Deborah Mello - Promises to a Stallion

Stepping into the flow of heated water Travis pressed his hands to Tierra’s shoulders, moving his body close to hers. His fingers skated down the length of her arms, tickling her flesh.

Tierra closed her eyes as she moved against him, pressing her back up against his chest. A shiver raced from the pit of her stomach and into her limbs. She felt a delightful throb between her legs.

Tilting her face to his, Tierra kissed him. Their lips touched first, then their tongues, meeting like old friends. Their passion rose in intensity, his tongue eagerly searching her mouth, reaching as far as it could. Tierra moaned as Travis danced in her mouth then gently sucked on her lips. He couldn’t remember ever having tasted anything so sweet.

Tierra opened her eyes wide, staring deep into his. In that moment she couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere more than where she was right now. More important, she knew she didn’t have to.

“I want you,” Tierra murmured before kissing his mouth again.

has been writing since she was thirteen and can’t imagine 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 Slam Jam’s Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel The Right Side of Love, and in 2009 she won a RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion.

For Deborah, writing is akin to 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 the 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 finds her.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the late Mrs. Hattie Joanne Woody, who demanded excellence, nurtured greatness, instilled compassion, and inspired a generation of dreamers to reach beyond the stars.

Your love thrives in your son’s heart and I am grateful for it.

Dear Reader,

It’s raining men, Stallion-style! Those billionaire brothers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion are back and this time they’re riding with family cousin Travis Stallion, another stud who definitely doesn’t disappoint.

I absolutely loved writing Travis and Tierra’s story. Inspired by a real-life love story, I couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities of a couple meeting, falling in love and making the decision to marry in less than thirty days.

Thank you for taking this amazing journey with me. Your words of encouragement and support continue to keep me writing and motivate me to write well.

I always love to hear what you think so please feel free 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

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

Every head in the room turned to stare at the beautiful young woman who had just released an unnerving scream at the top of her lungs. Startled expressions turned into curious stares, and a few amused smiles, that swept from corner to corner as the other patrons of Ridgeland Diner noted her infectious smile. Something had obviously made the woman extremely happy.

Seated at a cushioned booth, Tierra Braddy was jumping excitedly in her seat. Clearly embarrassed, the man seated beside her looked around sheepishly. He was hardly impressed, but his twenty-eight-year-old baby sister was fully taken by the good news she had heard.

“Girlfriend, you are the best,” Tierra exclaimed into her BlackBerry. Her deep brown gaze met the dark eyes that resembled her own. She was grinning widely, but her brother’s full lips were turned into a deep frown. She poked her tongue out at him as she continued her cell phone conversation. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” she said just before disconnecting the call she’d been so eagerly engaged in.

“Let me guess,” Tingin Braddy said, leaning back against his seat, his arms folding over his broad chest. “You were able to pull off a dozen gold-winged doves for this wedding of the century?”

Tierra’s eyes widened in delight. “Better. We are confirmed for the chapel at Briscoe Ranch. Isn’t that great?” she exclaimed, her whole body quivering with excitement. “You remember Eden Waller, don’t you? She married Doug Waller’s brother Jack.”

“I remember Doug. I don’t think I ever met Jack or his wife.”

Tierra shrugged. “Well, Eden and her sister are the event planners at Briscoe Ranch, and they weren’t sure the renovations would be completed in time for us to use it. But she said they are officially finished and mine will be the first wedding in the building since 1949! How great is that!”

“Grand,” Tingin responded, no hint of enthusiasm in his voice. “But let me ask you something very important,” he said, leaning forward in his seat and resting his elbows atop the table. He leaned his chin against the back of his cupped hands and met her curious stare evenly. “Are you sure about this, Tea? Because it’s not too late to change your mind.”

“I can’t believe you would ask me something like that!” The young woman’s voice was laced with attitude. “I have been planning my dream wedding since I was ten years old. That’s how sure I am.”

“I get the dream wedding part, kiddo. We were all just hoping you’d find a dream groom to go with those nuptials.”

“Don’t start, Tingin,” Tierra said, the hint of a reprimand on her tongue. “Don’t spoil this for me. You know how I feel about Damien.”

“That’s not the problem, either. It’s how Damien feels about you that has me concerned.”

The smile on Tierra’s face had folded down into an annoyed frown. “Big brother, be in a relationship that lasts longer than a minute and then you can have a conversation with me about somebody loving somebody.” Her negative attitude had magnified substantially.

Tingin held up his hands as if in defeat. “My apologies. Don’t get your spine all bent out of shape. I wouldn’t be a good big brother if I didn’t ask, Tierra.”

“You always have to try and spoil things, Tingin. Ever since we were little kids. You get some perverse thrill out of trying to burst my bubbles, don’t you?”

The man laughed heartily. “You have me all figured out. I’ve been plotting since the day you were born to bring you down,” he said sarcastically.

Tierra punched her brother in the arm, the gesture just hard enough to get his full and undivided attention. “Well, stop. It’s not working.”

“Ouch, that hurt.” Tingin rubbed his upper arm.

“It was supposed to. Now,” Tierra said, changing the subject as she gestured toward their waitress for the bill. “I need to go confirm my flower order. Do you want to come with me?”

Tingin dropped his paper napkin to the table and shook his head. “I think I’ll pass, but give me a call when you go for the menu tasting!”