Keeley heard the ding of the doorbell and raced downstairs before her parents could answer it. Luckily, Zach was gone for the night, which meant one less person to worry about. Now all she had to do was get her father's approval. Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed her hair and straightened her clothes. Everything was going to be fine. Everything was going to be fine. She kept chanting the words as if it was her own personal mantra. Maybe if she said it enough, it would come true.

The doorbell rang again and she took a calming breath. Freaking out was not going to help the situation. She needed to remain calm and collected. With one last check of her clothes, she turned the handle and opened the door.

Her mouth went dry when she saw him. The porch light had cast an almost angelic glow on him, making him appear ethereal. His skin appeared almost translucent while his blonde hair had turned a wondrous gold. The image was stunning.

"Hey," he casually greeted, seemingly unaware of the effect he held over her. "You ready to go?"

His words brought reality crashing back. "Not yet. I have a surprise for you," she replied, feigning excitement.

Talon's eyes lit up in curiosity. He gave her body a slow perusal. "Let me guess. Red underwear?"

The comment didn't even register with her. She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts. With a forced smile she said, "Actually you get to meet my dad." Her smile slipped as she watched all the enthusiasm seep out of his eyes. Her nerves increased. "Surprise!" she added weakly.

His gaze slid down to where her fingers were nervously tapping against her leg. An inaudible sigh escaped his lips. "I think we need to work on your definition of a surprise," he glibly informed her as he entered the house.

Keeley let out the breath she was holding. "I'm sure he'll love you," she reassured him as she looped her arm through his and pulled him further into the house. Unwanted thoughts of Talon's inappropriateness popped up. "Well," she grimaced and patted his arm, "hopefully he will. Just smile and try to keep the pervert comments to a minimum. I hear fathers aren't too keen on that."

"He doesn't own a shotgun, does he?" he whispered as they walked down the hallway toward the living room.

"No. My dad doesn't believe in guns." Keeley heard his sigh of relief and couldn't help but add, "Although he does have a Taser and a can of pepper spray."

"If that was supposed to alleviate my nerves it didn't work," he muttered darkly.

"Just a friendly reminder," she said lightly as they entered the living room where her parents were waiting. Her mother sat primly on the couch while her father stood in the middle of the room with his hands planted on his hips. His expression was stern as he watched them approach. "Mom, Dad," she said as she felt Talon's body stiffen next to her, "This is Talon."

"Ma'am," he acknowledged with a nod of the head before he turned to her father. "Sir," he said solemnly, his voice considerably deeper than before. "It's nice to meet you both."

Her mom gave him a welcoming smile. "It's nice to finally meet you too, Talon. In all these years, I don't think we've ever had the chance to formally introduce ourselves. Usually we just see you across the field. I didn't even recognize you without all the football gear."

Talon's body relaxed a fraction as he let out a small chuckle. "The padding and helmets tend to change our appearances. Even my own mom has a hard time recognizing me when I'm in uniform. A few times she's cheered on the wrong player, thinking it was me."

A laugh escaped her mother's lips. "I've done that too. It's nice to know I'm not the only mother who gets confused."

During the exchange, Keeley sneaked a glance at her father. Speculation gleamed in his eyes as he studied Talon. He made no move to offer him a seat or welcome him into the home. In fact, he looked like he wanted to do quite the opposite.

"You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Brewer," Talon complimented with a charming grin. "You must put a lot of time in gardening. The flowers up front are really gorgeous."

Delight washed over her mother's face. "Thank you. I try to get outside and garden a couple days a week."

"It looks great when it's not covered in toilet paper," her father interjected. Ever so casually he crossed his arms and widened his stance. The change made him appear more formidable. "You look different when you're not covered in all black."

Talon's face blanched as the stiffness returned to his body. "S-sir, I-I can explain that."

Ignoring Talon's sputtering, her father turned to Keeley. "Kiddo, why don't you wait outside? This young man and I are going to have a little chat." He saw her open her mouth to protest so he added meaningfully, "Alone."

