a bag of chips!
Thank you so much for your support of my Kimani title and of all my writing. I am humbled by all the love you keep showing me, my characters and our stories. I know that none of this would be possible without you.
Until the next time, please take care, and may God’s blessings be with you always.
With much love,
Deborah Fletcher Mello
www.deborahmello.blogspot.com
To the Bubster! Your energy is so infectious! Thank you for bringing me so much joy! I love that no matter what, you always make me SMILE!
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
About the Author
Booklist
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
Dear Reader
Dedication
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
Extract
Chapter 1
The ballpoint pen in Nathaniel Stallion’s right hand shook ever so slightly as his real estate agent pointed out each line on the purchase contract where he needed to sign. With each Post-it arrow, the lot of them multicolored in neon pink, orange, yellow and blue, which she removed after he’d inked his name, his heart beat a little faster.
Twenty minutes later he was the proud owner of the prettiest piece of real estate in Carmel, California. The property was perched on one of the world’s most iconic stretches of coastline. With pristine views of the Monterey Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean, it was the ideal spot for his newest business venture and it was all his.
Nicholas Stallion wheeled himself around the table to shake his twin brother’s hand. “Congratulations! I’m very excited for you,” he said as he locked his wheelchair in place.
Nathaniel took a deep breath to steel the last of his nervousness. “Thank you,” he said, his own smile galvanizing. “Now the real work begins. I only have six weeks before the grand opening.”
Nicholas laughed. “Only you would buy a restaurant and only give yourself a month and a half to renovate and reopen!”
“Natalie would do that, too!”
“Yeah, but you know better. Our baby sister has always been impulsive.”
Elise Montgomery gave them both a bright smile. The former fashion model was Carmel’s leading real estate agent and her exuberance over the six-figure commission she’d just earned had her beaming like an LED lightbulb. “Well, this is definitely cause for celebration!” she exclaimed excitedly. A tray holding crystal flutes seemed to appear out of nowhere. Elise popped the cork on a bottle of champagne.
The two men watched as she filled the flutes with bubbly, passing them both a glass. “Congratulations,” she said, lifting her own glass in salute. “May you have a lifetime of prosperity with your newest venture.”
“Hear! Hear!” Nicholas echoed before taking a small sip of the beverage.
“So tell me,” Elise said as she set her glass down on the table. “Do you two call each other in the mornings to plan your attire?” She looked from one to the other, pointing out their identical polo shirts and matching slacks.
Nathaniel laughed. “Never! It’s our twin thing. We have the same tastes and shop in the same stores.”
“Even when we try not to dress alike, we dress alike,” Nicholas finished.
Laughter rang warmly through the conference room.
“I really need to get something to eat,” Nicholas said as he put his still full glass onto the conference table. It’s a little early for me and I have to take my meds.”
“Would you like to join us for lunch?” Nathaniel questioned, turning his gaze toward Elise.
“I actually have another closing in two hours so I’ll have to pass, but maybe you and I could finish this bottle of champagne later over dinner?” Her eyebrows were raised suggestively.
Nicholas smiled. “I think I’ll get a head start toward the car,” he said. He extended his hand. “Elise, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure was mine. I hope we’ll see each other again soon. I’d love to meet your wife. I’ve heard wonderful things about her.”
“Tarah is an amazing woman,” Nicholas said. “I look forward to you two getting to know each other.” He winked an eye at his brother. “I’ll see you outside.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I’m right behind you,” he said as Nicholas rolled himself out the door. When his twin was out of sight he turned his attention back to the woman who was still eyeing him like he was a slab of meat for the taking.
Elise took a step closer to him, drawing her palm against his chest. “So, what about that dinner?”
“I wish I could,” he said, his tone apologetic. “But I really won’t have any down time for the next few weeks. Too much to do. I’m actually meeting with the contractor this evening. Can I get a rain check?”
Disappointment washed over Elise’s face. She took a deep breath. “You owe me, Nathaniel Stallion. I think this is the third time you’ve turned me down.”
Nathaniel chuckled. He took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You scare me, Elise. I’m not ready for a serious relationship and you want a husband.”
She laughed. “I’m sure if we give it some thought, Mr. Stallion, we can come to a happy medium. Something like best friends with privileges, maybe?” Her coquettish expression was teasing as she batted her eyelashes at him.
Nathaniel shook his head ever so slightly. “I need to run. I will call you and maybe then we can make plans.”
“Promise?”
“We’ll see,” he said as he winked his eye at her and headed for the door. “Have a good afternoon, Elise!”
