This Cowboy Plays For Keeps

Wealthy Texas scion Matthew Stallion is the playboy of the Western world. In the courtroom, he’s unbeatable. On a horse, he’s unstoppable. And in bed...he’s irresistible. But it may be time for the second eldest Stallion son to hang up his Stetson when he clashes with single mother Katrina Broomes. The widowed judge is the epitome of judicial calm and old-fashioned tradition. Until Matthew unleashes her wild passion.

The charismatic, eye-catchingly gorgeous attorney is six feet plus of potent masculinity. Katrina doesn’t stand a chance against Matthew’s sensual onslaught. From the chic boulevards of Paris to the sprawling Stallion family ranch, she’s getting a lesson in seduction—Texan style. Because when it comes to love out West…the sky’s the limit!

“Are you an art collector, Matthew?”

“I’ve acquired a few pieces. I like beautiful things,” he answered. His gaze met hers and held it, the words feeling like a sweet caress against her ears.

Katrina blinked, shifting away from the emotion rising between them. “Everything is so massive,” she noted as her gaze wafted from one work of art to another.

“That’s how we do things here in Texas, ma’am,” Matthew said, exaggerating his deep Southern drawl. “We breed everything big down here!”

She laughed, her head waving from side to side. “You are so not funny,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. The sensation was electric, causing Katrina to gasp loudly. “That’s why you laughed.” Matthew grinned. “Are you ready for dinner, Judge Broomes?”

“Is that going to be big, too?”

Matthew took a step toward her, moving his body near to hers. Katrina felt herself holding her breath at the nearness of him. His fingers gently caressed the length of her arm as he spoke.

“I hope it will exceed your expectations,” Matthew said, his gentle tone soothing. “I’m hoping this whole evening is going to be an event like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. If that takes big, then I assure you it will be the biggest meal you will ever have.”

Easing her gaze up to meet his, Katrina suddenly wanted to kiss the full lips smiling down at her. The heat from his body had ignited a flame deep in her midsection and she suddenly felt like she might combust from the intensity of it. She fought the sensation.

Her voice was barely a whisper as she responded. “I’d say you’re off to a good start,” she said softly.

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.

Seduced by a Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Reader,

It seems like it took forever, but the Stallion men are finally back! Those billionaire brothers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion are back and they are bigger and better than ever with brother Matthew’s story. A definite Stallion stud, Matthew does not disappoint as he meets his match in district court judge Katrina Broomes.

I absolutely loved writing Matthew’s story. With each brother’s unique personality, conservative attorney Matthew brought a whole new dynamic to the table with everyone dying to know if he fathered family friend Vanessa Long’s baby. Is Matthew the father of Vanessa’s baby? Does Vanessa bring the baby-mama drama into Matthew and Katrina’s relationship?

Seduced By a Stallion answers those questions and opens the doors to much, much more to come. It was so much fun to write and I know you won’t be disappointed!

As always I have to thank each of you for taking this amazing journey with me. None of this would be possible if it were not for your support. Your words of encouragement, your critiques and your criticisms continue to keep me writing and always motivate me to write well.

I always love to hear what you think so please, please, please 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 my grandmother, Mrs. Susie M. Cole,

Your spirit continues to amaze and delight.

You are my inspiration and I love you beyond words.

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

Chaos reigned at the Dallas County courthouse. Loud whispers echoed from one end of each hallowed hall to the other. Matthew Stallion avoided the crowds and entered the building through the employee entrance, a privilege afforded him by his Harvard law degree. Although he hadn’t practiced criminal law since the year after he passed the state’s bar exam, he had spent much time in the courthouse navigating civil suits for his family’s business. Stallion Enterprises, which had been his older brother John’s brainchild, was a successful corporate empire built on commercial real estate and development, as well as a shipping company with numerous entertainment interests.

As the door locked securely behind him, he pulled at the lapels of his business suit, adjusting the silk jacket neatly against his solid frame. The charcoal-gray against the bright white dress shirt and his raspberry-colored tie flattered his mahogany complexion nicely.

Sticking his head into the county clerk’s office, he greeted the two women bustling around inside, the duo getting ready for what was already proving to be a very busy day in the Dallas judicial system.

“Good morning, ladies,” Matthew said with a wide grin.

Mrs. Nettie Banks grinned back. “Good morning, Counselor. How are you faring this beautiful morning?”

“No complaints,” Matthew answered.

The other woman, Mrs. Maxine Bright, nodded. “No one listens when you do complain, baby.” She chuckled softly, shifting a folder of paperwork from one desk to another.

“What brings you here this morning, Mr. Stallion?” Mrs. Banks asked, a look of confusion crossing her face. “I don’t remember seeing that you had filed for anything recently.”

“I didn’t. I was subpoenaed to family court and thought I’d take a minute to come say hello to you two lovely ladies.”

Both women eyed him suspiciously.

Matthew laughed warmly, lifting both his hands up as if in surrender. “I swear,” he said with a deep chuckle. “I didn’t do anything. Some kid stole my car. I don’t even know why it’s in family court and not over in the criminal building.”

Mrs. Bright shook her head, laughing with him. “You had us worried for a hot minute there, Attorney Stallion.”

Mrs. Banks nodded. “A hot minute,” she echoed as she flipped through a clipped stack of papers. “There you are. You’re seeing Judge Tyler this morning.” She continued to browse through her notes, her expression stern. “This is that case with Judge Broomes’s son. That’s probably why they moved it to family. He’s one of ours.”

Matthew nodded, his curiosity suddenly raised. “Who’s Judge Broomes?”

“Judge Katrina Broomes. The governor appointed her to replace the late Judge Harris. She hasn’t been with us long,” Mrs. Bright responded.

“Katrina? So, Judge Broomes is a woman?”

“We do have female judges, Counselor,” Mrs. Bright said, her hands dropping to her full hips.

“Yes, ma’am, I know. I was just asking,” he said with a soft chuckle.

The woman tossed him a warm smile, gesturing toward the large clock on the wall behind her. “Well, you better head on up. Judge Tyler doesn’t take kindly to court starting late.”

“Thank you, ladies. You two have a good day now,” Matthew replied, tossing them both a wink of his eye.

As he walked out the door, the two women stared after him, both admiring the sway of his fit physique. When the door was closed securely behind him, Mrs. Banks shook her gray head from side to side. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. If I was twenty years younger,” she said with a soft giggle.

“Honey, hush yo’ mouth!” Mrs. Bright giggled with her. “Just hush yo’ mouth!”

* * *

Matthew shook hands with the state prosecutor, a short, balding man with a bad comb-over of bright red hair. “Ed, good morning! How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well, sir. It’s good to see you again. You were subpoenaed today, weren’t you?”

“Yes, the State versus Collin Broomes. Kid stole my car.”

“We’re actually going to try to mediate that one. The boy is a judge’s son. First offense, good family, ready to admit guilt. We’re hoping to keep him out of the system and put him back on the right track. That is, of course, if you’re amenable.”

Matthew nodded. “Everything’s negotiable, Ed.”

“Good. Once the judge calls the court to order, I’ll ask that you all be referred to the family mediator and I’ll get you out as quickly as I can.”

“Thank you,” Matthew said, moving to take the seat directly behind the prosecutor.

He looked around the room. The crowd gathering was a hodgepodge of personalities, people from all social and economic walks of life. He couldn’t begin to identify which of the sons sitting beside his mother was the son who had taken his Mercedes and had crashed it into the center median on Interstate 35. He couldn’t, because there were far too many young boys sitting in that courtroom, waiting for their cases to be heard. The absurdity of that fact weighed heavily on his spirit. Matthew heaved a deep sigh.

Minutes later, with court officially in session, the court officer called the young man’s name. “The State of Texas versus Collin Broomes!”

Matthew looked up just as young Collin walked to the front of the courtroom, his attorney leading the way. The lanky teenager stood in the vicinity of six feet tall. His oversize stature belied his baby face, and it was obvious that he wasn’t quite comfortable with his height, that his maturation had not yet caught up with his size. He was neatly groomed, with a fresh haircut, khaki slacks, a navy blue polo shirt and leather loafers. With the exception of his hunched shoulders and the hands pushed deep into the pockets of his slacks, he didn’t seem to fit in with the other young boys, with their baggy pants, T-shirts and overpriced sports shoes.

