To Tempt a Stallion
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Deborah Fletcher Mello
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Harlequin🏰 Historical
HarlequinChapter 1
The ballpoint pen in Nathaniel Stallion’s right hand shook ever so slightly as his real estate agent pointed out each line on the purchase contract where he needed to sign. With each Post-it arrow, the lot of them multicolored in neon pink, orange, yellow and blue, which she removed after he’d inked his name, his heart beat a little faster.
Twenty minutes later he was the proud owner of the prettiest piece of real estate in Carmel, California. The property was perched on one of the world’s most iconic stretches of coastline. With pristine views of the Monterey Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean, it was the ideal spot for his newest business venture and it was all his.
Nicholas Stallion wheeled himself around the table to shake his twin brother’s hand. “Congratulations! I’m very excited for you,” he said as he locked his wheelchair in place.
Nathaniel took a deep breath to steel the last of his nervousness. “Thank you,” he said, his own smile galvanizing. “Now the real work begins. I only have six weeks before the grand opening.”
Nicholas laughed. “Only you would buy a restaurant and only give yourself a month and a half to renovate and reopen!”
“Natalie would do that, too!”
“Yeah, but you know better. Our baby sister has always been impulsive.”
Elise Montgomery gave them both a bright smile. The former fashion model was Carmel’s leading real estate agent and her exuberance over the six-figure commission she’d just earned had her beaming like an LED lightbulb. “Well, this is definitely cause for celebration!” she exclaimed excitedly. A tray holding crystal flutes seemed to appear out of nowhere. Elise popped the cork on a bottle of champagne.
The two men watched as she filled the flutes with bubbly, passing them both a glass. “Congratulations,” she said, lifting her own glass in salute. “May you have a lifetime of prosperity with your newest venture.”
“Hear! Hear!” Nicholas echoed before taking a small sip of the beverage.
“So tell me,” Elise said as she set her glass down on the table. “Do you two call each other in the mornings to plan your attire?” She looked from one to the other, pointing out their identical polo shirts and matching slacks.
Nathaniel laughed. “Never! It’s our twin thing. We have the same tastes and shop in the same stores.”
“Even when we try not to dress alike, we dress alike,” Nicholas finished.
Laughter rang warmly through the conference room.
“I really need to get something to eat,” Nicholas said as he put his still full glass onto the conference table. It’s a little early for me and I have to take my meds.”
“Would you like to join us for lunch?” Nathaniel questioned, turning his gaze toward Elise.
“I actually have another closing in two hours so I’ll have to pass, but maybe you and I could finish this bottle of champagne later over dinner?” Her eyebrows were raised suggestively.
Nicholas smiled. “I think I’ll get a head start toward the car,” he said. He extended his hand. “Elise, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure was mine. I hope we’ll see each other again soon. I’d love to meet your wife. I’ve heard wonderful things about her.”
“Tarah is an amazing woman,” Nicholas said. “I look forward to you two getting to know each other.” He winked an eye at his brother. “I’ll see you outside.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I’m right behind you,” he said as Nicholas rolled himself out the door. When his twin was out of sight he turned his attention back to the woman who was still eyeing him like he was a slab of meat for the taking.
Elise took a step closer to him, drawing her palm against his chest. “So, what about that dinner?”
“I wish I could,” he said, his tone apologetic. “But I really won’t have any down time for the next few weeks. Too much to do. I’m actually meeting with the contractor this evening. Can I get a rain check?”
Disappointment washed over Elise’s face. She took a deep breath. “You owe me, Nathaniel Stallion. I think this is the third time you’ve turned me down.”
Nathaniel chuckled. He took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest. “You scare me, Elise. I’m not ready for a serious relationship and you want a husband.”
She laughed. “I’m sure if we give it some thought, Mr. Stallion, we can come to a happy medium. Something like best friends with privileges, maybe?” Her coquettish expression was teasing as she batted her eyelashes at him.
Nathaniel shook his head ever so slightly. “I need to run. I will call you and maybe then we can make plans.”
“Promise?”
