Stallion Magic
Stallion Magic
Deborah Fletcher Mello
He's going beyond the call of dutySalt Lake City PD detective Noah Stallion is missing one thing: a soul mate. He doesn't expect to find her at his fifteenth high school reunion. But reconnecting with Catherine Moore–his childhood crush, and now a beautiful and savvy businesswoman–brings back an onslaught of memories. And brings on a weekend of unending passion when they give in to their sizzling attraction.The guy voted Most Likely to Marry a Supermodel awakens a lot more than lust in Catherine, and saying goodbye is the hardest thing she's ever had to do. Then pleasure and business collide when Noah reenters her life. With an obsessive stalker targeting the high-flying CEO just as she's preparing to take her aircraft-leasing company public, Catherine is extremely vulnerable. But Noah can't let the best thing that ever happened to both of them get away–no matter what the risk…
He’s going beyond the call of duty
Salt Lake City PD detective Noah Stallion is missing one thing: a soul mate. He doesn’t expect to find her at his fifteenth high school reunion. But reconnecting with Catherine Moore—his childhood crush, and now a beautiful and savvy businesswoman—brings back an onslaught of memories. And brings on a weekend of unending passion when they give in to their sizzling attraction.
The guy voted Most Likely to Marry a Supermodel awakens a lot more than lust in Catherine, and saying goodbye is the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. Then pleasure and business collide when Noah reenters her life. With an obsessive stalker targeting the high-flying CEO just as she’s preparing to take her aircraft-leasing company public, Catherine is extremely vulnerable. But Noah can’t let the best thing that ever happened to both of them get away—no matter what the risk...
She shook her head. “You must think I’m a crazy woman,” she said, her voice a loud whisper.
“No. What I think is that I want to make love to you. And I think you want to make love to me. And if we make love, I think we both know that it’s not going to be a casual encounter that either of us is just going to forget about. So we need to regroup. That’s what I think.”
His comment struck a nerve, and she nodded. “I should probably warn you that I’ve never done well with relationships,” Catherine said.
Noah smiled. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”
She smiled back. “I really had a great time tonight.”
“So did I.” He moved to her side and grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers tightly together.
“Walk me to the door,” he said as he turned in the direction of the exit.
When they reached the entranceway, Noah turned. His gaze danced over her face before he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering. His touch ignited a raging flame deep within her.
He pressed his hand to her cheek, his fingers trailing the line of her profile. She leaned into his palm, closing her eyes as she relished the intensity of his touch. And then he kissed her.
Dear Reader (#ulink_b0f4d80f-a9eb-5ef5-a087-ac983c86dcfe),
How exciting is this? More Stallions! Finding that new branch to the Stallion family tree came with some challenges, but I have so much love for this family that it was well worth the effort. And, of course, there could be no Stallion story without that foundation of family, friends and faith.
Much like his Dallas cousins, Noah Stallion is the consummate big brother. He’s loving, protective and generous. He’s also a stern, no-nonsense taskmaster and he’ll melt your heart. He’s partnered with the indomitable Catherine Moore, a woman who knows what she wants and who won’t let anything keep her from achieving her goals. Together, they are fire and fire, so prepare for some serious heat!
Stallion Magic embraces some of my favorite things and places, so I hope you’ll enjoy the journey.
I cannot say thank you enough for your support. I am humbled by all the love you keep showing me, my characters and our stories.
Until the next time, please take care and may God’s blessings be with you always.
With much love,
Deborah Fletcher Mello
deborahmello.blogspot.com (http://www.deborahmello.blogspot.com)
Stallion Magic
Deborah Fletcher Mello
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO has been writing since forever and can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first romance novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam Emma Award nomination for Best New Author, and in 2009, she won an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. She continues to create unique story lines and memorable characters with each new book. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
To Big Daddy
For keeping me on track.
I love you!
Contents
Cover (#u9ef12f6b-0d6f-5dfa-b5ac-a83e6539513f)
Back Cover Text (#u26966c1b-3133-5498-92b0-a9cf1786020c)
Introduction (#u51e1f866-b6b5-5bed-a385-185cbf9de358)
Dear Reader (#u41eef1e0-8f6f-5c50-bc48-65d73d4e64c5)
Title Page (#u0784f991-d667-587a-bcbe-c229365b97a1)
About the Author (#uaa4bab38-5776-555e-a44e-8aaced928ac6)
Family Tree (#ub6fc0833-f627-5a43-a6be-9c9126100cbf)
Dedication (#u673891d5-2e08-5cfa-ac99-f022c57d2ad7)
Chapter 1 (#u4eda32f8-cf89-540c-b432-3d7bc4707d40)
Chapter 2 (#udc9f9c92-f953-55ff-b099-56ab427bb32d)
Chapter 3 (#u11a979fc-a9ca-5a78-9186-43669b876a51)
Chapter 4 (#u79683249-389c-5c99-b4e9-d364014a63d9)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_d5be2d2b-25a0-5fcf-a6af-71d1b63462b4)
Noah Stallion adjusted his necktie, taking one last glance at his reflection in the mirror that decorated the men’s restroom. The expensive designer suit he wore fit him well and as he stared at his reflection he couldn’t help but think that despite his initial reservations his investment in the silk garment had been well worth the money.
He took a deep breath. This would be his third interview with the company who’d actually sought him out. He’d been surprised when the head of their Human Resources department had first called to inquire about his availability. She’d been fully aware of his credentials even though she’d never laid eyes on his résumé.
Since he had not been in the market for a new job he hadn’t thought twice about hanging up on the woman. But she’d persisted, calling back to convince him to at least meet with their management team to discuss the opportunity. After some serious consideration he’d acquiesced but not before his two sisters had pointed out that blessings didn’t just drop in your lap without a good reason. That first meeting had led to this one, an interview with the company’s chief operating officer, and Noah still wasn’t sure if he was even all that interested in the position.
As he exited the men’s room and moved back to the front foyer toward the reception desk he just missed colliding with an attractive woman, whose own attention was focused on her iPad. His reflexes were sharp as he grabbed her by the shoulders, preventing what could have been a painful accident. As he steadied himself, and her, she apologized at the same time as he did.
“Oh, excuse me!”
“I’m so sorry!”
Noah smiled brightly. The beautiful woman met the look he was giving her with one of her own. Her brown eyes were wide and darted back and forth across his face as she stared. Her own face was flushed, color warming her dimpled cheeks.
“Are you okay?” he questioned, concern tinting his tone.
Her voice was rich, the alto timbre ringing warmly between them. “I’m fine. I should have been paying attention to where I was going. Thank you for catching me,” she said.
Noah nodded. “I’m glad I could keep both of us from falling,” he said, his smile widening as he held the intense gaze she was giving him.
She smiled back before breaking eye contact. “You have a good day,” she said as she eased past him and moved down the hallway.
For a brief moment Noah forgot where he was and why he was there, wanting to continue to stare after her. The woman was stunning. As she sauntered down the hall he couldn’t help but admire the side to side strut of her full hips. The red pantsuit she wore flattered her voluptuous figure. Catching himself, he took a deep breath then quickly turned around, almost missing the look the woman tossed him over her shoulder.
Noah moved to the reception desk. A young girl with deep blue eyes and a porcelain-white complexion greeted him by name. She then gestured for him to take a seat on a blue-and-gray-striped upholstered sofa. He took a step, then hesitated, turning back around.
“Do you know who that woman was in the red suit? She headed in that direction.” He pointed behind him.
The girl shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stallion. I didn’t see anyone, so I’m not sure who you mean.”
“Oh, well,” Noah said with a slight shrug of his shoulders. He moved to take a seat. As he settled himself comfortably, he took a deep breath, holding it for a brief moment before blowing it past his full lips. Minutes passed as he waited, watching people come and go. A mountain of memories were suddenly spinning through his head, intruding on his thoughts about his interview.
A lot had happened in the past year since his mother’s passing. Norris Jean Stallion had died in her sleep, quietly slipping away on her own terms. Much like she’d lived her life, there’d been little fanfare, her children not even knowing she’d been ill. With Norris Jean’s death, her youngest child, his sister Natalie, had found her way home for the first time in twelve years, reestablishing contact with her family. And then there’d been the discovery that they had cousins they’d never known about, a branch of Stallions on a family tree thought to have only been a mere limb. Family support suddenly extended beyond their Utah ties and the abundance of it had been phenomenal. Since then he’d married off his sister Natalie and imagined Naomi wouldn’t be too far behind. Now he was being offered an amazing opportunity and a beautiful woman had just crossed his path. Noah couldn’t help but smile, thinking just how good his life was.
Noah extended his hand in greeting. “Frederick Ross, it’s good to see you again,” he said, a look of surprise washing over his expression.
Frederick Ross smiled broadly. “Noah Stallion. It’s been a while. We’ve come a long way since our days at Bountiful High School.”
Both men paused in a quick moment of reflection as Frederick gestured for Noah to take a seat. The former high school athletes were meeting in the boardroom of Fly High Dot Com, a multi-million-dollar aircraft leasing company. The high-end decor was a mix of polished woods and expensive leathers. Framed photographs of the company’s fleet of expensive planes decorated the walls.
Noah slowly eyed the images one by one. He echoed the sentiment. “I don’t think either of us ever imagined going from that muddy football field at Bountiful to the likes of this.”
Frederick nodded. “I know I didn’t but I’m glad we’re here. So, what do you know about our company?”
“I know that Fly High has a worldwide fleet of over one thousand private jets. By far the largest of any other company. You’ve proven yourself to be an industry leader in safety and security. You employ a team of some seven thousand employees. You’re currently the number two private leasing company worldwide and well on your way to taking the top spot because of your exceptional customer service and your fly share programs.
“Forbes named Fly High one of the top ten fastest growing companies and its owner the most elusive self-made millionaire next to that guy with the bio-tech firm in Georgia. In fact, the press has deemed Cat Moore the hardest interview to nab in history. So what’s he like to work for?”
A wry smile crossed Frederick’s face. The chief operating officer tilted his head as he met Noah’s questioning stare. “Not at all what you expect. And I’m impressed that you did your homework,” he said.
Noah nodded. He leaned forward in his seat. “I always come prepared and I know you’ve established an imposing security team. So I’m not sure how I can improve upon that.”
“I need someone with your skillset to manage that team as well as help us expand as the company continues to grow. Your résumé is impressive. You have a stellar military background and your tenure with the Salt Lake City police department shows that you are more than capable of taking the lead. All you have to do is say yes and the job is yours.”
The man continued to extol Noah’s virtues and the benefits of working for a private firm as opposed to his current government job. Then he made note of the starting salary and Noah’s eyes widened.
“We have some negotiating room if you demand more,” Frederick said. “Management is looking to take the company public so we can negotiate stock options and a host of other benefits, including a company car and free air travel. You’ll be based here but we’ll require some of your time in our New York and Atlanta offices, so you’ll have to travel. I really believe you would be a great asset to our organization or I wouldn’t have recommended you.”
Noah’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You recommended me? I’m surprised.”
“Don’t be. I actually ran into one of your brothers and he told me what you did. After a little research I knew you’d be the perfect fit.”
“I’ll need some time to think about it,” Noah said, his mind beginning to race.
Frederick nodded. “You’ll receive a formal offer from us in the next forty-eight hours. Then I can give you another seven days to mull it over. But after that I’ll need an answer.”
“I appreciate that,” Noah responded.
“So, are you going to the class reunion?” Frederick questioned, changing the subject. He leaned back in his leather executive’s chair, folding his hands together in his lap.
Noah shrugged, his full lips pulling into a warm smile. “I’ve been thinking about it. It’ll be good to see everybody again.”
“I was thinking the same thing although I’m not sure that I’ll be in town that weekend. But if I can work it into my schedule, I think I might stop by. It’ll be good to pound fists with the guys again.”
For a few brief moments the two men walked memory lane, recalling their days together on the football and track teams. Both were laughing heartily when Noah glanced down to his wristwatch.
“I hate to do this but I need to get back to the station. It was good to see you, Frederick. I appreciate you offering me this opportunity,” Noah said again. “I’ll be in touch.”
Both men came to their feet and shook hands. “I really hope you’ll come on board,” Frederick reiterated. “I promise that working here will be quite the experience.”
“You’ll hear from me soon,” Noah promised.
Walking to the elevator, the old acquaintances were still knee deep in conversation when the door opened on the conveyor. Noah stopped short when he caught sight of the beautiful woman from earlier. Once again she was lost in the digital screen of her electronic device.
* * *
Catherine Moore stepped out of the elevator. She came to an abrupt stop as the two men moved in front of her. She took a quick glance one way and then the other before settling her eyes on Noah Stallion’s face. A bright smile widened across her own.
“Why do you look familiar?” she questioned, eyeing Noah curiously.
“We did just run into each other. Literally,” he said, amusement crossing over his expression.
She shook her head, tossing Frederick a brief look. “No, we’ve met before. I’m sure of it.”
Frederick laughed. “Noah Stallion, allow me to introduce you to Cat Moore, CEO and owner of Fly High Dot Com. Catherine Moore, this is Noah Stallion. You probably remember him from Bountiful High School. We all graduated together.”
Noah’s eyes widened, surprise registering on his face. “Catherine Moore? Head cheerleader, Catherine Moore?”
“Now that was a long time ago!” Catherine laughed. She repeated his name once and then a second time, hesitating briefly as she tried to put more familiarity to the face. She finally nodded. “Noah Stallion. Our senior year you played football for the Bountiful Braves, second string quarterback, right? Everyone used to wonder how you made the team.”
“I was quick and fast on my feet, that’s how I made the team,” Noah said as he shook his head.
Catherine nodded, the memories coming back to her. “Actually, you were really good. People wondered why you didn’t play before senior year. So, why didn’t you play before then?” she asked.