Her mother rose and took her hand. "Come on dear. Let's leave them alone."

She trailed after her mother but not before sending Talon a questioning glance. Not that he noticed. His eyes were firmly aimed at her father. His face was still ashen but there was a look of resolve that wasn't there a few seconds ago.

"What did Dad mean by toilet paper and black clothes?" Keeley immediately asked her mother when they were alone. "Did Talon TP our house?"

Her mother sighed and brushed a stray hair out of Keeley's face. "It was last Halloween. You were sleeping over at Nicky's and Zach was out with friends. Your father heard a noise and went to investigate. The whole front yard was covered in toilet paper. There had to have been at least twenty rolls. The guys who did it fled before your father could catch them but we always suspected they were from Crosswell."

"Why didn't Zach and I know about this?" Keeley asked. She would have noticed a yard full of toilet paper.  

Her mother's lips pursed together. "We didn't want to add fuel to the fire. Your brother would have wanted to retaliate and things were already escalating quickly. We thought it best to keep it quiet."

Keeley was silent as the meaning of her mother's words sank in. If she was reading between the lines correctly, it meant there was more to Zach and Talon's rivalry than she originally thought. She knew they bad-mouthed each other and played a little dirty during games, but she had no idea they had taken it off the field. What else had they done to each other? And how could she not have noticed?

Her expression must have betrayed her feelings because her mother answered, "Oh darling, you've always been in your own world."

"What do you mean by that?" Keeley demanded to know, suddenly feeling defensive. Zach had implied the same thing a couple of days ago.

"It's not a bad thing," her mother rushed to reassure her. "It's just that you tend to keep to yourself. You are either reading or hanging out with Nicky. You don't go out to those bonfires or parties like Zach does. You don't necessarily see all that goes on."

Keeley thought back to all the times she picked Zach up from the parties. She had seen enough. People puking and making a general fool of themselves. She had no desire to participate. If that meant being in her own little world then so be it.

She glanced at the living room, wondering what was being said. Her father obviously had his reservations about Talon. Maybe it was best if she just walked away from the situation before things got too complicated. "Do you think I should go on this date with Talon?" she asked her mom, seeking advice.

"Do you want to go on the date?"

Deep down she did. Against all logic, she was drawn to Talon. He was full of contradictions that fascinated her. He was a puzzle she was compelled to solve.

"Then go. Enjoy yourself," her mother said with a smile. "Despite the TP incident, I don't think he's a bad kid."

A few minutes later, Talon emerged from the living room with her father right at his heels. She hurried over to him, searching his face for clues as to the outcome of the talk. Subtly, he winked at her before turning to her father.

"I will have her back by 11:30 Mr. Brewer," Talon swore, shaking his hand. With a pleasant goodbye from her mother and a stern nod from her dad, they left the house and climbed into Talon's truck.

Before she could comment on what had just transpired, he started the engine and set his phone on the dashboard. A digital map was open with directions to a local park. The park was a heavily forested area with hiking trails and streams running through it. Her brows knit together in confusion. It was pitch black outside. What kind of date was he taking her on? A reenactment of The Blair Witch Project?

It wasn't until they were on the highway that he spoke. "Have you ever been geocaching?" he asked, his voice breaking the silence.

It sounded faintly familiar. A girl in her class had spoken of it once. "It's kind of like treasure hunting right?" 

"Exactly. It's an outdoor treasure hunt where you use your GPS system to navigate to a specific coordinate. That coordinate has a container in it that you have to locate. Each container holds something in it. If you take something out, you must put something in."  

Keeley nodded. It sounded pretty fun. She liked the idea of hunting for treasure like pirates. "But how are we going to do it at night?"

His face became animated as he described night geocaching. Apparently, they were driving to a specific GPS coordinate. Once they arrived, they would use flashlights to find a small trail reflector placed in a strategic area. Each reflector was in the shape of a triangle, which would point in the direction of the next reflector. All they had to do was follow the trail and they would find the container.    

