You Don't Own Me 2 (The Russian Don 2)

‘So did he come back with his wallet?’

‘Of course he did. He was out of that restaurant like a bat out o hell and back in six minutes.’ She toggles her eyebrows meaningfully. You have no idea how powerful my thigh scratch is.’

‘So he drove you home …’

‘At breakneck speed.’

‘And then?’

‘And then … I got out of the car and told him the next time he decides to be such a cheapskate he should just suck his own dick.’

Seven

Dahlia Fury

‘Well, you must teach me that thigh scratch of yours,’ I tell Stella when I stop laughing.

She looks at me with bright, inquisitive eyes. ‘Why? It doesn’t look like you need me to teach you anything.’

To my surprise I flush bright red.

Scenting good gossip, she leans forward eagerly. ‘Oh my God! Look at you. You’re redder than my hair. I want to know everything that’s going on with you.’

‘It’s just hot in here,’ I say taking a gulp of champagne.

‘Oh no, you don’t get off so easy,’ she threatens. ‘I’ll be needing details. You know, stuff like measurements, girth, frequency of emissions. The lot!’

‘I thought you didn’t want to know.’

‘Well that was before I quit making a fool of myself.’

‘Huh?’

‘Yeah. I suddenly realized that Zane and you hooking up was the best thing that happened to me. You were right all along when you told me to let it go and move on. I can’t believe I let myself get so down over him. For fucks sake the guy didn’t even know I existed and there I was wasting my life away waiting for him to notice me. Me? Super duper delicious me. It was almost as if I was under a spell. And now when I look back I’m like …’ she pulls back as if in horror. ‘I did that.’ She jerks even further back. ‘I said that.’ Then she slaps herself comically. ‘God, I was such a sad bitch I want to send myself a sympathy card.’

I can’t stop grinning. ‘Oh Stella, I’m so happy you’ve moved on. You can’t imagine how bad I felt about Zane and me.’

She winks. ‘Yes, I realized you must have been really sorry: the bathroom never looked so clean during that period.’

I look shamefaced. ‘So you forgive me?’

She reaches out and grasps my hand. ‘There’s nothing to forgive, babe. It’s not like you broke up my happy meal, or anything. I was so miserable when I thought I was in love. Now when I look back I only see how completely stupid it all was. Why would anyone do that to themselves unless they were masochistic? And everybody knows I’m not. I love myself.’

‘I am actually really proud of you. I like this new and shiny Stella,’ I say smiling happily at her. In truth I am very relieved and impressed by how fast she has turned the corner on her infatuation.

She beams back. ‘Well, join the club. I’m really proud of myself too. Now, enough about me. How big is Zane, really? Every queen needs a king size and I’m not talking about no bed.’

I laugh.

‘Give me details, woman,’ she demands.

‘OK, are you ready for this?’

‘Shoot.’

‘I got to practice what we learned at the blowjob course.’

Her jaw drops. ‘You swallowed?’ she splutters.

I nod calmly.

She slaps her thigh. ‘What happened to discreetly spitting while pretending to swallow?’

I shrug. ‘I couldn’t help it. It was rather delicious.’

She gasps. ‘Never. You fucking liar. Spunk is not delicious.’

I grin. ‘Actually it was.’

‘Forget it. Nobody, not even you, is ever going to convince me that sperm is delicious.’

I chuckle at Stella’s expression. ‘I think I wanted to because I’m so crazy about him.’

Stella leans forward, fascinated. ‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah,’ I say.

‘Wow! You’re really falling for him, aren’t you?’

‘I’m not falling for him. I think I’ve already fallen.’

Stella is staring at me in astonishment. I know now would be a good time to drop the bombshell about Daisy. I’ve never been any good at keeping secrets, and anyway, I want her to know. Before Zane came into our lives we always told each other everything and I don’t want that to change. However, I already know exactly how she will react and I feel a little nervous flutter in my stomach.

‘I want to tell you something, but I don’t want to you overreact,’ I tell her.

‘Me overreact. When have I ever overreacted?’

I raise my eyebrows and look at her with a come-on-it’s-me-you’re-talking-to expression.

‘Don’t worry I won’t.’

I look at her warningly.

‘All right. All right. I promise not to. Go on, spit it out.’

‘OK, remember that you have promised. No hysterics.’

‘Go on,’ she urges impatiently.

I take a deep breath and plunge in. ‘Zane is the one who kidnapped Daisy.’

‘What?’ she explodes so loudly a lot of heads turn.

I look around us and notice that even Noah has turned to watch us. ‘Remember you promised,’ I hiss at her.