To Love a Stallion
Pleasure before business…John Stallion may be a ruthless CEO who thinks he can buy her family's Texas ranch, but Dallas businesswoman Marah Briscoe intends to put her considerable charm and savvy into breaking his iron grip on the proposed deal. Instead, she's blindsided by a man as infuriating as he is irresistible–a man who makes it clear he plays to win, especially where a beautiful woman is concerned.Marah is feisty and furious, but all John can think about is the feel of her soft skin and full, sensual lips. The line between business and pleasure is crossed the moment she storms into his office wearing skinny jeans and sultry perfume. Determined to get closer to this passionate woman who has invaded his life, he begins their negotiations with a kiss….
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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 24
Chapter 1
Marah Briscoe sat in a line of early morning traffic that seemed to be going absolutely nowhere. Vehicles were bumper to bumper on I-35, everything slowed from Zang Boulevard to Illinois Avenue. After a seriously long night with almost no rest, Marah was not in the mood. Sleep had been alluding her for days, ever since the last family meeting when her father had shocked her and her sisters with what he had called âgood news.â Since that moment, her mind had been a random mush of reflection, her concentration challenged. Some sleep would have helped because the lack of it was truly messing with her thoughts and this morning was surely not the one for her to be unfocused.
From the moment sheâd risen from her bed, her day had not gone well. The alarm on her clock radio had not gone off, setting her thirty minutes behind schedule, and a previous problem with the plumbing in her apartment had resurfaced with a vengeance. There had only been a short burst of hot water for her shower and premenstrual cramps were wrecking havoc on her body. With the traffic now holding her hostage, making her drive downtown a tedious chore at best, Marah was wishing she could crawl back into bed, pull the covers up and over her head and forget any of this was happening.
She was grateful when she finally pulled into the lower parking deck of the highrise offices and quickly found an empty parking spot in the front row. It felt as if sheâd been given a minor reprieve from her misery. Exiting the vehicle, she took a series of deep breaths before entering the lobby of Stallion Enterprisesâ executive office complex. Anxiety swept through her as she maneuvered her way past a uniformed officer sitting at the front security station and eased over to the buildingâs office directory. The oversize display case was recessed into a marbled wall, the black surface and bright white lettering illuminated by a hint of light that seemed to seep from somewhere in the back of the unit. She scanned it slowly, confirming the location of the corporate boardroom. When she located the appropriate floor and wing she depressed the up button for the elevator, waiting with the small crowd that had quickly gathered around her.
Taking a glance over her shoulder Marah noted the security guard eyeing her curiously, his gaze sweeping the length of her size-four frame with much appreciation. She tossed him a wry smile, then turned her attention back to the opening doors of the conveyor. Stepping inside she pushed the button for the fifty-fourth floor and eased her body in among the others who were riding up with her. The doors closed quickly and Marah blew a sigh of relief, cementing her decision to follow through with her mission.
Marah had been having second thoughts about what she planned to do. But what she was doing had become necessary. Six weeks ago sheâd gotten word that Stallion Enterprises had made a bid to purchase her fatherâs ranch, one of the last black-owned granges in the county of Dallas. Some egotistical, corporate demagogue had preyed on her fatherâs soft nature and had conned the old man into actually believing this was in his best interest.
Since his wifeâs death five years ago, Edward Briscoe had been beside himself with grief, his bereavement consuming every aspect of his life. Heâd lost his one and only love and, besides his children, all he had left was that ranch. Marah was willing to go to any lengths to ensure her father didnât lose it and definitely not to the likes of a silver-tongued, snake-oil salesman by the name of John Stallion.
Taking a glance down to the gold-toned watch on her wrist, Marah was suddenly concerned that sheâd missed her window of opportunity. The executive committee of Stallion Enterprises would already be gathered together, preparing for the annual board meeting that would be commencing later that morning. Marah knew that slipping into the boardroom and interrupting their planning session before someone called security and tossed her out on the heels of her Abilene cowboy boots would be no easy feat.
A few stops later the elevator was exceptionally full when the doors opened and another crowd of bodies pushed their way inside. Marah took a step back to make room, pressing herself against the people already standing behind her. She tossed a quick look behind her, suddenly aware that she had stepped into someoneâs space. A woman standing just over her right shoulder met her gaze, a slight smile of polite acknowledgment pulling at her thin lips. Marah couldnât see the man at her back without turning all the way around, but she was acutely aware of his seductive cologne and imposing stature, and had caught a glimpse of his expensively tailored dark gray suit and classic Bostonian cap-toe shoes.
