Free Watchers - an erotic novella by Jodie Johnson-Smith Page A

acts on the Smith-Harrisons’ expensive carpet filled Maria’s head, overpowering every other thought.
    She considered ringing Sue S-H for the lowdown, but it was so completely out of character that the woman might think she’d gone mad. Mentally, she ran through a list of who else might have attended their do …
    ‘What planet are you on today?’ Jon, one of her young employees, interrupted her thoughts.
    ‘Not this one, that’s for sure,’ Guy, his colleague, said. He rifled through the papers on her desk. ‘I printed out an important email about Mannings Hotel and you haven’t even looked at it …’
    But, try as she might, Maria couldn’t stop thinking about the unknown Suzy.
    In the end, she decided to go along to her next gig, see the girl, and get to the bottom of Ken’s game.
    She didn’t have to wait long. Suzy’s next appearance was scheduled for the following evening. Maria knew because she’d taken the booking. The girl was set to perform at the rundown community hall, another building that was on Maria’s books for demolition.
    Maria had emailed details of all the bookings she’d taken to Ken and asked him to contact her but he hadn’t replied. She’d rung his mobile but it was switched off. He was probably showing off his new car to all and sundry. Kids and new toys sprang to mind.
    ‘What do I wear?’ Maria muttered for the umpteenth time as she trawled a rack of business suits. Smart two-pieces in every shade of black, grey, and navy winked back. One or two were racy enough to sport a subtle pin-stripe. But, somehow, they didn’t seem appropriate for the event in question.
    ‘The blokes will probably all still be in their office gear, though,’ she continued. ‘Christ, what if I’m the only woman in the audience?’ Was that likely? Maria had no idea. She’d never been to a strip show before.
    Abandoning the everyday suits hanging on the rack, Maria ransacked her wardrobe. At the back, she found a short-sleeved cropped blazer and skirt in a daring shade of purple. She’d never worn the outfit, as the skirt was so much shorter than usual.
    She threw it on and studied her reflection in the mirror.
    She hardly recognised the woman staring back. She looked tired, much older than 32, and washed out. The years spent burning the midnight oil over business deals and mergers were beginning to take their toll.
    Maria pulled her dark, wavy hair out of its severe bun and let it cascade down over her shoulders. She swapped her flat pumps for a pair of crippling stilettos.
    ‘That’ll do,’ she muttered. ‘It’s not as if anyone is going to notice me …’
    *               *               *
    Maria opened the door to the community hall and stepped inside. She planned to stand at the back, watch the show, and then make a quick getaway.
    ‘Fifteen quid, love,’ the bouncer said. ‘On your own?’ he asked as she fumbled in her purse for some notes.
    ‘Yes, I …’
    ‘Come on then … there’s an empty seat.’
    The man took her arm and propelled her forwards. The place was packed with randy, cheering blokes, although she glimpsed a couple of women too. The bouncer indicated a seat in the front row, dead centre of the stage.
    ‘Come on, love, get ’em off,’ the crowd were yelling as Maria slid into her seat. Conscious of the rampant manhood all around her, Maria studied the girl on stage.
    She was stunning. Tall and slim, with long, light brown hair and a beautiful heart-shaped face, it was no wonder Ken had fallen for her charms. Suzy grinned as she turned her back on the audience and pulled at the ties on the ridiculous frilly pinny she was wearing.
    As the strings came undone, she peeped coyly back over her shoulder, twirling the apron over her head before discarding it. Still facing away from the audience, she slid her fingers into the hook and eye fastening on the bra, raunchy rock music complementing her actions. Suggestively, she danced