Deborah Fletcher Mello - Sweet Stallion

They’re not as different as she thinks

After scoring phenomenal success in Phoenix with her organic food co-op, Naomi Stallion is ready to introduce Vitally Vegan to her Utah town. But meeting her half siblings and the extended family she never knew isn’t the homecoming she’d hoped for. And now a nasty bidding war over the property Naomi wants to buy pits the unconventional lifestyle coach against sexy, überconservative corporate attorney Patrick O’Brien.

Behind the power suit, ruggedly handsome looks and dazzling legal maneuvers, Patrick’s a country guy at heart. His attraction to the beautiful farmer who marches to the beat of her own unique drum makes him question his loyalty to the investment conglomerate he represents. The stakes rise when someone close to them both threatens Naomi’s business, forcing Patrick to choose between his career...and the woman he yearns to make his lifelong partner.

“So, this is that awkward moment at the end of our date where I want to kiss you again but I don’t want to overstep any boundaries. Since we’re still getting to know each other, it might be too soon. And I would hate to get slapped.”

Naomi giggled, her eyes shifting in a slight roll. “Do you often get slapped when you kiss a woman?”

He grinned. “Not at all. But if I kiss you, it won’t be like last time. It won’t be a casual kiss on the cheek. Or a light peck on your lips. This time I plan to kiss you like you’ve never been kissed before.”

“Well, if I’m honest with you,” Naomi started, her weight shifting from side to side, “this is that moment where I want to be kissed but I don’t want you to think that I’m too forward. I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression of me. Because I am not that kind of woman.”

Patrick leaned to drop his bag onto the coffee table. He took a step toward her, closing the distance between them.

Dear Reader,

Let me warn you by saying there is nothing sweet about Sweet Stallion! Ms. Naomi Stallion is not the sugary sibling. As the eldest girl of the Utah Stallions, she is not known to hold her tongue and you’ll discover that she has no problems laying it all on the table.

Legal eagle Patrick O’Brien is a delectable mélange of yummy goodness! His attraction to Naomi is instant and the two light up the pages! I think you’re going to love, love, love everything about them.

I really like this story! Naomi gives me all kinds of feel-good moments and Patrick just takes my breath away!

As always, thank you so much for your continued support. 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

Sweet Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Having been writing since forever, DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLOcan’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 an RT Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Series Romance for 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. In addition, she has 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.

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To my Diamonds,

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

You give selflessly each and every day, and I am grateful for you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

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

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Naomi Stallion was standing in her big brother’s kitchen when he and his wife came through the front door of their Arlington Drive home. The couple was giggling, their voices low. Naomi winced, suspecting that she was about to intrude on an intimate moment. She called out to them, rattling a frying pan against the stove top as she did.

“Hello! It’s me! I’m here in your kitchen. Please don’t take your clothes off!” she shouted, remembering the last time the two had come running through the house not knowing she was there.

There was a brief moment of silence, and then laughter led Noah Stallion and Catherine “Cat” Moore-Stallion from their living room into the dining area.

“Hi, Naomi!” Cat chimed as she toyed with the buttons on her blouse and adjusted her skirt.

Naomi smiled. “Sorry about that.”

“Hey!” Noah said. He tossed up a casual hand as his eyes widened curiously. “What are you doing here?”

Naomi gave her brother a look. Before she could respond, Cat interrupted, exclaiming excitedly, “You cooked!”

“I did. I figured it was the least I could do after showing up unannounced,” Naomi responded. “To stay for a few days,” she added, the words coming rapidly. “Maybe even a week. Or two.”

The couple laughed, the two exchanging a look between them.

“So, to what do we owe the honor?” Noah asked as he moved toward the counter and settled down on a wooden stool. He reached for a stalk of celery that rested on a vegetable tray Naomi had pushed in his direction. “We weren’t expecting to see you until next month.”

“I wasn’t expecting to be here. But what about you? I’m actually surprised that you two aren’t in New York. Isn’t that where one of you was supposed to be?”

Noah nodded. “My plans changed. I needed to be at the corporate office here, and Cat flew in to see me before she heads to Dallas tomorrow.”

Naomi gave them both a smile. “My plans changed, too. The property adjacent to my farm is going up for auction next week. I want that land. If I can get it, I want to expand my business model here and get a second food co-op up and running.”

The farm Naomi referred to was the fifteen acres of land she owned in the Pleasant Grove area just outside downtown Salt Lake City. It had been a foreclosure investment that she’d acquired years ago, initially planning to wait for the real estate market to improve, and then sell it. Her decision to actually grow produce on the property and work it had come as a surprise to them all.

“How much land is it?” Cat asked, joining her husband at the counter. She reached for her own celery stick and dipped it into the cucumber dressing that filled a small bowl.