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!”
Seduced by a Stallion Page 3
