Fortune: The Original Snogbuster

‘Sorry!’ she exclaimed, embarrassed. ‘I—’

All she could take in was a mop of black hair and luminous green eyes before the boy rounded on her furiously. ‘What the hell are you doing?’ he shouted, his English strongly accented. ‘You have no right to be in here!’

He was much taller than her, and Sapphire shrank back as he stared down at her angrily.

‘I’m really sorry,’ she stammered. ‘I didn’t realise—’

He didn’t give her time to finish. He gestured at the door. ‘Get out.’

Cheeks burning with humiliation, Sapphire started to walk out. Then a wave of anger suddenly swept through her. ‘There’s no need to be so rude,’ she said swinging round. ‘I said I was sorry. It was a mistake to come—’

Her words fell away as she realised he was right behind her. They collided and, as she fell against his chest, Sapphire felt the lean, hard muscle underneath and caught the waft of fresh aftershave.

‘Oh!’

She stumbled back as the dark-haired boy almost shoved her away from him. He looked at her, his pale face disdainful.

‘You kind of girls spend your whole life being rude, what can you expect in return?’

‘What?’ exclaimed Sapphire. ‘What are you talking about? You don’t even know me!’

His eyes flashed. ‘Nor do I wish to.’ With that, he shut the door in Sapphire’s face.

It was late morning before Sapphire found Madison and Simonetta sunbathing beside the pool. Each was in the smallest of bikinis, showcasing their perfect bodies. Simonetta was wearing huge gold hoop earrings, a selection of gold chains draped round her neck. The Italians sure go big on accessorising, Sapphire thought. Simonetta made even lying by the pool into a major fashion shoot. Sapphire dumped her bag and sat on the nearest sunlounger.

‘Hi, guys.’

Madison lifted up her Gucci sunglasses and inspected Sapphire as though she was some kind of insect.

‘Oh, it’s you.’

Simonetta didn’t move a muscle, as if she couldn’t even be bothered to say hello. Sapphire decided to persevere. After all, she was stuck with these two for the time being.

‘What have you two been up to?’

‘This,’ said Madison, lying back on her lounger. After a few seconds, though, her head lifted back up again. ‘Where’s your bedroom anyway? Simonetta and I were wondering where they’d put you. The servants quarters, maybe…’

Sapphire gestured at her balcony. ‘Actually, I’m up there.’

Madison sat up. ‘There? You’ve got your own balcony?’

Sapphire nodded. ‘Where are you two then?’

Madison looked at Simonetta, who had inclined her head slightly. Her jewellery glowed expensively in the sunlight. ‘We’re at the back of the house,’ she said, sounding annoyed.

‘Ah, no balcony?’ Sapphire asked, trying to stop herself smiling. She could imagine the dirty look she was getting from behind Madison’s mirrored sunglasses.

Madison opened her mouth to say something, but just then Tito appeared with a tray of glasses and iced water. He set it down on a table between Simonetta and Madison’s sunbeds.

‘I thought you might like some refreshment, signorinas.’

‘Grazie, Tito,’ Sapphire replied.

He looked pleased and clapped his hands. ‘I see you learn the lingo already. Have you had the chance to have a look round?’

Sapphire nodded. ‘It’s really lovely.’

‘It’s really lovely,’ Madison mimicked in a stupid English accent. She turned on her side with her back to them. Simonetta was completely motionless again, as if she had fallen asleep.

Tito’s eyes twinkled at Sapphire.

‘And from your observations, Sapphire,’ he asked, ‘what sort of man do you think Signor Masters is?’

Sapphire hesitated. ‘Well, he’s obviously into his art and music. Mr Masters clearly likes to be surrounded by beautiful things. But…’ She stopped, not wanting to seem rude.

‘Go on,’ Tito said, smiling.

‘Oh, I don’t know. It really is a beautiful place, but there’s just something a bit…’ Sapphire wrinkled her forehead, trying to think of the right words. ‘Empty about it, do you know what I mean? Like, it’s not very homely. I’m not slagging it off,’ she added hastily.

Tito laughed. ‘I am sure you’re not! Casa Eleganza is a little like, how do you say it, a blank canvas?’

‘Yeah,’ agreed Sapphire. ‘Normally you can get a feeling for someone from their house, but I don’t feel I know anything about Brad Masters.’

Tito’s eyes twinkled again. ‘Maybe Signor Masters likes it that way.’