He smiled. “Family obligations.”
She nodded, studying the look that glistened in his dark eyes. “You were kind of nerdy with glasses back then. And really thin!”
Noah laughed. “I was not that thin.”
Her eyes skated the length of his body, and she thought that he’d definitely filled out quite nicely. She bit down against her bottom lip, her eyes glistening as she lifted her gaze back to his. “Didn’t we have a class together?” she asked.
“We actually had two classes together. Biology and Spanish. You sat two rows behind me in Miss Garcia’s Spanish class.”
Catherine’s smile widened. “Miss Garcia! I did not like that woman!” she exclaimed.
Noah chuckled with understanding. “I don’t think many of us did. But that was a long time ago.”
Catherine extended her hand to shake his. His grip was strong, his palm and fingers warm and soft. His touch was electric, sending a shiver of heat down her spine. She took a deep breath before speaking again.
“Well, it was nice to see you again, Noah Stallion.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Catherine,” he answered, his smile warm and endearing.
Frederick patted him on the back. “We’ll talk soon, Noah,” he said.
Catherine and Frederick both stood watching as the elevator doors closed on Noah’s exit. She then turned her gaze toward Frederick. “Catching up with your old pals now?”
“Something like that. He was interviewing for the security position.”
She nodded, finding that tidbit of information interesting.
“Are you going to the high school reunion? Noah was just saying that he might go and I was thinking about it.”
Catherine shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I really hadn’t thought about it. Too much on my mind with the IPO process. Speaking of, how are we doing with all the reports the underwriters need?”
“Still on schedule.”
She nodded, then without another word, headed in the opposite direction.
Behind the closed doors of her office, Catherine moved to the window, hoping for one last glimpse of Noah Stallion as he maneuvered through the parking lot to his car. She caught sight of him just as he reached his vehicle. She stood staring as he removed his suit jacket and laid it on his backseat.
Gone were the wire-framed glasses, and there was nothing nerdy, thin or awkward about the man. The former high school jock had blossomed nicely, she thought, her gaze following as he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Seconds later he pulled into traffic and disappeared from sight.
Catherine moved to the bookcase behind her desk, searching the tomes that lined the shelves. Her friends had sent her a package recently, trying to entice her to attend their high school reunion. When she finally found what she was looking for, a copy of their high school yearbook, she pulled it into her hands and placed it on top of the desk. She flipped through the pages quickly until she found Noah’s yearbook picture. There had been no change to his smile and the shimmer in his dark eyes, both just as they’d been when he’d been a teen. Catherine felt herself grinning foolishly as she flipped from one photo to another: Noah and the football team, Noah running track, Noah on stage in a theater production, Noah’s senior portrait.
She reached for her cell phone, hitting the speed dial for her best friend Camille Trent. “Hey, do you remember Noah Stallion?” she asked immediately when the line was answered.
Camille laughed. “Yeah, he’s a police detective now. One of his brothers plays professional football and the other is a doctor. And he has two sisters. Why?”
“I was just asking.”
“You don’t call me in the middle of the afternoon to just ask a question like that for no good reason. Something must’ve made you inquire. Spill it!”
“Apparently he’s interviewing for a job here in the Utah office.”
“I haven’t seen him since his mother’s funeral.”
“You went to his mother’s funeral?”
“My mother and his mother went to the same church. I took mama to the funeral.”
There was a pregnant pause as Catherine fell into her own thoughts, staring back out the window. “I think I might go to the class reunion after all,” she finally noted.
Camille laughed again, the hearty snicker ringing loudly through the receiver. “You liked what you saw, didn’t you?”
Catherine laughed with her. “He’s all right.”
“Girl, you know that man is foine! So are his brothers.”
“You ever date any of them?”
“No, I never dated Noah.”
“I said any of them...”
“You meant Noah.”
“Goodbye, Camille!”
“Are you flying back to New York or will you be in town for a while longer?”
“I’m boarding a plane in thirty minutes. I’ve got tickets to the theater tomorrow, so I’m headed home.”
“You have a dozen homes. It’s hard to keep up!”
Catherine smiled. “I’ve got to go.”
“You do that,” Camille said, still giggling. “And you might want to call Crystal. I think she might have gone out with him,” she said as she disconnected the line.
As the call went dead, Catherine shook her head. Friends since the crib, she, Camille and Crystal had cheered together in high school. They’d been joined at the hip and had been dubbed the Three Cs by their classmates. Catherine thought of Camille and Crystal as the sisters she’d never had and trusted them both with everything. There’d been a code of conduct they’d established early in their history, rules they lived by. No dating men the others had dated being one of them.
With a deep breath, she pushed the speed dial for Crystal Baxter, the other leg in their trio. As the device rang in Catherine’s ear she wished a silent prayer that she, too, had never dated the likes of Noah Stallion.
Chapter 2 (#ulink_eae43057-49d8-5369-94f8-f65bccb0e3c5)
The day had been a long one, and when Noah pulled up to his Arlington Drive home, he wasn’t expecting to see his brother’s Jaguar sitting in front of his garage door. Inside the house, the television was blaring Monday-night football on his big-screen television. Voices echoed from the kitchen, and the smell of freshly fried chicken permeated the air. Moving into the space, he saw his two brothers standing at the kitchen counter. The Stallion bloodline ran deep and there was no denying their kinship. They each had the same rugged good looks, their features chiseled and their eyes haunting. Their complexions were a warm caramel brown, each looking as if they belonged to each other.
“Howdy, big brother,” Nicholas Stallion greeted.
Nathaniel Stallion waved a hand in Noah’s direction.
“Hey, what are you two doing here?” he questioned. He dropped his keys, badge, and gun to the countertop.
The two men cut an eye at each other both shrugging their broad shoulders.
Noah looked from one to the other then shook his head. “And you’re cooking. It must be serious!”
“It’s not,” Nicholas chimed.
“It is,” Nathaniel quipped.
Noah shook his head. “Let me grab a shower and unwind before you two hit me with any bad news,” he said as he turned in the direction of his bedroom.
“Dinner should be ready in thirty,” Nicholas called out as he checked on the meat in the deep fryer.
As Noah made his exit, the two brothers started to bicker, their muffled voices echoing in the distance. He couldn’t help but smile. When the duo had been younger, he would always have to intervene and mediate their disagreements. Despite their respective ages, some things never changed.
Some minutes later Noah felt like a new man. Showered and refreshed he moved back to his family room. The kitchen table was set for three, and Nick was filling oversized mason jars with ice and lemonade.
“Hey, do you remember Catherine Moore from high school?” Noah asked, interrupting the conversation the two men were having. “She was a cheerleader.”
Both men paused, eyeing Noah then each other.
“She was the head cheerleader,” Nathaniel said. “And she was dating some college frat boy, wasn’t she?”
“She was a snob!” Nicholas interjected. “Her folks had money. Big money, and she wouldn’t look in our direction if I remember correctly.”
“You were a freshman. No one looked in your direction,” Noah wisecracked.
Nathaniel laughed. “Didn’t you have a crush on her? One of those hiding in the bushes, stalkerlike crushes?”
Noah rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh, yes, it was. She was popular and pretty and you had absolutely no game.”
“He still doesn’t,” Nicholas said with a deep laugh.
Noah reached for the platter of cornbread, not bothering to respond.
“So, why are you asking about Catherine Moore?” Nicholas questioned, filling his own plate with string beans.
Noah shrugged. “No reason. I just ran into her today at my interview. She owns the company.”
“That’s right!” Nathaniel exclaimed. “How’d that go?”
“They offered me the job with a nice six-figure salary.”
“Congratulations!” both brothers chimed in unison.
“Still not sure I’m going to take it, though.”
“Why not?” Nicholas questioned.
Noah paused. The day after high school graduation he’d enlisted in the US Army. There had been no money saved for him for college and he was determined to get a degree. Back then he saw the military as a means to an end. He’d given Uncle Sam twelve years then had earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Joining the Salt Lake City police department had been a natural progression and since then he’d risen nicely through the ranks. He was now the lead detective in the criminal investigations unit and despite the gravity of some of his cases, he liked what he did. He wasn’t sure he was ready to let it go.
He didn’t bother to answer his brother’s question, deciding to change the subject instead. “So, when are you two going to tell me why you’re here and not in Los Angeles?”
Nicholas sighed. “It’s really nothing.”
“No, it’s something,” Nathaniel said. He turned his gaze toward Noah. “Nicholas took a bad hit in the game the other week and he bruised his back again. He also damaged his knee.”
“The one he fractured before?”
Nathaniel nodded. “At this point he needs to think about his future. As his orthopedic specialist it’s my recommendation that he retire.”
Nicholas pounded a fist against the table. “I’m not retiring and I would appreciate it if you two didn’t talk about me like I wasn’t in the room.”
“If you continue to play football, you risk doing some major damage that you’re not going to be able to come back from. Another hit like last week and you may never walk again. That’s your reality and I don’t think you understand that,” Nathaniel snapped.
Nicholas shrugged.
Nathaniel threw up his hands in frustration. “You need to talk to him,” he said, turning his attention back to their older brother. “I can’t get through to him.”
Noah took a bite of his chicken and said nothing as his two younger siblings continued to squabble back and forth. He was almost finished with his meal when he finally offered a comment, quoting their late mother.
He shifted his gaze to look Nicholas in his eyes. “Live the ride,” Noah said. “It’s your life, and I can’t tell you how to live it, but I can tell you to live it to the fullest. You only get to do this once. But with that said, you do need to consider your doctor’s warning. Know the risks and heaven forbid if something happens, be willing to accept the consequences.”
He turned to look at Nathaniel, who was shaking his head in disagreement. “Hey, you’ve told him everything he needs to know to make his decision. There’s nothing else you can do except support him in whatever that is.”
Nathaniel blew a heavy breath of air past his full lips. He shook his head.
Nicholas nodded then turned his attention to the television. A few minutes later he nodded his head at his brother. “So, you still want them season passes?”
Nathaniel met the look Nicholas was giving him. He hesitated only briefly before answering. “Hell, yeah!”
Noah smiled as a blanket of silence dropped over the trio. Across the big-screen television, New England was using Oakland to wipe the football field.
* * *
Hours later, Noah lay awake, his body sprawled atop his king-size mattress. Both his brothers had retired to guest rooms in his spacious home.
He was grateful for the bond they all shared. His family meant everything to him. Things had been slightly off when their baby sister, Natalie, had gone off to Europe, distancing herself from them, but all was well again. Natalie was back to being the prickly pain in his side that he adored.
He blew a heavy sigh, rolling onto his side as thoughts of Catherine Moore flashed through his mind. She was a beautiful woman, curvaceous with an incredible caramel-toned complexion. She also had a sharp wit and astute business acumen. He imagined some men were intimidated by her polished persona but there was no denying that her vivacious personality commanded attention the moment she entered a room. Noah had often imagined himself partnered with a woman like that. Building his career with the police department had put any inkling of a romantic relationship on the back burner. But Noah had always wanted his future to include a wife and children.
He suddenly wondered if a woman like Catherine ever thought about children. He reasoned that building a corporate empire had probably stalled any thoughts she might have had about a family. Something he remembered about her reminded him she might not be the kind of woman who wanted nannies and babysitters raising her children.
It had been one of those senior year parties, and everyone had gathered at Lindsey Gardens for a wiener roast and bonfire. One of the players from the basketball team had been stuck with his two younger siblings tagging along, and Catherine had stepped in to lend a helping hand. He’d eyed her most of that night, enamored with her gentle handling of the little boy and girl. It suddenly surprised him that he remembered that moment and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Sleep came upon him suddenly as he fell into a deep slumber. His rest was sweet as thoughts of Catherine continued to trip through his dreams.
* * *
It was well after midnight, and Catherine was determined to be finished with the contract and financial documents that had held her attention since the day had started. She was preparing for a meeting with her executive team, planning to announce her intentions to take her company public. It was a decision that had been years in the making. Since the acquisition of her first luxury aircraft, Catherine debated whether or not to remain a private entity. With the shift in political climate and the state of the economy, she had known the day might come when the expansion of her business might mean offering the public stock in her company. Currently, the business was doing exceptionally well, Fly High an industry leader on top of their game. Her decision to go public was based more on being prepared for the future and not needing an infusion of cash to do what she wanted to do.
With the last document signed, she poured herself a glass of wine. As she took the first sip she remembered that it had been a minute since she’d last eaten. Her yogurt and granola breakfast had been her last meal. She finished off her glass of merlot before rising from her cushioned seat and moving to the kitchen pantry and then the refrigerator. With a box of table water crackers and a block of pepper jack cheese in hand she returned to her seat and poured herself a second glass of wine.
Her Manhattan penthouse was quiet. Nothing stirred. The only sounds echoing around the space were her heavy breathing and a ripple of paper as she flipped through one document after another.
Being alone had never bothered Catherine. She had always enjoyed solitude, no one else’s noise intruding on her quiet. Alone had never been synonymous with lonely. She swallowed the last bit of her snack and followed it with another swig of the wine.
Business had always come first and being alone had been the consequence of that. She could barely recall her last official date let alone any relationship she’d been involved in. A coy smile suddenly pulled at her thin lips. She stared down to the lined paper she’d been jotting notes on. In three separate spots she’d written down Noah Stallion’s name. She’d been intrigued seeing him again. He was no longer the scrawny kid she barely remembered. The man had presence, his stance strong and magnanimous. He was the sweetest eye candy, intelligent and good-looking. In their very brief encounter he had grabbed her attention and held it. Noah Stallion was the kind of man women longed for in their lives. Catherine was no exception.
She had breathed a sigh of relief when her friend Crystal had assured her no one in their circle of friends had dated the man.
