The Recruit(57)

Jaz snuck out Anna’s window, pulled her short dress up to her waist so she could climb her way down the tree. Lucky she didn’t have to wear stockings. On the ground she adjusted her dress, took off her jacket and hid it under a bush. When she glanced down all she could see was her breasts straining against the black material. My God, it was amazing what a push-up bra did. Anna would have freaked if she’d seen Jaz like this. Jaz was a little freaked herself.

Down the street, she could see the taxi sitting where she’d requested it to wait. ‘Ramblers nightclub please,’ she said as she climbed in.

She put on her black pumps and opened her clutch purse to apply some more lipstick. When the taxi pulled up outside the club, Jaz scooted forward and paid the guy. She would use another taxi to go to the pick-up point, which was a nice way of saying where she was going. Into the red light area even sounded better than a whorehouse. With a shiver, Jaz got out. In front of the club she could see Ryan talking to a bouncer mate, both with the black Ramblers’ shirts on.

His back was to her as she began to walk carefully towards them. The dangerously high heels threatened to topple her before she found her balance. After a few steps she began to swing the hips. Think sexy, she told herself. Just don’t fall over!

The other bouncer spotted her first, his eyes watching her as he paused mid sentence. Ryan turned to see what had caught his attention.

She gave him a smile and a wave and then watched as his jaw dropped. The last ten metres seemed to take forever as she tried to concentrate on walking in the ankle-breakers. There were whistles and catcalls but Jaz only had eyes for Ryan. She was using him to keep her steady.

‘Jaz?’ He held out his hands to her and she was relieved to be able to grab onto something. His hands were strong and warm. But it was the look on his face that caused her insides to burn.

‘Yes, it’s me. So do I pass?’ she asked.

Ryan turned back to his bouncer mate. ‘Do you mind if I just have a few minutes here? I’ll be in in a sec, Peter.’

Peter gave him a wink, gave Jaz a last minute gawk, muttered under his breath before heading inside the club.

‘I’m speechless,’ said Ryan as he stood back to take in her heels. His eyes continued up her legs, paused for a moment on her chest; he shook his head and then found her eyes again.

‘So what’s the address?’ she asked as she felt a blush creeping over her skin.

‘Um yeah, right.’ Ryan let go of her hands and pulled out a piece of paper. ‘Go here, it’s a green door. Go in and ask for Sasha.’ Ryan spent ten minutes going over what she had to do and say. ‘Then come back to the club and find me. Okay?”

‘Sure, sounds easy enough.’ If only her heart would stop pounding away. If it kept up this pace she’d likely faint before too long and what good would that do them?

‘Good luck.’ Ryan pulled her in for a hug. Jaz clutched her arms across his strong back, rested her head on his shoulder, and breathed. It was weird how safe she felt in his arms, how much it calmed her in the face of what she was about to do. She felt his hands move down her back to her waist and slowly he pulled her back a fraction. ‘I’ll get you a taxi and see you off before I go inside.’ He raised her chin with his fingers so he could study her. ‘Now is the time to speak up if you’re not sure.’

Jaz smiled and brushed his hand away. ‘I didn’t tart myself up just to walk away, Ryan. I said I’d do it and I will. I’ll see you back here soon.’

‘I’ll be waiting.’

They said no more but lots passed between their eyes as she climbed into the next taxi. She could tell Ryan didn’t want to let her go, he was worried but he also trusted her, which was special. She wanted to do this for him, in a way to prove herself. And she trusted him.

The taxi driver didn’t bat an eyelid when she gave him the address and when they arrived she pressed a fifty into his hand. ‘Can you wait around please? I won’t be long.’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ he said pocketing the money.

Before she could lose her nerve, Jaz walked around the corner and straight towards the green door. It wasn’t hidden, in fact it stood out on the quiet street, lit with bright lights. She was half expecting a red light flashing at the top.

Holding her purse in a near death grip, she pushed open the door and headed inside without pausing. Get in and out quick, that’s what Ryan had said.

The place smelt funky but Jaz wasn’t going to stop and deliberate. She found herself in a small reception area and stepped to the dark desk.

A girl in what looked like a red satin slip smiled up at her. ‘Can I help you?’