Matthew looked around for a parent but saw no one that resembled the child, nor anyone that looked ready to claim him. His thoughts were interrupted as Judge Tyler called his name.

“Attorney Stallion, are you in agreement with the State that this case would be better served with mediation?”

Matthew came to his feet, buttoning his suit jacket as he approached the bench. “I am, Your Honor. But under the circumstances, if the court permits, I would appreciate the opportunity to participate in those negotiations.”

The judge nodded. “Not a problem, Counselor. The court will hold this case pending the outcome of mediation.”

The young man met Matthew’s eyes and stared. For most of the proceedings he’d looked disinterested. The judge calling Matthew’s name had caught Collin’s attention and he eyed Matthew curiously. When his attorney finally gestured with his head for Collin to follow, the boy did so, but not before looking back over his shoulder for one last look at the imposing black man.

Chapter 2

Katrina Broomes stood with her arms folded over her chest. Her right foot, sheathed in a patent-leather pump, tapped anxiously at the tiled floor. Every fiber of her body was annoyed. Katrina was still perturbed that, instead of being home on her one day off from work, she was pacing the hallway of family court, waiting for the disposition of her fifteen-year-old son’s criminal case.

She blew a heavy sigh, warm breath pushing past her thin lips. She still couldn’t believe that any child of hers was actually facing criminal charges. It was difficult to fathom that stupidity had seeped into her son’s pores and had laid claim to his brain. This was not how she had raised her only child, a youngster intent on taxing her last good nerve with every foolish antic he could muster up.

She began to pace again, gliding from one end of the narrow hallway to the other. She’d been a single parent since forever, raising her baby boy by her lonesome. Her husband, Colonel Jackson Broomes, an army helicopter pilot, had been killed during the Gulf War. The day that he’d been deployed to active duty, she’d promised him that she would do whatever it took to ensure the safety and security of his family. She’d assured him that he wouldn’t have to worry about his son, or her, while he was gone. She was still keeping that promise, still committed to doing whatever it took to keep her baby boy safe and sound, the way his father would have wanted.

Now her baby boy was a burgeoning young man, fast approaching adulthood, and keeping him safe was proving to be quite the challenge. When the boy was born, he’d come fighting his way into the world, kicking and screaming. Drawn to drama and commotion, Collin still hadn’t learned how to settle down and relax in his own silence.

She turned abruptly when she heard her name being called.

“Thank you for waiting, Judge Broomes,” the overpriced attorney she’d hired said, moving to her side. “We’re meeting upstairs. The mediator has already gone ahead. Judge Tyler has given permission for the victim to participate in the negotiations, as well.”

Katrina raised an eyebrow. “For what reason?”

“You may have heard of him. Matthew Stallion is a licensed attorney practicing law here in Dallas. He also heads the Briscoe Ranch Mentoring Foundation, which works with at-risk youth. He has a vested interest in seeing young men turn their lives around for the good. I think it would be to Collin’s benefit to have him present, which is why I asked for his participation.”

Katrina nodded. Matthew Stallion’s reputation had definitely preceded him. Knowing that her first encounter with the man would not be under the best of circumstances further soured her mood. She blew a deep sigh. “That’s fine.” She caught her son’s eye and shook her head, her annoyance registered all over her face.

Collin rolled his eyes skyward, knowing better than to say anything at all. The two followed behind their attorney as he headed in the direction of the elevator and the mediation rooms on the upper level of the courthouse.

Matthew and the state-appointed mediator, a young woman with crystal-blue eyes, a luxurious mane of blond hair and a wide smile, stood in conversation when they entered the room. The woman was giggling softly at something Matthew had just said, a full blush painting her pale complexion. Matthew was leaning in close, just a hair away from being too close, as he held the woman’s full attention. As the trio stepped into the space, the woman jumped as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Clearly flustered by the male attention she’d been enjoying, the woman fought to gather her composure. She smiled politely as she gestured for them all to come in and find a seat, a manicured hand extended in greeting.

Behind her, Matthew Stallion pulled himself up to attention, securing his suit jacket around his frame. His dark eyes skated across the room, dancing over the other attorney and his client as they stared back with interest. Matthew’s gaze was suddenly drawn to the exquisite woman who’d entered the room last. There was no mistaking the familial similarities between her and young Mr. Broomes. The boy had his mother’s eyes, large dark orbs with forest-thick lashes that curled effortlessly. Energy vibrated from her stare as their gazes met and held. A smile pulled at Matthew’s full lips, his expression showing much more than the fact that he was intrigued.

From where she stood at the entrance to the room, Katrina couldn’t help but notice the handsome black man. She instinctively knew who he was, Matthew Stallion, the victim, the man whose car her son had stolen for a joyride. Matthew Stallion, of the prestigious Stallion family. He was a man of great wealth, was highly respected in the community and was considered one of Dallas’s more eligible bachelors.

She found herself held hostage by the intense look that he was giving her, his eyes still locked with hers. Everyone else in the room seemed to vanish as the man stepped toward her, his engaging smile drawing her in like a spider might lure dinner into its web.

He extended his hand. “Good morning. I’m Matthew Stallion. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, the deep bass in his tone reverberating warmly.

Katrina took a deep breath, air catching in her chest as his hand grazed hers, his firm grip holding tightly to her fingers. She tilted her head in greeting, words failing her. The other attorney came to her rescue without even realizing it.

“Counselor, this is Judge Katrina Broomes. Judge Broomes serves the Two Hundred Thirty-Second District Criminal Court. And this young man is Judge Broomes’s son, Collin.”

Matthew was still holding tight to Katrina’s hand. Her son tossed him an uneasy smile, his hands still pushed deep into his pockets. With some reluctance, Matthew released Katrina’s hand and extended his handshake to her child.

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting the young man who jacked my car,” Matthew said, humor in his gaze. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Collin’s uneasy smile folded into a deep frown as he returned Matthew’s handshake with much reluctance. “I’m very sorry,” he managed to mutter softly.

Matthew nodded his head slowly, his gaze shifting from Collin to his mother and back again. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the desktop. “Where did you learn to pop a door lock and hot-wire a car?”

Collin’s eyes flitted to his mother’s questioning expression, then back to the man who was studying him intently. “My friend Paul’s older brother.”

Matthew nodded again. “We need to work on getting you better friends,” he said with a soft chuckle.

The boy suddenly looked scared.

Concern registered in Matthew’s expression as a consoling smile filled his face. He tossed an arm around the boy’s shoulder, patting him on his back. “I promise, you won’t suffer much,” Matthew said teasingly, winking his eye. His smile widened. “Why don’t we all take a seat and see how we might fix this mess?” he said.

Following his lead, Katrina took a seat at the far end of the table. Matthew, quite the gentleman, pulled out her chair for her. She sat back, falling into silence as she stared from her son to Matthew and to the people around the table, trying to make sense of her child’s actions. Her gaze kept returning to Matthew Stallion as he engaged her son in conversation, asking question after question about his life and his goals. Every so often Matthew would look in her direction, tossing her an easy smile before returning his focus to the matter at hand.

Katrina heaved a deep sigh, then inhaled deeply, holding tight to the warm air to calm her nerves. It was a good thing she was there only to observe, she suddenly mused. Katrina was unnerved by her reaction to the beautiful man who’d taken full control of the meeting. Unnerved because not since her late husband had any man had her quivering so unabashedly.

Chapter 3

Matthew engaged the voice-activation system in his car to dial his office. Traffic was backed up from Avery Avenue to Zang Boulevard. He strummed his fingers anxiously against the steering wheel of his new car as he waited for the cellular service to connect the call.

Mediation had lasted well over two hours. After their initial interaction, Collin Broomes hadn’t been much interested in talking, falling into a sullen silence for the balance of the session. His attorney and the mediator had both been diligent about hashing out a game plan for the young man’s future. But Matthew had been the only one to actually ask the boy his opinion, genuinely interested in what Collin might want for himself.

He’d hardly been surprised when Collin gave him little to nothing, his responses amounting to single-syllable answers. His mother had spoken only once during the entire discussion, reprimanding her son and advising him to check his tone when he became insolent. The boy had reeked of attitude, had a massive chip resting square on his shoulder. Her tone had been firm, the look she’d given her son stern. The boy had instantly stopped posturing, his teenage swagger cooling considerably. Clearly, his mother was a firm disciplinarian.

