Seduced by a Stallion

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “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.

  Chapter 8

  “Was a limousine absolutely necessary?” Katrina questioned as they settled down against the leather seats.

  Matthew nodded. “I didn’t want to waste any of my time on anything but you tonight. If I don’t have to drive, then you have my full and undivided attention.” His smile was confident as he crossed an ankle over his knee. The comment moved Katrina to giggle ever so slightly, giggling not something she’d ever been known to do. Matthew’s smile widened even more at the sweet sound of it.

  “I should have asked if there was something special you wanted to do tonight,” Matthew said sweetly.

  “Dinner’s good,” Katrina responded with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

  “You don’t date much, do you?” Matthew said, the comment more a statement than a question.

  “I make it a rule not to date at all,” Katrina answered.

  Matthew leaned toward her, using his index finger to brush a wayward hair from her face. He allowed his finger to linger lightly against her cheek. “Then thank you,” he said softly. “I’m glad you found me worthy of breaking one of your rules.”

  Katrina found herself stammering for a response. “I…well…I…”

  Matthew laughed. He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “Relax. You don’t need to be nervous. I just want you to have a good time tonight. Your friend put me on notice, remember?”

  Shaking her head, Katrina laughed with him. She took a deep breath and then another. She couldn’t help but note that her hand felt good locked beneath his. “I don’t know why I’m so anxious,” she said.

  Sliding his body closer to hers, Matthew grinned. “I was hoping my devastating charm had you off-kilter.”

  Sliding across the seat to put some distance between them, Katrina smiled back, rolling her eyes skyward. “No,” she said, her smug response moving him to laugh heartily.

  He nodded. “I think you just told me a fib,” he said teasingly.

  She laughed with him. “You’d be right,” she said.

  With the ice broken, the two chatted comfortably and laughed easily as their vehicle glided toward the downtown area. Minutes later the limousine pulled up to the entrance of Cowboys Stadium and came to a stop. As the driver opened the door to let them out, Katrina stared in awe.

  “Oh, my!” she exclaimed as she stepped out of the vehicle. Despite everything that had been written about the 1.3-billion-dollar building, it was like nothing she could have imagined. The enormity of its size made it seem as if an alien spaceship had landed smack-dab in the middle of Arlington, Texas.

  Saying nothing, Matthew winked an eye as he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her to the glass doors at the entrance.

  The doe-eyed woman who met them there smiled in greeting, flipping a luxurious mane of bright red hair over her shoulders. “Good evening, ma’am. Mr. Stallion, sir. Welcome to Cowboys Stadium.”

  “Good evening, Melissa,” Matthew answered, his head nodding ever so slightly. “Is everything ready for us?”

  “Yes, sir. Everything you requested is in place. We’re ready when you are, sir.”

  Katrina looked from one to the other, unable to decipher the cryptic conversation between them. Matthew winked at her again.

  The woman named Melissa turned her attention toward Katrina. “Ma’am, may I take your wrap?”

  Katrina shook her head, not quite certain that she was ready to let go of the lace shawl around her shoulders. It had become a protective shield of sorts, and she was clutching it tightly.

  Melissa nodded, her bright smile beaming at the two of them. “Well, if there is anything else you’re in need of tonight, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

  “I think we’d like to tour the facility before we dine. Unless, of course, you’re hungry and ready to eat,” Matthew said, turning his gaze to Katrina.

  She shook her head. “No, a walk first will be fine,” she said softly.

  “Very good,” Melissa said.

  “Is there a game tonight?” Katrina questioned as they navigated their way through the main concourse and toward the elevators. “No, obviously not,” she said, answering her own question, her voice echoing off the walls of the empty structure.

  Matthew laughed. “No, we have the stadium all to ourselves tonight.”

  “The entire stadium?”

  He nodded as he led her into the elevator and pushed the button for the upper level. “Just us, the caterers and the woman with the key.”

  “And do you mind if I ask how you managed to pull that off?”

  As the elevator came to a stop, the doors gliding open easily, Matthew paused. “I’m a Stallion,” he said nonchalantly. The look he gave her was breathtaking, his self-assurance like a neon banner waving between them. She inhaled deeply as she pulled her right hand to her chest.

  Entwining her fingers between his, Matthew guided her out of the elevator to the owner’s lounge. He pointed to a large painting that decorated the wall.

  “That’s one of my favorite pieces,” he said of the white-and-gray abstract. “The collection here is one of the most engaging exhibits in the state of Texas.”

  “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 drifted 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 dow
n 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 when she responded. “I’d say you’re off to a good start,” she said softly.

  Minutes later they were winding their way back through the main concourse, Matthew still pointing out the elaborate works of art that decorated the walls. The woman who’d greeted them earlier was waiting patiently in the immaculately decorated suite that led out onto the field.

  “Enjoy your meal,” she said as she gestured toward the fifty-yard line, where a dining table for two sat.

  Katrina blinked in disbelief. Above their heads, a giant, center-hung video board, as big as two basketball courts, captured their entrance. Matthew was smiling smugly. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. Her eyes widened further when Matthew wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close, leaning to press a damp kiss to her cheek. He laughed warmly, amused by the apprehension her expression held.

  As they made their way across the field, Matthew pointed upward to the maze of stars that filled the evening sky. “I thought it would be nice to have them retract the roof so we could dine under the stars.”