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

action.
    ‘Wassup?’ he mutters.
    A boy of few words.
    ‘Not much,’ I reply, licking my lips in a vaguely suggestive way. ‘You?’
    ‘Thought I’d take a ride on one of those pedalos,’ he mumbles. ‘Wanna come?’
    ‘Don’t think so,’ I reply, cool and in control.
    His face registers shock. It’s obvious Brandon – with his broody good looks – is not used to getting turn-downs. ‘Why not?’ he demands.
    ‘’Cause I’m busy,’ I say, keeping it casual.
    ‘You don’t look busy t’me,’ Brandon says, squinting at me.
    ‘I will be.’
    He cocks an eyebrow. ‘You pissed about the other day?’
    ‘Are you kidding?’ I retort.
    ‘It was nothin’,’ Brandon continues. ‘She’s a hanger-on. I was just trying to get her off my back.’
    ‘Or front,’ I murmur.
    ‘You are pissed,’ he says triumphantly.
    ‘I am so not,’ I reply.
    And then – thank you, God – up strolls Jack in white shorts and a black T-shirt. Tall and tan, an all-Australian hunk.
    Without thinking it through, I throw my arms around Jack’s neck and plant a kiss firmly on his lips.
    He is shocked but game.
    Brandon is livid.
    ‘This is my boyfriend,’ I say to Brandon.
    ‘Hey,’ Brandon says, simmering.
    Jack gets what’s going on and plays along.
    ‘Hello, mate,’ he says. ‘Thanks for keepin’ an eye on my girl.’ And with that he grips my arm and whisks me away.
    As soon as we are out of earshot Jack starts to laugh. ‘You’re a cheeky little minx,’ he guffaws. ‘What’re you up to?’
    ‘The dude deserved it,’ I reply. ‘He played me, so I played him back.’
    ‘And you used me.’
    ‘I know,’ I say, stopping for a moment and giving him a long lingering look. ‘And for that I owe you. So . . . how would you like me to repay you?’
    We spent the rest of the day on the beach making out under a large sun umbrella. I soon realize I have picked well, Jack is an amazing kisser, even better than Brandon – who was not lacking in the kissing department.
    I am becoming a woman of experience and I like it!
    It occurs to me that the male species are easy to manipulate as long as you know how to play it. And, believe me, I am learning fast!

Chapter Twelve
     
    A fter an amazing summer in Greece, it’s back to the same old – and by that I mean L’Evier and unbelievably tedious lessons on subjects I have absolutely no interest in. Latin, anyone? Geometry? And of course there are even more boring rules – which Olympia and I have no problem breaking. Since we both get off on taking risks, our night-time outings are becoming more and more frequent. All I can say is thank God for Olympia, she’s my partner in everything – and although at the beginning of our friendship she taught me a thing or two, I have now caught up big-time. Oh yes. I might only be fifteen, but I’ve certainly learned how to deal with boys. No more stupid schoolgirl crushes – I have developed a ‘don’t call me, I’ll call you’ mentality. I give ’em Almost – which drives them insane – and I stay in control. It’s the only way.
    Shortly after getting back to school I see on TV that Marabelle Blue has gotten engaged to a businessman by the name of Gino Santangelo. Businessman indeed! What a crock! Thank God I’m not connected to him. Nobody knows who I really am.
    Ms Blue’s engagement takes place six weeks after her very public suicide attempt. Great. Am I about to welcome a psycho suicide freak as my stepmom?
    Ugh!
    Daddy Dearest phones to tell me of his engagement.
    Too late, Gino, I saw it on the news . Thanks for your concern .
    I can’t help wondering how Dario feels. I do miss him, although he’s still a little kid, and I’m all grown up. We probably don’t have much in common any more.
    Tonight Olympia and I take a major risk. We sneak out, get totally wasted, and smuggle two boys back to our school and into our room. Talk about daring!
    My date for the night’s activities, Chad, has brown curly hair