Each time she’d looked at Matthew, her gaze had lingered longer than necessary. Her look had softened considerably as she’d studied him with keen interest. Her eyes were beautiful, Matthew suddenly mused, remembering the glazed stare.

Matthew liked how Katrina Broomes had looked at him. He liked the energy that had pierced his own stare. Never had any woman looked at him like that before. Most women Matthew knew were always eyeing him like he was bait on a hook. But then, maybe that had much to do with him always trolling for his next catch of the moment.

On the other hand, Katrina had looked at him as if she actually saw something in him that he himself hadn’t yet discovered. And she’d looked at him as though she liked what that was. Her interest had been keen and had piqued his. Now he found himself hoping that he might get to know the woman better.

Toward that goal he’d been eager to volunteer to personally mentor young Collin. The boy’s eyebrows had risen in surprise but Matthew had been adamant. Consequently, starting in two weeks, the two would be meeting at the Briscoe Ranch Youth Center, where Matthew would put the child through his paces.

Matthew’s thoughts were interrupted by the phone line being answered on the other end, his secretary’s voice greeting him cheerfully.

“Matthew Stallion’s office. How may I help you?”

“Hello, Carol. Do I have any messages?”

“Hello, Mr. Stallion. Just one message, sir. Your brother John asked that you contact him before you take off on your vacation this afternoon. He said he’ll be in his office most of the day.”

Matthew nodded into the receiver. “I’m actually changing my plans, Carol. If you’ll call and cancel my reservations, please.”

“But you were so looking forward to your vacation. Are you sure?” she asked, her tone concerned.

Matthew smiled to himself. “Positive. Something’s come up.”

There was a slight pause as his secretary waited, hopeful that Matthew might tell her what that something was. He didn’t.

“I’m going to take the rest of the day off, though, and I’ll be in the office tomorrow. If you’ll please transfer me to John’s office.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Stallion. Just one moment,” Carol said as she put the call on hold.

Seconds later, John Stallion’s baritone voice spilled out of the speakers.

“Yo, bro! How’s it hangin’?”

Matthew chuckled, the familiar greeting reminding him of when they were just boys themselves. “High and steady,” he responded, his head waving from side to side.

“Better than low and heavy,” John answered with a deep laugh. “So, when do you take off?”

“I’m not. I signed up to mentor the kid who jacked my car and I need to put some things in place to do that. I’ll postpone my trip until I can better arrange my schedule.”

John laughed. “A personal, one-on-one butt whupping. Poor kid. Guess he didn’t have a good lawyer.”

“He had one of the best. That’s why I’ll be mentoring him and not someone else.”

John nodded into the receiver. “You still need to take some time off. We all do. Fighting that hostile takeover drained our energy. The last few months have taken their toll on every one of us.”

“So, why don’t you and Marah sneak off to the islands for a few days? The beach house is available. Your wife would like that, and since I’m staying, you won’t have to worry about the office.”

“Not much, anyway.”

Matthew chuckled as he maneuvered his car through the throng of traffic that slowed his trip. “Not at all. I’ll make sure no one burns the joint down before you return.”

“I wasn’t worried about no one. I was worried about you.”

“Well, I won’t burn it down, either. Nor will I give it away or send it into bankruptcy before the week is out. Next week, however, might be a different story, so you better take that time now and hurry on back.”

His brother laughed. “Marah and I are on the plane as soon as I can get her packed. Thank you. I owe you one.”

“Yes, you do,” Matthew answered. “Send me a postcard.”

“I’ll do better than that. I’ll bring you back some sand so you see what you missed.”

“I love you, too,” Matthew said with a wry grin plastered across his face. “Talk to you later!”

As he disconnected the call, Matthew guided his car toward the interstate leading to the ranch. He suddenly felt like riding his favorite black horse. It had been that kind of day.

* * *

“Why?”

Katrina took a deep breath, filling her lungs with warm air. Collin had just about pushed her last nerve and it was taking all her resolve not to explode. “Because I said so,” she answered, her tone firm, the stern look she gave her son emphasizing that it was in his best interest to end their conversation.

“It’s not fair!” the boy exclaimed instead, pouting profusely, as though he were five and not fifteen.

“Me spending my entire day in court over your nonsense wasn’t fair, either, Collin. I had something else I would have liked to do, too. But you took that option away from me. There are consequences for our actions. You stole a car. You wrecked that car. You could have been injured. You could have injured someone else. Punishment for that is going to last you some time.”

“But I’m being punished. The court is making me work for that man. It’s not fair for you to punish me, too!”

Katrina chuckled. “You’re lucky I don’t go get me a switch from that tree out there. Then I’d show you just how unfair life is. Now, you are not going to the mall with your friends. You’re not going today, and you won’t be going tomorrow or anytime next week, so don’t ask. In fact, if you don’t go to your room and give me a moment of peace, you may not see your friends or the inside of a mall for another six years. Then you can tell me how unfair your sweet, spoiled life is. Do you really want to try me?”

She stood with both hands clutching the lean line of her waist. Her neatly arched eyebrows were raised high, her expression challenging. Collin heaved a deep sigh, then turned an about-face, muttering under his breath as he headed back up the staircase toward his room.

“And leave your phone on the table,” Katrina called. “I told you no cell phone, no television, no nothing, and I meant it.”

The boy paused. The look he tossed his mother was harsh as he came back down and dropped his new Droid onto the hall table. Minutes later, loud music echoed from upstairs, the boy’s stereo turned up high. Calling his name, Katrina waited for a brief moment before silence filled the space.

She wasn’t naive, though. She knew her son had only plugged headphones into the sound system. She’d give him until she herself climbed the stairs to her bedroom before she ordered him to turn it off, reminding him that “no nothing” included his beloved stereo system.

Moving into the kitchen, Katrina peered into the refrigerator for something to drink. It was way too early for her to have a glass of wine, but she truly wanted a tall glass of chardonnay. She hadn’t eaten anything, though, and wine on an empty stomach would not serve her well. She should have stopped for lunch like she’d planned, but everything about the morning’s events had thrown her right off course.

She reached for a pack of pepperoni and some slices of pepper jack cheese. Katrina mused that a light snack with that wine would constitute lunch and that couldn’t be so bad. She popped a loaf of crusty French bread into her oven just before uncorking the bottle and filling a crystal goblet with the elixir. Savoring that first sip, she took another deep breath of air, dropping down into a cushioned seat at her kitchen table.

If she were honest with herself, she would admit that dealing with her son hadn’t been her greatest challenge that morning. She was accustomed to dealing with kids who’d made mistakes, testing the limits of whatever authority ruled their daily lives. She’d always known there would be moments with her own child, although car theft had never crossed her mind. She hadn’t, however, imagined herself fighting the emotions that a certain man had incited.

Matthew Stallion. Katrina took a gulp of her drink, a large swig that was better reserved for shots of tequila, Jack Daniel’s or a hearty beer, not the delicate wine that filled her glass.

The man’s reputation had preceded him. In fact, because of her own investment interests, Katrina had been closely following the recent events surrounding the failed attempt at a hostile takeover of his family’s business. Social Services and the legal community had many good things to say about the advocacy programs the Stallions had in place to assist families in need, especially the mentoring programs for students. She’d been hopeful that she herself would be able to avail herself of their services for some of the cases she knew she would likely have to preside over in her new district.

Rising from her seat, she moved to the cherrywood cabinets and pulled open a bottom drawer. Reaching beneath a stack of papers, she lifted out a magazine hidden inside. The full-color image stared up at her, Matthew’s seductive smile gracing the cover.

Texan Magazine had named the thirty-five-year-old man Bachelor of the Year, and he was looking every bit the part in the engaging head shot they’d captured. She imagined that he had garnered much attention from the honor. Katrina figured that a man like Matthew Stallion probably had no need for any help in that department, though, musing that he was clearly not a man who lacked female attention.

Reaching for her glass, Katrina took another sip, then remembered the bread, which was just a heartbeat away from being burned toast. Pulling the loaf from the oven, she dropped it on the countertop. She suddenly didn’t have much of an appetite.