“He didn’t date anyone at Bountiful,” Crystal had proclaimed. “Not one soul.”
“I know he had to have dated someone in high school,” Catherine had persisted.
“Nope. He worked part-time after school. He had brothers and sisters to help take care of. From what I remember about him he didn’t have time to date. Hey, do you remember...”
Catherine had gotten lost in the reflections as the two women caught up on old times. Crystal’s last question had brought her back to reality.
“So, do you plan to hire him or seduce him? Because I don’t think you can do both.”
With a deep sigh, she rose from her seat and headed to her bedroom. As she disrobed, slipping into a red silk nightie, she couldn’t help but think about her life and the many difficult choices she’d made. Crystal was right. She couldn’t do both. She couldn’t become romantically involved with any employee of Fly High. She had signed Noah’s formal offer of employment just hours earlier. With luck, Catherine thought, maybe he wouldn’t take the job.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_bf09a397-9bb4-50aa-8e4d-8312f8e23d68)
Naomi Stallion laughed as Noah stood in front of the mirror trying on neckties. He was trying to determine which one would best complement the dark suit he was planning to wear to his high school reunion.
Noah narrowed his gaze as he turned to stare at her. “What’s so funny?” he questioned.
“You are. Why are you wearing a suit? This is not another interview.”
“No, it isn’t, but I do want to dress to impress.”
“Impress who?”
He shot her another look. “Why are you here?”
She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “What? I can’t visit anymore?”
Noah rolled his eyes, tossing yet another tie aside. “Have you talked to Natalie?”
His sister nodded. “She and Tinjin are getting ready for fashion week. He’s introducing his new clothing line. She wants us all to fly to Paris to be there to support him.”
“I’d like to go but if I take this new job it might not be doable for me.”
“So what’s stopping you from making a decision?”
“I like what I do and I’m good at it. I’m not sure I want to give that up.”
Naomi nodded her understanding. “Did you talk to Nathaniel?”
“Yeah.”
“He told you about Nicholas?”
“They were both here. They flew out this morning.”
“Did you tell him that he needs to stop playing?”
“No, I didn’t. I told him he needed to do whatever is in his heart.”
“I’m sure that pissed Nathaniel off.”
“Maybe, but it’s not his decision to make.”
A moment of silence swept between him and Naomi.
Naomi let out a soft sigh then changed the subject. “Are you ready for me to style you so that you can actually make it to the reunion? Because at the rate you’re going you might make it to one five years from now.”
Noah grinned. “I’m not doing well, am I?”
“You’re making a hot mess of things is what you’re doing.”
Naomi rose from her seat on the bed and moved into his walk-in closet. Minutes later she exited with a pair of Diesel steel-gray denim jeans, a black-and-gray-striped knit sweater and his black leather blazer.
“This says you’re accomplished but not boasting. It’s casual, comfortably stylish and gives you just enough of a bad boy flair to get some attention. Pair it with your black Timberlands.”
Noah nodded. “How do you do that?”
“You usually do it yourself when you’re not overthinking,” she said as she began to rehang the neckties he’d tossed onto the bed. “So are you going to tell me why you’re so squirrely about going to your reunion?”
He shrugged, trying unsuccessfully to maintain a neutral expression on his face.
Naomi laughed. “Enough said. For your sake I just hope she’s worth it!”
Noah shook his head. “Get out of my room, please, I need to get dressed.”
Naomi was still laughing as she moved toward the door. “I know her friend Crystal. Do you want me to put in a good word for you?”
“Excuse me?”
“With Catherine. Do you want me to put in a good word for you? The twins said you were asking about her.”
Taking two good strides toward the entrance, Noah pushed his sister out and closed the door in her face. He could hear her laughing all the way back to the family room.
He shook his head. Of all his siblings, he was closest to Naomi. The twins were two years younger than he was but always had a unique bond that naturally came with sharing the womb with someone. He’d been six, almost seven when their baby sister, Natalie, had been born, and even then Noah was already filling that paternal role that none of them had ever had. It had been different with Naomi, her maternal instincts putting them on equal footing. He’d been protective but hadn’t needed to shelter her. Naomi was fierce, having an indomitable spirit like no other. And from the moment she’d drawn breath Naomi had been able to read him like no one else. She sometimes knew what he was thinking before he could even form the thought in his own mind. That sixth sense of hers could sometimes drive him crazy.
Minutes later he stood in front of his full-length mirror, staring at his reflection. Once again Naomi had gotten it right. Moving out of the room he found his sister in his family room with her feet up on the coffee table and a large bowl of popcorn in her lap. An episode of some reality show was playing on his big screen. He stood watching for a brief moment as two young women spat insults at each other.
“Why do you watch this trash?” he questioned as he shifted his gaze back to his sister.
“Mindless television helps me unwind.”
“Well, you got the mindless part right,” he said, shaking his head as the two women on the screen began throwing punches.
“That’s some rapper’s girlfriend and his other girlfriend. Neither one knows he has a wife,” Naomi said as she tossed a handful of kernels into her mouth.
Noah rolled his eyes. “Are you staying here tonight or are you going back to Norris Jean’s house?” he said, referring to their late mother’s home. The twelve-hundred-square-foot manufactured home had been empty since her passing. Although it had almost been a full year, he and his family were taking their time to decide what they wanted to do with the property.
Naomi shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. I finished cleaning out the spare bedroom earlier. I need to start working on her bedroom but I might wait until Natalie comes back so we can do it together. Do you mind if I stay here?”
Noah shook his head. “You know better than that. You know you’re welcome here anytime.”
“I had to ask. I didn’t know if you were planning on bringing someone home from the reunion or not. You might have wanted to get your freak on in private.”
Noah laughed as he grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door. “Good night, Naomi.”
“Have fun, Noah. And you look good, by the way.”
* * *
An oversized banner welcomed the Bountiful High School class back for their high school reunion. Pulling his SUV into a parking spot near the gymnasium door Noah sat watching as his former classmates streamed inside.
He recognized Brighton Laramie and August Thames, both former members of the football team who were both currently on probation. One had done time for a drug infraction, the other for domestic violence against his wife. Noah wasn’t much interested in catching up with either.
Leslie Prentiss, the girl who’d graduated valedictorian, strolled hand in hand with a man he didn’t recognize, but he fathomed the stranger was probably her husband. Everyone entering the building looked happy to be there and excited at the prospect of reconnecting with old friends.
As he was about to step out of his car, an oversized limo pulled up to the curb. Everyone around paused to watch the limo driver move around the front of the car to open the passenger side door. Noah smiled as he recognized the members of Bountiful’s former cheerleading team: Brittney, Margie, Patricia, Valerie and the Three Cs—Crystal, Camille, and Catherine.
The years had been good to them, figures still tight, faces still pretty. Patricia’s added weight gave her curves like she’d never had before, and Camille’s very pregnant belly garnered much attention. The sight of them brought back a flood of memories, and Noah smiled.
The cheerleaders had teased and tormented him in high school. He’d been painfully shy around girls, and they’d found amusement in making him squirm. Even then he’d known that no one meant him any malice or harm but their frequent antics had made for many awkward moments. He watched as they all moved inside the building before stepping out of his car and following them inside.
The high school’s gymnasium had been decorated for the occasion, reminding him of the one or two school dances he’d actually attended. Black and red crepe paper streamers and miniature white lights floated along the ceiling. There were large round tables covered in white tablecloths and large, red pillar candles and carnation arrangements sat as centerpieces. A nice crowd had already gathered, many laughing, smiling faces around the room.
Bridget Wilson sat at the reception table in the entrance collecting contact information and handing out name tags with people’s high school images. The senior portraits were a reminder of a very different time in all of their lives.
Bridget waved excitedly in his direction. The two frequently crossed paths in their lines of work. Bridget was with the district attorney’s office and often referred him to young men and boys who seemed wanting and willing to work their way out of the judicial system. Noah had mentored many of them successfully, their futures now more about college and success than the trappings of prison initially promised for their bad choices. The two had dated briefly but nothing had come of it, Bridget was now married to another attorney.
“Hey, Bridget. How are you?”
“I’m great, Noah. I’m so glad you came.”
Noah nodded. “Naomi made me. She swore I’d regret it years from now if I didn’t.”
“Your sister is a wise woman.”
“Where’s Don?”
“That husband of mine refused to come. You know how anti-social he is.”
Noah smiled and shrugged as she rose from her seat to tie a red band around his wrist.
“This gives you two drinks,” she said, moving back to the other side of the table. “Is your email address still the same?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then you’re good to go. Have yourself a good time.”
Noah gave her a slight wave as he moved inside. The music was loud, a DJ playing all the hits from back in the day. Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You” vibrated through the air, a few of the women dancing in front of the stage. As Noah headed for a seat at an empty table, he was stopped in his tracks.
Tyrone Bellamy, Christopher McDowell and Sean Parrish greeted him with brash handshakes and gregarious hugs.
“Noah Stallion!”
“Yo, dude! Is that you?”
“Noah!”
“It’s good to see you guys,” Noah chimed. “So what have y’all been up to?”
“I’m still working at my dad’s hardware store,” Sean said.
“I’m teaching here at the high school and coaching the boy’s baseball team,” Tyrone said.
Christopher nodded. “I left Salt Lake City. I’m in New York now working on Wall Street. What about you?”
“I’m working with the local police department,” Noah answered.
“Any kids?” Christopher asked.
He shook his head. “No. No wife, no kids. You?”
“I’ve got two.”
“I’ve got one on the way,” Tyrone said, a wide grin across his face.
“Well, I’ve got six kids.” Sean laughed.
“Six?” they all said in unison and turned to stare at the man.
He nodded. “Six kids, four baby mamas and three failed marriages, so no more wives or kids for me ever again.”
Noah laughed as they all nodded their understanding.
A loud scream echoed from behind them. As Noah turned, a petite woman with a blonde bob and bright blue eyes flung herself against him. The trio he’d been chatting with waved goodbye and headed for the bar, leaving him to fend for himself.
“Noah Stallion! I’d know you anywhere!” she said excitedly. “How are you?”
“Marilyn Hodges. I’m good. How are you?”
“It’s Marilyn Beeker now. I married Charlie Beeker.”
“Charlie, who almost burned down the science lab senior year, Charlie?”
“That’s the one.” She giggled. “And he’s still a pyro. He burned down my screened porch last year.” She laughed as if there were something actually funny about that.
But Noah laughed with her. “Well, it’s good to see you,” he said as he thought back to Mr. Milner’s math class when she’d regularly cheat off his paper and he let her.
From the corner of his eye he spied Catherine sitting in conversation with two men. He recognized them but couldn’t put a name to either face. He turned to stare blatantly. Marilyn seemed to read his mind.
“You remember Catherine Moore, don’t you? She’s CEO of some big business. I hear she’s engaged to be married to some European art dealer. And that’s Bo Wells and Mark Spencer. Bo’s a photographer now, and I don’t know what Mark is doing.”
Noah nodded. “So she’s engaged?”
“Yeah, but I told her marriage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” she said with a deep chortle. “Not at all!”
Noah smiled as she gave him a quick hug and skipped off to catch up with someone else. He moved toward the bar, walking away with a bottle of chilled beer. Moving off to a corner, he sat alone, still watching everyone around him. Occasionally, a familiar face would stop to chat, catching him up on what they’d done with their lives since graduation. Many had married and had kids. A few were living very exotic lives, and then there had been the select few who still had no clue what they wanted to do with their lives. After a while the stories all began to sound alike.
Noah had come to the reunion hoping to see Catherine and maybe talk with her more. Hearing she was planning to be someone’s wife had burst his bubble, and he was suddenly feeling deflated. He tipped the bottle of brew to his mouth and took a big sip.
He glanced down at his watch. It had been a good time and although it was still fairly early, he saw no reason to stay any longer. Moving back to his feet, he headed into the men’s room before making his exit. Inside, two more acquaintances were telling the same lie, both trying to make what little they’d accomplished seem like so much more. Washing his hands with soap and water, Noah wished both men well.
He swiped his hands across a paper towel and headed for the door. Outside the men’s room, he paused, staring down the school’s hallway at the long line of lockers that ran the length of the wall. He could almost hear the youthful laughter that used to ring in the air back in the day and it made him smile.
Standing in the hallway, he moved to the glass case that housed the sports awards, admiring the many trophies and mementos the athletic department had amassed over the years. He stopped to reflect on an image of him and the team taken at their senior class sport’s dinner. That time felt like an eternity ago.
With a deep sigh, he turned abruptly, heading in the direction of the door. As he did, he just missed slamming into Catherine Moore, once again avoiding a potential catastrophe.
She laughed warmly, her voice low and seductive. “You saved me again, Noah Stallion!”
Noah’s smile widened. “It does look that way, Catherine.”
“Please, call me Cat. Only strangers call me Catherine.”
“You look beautiful tonight, Cat,” he said as his gaze skated the length of her body.
She wore a knee-length skirt with a yoked waist with tightly pulled gathered material and a full ruffled petticoat beneath it. The color was dark granite partnered with a tailored white blouse and platform pumps in a bright floral pattern on a black background. Her look was stylish and sexy.
She smiled. “Thank you.” She narrowed her gaze on his face. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
He nodded. “I think I’ve had my fill of memory lane trips for tonight.”
She nodded but said nothing as she stood staring at him. There was a heated wave of energy that surged between them. Her gaze was intoxicating, and Noah felt his body reacting. He took a deep breath and held it for a brief moment before letting it out slowly.
“I’m actually headed back to the hotel myself,” she said. “Why don’t you join me? We can grab a drink in the hotel’s bar and catch up without all the noise.”
