Page 11 of Seduced By Contract

"Does he go out with the dancers? No. Not with them or with any company employees. As you know, he comes from a family of bankers, where scandals are unacceptable. Now, enough gossiping," he says, going to a rack and taking out a set of purple lingerie still in its packaging. "Here. Start getting ready because Ares said there can't be any delays. The guest you'll be performing for today is someone he wants to impress."

"What?"

"You'd prefer to dance for the first time on stage? You're pretty lucky, you know. Ten minutes of private performance is great practice. When it's your turn to dance for the audience, you'll breeze through it."

I pick up the lingerie from a famous American brand, still covered in plastic, and take a look just to make sure of what I already suspected: not enough fabric for the curves I have.

"The sandals are in the dressing room. Oh, I know you were told not to interact with the clients, but with this one in particular, you might have to answer a thing or two if asked. And as Ares suggested, you should do it in the man's native language."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"The client you'll be dancing for is a prominent Spanish businessman."

The chocolate bar I ate on the way here churns in my stomach.

I think he sees something on my face because he asks, "What's wrong, Madison?"

"I lied. I was so desperate to get a job that would allow me to pay the bills that I lied about being bilingual. I only know three words, and besides 'gracias,' I don't know how 'fajitas' and 'tacos' would fit into the context of an exotic dance."

Madison

CHAPTER SEVEN

"I'm crazy, right?"

"Very. And unlucky too. You were specifically hired to please a Spanish client, and you don't speak the language."

"Jesus, I should have suspected he wanted a dancer to entertain a specific guest."

"I think so, because it's never been required for the girls to be bilingual, although several here speak Spanish."

"Can't we switch? Send someone else in my place, Adriel."

"No way. If you do that, Ares will put you out on the street. There must be a reason he chose you, Madison."

"What?"

"No offense, darling, but have you looked around? Most of them are blonde and skinny. Probably that Spanish guy prefers more curvaceous bodies."

"Did you just call me fat?"

"No, voluptuous."

"That's the same term Mr. Ares used."

"You're beautiful. What I meant is that you don't have the same body type as the other dancers. Well, there's nothing moreto be done. Your best bet is to pray that the man is antisocial and doesn't say anything."

"And if he talks, I can pretend I didn't hear. You know, loud music and all."

He laughs. "You're great, Madison. You'll make it, I'm sure."

"Any words to teach me? Just in case of an emergency."

"I don't think a quick Spanish lesson is a good idea, as you seem too worked up and it might make your situation worse. But if you want advice, say 'gracias' to any comment he makes, because powerful men like to be flattered."

"I can do that."

"Oh, and under no circumstances mention fajitas or tacos."

---