Promises to a Stallion. Deborah Mello Fletcher

cocky but not in an unflattering way. He was self-assured just enough that it couldn’t be misinterpreted as arrogance. Tierra imagined that was what made him such an exceptional leader, the reason his soldiers looked up to him.

      With no clue to how long she’d been lying there tossing and turning as she thought about Travis, Tierra couldn’t shake the sensation of his hands gently stroking her back as his broad chest had easily kissed the curves of her torso. Even with his hands long gone, his touch still burned too hot for comfort. Tossing her legs off the side of the bed, Tierra lifted herself up and headed for the bathroom, desperately hoping a cold shower would wash the heat away.

      The decadent smell of barbecued meat wafted through the late afternoon air. Travis took a deep breath as he moved past the large black smokers positioned on the home’s rear patio. His cousin Luke; Luke’s fiancée, Joanne Lake; his cousin Mark; and Mark’s wife, Michelle, were debating the relevance of Facebook versus Twitter as a marketing tool. Travis hadn’t bothered to throw in his two cents, personally having no preference for one over the other. They both kept him in contact with folks he needed to stay in touch with.

      He’d been waiting for Tierra, hoping that she could move herself past her hurt and anger to join them, but there had been no sign of her. His patience had worn thin, and now he was just anxious to see and spend time with the exquisite woman.

      Excusing himself, he moved from his cushioned seat, through the back door and into the home’s kitchen. Sisters Eden, Marah and Marla were deftly navigating the room as they prepped potato salad, baked beans and pineapple upside-down cake to accompany the racks of ribs barbecuing outside.

      “Hey!” Travis chimed cheerily. “Have any of you seen Ms. Braddy?”

      Marah cut her eye at Marla, both women smiling slyly. They both shrugged, a low hum easing past Marah’s lips.

      Eden laughed. “No, we haven’t. I think she’s still in her room.”

      Travis eyed the three questioningly. “What’s so funny?”

      Eden smiled in response. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Why don’t you run up and let her know that we’re almost ready for dinner?”

      Travis looked from one to the other, each of them avoiding his stare. As he moved to the door, Marah and Marla both burst out laughing.

      “What?” Travis asked again, a befuddled look etched across his features.

      Eden shrugged as the three answered in unison. “Nothing!”

      Tossing his hands in the air, Travis headed up the stairs. Moving straight to the guest room door, he knocked loudly, calling out, “Tierra? Hey, it’s me, Travis. Eden wanted you to know it’s time to eat.”

      When there was no response, he knocked a second time. “Tierra?”

      Becoming concerned when there was still no response, Travis slowly eased open the room’s door, peering inside. Tierra was nowhere to be seen, but he could hear her voice coming from inside the adjoining bathroom. Tierra was singing loudly, an off-tune version of Beyoncé’s latest hit echoing off the walls. Even as Travis stepped into the room, toward the sound of her voice, he knew he should probably turn around and retreat. But curiosity had gotten the best of him.

      Stopping short in the doorway of the bathroom, Travis’s eyes widened, a deep grin blossoming across his face. Tierra lay comfortably in a garden tub filled with warm water and lavender-scented bubble bath. Headphones plugged her ears as she lay with her eyes closed tightly, her hands at shoulder level as she snapped her fingers to the beat of the song playing on her iPod. Her legs were crossed at the ankles, her feet propped against the tub’s edge. It was the first time since they’d met that she seemed totally and completely relaxed.

      Travis couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of her lying there in all her glory. Even after holding her in his arms, Travis was still amazed at just how tiny a woman she was, her size 2 frame looking even smaller.

      Her face shimmered with warmth, the steam from the hot water heating her caramel-colored complexion a rosy red. Her luscious, dark brown tresses were pinned atop her head, a few wispy strands framing her delicate face. She was stunning.

      Snow-white bubbles danced atop the water’s surface, the occasional breaks in their flow allowing him a quick peek at her form. Small, apple-size breasts bobbed at water level. If he hadn’t been searching he would have missed the small heart-shaped tattoo that adorned the inner curve of her right one, the image as tiny and as petite as the rest of her. Her hardened nipples stood at full attention, bubbles and water caressing them easily.

      Travis suddenly wanted to nuzzle his head against her chest to taste the chocolate delights. A quiver of heat surged through his groin and he felt himself lengthen in his jeans. He inhaled swiftly, fighting to stall the sensation.

      When she pulled the short length of her legs toward her chest, then eased them back beneath the water, Travis knew he was completely enraptured. He could have stood there staring at her forever.

      Shaking the reverie from his head, he eased back out of the room. He paused a quick minute, then cleared his voice and knocked gently on the door frame, calling out Tierra’s name. Startled, Tierra jumped, water splashing onto the floor. “Who? What the…? Don’t you knock?” she sputtered as she realized he was standing right outside the opened door.

      “I’m sorry,” Travis interjected. “You couldn’t hear me, and I was trying to get your attention. Eden wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready.” The man was still grinning broadly, his face hidden from her view.

      Tierra reached for one of the large plush towels hanging from the towel rack. Drawing it up and around her body, she moved to shield herself from sight. “You really have some nerve,” she said as she stepped out of the tub. Pressing her body against the bathroom wall, she peered around the door frame to where he stood, eyeing the man from head to toe.

      Travis leaned back against the wall between them, his arms crossing evenly over his chest. He stared back. “So, are you coming down to dinner?” He smiled sweetly.

      “You really need to get out of my room,” Tierra responded. “I don’t remember inviting you in.”

      “I just wanted to make sure you eat something. You’re going to need your nourishment.”

      “Why?”

      “Because, we’ve got a busy schedule this week, you and I.”

      “I don’t remember saying I was planning to spend any time with you.”

      Travis laughed. “You didn’t, but you are.”

      Tierra rolled her eyes skyward. “Why?”

      “Because you like me,” Travis answered smugly. He winked at her as he crossed back to the other side of the room.

      “You really are an arrogant, annoying, pain in the butt,” Tierra said, her head shaking.

      Travis laughed. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

      “Get out!” She clutched her towel closer around her body.

      Wrapping his hand around the doorknob, he paused. “Oh,” he said staring back at her. “Really cute tattoo! It suits you.”

      Her eyes widening, Tierra screamed at the top of her lungs, “Get out!”

      Chapter 6

      There was no denying the strain between Tierra and Travis when the woman finally joined the gathering for dinner. The tension swelled so thick and full that you could have sawed it into pieces and played a game of hockey with them.

      Tierra moved into the room and purposely avoided meeting the man’s intense gaze. And he was staring, a quirky smile plastered across his handsome face. As she cast a sidelong glance in his direction, she was tempted to slap that smile away. She couldn’t believe he had peeked into the bathroom and had seen her naked. And just how long had he been standing there