Noah’s gaze was still connected with hers. He suddenly felt like a snake being charmed. He nodded, completely possessed. “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”
Catherine smiled. “The girls are riding home in the limo. I’ll grab my purse. We can take your car, if you don’t mind.” Her tone was commanding as she turned on her high heels and disappeared back into the gym.
* * *
Camille and Crystal tossed each other a look as Catherine rushed back toward the table.
“Where are you going?” Camille questioned as Catherine grabbed her leather handbag and guzzled down the last of her drink.
“Back to the hotel.”
Crystal looked toward the entrance where Noah Stallion stood staring in their direction. “Are you going alone?” she asked, her expression all knowing.
Catherine grinned. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not.”
Her two friends both shook their heads, amusement painting their expressions.
“It’s about time,” Crystal said. “I was starting to think that all you two were going to do was stare at each other all night long.”
Camille nodded in agreement. “I can’t believe he’s still that shy. Are you sure something’s not wrong with him? I mean, you have been known to date really good-looking men that have actually turned out to be complete freaks. Wasn’t one of your exes a serial killer?”
“He’s not that shy and he’s not a freak,” Catherine answered, “and you know darn well I have never dated a serial killer.” She leaned to hug and kiss one and then the other. “I’ll call you later.”
“I know I don’t need to give you my ‘practice safe sex’ speech, right?” Crystal asked as she hugged her friend back.
Catherine laughed. “I think I’ve got this handled.”
Camille laughed. “Girl, bye! Just go have fun!”
Tossing them both one last smile, Catherine headed toward Noah, her excitement practically beating her to his side.
Chapter 4 (#ulink_dd360795-6231-50fb-a77f-6524a9636679)
Minutes later, they were careening down Poplar Grove Boulevard, just six miles from the Hotel Monaco. Catherine had rolled down the window, allowing the cool evening breeze to blow through her hair, the highlighted strands falling past her shoulders. There was a comfortable level of quiet that had settled over them, and neither spoke—no words were needed as they acclimated themselves to the emotion building between them. And something was building, the thickness of it completely intoxicating.
As they waited at a stoplight, she turned toward Noah, the streetlight illuminating her face. There was a halo of sparkle around her head, and Noah thought she had to be the most exquisite female he’d ever known. They both smiled again as they caught each other’s gaze.
“So how long are you in town?” Noah finally asked, breaking the silence.
She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I’m only here for the weekend. I have to be in Atlanta next week then back in New York.”
“You get around.”
She chuckled softly. “I do,” she said as she shifted her gaze back out the window.
“Is that a good thing?”
She shrugged again. “I never thought about it.”
“How does your fiancé feel about it?”
Her head snapped back in his direction. Her eyebrows lifted in amusement. “My fiancé? What fiancé?”
Noah’s eyes skated in her direction then back to the road. “Someone at the reunion said you were engaged to an artist or something.”
Catherine laughed. The sound was musical, a warm treble that filled the air between them. “I bet it was Crystal or Camille that told that lie. I am not engaged, nor have I ever been married. I don’t even have a steady boyfriend.”
Noah grinned. “Oh,” he said. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Are you really?”
He shook his head. “No.”
She laughed again, and he laughed with her.
As he pulled into a parking spot in front of the hotel they kept eyeing each other, grinning foolishly. Noah felt like he was seventeen all over again. Moving into the lobby, Catherine led the way toward the hotel bar. Grabbing his hand she pulled him along to a cushioned seat in the corner, gesturing for the bartender as she reluctantly released the hold she had on his fingers. They sat down, facing each other, their bodies close as they shared the seat.
“What’s your poison?” Catherine asked as she shifted forward in her seat.
“I’ll take a beer. Corona with a twist of lime.”
“I’ll have a glass of white wine,” she said to the young man who’d come to take their orders.
She sat back as she rested her arm atop the seat’s back and leaned her head on her hand. She lifted her leg so that her knee was lightly pressed against the side of his upper thigh. Her touch was heated, and Noah felt himself break out into a sweat.
She lifted her eyes to stare at him. “So tell me what you’ve been doing since we graduated, Noah Stallion.”
Noah chuckled. “Do you want me to recap the highlights of my résumé or give you the whole spiel?”
“I don’t want your résumé. I know what you’ve accomplished in your professional life, remember? I want to hear about your personal life. I want to know if the guy voted best personality and most likely to marry a supermodel ever did.”
His head moved from side to side, a slight blush warming his complexion as he laughed. He ran a hand over his freshly shaven head. The gesture drew her attention, and Catherine stared.
Noah Stallion had grown into himself. Gone was that baby-faced high-school student. His chiseled features had matured nicely. His eyes were dark pools, his nose almost too perfect and he had the most luscious lips of any man Catherine had ever known. They were full, like thick pillows, and she couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like pressed against hers. She heard herself gasp out loud, suddenly embarrassed that she’d been staring so wantonly.
“What is it?” Noah asked, meeting the look she was giving him.
She shook her head, desperate to suddenly shake the rise of emotion from her. “Nothing. I was just waiting to hear about you.”
“You were staring.”
“I was.”
“Why were you staring at me?”
She blinked as he eyed her curiously. “Get over it, please. I did it, it was rude, but I’m not going to explain it or apologize for it.”
Their gazes held, and then Noah laughed again.
His deep chortle moved her to giggle. He suddenly reached out his hand to brush a lock of hair from her face. His touch was gentle and easy, like a cool breeze on a summer night. Catherine felt a tingle of heat waft through her, moving her to hold her breath.
Noah finally answered her question. “There’s really nothing to tell. I’ve been focused on my career. And no, I never married. I have no children and no drama in my life other than things my siblings manage to get themselves into. And now, here we are.”
She nodded. “Here we are.”
Noah took his own deep breath. “So tell me about you. About your personal life when you weren’t building a multi-million-dollar empire.”
“Doing that didn’t leave me much time for anything else.” She let out a low sigh.
“Do you regret it?” Noah asked, noting the expression that crossed her face.
She shook her head. “Not at all. I still have time. It’s not like I’m that old.”
“That’s true.”
“Do you regret not having a family yet?”
Noah pondered the question. He’d never really given it any thought. He’d been taking care of people since he’d been a boy. Truth be told it was really all he knew. Being the oldest, he’d always been responsible for his younger brothers and sisters. He’d stepped in to do what their wayward father had refused to do and what his mother hadn’t been able to do by her lonesome. He didn’t miss not having kids because he felt like he’d already raised four of them. But he did miss companionship and having a partner by his side to share his life with.
He met the curious look she was giving him. “I guess regret is not the right word. I wish things were different but the right woman just never came along.”
“Until now?” Catherine’s eyes were wide, her brazen remark surprising them both.
He laughed, his gaze narrowing slightly. “You never know.”
Her smile was wide and bright, warming his spirit. “Noah Stallion, I do believe you are blushing!” she exclaimed, trying to deflect the attention back on him.
“I’m sure I am. I’m not use to a woman putting me on the spot like that.”
“Oh, yes, you are. I’m sure women put you on the spot all the time.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because you’re an easy target. I don’t think you realize...” She paused, biting down against her bottom lip as she searched for the right words to explain herself.
“Realize what?” Noah persisted.
“I don’t think you realize the power you have with women. You’re the whole package. You’re intelligent, good-looking, well-rounded, good-looking, kind, good-looking...”
Noah laughed, a wave of embarrassment flushing his face. “I got the good-looking.”
“And that’s my point. You don’t see what women do so you’re not full of yourself or arrogant, and that makes you even more desirable. I bet half the time you don’t even know when women are hitting on you.”
He nodded. “You’re right. I don’t.”
“Which leaves you blushing a lot, I’m sure.”
“So, are you hitting on me?” His expression was just shy of smug.
She smiled, meeting his gaze evenly, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she took a slow sip of her drink. The look she gave him made Noah laugh heartily. She changed the subject.
“I was sorry to hear about your mother passing,” she said, her tone soft.
“Thank you.” Their gazes locked for a moment before Noah dropped his eyes to the space of sofa between them.
“Is your father still living?”
Noah shrugged his broad shoulders. “He is, but we never knew our father. You might know him, though. Nolan Perry?”
Her eyes widened. “Reverend Perry is your father?”
Noah nodded. “The one and only. My mother followed him here to Utah from Texas when she was fifteen. He was the love of her life but he abandoned her and never had anything to do with us kids.”
She pressed a hand against his arm as he continued.
“I went to see him once but he wouldn’t even speak to me.”
“I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
He shrugged again. “It is what it is. I don’t think about it much anymore.”
A look of sadness flashed in his eyes, and Catherine sensed that wasn’t quite true.
“You came from a big family, didn’t you? You had a lot of brothers and sisters, right?”
“Two brothers and two sisters. My brother Nicholas plays football for Los Angeles and his twin, Nathaniel, is an orthopedic surgeon.”
Catherine nodded. “I remember the twins.”
“And then there’s my sister Naomi. She’s a holistic life coach, and my baby sister, Natalie, is a high-fashion model.”
“I don’t remember Natalie but I know Naomi. She and Crystal are good friends. Crystal uses a ton of her hair care products.”
“Naomi’s actually built a very successful organic health care business. I’m very proud of her.”
“I don’t remember you guys socializing much while we were in school.”
Noah shrugged. “We couldn’t afford it. Besides, you and your click weren’t interested in hanging out with us poor kids.”
“That’s not true. I remember we spent a lot of time together after football practice and at the games.”
Noah laughed. “I remember you used to give me a hard time.”
She grinned. “See, I was even hitting on you back then and you didn’t have a clue.”
Noah thought back to the times they’d spent together. Catherine and her friends hadn’t cut him any slack. The teasing had been formidable. A slow smile pulled at his mouth. Back then, Noah didn’t say much but he didn’t run from situations, either. Having the cheerleaders hanging on him had, in some ways, been a badge of honor, giving him favor among his peers. But what he remembered most about that time was that it had taken little for them to leave him hard and wanting. Back then a warm breeze would leave his teenaged body with an erection. Catherine Moore and the cheerleading squad were a warm breeze times ten. He laughed out loud, and Catherine laughed with him.
Before either realized it, they’d been talking for almost two hours. It was almost midnight, the bar had closed and they were still sitting together in the hotel’s lobby, completely enamored with each other. Noah had never told anyone as much about his childhood as he found himself sharing with Catherine. They talked about his family, her parents, their dreams and their fears. They had more in common than not and they made each other laugh. Their conversation was comfortable and easy and Noah imagined that it could have lasted forever without any effort.
“So, what made you want to leave your job?” Catherine asked. “You sound like you really enjoy what you do.”
“I actually haven’t made a decision. I was very flattered that your organization was interested in me but I’m not sure if that’s what I really want for myself.”
“So there’s still a chance that you might not work for Fly High?”
“There is.”
She pondered his statement for a moment. Crystal’s comment days before suddenly popped into her thoughts. She had never before given any consideration to pursuing a relationship with a Fly High employee. But technically, Noah didn’t work for her, and might not ever.
Noah stared intently as she drifted off into thought, his gaze skating over her face as he inhaled her features. Catherine Moore was incredibly beautiful. Her complexion was a warm coffee with much cream and her features were fine and delicate. There was an air of fragility about her, her cover-model looks belying her authoritative personality. It was her strength that he found most attractive. Everything about her moved him like no other woman before her. He found the sensation only slightly unnerving.
She suddenly stood up, turning to stare down at him. A wave of anxiety flitted across her face as she looked him in the eye. “So, either this is going to be a monumental mistake or it’s not.” She took a deep breath and then another, blowing the air out in a loud gust. “I think we have great chemistry, Noah Stallion. And since you don’t work for me yet and I think you and I could be very good together, would you like to come up to my room?” Her hands were clenched in tight fists at her sides, her nervousness blanketing her posture. “And please don’t think this is something I do often, because it’s not,” she said, suddenly feeling like she needed to explain herself. “You’re the first man I’ve ever invited back to my hotel room like this.”
Noah moved onto his feet beside her. He stepped in close, and she gasped, the nearness of him so intense that it drew the oxygen from her lungs. When he eased an arm around her slim waist and pulled her even closer, she thought she might faint. She grabbed the front of his leather jacket to steady herself, her hands grazing his chest.
“What’s going to happen if I do take the job?” he questioned, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. “If we do this, then how...” His voice trailed.
She took another deep breath. Her eyes darted back and forth, purposely trying to avoid his. “We’re both adults. If you do decide to take the job I think we can be mature about the whole thing. I just know that...well...I just know what I’m feeling right now.”
“And what’s that? What are you feeling?”
She finally lifted her eyes to his, falling headfirst into the stare he was giving her. In that moment everything in her head became a muddled mess. Seconds earlier it had all made sense, now it didn’t.
“I... Well...we...” she stammered. Her face was flushed, heat tinting her cheeks a brilliant shade of red.
Noah puller her even closer. Both his hands snaked from the curve of her waist to around her back. She felt amazing in his arms, like she’d been born to be there. He dropped his head slightly, his mouth just millimeters away from hers. His warm breath was teasing and her own lips parted in anticipation. Noah hesitated as he pressed his forehead to hers. Her perfume was light, an airy floral scent that tickled his nostrils. He brushed his cheek against her cheek as he wrapped his arms tightly around her torso, hugging her easily. He whispered, the warmth of his words blowing past her earlobe. “I feel the same way,” he said.
