“This ain’t no job for a lady, kid,” he said indifferently. “You change right here or you might as well scram the hell out of here.”

Terry bit her lip. But there was no choice. If she didn’t do as Carrol said, she would never accomplish what she had come here for. She hoped he didn’t push her too hard…

Nervously she unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it. She was wearing a bra, panties, garter belt, and a half slip. Carrol eyed her with interest. She fumbled with the bag, taking the gown out. But just as she was about to put it on, Carrol drawled slowly, “Hold it, baby.”

“What is it?”

He pointed to her straining bra. “Tell me are those goodies real or do you have cotton in there?”

Terry’s face flamed. “I don’t see where that’s any of your business!”

“Listen,” he said, his face growing ugly. “Everything that goes on around here is my business, get me? Including whether my girls wear falsies or not.”

“You said yourself that the customers can’t tell a good one from a bad—”

“Maybe they can’t. But I can.” He leered at her. “Kid, this town is full of girls who want to work in jobs like this. If you want to work here, you gotta be nice to me sometimes. I don’t go for no insubordination. Take the bra off and let me have a look.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then you can pack up and clear out.”

Terry hesitated, her face crimson. She told herself that she would go this far, but no farther. If Carrol wanted her to strip completely, or to make love to her, she would refuse and try some other way of getting the information she wanted. There were limits…

She walked over and closed the door of the little room. Then, quickly, she unsnapped her bra. The cups fell from her breasts. A cool breeze travelled past her nipples.

She was conscious of Carrol’s lustful gaze on her young flesh. The man was practically drooling. In her imagination, she saw him rising, coming toward her, ripping away her clothes. Saw him removing his clothes, forcing himself upon her. The idea of it all nearly sickened her. His gaze did not waver. She stood there, her face an icy mask, waiting for him to finish his disgusting inspection, praying that he would not want to handle and squeeze, as well as to see…

After perhaps thirty seconds he muttered, “Nice, baby. Damn nice.”

She hooked the bra on again. Carrol was still smiling.

He seemed to be satisfied with a brief look, at least for now, because he made no further attempt to interfere with her as she hurriedly donned her evening gown. It was low-cut and daring, but what did that matter now that he had seen her bare breasts?