Ride by Cat Johnson Page B

first place? Maybe she simply couldn’t stay away from him, just like how he couldn’t keep his mind off her. Whatever was happening, he didn’t intend to let her get away again, though he wasn’t quite sure how to keep her around.
    Garret’s boot knocked his again. Chase was ready to clock him, until his friend whispered, “Invite her to the party.”
    The fans intent on getting Chase’s signature started to cluster behind Leesa. Others stepped around her and moved on to Garret and then on to the next table. Meanwhile, he had yet to sign her program. He had a horrible feeling once he did and handed it back to her, she’d be gone from his life again. He didn’t want that to happen. That kicked him into gear and overrode any shyness or doubt he harbored.
    He scribbled her name, something to the effect of thanks for being a fan and then his name on the program, then glanced up. “Um, we—the other guys and I—are having a kind of party upstairs right after this is done. Nothing special. Just some beer and chips and stuff, but with all of us staying here, we have the entire floor to ourselves so it should be pretty cool. You know, if you wanted to come.” He found himself holding his breath waiting for an answer. “Do you want to?”
    She glanced around the room. “When is this over?”
    His heart fluttered with excitement that she was even considering it enough to ask. “The meet and greets usually last about an hour or so.”
    “Then after we could go upstairs together? To your room?”
    His heart fluttered with anticipation. “Um, yeah. When I’m finished, we can go upstairs together.”
    Did she sound excited to be going upstairs with him or was it wishful thinking on his part? Actually, she sounded a little cautious, but that was fine. A woman should be cautious when getting invited somewhere by a guy she barely knew.
    Leesa hesitated a beat before asking, “Can I wait in here for you until you’re done?”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Chase saw Garret watching the discussion with a little too much interest, but he ignored him. “Sure. You can wait right over by the refreshments, if you want. No one will bother you.”
    “Okay. Thanks.” She reached out and took the program he’d autographed but hadn’t had the mental capacity to remember to hand back to her. Bypassing the rest of the riders, she went directly to the refreshment table and busied herself with choosing a soft drink.
    “Oh my God. How did you do that?” Garret’s voice was low and filled with shock.
    “Do what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chase glanced at Garret and then took the next program from the fan who’d stepped in front of him the moment Leesa had left. He smiled and pretended Garret wasn’t there. “Who should I make this out to?”
    “You know exactly what ,” Garret continued to harass Chase even though he should be paying attention to the fan in front of him.
    “Here you go. Thanks for coming.” Chase returned the signed program to the little boy standing shyly at his table, then dealt with Garret, hoping he’d shut up. “We’ll discuss this later. Okay?”
    “Fine.” Garret released a loud expulsion of breath.
    Chase caught him shaking his head and staring in the direction of the refreshment table. He followed the path of Garret’s gaze and saw Leesa still there. He felt relief that she appeared really to be waiting for him to finish. For a moment he’d feared she wouldn’t.
    He saw Leesa tear into a bag of pretzels as if she hadn’t eaten in days, all while her gaze kept sweeping the room, in particular the entrances. There was definitely something strange going on, but at least now she was coming upstairs with him. He’d figure it—and her—out eventually. He didn’t intend to leave Vegas until he did.
    A woman began holding a long conversation with the rider next to him, in Portuguese no less, and caused a lull in the procession of fans to Chase’s table. As the rest of the