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Deborah Fletcher Mello
He's going beyond the call of dutySalt Lake City PD detective Noah Stallion is missing one thing: a soul mate. He doesn't expect to find her at his fifteenth high school reunion. But reconnecting with Catherine Moore–his childhood crush, and now a beautiful and savvy businesswoman–brings back an onslaught of memories. And brings on a weekend of unending passion when they give in to their sizzling attraction.The guy voted Most Likely to Marry a Supermodel awakens a lot more than lust in Catherine, and saying goodbye is the hardest thing she's ever had to do. Then pleasure and business collide when Noah reenters her life. With an obsessive stalker targeting the high-flying CEO just as she's preparing to take her aircraft-leasing company public, Catherine is extremely vulnerable. But Noah can't let the best thing that ever happened to both of them get away–no matter what the risk…
He’s going beyond the call of duty
Salt Lake City PD detective Noah Stallion is missing one thing: a soul mate. He doesn’t expect to find her at his fifteenth high school reunion. But reconnecting with Catherine Moore—his childhood crush, and now a beautiful and savvy businesswoman—brings back an onslaught of memories. And brings on a weekend of unending passion when they give in to their sizzling attraction.
The guy voted Most Likely to Marry a Supermodel awakens a lot more than lust in Catherine, and saying goodbye is the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. Then pleasure and business collide when Noah reenters her life. With an obsessive stalker targeting the high-flying CEO just as she’s preparing to take her aircraft-leasing company public, Catherine is extremely vulnerable. But Noah can’t let the best thing that ever happened to both of them get away—no matter what the risk...
She shook her head. “You must think I’m a crazy woman,” she said, her voice a loud whisper.
“No. What I think is that I want to make love to you. And I think you want to make love to me. And if we make love, I think we both know that it’s not going to be a casual encounter that either of us is just going to forget about. So we need to regroup. That’s what I think.”
His comment struck a nerve, and she nodded. “I should probably warn you that I’ve never done well with relationships,” Catherine said.
Noah smiled. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”
She smiled back. “I really had a great time tonight.”
“So did I.” He moved to her side and grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers tightly together.
“Walk me to the door,” he said as he turned in the direction of the exit.
When they reached the entranceway, Noah turned. His gaze danced over her face before he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek, his lips lingering. His touch ignited a raging flame deep within her.
He pressed his hand to her cheek, his fingers trailing the line of her profile. She leaned into his palm, closing her eyes as she relished the intensity of his touch. And then he kissed her.
Dear Reader (#ulink_b0f4d80f-a9eb-5ef5-a087-ac983c86dcfe),
How exciting is this? More Stallions! Finding that new branch to the Stallion family tree came with some challenges, but I have so much love for this family that it was well worth the effort. And, of course, there could be no Stallion story without that foundation of family, friends and faith.
Much like his Dallas cousins, Noah Stallion is the consummate big brother. He’s loving, protective and generous. He’s also a stern, no-nonsense taskmaster and he’ll melt your heart. He’s partnered with the indomitable Catherine Moore, a woman who knows what she wants and who won’t let anything keep her from achieving her goals. Together, they are fire and fire, so prepare for some serious heat!
Stallion Magic embraces some of my favorite things and places, so I hope you’ll enjoy the journey.
I cannot say thank you enough for your support. I am humbled by all the love you keep showing me, my characters and our stories.
Until the next time, please take care and may God’s blessings be with you always.
With much love,
Deborah Fletcher Mello
deborahmello.blogspot.com (http://www.deborahmello.blogspot.com)
Stallion Magic
Deborah Fletcher Mello
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO has been writing since forever and can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first romance novel, Take Me to Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam Emma Award nomination for Best New Author, and in 2009, she won an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for her ninth novel, Tame a Wild Stallion. She continues to create unique story lines and memorable characters with each new book. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
To Big Daddy
For keeping me on track.
I love you!
Contents
Cover (#u9ef12f6b-0d6f-5dfa-b5ac-a83e6539513f)
Back Cover Text (#u26966c1b-3133-5498-92b0-a9cf1786020c)
Introduction (#u51e1f866-b6b5-5bed-a385-185cbf9de358)
Dear Reader (#u41eef1e0-8f6f-5c50-bc48-65d73d4e64c5)
Title Page (#u0784f991-d667-587a-bcbe-c229365b97a1)
About the Author (#uaa4bab38-5776-555e-a44e-8aaced928ac6)
Family Tree (#ub6fc0833-f627-5a43-a6be-9c9126100cbf)
Dedication (#u673891d5-2e08-5cfa-ac99-f022c57d2ad7)
Chapter 1 (#u4eda32f8-cf89-540c-b432-3d7bc4707d40)
Chapter 2 (#udc9f9c92-f953-55ff-b099-56ab427bb32d)
Chapter 3 (#u11a979fc-a9ca-5a78-9186-43669b876a51)
Chapter 4 (#u79683249-389c-5c99-b4e9-d364014a63d9)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#ulink_d5be2d2b-25a0-5fcf-a6af-71d1b63462b4)
Noah Stallion adjusted his necktie, taking one last glance at his reflection in the mirror that decorated the men’s restroom. The expensive designer suit he wore fit him well and as he stared at his reflection he couldn’t help but think that despite his initial reservations his investment in the silk garment had been well worth the money.
He took a deep breath. This would be his third interview with the company who’d actually sought him out. He’d been surprised when the head of their Human Resources department had first called to inquire about his availability. She’d been fully aware of his credentials even though she’d never laid eyes on his résumé.
Since he had not been in the market for a new job he hadn’t thought twice about hanging up on the woman. But she’d persisted, calling back to convince him to at least meet with their management team to discuss the opportunity. After some serious consideration he’d acquiesced but not before his two sisters had pointed out that blessings didn’t just drop in your lap without a good reason. That first meeting had led to this one, an interview with the company’s chief operating officer, and Noah still wasn’t sure if he was even all that interested in the position.
As he exited the men’s room and moved back to the front foyer toward the reception desk he just missed colliding with an attractive woman, whose own attention was focused on her iPad. His reflexes were sharp as he grabbed her by the shoulders, preventing what could have been a painful accident. As he steadied himself, and her, she apologized at the same time as he did.
“Oh, excuse me!”
“I’m so sorry!”
Noah smiled brightly. The beautiful woman met the look he was giving her with one of her own. Her brown eyes were wide and darted back and forth across his face as she stared. Her own face was flushed, color warming her dimpled cheeks.
“Are you okay?” he questioned, concern tinting his tone.
Her voice was rich, the alto timbre ringing warmly between them. “I’m fine. I should have been paying attention to where I was going. Thank you for catching me,” she said.
Noah nodded. “I’m glad I could keep both of us from falling,” he said, his smile widening as he held the intense gaze she was giving him.
She smiled back before breaking eye contact. “You have a good day,” she said as she eased past him and moved down the hallway.
For a brief moment Noah forgot where he was and why he was there, wanting to continue to stare after her. The woman was stunning. As she sauntered down the hall he couldn’t help but admire the side to side strut of her full hips. The red pantsuit she wore flattered her voluptuous figure. Catching himself, he took a deep breath then quickly turned around, almost missing the look the woman tossed him over her shoulder.
Noah moved to the reception desk. A young girl with deep blue eyes and a porcelain-white complexion greeted him by name. She then gestured for him to take a seat on a blue-and-gray-striped upholstered sofa. He took a step, then hesitated, turning back around.
“Do you know who that woman was in the red suit? She headed in that direction.” He pointed behind him.
The girl shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stallion. I didn’t see anyone, so I’m not sure who you mean.”
“Oh, well,” Noah said with a slight shrug of his shoulders. He moved to take a seat. As he settled himself comfortably, he took a deep breath, holding it for a brief moment before blowing it past his full lips. Minutes passed as he waited, watching people come and go. A mountain of memories were suddenly spinning through his head, intruding on his thoughts about his interview.
A lot had happened in the past year since his mother’s passing. Norris Jean Stallion had died in her sleep, quietly slipping away on her own terms. Much like she’d lived her life, there’d been little fanfare, her children not even knowing she’d been ill. With Norris Jean’s death, her youngest child, his sister Natalie, had found her way home for the first time in twelve years, reestablishing contact with her family. And then there’d been the discovery that they had cousins they’d never known about, a branch of Stallions on a family tree thought to have only been a mere limb. Family support suddenly extended beyond their Utah ties and the abundance of it had been phenomenal. Since then he’d married off his sister Natalie and imagined Naomi wouldn’t be too far behind. Now he was being offered an amazing opportunity and a beautiful woman had just crossed his path. Noah couldn’t help but smile, thinking just how good his life was.
Noah extended his hand in greeting. “Frederick Ross, it’s good to see you again,” he said, a look of surprise washing over his expression.
Frederick Ross smiled broadly. “Noah Stallion. It’s been a while. We’ve come a long way since our days at Bountiful High School.”
Both men paused in a quick moment of reflection as Frederick gestured for Noah to take a seat. The former high school athletes were meeting in the boardroom of Fly High Dot Com, a multi-million-dollar aircraft leasing company. The high-end decor was a mix of polished woods and expensive leathers. Framed photographs of the company’s fleet of expensive planes decorated the walls.
Noah slowly eyed the images one by one. He echoed the sentiment. “I don’t think either of us ever imagined going from that muddy football field at Bountiful to the likes of this.”
Frederick nodded. “I know I didn’t but I’m glad we’re here. So, what do you know about our company?”
“I know that Fly High has a worldwide fleet of over one thousand private jets. By far the largest of any other company. You’ve proven yourself to be an industry leader in safety and security. You employ a team of some seven thousand employees. You’re currently the number two private leasing company worldwide and well on your way to taking the top spot because of your exceptional customer service and your fly share programs.
“Forbes named Fly High one of the top ten fastest growing companies and its owner the most elusive self-made millionaire next to that guy with the bio-tech firm in Georgia. In fact, the press has deemed Cat Moore the hardest interview to nab in history. So what’s he like to work for?”
A wry smile crossed Frederick’s face. The chief operating officer tilted his head as he met Noah’s questioning stare. “Not at all what you expect. And I’m impressed that you did your homework,” he said.
Noah nodded. He leaned forward in his seat. “I always come prepared and I know you’ve established an imposing security team. So I’m not sure how I can improve upon that.”
“I need someone with your skillset to manage that team as well as help us expand as the company continues to grow. Your résumé is impressive. You have a stellar military background and your tenure with the Salt Lake City police department shows that you are more than capable of taking the lead. All you have to do is say yes and the job is yours.”
The man continued to extol Noah’s virtues and the benefits of working for a private firm as opposed to his current government job. Then he made note of the starting salary and Noah’s eyes widened.
“We have some negotiating room if you demand more,” Frederick said. “Management is looking to take the company public so we can negotiate stock options and a host of other benefits, including a company car and free air travel. You’ll be based here but we’ll require some of your time in our New York and Atlanta offices, so you’ll have to travel. I really believe you would be a great asset to our organization or I wouldn’t have recommended you.”
Noah’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “You recommended me? I’m surprised.”
“Don’t be. I actually ran into one of your brothers and he told me what you did. After a little research I knew you’d be the perfect fit.”
“I’ll need some time to think about it,” Noah said, his mind beginning to race.
Frederick nodded. “You’ll receive a formal offer from us in the next forty-eight hours. Then I can give you another seven days to mull it over. But after that I’ll need an answer.”
“I appreciate that,” Noah responded.
“So, are you going to the class reunion?” Frederick questioned, changing the subject. He leaned back in his leather executive’s chair, folding his hands together in his lap.
Noah shrugged, his full lips pulling into a warm smile. “I’ve been thinking about it. It’ll be good to see everybody again.”
“I was thinking the same thing although I’m not sure that I’ll be in town that weekend. But if I can work it into my schedule, I think I might stop by. It’ll be good to pound fists with the guys again.”
For a few brief moments the two men walked memory lane, recalling their days together on the football and track teams. Both were laughing heartily when Noah glanced down to his wristwatch.
“I hate to do this but I need to get back to the station. It was good to see you, Frederick. I appreciate you offering me this opportunity,” Noah said again. “I’ll be in touch.”
Both men came to their feet and shook hands. “I really hope you’ll come on board,” Frederick reiterated. “I promise that working here will be quite the experience.”
“You’ll hear from me soon,” Noah promised.
Walking to the elevator, the old acquaintances were still knee deep in conversation when the door opened on the conveyor. Noah stopped short when he caught sight of the beautiful woman from earlier. Once again she was lost in the digital screen of her electronic device.
* * *
Catherine Moore stepped out of the elevator. She came to an abrupt stop as the two men moved in front of her. She took a quick glance one way and then the other before settling her eyes on Noah Stallion’s face. A bright smile widened across her own.
“Why do you look familiar?” she questioned, eyeing Noah curiously.
“We did just run into each other. Literally,” he said, amusement crossing over his expression.
She shook her head, tossing Frederick a brief look. “No, we’ve met before. I’m sure of it.”
Frederick laughed. “Noah Stallion, allow me to introduce you to Cat Moore, CEO and owner of Fly High Dot Com. Catherine Moore, this is Noah Stallion. You probably remember him from Bountiful High School. We all graduated together.”
Noah’s eyes widened, surprise registering on his face. “Catherine Moore? Head cheerleader, Catherine Moore?”
“Now that was a long time ago!” Catherine laughed. She repeated his name once and then a second time, hesitating briefly as she tried to put more familiarity to the face. She finally nodded. “Noah Stallion. Our senior year you played football for the Bountiful Braves, second string quarterback, right? Everyone used to wonder how you made the team.”
“I was quick and fast on my feet, that’s how I made the team,” Noah said as he shook his head.
Catherine nodded, the memories coming back to her. “Actually, you were really good. People wondered why you didn’t play before senior year. So, why didn’t you play before then?” she asked.
He smiled. “Family obligations.”
She nodded, studying the look that glistened in his dark eyes. “You were kind of nerdy with glasses back then. And really thin!”
Noah laughed. “I was not that thin.”
Her eyes skated the length of his body, and she thought that he’d definitely filled out quite nicely. She bit down against her bottom lip, her eyes glistening as she lifted her gaze back to his. “Didn’t we have a class together?” she asked.
