The Claiming of Callan
October 17, 2014
326 Pages
The Claiming of Callan

Standalone Novel

Blurb

I was told you only get one shot at life, love and the American dream. But, no one warned me that one shot could end it all…

One shot at life.

At a young age, I was groomed to be the kind of quarterback that would win trophies and rings. It was my father’s dream, that one day I would be drafted into the NFL, and I was determined to be the son he always wanted me to be.

One shot at love.

Then along came Callan Avery. My new next door neighbor and the girl I fell in love with at fifteen. Five years of passion and pleasure so intense, we begin and end together. It would have taken an unimaginable travesty to tear us apart, and that’s exactly what fate had in store for us.

One shot… that would change everything.

It was on a dark and winding road, that a simple mistake shattered the perfect existence I was working so hard to create. Dreams destroyed. Hopes squashed. Lives ruined. Tail-spinning into a self-destructive pit of despair, I pushed away everything and everyone I cared for.

Now, I’m desperate to claw my way out of the darkness and reunite with the woman who owns my heart. Is a second-chance possible? Or will my last chance at happiness be crushed under the weight of my guilt-ridden obligations?

Teasers and Excerpts

Excerpts

When I walk back into the bar the scent of lavendar smacks me in the face. It reminds me so much of Callan that my heart squeezes inside my chest. Which automatically causes the palm of my hand to rub across the sudden ache. But it’s when I hear that sultry laugh above the drone of conversation that has me gasping for air. Glancing up I see Liam walking out the door with his hands splayed around a honey colored blonde.

Oh hell to the f—ing no!

I’m oblivious to everyone around me as I go sprinting across the room. Someone grabs my arm as I try jerking away causing them to hold on tighter. Turning around I come face to face with Uncle Carl and his mouth’s moving but I don’t hear a word he’s saying. “Callan’s leaving, let me go!” I scream as he loosens his hold. When I go barreling through the front doors the only sign of her is the billowing white plume of exhaust from Liam’s disappearing Lexus.

I can’t help screaming, “F–k, F–k, F–k.” as I stand in the middle of the road. Closing my eyes I take a few deep breaths before scrubbing my hands over my day old stubble. I feel the rush of air as cars speed by me while honking their horns and yelling out profanities. Then suddenly I hear the squeal of tires, causing me to tense up as someone swerves to avoid me. That’s when I see the blue lights flashing through my tightly closed lids, Shit!

When I open my eyes I see two of New York’s finest ambling their way towards me. “What are you doing in the road, Logan? Did you tip too many back while bartending tonight?” They’re both smiling but I know they don’t find it amusing.

“Unfortunately, I’m as sober as you guy’s.” I look both ways before crossing the street. Once I’m safely on the sidewalk I say, “I’m sorry you wasted the taxpayer’s money, but everything’s fine.”

“Someone called 911 reporting some tattooed hoodlum obstructing traffic. I knew it was you the minute they described your tats. So you want to tell us why you were standing in the middle of the road so we can file our report.” Gregg crosses his arms and pretends like he’s pissed. He’s actually Blake’s big brother so I’ve known him like forever.

“I thought I saw a woman being forced into a car against her will. It turns out she went willingly so it’s not my fault she’s attracted to assholes.” I can’t help grinning because it’s not far from the truth…

He’s relentless and I’m so not in the mood for this conversation tonight. “The last place you should go is to some stupid party. You don’t need to hang out with those losers, Logan. They will just drag you down and you’ll lose everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

Once my father digs in his heels, he’s like a pit bull. He will never let go. “Dad, I promised Callan we would do something tonight. We haven’t been out on a real date in months.” Shit. Now I’m thinking that was the wrong thing to say by the way he’s scowling at me. I should have just shut my f–king mouth and walked away.

His face turns crimson as he points his finger at me. “You know what you are? An ungrateful bastard. I’ve given up my life for you, so you could be the best quaterback, ever! Don’t throw your NFL career away for a girl, a party or just to get laid. Grow up, Logan!”

I’m not going to stand here and listen to his bullshit for one more second. When I try to go around him, he grabs my arm. “Dad, let me go. I’m over eighteen and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. Callan and I are going to the party with or without your damn permission.” His fist connects with my jaw before I even see it coming. I’m splayed out on the lawn for the whole world to see. Well actually, the only person who’s watching is Mr. Avery. My dad’s best friend and Callan’s father.

Placing my hands firmly on the ground I try pushing myself upright as his fist connects for a second time. “F–k! What the hell is your problem?” I scream.

With every word that spews out of his mouth, he jabs his finger into my chest for emphasis. “Tell Callan, she’ll have to find another date for tonight because you have practice at five in the morning. Got it?” His voice stays calm as anger consumes me. The next thing I remember is Mr. Avery pulling me off of my father.

