Circus Excite Read Online Free Page A

feather from behind her ear, a curling white plume that Julia knew was definitely not there when she’d tied it back that morning. ‘. . . to surprise them.’ Robert placed the tip of the feather at Julia’s neck, and traced a line across her chest, down between her breasts, and towards her belly. She felt the light tickling touch of the feather fluttering over her body and her breath started to quicken. Her nipples stiffened under her loose T-shirt. Was this a test to see if she’d storm out in disgust? Was he going to start fondling her now, in the interests of demonstrating how ‘open-minded’ he was? Julia wasn’t sure if she was happy with the way the audition was going, and wasn’t sure how to react. She stood stock-still, frozen with uncertainty and trying to stay looking calm, but there was nothing she could do about the way her nipples stuck out proudly.
    â€˜Cold?’ Robert asked, casting a glance at her breasts. He smiled again. ‘It is a little chilly in here.’ He dropped the feather at her feet, and walked back to the chair.
    Turned on, shivering and disturbed, Julia felt a rushof adrenaline. As Robert seated himself again, she decided to play him at his own game. She was not easily shockable. In one movement, she pulled off her T-shirt. Underneath she was wearing a black sports bra, made with lycra netting. It held her breasts firmly in place while she danced, and was cut more like a cropped vest than seductive underwear. She removed her shoes and socks. Dancing barefoot was the way she preferred: it gave her a sense of freedom that she relished. Though her feet were tough and calloused, hardened after years of pointe shoes, they were also extraordinarily sensitive, able to feel the resistance of the floor and the minute shifts in weight that she needed to balance. Now, she felt the hard, cold surface of the concrete underfoot and realised this was her first chance to audition for a professional job. She had to make it good.
    After a moment’s hesitation, she peeled off her leggings too. Her knickers were sporty black thongs, cut high to accentuate her legs and firm buttocks. She glanced at Robert to see his response. His face remained impassive, as though he were looking at a painting in an art gallery. Slightly annoyed by his cool demeanour, Julia decided to perform a sequence she’d adapted from a
Chicago
number. It was the sexiest dance she could think of. May as well let your hair down, she thought to herself. She undid the clasp holding her hair back and shook out her curls. The tips of her black hair brushed against her nipples, which were still sticking out proudly.
    She stood in front of Robert and inhaled, standing in first position to centre herself. She hadn’t warmed up properly, and there was no music. This was certainly going to be a challenge. In her head, she conjured up the opening bars to a tango rhythm. Closing her eyes till she could concentrate on the beat, Julia started moving. She swept across the floor in a ‘cat walk’, aware all thetime that Robert’s eyes were following her. Rolling her shoulder and flicking her head, Julia looked straight at him. He was frowning slightly, his gaze fixed on her body. She felt suddenly weightless – the austerity of the space and the cold concrete floor now felt like a stripped-down, pure environment where she could vaunt her skills freely. Then she gave in to the dancing, forcing herself to concentrate.
    She ran through her routine slowly, her movements fluid and sustained, hips swivelling and legs kicking high as she turned and spun. As her body warmed up she felt the familiar buzz of adrenaline enter her bloodstream mixed with a charge of sexual energy, dancing for this stranger, alone in a silent room. She executed switch leaps and
grands jetés
– the splits mid-air – with expert precision, breaking sweat and starting to breathe heavily.
    Robert watched