Read Turning It on (Red Hot Russians) for Free Online Page B

you do to that guy? Can you show me?”
    Alison laughed and took the posters they held out for her to sign. “It’s a self-defense move a friend taught me, and it hurts
bad,
so no funny stuff.” She stabbed the air with her Sharpie for emphasis.
    Eric broke out in a giddy grin. Not only was Alison Michaels beautiful, she was kick-ass. He watched in admiration as she finished with the boys, and then took the steps two at a time, his right hand extended. He imagined that her handshake would be warm and strong. He would try to make it last as long as possible. He flashed his whitened smile. “Man, that was impressive. The way you handled that guy from start to finish. Very good, very nice.”
    Alison’s smile faded quickly. “You saw what was happening and just stood there?
    It was if she had caught him with his fly open. “Um, uh...you look like a woman who can take care of herself.”
    “That’s not the point. When someone’s in trouble, you speak up.” She shook her head, looking sad and bewildered. “It’s the right thing to do.”
    “Oh, uh, yeah. Sure.” She had a point, even if she was no damsel in distress.
    “Okay, Sir Galahad. Do you have something for me to sign? I’m not in the mood for pictures right now.”
    Caught off guard, he stared blankly, patting his pockets for his business cards. He pulled out a creased car-show map, then moved to the other side where his cards were. Fumbling with the card and map, he handed her both. “Here, sign this.”
    Alison shrugged and turned the items in her hand. She scribbled her name on the brochure and handed it back. “Is that really all, or is there a pair of lacy panties stashed away somewhere you want me to sign?”
    “Oh, God. No.” Eric’s cheeks burned, as he transformed back into the awkward kid who’d whiled away lonely nights with her poster and his right hand. “Uh...listen, could we maybe talk sometime? Like soon? Tonight?”
    “Tonight?” She glanced toward the line of waiting fans. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”
    “Right. Sure. I didn’t mean right now. Just...soon. What I have to offer might interest you. I mean, it would definitely interest you. My number’s on my card. Call me?”
    He took a step off the platform, his left foot nearly missing the top stair. The only thing that could have made this worse would be a face-plant onto the concrete. A sexy laugh came from behind. He turned, as she wiggled her fingers in a little wave. “Not likely, but watch your step. Have a nice night, Galahad.”
    Eric made his way to the convention hall bar, in serious need of a drink. He ordered scotch, tossed a twenty on the bar and pulled out his phone. His bad evening got a little worse. In addition to Jack’s messages, there was also one from Cody deWylde, the head of Renegade Productions and the main reason
Last Fling
was going to be on the air.
    His pulse quickened as he scanned Cody’s bizarre question about whether Hannah’s fling list was a joke. What did the hell could that mean? He tapped Cody’s number and put the phone to his ear. Cody answered on the first ring.
    “Dude! Where are you?” Cody sounded jovial, but Eric had no illusions. The guy was a shark with a spray tan who would pimp his grandma for the sake of good TV. Eric had taken his sleaziest reality idea to deWylde’s production company, which had a track record for selling the most unsavory programming on the air. Cody had jumped in with gusto, not to mention substantial funding and with just a few phone calls, got a green light from the Xposé Network. Just like that, Eric was launched into the big leagues. A Faustian bargain, to be sure.
    “Still in Chicago. Coming back tonight. What’s up? You left a message about Hannah’s list.”
    DeWylde laughed. “Your friend’s crazy, but casting is on it. No worries. I forgot you still had to go to Chicago. So. Alison Michaels. Is she on board?”
    Eric sipped his drink, stalling to collect his thoughts. “We