The crowd went wild. Bellows and shouts filled the ether, along with the pulsing energy, and the entire room began to move in time to the music.
The thudding bassline was so heavy I could feel it reverberating through my chest, and my foot began to tap. The crackle of electricity in the air sent a warm shiver down my spine, and the deep, rich tone of Noah’s voice filled the room as he belted out how he wanted to rock some chick’s world.
Throughout this, my eyes never left Saint.
The way she moved with raw energy had me captivated. Her presence was magnetic, drawing eyes and hard-ons alike. As the crowd cheered along with Dischordium, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions because seeing Saint so happy and carefree made me realize she was a ray of light who chased away the shadows just by being in my life.
Over the next hour, Noah and the boys whipped the crowd up into a frenzy. Their new album was more up-tempo than the last. It was a blend of heavy rock and funk, and their fans lapped up every note played and every word sung like they were witnessing the second coming of Christ.
After they’d finished playing their brand-new single that was about to hit number one on the Billboard charts, Noah held up a hand to address the crowd.
“We’ve got a real treat for you tonight, folks,” he began. “Gotta special guest in the audience. Someone who’s supported us since the days we played for three people in backroad honkytonks in Wyoming.”
The crowd roared.
“Me and the boys would love it if she came up on stage and sang with us,” he continued. He threw out a hand, and a single spotlight landed directly on Saint. “We’re lucky to have Saint McClure here, but she may need a little encouragement.”
Saint froze.
Cheers and yells filled the air, and a low chant began to cut through the ether.
“Saint. Saint. Saint. Saint. Saint.”
My back straightened because this was a new development.
The night had been uneventful, but I’d had no trouble staying close and accessible in case she needed me. Saint going on stage to perform posed a problem, though it was something I could easily work around.
The chants became louder and more frenzied until, eventually, Saint handed her drink to Talia and began to move toward the stage.
I moved, too, slipping through the crowd until I walked at her back.
Her neck craned, and her eyes landed on me, softening with relief at my presence.
My heart warmed. I loved being that for her, loved being someone who brought her peace, because she was that for me too, even though tonight Saint was driving me crazy in that dress. My balls were so fucking blue with need for her that they felt like they’d explode.
Very soon, Saint McClure was gonna know exactly who she belonged to, and it wasn’t Hunter ‘hairy-assed’ Page.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SAINT
Ishould have been used to walking up on stage with just a moment’s notice after all the years I’d been performing.
I’d paid my dues in backroad bars and venues where the soles of my shoes stuck to the floorboards. I’d gotten changed in dirty restrooms, offices, broom cupboards, and even an alley once, but nothing could have prepared me for performing in front of Jacob for the first time.
Braden, Dischordium’s manager, ushered me into the wings and up the stairs leading to the stage. Jacob stayed at my back the entire time like an ever-watchful shadow.
It was crazy how his presence could be both comforting and unnerving, like I had a guardian angel at my back who could rip out your throat if needed. But then Jacob had been a walking, talking contradiction since the moment I met him.
Noah appeared in the wings to meet me. “Thanks for doin’ this, Saint,” he said earnestly. “I know I put you on the spot, but I wanted to mix things up, and you can’t buy this kinda publicity.”
“I get it,” I assured him, and I did because I’d done way more outrageous things for my band—namely, my showmance with Hunter. I understood how important this night and the new album were to Dischordium.
Noah gave Jacob a chin lift. “I’ll keep an eye out for her up there. Any funny business and I’ll get her out of there. Don’t worry.”
“You could’ve called me earlier and let me know what you were thinking,” Jacob berated. “I’m not here to shit in your cereal, Carbine, but my priority is Saint.”
“Didn’t know I was gonna suggest it until I saw her shaking her sweet ass in that dress.” Noah grinned.
