Chapter 7
Melanie still couldn't understand, no matter how hard she tried, about Ursula being contented to give so much love without being loved in return. It didn't seem right somehow, but then, Melanie supposed none of it could be considered right or natural. On the other hand, at least as far as she was concerned, it seemed so natural and so right for her. Anything that felt that wonderful had to be right. A quotation came to mind-a Shakespearean quotation she thought-that seemed to prove her point: "Nothing is either good or bad, but that thinking makes it so."
Still, that one aspect of the hour she'd spent with Ursula continued to nag at her. Once, when out of sheer want, she'd placed her hands on Ursula's firm breasts, the older girl had gently removed them and had whispered some vague joke about letting her stay in character. Melanie did not understand why the one-sidedness of their lovemaking disturbed her so. She wasn't even sure that she was absolutely capable of reciprocating Ursula's attention, particularly to the same extent, but the fact remained that she'd felt a desire to at least try, if only out of gratitude and fairness.
Perhaps next time, she thought quickly, putting an end to her flow of thought as she dressed and prepared for Sheila's party that evening. Perhaps the next time Ursula would permit her a deeper glimpse into the mysterious world that she seemed to know so well.
Following her final class of the afternoon, Melanie had returned to her room to find Kate in a sullen, almost bitter mood. She thought her roommate's attitude of ignoring her presence and not speaking was childish even though she felt she knew the reason why. Kate had seen Ursula dropping Melanie off at the dormitory during the noon hour which was about the same time Kate had returned from the ski lodge in her rented jeep. "Is anything wrong, Kate?"
"No, nothing," Kate replied airily. "Nothing at all. If you don't know, why should I waste my time trying to explain?"
"All right. If it's about this morning, let's have it out and have done with it."
"Why didn't you wait for me? I thought we were going to do the northern slope together."
"Kate, I didn't ski on any slope. I slipped and turned my ankle and for awhile it was very painful."
"I got the note."
"Then what are you upset about."
"You went with Ursula didn't you? Up to her place."
"Yes, I did. It was near by and I wanted to soak my foot."
"You spent the entire morning up there?"
"Yes, I did. Anything wrong in that?"
"When you have a date with somebody, you don't just walk out and leave them flat."
"Now, Kate, be reasonable. I didn't leave you flat. You had made some sort of arrangements with that other girl, Anita what's-her-name. And besides I didn't know how long you were going to be. Now come on."
"Did you really turn your ankle?"
"Yes, I did. Not seriously, but I have a bruise to prove it."
It was apparent that Kate suspected that something had gone on between Ursula and Melanie. In a way, Melanie was glad, knowing in her heart that after having been with Ursula she could never again be content with the brand of love Kate could offer. At the same time Kate's obvious jealously and bitterness worried her. She had sensed long ago that the childish girl was capable of being every bit as malicious as she was appealing.
"I suppose you'll be meeting Ursula at the party," Kate injected suddenly, "or is she picking you up in her Ferrari?"
"We'll both be meeting Ursula at the party, as you very well know," Melanie replied. "And no, she will not be picking me up. I plan to be going with you, unless you're dragging along that local girl who's so brilliant in calculus."
Kate grunted and slipped back into the sullen silence as they left the room together and headed for the party at Sheila Winslow's chalet. Melanie made one or two attempts at idle conversation during the drive from the dorm in Kate's battered jeep but Kate's testiness made it clear that nothing Melanie could say could soothe her feminine feathers. Finally, feeling in much too good a mood to allow herself to be annoyed, Melanie stopped trying and turned her thoughts to the morning she had spent with the exciting Ursula Povia.
It had been a revelation. A glorious and exhilarating revelation, one she would never forget as long as she lived. Who could have guessed at the degrees of pleasure one girl was capable of giving to another? Who could have imagined that a person could be capable of absorbing so much sensation and still throb with the need for more. A sweet surge of affection flooded her as she recalled Ursula's utterly selfless and incredibly thrilling lovemaking. What a wonderful feeling it was to be slowly and agonizingly aroused, brought to a bursting pitch, and then so totally and expertly drained of every ounce of strength. These were her thoughts as she suddenly realized that she and Kate were approaching the very stylish entrance to Sheila Winslow's chalet.
Melanie could hear the party sounds from within as she looked about the driveway for some sign of Ursula's Ferrari. Suddenly the front door opened and she followed Kate into the house to get a first-hand glimpse of the much discussed parties thrown by The Witchwag members. To her dismay she noticed that there seemed to be as many boys present as there were girls. Melanie recognized two of them as ski instructors who worked up at the ski lodge and who greeted the suddenly vivacious Kate eagerly. Without bothering to introduce Melanie, Kate went off with the two boys and without so much as a backward glance, disappeared into one of the many ground floor rooms, leaving Melanie standing in the huge reception room all by herself.
