The Dark Forest: A Collection Of Erotic Fairytales(62)

Nor had getting ready and sneaking out of the house been too difficult. As agreed beforehand, Ella had flounced upstairs and locked herself in her bedroom ‘in despair over missing the concert’ and Griselda had been completely unaware that Anastasia had not only left a small selection of clothing, but also some make-up in her stepsister’s attic room. That little gesture had touched Ella inordinately; even though she never had reason to wear cosmetics, she loved to read magazines and watch YouTube tutorials, amazed at how a little color and artful shadowing could transform someone’s face.

Their biggest potential worry, Nathan, had thankfully left earlier to pick up a friend on his way to the concert, after he had ascertained that Anastasia was going with a date.

Still, Ella kept having to resist the urge to pinch herself. She really was dressed up and sitting in the back of a car on her way to see Zainon Matthews. For a brief moment, she wondered whether Griselda had already discovered she was no longer in her room. No, she decided. That woman casts a dark and evil shadow over every waking moment of your life, and she will do so again tomorrow. Tonight, you will not think about her. Tonight, you will just enjoy yourself.

“So, are you really a Zainon fan, or are you just going for a night out?” Greg said, startling her from her reverie.

“I. Um. I’m a fan,” Ella said, cringing inwardly at the understatement.

“Cool. Me too. I’ve got all his albums.”

“So do I.”

“His backstage parties are legendary,” Greg went on. Then he frowned. “But guys never get in.”

“Oh.” She tried to think of something else to say. “How come?”

Greg looked at her as if she were stupid. “Because he’s straight.”

“Oh,” Ella said again, kicking herself for her obvious show of naiveté.

“Not that you’d know it to look at him.” Greg peered at her in the gloomy darkness of the car. “He wears more eyeliner than most girls.”

“Mmm. Probably just when he’s on stage, though,” Ella responded.

“Yeah. Maybe.” Greg sounded dubious, and she suppressed a smile. With that raw, thrilling voice, amazingly broad shoulders, and those panty-penetrating, light gray eyes, as far as she was concerned, Zainon could wear as much eyeliner as he wanted to and she’d still find him sexy as all get out. She wondered idly what the rest of his body looked like. Was he tall or short? Was he wiry and slender, or did that hint of broad shoulders in the poster fulfill its promise of a nice solid build all over? Did he have any tattoos? Probably. Didn’t all rock stars?

Very soon, I’ll know. She gave a little shudder as the thrill of excitement shivered through her body once more, and began pleating and un-pleating the hem of her miniskirt—anything to help consume some of her nervous energy.

“Are you all right?” Greg asked. “You seem a bit… I don’t know. Distracted.” He gave a little chuckle. “Anyone would think you’d never been to a concert before.”

Ella pasted a smile on her tight lips. “Of course I have.” She prayed Anastasia wouldn’t overhear them and give her away. “I’m just excited, that’s all. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

Had a bigger understatement ever been made?

“Me too.” He seemed about to go on when Josh raised his voice, speaking loudly enough that they could hear him over the music pulsing in the front of the car.

“We’re almost there. God, look at the crowds. It’s a sellout.”

Ella glanced out of the window and could see the throngs of people, most of them dressed in black. Several were wearing Zainon Matthews t-shirts, and the women all looked self-confident, sexy, and glamorous. She felt a sudden rush of anxiety.

“Want some of this?”

It took her a moment to realize Greg was holding something out toward her. A hip flask. “What is it?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Whiskey.”

Not wanting to appear rude, she took a great slug, fighting back the urge to grimace as the cheap liquor burned its way down the back of her throat. Almost immediately, a deep, comforting warmth settled through her tummy. “Thank you,” she said, and meant it.

“Let me know if you want some more,” Greg said, taking it back and raising it to his own lips. “I have another with me.” He grinned.

I like him, she realized. He’s almost still a boy, but he’s kind. Ella hadn’t experienced much kindness since her father had died, and it made a nice change to have someone genuinely being nice to her.

“Okay, we’re here.” Joshua parked the car and they all clambered out. “Let’s go and party!” He slung an arm around Anastasia’s shoulders as they started walking toward the stadium, and Ella smiled to herself. No doubt her stepsister was on cloud nine, and as far as Ella was concerned, Anastasia deserved all the happiness in the world after helping her achieve this dream—to see Zainon Matthews live. The night air was crisp and a little cool, and Ella was finding it tricky to walk in her high-heels, but nothing could have dampened her spirits.

It was almost time.



It was even better than she had imagined in her wildest dreams. Surrounded by jumping, cheering, screaming and clapping people, Ella stood stock still, her entire being focused on the man on stage.