Free Tease by Immodesty Blaize Page A

been unbearable. Tiger felt like a strung-out puma around him; tense and fit to burst.
    No wonder she had been receiving rave reviews, the only place she could vent her sexual energy was on stage. Once, she had received advice from her favourite old burlesque legend Satan’s Angel, now sixty something. Angel had said to her, ‘Tiger baby, when you’re up on that stage, just imagine you’re doing it all for your lover. That’swhat I always used to do back in the fifties. Brought the house down every time, honey.’ Needless to say Tiger’s audiences didn’t know what hit ’em. Grown men bit their white knuckles and wept, women waited at the stage doors night after night for signed postcards, recipes and beauty tips. With Rex in Tiger’s mind, the stage was alight with passion.
    Of course, Tiger still had her new acts to rehearse while she did the evening shows at the Savoy, so she hardly had a second to even blink let alone socialise. And then Lewis was on her case every spare second trying to persuade her to do Vegas. To counter the sporadic platonic meetings, Rex frequently sent texts to Tiger of the single
entendre
variety which only served to send her into further paroxysms of lust. Despite keeping calm on the surface, she was already planning an extended repertoire for their next ‘meeting’ to top all others.
    Tiger looked out of the car window. Vladimir seemed to be hurtling towards her Regent’s Park palace at a good five miles per hour. Typical London congestion, she thought, irritably. She settled back into her seat and flipped open her mobile again.
    ‘Lewis? Tiger. Just checking in.’
    ‘Have you done the “get out”?’
    ‘Yep, I’m all loaded out.’
    ‘Good girl. Have you got all your costume ready for your show tonight?’
    ‘Yeah, Blue’s at home steaming and fluffing the poodlecostume. He’s been revamping all the girls’ puppy dog outfits ready too. It’s the charity benefit tonight, right?’
    ‘Yes. The diamante dog basket’s already over at Hampton Court being rigged up. The stage was set up in the grounds last night, it looks great. Sparkling chequerboard, all a bit
Alice in Wonderland
.’
    ‘Oh great, I’ve been looking forward to this one. I like a bit of
al fresco
.’
    ‘Hmm. Sure you do. You only have time for a thirty-minute soundcheck tonight. Sorry, it’s all I could get. They’re putting on a red carpet catwalk show with Kate and Naomi and it’s cut right into the set-up time. And I’m only putting on four of the Starrlets with you, the stage size is a bit tight as someone fucked up with the dimensions of the golden staircase – it’s big enough to fill the gardens at Marseilles.’
    ‘Jeez, Lewis, I forgot to check, did you sort the giant topiary poodles I asked for? You know I wanted them out by the maze to set the scene.’
    ‘Oh god yes! I forgot to tell you, the charity is very pleased with you for that idea – they only managed to get Jeff Koons to make the giant poodles as a special art installation!’
    ‘Wow! Amazing, I love his work! Will he be there tonight?’
    ‘I would have thought so. I know the sculptures are going to be auctioned off to raise money, so brownie points go to you. This will attract some huge private collectors,and a wadge of cash for the charity; the art world’s absolutely buzzing about it.’
    ‘Fabulous! So when’s my call time?’
    ‘Well, Georgia’s already down at the grounds rechoregraphing with Pepper; she wants the girls to slide down that big gold staircase while you’re being carried onto the stage in the dog basket by the butler boys. Your call time is 6 p.m. to load in, for a six thirty soundcheck. Guests from eight, be ready for your photocall and champagne reception at nine, and you’re on stage at eleven. You’ll be expected for a private drink with the hosts after your show. I think Kylie’s singing a couple of numbers, then they’re all dancing ’til dawn.’
    ‘Okay. Can you ask the spot