“We actually had two classes together. Biology and Spanish. You sat two rows behind me in Miss Garcia’s Spanish class.”
Catherine’s smile widened. “Miss Garcia! I did not like that woman!” she exclaimed.
Noah chuckled with understanding. “I don’t think many of us did. But that was a long time ago.”
Catherine extended her hand to shake his. His grip was strong, his palm and fingers warm and soft. His touch was electric, sending a shiver of heat down her spine. She took a deep breath before speaking again.
“Well, it was nice to see you again, Noah Stallion.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Catherine,” he answered, his smile warm and endearing.
Frederick patted him on the back. “We’ll talk soon, Noah,” he said.
Catherine and Frederick both stood watching as the elevator doors closed on Noah’s exit. She then turned her gaze toward Frederick. “Catching up with your old pals now?”
“Something like that. He was interviewing for the security position.”
She nodded, finding that tidbit of information interesting.
“Are you going to the high school reunion? Noah was just saying that he might go and I was thinking about it.”
Catherine shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I really hadn’t thought about it. Too much on my mind with the IPO process. Speaking of, how are we doing with all the reports the underwriters need?”
“Still on schedule.”
She nodded, then without another word, headed in the opposite direction.
Behind the closed doors of her office, Catherine moved to the window, hoping for one last glimpse of Noah Stallion as he maneuvered through the parking lot to his car. She caught sight of him just as he reached his vehicle. She stood staring as he removed his suit jacket and laid it on his backseat.
Gone were the wire-framed glasses, and there was nothing nerdy, thin or awkward about the man. The former high school jock had blossomed nicely, she thought, her gaze following as he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Seconds later he pulled into traffic and disappeared from sight.
Catherine moved to the bookcase behind her desk, searching the tomes that lined the shelves. Her friends had sent her a package recently, trying to entice her to attend their high school reunion. When she finally found what she was looking for, a copy of their high school yearbook, she pulled it into her hands and placed it on top of the desk. She flipped through the pages quickly until she found Noah’s yearbook picture. There had been no change to his smile and the shimmer in his dark eyes, both just as they’d been when he’d been a teen. Catherine felt herself grinning foolishly as she flipped from one photo to another: Noah and the football team, Noah running track, Noah on stage in a theater production, Noah’s senior portrait.
She reached for her cell phone, hitting the speed dial for her best friend Camille Trent. “Hey, do you remember Noah Stallion?” she asked immediately when the line was answered.
Camille laughed. “Yeah, he’s a police detective now. One of his brothers plays professional football and the other is a doctor. And he has two sisters. Why?”
“I was just asking.”
“You don’t call me in the middle of the afternoon to just ask a question like that for no good reason. Something must’ve made you inquire. Spill it!”
“Apparently he’s interviewing for a job here in the Utah office.”
“I haven’t seen him since his mother’s funeral.”
“You went to his mother’s funeral?”
“My mother and his mother went to the same church. I took mama to the funeral.”
There was a pregnant pause as Catherine fell into her own thoughts, staring back out the window. “I think I might go to the class reunion after all,” she finally noted.
Camille laughed again, the hearty snicker ringing loudly through the receiver. “You liked what you saw, didn’t you?”
Catherine laughed with her. “He’s all right.”
“Girl, you know that man is foine! So are his brothers.”
“You ever date any of them?”
“No, I never dated Noah.”
“I said any of them...”
“You meant Noah.”
“Goodbye, Camille!”
“Are you flying back to New York or will you be in town for a while longer?”
“I’m boarding a plane in thirty minutes. I’ve got tickets to the theater tomorrow, so I’m headed home.”
“You have a dozen homes. It’s hard to keep up!”
Catherine smiled. “I’ve got to go.”
“You do that,” Camille said, still giggling. “And you might want to call Crystal. I think she might have gone out with him,” she said as she disconnected the line.
As the call went dead, Catherine shook her head. Friends since the crib, she, Camille and Crystal had cheered together in high school. They’d been joined at the hip and had been dubbed the Three Cs by their classmates. Catherine thought of Camille and Crystal as the sisters she’d never had and trusted them both with everything. There’d been a code of conduct they’d established early in their history, rules they lived by. No dating men the others had dated being one of them.
With a deep breath, she pushed the speed dial for Crystal Baxter, the other leg in their trio. As the device rang in Catherine’s ear she wished a silent prayer that she, too, had never dated the likes of Noah Stallion.
Chapter 2 (#ulink_eae43057-49d8-5369-94f8-f65bccb0e3c5)
The day had been a long one, and when Noah pulled up to his Arlington Drive home, he wasn’t expecting to see his brother’s Jaguar sitting in front of his garage door. Inside the house, the television was blaring Monday-night football on his big-screen television. Voices echoed from the kitchen, and the smell of freshly fried chicken permeated the air. Moving into the space, he saw his two brothers standing at the kitchen counter. The Stallion bloodline ran deep and there was no denying their kinship. They each had the same rugged good looks, their features chiseled and their eyes haunting. Their complexions were a warm caramel brown, each looking as if they belonged to each other.
“Howdy, big brother,” Nicholas Stallion greeted.
Nathaniel Stallion waved a hand in Noah’s direction.
“Hey, what are you two doing here?” he questioned. He dropped his keys, badge, and gun to the countertop.
The two men cut an eye at each other both shrugging their broad shoulders.
Noah looked from one to the other then shook his head. “And you’re cooking. It must be serious!”
“It’s not,” Nicholas chimed.
“It is,” Nathaniel quipped.
Noah shook his head. “Let me grab a shower and unwind before you two hit me with any bad news,” he said as he turned in the direction of his bedroom.
“Dinner should be ready in thirty,” Nicholas called out as he checked on the meat in the deep fryer.
As Noah made his exit, the two brothers started to bicker, their muffled voices echoing in the distance. He couldn’t help but smile. When the duo had been younger, he would always have to intervene and mediate their disagreements. Despite their respective ages, some things never changed.
Some minutes later Noah felt like a new man. Showered and refreshed he moved back to his family room. The kitchen table was set for three, and Nick was filling oversized mason jars with ice and lemonade.
“Hey, do you remember Catherine Moore from high school?” Noah asked, interrupting the conversation the two men were having. “She was a cheerleader.”
Both men paused, eyeing Noah then each other.
“She was the head cheerleader,” Nathaniel said. “And she was dating some college frat boy, wasn’t she?”
“She was a snob!” Nicholas interjected. “Her folks had money. Big money, and she wouldn’t look in our direction if I remember correctly.”
“You were a freshman. No one looked in your direction,” Noah wisecracked.
Nathaniel laughed. “Didn’t you have a crush on her? One of those hiding in the bushes, stalkerlike crushes?”
Noah rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh, yes, it was. She was popular and pretty and you had absolutely no game.”
“He still doesn’t,” Nicholas said with a deep laugh.
Noah reached for the platter of cornbread, not bothering to respond.
“So, why are you asking about Catherine Moore?” Nicholas questioned, filling his own plate with string beans.
Noah shrugged. “No reason. I just ran into her today at my interview. She owns the company.”
“That’s right!” Nathaniel exclaimed. “How’d that go?”
“They offered me the job with a nice six-figure salary.”
“Congratulations!” both brothers chimed in unison.
“Still not sure I’m going to take it, though.”
“Why not?” Nicholas questioned.
Noah paused. The day after high school graduation he’d enlisted in the US Army. There had been no money saved for him for college and he was determined to get a degree. Back then he saw the military as a means to an end. He’d given Uncle Sam twelve years then had earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Joining the Salt Lake City police department had been a natural progression and since then he’d risen nicely through the ranks. He was now the lead detective in the criminal investigations unit and despite the gravity of some of his cases, he liked what he did. He wasn’t sure he was ready to let it go.
He didn’t bother to answer his brother’s question, deciding to change the subject instead. “So, when are you two going to tell me why you’re here and not in Los Angeles?”
Nicholas sighed. “It’s really nothing.”
“No, it’s something,” Nathaniel said. He turned his gaze toward Noah. “Nicholas took a bad hit in the game the other week and he bruised his back again. He also damaged his knee.”
“The one he fractured before?”
Nathaniel nodded. “At this point he needs to think about his future. As his orthopedic specialist it’s my recommendation that he retire.”
Nicholas pounded a fist against the table. “I’m not retiring and I would appreciate it if you two didn’t talk about me like I wasn’t in the room.”
“If you continue to play football, you risk doing some major damage that you’re not going to be able to come back from. Another hit like last week and you may never walk again. That’s your reality and I don’t think you understand that,” Nathaniel snapped.
Nicholas shrugged.
Nathaniel threw up his hands in frustration. “You need to talk to him,” he said, turning his attention back to their older brother. “I can’t get through to him.”
Noah took a bite of his chicken and said nothing as his two younger siblings continued to squabble back and forth. He was almost finished with his meal when he finally offered a comment, quoting their late mother.
He shifted his gaze to look Nicholas in his eyes. “Live the ride,” Noah said. “It’s your life, and I can’t tell you how to live it, but I can tell you to live it to the fullest. You only get to do this once. But with that said, you do need to consider your doctor’s warning. Know the risks and heaven forbid if something happens, be willing to accept the consequences.”
He turned to look at Nathaniel, who was shaking his head in disagreement. “Hey, you’ve told him everything he needs to know to make his decision. There’s nothing else you can do except support him in whatever that is.”
Nathaniel blew a heavy breath of air past his full lips. He shook his head.
Nicholas nodded then turned his attention to the television. A few minutes later he nodded his head at his brother. “So, you still want them season passes?”
Nathaniel met the look Nicholas was giving him. He hesitated only briefly before answering. “Hell, yeah!”
Noah smiled as a blanket of silence dropped over the trio. Across the big-screen television, New England was using Oakland to wipe the football field.
* * *
Hours later, Noah lay awake, his body sprawled atop his king-size mattress. Both his brothers had retired to guest rooms in his spacious home.
He was grateful for the bond they all shared. His family meant everything to him. Things had been slightly off when their baby sister, Natalie, had gone off to Europe, distancing herself from them, but all was well again. Natalie was back to being the prickly pain in his side that he adored.
He blew a heavy sigh, rolling onto his side as thoughts of Catherine Moore flashed through his mind. She was a beautiful woman, curvaceous with an incredible caramel-toned complexion. She also had a sharp wit and astute business acumen. He imagined some men were intimidated by her polished persona but there was no denying that her vivacious personality commanded attention the moment she entered a room. Noah had often imagined himself partnered with a woman like that. Building his career with the police department had put any inkling of a romantic relationship on the back burner. But Noah had always wanted his future to include a wife and children.
He suddenly wondered if a woman like Catherine ever thought about children. He reasoned that building a corporate empire had probably stalled any thoughts she might have had about a family. Something he remembered about her reminded him she might not be the kind of woman who wanted nannies and babysitters raising her children.
It had been one of those senior year parties, and everyone had gathered at Lindsey Gardens for a wiener roast and bonfire. One of the players from the basketball team had been stuck with his two younger siblings tagging along, and Catherine had stepped in to lend a helping hand. He’d eyed her most of that night, enamored with her gentle handling of the little boy and girl. It suddenly surprised him that he remembered that moment and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Sleep came upon him suddenly as he fell into a deep slumber. His rest was sweet as thoughts of Catherine continued to trip through his dreams.
* * *
It was well after midnight, and Catherine was determined to be finished with the contract and financial documents that had held her attention since the day had started. She was preparing for a meeting with her executive team, planning to announce her intentions to take her company public. It was a decision that had been years in the making. Since the acquisition of her first luxury aircraft, Catherine debated whether or not to remain a private entity. With the shift in political climate and the state of the economy, she had known the day might come when the expansion of her business might mean offering the public stock in her company. Currently, the business was doing exceptionally well, Fly High an industry leader on top of their game. Her decision to go public was based more on being prepared for the future and not needing an infusion of cash to do what she wanted to do.
With the last document signed, she poured herself a glass of wine. As she took the first sip she remembered that it had been a minute since she’d last eaten. Her yogurt and granola breakfast had been her last meal. She finished off her glass of merlot before rising from her cushioned seat and moving to the kitchen pantry and then the refrigerator. With a box of table water crackers and a block of pepper jack cheese in hand she returned to her seat and poured herself a second glass of wine.
Her Manhattan penthouse was quiet. Nothing stirred. The only sounds echoing around the space were her heavy breathing and a ripple of paper as she flipped through one document after another.
Being alone had never bothered Catherine. She had always enjoyed solitude, no one else’s noise intruding on her quiet. Alone had never been synonymous with lonely. She swallowed the last bit of her snack and followed it with another swig of the wine.
Business had always come first and being alone had been the consequence of that. She could barely recall her last official date let alone any relationship she’d been involved in. A coy smile suddenly pulled at her thin lips. She stared down to the lined paper she’d been jotting notes on. In three separate spots she’d written down Noah Stallion’s name. She’d been intrigued seeing him again. He was no longer the scrawny kid she barely remembered. The man had presence, his stance strong and magnanimous. He was the sweetest eye candy, intelligent and good-looking. In their very brief encounter he had grabbed her attention and held it. Noah Stallion was the kind of man women longed for in their lives. Catherine was no exception.
She had breathed a sigh of relief when her friend Crystal had assured her no one in their circle of friends had dated the man.
“He didn’t date anyone at Bountiful,” Crystal had proclaimed. “Not one soul.”
“I know he had to have dated someone in high school,” Catherine had persisted.
“Nope. He worked part-time after school. He had brothers and sisters to help take care of. From what I remember about him he didn’t have time to date. Hey, do you remember...”
Catherine had gotten lost in the reflections as the two women caught up on old times. Crystal’s last question had brought her back to reality.
“So, do you plan to hire him or seduce him? Because I don’t think you can do both.”
