Rock the Heart
Michelle A. Valentine
Published By: Michelle A. Valentine Books, LLC
ebook edition
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Copyright © 2015 by Michelle A. Valentine Books, LLC
Cover Art: Romantic Book Affairs Designs (stock photo purchased) Edited by: Delphirose
—Rock the Heart edited by Cassie Cox— All Rights Reserved. This edition is copy written 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]
www.michelleavalentine.com
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
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The Black Falcon Series
Hard Knocks Series
The Collectors Series
A Sexy Manhattan Fairytail
Wicked White Series
(Black Falcon Series, Book One)
To my little rocker.
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
A Black Falcon Novella (1.5)
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
(Black Falcon Prequel to Rock the Heart)
Chapter 1 | Freshman year... | LANE
Chapter 2 | One Week Later... | LANE
Chapter 3 | End of Junior Year... | NOEL
Chapter 4 | One Year Later—Graduation Night... | NOEL
(The Black Falcon Series, #2)
Chapter 1 | AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 2 | AUBREY
RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 3 | RIFF
AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 4 | AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 5 | AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 6 | AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 7 | AUBREY
RIFF
Chapter 8 | AUBREY
RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 9 | AUBREY
RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 10 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 11 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 12 | RIFF
Chapter 13 | RIFF
RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 14 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 15 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 16 | RIFF
Chapter 17 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 18 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 19 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 20 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 21 | RIFF
AUBREY
Chapter 22 | AUBREY
Chapter 23 | AUBREY
RIFF
A Black Falcon Novella (2.5)
Chapter 1 | AUBREY
Chapter 2 | ZACH
Chapter 3 | AUBREY
Chapter 4 | ZACH
Chapter 5 | AUBREY
Chapter 6 | Zach
Chapter 7 | AUBREY
Chapter 8 | ZACH
Chapter 9 | AUBREY
Chapter 10 | NOEL FALCON (Months later—Bonus Chapter)
Black Falcon, #3
Prologue | It Will Rain | Two Weeks Prior...
Chapter 1 | Closer | Holly
Chapter 2 | I Knew You Were Trouble | Holly
Chapter 3 | Rude Boy | HOLLY
Chapter 4 | Good Girls, Bad Guys | TRIP
Chapter 5 | I Wanna Be Bad | HOLLY
Chapter 6 | Love Crime | TRIP
Chapter 7 | I Said It | TRIP
Chapter 8 | Bringing Down the Giant | HOLLY
Chapter 9 | She Will Be Loved | Holly
TRIP
Chapter 10 | Gorilla | Holly
TRIP
Chapter 11 | Radioactive | Holly
Chapter 12
TRIP
Chapter 13 | Same Old Trip | Trip
HOLLY
Chapter 14
TRIP
Chapter 15 | It Is What It Is | HOLLY
Chapter 16 | Light Up the Sky | TRIP
Chapter 17 | Between the Raindrops | Holly
Rock the Beat Playlist:
Black Falcon, #4
Prologue | “Coming Down” – Five Finger Death Punch | One Year Ago...
Chapter 2 | “Mad World” –Gary Jules
Chapter 3 | “Pain Killer” –Three Days Grace
Chapter 4 | “Buttons”—Pussycat Dolls
Chapter 5 | “Man in the Box”—Alice in Chains
Chapter 6 | “Red”—Taylor Swift
Chapter 7 | “Behind Blue Eyes” –Limp Bizkit
Chapter 8 | “Desire” – Meg Myers
Chapter 9 | “The Morning After” –Meg Myers
Chapter 10 | “Wicked Game” – Stone Sour
Chapter 11 | “Through the Glass” –Stone Sour
Chapter 12 | “No Matter What” – Papa Roach
Chapter 13 | “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” – Panic At the Disco
Chapter 14 | “It Goes Like This” – Thomas Rhett
Chapter 15 | “Try” – Pink
Chapter 16 | “Change” – Def Tones
Chapter 17 | “Say It” — Blue October
Chapter 18 | “Nobody Knows” – The Tony Rich Project
Chapter 19 | “Creep” – Radio Head
Chapter 20 | “Slow Ride” – Foghat
Epilogue | “Marry You” –Bruno Mars | One Year later
A BLACK FALCON CHRISTMAS BONUS SCENE | “NOEL”
With Love From Riff | Valentine’s Day Bonus Scene
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Disclaimer:
These books are intended for adult audiences due to strong language and naughty sexual situations.
Michelle A. Valentine Books
The Black Falcon Series
ROCK THE BEGINNING
ROCK THE HEART
ROCK THE BAND
ROCK MY BED
ROCK MY WORLD
ROCK THE BEAT
ROCK MY BODY
Hard Knocks Series
PHENOMENAL X
COMING SOON –XAIVER COLD
The Collectors Series
DEMON AT MY DOOR
COMING SOON—DEMON IN MY BED
NAUGHTY KING (Releases March 17th 2015)
COMING SOON—FIESTY PRINCESS
COMING SOON—DIRTY ROYALS
Wicked White Series
WICKED WHITE (Releases June 24th2015)
Rock the Heart
(Black Falcon Series, Book One)
by Michelle A. Valentine –––––––– Rock The Heart (Black Falcon 1) Playlist Faithfully – Boyce Avenue Familiar Taste of Poison – Halestorm One More Night – Maroon 5
Forever – Papa Roach You Stupid Girl – Framing Hanley Fix Me – Ten Years
The Fire – Rev Theory The One That Got Away – Katy Perry Somewhere With You – Kenny Chesney It Will Rain – Burno Mars Pick Up the Phone – Falling in Reverse Casual Sex – My Darkest Days Never Be the Same – Red Somebody That I Used To Know – Boyce Avenue Erase My Scars – Evans Blue
To my little rocker.
I’ll always be your number one fan.
Love, Mom
Chapter 1
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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.”<
br />
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.
Chapter 2
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The last chord of the song hums in my ears. I can’t believe I’m out in this blistering heat. The sun beats down on my back, and I just know my fair skin will scream at me later. But I have to be here, even if it is the last place I ever want to be—front row of my high school boyfriend’s concert. God knows where he gets the inspiration for his music.
The lead singer from the opening act, Embrace the Darkness, walks back onstage in his tight, black leather pants and ripped T-shirt. The crowd is predominantly women because my old boyfriend is a rock-sex icon. They scream even louder when the rocker grabs the microphone off the stand. Two fights broke out during the opening band’s set, so I’m a bit nervous to find out what will happen when the main act goes on, but I’m not leaving this spot. I’ve waited out here since the gates opened at noon. I want the best view possible to lay eyes on the first boy I ever really kissed.
“You guys are awesome. Thank you so much.” The singer smiles, and the rampant crowd of horny women shove one another even harder to get closer to the stage. “Are you ladies ready to drop your panties for Black Falcon?”
That gets them pumped up again. I look behind me and watch the waves of people scream. My ears ring, but I don’t want to look like a total wuss by stuffing my fingers in them in the midst of all these hard-core rocker chicks. That might get my ass kicked. The middle-aged woman behind me screams Noel’s name followed by “I love you” at least ten octaves higher than her normal voice. The woman shoves into my back, and I crunch into the iron fence in front of me.
