Rock Me Slower (Licks of Leather #3) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,84

tonight. Not only do we have that sexy songstress Phoenix in the house, but we’ve got those bad boys of rock…Licks of Leather.”

While the fans lost their ever-loving minds, screaming, whistling, and yelling, Todd turned and flashed a wide grin to us gathered in the wings.

“All right, you crazy bastards,” Todd said with a laugh. “Give it up for…Phoenix!”

Once again, the crowd went wild. Their applause and screams reverberated through my body like thunder.

“Knock ’em dead, sweetheart,” Ozzy whispered in my ear, then nipped my sensitive lobe, sending even more sparks exploding through me.

Heart slamming against my ribs, I nodded and sucked in a deep breath as Mick and Duke rushed onto the stage. The spotlights hit them as they quickly settled in behind their keyboard and drums. Mick picked up his sticks and sent me a wink as he and Duke began pounding out an extended intro of “Wild Ride.”

Ozzy released me and stepped back. I glanced up at the stars peppering the sky and tried to tame the elation crackling through me. But the realization that opening for legendary rock group Licks of Leather meant the fans held a whole new level of expectation climbed my spine.

Don’t let me fuck this up, Nigel.

Nerves singing louder than any notes I could force from my diaphragm, I plastered on a wide smile and stepped onto the stage. The blinding spotlight and the blast of energy rolling off the screaming fans nearly knocked me off my stilettos. Clutching my guitar and whipping the strap over my shoulder, I let my anticipation-mixed fear slide through me as I waved to the crazed crowd.

“How’s everybody doing tonight?” I cried into the mic. Their deafening screams rolled over me like a tsunami, and I couldn’t keep from laughing. “Hell yeah. All right, enough fucking around. Let’s get this party started.”

As another eruption exploded from the fans, I pressed my fingers to the frets, strummed the strings, and started singing.

I could feel Ozzy’s eyes on me from backstage. When I glanced his way, the sight of the proud smile stretched over his lips and dancing in his eyes nearly made my voice crack with emotion.

Had I been wrong about his opinion of my music abilities all these years?

Had I equated his lack of enthusiasm to help me achieve my dreams as him thinking I had zero talent?

That certainly didn’t appear to be the case now.

Yes, I’d tried to manipulate him…pushed him between a rock and a hard place so vehemently that I’d left him little choice but to push back. But the notion that I’d been carrying some imaginary grudge against him all these years sent panic surging through me.

There were so many issues still locked inside us. Sure, we’d cracked the lid open on a few of our past mistakes, but there were still boxes and boxes sealed up and packed away.

Would Ozzy be willing to dissect the demise of our relationship?

Was there any hope of us rebuilding something stronger and sturdier if we both tried?

My mind was still racing as I belted out the final note and strummed the last chord of our third song.

When I darted another glance Ozzy’s way, he flashed me a wink and blew me a kiss. I giggled like a damn schoolgirl and damn near forgot to introduce the guys behind me.

Focus.

Oh, I was focused, all right, just not on music at the moment.

After presenting Mick, who took a bow behind his drum set, I turned to Duke and extended my accolades to him, as well. He stepped out from behind the keyboard, flexed his massive biceps, and flashed a patented panty-melting smile to the crowd. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched most every woman swoon and drool. One brave, horny chick actually climbed onto the stage before a big, beefy security guard snagged her by the waist and dragged her away.

Sidling up to Duke, I shook my head. “You’re going to incite a riot. Just sayin’.”

He threw back his head and laughed, then shrugged. “A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do…to get lucky.”

“Oh, you’ll be getting so lucky tonight with so many women your dick will give out.”

“Fuck yeah.” He threw a fist pump into the air.

Chuckling, I strolled back to the mic before we cranked out several more songs. As our set began winding down, I sent up a silent prayer our new song would find a place in their hearts.

“Thank you. Thank you all so much for being here and listening