Condoned (Beauty And The Billionaire Geek Book 3) by E.E. Griffin Page A

show had a 1950’s pin up theme. We worked with different ideas of pin-ups that were a subtle cultural critique while also being sexy as hell. That was the fun of burlesque. We could be smart and political while still arousing our audience. It was so Seattle.
    The theater filled up and our MC comedian took the stage under the glowing spotlights. She’d been our MC from the start and her experience and humor still brought the house down. She’d lost a little weight over the years, but still had her pleasantly plump figure and mischievous attitude.
    I watched from backstage, paying attention to lighting queues. Our AV tech was on his mark tonight. It was usually a toss-up with the theaters if they would be or not.
    The show progressed beautifully and my dance routine got the crowd good and horny before the finale blew their minds. They brought us back on stage three times for encores. I loved it when shows went so well.
    I strode back stage and changed with the rest of the girls. I washed my stage makeup off my face and put on a pair of comfortable faded jeans, a black t-shirt of an indie band that opened for us sometimes, and a casual black blazer. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail.
    I slung my garment bags over my shoulders, said good night to the girls and walked out into the crisp evening air. This part of town was always busy. At midnight, the bright lights of downtown shone against the black sky above and black pavement below.
    A strong, cool wind blew off the Sound. Even in the summer time, Seattle could be chilly at night. I dug into my purse and checked my cell phone for the exact time as I approached the bus stop. I’d just missed it. It would be a fifteen minute wait for the next one.
    “I always liked to watch you dance,” said a voice from behind me. I whirled around, feeling my stomach clench so violently I thought I’d puke.
    “Billy…” I gasped. “What are you doing here?”
    “I came to see the show. I’ve watched your shows dozens of times over the years,” he said, leaning against a street lamp next to me. He wore dark designer jeans and an expensive looking black blazer over a Battle Star Gallactica t-shirt. Same old Billy but with a better haircut. I noticed he’d filled out quite a bit. His shoulders had broadened and his muscles strained against the jacket.
    My eyes widened as I really looked at him for the first time in five years. I could see the taper of his slim waist under the tight fitting t-shirt and the rise of hard pectoral muscles.
    He caught me looking and the sides of his mouth twitched into a smirk. “You like?” he said, flexing. I rolled my eyes and turned away, looking down the street. My heart raced and blood pumped into my ears. I had nothing to say to him. I’d just ignore him and he’d go away. But he didn’t. He moved closer.
    I could feel his gaze run over my butt and down my legs and back again to rest on my neck. I turned to glare at him only to find him standing right behind me. I looked forward but couldn’t move. The warmth of his body send shivers down my spine, but I told myself it was the cool breeze off the bay.
    He stood so close to me we were almost touching, and I could smell the scent of his cologne— rich and musky with a hint of exotic spices underneath.
    “Why are you waiting at the bus stop?” he asked. His hot breath blew over the little hairs on the back of my neck.
    “It’s a public place. I can wait here,” I said, looking down the street again. The bus could not come fast enough.
    “That boyfriend of yours really messed you up.”
    I spun around to face him, glaring suspiciously. “You mean you?”
    “I mean the douchebag shumck who screwed up your finances.”
    “How did you find out about that? It’s not like I’m in the papers.”
    He smirked again and rolled his eyes. “Please. Give me some credit. I could hack that kind of information when I was fifteen, Zoe.”
    “Are you spying on me, Billy?” I said, narrowing my eyes