True Loves (A Collection of Firsts)

A
ll Rights Reserved
. This edition is copyrighted by Michelle A Valentine Books, LLC. No reproduction or utilization of this edition without written permission of the publisher. March, 2015.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

For questions or comments about this book, please contact the author at
[email protected]

Rock the Heart

(Black Falcon Book One)

Michelle A. Valentine

N
ew York Times Bestselling Series
!

F
or the last four years
, good girl Lane has regretted breaking up with Noel Falcon. She thought she was sensible when she told him his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere, but now that he's a rock god and her career is stagnant, she realizes just how wrong she was. When Noel hires the marketing company where Lane is an intern, she’s forced to see him again. If she wants to land her dream job as executive within the company, she has to win him over and secure his account. Too bad Noel is still pissed at her for breaking his heart.

W
hen Lane’s
company flies her to a Black Falcon concert to gain Noel’s attention, emotions run high the moment she sees him and realizes she’s far from over him. But Noel’s countless trysts with groupies and his cocky attitude make Lane believe he isn’t the same guy she once loved—now he seems to only want her body. Then after Lane discloses she needs him to procure a job, Noel proves he’s a changed man by forcing her to go on the road with him in order to get it.

A
fter Lane
reluctantly takes Noel up on his offer, she becomes willing to do whatever it takes to keep him satisfied, even if it means succumbing to his seductive ways. Lane soon finds deception is a dangerous game and she’s not the only one playing.

I
’m
in the most uncomfortable seat in the entire world. The stiff, high-backed leather chair nearly swallows me whole, and my legs stick to the seat. If I didn’t know better, I would say someone left on the heat. A bead of sweat trickles down my spine, and I reach across the table to pour a glass of water. I can’t believe I’m this nervous. It’s only a board meeting, for crying out loud. The glass meets my lips, and I gulp down a drink.

My best friend of four years, Aubrey, pats my wrist. “Sweetie, it’s fine. This is no biggie.”

I muster up a smile and nod. Of course it’s no big deal to her. She’s been through countless marketing meetings. This is my first one. Sure, I’m only an intern, but proving myself could earn me a spot at Center Stage Marketing. I’ve wanted that since my freshman year in college.

Aubrey and I earned degrees from the University of Texas, and she somehow landed an assistant position to one of the top executives in the in the well-known New York company. They actually pay her to be here, while I’m just the annoying tagalong in training.

Diana Swagger, one of the most respected female marketing executives in New York and the president of the firm, strides in and sits at the head of the long table. She’s put together from head to toe—not one red hair out of place on her well-groomed head. Her black suit screams money, and from what I’ve heard about her in the staff lounge, she’s a no nonsense type.

Aubrey clicks her pen, ready to jot notes for her boss. Even though I’m only here to observe, I mimic her actions and do my best to pretend as though I belong.

“Can anyone read the goals we discussed two weeks ago?” Diana asks while she unbuttons her jacket.

A middle-aged man to Diana’s right rattles off a list that might as well have been said in a foreign language. None of Center Stage’s current projects involve products or companies I’m familiar with, but I keep my eyes trained on him as if he’s the most interesting person in the world.

“…And we received the go ahead from Black Falcon’s people to proceed with the children’s campaign,” he says.

That automatically catches my attention. Black Falcon hits a little too close to home for me. Most people know them for their music, but I know their front man, Noel Falcon. The star-studded rocker is a huge part of my past. He’s in every one of childhood memories.

Diana makes a note on her yellow legal paper. “Good. We need a volunteer to wine and dine Noel Falcon for a few days. We need him to know we’re serious about his charity.”

Everyone at the table busies themselves with paperwork. All of them avoiding Diana’s stare.

Diana peers around the table. “No one is interested? Harold?”

The man to Diana’s right looks up and adjusts his glasses. “Sorry, Diana. Rock stars aren’t well known for working well with us boring ad types. Last time I tried working with one, he blew me off then became irate that his marketing wasn’t what he had envisioned. No offense, but this isn’t the type of account I’m willing to take on. It’s a time suck.”

