One legendary clan
International supermodel Natalie Stallion has come a long way from her humble Utah roots. Called back from London to settle her motherâs estate, she has conflicting feelings about reuniting with her estranged siblings. And when a norâeaster strands her with a sexy stranger, she decides to take advantage of the delay. But sharing a fleeting moment in time with world-famous designer Tinjin Braddy leaves her with regrets for what might have been.
Haunted by the memory of that sizzling goodbye kiss at the airport, the continent-hopping playboy doesnât expect to see the siren in stilettos again. But their lives and careers are about to collide at a Stallion family reunion. And now high-level espionage threatens Tinjinâs entire business empire. With suspicionâand irresistible desireâigniting, can Tinjin trust Natalie with his future and his heart?
âSo you donât have to leave?â
âNo. I donât. And since you desperately want to spend time with me, I think Iâm going to stay.â
Natalie smiled. âThere is nothing desperate about me, TJ. Donât get it twisted.â
She tossed a glance over her shoulder. Her family had moved to the foyer, the goodbyes lingering as everyone tried to get in one last word and comment. She turned back to Tinjin and moved against him, tipping up on her toes as she pressed her palms to his chest. âThank you,â she said, her soft voice brushing warmly against his ear.
Tinjin wrapped his arms around her. âYouâre welcome,â he whispered back as he relished the feel of her.
He placed a gentle kiss against her cheek, allowing his lips to linger there for a minute longer than necessary. Her breathing eased as she relaxed against him. He dropped his cheek to hers, the warmth of her skin sending a swift chill down his spine.
Natalie slid her arms around his torso and hugged her chest to his. He wrapped his arms around her back, his hands resting against the silk of her dress.
Dear Reader,
The Stallion family is officially back! After all your emails and messages and Facebook postings, I heard you loud and clear. But you know I couldnât give you a Stallion story without throwing in a twist or two. And what better twist than a new branch on the Stallion family tree?
My Stallion Heart welcomes back Tinjin Braddy, the brother of Tierra Braddy, wife of Stallion cousin Travis from my book Promise to a Stallion. Once again, itâs all about family, friends and faith because there would be
no Stallion story without the foundation they were all raised on.
I greatly appreciate you all. I am humbled by your support. Thank you for all that you do to show me, my characters and our stories your love.
Until next time, please take care of yourselves, and may Godâs blessings continue to be with you.
With much love,
Deborah Fletcher Mello
DeborahMello.blogspot.com
DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO has been writing since forever and canât imagine herself doing anything else. Her first romance novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam Emma Award nomination for Best New Author, and in 2009, she won an RT Reviewersâ Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. She continues to create unique story lines and memorable characters with each new book. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
To Morgan Parsons
May you find the love you crave And be blessed with much joy and happiness. Now and always.
Chapter 1
The prestigious Westminster flat was an interior designerâs dream come true. Eggshell-colored walls were lined with exquisite abstract artwork. Ornate sculpture sat on top of marble pedestals. The decor was upscale and expensive. Subtle jazz played softly throughout the space and the sound of fingernails tapping against a computer keyboard resonated in the background.
The house phone rang three times, then clicked to an answering machine on a glass-topped table. The taped greeting suddenly drowned out all the other sounds.
âItâs me. Iâm not answering, but then you already know that. If I need to tell you what to do, donât waste my time.â BEEP.
A womanâs voice resounded loudly from the other end of the line. âNatalie! Weâre headed to the pub for a pint of ale. Take a break and come meet us. I know! I know! You have a deadline. Well, screw that. If you donât show up I will personally ring your doorbell at 3:00 a.m. and kick your skinny ass for ignoring your best friendsââ
The answering machine beeped a second time, cutting the woman off midsentence. Across the room Natalie Renee Stallion was seated at an antique cedar desk typing diligently on her laptop. Amusement shimmered in her dark eyes. She smiled, her grin wide and full, as the telephone rang a second time, the machine picking it up again. Her best friend shouted at the device, her deep alto voice echoing about the room.