Ace of Spades by Elle Bright Page B

definitely improved. He’d made it
through the worst of it. And he’d done it for her.
             
The thought turned her insides to mush. No, she couldn’t be mad at Jackson. Even if he had been a bit antagonistic toward Richard. That
was just his personality. Richard would get used to it after a while.
             
She glanced sideways at the man in question. He looked about as comfortable as
a pig in a slaughterhouse. Melody laid her hand on the sleeve of his suit
jacket. “You can go home if you want.”
             
Richard arched one brow at her. “And leave you alone in this hell hole. No
thanks. I’ll stay.”
             
Melody rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine. You’ve got to be to the office early
tomorrow. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?”
             
“Are you sure? I don’t want to go home thinking you’re okay with it, then wind
up paying for it later.”
             
“You’re fine. Go,” Melody insisted. Truth be told, she’d enjoy the concert much
more without him standing there like a pillar of disapproval the whole time.
How did she end up with someone so uptight?
             
“Great,” Richard agreed without further argument, looking as though he’d dodged
a bullet. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see you at home.”
             
“Bye.”
             
Mel felt guilty for the relief she felt as she watched him leave, maneuvering
through the crowd as though he thought Jackson’s fans might sully his designer suit
if he so much as brushed up against one of them.
             
Melody turned back to the empty stage, watching the flames of a burning spade
dance on the screen-like curtain as upbeat rock music entertained the waiting
crowd. It had been a long time since she’d been to a concert. And she’d never
been to one of Jackson’s – well, not since he went to prison anyway. She was
excited to see him perform.
             
The lights dimmed to black, leaving the burning spade as the only source of
light.
             
“Ladies and gentleman, on behalf of San Diego Children’s Hospital and Ace
Records, thank you for supporting the ‘Ready, Set, Learn’ program. One hundred
percent of proceeds from tonight’s concert will directly benefit children with
learning disabilities throughout San Diego County. Here to thank you for your
generosity, please welcome to the stage, Black Jack and The Ace of Spades!”
             
The crowd roared in approval and Tommy struck up the drums, beating out the
rhythm to the opening song. It turned out he was a much better percussionist
than he was a conversationalist. In fact, he was downright brilliant. The stage
lights danced as the screen with the burning spade rose to reveal the band on
the stage. Melody’s heart skipped a beat when her eyes found Jackson, standing
center stage with his electric guitar.
             
Their first song filled the stadium, shaking the room with a driving rhythm and
addictive tune Melody had heard played over and over on the radio. It was even
better live. Jackson’s voice was richer and fuller in real life, so sexy.
Melody had forgotten how much she loved to hear him sing.
             
The whole band played well, but Jackson stole the show. He was so alive up on
that stage, so natural with an instrument in his hand. He was born to make
music and it poured straight from his soul. And the crowd ate it up, begging
for more.
             
Seemingly oblivious to their obsession with him, Jackson crooned his lyrics,
his voice so smooth and seductive. And every woman in the stadium wanted him. Including Melody.
             
The sight of him up there – rock legend, sex symbol, bad boy rocker – made her
hunger for things she’d never imagined. It filled her with dark fantasies of
sweat and hot sex. It also filled her with guilt. She had no right to want