She sighed, blowing warm breath into the air. Katrina hadn’t given any man a second thought since forever. The fact that she was giving Matthew a second, third and fourth thought completely unnerved her. But the man had been engaging. She’d been impressed with how he’d handled her son, seeming genuinely interested in the boy’s well-being. Being someone that young men could look up to seemed foremost in Matthew Stallion’s mind.

That enigmatic smile of his had caused her heart to race, her stomach to do flips as if she was on a roller-coaster ride. As they’d parted, he’d shaken her hand again, clasping it between both his palms, and the current of electricity that had rushed up her spine had left her breathless.

Katrina shook the memory from her mind, draining the last of her wine from the glass. This is crazy, she thought to herself, reaching to refill her glass. She was not interested in any man and particularly not in that man. Stuffing a slice of cheese into her mouth, Katrina shook her head from side to side. Convincing herself that she wasn’t interested in Matthew Stallion was certainly proving to be the biggest challenge of her day.

Chapter 4

Matthew waited patiently on the stone steps of Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church. Sunday morning service would be starting at precisely eleven o’clock and he was excited that the Broomes family would be joining him.

Collin was scheduled to start his program that afternoon. When Matthew had called his mother to make the arrangements, he’d suggested they meet him for church first, then brunch, before journeying over to the ranch to give Collin the tour and explain what would be required of him over the next twelve months. Katrina Broomes had seemed reluctant at first, but with persistence Matthew had changed her mind.

Reflecting back on the conversation, Matthew couldn’t help but note how reserved the good judge had been. Her cool demeanor had intrigued him.

“Church?”

Matthew had smiled into the receiver. “Yes, it’s first Sunday, communion Sunday, but Pastor Barnes will have us out early. He’s not one of those long-winded ministers.”

“I don’t know. I…”

“It will be good for Collin. I was raised in the church and it’s done wonders for me,” he’d said with a light chuckle.

There’d been a brief pause before she responded. “Collin’s been to church before,” she’d said with just a hint of attitude, as though he’d passed judgment on how she was raising her child. Then her tone had softened as she continued. “And it is good for him. I have to admit, though, that since we moved, I’ve been remiss in getting us up on Sunday mornings for service. I haven’t found a new church home that we’re both comfortable with yet.”

“Well, I promise you’ll both enjoy the experience. And afterward we can grab a bite to eat at Nicola’s. They have a wonderful menu. So please, say yes.”

Katrina paused, giving his offer some intense consideration. The man persisted.

“We could always eat somewhere else. Would you prefer French cuisine? I eat most anything, with the exception of fast food. I don’t do burgers from any place that asks whether or not you want to supersize your meal.”

Katrina laughed, her head waving easily from side to side. “What’s wrong with their burgers?”

“Nothing, I’m sure. But a real meal involves real food. I know a great steak house, if you want something more traditional.”

“Italian is fine. We’ll meet you at the church,” she finally responded.

Matthew’s excitement spilled into the receiver. “Great. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

As he hung up the telephone, dropping the receiver back onto the hook, he suddenly felt awkward. He hoped the judge didn’t think he was out of line. He’d been anxious, overly excited that she was amenable to his suggestions. He had really wanted to make their meeting a date but knew the timing would not be appropriate. He found himself hoping that she’d not found his behavior or his enthusiasm too inappropriate.

Shaking the memory, Matthew looked out to the parking lot just as Katrina pulled her BMW X5 SUV into an empty space. Matthew’s smile widened into a full grin as he smoothed the front of his suit jacket, his excitement building.

As mother and son exited the car, Matthew couldn’t miss the annoyed expression on young Collin’s face nor Katrina’s frustration as she admonished the boy to hurry up. Nor did he miss how stunning the woman was in her navy blue silk suit with its ruffled jacket. Even though the skirt stopped just above her kneecaps, there was no missing the long length of her toned legs and the curve of tight calves above her three-inch pumps.

Matthew had to remind himself where he was as he fought not to stare so blatantly. Mother and son climbed the stairs to meet him, Collin lagging noticeably behind.

Katrina extended her hand in greeting. “Mr. Stallion, I apologize. I hope you haven’t been waiting long, but we were running a little behind this morning.”

Matthew nodded. “Please, call me Matthew, and not to worry… I used to drag my feet and make my brother late every Sunday, too.” He winked an eye in Collin’s direction. “Mr. Broomes, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Collin eyed him warily. “Yeah, whatever.”

Katrina shot her son a cautious glare. Matthew shook his head ever so slightly, his gaze meeting hers evenly.

“I’ve got this,” he said softly, his hand tapping lightly against her arm. “He’ll be fine.” His voice rose ever so slightly, his tone deepening. “That will be the last time Collin greets anyone with disrespect.” Matthew’s gaze met Collin’s directly. “Won’t it be, Mr. Broomes?”

The look Matthew gave Collin made the boy take a step back, unsure what might be coming in his direction.

Matthew smiled brightly as he greeted Collin again. “Good morning, Mr. Broomes. I’m glad you could make it this morning.”

The boy nodded, his head bobbing ever so slightly against his lean neck. “Morning.”

“It’s Matthew, Mr. Stallion or sir. I know your mother taught you better. Try it again.”

Collin paused briefly, looking from one face to the other as they stood staring at him. His mother appeared to be holding her breath, waiting for him to mouth off. His new mentor’s stare was unreadable, the man’s dark eyes only slightly menacing. He finally responded. “Good morning, Mr. Stallion.”

Matthew nodded his approval. He directed his next comments to the two of them. “Why don’t we go in and find a seat? My family is waiting for us.”

Family? Katrina’s eyes widened noticeably. The man had said nothing before about them joining any family. As he guided her into the sanctuary, her hand gently clutching the elbow he’d extended, she could feel her legs quivering ever so slightly. She tossed a quick look over her shoulder to see Collin following obediently behind them, his expression more curious than reproachful.

A uniformed usher led them to the front of the church, then guided them to what was clearly Matthew Stallion’s usual seat. Katrina was only slightly taken aback by the two men who sat in the pews in front and in back of them, both of whom bore a stark resemblance to the man by her side. They each possessed the same distinctive features: black-coffee complexion; chiseled jawline; dark, haunting eyes; plush pillows for lips and the same warm, welcoming smile.

Matthew paused to let Collin enter the pew first. Katrina followed, and he took the seat on the end.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “This is my brother Mark and his wife, Michelle,” he said, patting the shoulder of the man in front of them. He gestured to the man sitting alone behind them. “And that’s my baby brother, Luke.”

Katrina smiled in greeting as both men wished her a good morning. A minute later John Stallion eased into the church, led by his wife, Marah. The brother named John gestured for Luke to slide down the pew so the two of them could take a seat beside him, tapping Matthew on the shoulder in greeting as he did. Marah leaned forward, her hand tapping Katrina lightly.

“Good morning,” she whispered softly. “Welcome.”

Katrina smiled again, words failing her as she sat there taking it all in. Morning worship service had yet to begin officially, but a praise session was in full swing. An elderly man was standing two pews in front of them, eulogizing everything he’d been blessed with since the last time he’d been in the sanctuary. He’d barely taken his seat before another senior citizen broke out in song. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and Katrina found herself tapping her foot to the music, pleased that she had made herself come. Even Collin seemed interested as he directed his attention to the students sitting in the choir stand.

Matthew had been right. The morning service went quickly. Holy Scripture was followed by prayer, the choir sang beautifully, and the pastor’s message was short, sweet and to the point.

Standing beside her, Matthew was completely engaged. Katrina was moved by his devotion. As he bowed his head in thanksgiving, lifting his hands in praise, she sensed that he took that devotion seriously. Watching him, Katrina instinctively knew that Matthew Stallion was truly a man of faith.

As the pastor gave the benediction, Collin leaned into his mother’s side, his head hovering just above hers. He dropped his chin down to her shoulder. Katrina smiled at him, her soft gaze meeting his.

“What did you think?” she asked him.

Collin shrugged. “I liked the music,” he answered.

Matthew nodded his head in agreement. “That’s my favorite part, too.”

Behind them John laughed warmly. “I always thought the sermon was your favorite part,” he said.