Several times during his explanation she had to force herself to pay attention to his words. She was beginning to realize that Talon wasn't just handsome; he was captivating. He had a natural charisma that couldn't be taught. It was evident in the tilt of his head, the sparkle in his eyes and the unbridled passion in his voice.

"What do you think?" he asked, breaking her thoughts. "Are you up for the challenge of geocaching with me?" He sent her a boyish grin that made her stomach flutter in response.

"I'm up for anything," she responded lightly, trying to tame the feelings he evoked in her.

As he parked the truck, Keeley gazed out the window. It was so dark she could barely see the faint outline of trees and brush. How on earth were they going to find a camouflaged box? "Is this even legal?" she inquired as she noted the empty parking lot.

Talon reached in the backseat and grabbed a backpack. "Do you really think your dad would have let you go if it was illegal?"

He was right. Her father would never have allowed her to come if he didn't approve. "Speaking of which," she started, thinking of what happened at her house, "Is there anything you want to tell me? Perhaps in regard to your love of toilet paper?" 

He sent her a fleeting look before rummaging in the pack. "Not particularly."

She leaned against the car door so she could study his face. "What exactly happened between you and my brother?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Can we not talk about Zach right now?" 

"This whole rivalry is about more than just football isn't it?" she said, pursuing the topic.

Talon sighed and muttered under his breath, "Apparently we can't." He pulled out two flashlights and handed one to her. "Listen, Zach and I have a complicated history. There's no denying that. But what happens with him is separate from what happens with you, okay? I don't want him to get in the way of us."

"I don't think it's that easy. You can't just ignore one without it affecting the other. We're all connected in a weird, twisted sort of way."

"Stop over analyzing it," Talon commanded as he opened his door. "Everything will work out, baby doll. You'll see."

Keeley chose not to respond. She didn't have the same kind of conviction he did. Things were bound to get messy if they continued their relationship.

"Let's make this a little more interesting," he said as they started walking toward the large wooded area. "How about a game of Truth or Dare? The first person to spot a marker gets to pose the question."

Intrigued, Keeley agreed. This was the perfect way to get to know him better. She turned on her flashlight and began searching. It took several minutes before she spotted it. It was a small, orange reflector attached to a low branch. The marker pointed them west, paralleling a small stream. 

As they fell in step with each other she shot him a sassy grin. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," he answered, surprising her. She would have pegged him as a more "dare" type of guy.

"Why do you go by two names?" The question had been burning in her mind since she found out his real identity.

"Well, there are four people named James Talon in my family. It can get confusing when we all get together, so we have nicknames. My great grandfather was James, my grandfather went by Junior and my father goes by Jimmy. The first time my grandfather held me, he jokingly called me Talon. For some reason, the name stuck and that's what everyone started calling me."

"So where does JT come in?"

"When my grandfather died three years ago we were in Texas. But right after his funeral, my father got a job transfer."

"To here, right?" she asked, sidestepping a large rock.

Talon nodded. "It was the summer before my freshman year. I-I..." He ran a hand through his short blonde hair. "I can't believe I'm even saying this," he murmured to himself. He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "I had a hard time....dealing with his death. Every time someone called me Talon I cringed. My name was a constant reminder that he was never coming back. I hated it. "

She sent him a sideways glance. "So, you decided to change your name to JT?"

He pulled a branch out their path and let her proceed. "I figured moving here was a fresh start. I could change my name and no one would be the wiser."

"What about your parents? Do they call you JT or Talon?"

"JT. Originally, they hated it. They thought I was dishonoring my grandfather's memory by switching my name. It took them a long time, but they finally gave in." He let out a low chuckle. "My mom was really surprised when you talked to her and called me Talon."

Another question popped in her mind. "If it bothers you so much, why do you insist I call you Talon instead of JT?"

His gaze met hers and the impact felt like a kick to the chest. His stare was so intense it hurt. "Because you're special," he stated softly. He reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. He rushed off to find the next marker, but not before she saw a slight patch of pink on his cheeks.  

Warmth spread through her. Out of everyone in his life, she was the only one allowed to call him Talon. The thought thrilled and humbled her.

