Deborah Mello - Forever a Stallion

All he wants is forever—in her arms

Phaedra Parrish’s life takes a sudden turn when she discovers she’s a member of the legendary Stallion clan. In Dallas to meet her newly found half brothers, the worldly photographer isn’t looking for romance—or commitment. But self-made hotel tycoon Mason Boudreaux III won’t take no for an answer. Under starry Texas skies, the dashing and debonair CEO is showing Phaedra what men in the West are really like.

Mason’s got everything riding on his make-or-break business deal with the Stallions. Now the corporate playboy has an even stronger reason to merge with them: his desire for their exquisite, free-spirited sister. But Mason wants more than just a business deal. He wants to get to know the woman behind the camera. From a sprawling Western ranch to an exotic private island, Mason woos Phaedra…but will she say I do to a lifetime of forever in his arms?

She nodded her head as she

eased around him, treading gently

to keep from falling into the water.

As she stepped into his space, Mason inhaled the scent of her perfume, a light floral fragrance wafting beneath his nose. Before he realized what he was doing, he clutched her arm, pulling her to him. He hesitated for only a moment, Phaedra meeting his intense stare with a look of her own. Her breath caught deep in her chest, and her heart raced unexpectedly.

Without a second thought, Mason leaned in to kiss her, allowing his lips to lightly graze hers. His breath was hot with wanting, his full lips quivering in anticipation. He pulled away and stared into her eyes a second time and then he dropped his mouth to hers, meeting Phaedra’s lips in a deep, soul-searing kiss.

Time seemed to come to a standstill. Phaedra felt as if the world had rotated her into the stratosphere, with everything spinning around her. Mason held her tightly, his hands burning hot against the bare skin of her arms and shoulders. His body melded tight to hers and both were in awe of the sensations, feeling as if they were melting one into the other. When he finally pulled back, both of them gasping for air, he knew beyond any doubt that he had absolutely fallen in love with Phaedra, and Phaedra was falling in love with him.

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

Writing since she was thirteen years old, 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. Most recently, Deborah’s eleventh novel, Promises to a Stallion, has 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. Weaving a story that leaves her audience feeling full and complete, as if they’ve just enjoyed an incredible meal, is an 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 moves her.

Forever a Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I have absolutely loved my four billionaire brothers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion. With their individual stories finished, I was ready to move on. But something kept pulling at my creative spirit, demanding that I continue what I’d started, and it soon became clear that the Stallion family’s story was far from over.

Discovering the illustrious Phaedra Parrish, the one and only Stallion sister, came as a complete and total surprise to me. But as the details of her story unraveled, I found myself completely enthralled. I loved introducing Phaedra to her brothers and watching the new family dynamics unfold.

Forever a Stallion also introduces the Boudreaux family out of New Orleans, opening the door to much, much more to come.

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 Wes “Third” Woody,

You are a source of sheer inspiration.

Your bright smile absolutely moves my spirit.

Please know that you are much loved.

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

Mason Boudreaux extended a large hand toward the president and chief executive officer of Stallion Enterprises. John Stallion shook it heartily, cementing his company’s five-billion-dollar acquisition of the Boudreaux hotel chain.

“Congratulations!” Mason intoned as John’s brother, Matthew Stallion, popped the cork on a vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne.

John nodded. “And congratulations to you, as well, sir. I’m sure this means that you will be wearing retirement quite well.”

“I don’t know about retirement.” Mason let out a deep chuckle. “But I imagine I’m going to have a hell of a time with whatever my next business venture might be.”

Matthew passed each man a crystal flute filled with drink. “Well, Mason, if your next adventure is as profitable as this one was, you’ll be doing exceptionally well for yourself, my friend.”

Mason nodded his agreement as he lifted his champagne glass in salute, celebrating the sale of his hotel-owning company to the Stallion family. At his age of thirty-seven, selling the forty-five hundred hotels that constituted Boudreaux International Hotels and Resorts was a testament to his hard work and dedication. The multibillion-dollar payment was an acknowledgment of his success.

“And now that Boudreaux International is under the Stallion umbrella, I can only hope and pray that we will continue to build on all of your accomplishments,” John said, grinning broadly, “which is why I’m happy that we could convince you to stay on board in a consulting capacity. I’m certain that we’ll need to draw on your knowledge and experience.”

Mason took a sip of his drink. “It’s going to be a great partnership and I’m glad we’re keeping it in the family,” he said as he gestured in Matthew’s direction.

Matthew laughed. “I appreciate that, brother-in-law. More than you know.”

“Oh, I know!” Mason said, laughing with him. “I know my sister. I’m sure Katrina has just about worked your last nerve offering her advice about this deal. I’ve lost count of the number of times she’s wrangled me to give her opinion.”

“You know it!” Matthew said, thinking of his beautiful new wife. Mason’s sister Katrina and he had married a few weeks earlier. His whirlwind relationship with the district court judge had taken them both by surprise and now the couple was anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child together. “And those pregnancy hormones have not helped.”

The third oldest Stallion brother, Mark, chimed in as he stepped through the conference room door. His baby daughter was clutched to his chest, the six-month-old little girl looking around in wide-eyed wonder. “Well, the wives are headed upstairs. Good news traveled fast.”

“I swear, it’s like they all have radar.” John laughed and shook his head. He leaned to nuzzle his niece’s chubby cheek.