Talon's Heart Read online

  Talon’s Heart

  By

  Jordan Silver

  Copyright© 2014 Alison Jordan

  All Rights Reserved

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Epilogue

  PROLOGUE

  Talon Avery paced back and forth in front of the school library. His tense posture and scowling expression kept friend and foe at bay, though it didn't deter any from keeping track of his every move. When a lethal weapon was barely contained it paid to be on the alert, and damn near everyone on campus was aware that Talon was about to blow his top and unleash his infamous temper on all and sundry. Thankfully it was a known fact that only those in the direct line of fire ever felt the full force of his wrath.

  Skye Abbott fielded her fifth call in as many minutes, heart racing and pulse going haywire. Reading the face of her cell she saw that it was her BFF Stephanie calling.

  TALON

  I can feel everyone’s eyes following my every move as though they were expecting me to lose it any minute and go postal. If I were being honest with myself I would admit that they had every right to be apprehensive, but I'm not feeling very magnanimous at the moment.

  What I felt was rage, anger and frustration, a very volatile combination for someone of my temperament. I tried my phone one more time punching the redial button like it was the enemy. If these clowns didn’t get the fuck gone I just might take my shit out on one of their asses.

  I glared behind me and they either scattered or pretended interest in the sky and the surrounding scenery to avoid eye contact. Nosy fucks.

  SKYLAR

  "Steph, what the hell’s going on?" I yelled into the phone at the end of my rope.

  "Skye where the hell are you?"

  "What...I'm at the pharmacy calm down; what's everyone so excited about anyway?"

  "Skye hon listen, I know you've only known Talon a short while but trust me when I say you do not want to cross him."

  "Cross him, what the hell are you talking about?" I held the phone between my ear and shoulder as I tried to read the directions on the over the counter antihistamine I was in dire need of.

  My head is full of cotton balls, my eyes are itchy and my nose would give Rudolph a run for his money. Maybe that's why the panicked voices of my last four callers hadn't registered until Steph's almost frantic tone.

  "Did you tell Talon you were going to the pharmacy Skye?"

  "What does that have to do with anything? Talon's at ball practice; I was on my way to the library but my allergies started acting up out of nowhere and here I am. You know you're the fifth person to call me in a panic? I'm sure you're all overreacting. I'll call Talon as soon as I'm done here tell everyone to just chill.

  I hung up the phone confident that everything would be okay.

  I'm not doing anything alarming, just a side trip to the pharmacy. I have no worries; I know how Talon can be, although we'd only met just a few short weeks ago I've become pretty in tune with his mercurial moods. But there was nothing to worry about. I felt my heart do that melting shifting thing it always does whenever I think of the new man in my life. He had become such an integral part of my life so suddenly, so unexpectedly.

  Chapter 1

  SKYLAR

  I remember the day almost a month and a half ago, when I'd been standing on the sidelines of the football field after the big game with Stephanie who is head cheerleader. The game had been a success. Our team had trounced the opposition forty-two, fourteen. Everyone had been in high spirits and though I knew very little about football, I too had been caught up in the euphoria that was in the air, and was enjoying the festive mood. Steph had been waiting anxiously to get her hands on the team's wide receiver Kevin, her boyfriend of a year and a half, and had dragged me along to the field with her after getting me from the stands.

  Amidst all the revelry and congratulations floating around me I’d felt a prickling sensation, like a target caught in the crosshairs. I followed the sensation across the field with my eyes until they connected with the most startling green eyes I'd ever seen.

  My heart lurched somewhere south and I had to blink rapidly to keep my focus from blurring. He stared at me in a way that made me feel like there was no one else in the world. I could feel an invisible string drawing me across the field and only the sudden lead in my legs kept me rooted to the spot. It was the strangest experience of my life, almost like one of those out of body things you hear so much about.

  In my peripheral I saw Steph and Kevin locked in one of their embarrassingly passionate clinches, but this time I didn't feel the need to make a snide comment about their public display. All my energy was too caught up in the force field of the man standing across from me. I couldn’t break the connection and was more than a little surprised to realize I didn’t want to. That was so not like me, to stare at a total stranger with what I was sure was longing.

  My view was rudely interrupted by the appearance of a stunning blonde who threw herself into his arms exuberantly, wrapping herself around him. I blinked away the sudden moisture from my eyes as I rubbed my hand across my chest where my heart laid, as if to wipe away the sudden pain that lodged there.

  I forced myself to look away not understanding the sudden feeling of grief that was almost crippling.

  I had a fairly good notion of who the guy with the fallen angel looks was. Talon Avery star quarterback and all round lady's man. I had heard the stories of course, having just transferred here two weeks before in the middle of the semester. It seems like he was the main topic on everyone’s lips. When I wasn’t being warned about his philandering ways I was being bombarded by what seemed like every female within a hundred mile radius gushing over him.