"Baby doll," he beckoned, gaining her attention, "over here." He pointed to a large tree with an orange reflector wedged between the roots. They followed the arrow and turned north toward the rocky hills. 

As they continued walking she eyed the landscape apprehensively. There were large boulders and rocks everywhere. Some of them were precariously stacked on top of each other. "Are you sure this is safe?"

Casually, he dropped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. "I'll protect you," he promised with a sly smile curved on his lips.

Her eyes narrowed. "Is this part of your plan? Get the girl scared so you can cozy up to her?" she asked suspiciously even as her arm wound around his waist.

"It works doesn't it?" he replied smugly, tightening his grip on her. "And since I found the marker it's my turn. Truth or dare Keeley?"

Without hesitation she answered, "Truth."

"You're no fun," he pouted in protest. "Are you sure you don't want to change your answer to dare?" 

She sent him a dirty glare. Knowing him, he'd probably have her strip or something. "I think I'll stick with the safer option."

"I'm not that bad," he sulked. At her knowing look, he huffed and relented. "Fine. I want to know why you've only had one boyfriend. You're cute and fun to be around when you're not being so difficult. So what gives?"

 She bit the inside of her cheek, knowing he wouldn't like her answer. "All through high school I've had a crush on Brent." She shrugged her shoulders. "No one else really caught my attention."

"So then why did you go out with that guy?" he asked, a sharp edge to his voice.

Her nose scrunched as she thought about it. "Dillon was the first guy to take my mind off Brent. When we flirted, I forgot all about my crush on him."

Talon's fingers dug into her shoulder. "Did you really like him that much?"

"I did at the time," she admitted. She looked up when she heard a soft grunt from Talon. The tightness around his eyes and lips were the only signs of his displeasure. Internally, she smiled. He was rather cute when he was trying to hold back his jealousy.

"Is there anyone else I should know about?" he asked gruffly.

"No. Just those two." She snuggled closer to him, silently offering him assurance that her feelings for Brent and Dillon were gone. Her heart skipped a beat when he leaned down to place a kiss on her temple. His mouth was so close that she could smell the distinct scent of sugar and marshmallow on his breath. All she had to do was lift her head a little and they would be kissing. She wetted her lips and slowly lifted—

"Look! There's another marker," he stated excitedly, dropping his arm and hurrying to the rock formation in front of them.

Her jaw dropped in disbelief. Seriously? Was the boy blind? Did he not notice what she was offering?

"Come on, baby doll," he called out to her, motioning for her to hurry.

She huffed as she followed him up a small hill. He seemed more excited about finding this container than kissing her. She must have been walking too slowly for him, because he snatched her hand and hurried her along.

They trekked up another hill that gave way to a beautiful meadow. Unfortunately there was no marker, so they kept hiking, finding themselves passing a gorgeous lake and waterfall. They continued walking till Talon spotted the fourth marker off to their right. It was at the entrance of a large cave.

"Oh no," she protested when she realized where the arrow was pointing. "I am not going in there. No way. No how. There could be mountain lions in that thing."  

"There are no mountain lions in this area," he said, trying to mollify her.

"That no one knows of!" She eyed the dark cave with trepidation. What else lived in caves? Tigers? Bears? Cougars?

Not taking the time to reply, Talon bent down and slid an arm under her knees and back. Straightening, he lifted her off the ground and began carrying her to the mouth of the cave.

"Talon," she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck in fear of being dropped. "Put me down this instant."

"Keeley, if you don't stop shouting in my ear I will find a very creative way to occupy your mouth," he declared, amusement evident in his tone.

She huffed in indignation. Sure, now he wanted to kiss her. Well, too bad. The time had come and gone. A squeal left her lips as they entered the cave. She buried her head in the hollow of his neck, afraid of what she might see.

"Boo," he said suddenly in her ear, making her scream. He erupted in laughter as she pounded his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he choked out as he tried to contain his merriment. "I couldn't help myself. You are just too cute."

