Confessions of a Wild Child by Jackie Collins Read Free Book Online

multiple friends and relatives. The music is loud. The natives are drunk. It’s all too much.
    ‘Bed,’ Olympia whispers. ‘Don’t even think about joining in.’
    As if I was. No way. Old people letting loose has never been my thing.
    I sleep fitfully, thinking about dumbass Brandon. Was it something I did? Said? Where did I go wrong?
    Finally I decide that it isn’t me, it’s him . He’s the asshole. I’m a Santangelo, and I refuse to be disrespected by some lame boy.
    *  *  *
     
    The next morning I am all revved up and hot for revenge. ‘Can we go back to town?’ I beg Olympia, who is looking very sleepy-eyed and pleased with herself.
    ‘Not today,’ she says with a casual wave of her hand. ‘Poppa wants us on the yacht.’
    ‘Why?’ I ask, frowning.
    Olympia giggles. ‘Set decoration for all the old farts to ogle.’
    I am not thrilled with this plan. I need to spit in Brandon’s face – not literally, but somehow I have a strong urge to get back at him.
    ‘Tomorrow,’ Olympia promises, sensing my disappointment. ‘Today we’ll work on getting the best tan ever .’
    ‘OK,’ I say, still seething about Brandon.
    The Stanislopolous yacht is quite amazing. The crew even more so. Why hasn’t Olympia mentioned that her father’s yacht is teeming with a crew of super-sexy young guys in tight white uniforms?
    ‘Wow!’ I give her a delighted nudge. ‘These guys rock!’
    ‘Hands and eyes off,’ Olympia warns. ‘They work for Poppa. Forbidden territory.’
    Forbidden, my ass , I think. They might be forbidden to her, but hey – I’m a visitor, I can do what I want.
    There is one particular member of the crew who immediately grabs my attention. His name is Jack and I soon find out he’s an Australian. I spend the day trying to stir up some kind of conversation without Olympia noticing. It isn’t easy, but I think I manage to get through to him.
    Before we leave the yacht I ask him if he ever goes into town.
    This obviously takes him by surprise, but I can tell he’s interested.
    ‘Yeah, sometimes,’ he says, glancing around to make sure he’s not being watched by one of his superiors.
    ‘Tomorrow?’ I question. ‘We could meet up.’
    ‘We could,’ he says unsurely. ‘It’s my day off. So . . .’
    ‘See you by the main plage at noon,’ I say, adding a quick – ‘And in case you’re wondering, I’m eighteen, so I’m totally legal.’
    He looks relieved, but still wary. Fraternizing with the guests is obviously a big no-no.
    I smile to myself. Flirting is so easy, and yet major empowering. Men. Boys. Old farts. They’re all the same. A provocative smile, a flash of suntanned skin, a toss of dark hair. It’s all a game, and I am fast learning how to be a power player.
    *  *  *
     
    Fortunately Olympia is itching to meet up with Borus again. ‘What’ll you do if I go off with Borus all day?’ she asks, as we board the Riva for another day trip to the mainland. ‘There’s no way I’m leaving you by yourself.’
    ‘Don’t worry about me,’ I say with a casual shrug. ‘I like lying out on the beach by myself. It’s relaxing, and I can keep an eye out for any interesting prospects.’
    ‘Whatever,’ Olympia says, adding a not very enthusiastic – ‘It’s OK if you tag along with us.’
    ‘No thanks,’ I say, thinking that Jack better turn up or else.
    I have a plan. It’ll work, I know it will. I vaguely recall listening in one day when Gino was talking to Uncle Costa. ‘You always gotta have a plan, an’ you always gotta stick to it.’ Those were Gino’s words of wisdom.
    Yes, Daddy Gino, I think I am taking your advice.
    Shortly before noon I linger at the top of the beach near the ping-pong tables. I have borrowed a red bikini from Olympia and cleverly stuffed the bra cups with socks for extra appeal.
    Looking sexy works, and big boobs are obviously sexy.
    Apparently so, for who comes trotting up but Brandon, alone and primed for