With a deep sigh, she rose from her seat and headed to her bedroom. As she disrobed, slipping into a red silk nightie, she couldn’t help but think about her life and the many difficult choices she’d made. Crystal was right. She couldn’t do both. She couldn’t become romantically involved with any employee of Fly High. She had signed Noah’s formal offer of employment just hours earlier. With luck, Catherine thought, maybe he wouldn’t take the job.
Chapter 3 (#ulink_bf09a397-9bb4-50aa-8e4d-8312f8e23d68)
Naomi Stallion laughed as Noah stood in front of the mirror trying on neckties. He was trying to determine which one would best complement the dark suit he was planning to wear to his high school reunion.
Noah narrowed his gaze as he turned to stare at her. “What’s so funny?” he questioned.
“You are. Why are you wearing a suit? This is not another interview.”
“No, it isn’t, but I do want to dress to impress.”
“Impress who?”
He shot her another look. “Why are you here?”
She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “What? I can’t visit anymore?”
Noah rolled his eyes, tossing yet another tie aside. “Have you talked to Natalie?”
His sister nodded. “She and Tinjin are getting ready for fashion week. He’s introducing his new clothing line. She wants us all to fly to Paris to be there to support him.”
“I’d like to go but if I take this new job it might not be doable for me.”
“So what’s stopping you from making a decision?”
“I like what I do and I’m good at it. I’m not sure I want to give that up.”
Naomi nodded her understanding. “Did you talk to Nathaniel?”
“Yeah.”
“He told you about Nicholas?”
“They were both here. They flew out this morning.”
“Did you tell him that he needs to stop playing?”
“No, I didn’t. I told him he needed to do whatever is in his heart.”
“I’m sure that pissed Nathaniel off.”
“Maybe, but it’s not his decision to make.”
A moment of silence swept between him and Naomi.
Naomi let out a soft sigh then changed the subject. “Are you ready for me to style you so that you can actually make it to the reunion? Because at the rate you’re going you might make it to one five years from now.”
Noah grinned. “I’m not doing well, am I?”
“You’re making a hot mess of things is what you’re doing.”
Naomi rose from her seat on the bed and moved into his walk-in closet. Minutes later she exited with a pair of Diesel steel-gray denim jeans, a black-and-gray-striped knit sweater and his black leather blazer.
“This says you’re accomplished but not boasting. It’s casual, comfortably stylish and gives you just enough of a bad boy flair to get some attention. Pair it with your black Timberlands.”
Noah nodded. “How do you do that?”
“You usually do it yourself when you’re not overthinking,” she said as she began to rehang the neckties he’d tossed onto the bed. “So are you going to tell me why you’re so squirrely about going to your reunion?”
He shrugged, trying unsuccessfully to maintain a neutral expression on his face.
Naomi laughed. “Enough said. For your sake I just hope she’s worth it!”
Noah shook his head. “Get out of my room, please, I need to get dressed.”
Naomi was still laughing as she moved toward the door. “I know her friend Crystal. Do you want me to put in a good word for you?”
“Excuse me?”
“With Catherine. Do you want me to put in a good word for you? The twins said you were asking about her.”
Taking two good strides toward the entrance, Noah pushed his sister out and closed the door in her face. He could hear her laughing all the way back to the family room.
He shook his head. Of all his siblings, he was closest to Naomi. The twins were two years younger than he was but always had a unique bond that naturally came with sharing the womb with someone. He’d been six, almost seven when their baby sister, Natalie, had been born, and even then Noah was already filling that paternal role that none of them had ever had. It had been different with Naomi, her maternal instincts putting them on equal footing. He’d been protective but hadn’t needed to shelter her. Naomi was fierce, having an indomitable spirit like no other. And from the moment she’d drawn breath Naomi had been able to read him like no one else. She sometimes knew what he was thinking before he could even form the thought in his own mind. That sixth sense of hers could sometimes drive him crazy.
Minutes later he stood in front of his full-length mirror, staring at his reflection. Once again Naomi had gotten it right. Moving out of the room he found his sister in his family room with her feet up on the coffee table and a large bowl of popcorn in her lap. An episode of some reality show was playing on his big screen. He stood watching for a brief moment as two young women spat insults at each other.
“Why do you watch this trash?” he questioned as he shifted his gaze back to his sister.
“Mindless television helps me unwind.”
“Well, you got the mindless part right,” he said, shaking his head as the two women on the screen began throwing punches.
“That’s some rapper’s girlfriend and his other girlfriend. Neither one knows he has a wife,” Naomi said as she tossed a handful of kernels into her mouth.
Noah rolled his eyes. “Are you staying here tonight or are you going back to Norris Jean’s house?” he said, referring to their late mother’s home. The twelve-hundred-square-foot manufactured home had been empty since her passing. Although it had almost been a full year, he and his family were taking their time to decide what they wanted to do with the property.
Naomi shrugged. “I haven’t decided yet. I finished cleaning out the spare bedroom earlier. I need to start working on her bedroom but I might wait until Natalie comes back so we can do it together. Do you mind if I stay here?”
Noah shook his head. “You know better than that. You know you’re welcome here anytime.”
“I had to ask. I didn’t know if you were planning on bringing someone home from the reunion or not. You might have wanted to get your freak on in private.”
Noah laughed as he grabbed his keys and wallet and headed for the door. “Good night, Naomi.”
“Have fun, Noah. And you look good, by the way.”
* * *
An oversized banner welcomed the Bountiful High School class back for their high school reunion. Pulling his SUV into a parking spot near the gymnasium door Noah sat watching as his former classmates streamed inside.
He recognized Brighton Laramie and August Thames, both former members of the football team who were both currently on probation. One had done time for a drug infraction, the other for domestic violence against his wife. Noah wasn’t much interested in catching up with either.
Leslie Prentiss, the girl who’d graduated valedictorian, strolled hand in hand with a man he didn’t recognize, but he fathomed the stranger was probably her husband. Everyone entering the building looked happy to be there and excited at the prospect of reconnecting with old friends.
As he was about to step out of his car, an oversized limo pulled up to the curb. Everyone around paused to watch the limo driver move around the front of the car to open the passenger side door. Noah smiled as he recognized the members of Bountiful’s former cheerleading team: Brittney, Margie, Patricia, Valerie and the Three Cs—Crystal, Camille, and Catherine.
The years had been good to them, figures still tight, faces still pretty. Patricia’s added weight gave her curves like she’d never had before, and Camille’s very pregnant belly garnered much attention. The sight of them brought back a flood of memories, and Noah smiled.
The cheerleaders had teased and tormented him in high school. He’d been painfully shy around girls, and they’d found amusement in making him squirm. Even then he’d known that no one meant him any malice or harm but their frequent antics had made for many awkward moments. He watched as they all moved inside the building before stepping out of his car and following them inside.
The high school’s gymnasium had been decorated for the occasion, reminding him of the one or two school dances he’d actually attended. Black and red crepe paper streamers and miniature white lights floated along the ceiling. There were large round tables covered in white tablecloths and large, red pillar candles and carnation arrangements sat as centerpieces. A nice crowd had already gathered, many laughing, smiling faces around the room.
Bridget Wilson sat at the reception table in the entrance collecting contact information and handing out name tags with people’s high school images. The senior portraits were a reminder of a very different time in all of their lives.
Bridget waved excitedly in his direction. The two frequently crossed paths in their lines of work. Bridget was with the district attorney’s office and often referred him to young men and boys who seemed wanting and willing to work their way out of the judicial system. Noah had mentored many of them successfully, their futures now more about college and success than the trappings of prison initially promised for their bad choices. The two had dated briefly but nothing had come of it, Bridget was now married to another attorney.
“Hey, Bridget. How are you?”
“I’m great, Noah. I’m so glad you came.”
Noah nodded. “Naomi made me. She swore I’d regret it years from now if I didn’t.”
“Your sister is a wise woman.”
“Where’s Don?”
“That husband of mine refused to come. You know how anti-social he is.”
Noah smiled and shrugged as she rose from her seat to tie a red band around his wrist.
“This gives you two drinks,” she said, moving back to the other side of the table. “Is your email address still the same?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then you’re good to go. Have yourself a good time.”
Noah gave her a slight wave as he moved inside. The music was loud, a DJ playing all the hits from back in the day. Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You” vibrated through the air, a few of the women dancing in front of the stage. As Noah headed for a seat at an empty table, he was stopped in his tracks.
Tyrone Bellamy, Christopher McDowell and Sean Parrish greeted him with brash handshakes and gregarious hugs.
“Noah Stallion!”
“Yo, dude! Is that you?”
“Noah!”
“It’s good to see you guys,” Noah chimed. “So what have y’all been up to?”
“I’m still working at my dad’s hardware store,” Sean said.
“I’m teaching here at the high school and coaching the boy’s baseball team,” Tyrone said.
Christopher nodded. “I left Salt Lake City. I’m in New York now working on Wall Street. What about you?”
“I’m working with the local police department,” Noah answered.
“Any kids?” Christopher asked.
He shook his head. “No. No wife, no kids. You?”
“I’ve got two.”
“I’ve got one on the way,” Tyrone said, a wide grin across his face.
“Well, I’ve got six kids.” Sean laughed.
“Six?” they all said in unison and turned to stare at the man.
He nodded. “Six kids, four baby mamas and three failed marriages, so no more wives or kids for me ever again.”
Noah laughed as they all nodded their understanding.
A loud scream echoed from behind them. As Noah turned, a petite woman with a blonde bob and bright blue eyes flung herself against him. The trio he’d been chatting with waved goodbye and headed for the bar, leaving him to fend for himself.
“Noah Stallion! I’d know you anywhere!” she said excitedly. “How are you?”
“Marilyn Hodges. I’m good. How are you?”
“It’s Marilyn Beeker now. I married Charlie Beeker.”
“Charlie, who almost burned down the science lab senior year, Charlie?”
“That’s the one.” She giggled. “And he’s still a pyro. He burned down my screened porch last year.” She laughed as if there were something actually funny about that.
But Noah laughed with her. “Well, it’s good to see you,” he said as he thought back to Mr. Milner’s math class when she’d regularly cheat off his paper and he let her.
From the corner of his eye he spied Catherine sitting in conversation with two men. He recognized them but couldn’t put a name to either face. He turned to stare blatantly. Marilyn seemed to read his mind.
“You remember Catherine Moore, don’t you? She’s CEO of some big business. I hear she’s engaged to be married to some European art dealer. And that’s Bo Wells and Mark Spencer. Bo’s a photographer now, and I don’t know what Mark is doing.”
Noah nodded. “So she’s engaged?”
“Yeah, but I told her marriage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” she said with a deep chortle. “Not at all!”
Noah smiled as she gave him a quick hug and skipped off to catch up with someone else. He moved toward the bar, walking away with a bottle of chilled beer. Moving off to a corner, he sat alone, still watching everyone around him. Occasionally, a familiar face would stop to chat, catching him up on what they’d done with their lives since graduation. Many had married and had kids. A few were living very exotic lives, and then there had been the select few who still had no clue what they wanted to do with their lives. After a while the stories all began to sound alike.
Noah had come to the reunion hoping to see Catherine and maybe talk with her more. Hearing she was planning to be someone’s wife had burst his bubble, and he was suddenly feeling deflated. He tipped the bottle of brew to his mouth and took a big sip.
He glanced down at his watch. It had been a good time and although it was still fairly early, he saw no reason to stay any longer. Moving back to his feet, he headed into the men’s room before making his exit. Inside, two more acquaintances were telling the same lie, both trying to make what little they’d accomplished seem like so much more. Washing his hands with soap and water, Noah wished both men well.
He swiped his hands across a paper towel and headed for the door. Outside the men’s room, he paused, staring down the school’s hallway at the long line of lockers that ran the length of the wall. He could almost hear the youthful laughter that used to ring in the air back in the day and it made him smile.
Standing in the hallway, he moved to the glass case that housed the sports awards, admiring the many trophies and mementos the athletic department had amassed over the years. He stopped to reflect on an image of him and the team taken at their senior class sport’s dinner. That time felt like an eternity ago.
With a deep sigh, he turned abruptly, heading in the direction of the door. As he did, he just missed slamming into Catherine Moore, once again avoiding a potential catastrophe.
She laughed warmly, her voice low and seductive. “You saved me again, Noah Stallion!”
Noah’s smile widened. “It does look that way, Catherine.”
“Please, call me Cat. Only strangers call me Catherine.”
“You look beautiful tonight, Cat,” he said as his gaze skated the length of her body.
She wore a knee-length skirt with a yoked waist with tightly pulled gathered material and a full ruffled petticoat beneath it. The color was dark granite partnered with a tailored white blouse and platform pumps in a bright floral pattern on a black background. Her look was stylish and sexy.
She smiled. “Thank you.” She narrowed her gaze on his face. “You’re not leaving, are you?”
He nodded. “I think I’ve had my fill of memory lane trips for tonight.”
She nodded but said nothing as she stood staring at him. There was a heated wave of energy that surged between them. Her gaze was intoxicating, and Noah felt his body reacting. He took a deep breath and held it for a brief moment before letting it out slowly.
“I’m actually headed back to the hotel myself,” she said. “Why don’t you join me? We can grab a drink in the hotel’s bar and catch up without all the noise.”
Noah’s gaze was still connected with hers. He suddenly felt like a snake being charmed. He nodded, completely possessed. “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”
Catherine smiled. “The girls are riding home in the limo. I’ll grab my purse. We can take your car, if you don’t mind.” Her tone was commanding as she turned on her high heels and disappeared back into the gym.
* * *
Camille and Crystal tossed each other a look as Catherine rushed back toward the table.
“Where are you going?” Camille questioned as Catherine grabbed her leather handbag and guzzled down the last of her drink.