"Put me down," she sniffed, brushing the hair out of her face.  

He tightened his hold and kept walking further into the cave. "Shine a light for me," he said as the moonlight disappeared and they were encompassed in utter darkness.

She turned her flashlight on and aimed it where he was walking. A flash of orange near the ground caught her attention. Was that the final marker? "Talon, I think I found it," she claimed, anticipation mounting. Her fear of the cave was forgotten as her focus narrowed in on the arrow. She tugged on his shirt and instantly he set her back on her feet.

Keeley hurried over to the marker and knelt down. There were five or six large rocks piled together right below the arrow. Carefully, she moved the rocks one by one. At the bottom of the pile was a dark brown box covered in dirt. She brushed it clean and handed it to Talon, who was kneeling beside her.

He set it on the ground between them. "You open it," he said with slight grin.

Keeley bit her lip in anticipation and lifted the lid. Her eyes widened in surprise at what she saw. Nestled inside was a thirty-dollar gift card to a local bookstore. Speechless, she glanced up at him. He had paid her back. And he had done it in the most thoughtful way possible. The realization that he had hiked up to the cave before the date made her heart catch in her throat. He had pre-planned the whole thing. She swallowed hard as she struggled to find her voice.

"You know I never collected on two markers," Talon commented. The smell of woods and sugar enveloped her as he shifted closer, invading her space. "Truth or dare?" he challenged, his eyes fixated on her lips. Every cell in her body came alive as she realized what he was asking.

When she didn't answer, he leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. "Baby doll," he whispered and took a deep breath as if committing her smell to memory. Her lips parted in surprise as he placed a soft kiss against her neck. "Truth or dare," he repeated huskily, his voice thickening with desire.

Her pulse raced as he slowly moved up her neck, his nose brushing against her skin. Unconsciously, she angled her head to the side to give him better access. A shiver ran down her spine as he kissed the delicate underside of her jaw. His lips were so warm and soft. Her eyes closed as he kissed her again, getting lost in the sensation of his mouth on her skin.

Her eyes fluttered open when he pulled back slightly, losing the warmth of his body. His breathing was labored as he looked at her through half-mast lids. "Keeley?" he groaned, waiting for her answer to the unspoken question that lay between them.   

With deliberate movements, her hand slid up his chest and wrapped around his neck. She felt a sense of female satisfaction when his pulse jumped at her touch. He wanted her just as much she did. As she drew his mouth down to hers, she whispered, "Dare."

A second later his lips crashed with hers. It was a hard, demanding kiss—nothing soft or gentle about it. Their lips moved back and forth, each trying to consume the other. There was no finesse, no coaxing. This kiss was based on pure instinct. She gasped as he wound his arms around her waist and hauled her closer to him. Instantly she melted against his chest, reveling in the feeling of his hard body plastered against hers.

Pleasure shot through her as he gasped her name and suddenly she couldn't get enough of him. She wanted more. No, she needed more. Without thought, she tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled, forcing his head back and his mouth to open. A harsh moan reverberated in the air as her tongue touched his. This was what she craved. The feeling of him. The closeness that came with kissing.

As their tongues danced in a rhythm all their own, she lost sense of time and propriety. She was drowning and she had no desire to resurface. In that moment, there was just the two of them—Talon and Keeley.

And it was perfect.

Slowly, their kisses started to turn sweet and soft, instead of frantic and wild. Both of them trying to regain their breath but not willing to part completely. How foolish she was to think she could walk away from this boy. There was no escaping now. That kiss had branded her soul and left her wanting more.

*****

A/N I hope you enjoyed their first kiss...well, kisses. I mean come on, who could just kiss Talon once right? ;) I don't know if many of you have heard of geocaching, but it's a real thing. I've done it quite a few times with friends and have really enjoyed it. I've found everything from a sticker to a jar with a hundred dollars in it. If you are ever interested, there's a geocaching website that will give you all the information you need. Happy hunting ;)

Thank you for reading my story and please don't forget to vote and comment. Much love to all of you!