  I had no interest in his type, not after what I’d just been through, the reason I’d transferred here in the first place. I wanted nothing to do with the Adonis everyone described no matter how amazing some seemed to think he was. I had gone through too much to get here to let myself be caught up in the whirlwind of disaster that was Talon Avery. All I wanted was to get my life back on track and move on from the dark hole I’d just escaped.

  It hadn't been easy but with my grades and transferable scholarship, my counselor had made it happen by the skin of her teeth. And now here I am in this little college town in New York, a long way from Rhode Island where I'd grown up, where I had always believed I would spend my whole existence.

  I'd loved my home, the big old farmhouse where generations of Abbotts had lived since the eighteen hundreds. I'd loved the woods around our acreage where Steph and I had spent countless hours weaving tales of happily ever after.

  My happily ever after had come crashing down around me after my first year at the local University when I found my boyfriend in bed with my cousin. An experience that had sent my life spiraling out of control, burying me under a pain I thought I’d never escape from. Until I landed here and felt like I’d finally left that all behin
d. A new start, a new beginning, maybe I could salvage some happiness for me after all.

  And now this, the very thing I’d told myself would not happen, had blindsided me. I’d laughed to myself when I listened to the other females go on and on about the hot Talon, sure that I wouldn’t fall prey to his charms. From the stories I’d heard I was pretty sure I would be immune to his brand of suave. One dog in my life was enough to last me a lifetime thank you very much.

  But with that one look I knew I’d only been fooling myself. I’d convinced myself that no one person could be as perfect as they all seemed to think; was pretty confident that they had to be exaggerating. I’m afraid I had only been setting myself up for this, seems being burnt once hadn’t taught me anything after all if the pain in my heart was anything to go by.

  I don’t remember feeling this gutted by Robert’s betrayal. There had been disappointment and humiliation yes, but not this sense of total loss. Which made no sense whatsoever because I’d known Robert all my life, this Talon Avery was a total stranger, someone I hadn’t even met. Yet the sense of betrayal was strong and gut wrenching. Talon Avery, the campus heartthrob, no use in daydreaming Skylar he’s way out of your league. But oh how I wish.

  I tried to look anywhere but at Talon and the stunner but I felt drawn to them. He had a disinterested look on his face as the gorgeous blonde was joined by a group of girls and guys, all intent on basking in the star's glow. I felt that same jolt as our eyes connected once more. The blonde was hanging on his arm, a sappy look on her face, as she seemed to be staking her claim. I rubbed the pain in my chest once more as I forced myself to look away.

  TALON

  I hardly heard what was going on around me. The game had been brutal and I'd taken more hits than I could ever remember taking before, but we'd pulled through and trounced their asses. Only now, after all has been said and done I could feel the aches and pains racking my body. I was running my hands through my hair when I caught sight of her. Her face was in profile, but what caught my attention was the tight body in the painted on jeans and the wild riot of blonde curls that fell to the top of her ass.

  She had to be all of five three as far as I could tell. The top part of her body was completely hidden beneath her coat, but her legs looked amazing from where I stood. As if she sensed my stare she turned and looked at me and I took the sucker punch to my solar plexus like a trooper.

  She had the most amazing face, a soft peaches and cream complexion and the widest eyes I'd ever seen on anything other than a doe. And those lips have mercy, if she was this stunning from almost thirty feet away; I can't imagine what she would be like up close and personal. It would’ve been fine if that was all there was to it, just a natural reaction to a pretty face. I’ve had plenty of those before, but what struck me dumb was the way something inside me seemed to know her.

  Her piercing gaze went through me like grease lightning. I felt my body tense as if to spring, a strong sense of possession seeping into my pores. I almost snorted at the absurd thought. Talon Avery did not feel possessive over women.

  Since age fourteen I'd been bagging females without any hassle. The combination of looks and wealth had always made snagging female attention pathetically easy. I passed off the minute aberration as a slight glitch stemming from the fact that I didn't know who she was and I knew all the lookers on campus; in fact I'd slept with ninety five percent of them in my three years here.

  Just as I was making up my mind whether to approach her or not Mackenzie Harden flew into me. I barely stifled a sneer of annoyance at the interruption. I might be a dog but mom had instilled some manners in me, so it wouldn’t be cool to drop her on her ass. I've been trying to get rid of Mackenzie for the better part of two weeks, but she doesn't seem to understand that I have a code. I never returned for seconds.

  I saw the flash of pain or...something that crossed my mystery angel's face just before she turned away. My first instinct was to go to her, which in itself should’ve sent off warning alarms in my head. Talon Avery does not go after females they come after me. By the time I was able to extricate myself from the clutches of my unwanted admirer she was heading across the field in the opposite direction.