“We’ll see,” he said as he winked his eye at her and headed for the door. “Have a good afternoon, Elise!”
Minutes later Nathaniel and his brother were laughing heartily together. They sat at a corner table in Dametra Café, dining on fried calamari, dolmas, spanakopita and moussaka. The cozy restaurant with its assortment of Mediterranean cuisine was one of their favorites and the two brothers ate there every time Nicholas came to visit.
“Why don’t you just tell that woman you’re not interested?” Nicholas asked.
Nathaniel shrugged his broad shoulders. “Because I might be interested once I get my head clear. Right now though I have too much on my mind. The restaurant, my medical practice, you.”
“What are you worried about me for?”
“Someone needs to worry about you. You don’t worry enough and you should.”
“I have a wife for that, and trust me, she does a great job.”
“I know. It’s why I call her regularly to check up on you.”
“So then you already know what the doctors have said about my next surgery.”
“I know it’s a clinical trial with no certainty for success.”
“Well, life doesn’t promise you certainty. Besides, they’re just going to implant an electrode stimulator along my spinal cord, flip the switch and then see what happens. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and say a lot of prayer.”
“As long as you understand this research is still in its early stages. I don’t want you to be disappointed if you don’t get the results you want.”
“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t give it a try. So I’m good with it.”
The two stared at each other. Nathaniel carried much guilt about his brother’s condition. Nicholas, a former professional football player, had been severely injured in the biggest championship game of his career. Years before his accident, Nathaniel had warned him of the risks, pointing out that previous trauma had already left Nicholas more susceptible to injury. Back then he had recommended that Nicholas retire, but always stubborn, his brother had refused. Nathaniel should have insisted but he’d supported his twin’s choice instead. Now, Nicholas was a paraplegic, permanently confined to a wheel chair, and Nathaniel felt partially responsible.
“Don’t do that,” Nicholas said.
“Do what?”
“Make me feel bad. We’re supposed to be celebrating and you’re making me feel bad. Now I’m depressed.” Nicholas grinned. “Not really!”
“Sorry,” Nathaniel said with a chuckle. He held up both hands as if he were surrendering. “Changing the subject. So, catch me up with the family. I’ve been ignoring your sisters so I know they’re pissed at me.”
“Pissed doesn’t begin to express what those two are feeling right now. I’m supposed to dial them both while I’m here with you since you won’t call either of them back.”
Nathaniel laughed. “Naomi left a vicious message. Marriage clearly hasn’t sweetened her pleasant disposition.”
“Patrick definitely has his hands full with her. But she and Natalie just want to know you’re okay. Natalie and Tinjin are planning to fly in next month, I think.”
“I’ll call them both this evening. I swear I will.”
“Have you talked to Noah?”
“Not since last month when I told him about buying the property. He’s planning to come help with my security systems.”
“Well, let him tell you before you say anything, but he and Catherine are pregnant! He told me yesterday and I’m sure he wants to tell you himself.”
“Hot damn!” Nathaniel exclaimed. “We’re going to be uncles!”
Nicholas laughed with his brother. “It’s pretty cool right? I never imagined any of us having kids. A week ago it seemed like such a foreign concept and now I’m excited. For them and us.”
“You and Tarah haven’t thought about kids?”
“We talk about it all the time. But she says she’s not ready and right now, with my situation, well...” He shrugged slightly.
Nathaniel nodded his understanding. He moved the conversation forward. “The last time I talked to Natalie she said the same thing. She and Tinjin weren’t ready yet.”
“When I talked to her she said they want to open their New York office and settle down in a home here in the United States before taking that step.”
“I really don’t see Natalie leaving Paris.”
“Me, either, but you never know. She may be missing this crazy, dysfunctional family of ours!”
“Speaking of dysfunctional, have you spoken to Nolan?” Nathaniel asked, referring to the wayward father they had all just recently begun to have a relationship with.