“Logan, that’s enough! Using your hands in anger is no way to solve this argument. Walk away.” What? The f–ker hit me first…

My eyes lock on hers as I slide her blouse up and over her head and send it fluttering to the floor. Her chest heaves with every breath she takes as she stands in front of me; reminding me of the beautiful sixteen year old girl I once knew.

I slide my fingers underneath her straps so they can slither down her arms before circling my arms around her to unclasp her bra. She sucks in a breath as I run my hands gently up and down her arms until her bra falls to the floor. With trembling hands I unzip her skirt which slithers down over her perfect hips before pooling at her feet. When she bites her bottom lip as she gazes up at me, my heart flutters. And when I hook my thumbs inside the waistband of her panties, she tips her head back and closes her eyes. She’s naked, vulnerable and so f–king beautiful. I pick her up by the waist and sit her on the edge of the bar as her panties tumble to the floor. Callan is my drink of choice, all that I crave and my only addiction.

Her eyes follow my every move as I walk over to the counter, grab my iPod and slide it into the dock. When I find what I’m looking for, I press play. As I turn around, ‘Lifehouse’ fills the room and a smile spreads across her gorgeous face. When I try taking off my shirt, she shakes her head and crooks her finger at me. My heart thuds inside my chest as I take in her perfect breasts as I amble over to stand in front of her. With her eyes locked on mine she grabs the hem of my shirt and tugs it over my head. Her eyes scan over every inch of my torso as her hands reach out to caress me. She traces every tattoo with her fingertips as my body trembles beneath her touch. Once she’s finished, her lips replace what her hands just memorized. My hands immediately tangle in her hair as she places a kiss on every tattoo that’s etched upon my skin. She gasps as she spins me around and see’s what’s carved between my shoulder blades The words are written in Gaelic, so she has no clue what they truly mean. And after tonight she never will..

After leaving tender kisses against the flesh of my back she reaches around my hips to unbutton my jeans. Possession clutches at my chest and crawls underneath my skin. The dark and twisted part of me want’s to take what’s always been mine. But if she truly belongs to Liam, then I’m crossing a line. However, Callan’s always been there when I’ve needed to forget, and I desperately need to get lost inside of her. If only for tonight.

When she tries sliding down my zipper, I catch her wrists with my hands and turn around to face her. Looking into her fearful eyes I ask, “Will you be satisfied with just one night, Callan?” When she nods, I feel like my heart has been torn from my chest and laid bloody at my feet. I sure as hell want so much more now that she’s here with me.

If someone had told me a year ago that all I would be to the woman I love was a hook-up, a one-night stand or a f–k buddy, I would have ripped them apart with my bare hands. So with a smoldering stare and a heavy heart I unzip my jeans. Slide them and my boxers down around my ankles and step out of them before gazing up into her big brown eyes.

Damn, if she doesn’t lick her lips before scrutinizing me from head to toe. “You still want me, Logan,” she whispers.

Cupping her face I breathe against her lips, “I will always want you, Callan.” Until the day I die. And it breaks my heart that she doesn’t feel the same about me anymore…

Logan doesn’t lay me down. Oh no. He sets me on my feet against the edge of the bed. His smoldering gaze locks on mine as he folds his arms across his chest. “Take off your clothes for me, Callan.”

It’s a simple request. In fact, I’ve done it a million times. But there’s something behind those cobalt eyes that has me shivering. Normally, we’re a tangled mess as we rip each other’s clothes off. Not tonight. Logan wants me to strip for him and suddenly I’m nervous.

I swallow down hard as I watch him tap his bottom lip with his index finger. His patience is wearing thin. When he takes a step toward me, I quickly reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head. Dropping it at my feet. Next, I slide my pants down to my ankles and step out of them. I’m now naked, with the exception of my bra. I decided to go commando today because I thought he’d pull down my pants and take me up against the wall when he first arrived. I was hoping…

“I’m waiting, Callan.” He firmly states.

My heart speeds up as I reach around to unclasp my bra. By the time it hits the floor he’s looming over me. I don’t dare make eye contact with him. So, I count the slats in the hardwood floor until he makes the first move. But, I desperately crave his touch. Every part of me aches for it. My nipples tighten at the thought. When his rough hands land on my hips, I meet his gaze.

“Baby, you are so f–king beautiful.” When he glides his thumb over my bottom lip, I’m consumed with need. I nip it with my teeth before sucking it into my mouth. I so want it to be another part of his anatomy. Logan growls as he yanks his thumb from my mouth with a loud pop.

He tugs my hair just enough for me to tilt my head. “Now that you’ve had your fun, it’s time I have mine….

I hope you enjoyed the Wednesday teasers. I thought it only fair for Callan to have the last word. The rest of the scene is much too steamy to write down on a blog post. Trust me, you’ll just have to wait until the book comes out… Don’t forget to check out my website every month for updates. As soon as I can I will reveal the cover and title of the book as well as giveaways.

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