One vodka tonic, to steady her nerves

"Vodka tonic," she answered, figuring she'd need the liquid courage.

As the drink appeared before her, Sajima leaned in slightly. "And what shall I call you? I realize we didn't properly introduce ourselves earlier."

Susan took a long sip before answering, the **** burning pleasantly down her throat. "Suzanne," she said, the first time she'd spoken the name aloud to another person.

"Suzanne," he repeated, testing it. "Beautiful. Are you a professional dancer somewhere else?"

She shook her head. "No, nothing like that. I just... do this occasionally. For fun."

"But you've never performed in a venue like this before?"

"No," she admitted, taking another substantial swallow of her drink. "Never."

Sajima's eyes gleamed with interest. "May I ask what brings you here, then? What made you say yes to my invitation?"

Susan considered how much to reveal. "I enjoy the feeling of dancing," she said carefully. "Of being watched. The anonymity of it."

"Ah," Sajima nodded with understanding. "You have a normal life. A respectable one, I imagine."

The accuracy of his guess made her shift uncomfortably. "Something like that."

"Don't worry, Suzanne. Many of our dancers have separate lives. Some are students, some have day jobs." He smiled. "Some are even married women looking for something their husbands can't provide."

Susan nearly choked on her drink at that, prompting Sajima to signal for another.

"I didn't mean to make assumptions," he said smoothly. "Just that you wouldn't be the first woman to find liberation here."