Set Loose Read Free

even have a college degree since she went straight from high school into the Boston corps de ballet. But it just showed what good posture could do for a person. Or maybe all those years playing princesses on stage had rubbed off.
    “I’m afraid not,” she finally said. “I’m just well-dressed rabble.”
    This triggered a smile from him that sent unexpected heat into her cheeks and belly. Standing this close to him, she could tell how powerful his body was, his strength brought under control by what appeared to be a steely disposition. Was she imagining the flicker of interest in his eyes as he took her in so thoroughly?
    The mood broke when he looked at something over her head. “Damn. I have to go.” He looked back down at her, his expression serious and thoughtful. “You have a good night. Give a shout if you get into any trouble,” he said, squeezing her arm before heading off.
    Emily watched him make his way through the crowd and between tables to a customer who’d gotten too friendly during a lap dance. He leaned over and said a few words and the man’s hands fell away from the stripper’s breasts. Then he continued on, moving around the room, his gaze taking everything in.
    Clearly he had his hands full rescuing damsels in distress.
    Only when he’d disappeared from view did Emily remember what she’d been doing before getting waylaid. The hostess was nowhere to be seen, but one of the dancers passed by, a pretty redhead who was probably even prettier without all the make-up.
    “Excuse me,” Emily said, but the music was so loud the woman didn’t so much as turn her head.
    Emily moved after her, touching her lightly on the shoulder. Her skin was oiled and sprinkled with glitter, her eyes wary when she turned.
    Emily let her hand drop and tried her best not to look at the woman’s naked breasts. “Excuse me. Could I ask you a question?”
    “That depends.”
    “I was wondering if you could tell me how I’d go about getting an audition.”
    The dancer’s eyes widened in surprise and then she smiled. “See that stocky guy standing by the VIP door? That’s Steve, the manager. Talk to him and he’ll tell you if he’s interested.”
    Emily followed her gaze to a barrel-chested guy, probably Italian, standing across the room. “Thanks, I appreciate it,” she said. Then, because she was beginning to realize that time was money, she pulled out her wallet and handed the woman a ten-dollar bill. She smiled in thanks, tucked the money into her thong, and headed back into the sea of men.
    Taking a deep breath and ignoring the flutter of nerves in her belly, Emily made her way over to the manager.
    “Hi there,” she said, then inwardly winced. God, she sounded like she was trying to pick him up.
    Steve-the-manager looked at her with a generic smile. “What can I do for you, sweetheart?”
    Her heart beat like mad now and her palms were damp. “I’d like to audition.”
    “Is that so?” he said, taking the statement as invitation to look her up and down. She’d been checked out more tonight than she had in the last ten years put together. “Sorry, babe. Nothing personal, but your tits are too small and men like their strippers naughty. You’re pretty but you’re not the right type.”
    “I can dance better than anyone in here, and I can act naughty.”
    “Is that so?” Steve asked, crossing his arms over his chest with a doubtful smirk.
    He wasn’t buying it. Her throat tightened as the panic she’d been suppressing threatened to rear its ugly head again. She had to prove she had what it took before he lost interest in her entirely.
    She had to show him.
    She swung her left leg out and up in a wide arc until her ankle rested on his shoulder and the silky skirt of her dress slid down her thigh. Grabbing him by the bicep, she pressed against him until her pelvis was up against his. Then slowly, one hand gripping his belt while the other rested on her breasts, she arched backwards, lower and