Crossword Genius

Bootlegging, excluding number that's suggestive (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

racy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'suggestive' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bootlegging excluding number' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'number' could be 'c' (C is an example) and 'c' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ray' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'that's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for racy that I've seen before include "Risqu" , "Suggestive; spirited" , "rather blue" , "Slightly indecent" , "Lively" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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