“Just like them passing the collection basket is yours,” their baby brother, Luke, interjected.

The adults all laughed. Collin turned to stare at the men standing around him. His gaze came to a rest on Mark.

“Hey, I know you,” he said suddenly, his large eyes widening with excitement. “You won the national bike race last year. You’ve won all the races.”

Mark extended his hand, shaking the boy’s heartily. “I’m Matthew’s brother Mark. You must be Collin. We’ve heard a lot about you.”

The boy grinned. “Hi!”

“And I’m Luke, and the old guy right there is our big brother, John,” Luke said, introducing himself.

John nodded his head in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said as Matthew finished the formal introductions.

Marah smiled sweetly. “Judge Broomes, we’d love to have you join us back at the ranch for lunch.”

Katrina smiled back. “Thank you, but…” She paused, tossing Matthew a questioning look.

Matthew interjected, “Thanks, Marah, but we have plans.”

Marah nodded, clasping her arm around her husband’s. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we need to say hello to the pastor before he disappears.”

“It was nice to meet you both,” Katrina said as the couple waved their goodbyes.

“We have to run, too,” Mark said. He pressed a large hand to Michelle’s blossoming belly. “Mitch and I are going shopping for baby furniture,” he said, calling his wife by her childhood nickname.

Michelle rolled her eyes. “No, Mark’s going shopping for baby furniture. He’s just dragging me along.”

“Congratulations. Is this your first baby?” Katrina questioned.

Mark nodded, his thick dreadlocks waving against his shoulders. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, leaning to kiss his wife’s cheek. “My baby is having our first baby!”

Luke grinned. “This is quite an accomplishment for our brother.”

Mark laughed. “You know it!”

Matthew chuckled. “What’s on your agenda, Luke?” he asked.

“I’m spending the afternoon with Joanne and her parents.”

“Where is your fiancée this morning?” Michelle asked, shifting her weight to one hip. “It’s not like her to miss Sunday service.”

“Her mother is here from Paris, and her father wanted them both to go to Sunday Mass at the Catholic church this morning. I thought I’d give them some family time together, so I passed. I told her I’d meet them afterward.” The younger man took a quick glance at the diamond-encrusted Harry Winston watch on his wrist. “I need to get going, or I’m going to be late.”

Luke winked an eye at Collin, who was staring at him. He punched his fist in Collin’s direction and the young man met the gesture with a fist of his own, the two slapping palms and clutching fingers in the newest handshake. “Good luck, kid. He’s really not so bad when you get to know him,” Luke said, his eyes gesturing toward his brother.

Collin smiled. “Thanks, dude,” he chimed, cutting a cautious eye at Matthew.

The family eased their way toward the front doors. The church’s congregation had thinned out quickly. Matthew’s fingertips lightly grazed Katrina’s arm and back as he guided them forward. She felt a tremor of energy sweep through her. Tossing a quick glance over her shoulder, she met his dark stare, saw the tender smile filling his face. The look he gave her was intoxicating, and she suddenly found herself consumed by the sweetest temptation.

“Is everything okay?” Matthew asked, his deep tone soothing.

Katrina nodded, a wave of nervous energy flooding the pit of her stomach. “Everything is fine,” she answered softly, her gaze still locked with his. “Just fine.”

But as she stepped out into the balmy afternoon air, butterflies dancing in her midsection, Katrina Broomes really wasn’t quite sure of anything at all.

Chapter 5

Matthew had convinced Katrina to leave her vehicle in the church parking lot, assuring her it would be safe until they returned. Opening the passenger-side door of his Maybach Landaulet, he extended his hand to help her get in. When she was seated comfortably and was adjusting the seat belt around her petite frame, he nodded toward Collin.

“Once you’re off probation and you get your driving permit, I might let you drive. Until then, though, you need to make yourself comfortable in the backseat.”

“You’d let me drive this?” Collin asked tentatively. “Really?”

Matthew nodded, his hand braced against the rear door as Collin stood ready to step in.

“Yes, I would, but you’ll have to prove that you can handle that kind of responsibility first.” Matthew nodded again, gesturing with his head. “Now, hop on in. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

Minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Nicola’s Ristorante Italiano.

“This is very nice,” Katrina said, taking in the surroundings.

As Matthew led them inside, she was impressed with the dramatic soaring ceilings, the elegant chandeliers and the rich, dark woods offset by splashes of crimson and gold. The atmosphere was sophisticated, intimate and a touch seductive. She was equally impressed with all the staff who greeted him by name, going out of their way to ensure that he and his guests were comfortable.

Matthew nodded as a hostess guided them to a corner table on the patio. “This is one of my favorite places to eat,” he said. “The cuisine is northern Italian. All of the pastas are handmade. They don’t have any freezers, so the groceries are delivered twice a day to ensure the ingredients are market fresh.”

“We’re very proud of our menu,” the wide-eyed brunette waitress said as she placed glasses of ice water on the table in front of them. “Our chef is also an award-winning cook. And we have a wood-burning oven imported from Italy, too!” the woman exclaimed, her face beaming with pride.

Katrina smiled politely as the waitress turned an about-face and headed toward the kitchen with their orders. She could feel Matthew’s eyes studying her intently, and she turned to meet his stare. Heat flushed his face, as if he’d been caught doing something he should not have been.

“Forgive me,” he said, smiling shyly. “I didn’t mean to stare.”

Katrina blushed with him, cutting her eye at Collin, who was busying texting on his cell phone. She was a hair trigger away from reprimanding him but changed her mind, thinking the diversion would keep him focused on something other than her and this man.

“So,” Katrina began, changing the subject. “Your family is very sweet. How many of you are there?”

“It’s just the four of us—me, Mark, Luke and John. But we’re steadily growing!” he said with a soft chuckle. “Wives and babies popping out all over the place! How about you? Any brothers or sisters?”

Katrina nodded. “I come from a very big family. I have three sisters and five brothers.”

“There are nine of you?”

She nodded, amused by his expression. “Yep!”

“Wow! Were you all raised here in Dallas?”

She shook her head. “No. My mother was from Dallas, which is one reason I was drawn to the area, and my dad was born and raised in New Orleans. He’s retired military, and we were raised on army bases all around the world. The family’s in Arizona now, where my oldest brother settled down.”

“My uncle Guy is an actor in California. And my uncle Mason owns a hotel,” Collin interjected, never lifting his eyes from his cell phone.

Matthew smiled, nodding in the boy’s direction. “And you only had one child?” he asked, turning his attention back to Katrina.

She smiled back. “Unfortunately I wasn’t afforded an opportunity to have any more children.”

Matthew sensed there was a story there and he wanted to ask more, but they were interrupted by their server and the platters of food being delivered to the table. He made a mental note to continue the conversation when they next had an opportunity.

An hour later Katrina could understand why the restaurant and its staff were so proud. The food was incredible. Matthew had taken the liberty of ordering for them and his choices had been right on point. Platters of hand-sliced prosciutto, Italian cheeses, fire-roasted vegetables, marinated olives, and fruit had started them off. Collin’s eyes had widened with excitement at the presentation.

Tender veal chops topped with crispy pancetta and fontina cheese and served on a bed of polenta with a white truffle infusion had been the main course for the two adults. Collin had opted for the homemade lasagna. By the time they’d finished their desserts of tiramisu, the ladyfingers soaked in just enough espresso and coffee liqueur, and traditional Sicilian cannoli, Katrina couldn’t imagine being able to take another bite.

“Wow!” she exclaimed, leaning back against her seat. “That was incredible!”

Matthew smiled, a broad grin filling his face. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Great food is one of my passions.”

“Passions?” she replied.

Matthew’s eyes widened suggestively as he leaned toward her. Unable to contain himself, he pressed his cheek to hers as he whispered in her ear. “Food can be very seductive. I’m very passionate about those things that whet all of my appetites.” His tone was so low and seductive that Katrina found herself drawn to him.

Cutting her eyes at her son, who was eyeing them both curiously, Katrina felt a blush flood her face with color. Pulling her linen napkin to her lips, she met Matthew’s gaze as he leaned back, clasping his hands atop the table. His expression was a penny shy of being smug. He winked an eye at her before turning his attention back to Collin, shifting the conversation.