Nolan Perry was the biological parent who had not been in their lives when they were children. For too many years to count Nolan had been their mother’s lover, impregnating the teenaged Norris Jean Stallion while he claimed a wife and family on the other side of the Utah town where they’d been raised. Five children later, he’d blown out of their lives like a gale-force wind, leaving the twins and their siblings broken like downed trees.
Just a few short months before their sister Naomi’s wedding, they all discovered Nolan had been as deceived and betrayed as they had been. Blatant lies, half-truths and seriously bad choices had kept him from his children, and now he was making a genuine effort to make up for lost time.
Nicholas nodded. “He’s coming to help out when I have my surgery.” He shifted his eyes up to look directly at his brother. “He volunteered to come stay with me so Tarah doesn’t have to miss any time from the hospital. He’s also excited about coming for your grand opening.”
“It’s still weird to me that we have a father who actually wants to be a part of our lives. I’m still not sure how I feel about it.”
“I know, right? But it’s all good. No matter what, we still have each other. Stallions for life!”
Nathaniel grinned. “Stallions for life!”
The duo talked for another hour, falling into a rhythm they’d known since the womb. Nathaniel was excited to share his plans with his twin. Nicholas was proud of his brother and his added exuberance had them both riding sky-high.
Nathaniel suddenly cussed. “What time is it?” he asked as he tapped at his wristwatch, the device still reading nine-thirty. He looked around the room, the lunch crowd having disappeared almost entirely.
“It’s just four-thirty. Bad battery?”
“More like time for a new watch. But I need to run. I’m meeting Bec and the contractor at the new property.”
“Bec? Rebecca’s here in town?” Nicholas eyed him with a raised brow. “When did that happen?”
“She flew in this morning. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nicholas laughed. “Oh my, my, my! No wonder your real estate agent couldn’t get any play from you. I can’t wait to tell your sisters this!”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Please, don’t start. I’ve just hired Bec and her firm to do the marketing and promotion for the restaurant. That’s all.”
His twin brother grinned. “If you say so! You do know what your sisters say about Rebecca, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Nathaniel responded as he laid cash on the table for the tab. “They say too damn much and they’re wrong, as usual!”
Nicholas laughed. “I definitely won’t tell them you said that!”
* * *
Rebecca Marks walked the perimeter of the 17-Mile Drive property to stare out at the magnificent views. The 3600-square-foot building was a fusion of glass and natural stone, blending seamlessly into the landscape. She loved everything about it. The foreclosure property was even more stupendous than Nathaniel had described. After seeing it up close and personal she completely understood his obsession. And knowing his dream she felt he was a step closer to his goal. Everything about that warmed her heart.
She and Nathaniel had been best buddies since the two had been freshmen at UCLA. They’d become each other’s confidantes, sidekicks and go-to pals for practically everything. Over the years they’d found an easy balance with each other that worked for them both. But truth be told, Rebecca had been head over heels in love with Nathaniel since the day she’d first laid eyes on him. Nathaniel had never looked at her with a romantic eye but their friendship and unyielding bond had been motivation enough to drop everything when he’d called and asked for her help.
Only Rebecca knew how difficult the past two years had actually been for him. His twin brother’s accident had taken a toll on his spirit. His father suddenly appearing in his life and wanting a relationship had stressed him immensely. Dealing with it all while still trying to maintain his medical practice had almost been too much for him to handle. Emotionally, he’d been fractured and desperate not to let it show. There had been many late-night calls between them when Nathaniel had shared what he was feeling, trusting the advice he knew she would give.
When he’d shared his desire to open a restaurant, pursuing a long-held dream of being a successful restaurateur, she’d been the first to encourage him to go for it. Others had laughed, some claiming he was ranting like a man in a midlife crisis. Nathaniel had never been known to take risks. Nor had he often stepped out of his comfort zone. He was a renowned orthopedic surgeon, one of the best in his field. His practice, which specialized in sports medicine, serviced many high-profile clients. He’d invested his money wisely over the years and had a sizeable bank balance to fall back on. He had absolutely nothing to lose, so why not do something that would make him happy. You only live once, Rebecca had insisted as she’d purposely tripped him toward the unknown and what she hoped would prove to be his destiny.
