Right at this moment, her only underwear was the tiniest G-string, bringing a sensual awareness of her body that was exquisitely exciting. The design of the dress heightened that awareness, the strapless bodice being ruthlessly boned, pulling her waist in and pushing her breasts up and together into a stunning cleavage. The bell-shaped skirt didn’t touch her skin from her hips downwards, leaving room for air to swirl around her bare legs and mostly bare bottom.

‘I hope you’re at least wearing panties under that dress,’ Mike muttered.

Natalie smiled a saucy smile at him in the wall mirror that hung over the dressing table. ‘That’s for me to know and you to find out.’

His groan was telling. So were his eyes.

Natalie liked nothing better than making Mike desperate with desire for her.

Maybe this was because she knew he didn’t love her. His lust for her, however, was the next best thing. She could pretend that he loved her when he was inside her, when he cried out uncontrollably at the moment of his release, when his body trembled and shook with the force of his passion.

‘What about these earrings?’ she asked as she whirled back to face him, the rapid movement setting the long diamanté drops swinging back and forth across her bare shoulders. ‘Too sexy as well?’

His smile was wry. ‘You’re trying to get a rise out of me.’

‘Yes, indeed,’ she said, her eyelashes fluttering be fore dropping down to his groin area.

He laughed. ‘If only I’d known that first day how naughty you were, I would have whisked you straight off to bed, like I wanted to.’

Natalie blinked her surprise. ‘You wanted to take me to bed, even when I looked like a frump?’

‘You’d better believe it.’

Nothing he’d ever said had pleased her so much.

‘I wouldn’t have said no,’ she confessed as well.

‘Now she tells me.’

‘I didn’t like you much, but I thought you were a sexy beast.’

‘I do so love your backhanded compliments.’

She reached up to stroke his cheek. ‘I like you much better now. In every way.’

He took a step back from her so that her hand dropped away.

‘I think we should go up to the party, Natalie. Much as I don’t like the idea of you being fancied by every man there, I don’t want to risk ruining that very beautiful dress you’re wearing. And I might, if we stay down here any longer.’

‘I love it when you say things like that.’

‘I know. Shall we go?’

‘Goodness me,’ Natalie murmured as they walked along the deck towards the main saloon. ‘Sounds like there’s a hundred people in there.’