Katrina felt as if a fire had been lit beneath her. The warmth of his breath against her ear, his cheek lightly teasing hers, had heated her from the center of her core outward. His husky tone had been enticing and suggestive. Had they been alone, she imagined that he would have ended the conversation quite differently, and definitely not so abruptly. She couldn’t help but wonder where Matthew’s insinuations might have led them if she’d been willing to follow.

Katrina suddenly imagined him slipping a hand beneath the table to caress her thigh. As if her body had a mind of its own, she felt her legs open at the prospect, imagining his large fingers teasing her flesh. His strong fingers tap-danced against her skin, heating her spirit until she was ready to implode from his touch. She gasped, pressing her legs tightly together as a tremor of heat spiraled between them.

“Mom!” Collin’s anxious tone intruded on the decadent thoughts Katrina had been having about herself and that man. “I swear, you never listen to me!”

She shook her head from side to side. “Collin, please, don’t raise your voice. I’m sitting right here.”

The boy rolled his eyes skyward. “Boy, you were off in outer space! Mr. Stallion says that when I finish my chores at the ranch, then I can ride the horses. He says you can ride with me if you want. Isn’t that cool?”

Katrina smiled, her gaze skating from her son’s face to Matthew, who was staring at her intently. She nodded her head ever so slightly. “Yes, that’s very cool.”

“Do you ride?” Matthew questioned, his expression curious.

“It’s been a while,” she said with a slight nod of her head. “I’ve heard that you’re quite the horseman, though. Is that true?”

His smile made deep dimples in his cheeks. “It’s one of my many hobbies.”

“Not a passion?” she said teasingly, surprised by her own boldness.

Matthew chuckled, his eyes twinkling with glee, as he leaned close one last time. “I hope you’ll afford me the opportunity to share my passions with you, Katrina. I most certainly want to!”

His eyes shimmering with heat, Matthew rose from his seat, moving behind her to pull out her chair. As his fingers lightly brushed against her back, causing a shiver of heat to rush through her body, Katrina pretended not to notice the innuendo that eased like warm butter from his evocative tone.

* * *

The house was almost too quiet. Moving down the length of the hallway, Katrina stopped to peer into her son’s room. Collin had fallen asleep with his clothes on, his lanky frame sprawled across the bedspread. His earbuds were plugged into his stereo, the sound system vibrating atop his nightstand.

She thought twice about waking him so that he could change into a pair of sleeping pants, but she didn’t bother. It would only mean another fifteen minutes of her and him fussing at each other, and she’d had too good a day to end it on a sour note. Backing her way out of the room, she eased his bedroom door closed and headed back down the hallway toward her own room.

She’d had a great time with Matthew Stallion. From start to finish the day had gone better than she could have ever anticipated. The man had been thoroughly attentive to her, and to her child. He’d also been charming, funny and sexier than hell. She’d lost count of the times she’d imagined the two of them locked in a compromising position. She couldn’t begin to fathom what in the world had gotten into her.

In the privacy of her bedroom she stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. She had always liked the woman who stared back at her. That woman was intelligent, articulate and dependable. There were some who thought her overly conservative and a tad stiff. There were only a select few in her inner circle who knew that she had a keen sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. And not since her late husband had she considered herself a sexual, sensual, desirable woman.

Katrina blew a deep sigh as she dropped down onto the side of her king-size bed. Kicking off her black pumps, she stretched her legs outward, twisting her ankles in small circles, her hands pressed tight against her upper thighs.

As she reflected back on her day with Matthew Stallion, she couldn’t help but think that this might be as good a time as any for her to have a new beginning, something of a fresh start in her life. It would be only a few short years before Collin headed off on his own, and then she would have nothing else to do but think about herself. Would it hurt to start preparing early?

It had been aeons since she’d given any thought to her own needs and desires, every ounce of herself devoted to her son and her career. The prospect of a new relationship with a man who found her desirable was suddenly intriguing. Until that afternoon, having a partner, a companion, a lover and a new best friend all rolled up into one sexy chocolate treat had seemed as far from reality as the complete obliteration of racism, sexism and every other ism that might exist. But Matthew had awakened an inner wanting that she had not allowed herself to have since forever.

A new beginning… Katrina couldn’t refrain from imagining the possibilities. Lying back against the bed, she rolled over onto her side and pulled her knees to her chest, her body curling into a fetal position. Minutes later she was sound asleep, thoughts of her and that man spiraling through her dreams.

Chapter 6

The woman seated across the table from Matthew was chattering on and on as he sat nodding his head, fighting not to let his disinterest show on his face. He eyed the woman nonchalantly as he struggled to remember her name. It was Brenda or Linda or something like that, he thought to himself. He couldn’t believe he’d actually forgotten the poor woman’s name!

Matthew sighed, warm air blowing past his full lips, as she continued talking about nothing of any real importance. He might have managed to enjoy the date if he were able to think clearly, but after his day with Collin and Katrina, very little seemed clear anymore.

He closed his eyes for a split second, his head still waving up and down as he feigned interest. His focus, though, was elsewhere, his thoughts still lingering over the time he’d spent with Katrina and her son over the weekend.

Katrina had finally relaxed at brunch, seeming less tense as they’d eased into the comfortable setting and casual atmosphere. The conversation had been easy, calming any anxiety any of them might have been feeling. Collin had been disinterested, more concerned with the lasagna on his plate than anything else.

Matthew and Katrina had chatted easily, the exchange of conversation revolving around their respective careers and mutual interest in law and order. He had asked question after question, wanting to learn anything and everything he could about her. He was intrigued to discover that she had graduated from his alma mater, Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She’d been just as fascinated to learn that he’d walked the same hallowed halls just a few short years before her.

He’d been duly impressed to discover that she’d earned her undergraduate degree, her law degree, and had risen quickly through the judicial ranks to become a trial judge, while balancing the responsibilities of being a single parent. At the age of thirty-three she had much to be proud of. Her career had progressed quickly, her impressive legal acumen boosted not only by her acute intelligence but also her compassionate spirit. Her energy had shown in her eyes, her enthusiasm for what she did and how she did it clearly evident. Matthew had found himself hanging on to every word out of her mouth.

She’d referred to her late husband in passing. When Collin had jumped from his seat, rushing to the men’s room at the mention of his father, Katrina had apologized profusely for his behavior. It was then that she told him she had married quite young, becoming a wife and mother before her nineteenth birthday.

“I don’t regret any of it,” she’d said softly. “Jackson and I grew up together. We’d loved each other since the third grade. At the time it only made sense for us to get married when we did. We graduated, went to the justice of the peace the very next morning, and nine months later Collin was born.

“Jackson went into the military so that we could both go to school and take care of our son. I loved my husband very much and Collin is my life. But I definitely advise young women today to take their time before making such grown-up decisions. I had to make a lot of sacrifices to accomplish all that I have. Had I done things differently, it wouldn’t have been half as hard. I was blessed to have my family’s support the way I did.”

Matthew nodded his head in understanding.

When Collin finally returned to the table, he attracted the interest of the young woman waitressing the table. She was especially attentive to their needs as she tried to engage him in conversation. Katrina shook her head from side to side, her eyes rolling skyward.

“These girls all think he’s older than he is,” she said as the waitress, a young woman named Brielle, rushed to bring them another order of baked bread.

Collin grinned. “Don’t hate the player. Hate the game!” he gushed with a loud chuckle.

Katrina only shook her head with amusement. Matthew laughed warmly. When the young woman returned to refill their drink glasses, he couldn’t keep from asking her a question.

“How old do you think he is?” he asked, his gaze moving from Collin to the young woman and back. He gave Collin a wide smile and Collin actually smiled back.

“Nineteen. Twenty, maybe.”

Collin laughed, his excitement evident on his face. “Yeah, that’s right!” he exclaimed, winking an eye at Matthew.

Katrina’s head still waved from side to side. “No, that’s wrong. He’s only fifteen, and it’ll be another ten months before he turns sixteen.”

Brielle’s eyes widened with shock. “Fifteen? You’re barely in high school,” she gushed.

Collin tossed his mother a look of annoyance before answering. “I’m a freshman, but age is just a number. I’m a very mature fifteen-year-old.”

Matthew laughed. “Very,” he said teasingly. He turned to Brielle. “And how old are you?”

