AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The dog starting barking randomly, like something stirred outside. Kris checked the blinds, but it was after eight and dark and he saw nothing. Then there was a knock on the door. He raced down from the studio with Jimmy Page right behind him.
It was Rainy, so small, her vibrant spirit crushed by her day at the office. He drew her in. The dog’s tail beat furiously against his leg. Kris was warmed by the fact that his beloved best friend liked the woman he hoped would be his.
“This sucks,” she said into his chest.
Her voice was muffled and hot against his body. She pulled away from him quickly; her face was bright despite a veil of tension. “But you know what?” she said excitedly. “It’s not going to last forever.”
“That’s right,” Kris nodded. “Call in sick tomorrow and come to Malibu with me. Your guys are coming. We’re going there to talk business. We’ll probably play a little bit too. Would you like that?”
She looked him straight in the eye. “You want to play or play?” she asked. He knew she was teasing him.
Kris laughed softly. “Both. You interested?”
He looked down and saw his dog sitting perfectly, like he was in on the conversation. The three of them fit well together.
“Yes, to both. Will my band play too?”
He loved that despite her dire circumstances, she was looking out after her mates. He would have done the same thing.
“Your stuff works well with our sound. I can’t promise every last tune will make it on our next album, but when we tour, so will your band. We’re a team.” He said the words like a proposal. If she got on that plane with him tomorrow, it would seal their fate.
“Grand Canyon made it clear that I’m out on my ear the first day I don’t show up. They already warned me about calling in sick.” Rainy stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. Jimmy’s tail wagged back and forth. “Thanks for being so incredibly sweet. Thanks for hosting my band. It means a lot to them. And to me,” she whispered.
“My absolute pleasure.” He looked down to his sweet dog. “Crate,” he commanded.
The dog happily went to his cage and Kris and Rainy went to his bedroom. He ran a bath for her, skimming off the heads of two of the flowers he picked for her and setting them afloat in the water.
She kissed him with passion. He forced himself to break from her, thinking she needed tender loving care before he segued into sex. In such a short time, he was head over heels for her. He reached for a pitcher to wash her hair with then his phone rang. Ordinarily he would ignore the call, but he recognized the ringtone. He had contacted the owner of the home next door and was waiting for a response.
“Take over,” he said to Rainy with a wink.
He smiled from ear to ear as he stepped away to take the call. He had a good feeling that it was going to be great news. He closed the bathroom door so Rainy couldn’t hear.
“Hi, this is Kris. How are you? It’s good to hear from you.” He looked over his shoulder to make sure the bathroom door remained closed.
When he heard “You can have the house,” he jumped for joy. The dog barked loudly in his crate.
“It’s okay boy.” He reached between the grates to pet Jimmy’s soft ears. “Daddy is just happy.” He smiled at no one but the news thrilled him. “Thank you. I’ll have my lawyers call you tomorrow.”
Kris ended the call, warmed and thrilled. He entered the bathroom to a Rainy who was confused by his commotion. He dropped to his knees, wanting to get inside of the tub with her. He wanted to hold her in his arms.
“Do you want to go to Malibu?” he asked her in his sexiest voice.
“Yeah,” she said with frustration. “I would love to, but I’m not ready to be homeless.”
“That’s not a problem anymore,” he said, dying to just blurt it out that he was going to be the new owner of the place next door.
Her eyes darted to him with wonder and surprise. She had the most beautiful face he had ever seen.
“How is that?” she asked.
“It’s my house now. Or as good as my house. Your company doesn’t have a hold on you any more. At any rate, they can’t kick you out of your space next door because the new landlord says you can stay.”
“You bought the house so I could go to Malibu.” She reached for him, cupping his head, pulling him close to her and kissing him.
“I bought the house because I can’t imagine you anywhere but with me. Crazy, I know, but dammit, Rainy I’m already in love with you. I’ll do anything to keep you.”
“You know what’s crazier? I’m in love with you too, and I’d do anything to make sure you’d want to keep me.”