Sapphire hesitated, thinking of the boy she’d bumped into earlier – the one who’d been so horrible to her. ‘Tito, I ran into this guy earlier. Black hair and green eyes, what’s his—’

‘Heavens, boy! Are you bothering these girls, Tito?’ Maggie walked alongside the pool towards them, wearing what looked like a dark-green version of the navy dress she had been wearing yesterday. ‘Haven’t you got any jobs to do?’ she said to Tito, though her tone wasn’t cross. Tito bowed and, giving Sapphire a cheeky smile, waltzed off.

‘He’s a good lad, Tito, but Lord can he talk the hind legs off a donkey,’ Maggie chuckled. She stood over the girls, hands on sturdy hips. ‘How are you all doing today?’ she asked.

Madison sat up, ignoring the question. ‘Are the other guests here yet? When’s Brad flying in?’

‘Hold your horses, young woman,’ Maggie told her. ‘I actually came to tell you that Mr Masters will be arriving by helicopter later on today. He’d like you to join him on the terrace at seven o’clock.’

‘Seven o’clock?’ said Madison. ‘You seriously expect me to be ready by then? It’s, like, the evening already.’

‘It’s not even lunchtime yet,’ said Sapphire. ‘You’ve got plenty of time.’

‘Maybe you do,’ said Madison, getting up from the sun lounger. ‘Some of us like to look good.’

Lying on her sunbed, Simonetta’s lips twitched into a smile. ‘And some of us look good naturally,’ she said airily.

Madison stared at her. ‘Bitch,’ she said, eventually. ‘You do not know who you’re messing with.’

‘I’m sorry, did I offend you?’ asked Simonetta. ‘I was just making an observation.’

Maggie stepped between the two girls. ‘Madison, why don’t you go up to your room. I’ll help you get ready if you like.’ She ushered Madison towards the house. Before she left, she turned to Sapphire and smiled. ‘Brad does not know what he’s getting himself into,’ she said.

No, thought Sapphire. I’m sure he doesn’t.

But do we?

Chapter seven

The tension in the air was palpable. Madison sighed. ‘Where is he? We’ve been waiting for years.’

Sapphire checked her watch. It was quarter past seven.

‘He’s probably on the phone or something,’ she said. The three of them were on the terrace, waiting for the grand arrival of Brad Masters. They had all heard a helicopter whirring overhead a moment ago and now it sat on the helipad, like a giant insect resting. A man had got out and walked into the house through another door, ignoring them.

Madison sighed. ‘I needn’t have rushed after all. Do you know I had to do my hair in two hours tonight?’

She certainly looked the part in a shocking pink Versace dress and sparkly Dolce and Gabanna stilettos. Simonetta, who was standing in the shadows looking out to sea, was the epitome of Italian sexiness in a backless black dress, her sheet of dark hair cascading down her back. Sapphire, by contrast, had plumped for a smock dress over leggings and flat sandals. She wished she’d bought another pair of heels; she felt like a dwarf next to Simonetta and Madison.

Simonetta turned back towards the other two. ‘Something’s going on,’ she announced dramatically. ‘Something weird.’

Madison frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Think about it,’ Simonetta said loftily. ‘We are here for a party, but where are the other guests? It has just been us three since we got here.’

‘You’re right, you know,’ Sapphire said. She had been thinking the same thing herself.

Madison’s eyes widened. ‘But why would he invite just the three of us, all the way out here?’ Her eyes flickered over Sapphire. ‘After all, I can’t imagine what we’ve got in common.’

A man’s deep voice spoke behind them. ‘Ah, an inquiring mind. That’s what I like to see, young lady.’

They all spun round to see Brad Masters standing on the terrace. Even in the fading light, Sapphire could see he had an aura. He was tall – at least six foot two – with hair that had once been black, but was now greying around the temples. He was dressed in an expensive, lightweight grey suit (Armani, Simonetta noticed) with an open-necked black shirt underneath. He looked tanned, confident and simply oozing with power and money.

Brad Masters stepped forward and took Madison’s hand. ‘Madison, isn’t it? Delighted to meet you.’

‘And I’m delighted to meet you, Mr Masters,’ she gushed, eyes darting furiously to check him out. The Patek Philippe watch on his wrist must have cost a hundred grand!

He smiled easily. ‘Call me Brad.’

Simonetta wasted no time getting in next. ‘Simonetta Mastrangelo,’ she announced, giving Brad her hand. To her disappointment he didn’t kiss it.

‘Good evening, Simonetta,’ Brad replied. ‘I’ve seen your face before. You’re a model, aren’t you?’

Simonetta shot a smug look at Madison. Brad turned to Sapphire, who was standing at the back.

