Slade (Joanna Blake Singles) Read online

  Slade

  The Rockstar Next Door

  Joanna Blake

  Copyright © 2017 by Joanna Blake

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  For my girls.

  Contents

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  Slade

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Six Months Later

  TOC Instructions

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Cuffed Excerpt

  Cockpit Excerpt

  Go Long Excerpt

  Grind Excerpt

  Bro’ Excerpt

  A Bad Boy For Summer Excerpt

  TOC Instructions

  Newsletter Signup

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  Xoxox,

  Joanna

  This is a rewritten and expanded version of my novella originally titled The Rock Star Next Door. It is from my stand alone series of short books Joanna Blake Singles, all with a Happy Ever After (or at least a Happy For Now) guaranteed!

  Enjoy!

  Xoxox,

  Joanna

  Slade

  I may have sworn off groupies, but a man has needs. My surly next door neighbor is the first woman to get me going in years. Too bad she’s playing hard to get.

  JENNY

  I’ve been hurt before. The safest thing to do is to hole up with my dog Basil in my grandmothers little cottage by the sea and bake my heart out.

  When the obnoxious, mega-rich rock star starts building his house next door, I hate him on sight. For some perverse reason, Slade Kinney keeps trying to charm his way into my pants.

  Sorry honey, that’s never going to happen.

  SLATE

  I’m worshipped by millions. They scream my name and offer me anything I want. But I turn them all down. Until I meet her.

  Jenny has her cute little sugar coated fingers wrapped around my heart. If I have to lower my guard completely to get her, I will.

  This book was previously released under a different title. It has been extensively rewritten and expanded.

  Enjoy!

  Xoxox,

  Joanna

  Prologue

  Slade

  “Hey baby.”

  I barely glanced at the girl standing in the doorway, barely covered in a micro mini and corset. I got a vague impression of long blond hair and spikey high heels.

  The dressing room was off limits. Invite only.

  Especially for groupies.

  “Not now.”

  She pouted. I didn’t know her. As far as I knew anyway.

  But I was never rude to women, even ones that didn’t respect themselves. She looked like she was out of her element. Maybe even high.

  I shook my head. It never ended. Rock had started off so exciting. I loved playing. I used to love the lifestyle.

  But now I was sickened by the cheapness of it all. I had sworm off groupies almost a year ago. I just didn’t have the taste for it anymore.

  And I wasn’t a cradle robber regardless.

  “You want me to come back later?”

  I sighed. I was tired. And the girl looked too young to be there. Lately I’d lost the desire for meaningless flings.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Sweetie, I think you are way too young to be here.”

  “Everything okay?”

  Bruiser stood in the door behind her. He’d been with me forever. There was no one better at security. He kept everyone out, except cute chicks.

  But that was more for the band than me.

  Everyone knew I was over it.

  “Bruiser, can you get her a ride home please. And give her a gift basket.” I glanced at her dazed expression again. “Make sure she’s okay. Give her some water, too.”

  “You got it boss.”

  He led the girl off and I sighed, staring into the mirror. Even without the after parties, I was toasted. Crunchy really.

  I couldn’t wait to get away from it all.

  I knew just where to go, too. I’d just bought a plot of land in a quiet, seaside village on Long Island.

  Peace and quiet. Just what the doctor ordered. Just one last sold out arena gig before I could get some me time. For once in my life, the entourage was not invited. I was going to unplug and unwind.

  I rolled my shoulders and headed out to the stage.

  Showtime.

  Chapter 1

  Jenny

  BANG BANG BANG BANG

  Rattatat rattatat ratttat tat

  I pulled the covers over my head. Then I added a pillow, hoping that it would stop the incessant banging.

  Nope.

  Nothing I’d tried yet could block out the sound of the construction workers next door. Ear plugs. White noise machines. Sound canceling headphones.

  They'd been building an enormous beach house next door for the past three months. With each nail, a little piece of my soul was getting smashed to pieces.

  I lived in my Meemaw's house by the bay on the North Fork of Long Island. My grandmother had willed it to me, knowing that as a young chef, I would need a home after culinary school.

  For the past two years, I had lived here full time, inspirited daily by my beautiful view of the bay, preparing my delicacies with sea breeze as my companion.

  The breeze and my trusty sidekick, Basil.

  But not any longer.

  Not only was the new house disrupting my sleep but it would partially block my beautiful view to the South. It made me want to cry. In fact, I did cry about it. All the time.