“Nineteen,” she answered.

“Sounds like you two would make good friends someday,” Matthew noted.

“Someday?” Collin repeated.

Brielle giggled. “Sure, young buddy. We can be friends!”

“So, I can call you?” Collin asked eagerly.

Brielle tossed Katrina a quick look before responding.

Collin’s mother shrugged her shoulders, amusement still painting her expression. “He’s allowed to talk to his friends on the telephone. When he’s not on punishment, that is.”

“Mom!”

The group laughed warmly. A smile hung on Matthew’s face as he replayed each detail of their afternoon together over and over again in his mind. His name being called suddenly reminded him of where he was and who he was with.

“I’m sorry. What were you saying?” Matthew asked the woman seated opposite him. The Barbie-doll smile plastered on the anxious woman’s face was hardly engaging, and Matthew couldn’t help but note that she wore way too much makeup for his liking. He was suddenly having trouble remembering what it was that had attracted him to her in the first place, moving him to ask her out.

The woman with the bright smile leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table as she cupped her palms beneath her chin. She flipped her shoulder-length bob from side to side. “I was asking if something was the matter. You seem distracted this evening.”

He smiled. “I apologize. I guess I’m a little tired. I’ve had a long day.”

The woman reached a manicured hand out, the tips of her pink polished nails grazing his forearm. “We could always go to my place and rest,” she said, the seductive overtones resonating in her soft voice.

Matthew chuckled. “Why do I get the feeling that rest would be the last thing we’d be getting?”

She stroked his arm back and forth. “Whatever are you thinking, Matthew Stallion?” she said coyly.

Matthew slid his arm out of her reach, easing it down to his side. “I’m thinking that we should call it a night. I’ve really enjoyed your company, but I am exhausted. I don’t think I’d be much fun.”

The woman persisted, leaning her body closer to his. “I can make it much fun for us both.”

He smiled politely. “I’m sure you could, Tina, but tonight is really not a good night.”

She huffed, rising abruptly from the table. “For the last time, my name is Leanne!”

As she stormed out of the restaurant, Matthew felt completely out of sorts. He hadn’t meant to be rude, but truth be told, he hadn’t wanted to be on that date in the first place. Had he followed his first instinct, he would have canceled. Had he been smart, he would have invited Katrina Broomes to dinner instead.

Settling back in his seat, Matthew inhaled, filling his lungs with air. He sent a quick text to his secretary with instructions to send the woman named Leanne a potted plant with an apology note first thing the next morning. A heavy sigh spilled past his lips. He couldn’t believe how strongly he wanted to be with Katrina.

* * *

Her telephone ringing pulled Katrina from a light sleep. She glanced toward the digital clock on her nightstand. It wasn’t quite ten o’clock at night. She had lain across her bed almost two hours earlier, intending only to close her eyes for a quick minute to catch her breath. Her day had started early, had been completely filled, and she’d been in need of a bit of rest before tackling a pile of legal briefs that rested on her desktop. She hadn’t intended to fall asleep at all.

She pulled the telephone receiver to her ear, stalling the quick chime that was ringing through the room. “Hello?”

“Katrina, it’s Matthew Stallion. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Matthew! No, not at all,” Katrina responded, the little white lie slipping out before she could catch it. “I was just settling down for the night.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our time together this weekend. I really had a good time with you and Collin.”

She felt herself smiling into the telephone. It had been a good time. Their afternoon meal had been most entertaining, and the fun had continued back at Briscoe Ranch and the Stallion family’s home.

Collin had been placed in the skilled hands of one of the youth-program counselors. The man had taken instruction from Matthew, his tasks for the boy outlined in full detail. For the first time that day her son had actually looked frightened. But Matthew had quickly eased his fears, and the counselor had swept the boy off to places unknown.

Matthew had escorted her to the family’s rose gardens. They were a classic formal display of beds of roses arranged in a grass-girded oval around an exquisite marble fountain. Thousands of plantings and dozens of varieties decorated the landscape, and the sweet aroma wafting through the afternoon air was absolutely divine.

“This is beautiful!” Katrina had exclaimed, in awe of the scenery.

“Thank you. This is my sister-in-law’s pet project. John’s wife had the gardens installed shortly after they were married. It’s a great place to sit and relax.”

Matthew suddenly looked hesitant, pushing his hands deep into the pockets of his slacks. “Are you sure you don’t mind my leaving you? As I explained when we talked, I really want Collin to know that I am going to be directly involved with his curriculum.”

Katrina had shook her head from side to side. “No, I don’t mind at all. I brought a book to read, and I’m going to just sit back and enjoy the quiet.”

Matthew smiled broadly. “What are you reading? A law review?”

A warm blush blessed her expression. “No, nothing quite that serious. It’s a romance novel. I thought it would be a good diversion.”

He chuckled. “A romance novel?”

Her right hand fell to her hip. “Something wrong with that?”

Matthew lifted both his hands up as if he were surrendering. “No, not at all. I’m sure I’d enjoy a good love story. Maybe you’ll read one to me someday.” His tone was suggestive; his eyebrows were raised questioningly.

Katrina simply shrugged her shoulders, the moment interrupted by the counselor ringing Matthew’s cell phone to tell him they were ready. Politely excusing himself, he left her to her own devices, giving her ample opportunity to think naughty thoughts about the two of them.

Lifting herself upward in her bed, she heaved a deep sigh, shifting back into the moment. “We had a very nice time, as well,” she answered softly. “Thank you for fitting us into your schedule. I know you’re a very busy man.”

“I was wondering…” Matthew began, pausing momentarily to gather his thoughts. “I was thinking that maybe you and I might have dinner together sometime this week. I would really like to spend some time getting to know you better.”

Katrina paused. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she said, the hesitation rising in her tone. “I mean, with you mentoring Collin, and…” She stalled, her voice dropping off as she tried to collect her thoughts. “I don’t know if it would be appropriate,” she concluded.

Matthew chuckled softly. “I hardly think it would be inappropriate for two consenting adults to simply sit down and enjoy a meal together.”

Katrina hesitated. For the life of her she wanted to come up with a hundred and one reasons why dinner with Matthew Stallion would be a bad idea, but she couldn’t think of any plausible excuse to say no. It took her only a brief moment before she responded. “I’d love to have dinner with you. I’m free on Thursday,” she said eagerly.

Matthew grinned into the telephone. “Great! I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Matthew?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Thank you again for everything you’re doing.”

Matthew smiled into the receiver. “You’re very welcome. Have a good night.”

As she disengaged the call, Katrina’s smile widened considerably. Her evening hadn’t gone at all as she had planned, those legal briefs still waiting for her attention. But the high note that her night had ended on was simply the sweetest icing on some very good cake.

Chapter 7

Mark Stallion watched as Matthew paced from one end of the room to the other, glancing down at the watch on his wrist every few minutes. He grinned broadly and gestured with his head, meeting John’s eye.

“Your brother’s got it bad,” he said.

John nodded, his own brilliant smile filling his dark face. “First time in a very long time.”

Mark laughed. “Not since junior high school and that crush he had on Millie Stanfield.”

John laughed with him. “I forgot all about him and Millie.”

“I can hear you two,” Matthew interjected. “And I did not have a crush on Millie Stanfield.”

John swiped at the moisture that had risen on his eyelids. “I know that’s right. You were head over heels in love until Millie slapped you in the back of the head for looking up her skirt.”

Matthew rolled his eyes, stopping in his tracks to stare down at the two men. “I would never have looked up Millie’s skirt. I have always been a gentleman.”

“You looked up her skirt, trying to figure out if her thighs were as thick as her calves,” Mark teased.

Matthew shook his head. “That’s not what I was looking for,” he said with a sly grin. “But you boys wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“I know Millie slapped the fire out of you for sneaking a peek. She had your ears ringing for a month afterwards,” John added, barely able to get his remark out in between laughter.

The three men chuckled warmly.

“So,” John said, regaining his composure, “what’s got you twisted tonight?”

“Don’t you mean who has him twisted?” Mark questioned, his eyebrows raised.

John nodded. “And the answer to that would be…”

Matthew smiled, shrugging his broad shoulders skyward. “Spend half as much time minding your own business and you won’t have any time to be minding mine.”