‘Last but not least, you must be Sapphire. Hello.’

‘Hello there,’ said Sapphire, blushing. Brad Masters was standing right there, in front of her! He shook her hand formally and his grip was strong and warm. Brad stepped back and surveyed the three of them.

‘I trust you’re enjoying your stay.’

‘Oh, we’re having a ball,’ Madison breathed, determined to strike up conversation first. ‘You have a really beautiful home. Of course, I’ve stayed in places as big as this before, but none quite so amazing. Your décor is really something,’ she added.

Brad smiled at her, as if he were slightly amused by something. ‘Thank you, Madison. I like it.’

‘How was your trip, Brad? Did you make any good deals?’ Simonetta asked, casually putting one hand on her hip to show off the outline of her body. She knew that when it came to powerful men, the way to impress them was by talking business.

Brad looked a bit taken aback. ‘It was a trip worth making, thank you, Simonetta.’

She smiled, doing that half-closed thing with her eyes she knew made men go wild.

Brad looked at Sapphire instead. ‘Have you had the chance to explore?’

‘Yes, it’s really beautiful, thank you. I’m just wondering, though…why did you invite me here?’

Brad ignored the question. ‘Do you play tennis?’

‘A bit,’ said Sapphire, blushing because he was singling her out. ‘I haven’t played much since school, though.’

‘We must find time to have a game,’ he told her. ‘Anyway, enough of my small talk, you must be starving. Please, follow me.’

Pushing Sapphire out of the way, Madison went after him, closely followed by Simonetta. All the way down the marble corridor, Brad made easy conversation with the girls, pointing out the famous photographs and paintings adorning his walls.

‘I’m particularly pleased with that – it’s an original Andy Warhol,’ Brad said as they passed a painting of brightly coloured flower prints.

Madison nodded sagely. ‘The name’s familiar. Was he on American Idol?’

Brad’s face stayed neutral, but Sapphire couldn’t help raising her eyebrows. She couldn’t believe Madison didn’t know one of the most famous artists of the last hundred years!

A few yards on, Brad stopped at the door of the dining-room. ‘By the way,’ he said casually, ‘I invited someone else to join us for dinner.’

He pushed the door open. ‘Girls, meet Cam Tyler.’

Madison screamed.

Chapter eight

Cam Tyler rose from his seat and smiled. Madison realised she was hyperventilating and tried to calm down. She couldn’t believe he was standing there in the flesh.

Cam was a twenty-year-old American R&B star who was the singing sensation of the moment. His debut single – originally released on his own MySpace page – had shot to the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic and he was tipped to be the next Usher, Ne-Yo and Justin Timberlake rolled into one. No wonder the music industry was going crazy for him, and every label was desperate to sign him.

But as usual, it seemed Brad Masters had got in there first.

‘Hi,’ Madison said breathily. ‘I’m Madison Vanderbilt.’

‘Cam,’ he said easily and stepped forward to take her hand. Madison held it a little longer than necessary before letting go. She stepped back to take a better look at the singer. She knew he was hot, but in the flesh he was even better. Cam Tyler was ripped. Six feet of pure muscle, with biceps nestling under his Rocawear T-shirt; Madison just wanted to reach out and squeeze. If the body was something, the face was even better – tanned, square-jawed and with chocolate-brown eyes that gave a Labrador puppy a run for its money. Today Cam’s short, thick black hair had been styled upwards into a cool quiff.

Madison smiled seductively, running her tongue over her lips. She was satisfied to see Cam smile back.

Brad stepped in to carry on the introductions. ‘Cam, this is Simonetta Mastrangelo.’

‘Buongiorno,’ Simonetta drawled. She’d got over her initial surprise of meeting Cam Tyler and was now back to her aloof, studied self. The boy was too young for her; Simonetta normally only dated men in their late twenties or thirties. But there was no denying he was cute. She gave him a casual once-over.

Cam raised his eyebrow interestedly. ‘Hey, Simonetta.’

‘And this is Sapphire Stevens, our English contingent,’ Brad said, gesturing to Sapphire.

Cam looked at her, as if he hadn’t really noticed she was there before. ‘Hey, Sapphire. Great name.’

‘Hi there,’ she mumbled, noticing a diamond stud glinting in his ear. Cam Tyler was the best-looking boy she had ever laid eyes on. She could feel herself going red under his penetrating gaze. Cam smiled, as if well-aware of the effect he was having on her.

A gong sounded somewhere in the house. Brad smiled.

‘Dinner is served.’

