Let It Ride Read Free

just like all the rest, Sherri.” No different than a thousand other hotshot flyboys roaming around The Grand.
    Except…he’d made that comment about intelligence and beauty. And he’d made her laugh. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed out loud. And, most of all, he’d ended the encounter without propositioning her.
    Stop with the fairy tale, Jordan. That’s what had gotten her into the mess her life had become in the first place.
    Sherri scowled. “Are you still pining over Mr. Banker-dude?”
    â€œAfter I caught him with that showgirl? No way!”
    â€œSo, forget about waiting for a commitment rightnow. Just have a wild fling. You don’t have to be in a relationship to get you some, girl. You need a man.”
    Irritation overtook Jordan. Her friend had it wrong. She didn’t need anyone. She’d never depend on a man again. She’d run off with bad-boy-Ian and been deserted. And she’d dated safe-guy-Bob and been cheated on. It may have taken only two failed relationships, but she’d finally learned men weren’t reliable. She reined in her annoyance. Sherri was a good friend. She meant well. She’d helped Jordan a lot when she’d first started working here six years ago, teaching her how to earn bigger tips by smiling and flirting, and helping her evade the advances of the worst drunks.
    â€œI know you’re thinking of my best interests, Sherri, but all I need is to ace my finals next week. And getting involved with some flyboy from Nellis will not help me memorize differential equations.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know. I always did better on a test if I had a good screw the night before. Helped me relax.”
    â€œSherri!” Jordan managed not to roll her eyes.
    â€œAll I’m sayin’ is, that was one fine piece of man-meat staring at you tonight like you rocked his world. Just think about it if you see him again.”
    Think about it? Hadn’t she just been convincing herself not to think about him?
    After she changed clothes she left through the hotel’s employees’ entrance, heading for the bus stop past the parking garage behind the hotel. Even at two in the morning, Vegas vibrated with noisy traffic and tourists.But she’d long grown tired of the bright flashing lights she’d once found so exciting.
    She glanced down the street toward the bus stop and spotted the bus already there. Jordan dodged a few cabs and a limo as she sprinted across the street. “Wait!” She waved her arm just as the bus pulled away in a wheezing cloud of exhaust.
    â€œCrap!” It’d be twenty minutes before the next bus came by. She stuck her fists inside her denim jacket pockets and shifted her weight from sneaker to sneaker. Her body screamed for a hot bath and a soft bed, so she closed her eyes and envisioned the day she earned her programming degree. Once she did, her life would change.
    She’d get a respectable job with a decent salary. Buy a home of her own with two bedrooms so she wouldn’t have to sleep on the couch. Have professional care for her mom. All she had to do was stay smart, stay focused.
    Not let some Casanova derail her plans. Again.
    But every once in a while her heart just wanted to let loose all the wild feelings inside. Toss the laundry basket and run screaming into the night.
    â€œHey.” A strong hand gripped her arm and Jordan jumped. “Got a dollar?”
    She let out a relieved breath as she recognized one of the bums that slept in the alley behind the hotel. She could smell the alcohol on his breath. But booze wasn’t the worst odor. Poor old guy. But for the grace of God…
    A motorcycle engine revved and tires screeched. “Let go of the lady,” a deep voice ordered from behind her.
    The old man yanked his hand away and backed off.
    Jordan spun around.
    The Air Force major. He sat astride a monstrous black motorcycle, his gaze