Turning It on (Red Hot Russians) by Elizabeth Harmon Read Free Book Online Page A

flatly. “Of what?”
    “Television shows. In particular, a groundbreaking new reality series for the Xposé Network called
Last Fling
. And I’d like for you to be on it.”
    “Not interested.” Her voice was polite, but firm.
    “But this could put you back on top. You could be a star again.”
    She pressed the card into his hand. “That part of my life is over. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.”
    “You could take home two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
    For a second, she hesitated. Then she shook her head. “Sorry, but I’m not interested in being on TV and definitely not on a reality show. Oh look, my ride is here.” An off-road monster truck the same color as Alison’s bikini had pulled up beside them. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go be eye candy in this lovely vehicle. So long, Eric. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Chicago.”
    His desperation rose and he reached to grab her arm, then thought better of it. “Wait! Please, Alison. There’s one more thing.” She stopped and turned back. “I just wanted to say, you’re as beautiful as you were when you played Missy Goldsmith. More so, even. If that’s possible. I also wanted to say...” He took a deep breath. “Jeez, this is hard.”
    She smiled a little. “Try anyway.”
    “I’m sorry I just stood by while that brute pawed you. And please be careful when you leave here tonight. The guy’s still lurking around. Is someone picking you up? Besides that?” He motioned toward the waiting truck. “I could take you home. I mean...see you home. Just so you’re safe.”
    “That’s very kind. But not necessary.” Gently she touched his sleeve. “Please don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
    Even when she took her hand away, Eric felt her touch. She walked to the truck, which had open sides and tires nearly as tall as she was. The driver rolled down a metal stepladder and Alison climbed aboard. Eric followed the truck as it made its way through the convention hall, Alison perched in the passenger seat, waving and smiling. Just like that, his dream girl was gone.
    He dropped onto a bench nearby. He’d blown the deal, and the fact that he would never speak to her again hurt just as much.
    He sat for a while, watching people pass through a door beside the big one Alison’s truck had disappeared through. He should call Cody. Best to get it over with, while there was time to find someone else for Chris. Eric fished out his phone.
    Just then, a small figure came through the door—a young woman dressed in jeans, boots and a navy-blue sailor coat with a leather backpack slung over one shoulder. She wore glasses and a Chicago Cubs ball cap pulled low over her eyes. She looked like a college student just off her waitressing shift, but Eric’s pulse quickened as he noticed the blond ponytail sticking out the back of her cap. She passed by and blended into the crowd exiting the convention hall.
    In a split second, Eric was on the move.
    He wasn’t going to follow her. That would be weird. Stalkerish. He only wanted to make sure she got to her car safely. Once she drove away, he would call Cody. But she passed the entrance to the parking garage, heading instead to a wall of sliding glass doors and turnstiles. Above the doors was a sign. Welcome to the CTA Blue Line.
    The subway? Alone? At night? Good God, didn’t the woman watch police shows? He couldn’t possibly turn back now.
    She swiped a plastic card through the top of a turnstile and got on the escalator going down. Behind her, Eric fumbled with his wallet and fidgeted as a surly worker counted back change from his hundred. He shoved the cash in his pocket and dashed down to the platform.
    Alison was at the far end, her back turned.
    He ducked back into the tiled corridor that led to the platform and bought a newspaper from a vending rack. A train roared past the platform and squealed to a stop. He waited until she boarded, then got on just as the doors were closing. She was at