When he’d called to say he had decided to take a lengthy hiatus from medicine to take that leap of faith, and needed her help, she’d been excited for the opportunity. Excited to see him spreading his wings and allowing her to join him on the journey. And flying to Carmel meant being right by his side as he fulfilled his dream, even if it was only for a short time. Since buying the house in Carmel, Nathaniel had been spending less time in Los Angeles and although they spoke often, she missed their one-on-one interaction. She missed him, even if she didn’t say so out loud.
Lost in reverie, Rebecca jumped when Nathaniel suddenly stepped in behind her, wrapping his arms around her torso. A low squeal blew past her lips, replacing the scream that teased the back of her throat. She slapped at him lightly as he laughed.
“Boo!” Nathaniel exclaimed as he pulled her into a deep bear hug.
“You just scared the crap out of me, Nathaniel Stallion!” she said as she punched him again. “You’re so lucky you didn’t get maced.”
He leaned to kiss her cheek, his arms still holding her tightly. “Sorry about that. I couldn’t resist.”
“You’re too damn old to be playing games like that, Stallion.”
He laughed again. “I’m not that old.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Where’s Nicholas? I thought you two were together?”
“He had to fly back to LA so I dropped him off at the airport before I came here.”
“Shoot! I hate that I missed him! How’s he doing?”
“He’s good. He’s really good, actually. I told you about the surgery, didn’t I?”
“You did. And he’s good with everything?”
“Better than I am, probably. I still have some concerns.”
“Concerns like...?”
There was a moment of hesitation as Nathaniel dropped into thought before he answered. “I sometimes think he’s only looking for a miracle because others want one for him. Him walking again is more important to everyone else than to him and it’s the only reason he keeps putting himself through the stuff he does. I only want the best for him and I think he’d be happier if he never had to see another doctor again. He and Tarah are incredible together and he’s comfortable and happy with the life they have.”
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Not really. Not like I should.”
“Talk to him. You keep waiting for the right time and it might never come, so just do it. Tell him how you feel. It’ll make you feel better.”
With a quick nod, Nathaniel changed the subject. “So how was your flight?”
“Great if you ignore the fact we took off an hour past our departure time, the woman next to me kept burping up beer and someone’s kids screamed from the time we took off until we landed. Other than that it couldn’t have been more perfect,” she said.
“I told you to let me arrange a private flight for you. Noah’s wife would have gladly sent one of her planes.”
“Noah’s wife is very sweet but she doesn’t know me from Adam. The woman is running a business, not a personal charity service for the friends of her family.”
“Like I won’t be repaying her with free meals when she’s down here.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes skyward. “You’re comparing apples and oranges, Nate. Apples and oranges!”
Nathaniel smiled. Rebecca was the only person allowed to shorten his name. Even his twin brother called him by his full name. Rebecca called him Nate and he called her Bec. It was their thing. Others had tried and had been sorely disappointed when corrected. His family often referred to her by her nickname but never called her such to her face, understanding the significance it held for the two of them.
He was still holding on to her and she allowed herself to settle back against his broad chest. The nearness of him had butterflies fluttering in her midsection and her heart racing like a drumline in her chest. She struggled to contain the rise of emotion that had her knees quivering and her legs turning to rubber.
She bent her arms upward to clutch his, her manicured fingers gripping his forearms. He shifted his hips, widening his stance as his body cradled hers. They stood together, still holding on to each other as they stared out over the landscape. The sight of white-capped waves in the distance was intoxicating. The water rolled and rocked against the craggy landscape. The low roar of the waves and the hiss of spray were soothing, pulling them both into deep thought. Neither spoke, not needing words. They settled easily into the comfort they always found when they were with each other. It felt like home and both couldn’t have been happier.
From the corner of the building Elise cleared her throat. Nathaniel saw her before Rebecca did. He dropped his arms abruptly and took a step back. “Elise, hey! What brings you here?”
