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CHAPTER ONE

'Melody March stood shyly in a crowded corner on the deck of the 'Arantia'. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as she ran her hands shakily over her slender hips. Never in a million years would she have purchased such a daring, though thoroughly elegant gown and felt inordinate gratitude for the fact that simply everyone wore fashionable masks.

'Arantia' was a beautiful, huge white yacht and literally gleamed under the moonlight in Southampton Harbour, as it nestled in the water like a giant-beached whale. Owned by the eminent Doctor David Pattison, it was frequently hired out by him as the exclusive venue for charity bashes and tonight was no exception.

Melody had the enviable pleasure of being David's close colleague and personal assistant. Right now she offered a prayer of thanks for his absence, almost envisaging his heavy frown of disapproval, which would torment her very soul.

Tonight she was standing in for her dearest friend and flat mate Carmel - better known as Mel Munro, the now famous, deep digging journalist with a nose that seemed to lead her to the big stories frequently before they broke.

Her wide blue eyes roamed nervously around as she mentally recalled Carmel's frantic plea, 'Melody, you must wear my dress and badge. If you just find out who attends and even more importantly, what they are wearing.' 'You mean for me to pose as you?' Melody had gasped. 'Sure! We are both similar in size and all the blokes will absolutely adore you, providing you put yourself about a bit. Oh, I know I shouldn't have double booked myself - Mel, please, this will help me out of a real jam!'

A clanging gong suddenly brought her back to the party. The music drifted into silence as the excited chatter began to slow down. A delicious salty breeze blew and it was now possible to hear the water gently lapping against the sides of the yacht.

An air of expectancy hung around, as several speakers seemed ready to take centre stage. Lights were dimmed and glasses were rapidly filled and Melody tried to concentrate hard on the next half-hour or so. After all, she was standing in for someone special.

To her amazement, she found a tall man moving closer to her side. His voice throbbed with culture as he stated cheekily, 'So, you're the delightfully notorious Mel Munro!' 'Y ... yes,' she stammered.

Blushing wildly, she noted the way his masked eyes snaked over her dress, or lack of it. Carmel looked stunning in such a gown. It wasn't her own particular choice, yet it was quite delicious. Designed in soft, black jersey, it was completely straight, with a long slit up to her left thigh, making absolutely sure that undies were totally superfluous, as it hugged her slender body. Her dainty feet were threaded into golden, strap, high-heeled shoes.

Self-consciously she glanced down at her voluptuous breasts that were practically exposed. The dress top was laced from her waist to just under her bust and two leaf like pieces of leather material stood up to cover the fronts of her bosom. She still had the feeling that one sudden movement would expose at least one rosy tipped breast, yet other women seemed to have no problems with plunging necklines. Nervously playing with the gold choker that decorated her swanlike neck, she moved uneasily from one foot to the other as the guest speakers moved towards the microphone. For a moment she completely forgot that she was on board David's luxurious yacht.

The stranger was still staring down the front of her dress. She tried to move and found she couldn't. She had managed to note all of the information requested by her friend and was ready to leave the moment the speeches ended.

Without warning the stranger reached over and with complete ease allowed his left hand to delve into her cleavage. His sensual mouth pursed as he lifted her right breast and, to her embarrassment she felt her nipples become rigid. He groaned lightly, 'They tell me you're a terrific sport, Mel. You are also a beautiful woman!'

Melody froze as she realised the full implication of Carmel's words and her cheeks seemed to be on fire as they burned mercilessly. Only once had she taken a man and that had been nothing short of a nightmare. In fact, that particular episode in her life had turned her away from sex and left her feeling tense with strange, weird sensations of need, especially when she worked so closely with David.

Giving an embarrassed little cough, she slowly and meaningfully removed the stranger's hand and replaced her naked breast behind its cover. Tingles ran the length of her spine as she tried in vain to pay attention to the speeches. To her complete astonishment, she found that new desires were rapidly awakening.

A waft of hot breath ran across her already burning cheeks as she felt his hand enter the slit in her dress. Scarcely able to breathe, her heart began to race with an excitement she had never experienced before. Of course she should move, she told herself. But where to?

His hand now ran softly over her thigh as a gasp of obvious pleasure left him. Melody swiftly sipped her drink as his fingers moved slowly and tantalisingly over her abdomen. Her flesh burned as his hand edged towards her very private mound, making her squirm with shameless wonder. Her eyes searched around and she knew no one could see her. Sipping her drink with a nonchalance she didn't feel, her temperature soared as a long, smooth, well manicured, finger stroked the silken hair between her legs. 'Mel, you feel beautiful!'

The slightly hoarse words penetrated her mind as she realised how tall her adopted companion was. If only she could see him face to face. Was this how Carmel carried on? Should she turn and slap his face? She couldn't, not without drawing attention to herself. And besides, she felt inordinately feminine as he turned slightly and placed his arm around her bare shoulders and began to rub his thumb along her alabaster skin.

Fire seemed to have replaced her blood as it coursed through her trembling body. With a heavy sigh, he began to wind her private hair around his smooth finger and groaned, 'I've never felt anyone so soft and silky. Hell, I want you, Mel Munro!'

There was a truly delicious throatiness in his voice. He sounded cultured and judging by the sumptuous Barathea cloth of his evening suit, he was more than well off. The tickets for this bash alone had cost a fortune and the maximum of publicity was required to raise the money for one of David's many charities.

Now lost in temporary, but exquisite wonder, she recalled how frequently David hired out his yacht for such functions and fleetingly wished that this stranger was David. Then she wondered frantically if the eminent doctor knew this man with the brass neck to be taking such liberties. A rush of moisture gathered in her passage as her breasts rose and fell with her rapidly growing arousal.

