Rock Hard: Rock Star, #2

Chapter 1

Emma

D amn it !

Emma Faune attempted to grab the dog leash before it slipped out of her hand. The leather strap fell through her fingers and landed on the ground. Before she could reach down and take it, the dog jolted further into the park.

Winston, you come back here right now.

The chocolate and white Basset Hound ignored her, reveling in his freedom. He tore through the recently cut grass ducking and weaving around trees and shrubs.

For a small dog, he was unusually fast and Emma had to pick up the pace if she was going to catch him.

She grumbled under her breath. Sure the dog was cute, but was it worth so much trouble? She started to reconsider taking on the job to walk him, especially now she wouldn’t need the extra money.

The design job she’d landed was forefront in her mind as she gave chase. Designing the cover for the band’s new album would open doors and maybe even impress the gallery director.

She’d listened to their latest song to make sure she got a feel for what type of music they played and had to admit they were decent, even if they weren’t the style she usually listened to.

And even though album covers weren’t the art she wanted to create, when you’re new to a city, the last thing you did was knock back lucrative work. Especially well paying ones.

One day her own paintings would show in a fancy gallery with pristine white walls and floors so gleaming you could see your reflection in them. But since that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon she had to live in reality.

Winston slowed, stopping to sniff the grass surrounding a large oak tree. His ears shot up when a child on a nearby swing set laughed. The dog had forgotten about her.

Emma used that to her advantage and slowed her movements as she approached so she wouldn’t startle him. If she could grab the leash before he knew she was there, she would get back control. She couldn’t afford to get Winston back late to his owner today of all days.

It would make her late for her meeting with the manager of the band, which would make her look like a complete hot mess for her first paid artistic endeavor. Not the image she wanted to portray.

She took a step forward and bent down, her hand outstretched. The leach was only inches from her fingertips. As long as the dog didn’t notice her she would have him.

Why don’t you call it? A deep voice startled both her and the dog. Winston took off again.

She turned quickly to see what idiot just ruined her chance at getting Winston back.

The man standing in front of her was tall with tattooed arms. His hair was short, dark and spiked. His jaw stubbled. He was good looking in a cocky, know-it, kind of way. Sure of himself. Annoyingly so.

He was wearing a black t-shirt too small for his large frame and the tight fabric stretched over his skin making every muscle visible. The way he looked at her was unnerving like he could see inside her head and know what she was thinking.

What she was thinking was that he was an arrogant jerk.

Yet a rush of electricity jolted through her body settling right between her thighs. What the hell? She never got that reaction from the mere sight of someone before. Especially not someone who was obviously full of himself.

What did you do that for? She glared at him, before looking away for where Winston had run off to.

Your dog isn’t very obedient if he won’t come when you call. Maybe he needs training.

He’s not my dog. And now I have to go and catch him again, thank you very much. Why don’t you mind your own business next time?

Is he your boyfriend’s dog? Or your husband’s? Or maybe I just got lucky and you’re single.

Emma nearly choked at his arrogance. Was he serious? Emma spun back to black t-shirt guy. Are you actually enquiring about my single status? Right here, after you just lost my dog. She almost laughed at how ludicrously overconfident this jerk was.

You said it wasn’t your dog.

It’s not. I don’t own the dog, I just walk it.

So you’re a dog walker?

She shook her head. She wasn’t a dog walker - she was an artist. She was just doing this job so she could afford useful things, like, you know, food and shelter. She was about to explain this to the brute when she realized it was none of his business. The last thing she needed right now was to have a conversation with a complete moron when she was running late, even if he was exceptionally handsome in a rugged not-her-type kind of way. Look, I just need to get the dog back, okay?

I’ll help you.

Black t-shirt guy placed his hand on her arm and immediately a rush of warmth tingled through her. What on earth was wrong with her?

No thank you, there’s no need, I can do it myself.

Obviously. He looked her up and down. Skirts are the perfect outfit for dog wrangling.

I’m wearing this skirt because I have a … She stopped. She didn’t need to explain to him why she was dressed this way. It was none of his business. She folded her arms over her chest.

He grinned and walked ahead in Winston’s direction, whistling and patting his hands against his faded jeans. Jeans that were wrapped around that ass far too tight to be comfortable.

Not that she was looking at his ass. Okay, she totally was. She groaned. She needed to get one of those vibrating toys since she was clearly hard up if she was staring at stranger’s asses in the park during the day. It wasn’t like her.

Winston stopped again and squatted near a dry patch of grass. Oh great. She picked up the pace. Not there. Damn dog.

After Winston had finished his business he cheerfully bounded over to black t-shirt guy to greet him.

Emma frowned. She pulled a plastic baggy out of her pocket and picked up the mess, crinkling her nose in the process. At least now the guy wouldn’t attempt to find out her availability after this. Collecting dog poop wasn’t on the high list of desirable qualities guys looked for in a girl. She disposed of the bag in a nearby bin and wiped her hands with her antiseptic wipes careful not to get any marks on her clothes.

Winston proceeded to jump over black t-shirt guy and dirty his jeans with paw prints.

Sorry about your jeans, she said.

Nah, it’s cool. I’ve got a spare in the truck.

Okay, well if you can give me the leash back now, I’ll be on my way.

I don’t get a reward for helping you get the dog back?

A reward? You think I have money to give you? She laughed and shook her head. Clearly, since I walk dogs as a job, I don’t have any to give away. Not that this guy looked like he was hard up for money.

A kiss then.

You can’t be serious.

Black t-shirt winked at her. Next time.

