Ride Read Online Free PDF Page B

exposed now that the fantasy moment between them had been shattered by real life.
    With his shirt buttoned and tucked into his buckled jeans once again, the cowboy stood, hat held in front of him by both hands. “So, about our date…”
    Leesa glanced at the door, knowing their time was very limited. That was probably for the best. Where the hell could this thing with him go? She knew the answer to that. Nowhere.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t date customers.” She turned to go when she felt his hand on her elbow. She paused and waited.
    “Oh. Okay. Um, then here. This is for you.”
    Looking back, she saw he held a folded bill in his hand. He thrust it toward her. Her gut took a plunge. She shook her head. “Your friends are paying for the lap dance.” The rest, she suddenly didn’t want money for.
    “I know. They told me they were paying, but this is a tip. From me.”
    Leesa swallowed hard. She had done it for the extra cash. Hadn’t she? Then why didn’t she want his money? Because taking it for what she’d done over and above the bought-and-paid-for lap dance made her something she never even imagined she’d become. Even if in another time and another place she probably would have done it with this guy simply because she liked him.
    With lids lowered to hide the tears welling in her eyes she grabbed the bill. “Thanks.” Then she left the room and him behind her and didn’t look back.
    She was vaguely aware of one of the new girls working the pole up on stage. She was conscious enough of her surroundings to be relieved she wouldn’t have to perform again too soon since the rest of the girls on the shift had finally arrived. Hopefully she could hide until he and his friends had left. She walked straight to the locker room and found Holly there.
    Holly’s face lit up when she saw her. “Well? How did it go?”
    “Fine.” She kept her head buried in her locker, pretending she was putting her tips in her purse when really she just needed time to regain her composure.
    “His friend gave me the money for your lap dance since you disappeared in back with the birthday boy so quick.”
    Leesa looked up and took the money Holly offered her. “Thanks.”
    “Did you, you know, earn any extra while you were there?”
    Leesa knew exactly what Holly was asking. “Yeah. I did.”
    Of course Holly would have yelled at her if she told her she didn’t set a price in advance, didn’t ask for payment up front, didn’t even ask for money she’d been so…what? Wrapped up in enjoying him?
    She glanced down at the folded bill. It was a twenty. She felt like laughing and crying at the same time. She’d sold her soul for twenty dollars and because of that, she somehow felt that she’d never ever be the same.
    Holly’s hand touched her shoulder. “You okay?”
    “Yeah.” She lied.
    “He wasn’t an ass or anything, was he? I really thought he looked sweet.”
    Leesa could hear the concern in Holly’s voice. That concern just about did Leesa in. Coupled with the fact that he truly was sweet, the kind of guy she’d probably fall for if she hadn’t just serviced him sexually for cash, the tears fell in earnest now.
    Still hiding her face, Leesa shook her head. “No, you were right. He was a nice guy. Really. I’m fine. Just tired. I’m going to splash some water on my face and try to wake up before I need to go on again.”
    “Okay, sweetie. Take your time. Let the latecomers entertain the crowd for a bit, then I’ll go up. Take all the time you need.”
    “Thanks.” Leesa slammed her locker door and headed straight for the private, single-stall bathroom next to Jerry’s office instead of the public ladies’ room out front. His door wasn’t closed all the way.
    She tiptoed past, not in the mood for him to call her inside and yell at her for bothering him during his meeting before. Through the crack it looked like he was alone now and talking on the phone.
    “Yeah, she busted into the office and saw both him