Two hours later, the four were still sitting at Brad’s dinner table, having seen off a delicious seafood dinner. Despite her claims that she wasn’t hungry and ‘couldn’t eat a thing’, Madison had polished off two plates of mussels and a piece of the exquisite dark chocolate tart that had been brought out for dessert. Now they were having coffee while Brad explained why Cam was there.

‘Cam’s working on his debut album for BMM and we both decided he’d be better off out here, without any distractions.’

‘LA’s kind of crazy,’ Cam said. ‘I needed some space to write, so when Brad invited me to stay in his guesthouse, I jumped at the chance.’

Brad looked across at Sapphire. ‘You should ask young Sapphire for help if you get stuck. I hear she’s quite a talent when it comes to writing lyrics.’

Cam looked at Sapphire. ‘Really? That’s cool.’ He sounded like he was being polite rather than interested.

Sapphire blushed again. ‘I’ve written a few things,’ she mumbled.

Madison decided the conversation had gone on long enough without her. She leaned across the table, giving Cam the full benefit of her cleavage.

‘Do you work out, Cam?’

Sapphire and Simonetta exchanged incredulous glances, but Madison was totally serious. ‘I bet you go to Benny’s Gym in Hollywood. It’s where all the hot people hang out, right?’

Cam smiled. ‘I’ve been there a few times, yeah.’

Brad coughed. ‘I’ve got some calls to make. Cam, can I leave you to look after our house guests?’

Cam smiled, showing off perfect white teeth. ‘Sure thing, Brad.’

Brad stood up. ‘Girls, if you’ll excuse me. I’ve taken the liberty of organising a boat trip tomorrow, so can you meet me on the jetty at nine o’clock sharp?’

Madison and Sapphire looked at each other and nodded excitedly. Brad was getting up to leave when Simonetta spoke. ‘Signor Masters, when is the party?’ She smiled seductively. ‘I’d like to look my best.’

Sapphire and Madison looked at each other again. In the heat of the moment, they had forgotten about the party.

Brad smiled smoothly. ‘My mistake, I should have let you know. It’s tomorrow evening, so you’ll have lots of time to prepare after the boat trip.’

‘Is it being held here?’ Simonetta persisted. She had seen no sign of caterers, florists, or any of the usual activity you’d expect to be involved with Brad Masters’ fiftieth birthday party.

‘Yes, it’s being held here. Now, I really must make those calls.’ Brad smiled at the table. ‘Goodnight, everyone. Sleep well and I’ll see you in the morning.’

The door closed behind him and all four looked at each other. A wicked look crossed Cam’s face. ‘You guys like to swim?’

‘I haven’t got my costume,’ said a slightly panicky Sapphire five minutes later. They were standing by the side of the infinity pool, the starry sky above like a velvet blanket studded with diamonds.

‘Don’t be so lame, Sapphire. Who needs a bikini?’ said Madison. Sapphire watched open-mouthed as the American girl peeled off her dress and stepped out of it, to reveal lacy knickers and a bra. Cam’s eyes gleamed in appreciation as they swept over her lithe body.

‘Last one in’s a total loser,’ she said, then dived elegantly into the pool.

Sapphire watched as Cam peeled off his T-shirt and her tummy did a funny little flip. It was like he’d just walked off an Abercrombie and Fitch billboard. His body was a work of art: broad, defined shoulders and a six-pack that tapered into a small waist. Sapphire couldn’t help staring at Cam’s flat, muscled stomach, where a fine line of hair from his belly button disappeared into the top of his shorts. Cam caught her looking and she blushed bright red. He raised an amused eyebrow.

‘Coming in?’

Sapphire shook her head quickly. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘OK.’ Cam turned and, with a whoop, launched himself into the pool.

‘Cam, you just soaked me!’ Madison screamed.

‘Well, we are in a swimming pool, Madison,’ he pointed out. ‘It’s kind of inevitable.’

Sapphire came and sat down, dangling her legs in the water. It was wonderfully cool and she wiggled her feet.

‘You’re making it very easy for me to pull you in,’ Cam told her, a wicked glint in his eyes. Suddenly he looked past Sapphire and his mouth dropped open. Sapphire turned and saw Simonetta shimmying along the side of the pool towards them. Her long limbs moved with the grace of a cat; her black hair gleamed in the moonlight. Sapphire’s eyes widened as she saw that, save for a tiny G-string, Simonetta was practically naked. Embarrassed by the sudden amount of flesh on show, Sapphire averted her eyes as she walked past.