It was evident that the party had been in progress for some time and that more than a few of those present were well on their way to being drunk. She wandered toward one of the rooms where most of the activity and merriment appeared to be. Standing in the doorway, she looked around the crowd for a familiar face, one in particular, Ursula Povia. A few of the girls smiled and waved hello but none bothered to leave the sides of their escorts, all who appeared to be a few years older than the school girls.
"Here you go, Pussycat...."
Melanie blinked at a tall young man who swept by her and into the large room and barely managed to mutter her thanks for the drink he had handed her before he got out of range. She sipped the drink cautiously and tears sprung to her eyes. It was raw and biting and undiluted gin and it made her realize that she hadn't taken time to eat anything since the late breakfast she had had at Ursula's. Warning herself to drink in moderation, she sipped again and started to leave the threshold of the huge rumpus-type room.
"Melanie!"
She turned and saw Sheila Winslow approaching her out of the crowd. Behind her, broad-shouldered and incredibly handsome, was a burly athlete, who Melanie thought she recognized as an Olympic star.
"Hello...."
"Melanie, dear, did you just arrive?" Sheila asked and without waiting for an answer went on with, "I want you to meet the love of my life. Rockford Kane, this is Melanie Stevens."
The hulking athlete grinned down at Melanie, his bloodshot eyes openly appreciative of her well-developed breasts. "Sheila, how come you didn't tell me the new girl was such a living, loving doll? Afraid of the competition?"
Sheila gave her escort a cool and confident look. "Not at all, Rocky. Any time you feel itchy, lover, feel free to scratch. You're not the only star athlete in the neighborhood."
Rockford laughed. "Ouch!"
Sheila looked back at Melanie. "Did you come alone?"
"Uh-huh. Actually I came with Kate, but she disappeared as soon as we got through the door."
Rockford grunted. "Oh, that will never do. We'll have to fix you up with a date." He looked about the room before wandering off, leaving Sheila and Melanie alone together.
"Has Ursula arrived yet?" Melanie asked.
"Oh, I have a message for you. Her father flew into town this evening to announce that he's getting married again for the fifth time. Ursula said she has to have dinner with him, but she said to tell you that she would try to drop by later, if she can get away."
Melanie was crestfallen and she was certain that it obviously betrayed her to Sheila, who forced a half smile. "Well, we all have those family obligations, don't we?"
"Such a bore," Sheila commented wearily as she looked around for Rockford. "Now where did that muscle-bound idiot drift off to."
Melanie had no idea, but she wanted to be alone long enough to collect her thoughts. "I think he went 'thaddaway'," she said, pointing to one of the other rooms.
"I don't trust him alone for one second," Sheila remarked as she started off. "Circulate, dear, and enjoy yourself. The party's just beginning to get warmed up."
With her drink in her hand, Melanie decided to take a tour of the chalet and see what was going on in some of the other rooms. As she crossed the reception room, a rugged, shaggy blonde youth blocked her way. He was deeply tanned, had a mouthful of white teeth and wore a heavy turtle neck sweater. His intoxicating smile seemed genuine.
"Are you Melanie Stevens, that redheaded bombshell from New York?"
"I don't know about the bombshell, but I am a redhead, if you can see that far, and my name is Melanie Stevens."
"You're just the person I'm looking for. Our hostess has instructed me to take very good care of you," and then after a vulgar chuckle, he added, "I wonder just what Sheila meant by that?"
"Well, who are you-and I might add, what are you?"
"Oh, excuse me. I'm Hank Meyerson, all the way from Chicago, Illinois. I'm studying art down in little old Rome-up here for a weekend for sports, the night time variety. I'm well scrubbed, legitimate and at your service, ma'am."
If the other guests were a little high, Melanie concluded, Hank Meyerson was absolutely potted and she didn't wish to get stuck with him. She gulped down her drink and handed the empty glass to Hank. "The first thing you can do for me, Hank, is get me a fresh drink."
"But of course. What are you drinking, angel? Hair tonic, turpentine...? "
"I believe it's rat poison over the rocks," Melanie replied.
"Coming right up," Hank said without making any reaction.
Melanie let out a breath of relief as he staggered off. "Hello, Melanie Stevens...."
The instant she heard the velvety voice, Melanie knew who had spoken to her. She turned sharply, her pulse quickening with anticipation, and found herself staring at one of the loveliest and tiniest girls she'd ever seen. The blue-green eyes were sparkling and the red lips were delightfully full and well shaped. Long straight blonde hair to the shoulders framed her radiant angelic face.
"I'm Olivia Lucas," the tiny girl smiled, her eyes dancing with mischievous delight. "I'm the girl on the right who helped you to undress at the initiation."
"Yes, I know," Melanie managed to mumble. "I mean I recognized your voice."
