Babes Stripping For Love

The first time Seamus Braddock heard about the situation regarding Cormac Sullivan, he was certain that someone had done the man wrong. Because Braddock knew him, and the Sullivan he knew wouldn’t put his family in a dire position, let alone dare to embezzle millions of his client’s funds, and the news even talking about foundations being tangled in the scheme.

Braddock was not aware of what was happening to Sullivan until it was too late, thinking that he has his ways to get out of his mess. But then Sullivan’s lawyer called him for a favor. The old family friend wanted him to take in his daughter, his lawyer had explained that during his trials Mrs. Sullivan had passed away due to a heart condition, leaving his daughter and a significant amount of hospital bills. Bills that Sullivan was not able to pay since his accounts and assets were seized by the government.

Seamus’s dad was close with Sullivan, in the first year of Sullivan opening his office, his family had done lucrative business with him. The Braddock had laundered their money, effectively and efficiently. Being on the shady side of the business it was always good to fly under the government radar and to do so Sullivan had helped them to put their money and invest in shell companies. That was in the beginning, now, thanks to Sullivan’s hard work his family was well off and never had a near miss with any government agencies.

And when Braddock Sr. announced that he was going to retire, Seamus took over his dad’s role in the companies. From there he had the pleasure of handling Braddock’s businesses with Cormac Sullivan. Seamus had decided that he was very good at his job, the man was meticulous and seemed to have everything in control. That was until the whole fiasco where Sullivan’s alleged embezzlement case went viral. It even made Braddock’s involvement with Sullivan needed to be handled. Immediately.

The week after the news went viral Seamus gathered his team and went through every possible loophole. And after what felt like hundred hours of meetings and skimming through their shell companies with their legal, it seemed that Braddock was going to survive the thorough investigation that was conducted by the government anti-fraud agency against Sullivan’s company.

Then, when his dad told him about the favor his mind was taken back to the conversation he had with Sullivan’s lawyer. Cormac was cashing out favor with Braddock Sr. and Seamus was to adhere to his request.

The file on Charlotte Sullivan was on his desk a couple of hours later, his PA had compiled them from every internet search she could find on the Prima Ballerina. Charlotte was twenty-three years old, twelve years his junior and he was determined to leave her and her problems alone by putting her in the furthest room in his enormous house. He did not have time for her, he was a busy man with a busy schedule.

When the day of her arrival came, Seamus was expecting a snobbish brat, self-entitled, young, skinny ballerina that was going to pout and cry all day, whining about her misfortune and giving him the attitude. But instead, he was faced with a beautiful, lean, and very pale-looking redhead that made him want to grab her, hold her, and told her that everything was going to be okay.

Charlotte didn’t talk much when the lawyer introduced them in the foyer of his house. Yes, Seamus had come home early to greet her as per his dad’s request, and being the good son, he relented to his dad’s wishes while he was vacationing to god knows where with mom.

“Charlotte, this is Marjorie, she will assist you with all of your needs, and Burke will be available to take you anywhere you need to be. I’ve come to know you’re dad, he’s a good man, and I hope everything will get sorted out soon.” Seamus tried to make his voice as welcoming as possible, because looking at her that was all he wanted to do. He wanted to take all her troubles away, and maybe, just maybe, put a smile on her face. Though he shook the last thing away, it was not in his place to do so. He was only to give her shelter until her dad was able to take her back.

“Thank you.” Two words were all she said, so he let Marjorie usher her to the guest bedroom that was prepared upon her arrival. Seamus didn’t see her for the rest of the night as he continued to work at his home office.

The man didn’t tell her about his plan to look into her dad’s case, he didn’t want to get her hopes up. But knowing Sullivan, and seeing his daughter in her fragile state it was the least that he could do. He had the means and the money to do so and might as well help a colleague out. His dad would be so proud of him.

The next day Charlotte went down for breakfast, and she blushed when she saw him bare-chested wearing only his pajama pants. Seamus looked amused, thinking being a ballerina she should’ve accustomed herself to men in leggings and naked torsos. She should not flush pink seeing him in his morning attire.

Charlotte was an anomaly, Seamus had dated a ballerina years ago for a while. He had met her friends, and most of them were just like his ex. Seamus thought that he might be wrong in slapping her with prejudice, thinking all ballerinas were the same. Charlotte was not a snob, he could see that she was nice to Marjorie. Charlotte was far from his ballerina ex who was a narcissist, selfish, gold-digging, social media addict, and highly competitive person who’d do anything to succeed. He had broken up with his ex and ended the toxic relationship with a big relief.

After an awkward greeting between her and Seamus, Charlotte sits down and then thanked Marjorie for the breakfast spread, before the young maid left them to their privacy.

“What are your plans for today?” Seamus asked after finishing his first cup of coffee.

“Looking for a job… I’ve been getting rejections email for days now. So I’m going to take Burke and see the town if that’s okay?”

“Sure, sure… I told you, Burke will be at your disposal. Look, Charlotte, your dad is a good friend of our family and you will stay and consider this as your home.” He explained while he carefully studied her expression and body language. “And you don’t have to worry about getting a job so soon, get acclimated first, take your time,”

“We owe you too much, I need to start earning to pay for mom’s hospital bill.”

Her guilt was shown, she looked burdened by her situation and Seamus didn’t like what he saw. But he didn’t want to push, he didn’t know her well enough to suggest otherwise. So he stayed quiet and let her talk.

“I’m already staying here, eating your food, being served by your staff, I need to contribute.” She paused to drink her orange juice.

That day she went out with Burke and Seamus was sticking to his schedule, working, and attending a couple of meetings then arrived back home just after dinner time. He had been doing it on repeat for the past several years since his dad had slowly made him take over his positions as the head of the companies that the Braddock owned.

Seamus had never been so furious the day Charlotte announced that she finally got a job as a dancer at Babes. It was a strip club, he knows it, though a high-end one, still… it was a strip club. They argued until he realized that she was a stubborn woman who insisted that she wanted to pay for her family’s debt. He should admire her traits but he didn’t, he hated it, he hated the thought that she was going to dance, twirling on a pole almost naked, smiling at half-drunk sleazy men.

“Why are you doing this? you can work at my office, I’m sure we can work something out if you really insisted on paying the debt.”

“I’m not an office worker, I love being on stage. I love dancing, it’s all I’ve done since I learn to walk.”

He didn’t want to tell her that he also owns a club, it was his, not his dad’s. It was his passion to own a gentleman’s club, a nice exclusive place where people with the same interest gathered. He could employ her there, but there was no dancing, just singing. Though maybe she could sing, or she can manage a new dance routine. But then he didn’t want all those rich men flocking by the stage, drooling all over her performance. Nope, not a good solution.

Somewhere along the way, he had developed feelings for her. Possessive, protective feelings, that he thought he shouldn’t have. She was young, twelve years too young for him. Charlotte was too sweet for him. She couldn’t handle him sexually. He was certain of it.

Seamus was ruthless in bed, he needed women who were compatible with him, women who will give him exactly what he wanted. God knows he wanted Charlotte since the first time he laid eyes on her, he wanted to strip her down, bound her to his bed, and do stuff that’ll make her blush.