The Rock Star Next Door, a Modern Fairytale by Lily Silver Read Free Book Online Page B

to go. I have company.” Lex hung up the phon e and went to the glass patio door to gre et Jessie and her dogs.
    “S orry I’m late.” She smiled shyly. “Too much champagne. I overslept.”
    “I thought maybe you forgot .” Or were scared off.   Lex fingered the small ring in his ear, turning it around as he drank in the sight of her, fresh and unpreten tious in an oversized Brewers T-Shirt and baggy cargo pants. Casual. Perfect. H er glorious hair was swe pt up in a neat ponytail. “W ho is this?” He bent to pet the dogs as their leashes wound about both their legs. 
    “ Ozzy , down.” Jessie snapped as the little pug jumped up to his knees to lick his face at the slightest inking of attention. “Sorry, this is Jack’s dog, Ozzy . And this--oh--no-- Duncan . Stop that . ” She yanked the chain but not before the Scottie lifted his leg and let loose a golden stream on Lex’s pant leg and his foot.  
    Lex stood from his crouched position with a grimace.
    “I’m sorry . He’s never do ne that before.” Jessie smirked. Her cheeks grew pink as she restrained the obvious laughter bubbling up in her eyes.
    “I’l l just change into something else .”  Lex smiled, backing inside to make his escape. After rinsing his leg in the bathtub, he donned a pair of denim shorts and flip-flops , intending to suggest a walk with the dogs before inviting them into his home. 
    Just the mention of the word walk transformed the lethal black urninator into a whirling dervish. He cocked an eyebrow at the silly little dog dancing in circles and jumping two feet off the patio as if he had springs on his feet.
    “It’s the magic word.” Jessie explained. “We don’t dare say it, unless we intend to carry it out. Right Duncan ?   Go for a walk ?”  She laughed as Duncan’s efforts became that much more pronounced; he added barking to the sideshow while his companion, Ozzy , emitted a string of pathetic groans, wiggling with delightful anticipation.
    Jessie’s amused smile lifted from her pets to grace Lex. An incredible warmth swept through him as he silently smiled back at h is beauty. She was beautiful , possessing that classic girl next-door innoce nce with no make-up and no glamour this morning.
    “Would you mind taking one of them?” She lifted the leashes in each hand.
    Lex arched a brow at the small black terrier who had christened his leg. “Which one should I take?  I’m without armor, wearing shorts.”
    Jessie gave him a repentant look. “I’m so sorry. R eally, he’s never done that before. Well, not to a person, anyway. Take Ozzy . He’s harmless .”
    Lex nodded, his face scrunched up with regret.
    As they meandered down the beach, conversation lagged. Duncan pulled her away from Lex time and again, chasing birds, and the waves, barking happily and stopping every other rock or pile of seaweed to lift his leg. 
    Ozzy , on the other ha nd, huffed and puffed beside Lex like a little locomotive. Whenever Lex would pause to wait for Jessie and Duncan to return to them, the squat little dog would sit down, wheezing and puffing, his to ngue hanging down to his chest. The dog would look up at Lex every time they stopped with his clown face as if to say ‘aren’t we done yet? ’  Lex couldn’t help but smile at the ridiculous creature. The dog was  ugly with bulging brown eyes, a deep wrinkled brow and a nose so pushed in it made him look as if he’d run into a brick wall.
    He reached down to pet the beastie while Jessie let Duncan mark yet another s tone a few yards behind them. The little pug lunged at him, licking his hand and then his bare shins with gratitude.
    “Car eful, he’ll lick your skin off.” Jessie returned from their jaunt. “He’s Jack’s little brat. I’m surprised he hasn’t pu lled the usual and made you carry him.”
    “The usual?” Lex repeated.
    “When he gets tired of walking beside you , he’ll just sit down so you’re dragging him, the little pud ge