Wicked: Jade Butterfly [Wicked Series Book 3] Read Online Free Page A

and flowers filled the space.
    "Definitely swanky,” Jessi said, mimicking her friend.
    "Aint it though?"
    They walked through the small reception area, Faith babbling a mile a minute when Jessi saw someone out of the corner of her eye coming toward her. She turned her head to look and stopped dead in her tracks.
    "Well, well, well. Small world, isn't it?"
    Jessi forced a smile on her face and took a calming breath. “I didn't think it was, but now I'm beginning to believe otherwise."
    "How you been, doll?"
    "Great. And you?"
    "Never better."
    Jessi saw him glance at Faith and remembered her manners. “Mick, this is my friend, Faith Weston. Faith, Mick Sheppard."
    "Oh, I know who he is,” Faith said. “I'd have to be deaf and dumb not to."
    Mick grinned, the piercing in his eyebrow lifting slightly when he did. His gaze lingered on Faith for long moments before he looked back at her. “So, what are you doing in Sin City?"
    "Working,” Jessi said. “A friend from college is getting married and I get the honors of taking the wedding photos."
    "Is it all work and no play then?"
    "I'm here all week. I'm sure I can find something to get in to."
    "I'm sure you can,” he said. He gave a quick glance to Faith and smiled. “If you're looking for a little fun I can help you out. Would you ladies be up for a concert?"
    Jessi smiled when she felt Faith jab a finger into her back. “When?"
    "We're playing tomorrow night. I'm sure Christian would love to see you. I may even be able to find a special card just for you."
    At the mention of “card", Jessi felt her face burn hot. The night she'd run into Christian and he presented her with the card from their pick-up game came back to her in a flash. She still couldn't believe she'd kissed him. Proof enough that lonely and alcohol didn't mix but she didn't regret it for an instant. She'd finally had her small taste of him and now, the band was here. Which meant Christian was here. In Vegas.
    "What do you say?” Mick said, interrupting her thoughts.
    "Um, I'll have to check with Joan and make sure she hasn't planned anything yet."
    "She hasn't,” Faith said.
    "Then I take that as a yes?” Mick said.
    Jessi's stomach tightened. The thought of seeing Christian again caused her pulse to race suddenly. She'd replayed that night in Chicago in her mind a hundred times since then and wondered if Christian would ever call her. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't been waiting. She had and every day he didn't call left her feeling a tiny bit bereft. She looked up at Mick and smiled, trying to keep her voice neutral. There wasn't any reason to let him know he'd just made her entire week. “A definite maybe."
    "I'll take it. I'll leave you lovely ladies a few passes at the main lobby downstairs. See you tomorrow."
    He walked away as quickly as he came and Jessi took a deep breath, turning her head to Faith. Her friend was grinning widely. “What?"
    "You know him?” Faith asked.
    "Not personally. I took photo's of the band in New York a few months back and ran into them again in Chicago not long ago."
    "And?"
    "And what?"
    "Come on, Jessi. Don't hold out on me! That was Mick Sheppard!"
    Jessi laughed and motioned Faith forward to the man standing not far from them waiting. “Let's go to the room and I'll tell you everything."
    * * * *
    Christian was startled when the door suddenly slammed and he turned his head, watching Mick walk across the room. The smile on his band mates face screamed trouble.
    "What did you do?” Devin asked.
    "What makes you think I did something?"
    "That shit eating grin, maybe?” he said.
    Mick laughed and looked at Christian, raising one eyebrow. “I ran into an old acquaintance of yours,” he said, flopping down on the sofa.
    "Who?"
    "A hot little number by the name of Jessi McClure."
    Christian felt his face burst into flame at the mention of her name. His pulse started to race and his throat dried in an instant. His last meeting with her played in