  I felt a keen sense of loss as if I’d missed something very important. It was an entirely new feeling for me; a guy who was accustomed to getting his way in most things in life. “Mackenzie, how many times must tell you about this shit?” I didn’t wait around for her answer as I made my way off the field in the opposite direction from my angel. I was jogging by the time I hit the edge of the field; I had work to do.

  By the end of that night I had learned everything I could about her. If anyone found it strange that I was the one asking questions instead of being the object of interest as was the norm, they were smart enough to keep it to themselves. My reputation as a bad ass was well earned, no one wanted to be on the wrong end of my shit and asking me questions about what the fuck I was doing was a sure way to get there.

  It was easy to get the info that I needed, everyone knew who the new girl was because she was the only transfer this late in the year. Getting an intro would be no problem as it turned out that she was the best friend of my boy Kevin's girl. I barely convinced myself to wait until the next day before forcing the issue. Somehow I had the urge to go find her and bring her home, totally alien emotions for yours truly.

  That night I thought of her before I fell asleep, the color of her eyes was super imposed on my brain or some shit. And the way she’d looked right through me, as if she knew just who I was. I hadn’t been with anyone in a while, not since my night with Mackenzie before I had to go home for a family emergency. That was almost a month ago. The way Mackenzie tried to latch onto me afterwards kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Everyone knew the deal, they knew the rules; I’m not exactly a dog but I guess some would say I’m pretty close. I don’t have a different woman in my bed every night. But when I do sleep with one it’s usually with the understanding that it’s a one off. No strings attached.

  For some fucked up reason although they knew this since my rep precedes me everywhere I go on campus, they still flock to me. Most I’m sure are under the impression that they will be the one to change me, to make me take that step. None have succeeded, so now I find myself with an entourage of cast offs that swore they understood the rules but who now seemed to be making it their life’s mission to corral my ass or some shit. The gentleman in me couldn’t tell them to get the hell out of my vision, but neither did I lead them on.

  Chapter 2

  TALON

  It was in the cafeteria the following afternoon that I had finally been introduced. It had damn near killed me to wait through class after class and then a meet with coach, but I was on the hunt as soon as I was free. I watched her from across the room before approaching. I needed to see if I would have that same strange reaction. Like lightning striking; damn if it wasn’t worst this time around.

  Up close those eyes of hers were killer, and her body no longer shrouded by her parka was even more amazing than I'd first thought. Nice and easy there Avery, don’t jump the girl at the table with a hundred people all in your shit. I had no doubt they were all tracking my every move since I was going against my norm.

  "What's up Kevin?" I cuffed my boy on the shoulder as he sat next to Stephanie at their usual table. I usually sat across the room surrounded by a bevy of vultures. All those girls and women who wanted my attention, or sought to recapture it, there wasn't enough room for anyone else. I’d given up trying to get away from them when nothing I did worked. It was more peaceful to sit there and watch them simper and act the fool than to run around the damn room to get away from them. There was nothing they could do to change my mind anyway so there was no reason for me to avoid them.

  Today I'm on a mission though.

  "Hey Avery how's it hanging, what brings you to my neck of the woods?" He chided me; I knew he had a pretty good idea what I was after. He's one of the people I'd questioned the n
ight before after all. I didn't like it when he told me that half the douches on campus were after her since she'd enrolled. That statement had sent me into some sort of near meltdown. I got the names of all my would be competitors just in case I had to drop a fucker for being stupid but I was pretty sure it wouldn’t come to that.

  I'd been away for a family emergency when she first arrived that's why I hadn't seen her before. I could see why they were after her though; she was a damn knock out. Too bad for them, with me on the hunt they didn't stand a chance. None of them had the nerve to go up against me and if they should find their balls I’d nut punt their ass across the football field.

  Kevin's POV

  I had a pretty good idea what my good pal was after; every other guy on campus had been salivating over Stephanie's little friend since she'd enrolled two weeks ago. I'm sure the only reason it took Avery this long was because he'd been away for some family emergency when she'd turned up. I tried not to laugh at the way he was looking at the poor girl like she was his favorite meal.

  I guess I could understand the attraction, if I wasn't so gone over Stephanie I probably would've joined her long line of admirers. I smiled now knowing that with Talon in the picture the others didn't stand a chance. The guy was not only filthy rich, he was good looking, not to mention, he could beat the living shit out of the whole student body and half the faculty. Since Stephanie had taxed me with keeping an eye on her little friend I sure could use the help. Having a man of her own would eliminate the need for my protection.

  On the other hand, I'm not quite sure how Stephanie would react to Talon's interest in her friend.

  Seems the girl had been badly hurt by some jerk back home, and Talon with his love 'em and leave 'em reputation might just be too much.