Diana leans back in her chair, steeples her fingers together, and presses them to her lips. “Is no one interested?” Her eyes scan her employees—all of them avoiding her stare—before they land on me. “How about you? You seem to be the only one interested in this account.”

Shit. Eye contact is a pain in the ass. I swallow hard, and my hand clutches my throat. “M—me?”

She leans forward. “Mr. Falcon would surely give a young, pretty thing like you the time of day. All you have to do is get him to spend some time with you and find out exactly what his vision is for the children’s charity Black Falcon is heading up.”

My throat goes dry. How can I face Noel again? I want to scream that I can’t, but if I want a job at Center Stage, I need to be a yes woman until I get my foot planted firmly inside the door. I can do this—talk with an old friend on a professional level. It might be a piece of cake. I take another huge gulp of water, trying to calm my nerves, while Diana stares expectantly at me. If I let my history with Noel slip, she might yank the opportunity away, and I can’t let that happen. Not when I’m so close to landing my dream job.

Aubrey nudges my leg under the table. She knows why I’m stalling. She’s heard the stories about Noel.

I set down the glass and nod. “I would love to take on this job for you.”

Diana smiles and leans back in her chair. “At least someone is willing to go the distance for this company. What did you say your name was again?”

“Lanie… Lanie Vance.”

Diana makes another note on the paper in front of her. “Does anyone have Black Falcon’s tour schedule? We need to get Ms. Vance to their next show and get things rolling on this.”

Harold types something into his tablet. “Black Falcon’s next show is tomorrow night in Houston, Texas. Then it appears they have a break until Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio a few days later.”

Tomorrow? I scrunch my nose. That’s a hell of a lot sooner than I expected. I figured I would at least have a few days to mentally prepare myself. What in the hell will I say to Noel? “Sorry for stomping on your heart four years ago. Oh, and by the way, I’m only here to land my dream job.” I resist the urge to bury my face in my hands. What have I gotten myself into?

No, I have to look on the bright side. Houston is only about thirty minutes from my hometown. It’ll be a free trip home for the weekend. I haven’t seen my mom a couple months, and I miss her like crazy. New York is a hard place to get away from. I can do this, right?

“Someone schedule this girl a flight for tomorrow and give her the run down on this charity so she’ll know what information we need from the band,” Diana says.

When I open my mouth to tell Diana I’ve changed my mind, Aubrey says, “Ms. Swagger, I’d like to volunteer to go with Lanie. She’s only an intern, and I could go along and show her the ropes on navigating clients.”

Ms. Swagger nods. “Okay, I’ll allow that. Go ahead and book a flight for yourself and Ms. Vance. Report back to me on Monday after the initial meeting.”

I slump in the chair. This may be the worst decision of my life.

Aubrey leads me into the hallway after the meeting is over. Every nerve in my body zings with adrenaline. This is my big break to show Ms. Swagger I deserve a job in her company, that I’m a marketing slave. The only problem is facing Noel.

Aubrey grabs my wrist and yanks me into the supply closet. “Oh. My. God.” She shakes her head, and her auburn curls bounce around her shoulders. “I don’t even know what to say. On one hand, I’m thrilled you have the chance to show these stuffy assholes some of those mad marketing skills, but on the other, I’m freaked the fuck out. Noel Falcon, Lanie?”

I sigh. “I know, I know, but what was I supposed to do? Tell Diana no because I have a painful history with the lead singer? I can’t admit that to her. This opportunity just fell into my lap. I’d be crazy not to jump all over it.”

Aubrey grabs my hands and squeezes. “You’re right. You can get through this. It’s only Noel Falcon. We go down there and take him to dinner. You’ll be fine because I’ll be there the entire time for moral support.”

I wrap my arms around her slender frame. “Thank you for doing this with me.”

She pulls away and pushes my dark hair back before resting her hands on my shoulders. Her emerald eyes bore into me. “You’re welcome, sweetie. There’s only one thing left to do…” Her lips twist, and she picks at my shirt.

I raise an eyebrow at her mischievous expression. “Oh no, I know that look.”

Aubrey’s grin broadens. “I can’t wait to see Noel’s jaw hit the floor when he sees you.”

I roll my eyes and do my best to look displeased, but deep down, I can’t wait to see that either.