“Back to the hotel.”
Crystal looked toward the entrance where Noah Stallion stood staring in their direction. “Are you going alone?” she asked, her expression all knowing.
Catherine grinned. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I’m not.”
Her two friends both shook their heads, amusement painting their expressions.
“It’s about time,” Crystal said. “I was starting to think that all you two were going to do was stare at each other all night long.”
Camille nodded in agreement. “I can’t believe he’s still that shy. Are you sure something’s not wrong with him? I mean, you have been known to date really good-looking men that have actually turned out to be complete freaks. Wasn’t one of your exes a serial killer?”
“He’s not that shy and he’s not a freak,” Catherine answered, “and you know darn well I have never dated a serial killer.” She leaned to hug and kiss one and then the other. “I’ll call you later.”
“I know I don’t need to give you my ‘practice safe sex’ speech, right?” Crystal asked as she hugged her friend back.
Catherine laughed. “I think I’ve got this handled.”
Camille laughed. “Girl, bye! Just go have fun!”
Tossing them both one last smile, Catherine headed toward Noah, her excitement practically beating her to his side.
Chapter 4 (#ulink_dd360795-6231-50fb-a77f-6524a9636679)
Minutes later, they were careening down Poplar Grove Boulevard, just six miles from the Hotel Monaco. Catherine had rolled down the window, allowing the cool evening breeze to blow through her hair, the highlighted strands falling past her shoulders. There was a comfortable level of quiet that had settled over them, and neither spoke—no words were needed as they acclimated themselves to the emotion building between them. And something was building, the thickness of it completely intoxicating.
As they waited at a stoplight, she turned toward Noah, the streetlight illuminating her face. There was a halo of sparkle around her head, and Noah thought she had to be the most exquisite female he’d ever known. They both smiled again as they caught each other’s gaze.
“So how long are you in town?” Noah finally asked, breaking the silence.
She shrugged her narrow shoulders. “I’m only here for the weekend. I have to be in Atlanta next week then back in New York.”
“You get around.”
She chuckled softly. “I do,” she said as she shifted her gaze back out the window.
“Is that a good thing?”
She shrugged again. “I never thought about it.”
“How does your fiancé feel about it?”
Her head snapped back in his direction. Her eyebrows lifted in amusement. “My fiancé? What fiancé?”
Noah’s eyes skated in her direction then back to the road. “Someone at the reunion said you were engaged to an artist or something.”
Catherine laughed. The sound was musical, a warm treble that filled the air between them. “I bet it was Crystal or Camille that told that lie. I am not engaged, nor have I ever been married. I don’t even have a steady boyfriend.”
Noah grinned. “Oh,” he said. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Are you really?”
He shook his head. “No.”
She laughed again, and he laughed with her.
As he pulled into a parking spot in front of the hotel they kept eyeing each other, grinning foolishly. Noah felt like he was seventeen all over again. Moving into the lobby, Catherine led the way toward the hotel bar. Grabbing his hand she pulled him along to a cushioned seat in the corner, gesturing for the bartender as she reluctantly released the hold she had on his fingers. They sat down, facing each other, their bodies close as they shared the seat.
“What’s your poison?” Catherine asked as she shifted forward in her seat.
“I’ll take a beer. Corona with a twist of lime.”
“I’ll have a glass of white wine,” she said to the young man who’d come to take their orders.
She sat back as she rested her arm atop the seat’s back and leaned her head on her hand. She lifted her leg so that her knee was lightly pressed against the side of his upper thigh. Her touch was heated, and Noah felt himself break out into a sweat.
She lifted her eyes to stare at him. “So tell me what you’ve been doing since we graduated, Noah Stallion.”
Noah chuckled. “Do you want me to recap the highlights of my résumé or give you the whole spiel?”
“I don’t want your résumé. I know what you’ve accomplished in your professional life, remember? I want to hear about your personal life. I want to know if the guy voted best personality and most likely to marry a supermodel ever did.”
His head moved from side to side, a slight blush warming his complexion as he laughed. He ran a hand over his freshly shaven head. The gesture drew her attention, and Catherine stared.
Noah Stallion had grown into himself. Gone was that baby-faced high-school student. His chiseled features had matured nicely. His eyes were dark pools, his nose almost too perfect and he had the most luscious lips of any man Catherine had ever known. They were full, like thick pillows, and she couldn’t help but wonder what they would feel like pressed against hers. She heard herself gasp out loud, suddenly embarrassed that she’d been staring so wantonly.
“What is it?” Noah asked, meeting the look she was giving him.
She shook her head, desperate to suddenly shake the rise of emotion from her. “Nothing. I was just waiting to hear about you.”
“You were staring.”
“I was.”
“Why were you staring at me?”
She blinked as he eyed her curiously. “Get over it, please. I did it, it was rude, but I’m not going to explain it or apologize for it.”
Their gazes held, and then Noah laughed again.
His deep chortle moved her to giggle. He suddenly reached out his hand to brush a lock of hair from her face. His touch was gentle and easy, like a cool breeze on a summer night. Catherine felt a tingle of heat waft through her, moving her to hold her breath.
Noah finally answered her question. “There’s really nothing to tell. I’ve been focused on my career. And no, I never married. I have no children and no drama in my life other than things my siblings manage to get themselves into. And now, here we are.”
She nodded. “Here we are.”
Noah took his own deep breath. “So tell me about you. About your personal life when you weren’t building a multi-million-dollar empire.”
“Doing that didn’t leave me much time for anything else.” She let out a low sigh.
“Do you regret it?” Noah asked, noting the expression that crossed her face.
She shook her head. “Not at all. I still have time. It’s not like I’m that old.”
“That’s true.”
“Do you regret not having a family yet?”
Noah pondered the question. He’d never really given it any thought. He’d been taking care of people since he’d been a boy. Truth be told it was really all he knew. Being the oldest, he’d always been responsible for his younger brothers and sisters. He’d stepped in to do what their wayward father had refused to do and what his mother hadn’t been able to do by her lonesome. He didn’t miss not having kids because he felt like he’d already raised four of them. But he did miss companionship and having a partner by his side to share his life with.
He met the curious look she was giving him. “I guess regret is not the right word. I wish things were different but the right woman just never came along.”
“Until now?” Catherine’s eyes were wide, her brazen remark surprising them both.
He laughed, his gaze narrowing slightly. “You never know.”
Her smile was wide and bright, warming his spirit. “Noah Stallion, I do believe you are blushing!” she exclaimed, trying to deflect the attention back on him.
“I’m sure I am. I’m not use to a woman putting me on the spot like that.”
“Oh, yes, you are. I’m sure women put you on the spot all the time.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because you’re an easy target. I don’t think you realize...” She paused, biting down against her bottom lip as she searched for the right words to explain herself.
“Realize what?” Noah persisted.
“I don’t think you realize the power you have with women. You’re the whole package. You’re intelligent, good-looking, well-rounded, good-looking, kind, good-looking...”
Noah laughed, a wave of embarrassment flushing his face. “I got the good-looking.”
“And that’s my point. You don’t see what women do so you’re not full of yourself or arrogant, and that makes you even more desirable. I bet half the time you don’t even know when women are hitting on you.”
He nodded. “You’re right. I don’t.”
“Which leaves you blushing a lot, I’m sure.”
“So, are you hitting on me?” His expression was just shy of smug.
She smiled, meeting his gaze evenly, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she took a slow sip of her drink. The look she gave him made Noah laugh heartily. She changed the subject.
“I was sorry to hear about your mother passing,” she said, her tone soft.
“Thank you.” Their gazes locked for a moment before Noah dropped his eyes to the space of sofa between them.
“Is your father still living?”
Noah shrugged his broad shoulders. “He is, but we never knew our father. You might know him, though. Nolan Perry?”
Her eyes widened. “Reverend Perry is your father?”
Noah nodded. “The one and only. My mother followed him here to Utah from Texas when she was fifteen. He was the love of her life but he abandoned her and never had anything to do with us kids.”
She pressed a hand against his arm as he continued.
“I went to see him once but he wouldn’t even speak to me.”
“I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
He shrugged again. “It is what it is. I don’t think about it much anymore.”
A look of sadness flashed in his eyes, and Catherine sensed that wasn’t quite true.
“You came from a big family, didn’t you? You had a lot of brothers and sisters, right?”
“Two brothers and two sisters. My brother Nicholas plays football for Los Angeles and his twin, Nathaniel, is an orthopedic surgeon.”
Catherine nodded. “I remember the twins.”
“And then there’s my sister Naomi. She’s a holistic life coach, and my baby sister, Natalie, is a high-fashion model.”
“I don’t remember Natalie but I know Naomi. She and Crystal are good friends. Crystal uses a ton of her hair care products.”
“Naomi’s actually built a very successful organic health care business. I’m very proud of her.”
“I don’t remember you guys socializing much while we were in school.”
Noah shrugged. “We couldn’t afford it. Besides, you and your click weren’t interested in hanging out with us poor kids.”
“That’s not true. I remember we spent a lot of time together after football practice and at the games.”
Noah laughed. “I remember you used to give me a hard time.”
She grinned. “See, I was even hitting on you back then and you didn’t have a clue.”
Noah thought back to the times they’d spent together. Catherine and her friends hadn’t cut him any slack. The teasing had been formidable. A slow smile pulled at his mouth. Back then, Noah didn’t say much but he didn’t run from situations, either. Having the cheerleaders hanging on him had, in some ways, been a badge of honor, giving him favor among his peers. But what he remembered most about that time was that it had taken little for them to leave him hard and wanting. Back then a warm breeze would leave his teenaged body with an erection. Catherine Moore and the cheerleading squad were a warm breeze times ten. He laughed out loud, and Catherine laughed with him.
Before either realized it, they’d been talking for almost two hours. It was almost midnight, the bar had closed and they were still sitting together in the hotel’s lobby, completely enamored with each other. Noah had never told anyone as much about his childhood as he found himself sharing with Catherine. They talked about his family, her parents, their dreams and their fears. They had more in common than not and they made each other laugh. Their conversation was comfortable and easy and Noah imagined that it could have lasted forever without any effort.
“So, what made you want to leave your job?” Catherine asked. “You sound like you really enjoy what you do.”
“I actually haven’t made a decision. I was very flattered that your organization was interested in me but I’m not sure if that’s what I really want for myself.”
“So there’s still a chance that you might not work for Fly High?”
“There is.”
She pondered his statement for a moment. Crystal’s comment days before suddenly popped into her thoughts. She had never before given any consideration to pursuing a relationship with a Fly High employee. But technically, Noah didn’t work for her, and might not ever.
Noah stared intently as she drifted off into thought, his gaze skating over her face as he inhaled her features. Catherine Moore was incredibly beautiful. Her complexion was a warm coffee with much cream and her features were fine and delicate. There was an air of fragility about her, her cover-model looks belying her authoritative personality. It was her strength that he found most attractive. Everything about her moved him like no other woman before her. He found the sensation only slightly unnerving.
She suddenly stood up, turning to stare down at him. A wave of anxiety flitted across her face as she looked him in the eye. “So, either this is going to be a monumental mistake or it’s not.” She took a deep breath and then another, blowing the air out in a loud gust. “I think we have great chemistry, Noah Stallion. And since you don’t work for me yet and I think you and I could be very good together, would you like to come up to my room?” Her hands were clenched in tight fists at her sides, her nervousness blanketing her posture. “And please don’t think this is something I do often, because it’s not,” she said, suddenly feeling like she needed to explain herself. “You’re the first man I’ve ever invited back to my hotel room like this.”
Noah moved onto his feet beside her. He stepped in close, and she gasped, the nearness of him so intense that it drew the oxygen from her lungs. When he eased an arm around her slim waist and pulled her even closer, she thought she might faint. She grabbed the front of his leather jacket to steady herself, her hands grazing his chest.
“What’s going to happen if I do take the job?” he questioned, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. “If we do this, then how...” His voice trailed.
She took another deep breath. Her eyes darted back and forth, purposely trying to avoid his. “We’re both adults. If you do decide to take the job I think we can be mature about the whole thing. I just know that...well...I just know what I’m feeling right now.”
“And what’s that? What are you feeling?”
She finally lifted her eyes to his, falling headfirst into the stare he was giving her. In that moment everything in her head became a muddled mess. Seconds earlier it had all made sense, now it didn’t.
“I... Well...we...” she stammered. Her face was flushed, heat tinting her cheeks a brilliant shade of red.
Noah puller her even closer. Both his hands snaked from the curve of her waist to around her back. She felt amazing in his arms, like she’d been born to be there. He dropped his head slightly, his mouth just millimeters away from hers. His warm breath was teasing and her own lips parted in anticipation. Noah hesitated as he pressed his forehead to hers. Her perfume was light, an airy floral scent that tickled his nostrils. He brushed his cheek against her cheek as he wrapped his arms tightly around her torso, hugging her easily. He whispered, the warmth of his words blowing past her earlobe. “I feel the same way,” he said.
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Deborah Mello
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: He′s going beyond the call of dutySalt Lake City PD detective Noah Stallion is missing one thing: a soul mate. He doesn′t expect to find her at his fifteenth high school reunion. But reconnecting with Catherine Moore–his childhood crush, and now a beautiful and savvy businesswoman–brings back an onslaught of memories. And brings on a weekend of unending passion when they give in to their sizzling attraction.The guy voted Most Likely to Marry a Supermodel awakens a lot more than lust in Catherine, and saying goodbye is the hardest thing she′s ever had to do. Then pleasure and business collide when Noah reenters her life. With an obsessive stalker targeting the high-flying CEO just as she′s preparing to take her aircraft-leasing company public, Catherine is extremely vulnerable. But Noah can′t let the best thing that ever happened to both of them get away–no matter what the risk…