Deborah Mello - Passionate Premiere

On-screen or off—it doesn’t get hotter than this!

It took grit and determination to climb her way to the top of male-dominated Hollywood. Now, with three Oscars under her belt, Dahlia Morrow is banking everything on her next film. She doesn’t need some bad-boy actor cramping her style. Especially when Guy Boudreaux starts putting the moves on her, tempting the hardworking producer to mix pleasure with business.

With an impressive list of blockbusters under his belt, Guy is looking for something more than another ticket to stardom. He’s heard the rumors about the trail of broken hearts the ambitious diva has left behind. Once he’s tasted Dahlia’s passion, he vows to be her one and only. Yet when they are tested by jealousy, betrayal and a secret that binds the powerful Boudreaux and Stallion families, will Guy be able to prove to Dahlia that she’s the only leading lady for him?

“Is something wrong?”

she questioned,

concern washing over her face.

“No,” Guy replied as he suddenly slipped both his arms around her waist and torso and pulled her tightly to him.

The gesture knocked the wind from Dahlia’s lungs as she felt her body melding easily against his. She clutched the front of Guy’s T-shirt, her eyes lifted to his. His stare was intoxicating and Dahlia could feel herself slipping into the depths of his gaze, losing every ounce of her sensibilities in a wealth of longing. She suddenly felt as if a part of her soul was sliding home. The connection was so strong, so intense that she gasped loudly, the shock of the moment making it difficult for her to breathe.

Without giving it a second thought Dahlia wrapped her arms around Guy’s neck. His mouth was only a fraction of an inch from hers, and in a swift, delicate motion Guy suddenly kissed her, capturing her mouth with determination as he pressed his closed lips against her closed lips. His touch was velvet, soft and gentle, the sweetest caress of skin against skin, and Dahlia instinctively knew that no other man could ever kiss her like that.

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

Writing since forever, 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. Deborah’s eleventh novel, Promises to a Stallion, 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. For Deborah, the ultimate thrill is to weave a story that leaves her audience feeling full and complete, as if they’ve just enjoyed an incredible meal. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.

Passionate Premiere

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the Boudreaux family out of New Orleans! Much like my beloved Stallion family, I am just head over heels for the Boudreauxs. And I’m hoping you’ll come to love them as much as I do.

The family is headed by parents Senior and Katherine Boudreaux and there are nine siblings in all: Mason, Maitlyn, Donovan, Katrina, Darryl, Kendrick, Kamaya, Guy and Tarah. What I love about this family is that they are just plain “folk,” a family bonded by much love. Each has achieved varying levels of success and wealth in their lives. There’s the business tycoon, the agent, the judge, the engineer, the entrepreneur, the free spirit, the actor and the student. What is constant between them all is that they are grounded in their faith and their love for God and family. With the Boudreaux there will be some drama, much drama and drama to the nth degree. And, of course, you can always expect a Stallion or two to drop by when you least expect. The doors are open for much to come and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am!

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 Donna and Doris

and great new friendships.

May you both be surrounded by an abundance of love,

now and always.

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 1

“Dahlia!”

“Here, Dahlia!”

“Dahlia, smile!”

Dahlia Morrow could not have been happier as she stepped out of the limousine in front of the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard for the Eighty-Fifth Academy Awards. The paparazzi were desperate for her attention as cameras flashed around her and complete strangers screamed her name as if they were old friends.

“We love you, Dahlia!”

Dahlia stood in the requisite pose at the beginning of the red carpet, one hand perched pristinely against the curve of her hip. She smiled sweetly as her gaze skated over the landscape of actors and film critics, photographers and television hosts who were out in full force.

Being front and center was typical for the long list of film personalities present, but few filmmakers had ever received the kind of attention that Dahlia was receiving. Dahlia Morrow was an exception to the iconic rules; her fame had grown to significant proportions despite her best efforts to stay out of the limelight. From the start of her career to that very moment, the attention lavished on her had been formidable, as if she’d been the face in front of the cameras and not the brain trust behind them. And all because of her very brief romantic connection to one of the film industry’s biggest stars; the majority of it had been headline fodder for the tabloids. Recognizing an opportunity, Dahlia had fostered the public’s fascination with her into a highly recognized brand. Turning that moment of cause célèbre to her advantage now made her accomplishments instant news success.

Dahlia continued her slow stroll down the red carpet, pausing for snapshots and interviews. All of her hard work for the past two years had culminated in this one evening and she wanted to savor every moment of it. She paused in reflection, the moment captured for posterity as cameras continued to flash around her. Her brilliant smile dazzled her admirers.

Her first film project had been a two-minute short, a senior project in college. Her film teacher had submitted the assignment to a nationwide competition, and when Dahlia’s had been selected best overall, winning her an internship with one of the largest film studios on the West Coast, her career in the movie industry was born.

And tonight her talent was being acknowledged by the industry with her latest film, Victory’s Daughter, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Reviewers, pundits and bookies were predicting Victory’s Daughter would sweep the Oscars, and Dahlia was betting on herself, as well.

This was her night, and Dahlia imagined that the only thing that could have made the moment more perfect was if she was walking the red carpet with a man she was head over heels in love with. Walking the red carpet with Drake Houston, however, would do. The renowned actor and playwright reveled in his own notoriety. Besides, he looked good with his windblown blond locks and ocean-blue eyes. Side by side they made a handsome couple. It would play nicely on the entertainment news and the cover of Variety magazine, Dahlia thought.