‘How easy it is to make you blush, little creature,’ Simonetta murmured. Pausing to stretch and yawn, showing off her full, firm boobs, Simonetta climbed down the steps into the pool. She ducked her head under the water, coming up like some kind of beautiful sea nymph. Flashing a smile at Cam, she started to do a graceful breaststroke to the other end of the pool. After a moment, he followed.

Madison swam over to Sapphire.

‘What a slut!’

Sapphire remained silent, as Simonetta and Cam swam into a corner and started talking.

‘Talk about desperate. Guys hate girls throwing themselves at them,’ Madison sniffed. Suddenly, she pulled her bra down to expose a pair of perky boobs.

Sapphire half-laughed in shock. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Mine are better than hers, aren’t they?’ Madison demanded.

‘Er…’ Sapphire said, trying not to look at Madison’s dusky pink nipples. To her relief, Madison pulled her bra up again and glanced jealously down the pool. Simonetta and Cam’s heads were close together, barely a foot between them. The air had suddenly taken on a charged feeling that made Sapphire feel uncomfortable, out of her depth.

‘I think I’ll go to bed,’ she said.

‘Don’t leave me,’ Madison implored.

‘Really, I can’t keep my eyes open,’ Sapphire lied.

Madison shot another jealous look at Cam and Simonetta. ‘Whatever, this is a suck-fest anyway.’ Muttering under her breath she climbed out and stalked off.

‘So,’ Cam said with a lazy smile. ‘You go skinny-dipping often?’ His eyes strayed again to Simonetta’s breasts, just out of reach beneath the water. Simonetta dipped her hair back in the pool again, coming up with it sleek and sexy against her head.

‘This is not skinny-dipping, I am still wearing clothes.’

Cam raised an amused eyebrow. ‘You Italians have a funny dress sense.’

She smiled seductively. ‘And you Americans are far too uptight.’

Cam laughed, but his eyes had taken on a hungry, intense look. ‘You’re a very beautiful girl, Simonetta.’

‘I know.’

‘And very confident.’

Simonetta noticed his breathing had got more husky and shallow. She arched her back again and ran her hands through her hair. Cam bit his bottom lip and moved towards her.

‘Simonetta…’

Simonetta smiled. He was wriggling on the hook like a fish.

‘I have to go,’ she suddenly announced.

Cam looked stunned. ‘What?’

She gave him an amused, haughty look. ‘A model needs her beauty sleep.’ She pushed off and glided gracefully back across the pool.

Cam stopped her. ‘Wait! You’re leaving just like that?’

Simonetta turned and saw the lost expression on his face. Men – they were all the same! So easy to manipulate, so easy to tease. And now she’d proved that a world-famous R&B star was no different. It reinforced once again Simonetta’s knowledge that she was irresistible to any man.

Now that she knew she could have Cam, she had instantly lost interest. ‘Ciao, darling,’ she breathed.

‘There’s a name for girls like you,’ Cam said, but he sounded more disappointed than angry. He knew he’d just been played by Simonetta. He watched her lithe form emerge dripping from the water, this time her hands covering her assets.

Simonetta turned and dropped him a slow, seductive wink. ‘There’s only one name for me. It’s Simonetta.’ One day, she thought to herself, you’ll see it everywhere. ‘And now, I’m going to bed.’ Grabbing her clothes, she slid off into the darkness.

‘Jesus!’ Cam exclaimed, then dived under the water. He needed a cooling off.

Chapter nine

There had been no sign of the other two at breakfast. As Sapphire made her way down to the beach afterwards, she wondered briefly what had gone on last night after she left. An image of Cam’s torso, muscled and glistening with water, suddenly popped into her head, making Sapphire’s stomach lurch. Had he been with Simonetta last night? Or even both? Sapphire couldn’t help feeling a bit gutted; she’d gone to bed last night thinking about his sexy body and dark eyes.

Any thoughts of Cam were temporarily suspended when she saw the huge, gleaming-white yacht moored at the end of the jetty, the name Spirito Libero emblazoned across the side. As she approached, Brad was standing on the beach talking on his mobile. Sapphire waited until he was finished and then stepped forward hesitantly.

‘Happy birthday.’ She gave him the flower she’d plucked from the veranda outside her bedroom.

Brad looked surprised. ‘What’s this?’

Sapphire blushed. ‘It’s your birthday, isn’t it? I mean, the party’s tonight. I’m afraid I didn’t get you a card or anything, but I thought you might like the flower instead.’ She coughed, embarrassed. ‘I mean, even though it’s your flower anyway…’ She sighed. ‘Sorry, it was better in my head.’