The diminutive blonde flashed a dimpled enchanting smile and tilted her head to one side. "I was hoping you'd be here tonight. I even asked Sheila if she had invited you. Did you come with anyone special?"
Melanie moistened her lips, her heart continuing pound at a rapid pace. "No, not really. I came with my roommate, but she went off with a couple of boys."
"And Hank Meyerson?"
Melanie frowned. "I just met him and I hope I've just lost him."
Olivia Lucas laughed and it was a tinkling sound. "I know what you mean. These boys can get pretty wild when they're drunk." The mischievous glints returned to the very blue eyes. "I know a wonderful place we can hide. That is, if you're sure you wouldn't rather be with somebody else?"
"What a silly question," Melanie smiled. There wasn't a person in the whole world she'd rather be with at that moment than Olivia Lucas, not even Ursula Povia, who seemed unreal and distant as she breathed in the elusive perfume scent that rose from Olivia's hair. "I'm sure," she answered. "You lead the way and I'll follow."
"This way," the irresistible blonde uttered, guiding Melanie around a quartet of laughing couples toward the wide stairway leading to the upper floor.
Melanie looked at the girl who preceded her up the stairs and without actually willing it, her eyes plucked at Olivia's figure-hugging cocktail dress in an effort to visualize the loveliness it concealed. Melanie was having trouble containing her mounting excitement as she followed the entrancing little coed the length of the upstairs corridor. All the doors that -lined the hallway were closed but she could distinguish muffled sounds from within the rooms that indicated they were being put to good use. Somehow, the awareness of what was happening behind the closed doors added to the tingling anticipation that was sweeping through Melanie's body and she wondered if she was expecting too much, if she was misinterpreting Olivia's tantalizing smiles and honey soft remarks.
The small blonde stopped unexpectedly at one of the doors and placed a tiny finger to her red lips in silencing fashion as she pressed her ear against the paneled wood. The smile on her pretty face widened as she eavesdropped on-the muted voices on the other side of the door. "It's Kate Cartwright," she whispered impishly, her hand moving to grasp the doorknob.
Melanie frowned and touched her arm. "Olivia, I don't think we should...."
"Hush, it's all right. Nobody cares."
Melanie watched the girl slowly turn the knob and push the door inward. The sounds became louder and before Melanie could offer another protest, Olivia's hand was tugging her into a position where the two of them could peek around the edge of the door into the room.
Melanie's first reaction to the spectacle that greeted her startled eyes was one of disbelief and astonishment. Two naked girls were on the bed, kissing each other, their hands fluttering over one another in mutual adoration. One was nicely shaped and vaguely familiar; the other was a slender, blonde and hungrily aggressive. Near the bed, slouched deep in an upholstered chair, a young ski instructor Melanie recognized was sipping a drink and idly caressing the naked breasts of Kate Cartwright who sat curled comfortably on his lap, her sinuous body strikingly illuminated by the overhead light of the bedroom. Both Kate and her boyfriend were staring fixedly at the actions of the two girls on the bed. Kate's face was flushed with an evil excitement.
The astonishment slowly faded and Melanie stared in helpless fascination as the girls began to clutch one another with an added fervor. A hot flash of excitement shot through her body and it took a second for her to realize that it hadn't stemmed entirely from the erotic scene she was witnessing. Olivia's hand was moving feverishly over her buttocks and thighs.
Flushed and shaken, Melanie caught her breath and stared at the lovely faced little blonde who seemed literally transfixed by the tableau that was unfolding before them. Olivia's breathing was ragged and there were dots of color high in her cheeks and her blue eyes were glazed with excitement. It was almost as though she wasn't aware of the movements of her hand.
Melanie was about to speak when her attention was drawn back to the bed by a long and passionate moan. The dizziness that was causing her knees to buckle increased sharply as she watched the blonde and her writhing bed partner. In the back of her mind she was conscious of the tiny fingers that rhythmically kneaded her buttocks in a show of shared excitement.
Another sound far more crude and shocking distracted Melanie from the two naked members of The Witchwags and a terrible wave of nausea swept through her as she turned her head to stare in disbelief at Kate Cartwright and the ski instructor deep in the throws of unrestrained passion. Kate's expert movements easily overcoming the limitations presented by the upholstered chair. Revulsion filled Melanie as she witnessed the strainings of their bodies and she turned away awkwardly, her senses clouded, her heart racing with unwanted stimulation.
A flushed and incredibly pretty face hovered before her blurred eyes and she felt small hands tugging her down the hall.
"Let's hurry," the little blonde whispered heatedly. "Let's find a room all our own."
Melanie stumbled forward obediently, dazedly, her brain still numbed, her blood still racing. She entered a shadowed room and heard the door closed and locked behind her. A light went on and she turned, blinking, and saw Olivia hurriedly unzipping the side of her cocktail dress.
Olivia smiled at her. "You too!"
Melanie nodded dumbly and began to undress.