  I felt something cold and wet against my toe and peeked out of the blankets. Basil Rathbones was sitting by the bed, staring at me mournfully.

  The dog had guilty expressions down pat.

  "I know boy. You don't like it either."

  I sighed and sat up.

  "Oh well. We might as well get on with it."

  I slid my toes into my slippers and padded into the kitchen to make coffee. I stretched my hamstrings and glutes while I waited for the coffee to brew. A plate of scones I’d baked the day before were sitting under a napkin. I selected one and dipped it into the coffee, taking a delicious bite.

  As a pastry chef with my own small catering business, I was always baking.

  And eating.

  Basil was staring at me.

  "What? I'll jog it off later."

  He tilted his head to the side and whimpered. He wasn’t buying it. I shrugged. A chef without a few extra pounds was highly suspicious if you asked me.

  "Oh okay, you can have one too."

  I reached into the old fashioned candy jar I kept on my tiny countertop and fished out a doggie scone. I made them twice a week just for my little fur buddy. They smelled kind of gross to me, but he loved them. Plus they were good for him.

  That was extra important to me.

  He was all I had since Meemaw passed.

  Friends, sure. But family? Just this one scruffy little hairball. He was all I had in the whole wide world.

 
I sighed and rubbed his head while he finished his treat.

  "Ready to go out?"

  He whimpered and held his paw out.

  "Alright buddy. Let's go. A promise is a promise.”

  I slipped into my jogging shorts and jog bra, throwing a worn in rock t-shirt over it. It was one I’d had since junior high school, with the neck and arms cut off. It had been washed a couple hundred times and as a result was super soft and barely covered my tummy.

  I rubbed my belly contentedly. It swelled a bit, but I liked it. It kept me warm at night.

  I laced up my beat up old sneakers and ran outside with Basil right at my heels.

  It was a beautiful day. Clear blue skies with a couple of fluffy white clouds. A nice breeze. Warm but not too hot.

  If I could ignore the sounds of construction from next door it would be one for the books.

  It was perfect.

  Chapter 2

  Slade

  It was perfect.

  I stared out at the view. An unobstructed view of the calm waters of the bay. It was quiet here too, with only a handful of cottages dotting the shoreline.

  This was the place I would write my next album in. Recover from the last tour and all the hard partying.

  Regroup.

  Lord knows I’d deserved it. I’d done everything the label wanted. The band. Our manager. Everyone.

  Everyone except me.

  I felt like I hardly ever did what I really wanted. Hell, I wasn't even sure I knew what that was. It was all about maintaining the image. Keeping everyone else happy.

  As much as I loved the music, I had come to hate the other side of it.

  Even the groupies were overly demanding. I’d done the whole Rock Star thing. Doling out one night stands like they were going out of style. Kept condoms in business for years. Even enjoyed it. A lot.

  But now I just wanted some peace and quiet.

  I wanted something real.

  I wanted to be away from those people, if nothing else. The grabbers. The hanger ons. Everyone had a hand out. Everyone wanted something.

  Even if it was just a ride on my cock, I was tired of it.

  Too bad I’d had about three real friends in my life. And all of them from the South End of Boston where I’d grown up.

  But they weren’t exactly available for buddy time. They all had families of their own now.

  Not like me, who still hadn’t grown up.

  Maybe I could tempt them down east with a little beach time at some point. All kids loved the beach, right? And I knew my buddies loved beer. I made sure to send them each a case from every country I toured in.

  I’d found some delicious ginger beer in Japan with an owl on the top. A fucking owl. I tried to find the most outrageous names and flavors I could, plus some of the best. But mostly, the over the top ones.

  That always gave them a laugh.

  I’d already worked out at the gym today. I belonged to a very private facility in South Hampton, near where I was staying while they finished up the house.

  That's about all I did really. Worked out, slept, watched TV. Had a few drinks.

  It was heavenly.

  Lonely as hell, but heavenly.

  But soon. Very soon, I would be moving in. Next week actually. Then I could start over. Get settled. Create a home base.

  Maybe even meet someone worth introducing the the southie crew.

  I stared out the windows over the beach. I’d just met with the designer to approve the last of the plans. Everything was permitted, it was more about finishes now. Now I could just relax, check out the progress.

  Take in the scenery.

  Speaking of which… hello.

  My eyes got wide as a gorgeous girl jogged by.

  A really, really gorgeous girl with curves that wouldn’t quit, a golden retriever and what looked like- yes- it was an ancient looking Ramones t-shirt.

  And Chuck Taylor's.