Minutes later Nathaniel and his brother were laughing heartily together. They sat at a corner table in Dametra Café, dining on fried calamari, dolmas, spanakopita and moussaka. The cozy restaurant with its assortment of Mediterranean cuisine was one of their favorites and the two brothers ate there every time Nicholas came to visit.
“Why don’t you just tell that woman you’re not interested?” Nicholas asked.
Nathaniel shrugged his broad shoulders. “Because I might be interested once I get my head clear. Right now though I have too much on my mind. The restaurant, my medical practice, you.”
“What are you worried about me for?”
“Someone needs to worry about you. You don’t worry enough and you should.”
“I have a wife for that, and trust me, she does a great job.”
“I know. It’s why I call her regularly to check up on you.”
“So then you already know what the doctors have said about my next surgery.”
“I know it’s a clinical trial with no certainty for success.”
“Well, life doesn’t promise you certainty. Besides, they’re just going to implant an electrode stimulator along my spinal cord, flip the switch and then see what happens. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and say a lot of prayer.”
“As long as you understand this research is still in its early stages. I don’t want you to be disappointed if you don’t get the results you want.”
“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t give it a try. So I’m good with it.”
The two stared at each other. Nathaniel carried much guilt about his brother’s condition. Nicholas, a former professional football player, had been severely injured in the biggest championship game of his career. Years before his accident, Nathaniel had warned him of the risks, pointing out that previous trauma had already left Nicholas more susceptible to injury. Back then he had recommended that Nicholas retire, but always stubborn, his brother had refused. Nathaniel should have insisted but he’d supported his twin’s choice instead. Now, Nicholas was a paraplegic, permanently confined to a wheel chair, and Nathaniel felt partially responsible.
“Don’t do that,” Nicholas said.
“Do what?”
“Make me feel bad. We’re supposed to be celebrating and you’re making me feel bad. Now I’m depressed.” Nicholas grinned. “Not really!”
“Sorry,” Nathaniel said with a chuckle. He held up both hands as if he were surrendering. “Changing the subject. So, catch me up with the family. I’ve been ignoring your sisters so I know they’re pissed at me.”
“Pissed doesn’t begin to express what those two are feeling right now. I’m supposed to dial them both while I’m here with you since you won’t call either of them back.”
Nathaniel laughed. “Naomi left a vicious message. Marriage clearly hasn’t sweetened her pleasant disposition.”
“Patrick definitely has his hands full with her. But she and Natalie just want to know you’re okay. Natalie and Tinjin are planning to fly in next month, I think.”
“I’ll call them both this evening. I swear I will.”
“Have you talked to Noah?”
“Not since last month when I told him about buying the property. He’s planning to come help with my security systems.”
“Well, let him tell you before you say anything, but he and Catherine are pregnant! He told me yesterday and I’m sure he wants to tell you himself.”
“Hot damn!” Nathaniel exclaimed. “We’re going to be uncles!”
Nicholas laughed with his brother. “It’s pretty cool right? I never imagined any of us having kids. A week ago it seemed like such a foreign concept and now I’m excited. For them and us.”
“You and Tarah haven’t thought about kids?”
“We talk about it all the time. But she says she’s not ready and right now, with my situation, well...” He shrugged slightly.
Nathaniel nodded his understanding. He moved the conversation forward. “The last time I talked to Natalie she said the same thing. She and Tinjin weren’t ready yet.”
“When I talked to her she said they want to open their New York office and settle down in a home here in the United States before taking that step.”
“I really don’t see Natalie leaving Paris.”
“Me, either, but you never know. She may be missing this crazy, dysfunctional family of ours!”
“Speaking of dysfunctional, have you spoken to Nolan?” Nathaniel asked, referring to the wayward father they had all just recently begun to have a relationship with.
Nolan Perry was the biological parent who had not been in their lives when they were children. For too many years to count Nolan had been their mother’s lover, impregnating the teenaged Norris Jean Stallion while he claimed a wife and family on the other side of the Utah town where they’d been raised. Five children later, he’d blown out of their lives like a gale-force wind, leaving the twins and their siblings broken like downed trees.
Just a few short months before their sister Naomi’s wedding, they all discovered Nolan had been as deceived and betrayed as they had been. Blatant lies, half-truths and seriously bad choices had kept him from his children, and now he was making a genuine effort to make up for lost time.
Nicholas nodded. “He’s coming to help out when I have my surgery.” He shifted his eyes up to look directly at his brother. “He volunteered to come stay with me so Tarah doesn’t have to miss any time from the hospital. He’s also excited about coming for your grand opening.”
“It’s still weird to me that we have a father who actually wants to be a part of our lives. I’m still not sure how I feel about it.”
“I know, right? But it’s all good. No matter what, we still have each other. Stallions for life!”