He turned his back to her and casually walked away, not once looking over his shoulder to see if she was still watching him. Which she was. Winston tugged on the leash, eager to get moving again, but all Emma could do is stare at black t-shirt guys back, her mouth agape at his gall.

Next time? Next time! Who the hell did he think he was? There most certainly wasn’t going to be a next time as she’d probably never see him again. Definitely, if she avoided the park from now on. There were other parks she could walk Winston at. None only two blocks from her house though.

Winston barked jolting her back to reality. She glanced down at her phone and saw the time. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late for the meeting.

Come on dog, let’s get you home. She pulled on the leash and Winston trotted beside her obediently. Oh, so now you listen to what I say?

Chapter 2

Joey

Joey Turner pulled his truck into the parking space at the recording studio. His band, The Soft Burns, weren’t recording today, but it was on the way and he knew that Monty Keller, his manager, was there. Monty was meeting with a new artist they’d hired to do the cover for the album which was due to the printer in two weeks .

Monty had seen her work online and thought it had a cool edge to it, so hired her without even checking if she did that kind of work. He was always doing things like that. Monty had a gut instinct for that stuff. He could tell if something or someone was going to work just by looking at them. It was the reason the guys in the band worked so well together. That was Monty’s doing.

That’s not to say there hadn’t been times when things in the band got messy. Like last year when the lead singer, Stark Stone, got an ego way too big for his tight leather pants and nearly ruined the whole gig for everyone. He’d met someone and was thinking of leaving the band. Big mistake. Joey would never choose a woman over the guys. Thank god Stark had realized what was important.

And Joey had to admit that Stark’s girlfriend, Lauren Miller, was the best thing ever to happen to him even if he didn’t think it the time.

Not that he’d ever let a woman make him go crazy like that. Joey’s first priority was the band. Women came second. Always.

His thoughts returned to the park and the cute blonde with the hound. The way her ponytail swayed as she walked. Her ass in that tight skirt. Totally the wrong outfit for dog walking, but considering how damn hot she was, he’d forgive her for that mistake.

And those soft pink lips and sassy mouth. She gave him a spark he hadn’t felt in a long time. The fact that he couldn’t get her out of his head was bugging him. He had to see her again.

Interestingly, she clearly didn’t know who he was and that hadn’t happened in a long time. Maybe that was it. Even though women usually threw themselves at Stark first, he was able to get his fair share of girls too. It wasn’t his looks, it was because he was in The Soft Burns. He knew that and took full advantage of it. Any guy would. Just the mention of being in the band and women would get wet and throw themselves at them. It was a weird unreal life. Sometimes he forgot about that.

Still, he hadn’t been with anyone for over six months now. The groupies didn’t hold the same appeal as they once did. Seeing the other guys start to settle down made Joey uncomfortable.

Even his best friend, Leo, who played both bass and keyboards, wasn’t interested in picking up women anymore. Maybe they were getting old. Or wise. Nah, that wasn’t it.

Joey considered how often the blonde would walk the dog at the park. Maybe he’d make a brief appearance tomorrow to catch her. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do now that they were on a break. They weren’t due back in the recording studio for a month, well after the album came out. A bit of publicity sure, but it was mainly Stark that the vultures wanted, not him.

He opened the door to the studio and walked in. Monty was deep in thought, studying sheets of paper with artwork printed on them. They must be the ones the artist had done.

Hey Mont, what’s up? Joey didn’t wait for an answer, nor did he expect one.

He walked over to the kitchen and headed to the coffee machine, flicked the switch and placed a mug underneath.

While he waited, he walked back to see what the pictures looked like. Any good? asked Joey.

I like the mood in this one. Monty showed him the printout. There were deep blues and dark greens of a lush forest. He could almost smell the moss covered oak and dirt looking at it. It was dark and mysterious and sexy all at the same time. She’s good, isn’t she?

A chick. He hadn’t known that. Yeah, talented. Has she already been?

Not yet. I expected her about ten minutes ago. He walked over to the counter. This. I want the same feel, but with a sexier edge.

So you want forests and sex. He chuckled. She’s going to love that brief. The coffee machine beeped indicating his mug was filled. He walked over, added two sugars and bought the warm liquid to his lips. It was hot enough to burn his tongue and exactly the way he liked it. Hot and sweet. He took another sip, savoring the warmth as it slid down his throat and warmed his body then returned to Monty.

Not forests obviously, just the mood. So how come you’re here? asked Monty. I wasn’t expecting you all until later this week.

I was nearby, thought I’d drop in and see what’s up. I’m single. I can do that whenever I want.

Monty nodded with a knowing smile. A car pulled up outside. Looks like she’s here. You want to stay and meet her? asked Monty.

Nah, I’m good, I’ll finish the coffee and get going so I don’t disturb the meeting.

Joey walked back to the kitchen so he could finish his coffee in peace. He heard the woman come in, but couldn’t hear the conversation. Not that he cared. Monty would have this covered and it was just a quick meeting. More a preliminary greet to go over the brief.

When he walked back out, ready to leave, he immediately stopped.

The woman from the park was standing next to Monty. She was wearing the same top and tight skirt that she had on earlier but had added heels instead of the flats. She’d also applied a touch of makeup, including a pink gloss that made her lips look damn kissable.

Once he got over the shock of seeing her here, he grinned and sauntered over to her. So, couldn’t keep away from me, huh? You must be here to give me my reward. A kiss, wasn’t it?

She looked up and her gorgeous blue eyes widened in surprise. What? What are you doing here? She was clearly shaken by seeing him.

He chuckled. I could ask you the same question.

She narrowed her eyes. Is this a trick? She looked at