  Who the hell ran in Chucks?

  Not to mention, the girl was bouncing out right out of her sports bra. I whistled to myself in appreciation. The girl was jiggling in all the right places.

  Not just a little bit either.

  I grinned. I just had to meet this girl. She had already run past the house. She had to come back this way didn't she?

  I grabbed a bottle of water and strolled outside to casually 'bump into' her.

  I watched her juicy bottom bounce out of view.

  It was fine.

  I could wait.

  Chapter 3

  Jenny

  "Those are terrible for your arches you know."

  I looked back over my shoulder. I’d been stretching my hamstrings when someone came up behind me.

  I glared over my shoulder at the annoying stranger.

  The very, very good looking stranger.

  I stared at him. He had a chiseled face, wavy brown hair and a body that looked like it was straight out of a mens magazine.

  Devastatingly handsome, really.

  There was something familiar about him…

  And smug.

  My hackles started to rise.

  I hated smug.

  "What?"

  "Your sneakers. They are terrible for your feet."

  I glanced down at my shoes and then over at his.

  He wore leather boots, expensive looking jeans, a soft black t-shirt and a leather jacket. And aviators.

  So I couldn't see his eyes to see if he was being a prick or not.

  I shrugged defensively.

  "I tend to just use what I've got."

  "Ah, so not a mindless consumer."

  I stared at him, surprised.

  "Yeah, exactly."

  "I'm Slade."

  He reached out his hand. His very large, tan hand. I took it, not really having another choice in the matter.

  "Jenny."

  He held my hand for a beat too long. He smiled at me warmly, finally releasing my hand.

  "And who is this?"

  He knelt down and shook paws with Basil. Basil responded by giving a loud yip and trying to lick Slade's face. I frowned. Basil didn't usually do that. He was usually as standoffish as I was.

  Basil and I did not like strangers.

  Maybe he liked the smell of money. It was practically wafting off the guy. Douchery squared.

  Slade stood up again. I couldn't help but notice how fit he was. His shoulders were enormous, his stomach flat, and those legs… well, he looked a bit like a soccer player.

  He probably had a great ass.

  Not that it mattered. I had other things to worry about after all. Like an order of cookies for a birthday party, to be delivered later today.

  “I have to get going. Come on, Basil.”

  “It was nice meeting you Jenny.”

  I gave him a half hearted wave and Basil whined, clearly not finished mauling the man.

  I had to tug the stupid dog away with his leash.

  He gave me a doleful look as I opened the front door. I just shook my head.

  “Traitor.”

  But I gave him a treat anyway.

  Then I washed up and got to work.

  Chapter 4

  Slade

  That is poetry in motion right there.

  I watched Jenny jog away, practically drooling. She wasn't the friendliest little thing in the world, but looking like that, I wasn't so sure I blamed her.

  She probably spent half her time beating off men with a stick.

  My eyes widened appreciatively as her round little bottom flexed in those tiny shorts. Her long toned legs seemed to literally eat the ground as she ran. She looked graceful and determined, if a little curvy to make jogging practical. Her long honey colored hair swooshed back and forth against her back.

  But it was her face that had startled the hell out of me. She was stunning. Not just beautiful. Certainly not just pretty.

  No, Jenny was drop dead gorgeous.

  High cheekbones, a strong jaw, stubborn little chin, pert del
icate nose and the most luscious looking lips I’d seen in my life. And huge grey green eyes that completely dominated her face.

  Hooded eyes that said 'keep your distance.' Her thick, sooty lashes and high arched brows framed a face that would stop traffic from fifty feet.

  Jenny had a classic beauty that was impossible to hide, no matter how hard she tried to dress it down. And she did try to hide it, I could tell. She was unlike any of the many exceptionally good looking women I’d known over the years. Women who primped and preened themselves within an inch of their life.

  This girl put them all to shame and she wasn't even trying.

  Good lord.

  I had a strong feeling I knew what I would be thinking about for the rest of the day. And the night. I reached down and adjusted myself.

  I was getting hard just thinking about the girl.

  That's when I noticed where she was going. She was turning into the ramshackle little beach hut that was right next door to my house.

  In fact, it was so close I'd thought about trying to buy it. Make it into a guest house or something, or tear it down completely. But my lawyer hadn't had any luck so I’d let it go.

  Oh boy.

  With Jenny as a neighbor I was sure to have a lot of sleepless nights. That would be fine, as long as she joined me.

  I smiled, feeling optimistic for the first time in forever.