Nathaniel grinned. “Stallions for life!”
The duo talked for another hour, falling into a rhythm they’d known since the womb. Nathaniel was excited to share his plans with his twin. Nicholas was proud of his brother and his added exuberance had them both riding sky-high.
Nathaniel suddenly cussed. “What time is it?” he asked as he tapped at his wristwatch, the device still reading nine-thirty. He looked around the room, the lunch crowd having disappeared almost entirely.
“It’s just four-thirty. Bad battery?”
“More like time for a new watch. But I need to run. I’m meeting Bec and the contractor at the new property.”
“Bec? Rebecca’s here in town?” Nicholas eyed him with a raised brow. “When did that happen?”
“She flew in this morning. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nicholas laughed. “Oh my, my, my! No wonder your real estate agent couldn’t get any play from you. I can’t wait to tell your sisters this!”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Please, don’t start. I’ve just hired Bec and her firm to do the marketing and promotion for the restaurant. That’s all.”
His twin brother grinned. “If you say so! You do know what your sisters say about Rebecca, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Nathaniel responded as he laid cash on the table for the tab. “They say too damn much and they’re wrong, as usual!”
Nicholas laughed. “I definitely won’t tell them you said that!”
* * *
Rebecca Marks walked the perimeter of the 17-Mile Drive property to stare out at the magnificent views. The 3600-square-foot building was a fusion of glass and natural stone, blending seamlessly into the landscape. She loved everything about it. The foreclosure property was even more stupendous than Nathaniel had described. After seeing it up close and personal she completely understood his obsession. And knowing his dream she felt he was a step closer to his goal. Everything about that warmed her heart.
She and Nathaniel had been best buddies since the two had been freshmen at UCLA. They’d become each other’s confidantes, sidekicks and go-to pals for practically everything. Over the years they’d found an easy balance with each other that worked for them both. But truth be told, Rebecca had been head over heels in love with Nathaniel since the day she’d first laid eyes on him. Nathaniel had never looked at her with a romantic eye but their friendship and unyielding bond had been motivation enough to drop everything when he’d called and asked for her help.
Only Rebecca knew how difficult the past two years had actually been for him. His twin brother’s accident had taken a toll on his spirit. His father suddenly appearing in his life and wanting a relationship had stressed him immensely. Dealing with it all while still trying to maintain his medical practice had almost been too much for him to handle. Emotionally, he’d been fractured and desperate not to let it show. There had been many late-night calls between them when Nathaniel had shared what he was feeling, trusting the advice he knew she would give.
When he’d shared his desire to open a restaurant, pursuing a long-held dream of being a successful restaurateur, she’d been the first to encourage him to go for it. Others had laughed, some claiming he was ranting like a man in a midlife crisis. Nathaniel had never been known to take risks. Nor had he often stepped out of his comfort zone. He was a renowned orthopedic surgeon, one of the best in his field. His practice, which specialized in sports medicine, serviced many high-profile clients. He’d invested his money wisely over the years and had a sizeable bank balance to fall back on. He had absolutely nothing to lose, so why not do something that would make him happy. You only live once, Rebecca had insisted as she’d purposely tripped him toward the unknown and what she hoped would prove to be his destiny.
When he’d called to say he had decided to take a lengthy hiatus from medicine to take that leap of faith, and needed her help, she’d been excited for the opportunity. Excited to see him spreading his wings and allowing her to join him on the journey. And flying to Carmel meant being right by his side as he fulfilled his dream, even if it was only for a short time. Since buying the house in Carmel, Nathaniel had been spending less time in Los Angeles and although they spoke often, she missed their one-on-one interaction. She missed him, even if she didn’t say so out loud.
Lost in reverie, Rebecca jumped when Nathaniel suddenly stepped in behind her, wrapping his arms around her torso. A low squeal blew past her lips, replacing the scream that teased the back of her throat. She slapped at him lightly as he laughed.
“Boo!” Nathaniel exclaimed as he pulled her into a deep bear hug.
“You just scared the crap out of me, Nathaniel Stallion!” she said as she punched him again. “You’re so lucky you didn’t get maced.”
He leaned to kiss her cheek, his arms still holding her tightly. “Sorry about that. I couldn’t resist.”
“You’re too damn old to be playing games like that, Stallion.”
He laughed again. “I’m not that old.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Where’s Nicholas? I thought you two were together?”
“He had to fly back to LA so I dropped him off at the airport before I came here.”
“Shoot! I hate that I missed him! How’s he doing?”
“He’s good. He’s really good, actually. I told you about the surgery, didn’t I?”
“You did. And he’s good with everything?”