Startled, Rebecca turned. The woman eyeing them curiously didn’t look at all pleased. Her teeth were clenched tightly and her cheeks were a vibrant shade of red. She tossed the length of her auburn hair over her shoulders. Rebecca didn’t miss how uncomfortable Nathaniel suddenly looked.
Elise cleared her throat and forced a smile to her face. She carried a small potted plant in her hands. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I knew you had a meeting with your contractor and thought I’d stop by to drop off a little housewarming gift of sorts. To congratulate you on closing today.” She moved forward, passed the plant to Nathaniel and extended her hand toward Rebecca. “Elise Montgomery. And you are?”
Rebecca forced a smile back. “Rebecca. Rebecca Marks.”
Elise looked from her to him and back. “Are you and Nathaniel friends?”
Rebecca smiled. She didn’t bother to answer the question, instead turning toward the man who still looked like he’d been caught with his hands in someone’s cookie jar. “Why don’t I go check out the inside while you deal with your business,” she said, her voice dropping an octave. She held out her hand for the keys.
Nathaniel nodded. “Thanks,” he said as he watched her move down the side of the building and disappear around the corner. He turned back toward Elise.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating someone,” Elise sniped.
“Because I’m not dating anyone.”
“Well, you and that woman looked quite cozy with each other.”
“Elise, you and I are not in a relationship. I really don’t owe you any explanations about anything.”
Elise took a swift inhale of air and held it for a split second before she responded. “I apologize, Nathaniel. You know I care about you and I was hoping you and I might be able to move our friendship toward something more. But I don’t chase after men who don’t want me. If you’re not interested, all you had to do was say so.”
“I told you the truth, Elise. Right now I’m focused on this restaurant. That’s my priority. Everything else will have to take a back seat for a minute. Especially dating and starting a new relationship. I had hoped you would understand that.”
“I wasn’t trying to make things difficult. I just...well...” She giggled nervously. “I guess I was a little jealous,” she said.
He forced himself to smile. Before he could respond, a large man with a lumberjack haircut and full beard called his name, moving swiftly toward them. “Stallion! My man!”
“Carl, hey! It’s good to see you,” Nathaniel said, moving to shake the other man’s hand. “I appreciate you coming.”
“I’m excited. This place is spectacular!” Carl said as he looked around, taking in the view. He tilted his head toward Elise. “Hello there. I’m Carl.”
“Elise Montgomery, this is Carl Parker. Carl, Elise is my real estate agent,” Nathaniel said, making the formal introductions.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Carl. I’m surprised we’ve not met before. Is your business here in Carmel?”
Carl shook his head. “No. My firm is based in Los Angeles. Nathaniel and I are old friends. We met in college when we were pledging the same fraternity. We’ve been brothers ever since. I actually built his house in LA and when he told me about his plans for this place I jumped at the opportunity to do the renovations he wants.”
Nathaniel nodded. “I’ve got first-rate friends like that,” he said.
There was suddenly a knock on the glass windows. The trio turned to look as Rebecca stood inside waving excitedly.
“You didn’t tell me our girl was going to be here,” Carl exclaimed as he waved back.
Nathaniel grinned. “Who else could do my marketing and promotion?”
“It was nice to meet you, Elise,” Carl said. He pointed toward the building. “I’m going to go say hello to Rebecca. Just let me know when you’re ready to talk business,” he said.
Nathaniel nodded. “I’ll be right in.”
Elise was still staring at him eagerly, wearing an air of desperation like a beloved perfume. Nathaniel forced a smile onto his face. “Thank you for the plant,” he said as he gestured with the potted fern in his hand.
“You’re going to call me, right?”
He nodded. “I will. I promise.”
Nathaniel watched as Elise threw him one last look over her shoulder. He sighed, a gust of air billowing into the ocean breeze.
Despite his good intentions he instinctively knew Elise would never be in his life the way she hoped to be. Whether it was ever said or not, he would always compare holding a woman in his arms to what it felt like to hold Rebecca. Because just before they’d been interrupted, his holding tight to Rebecca had felt like he’d won the best prize at the state fair.
