Diana Tolliver swirled her drink, shaking her head as she muttered, "I must have been out of my mind to let Viv handle the logistics for this cruise. Who the hell wants to dance with a six-foot-tall woman?”

Crystal wine glass in hand, her ginger ale watered down from too much ice and not enough drinking, she set the glass on the tray of a passing waiter in a Hawaiian Fire Dancer outfit.

She scanned the room of half naked people.

If Viv were here, she’d be dressed as the Queen of Tarts. Oh, how Diana wished Viv was here. She missed her. The entire trip would have been a kick in the pants if her friend hadn’t tossed her aside for a guy.

She was surrounded by couples dancing and having the time of their lives.

Diana was more than peeved. This was their job. Why Viv thought it was okay to blow off a job for the sake of a man left her mulling over several facts. Was Viv taking advantage of their relationship? Diana wanted the job of V.P. of Marketing, and she planned to take Viv with her if she got the job, but Diana needed to be able to count on her right-hand girl, and right now she wasn’t sure she could. They’d have to have a long talk when they finally got together again.

Enough of the BS about Viv. Tonight was about her, and Manda promised her a date.

The grand ballroom was smothered in red and pink hearts. A short man dressed as Cupid, his body dusted with a layer of gold, went around shooting couples on the dance floor with his bow and arrow. It was cheesy, but it was also pretty darn funny as people dodged the arrows.

The only people she recognized on the crowded dance floor were Manda and Hunter, and it was easy to see Cinderella and Prince Charming were enjoying the night. They’d been glued to one another’s side since they walked in together this evening.

“When I get a hold of Viv, I'm going to strangle her for convincing me to let her handle all the logistics for this trip. What the hell was she thinking?”

The people on either side of her whirled past, presumably searching the crowd for their dates or friends.

Near the entryway to the monolithic room, a movement caught Diana's eye. Unsure, yet curious, she turned her head. Immediately her eyes were glued to the dashing newcomer.

Taller than all the other men in the room her eyes naturally zoomed in on him.

Dear God, it was him. The Phantom of the Opera just entered the room and was searching the crowd. His costume was magnificent. He had the perfect mask covering three-quarters of his face. Long, jet-black hair pulled back and tied with a strand of black leather, the scruff on his face only a bit more than a five o’clock shadow. He looked sinfully decadent. His dark chocolate eyes glittered, and when he smiled, his pearly white teeth showed behind the dreamy scintillating grin he flashed her.

In the background, the band finished playing their rendition of “Just One Look.” Appropriately so, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. With no control over her body whatsoever, Diana glided through the crowd as if floating on a weightless cloud, drawn toward the gorgeous hero of her childhood dreams.

To her, the Phantom was part escape, part fantasy. The idea of a man, masked and dashing, carrying her away is what saw her through her teenage years. She dreamed of the Phantom rescuing her and taking her away from her father. Away from his control. Away from all his expectations.

When they finally stood toe-to-toe, he handed her a single perfect red rose.

She accepted it and brought it to her nose, the scent and the gesture overwhelmed her as the musicians moved into a slower song. At precisely the same moment, they reached for one another, tugging their bodies together until their bodies touched.

They began to sway to the music, each hypnotized by the other.

Diana was convinced she had to be dreaming as she stood in his arms, dancing with her favorite character. Gerard Butler was gorgeous, but this guy took her breath away.

She made a mental note to thank Manda. Even Viv couldn’t have pulled this one off. She prayed no one broke the magical spell hovering over them.

Dark eyes held her captive. This was one prison she'd gladly stay in as long as the man continued to stare at her with such passion. Afraid to blink for fear he'd vanish, her eyes welled from the strain.

The Phantom smiled and let out a chuckle. The warmth of his breath on her cheek made her dizzy.

Her skin tingled where his hand met her back as if the material from her costume disappeared at the merest touch. Where their hands clasped together, she wished a lightning bolt would come through the ceiling of the ballroom, forever fusing them together.

The bronzed icon who held her sent his electrified pulse charging from him to her. Please don't let this be a dream. Let him be real and not just my imagination.

The snowy white mask attached to his face was intriguing and set off his complexion making him appear even darker. If his hair weren’t tied back, it would reach well past his shoulders. Facial hair set off his angular jaw, trimmed in a narrow line, meeting at his beard.

Diana’s gaze was drawn to his full lips willing him to lean down and kiss her. She knew if he did, her life would forever be changed. It wouldn't just be a kiss—it would be magical.

Before she knew what happened, Phantom danced her out on the balcony. Diana was grateful for the cool evening breeze off the ocean which was almost as good as a spring shower, considering where her thoughts were. At least now she'd stop perspiring.

By the time the song ended, they had long since stopped dancing, but rather gently swayed, eyes locked. When he lowered his head, she tipped hers up. Her eyes closed, and she gave in to her fondest wishes.

His warm lips worshiped her mouth, his tongue inviting further exploration. If they had been dancing before this, their tongues were doing one hell of a tango now.

When the kiss ended, she stood still, convinced her rubber legs were going to give way at any moment.

Never in her life had any man elicited such an erotic reaction.

Her Phantom reached into the waist of his skin-tight pants at the same time Diana reached for her own waistline. Together each brought up their room key cards.

Diana thought she'd die when he smiled at her. Perfect pearly white teeth gleamed back at her.

Their minds were in sync.

Diana had the honeymoon suite, the largest suite on the ship. “Mine's bigger.”

“You know, that comment might intimidate most men, but I’m confident, and I have to say it—prove it.”

“Get ready to eat your heart out.” Diana ran toward the elevator arm extended, ready to press the elevator call button.

She let out a squeal as her Phantom chased after her with his cape fluttering behind him.