My eyes widen.
He chuckles. “I’m joking, of course. Paint on a smile and go wow him.”
There’s that word again.Wow.And I still have no clue what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.
“I—” I swallow. “Kate never said what this interview entails.”
His mouth falls open in mock shock. “Oh, that sneaky little minx.” His grin sharpens. “You’re here to dance, darling.”
My stomach plummets. “Dance?”
He nods.
“But I don’t know how to dance.”
He shrugs. “Then you’d better learn fast. The boss doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
I stare at him, willing him to say something reassuring, but his expression tells me everything—I’m going to bomb this. I know I’m going to bomb this.
But it’s a grand a night.
I have to at least try.
Before I can think too hard about it, he gives me a wink and a light slap on the ass, then pushes me through the doors.
The moment I step inside, I know I’m out of my element.
The lights are low, casting a golden haze over the room. Bodies move in the shadows, slow and sinuous, draped in silk and leather, smoke curling in the air. A stage dominates the centre of the room, the spotlight waiting, expectant.
And somewhere in the dark, watching, is him.
The boss.
Shit.
Why the hell did Kate send me here?
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. As I exhale, I force my legs to move, stepping slowly up the podium stairs.
Good start, Brooklyn. Your feet haven’t failed you yet.
All eyes are on me. I’m not used to this. I’m used to being invisible, a blip in the universe. But now? The weight of their attention shivers through me, crawling over my skin like static.
My tiny leather dress inches higher with every step. The urge to tug it down claws at me, but Kate’s voice echoes in my head—the more skin, the better.So I resist, letting it ride up, baring more of me than I ever would by choice.
At the top of the podium, I scan the room, trying to find him. The boss. The one I’m supposed to impress. But the shadows stretch long, and the figures lounging in the darkness are unreadable. The music starts. Lights dance around me. I feel exposed.
My skin prickles, sweat forming at the nape of my neck.
I step toward the pole—big mistake. My heel wobbles, my body pitches sideways, and before I can catch myself.
Crash.
A sharp gasp ripples through the room. My stomach plummets.
Shit.
Shaking my head, I scramble back to my feet, heat burning my cheeks. Way to make a first impression.