Contented little moans left him and she longed for him to talk some more, to keep on talking in his well-modulated voice. She may know him was the last thought that crossed her mind and then nothing mattered.

Bursts of applause filled the room and the stranger used the opportunity to allow his finger to flow along her furrow and her heart thumped as weakness flooded through her. Was it her imagination, or had she subconsciously parted her legs by the merest smidgen? His arm now covered her shoulder and pulled her body closely to him.

He was standing immediately behind her, his subtle aftershave now tormenting her nostrils. His breathing was heavy as he panted gasps down her neck, and his hand continued to move between her legs. A shudder began in the bottom of her spine and rushed directly upwards, as his breath became hotter on her neck.

Perspiration droplets filtered across her forehead as she wondered if this was how Carmel really lived. Mentally Melody paged through her notebook, which was now securely in her handbag. She had written up details of names as they had been called for dinner, and most importantly, mentioned the gorgeous gowns worn by wives mid girl friends. Yes she had covered this occasion as well, as her dear friend would have done.

Palpitations now fluttered in her chest as the stranger's lips ran seductively over her shoulder. Quivering wildly, she turned her head slightly and whispered, 'What's your name? I mean, do ... we know each other?' 'Hopefully not. That is the idea of the masks. You are even lovelier than your reputation,' he replied softly. 'But you know me and that's not fair!' 'Reporters expect to be well known. You have made a red hot name for yourself and I can't find anything to argue with. One day we will meet away from here and I'll tell you all you want to know. Are you interested then?'

His voice was soft and low as he brazenly challenged her. Shudders continued to assault her spine as another burst of applause rang out. A waiter walked by and refilled her empty glass and she drank half of the contents thirstily.

Vaguely she heard a zipper being opened and when he removed his hand from her pleasure centre, she felt like crying out with a dreadfully bitter disappointment.

Worldly wise she was not, yet she knew he had removed his hardness as his knees bent behind her. She could feel his rigidness prodding against her naked thigh as he swung the dress opening wider and pulled her closer. .

Slowly, provocatively, he straightened his knees and brought his slickness to rest along her furrow. Shamelessly she realised that he could feel the mad pulsating that fluttered with a wildness she had never experienced.

With agonised relief his hand returned to feather her pubic hair and she moaned her delight. How she longed to know the identity of this man who was making her feel so exquisitely beautiful. Carmel certainly led a full and exciting life, she thought as she glanced surreptitiously around her.

Nobody seemed to be taking much notice - all eyes were riveted onto the various speakers. Perhaps others were being put through this magnificent torture and being reduced to simpering, wanton heaps. She even wondered if David would behave like this - let's face it, she thought, she wished this was David.

Hot jerky breath zapped down her nape as the stranger's finger sought out her hard nub, no bigger than a tiny rosebud. Her senses were severely jolted as he gently pressed there and for some reason she remembered her first and only time, having been well and truly convinced that sex was one very overrated pastime.

Ultimately she had confided in Carmel who had promised her that sex was wonderful. At the time it had made no sense whatsoever, right now though, it was scrumptiously and excitingly different.

Moisture now rushed into the heart of her private place and when the stranger bent his knees and eased her legs further apart, she responded with eagerness. And then she felt his bulk slide into her as a hot knife glides through butter. Moans of helpless desire shut from her lips as she gloried in the sensation.

His mouth gently kissed her neck as he whispered, 'Hell, you're as succulent as an overripe peach. Don't move for a moment. Mel, otherwise I'll lose it. By the way, what's Mel short for?' 'Melody,' she gasped without thought.

She was desperately trying to come to terms with the fact that she was absolutely saturated with longing as he continued to manipulate her special bud. Peculiar feelings began to build, filling her belly with fire. Almost as though to steady her, his other hand tensed on her shoulder as he began to move her up and down.

Strange highly-charged arrows seemed to fly around her body and rendered her helpless. Her glass shook and started to drip as she moved with eagerness. Needing to rid any spillage, she hastily gulped the entire contents and the glorious convulsive shudders commenced.

Panting helplessly, she felt an explosion within her as his hand kept up the friction on the bud that throbbed for appeasement. Biting her bottom lip to stop from screaming out, she felt herself come in superb bursts that rocked her very soul as the rigid rod moved ceaselessly.

Casting her startled eyes downwards, she noticed the way her breasts were jumping about, within their precarious cover. Never did she want this moment to end. This had been a miraculous discovery and she certainly didn't want to lose it. Why, oh why wasn't she a popular, roving reporter?

Suddenly the stranger moved both hands onto her shoulders and began to pump mercilessly. His breathing was laboured and wafted delightfully over her neck. Then he convulsed and she felt the stream of heat leaving him as he groaned so loudly, she thought everyone would hear. His words came in heady, breathless pants, 'You're greater than I ever expected. You are a beautiful lady with a beautiful name!'

Her body was weak from the swift burst of sensational lust. She was shattered, yet felt absolutely wonderful and exceedingly sensual. She was feminine and totally fulfilled and longed for this to happen again. She also knew, that now she would never believe exactly what she was told she was not capable of, as her body still shook violently with the heart stopping aftermath of her own behaviour.

Dropping tender kisses along her shoulders, her new companion carefully withdrew himself. As he did so, he produced his handkerchief and dabbed her dry. He pressed the soft material into her hand and dropped a further kiss onto her neck. She then knew, without turning. that he was gone and a deep sadness welled inside of her.

A fresh sea breeze blew over her burning cheeks and a wonderfully relaxed sensation filled her. One day she would find out who the bold stranger was and instinctively knew she would now become a willing participant in the sex stakes as her body trembled anew at the very thought.

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