John laughed. “Told you!” he said, gesturing with his head toward Mark.

Mark laughed with him. “I think he told you, too!”

“So, who’s the lucky lady tonight?” John asked, his arms crossing over his broad chest.

Grinning, Matthew finally came to a halt, moving to take a seat in the leather wing chair that sat opposite his brother. “I’m having dinner with Katrina Broomes.”

“Didn’t you just have dinner with the judge?” John asked.

“We did brunch after church Sunday with her son. Tonight is an adult excursion. No one under the age of twenty-one permitted.”

Mark nodded. “Sounds like you have plans!”

“I’m just going to make sure the woman has a nice time,” Matthew responded.

John gestured toward the door and the driver who’d stepped into the entrance to announce that he was ready whenever Mr. Stallion was. “I see you’re taking the limo. I’m sure she’s going to have a nice time, indeed.”

Rising from where he’d briefly rested, Matthew moved toward the entrance. “Good night, John-boy. Good night, Mark. Don’t you boys wait up for me. I’m sure I’m going to miss my curfew!”

The brothers chuckled heartily as they stared after their kin.

When Matthew was no longer in sight, Mark shook his head from side to side. “I’ve got twenty dollars that says he’s dating a Playboy model by next week.”

John shook his head. “You don’t want to make that bet, little brother. I’m thinking Matthew might have finally met his match. I’d hate to have to take your twenty dollars from you like that!”

* * *

Katrina stood in the full-length mirror, assessing yet another outfit that might be fitting for her dinner date with Matthew Stallion. But it wasn’t as if this was a date date, she thought, wanting to convince herself that the evening wouldn’t be much of anything at all. It was, after all, just dinner.

She heaved a deep sigh at the navy blue suit that draped the wooden clothes hanger. It being just dinner didn’t mean she had to go dressed like she was going to a business meeting, either, she mused. There had to be something in her closet that made her look more like a woman who might be in want of a man than a woman who was trying to compete with one.

Stepping into the oversize walk-in closet, Katrina scanned the multitude of dark blue and black garments that ran from one end of the space to the other. It took no time at all for her to determine that she really needed to upgrade her wardrobe. Nothing remotely feminine was hanging there for her to wear.

She heaved a deep sigh and reached for her cell phone, punching in the speed-dial number to her best friend. After three rings, a woman’s shrill voice called out her name.

“Katrina, why are you calling me? I thought you had a date?”

“What I have are dinner plans. It’s not a date. And I’m calling you because I have nothing appropriate to wear.”

Lacey Hamilton laughed into the receiver. “I’m sorry. You mean this isn’t a suit-and-tie event?”

“Lacey, do you have a dress I can borrow, please?” Katrina asked, the exasperation ringing in her tone. “And I need it right now. My dinner companion will be here in thirty minutes.”

Katrina could almost visualize the smug expression on her friend’s face as the woman responded.

“Every time we go shopping, I keep telling you to expand your selections, but no, you’re the one who keeps telling me that white blouses, granny skirts and black slacks will suffice. Now you want to borrow something a little sexier?”

“I never said sexy. I just don’t want to look like I’m going to a business meeting.”

Lacey laughed. “So who’s the lucky guy?”

Katrina hesitated. “Matthew Stallion.”

Lacey’s tone perked up considerably. “The Matthew Stallion? Matthew Stallion of the prestigious Stallion family? Legal eagle Matthew Stallion? That Matthew Stallion?”

Katrina rolled her eyes skyward. “Yes. What does that matter?”

Her friend laughed warmly into the receiver. “I have just the thing for you,” she responded. “Give me five minutes and I’ll be right over.”

Disconnecting the call, Katrina heaved a deep sigh and dropped down on the side of the bed. She trusted Lacey wouldn’t disappoint her. The two women had been friends since they’d both prepared for the state’s bar exam, studying together over iced cappuccinos and glazed doughnuts. Katrina had purchased the home in gated Oaktree Estates based on Lacey’s recommendations, the immaculate landscaping and the twenty-four-hour security detail. Her friend owning the house across the cul-de-sac from her had been a bonus. The woman was like a sister to her, and Katrina trusted her implicitly.

Fifteen minutes later Katrina stood staring in the mirror, suddenly questioning if her very best friend in the whole world had completely lost her mind. She didn’t recognize the woman who stared back at her.

Lacey stood off to the side, her arms crossed over an ample bustline. Satisfaction painted her expression. “You look incredible,” she said.

Katrina’s wide eyes were glazed with shock. She shook her head from side to side. “I need to change!” she exclaimed, her voice quivering with emotion. “I can’t go out like…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell sounded from the lower level. It felt like mere seconds before Matthew’s deep voice resonated down below. He and Collin were chatting comfortably.

“You don’t need to change,” Lacey said excitedly. “You are going to take his breath away. You look fabulous,” she added as she gripped Katrina by the shoulders and pushed her toward the door. “Now go have fun!”

Katrina was suddenly gripped with fear. What she was wearing was so uncharacteristic for her. Feeling completely out of control, she couldn’t begin to imagine the evening going well at all. She should have worn the navy suit, she thought, blowing a deep sigh past her thin lips. But it was far too late for regrets, and she had no time at all to change into something else. Matthew Stallion was standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring up at her.

* * *

The muffled whispers on the stair landing above drew Matthew’s eyes upward. Collin was leaning against the railing, his own gaze drawn to the movement at the top of the steps.

“Hey!” he exclaimed loudly, surprise painting his expression. “Is that you, Mom?”

Katrina rolled her eyes, ignoring him. Lacey bounded down the stairs in front of her, grinning broadly.

“Hi. I’m Lacey,” she said, extending a hand in Matthew’s direction. “Let’s go, kiddo,” she said to Collin. “You’re hanging with me tonight.”

“Do I have to?” the boy whined. “I’m old enough to stay here by myself!”

“Now! Let’s move it,” Lacey responded, tossing a quick glance back over her shoulder in Katrina’s direction. Her hand was already on the front doorknob. “Make sure she has a good time,” she said, directing her comment toward Matthew.

He nodded eagerly, his gaze still locked on the woman slowly descending the stairs. He was at a complete loss for words.

Stunning was hardly the word to describe the exquisite woman who was moving slowly in his direction. But Katrina Broomes was absolutely stunning. Gone was the conservative style that he had half expected. The dress that adorned her curvaceous frame was a formfitting cotton bouclé sheath with a sexy V back and an empire waist decorated with clear faceted jewels. The fabric stopped midthigh. Her lean, graceful dancer’s legs were complemented by four-inch platform sandals.

Her hair cascaded in easy waves around her face and down about her shoulders. Her makeup was soft, complementing her angelic features. The woman was beautiful beyond words, and Matthew suddenly felt like she was a much-needed breath of fresh air. He inhaled her, drawing in a deep breath. It felt as if the sweet scent was nourishing his soul.

“Wow!” he exclaimed, the one and only word he could muster, though it was more an exaggerated gust of air blowing past his full lips. “I mean, wow!” he exclaimed a second time, his utterance feeling more substantial.

Katrina laughed nervously, a blush of heat tinting her cheeks. “Does that mean you approve?”

“Oh, yes, ma’am! I most certainly do!” His eyes were wide with appreciation.

“You clean up quite nicely yourself, Counselor,” Katrina said teasingly. And he did. Right then, the man looked like a GQ model. She couldn’t help but admire his black sports coat, gray slacks and white dress shirt, unbuttoned casually at the collar. A light tuft of black chest hair peeked from beneath his shirt, moving her to wonder what he might look like with his shirt off. Imagining him shirtless suddenly took her breath away.

Matthew felt like his face was on fire, heat flooding his dimpled cheeks. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so excited about a woman. But Katrina had him excited beyond words. He blushed profusely, embarrassed at being so tongue-tied. He took a deep breath to calm his excitement, his broad smile widening. “Shall we go?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

Katrina nodded, moving toward the door. As Matthew pressed a large hand against the small of her back, the two of them paused briefly, the heat sweeping between them suddenly consuming. Matthew met her gaze and held it; the lingering look she returned spoke volumes.

As they walked out the door, both cutting an eye toward the oversize mirror hanging in her front foyer, neither of them could miss just how attractive a couple they were together.

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