Free Ride by Cat Johnson Page A

she’d had, and with all the feelings swirling through her, she could sure use a drink.
    “Good.” He flashed his pretty, white teeth at her. Then he was gone.
    Leesa glanced around the room. It was obvious guys were occupying the space. Not much personal stuff was lying around, but what there was, was all over the floor. At least the beds were made, courtesy of housekeeping she was sure.
    He’d be back in a second so she plopped her bag on the nearest bed and began digging through until she found her wallet buried deep in the bottom. She probably should have been carrying this on her the entire time anyway. This life, this world of hide and seek where the prize was her life, was all too new. She hoped she wasn’t in it long enough to get used to it.
    The door opened again and Chase entered, bearing two large red cups that matched the one Skeeter had been carrying. “Here you go.”
    She shoved the wallet in the front pocket of her oversized sweatshirt that bore the name of her college across the front in large black block letters. “Thanks.”
    Aside from the soda and pretzels she’d grabbed while waiting for Chase’s signing thing to be over, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Probably last night before work. The cold, foamy beer slid down her throat easily. Too easily. Before Leesa knew it, the cup was mostly empty, and she’d only taken about three big gulps.
    There was one chair, a desk and two beds. Realizing that, Leesa sat in the chair, then put her nearly empty cup down. Chase sat on the very end of the bed nearest her. The room wasn’t huge so they were pretty close. Close enough she could see clearly the way his eyes kept zeroing in on her.
    He sipped at his own cup. “Hey, you hungry? We can order up a pizza. We found a menu for a place that delivers.”
    She laughed, feeling lighter already. “Of course you did. What is it about men and pizza?”
    “What?” He frowned. “It’s the perfect food.”
    “And why is that?” This felt almost normal. Like the conversation any two attractive young people might have after just meeting. She flashed back to her and Chase’s actual first meeting last night and remembered there was nothing typical or normal about it.
    “It’s got your carbs, vegetable and dairy—meat too if you order it with toppings. You don’t need a fork and knife, or even a plate to eat it. Napkins are optional, depending on how neat you want to be and if you’re in mixed company. It comes in its own storage container, and—this is key—the leftovers are just as good cold the next morning when you wake up.” He ticked off the last reason on his finger and grinned. “See? Perfect.”
    Leesa smiled. “You’re right. It is perfect. I’d love some.” She felt like she could really eat, and more than just pretzels. Being hungry was worlds better than the last twelve hours when all she felt like doing was throwing up.
    “I’ll find the number and call. Just give me a second.” He glanced into her cup. “You need more beer.”
    “No. I don’t think I should.” She held up her hand.
    He dismissed her protest with the wave of a hand and took her cup. “Don’t be silly. It’s a party. I’ll call then get us refills.”
    She did notice he didn’t make any move to bring her outside with him where the rest of the guys were, or even to bring them in. That was fine with her. She was far safer inside this room where it was quiet and they wouldn’t attract the attention of security or any other hotel patrons who might complain about the noise. Or the keg. She shook her head.
    A keg party in one of the nicer casino hotels in Vegas. An entire floor filled with cowboys with names like Chase, Garret and Skeeter. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any stranger than her running for her life from her boss and his mobster brother, they did. Had she fallen down the rabbit hole?
    The door opened again and halted her ponderings, but instead of Chase, Garret