Deborah Mello - A Stallion's Touch

The sweetest medicine

Nicholas Stallion’s championship dreams are almost within reach. The star quarterback has lucrative endorsement deals, A-list friends and beautiful women on call...until a play-off injury changes his life. He’s angry at the world—and butting heads with family friend Dr. Tarah Boudreaux. Yet the ambitious neurosurgeon’s unwavering encouragement sparks an intimacy that blindsides them both.

The Nicholas that Tarah met before the accident had wealth, fame and charm. All of that pales in comparison to the driven, determined man she’s falling for now. And when a captivating first kiss leads to an intensely tender moment, she knows she’s in way over her head. But with a jealous rival in the mix, Nicholas must be willing to make the ultimate play, or lose a love he had never dreamed of finding...

“We’re standing under the mistletoe,” he said softly, a hint of laughter in his tone.

Tarah’s gaze moved from his face upward to where he pointed. A ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens and a red velvet ribbon dangled precariously above them. She turned her gaze back to his, staring into his dark eyes. “Christmas is officially over.”

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “It still counts. At least until New Year’s.”

“Says who?”

“It’s an old family tradition. If you stand under the mistletoe, you can’t refuse to be kissed.”

“We don’t have that tradition in my family.”

“You’re in Stallion territory. In this house those are the rules.”

“Says who?”

“Says every man named Stallion in this family. Just ask them if you don’t believe me.”

Tarah crossed her arms over her chest, her stance widening as she faced him full on. It was a standoff of magnanimous proportions as they stared intensely at each other. Nicholas was actually taken aback when Tarah suddenly moved against him, pressing both her hands against his chest. The heat between them rose like a firestorm intent on vengeance.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Family Tree Prologue 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 Copyright ,

I am so excited about Tarah Boudreaux and Nicholas Stallion’s story that I could just bust! Pairing a Stallion with a Boudreaux came naturally once I discovered the Utah branch of the Stallion family tree. This connection felt all kinds of right!

A Stallion’s Touch is all about love. Love overcoming obstacles. Love unexpected. Love manifested from the deepest friendship. Tarah and Nicholas’s story is love in all its exquisite glory!

Family and faith are the cornerstone of all my Stallion-Boudreaux stories, and this one is no different. Faith and trust in a higher power are the reasons Tarah and Nicholas are able to transcend doubt and fears and overcome their trials and tribulations. Together they are fire and fire, and it doesn’t get any better than that.

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 next time, please take care and may God’s blessings be with you always.

With much love,

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.DeborahMello.blogspot.com

A Stallion’s Touch

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO has been writing since forever and 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 she won an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. With each new book Deborah continues to create unique storylines and memorable characters.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The sweetest medicine Nicholas Stallion’s championship dreams are almost within reach. The star quarterback has lucrative endorsement deals, A-list friends and beautiful women on call...until a play-off injury changes his life. He’s angry at the world—and butting heads with family friend Dr. Tarah Boudreaux. Yet the ambitious neurosurgeon’s unwavering encouragement sparks an intimacy that blindsides them both. The Nicholas that Tarah met before the accident had wealth, fame and charm. All of that pales in comparison to the driven, determined man she’s falling for now. And when a captivating first kiss leads to an intensely tender moment, she knows she’s in way over her head. But with a jealous rival in the mix, Nicholas must be willing to make the ultimate play, or lose a love he had never dreamed of finding...

Introduction “We’re standing under the mistletoe,” he said softly, a hint of laughter in his tone. Tarah’s gaze moved from his face upward to where he pointed. A ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens and a red velvet ribbon dangled precariously above them. She turned her gaze back to his, staring into his dark eyes. “Christmas is officially over.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “It still counts. At least until New Year’s.” “Says who?” “It’s an old family tradition. If you stand under the mistletoe, you can’t refuse to be kissed.” “We don’t have that tradition in my family.” “You’re in Stallion territory. In this house those are the rules.” “Says who?” “Says every man named Stallion in this family. Just ask them if you don’t believe me.” Tarah crossed her arms over her chest, her stance widening as she faced him full on. It was a standoff of magnanimous proportions as they stared intensely at each other. Nicholas was actually taken aback when Tarah suddenly moved against him, pressing both her hands against his chest. The heat between them rose like a firestorm intent on vengeance.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Family Tree Prologue 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 Copyright , I am so excited about Tarah Boudreaux and Nicholas Stallion’s story that I could just bust! Pairing a Stallion with a Boudreaux came naturally once I discovered the Utah branch of the Stallion family tree. This connection felt all kinds of right! A Stallion’s Touch is all about love. Love overcoming obstacles. Love unexpected. Love manifested from the deepest friendship. Tarah and Nicholas’s story is love in all its exquisite glory! Family and faith are the cornerstone of all my Stallion-Boudreaux stories, and this one is no different. Faith and trust in a higher power are the reasons Tarah and Nicholas are able to transcend doubt and fears and overcome their trials and tribulations. Together they are fire and fire, and it doesn’t get any better than that. 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 next time, please take care and may God’s blessings be with you always. With much love, Deborah Fletcher Mello www.DeborahMello.blogspot.com

Title Page A Stallion’s Touch Deborah Fletcher Mello www.millsandboon.co.uk