Page 226 of The Rebel Billionaire

“She was heading out anyway.”

I leave my bag by the door.

“News?”

Dan grins, the gesture taking years off his face.

He motions to a set of photos he has laid out on their table.

I move towards them.

SEVEN YEARS EARLIER

We move past the two burly bouncers at the door.

“Well, at least we’ll be safe from gate crashers,” Carolyn says, eyeing them up as we pass.

“Show some class,” Becca hisses.

“Oh, don’t be such a snob. Don’t tell me you’d turn it down if it came knocking,” Carolyn retorts.

Before I can say anything, Jasper appears out of nowhere. “Harper, you made it.”

I smile. My heart rate picks up at the sight of him.

Jasper Peregrine is a six-foot-tall rugby player. He’s one of the newest players selected for the England Under-20s. He’s blond and gorgeous. A girl could easily get lost in his piercing blue eyes, and according to my friends, he’s into me.

“We did,” I say, trying to act cool, despite the sweat pooling in my palms. “Thank you for inviting us. You know Becca and Carolyn.”

My friends grin like Cheshire cats over my shoulder.

“Welcome,” Jasper says. “Free bar in the kitchen, help yourselves.”

He steps to one side, letting us pass. I open and close my mouth, but Becca pushes me forward.

“Don’t seem too keen,” she hisses next to my ear. “Let him do some of the chasing.”

Becca and Carolyn have both had serious boyfriends. I’ve tried to date, but most men are intimidated by my siblings, which is not surprising when Eli is six feet six and built like a tank. If he wasn’t my brother, I’d be scared of him, but because he is, he’s little more than a pain in my arse.

We move deeper into the house. I can’t believe his parents have let him have this get-together. I wonder if they’re around, hiding in a dark corner in case something goes wrong, but then my mind wanders back to the two giants on the door.

I sip my drink and make small talk with some of our classmates. Becca and Carolyn were right, everyone who is anyone is here. I’m glad they convinced me to sneak out.

It’s about eleven when the party really gets started. Unlike my friends, I pace myself. I like a drink, but only in moderation. That’s probably from watching my siblings suffer through hangovers over the years.

“Hey, beautiful,” an older guy says, slinging his arm around my shoulder.

I sidestep.

“Oh, don’t be like that. These parties are about letting your hair down.” He slurs his speech, making it obvious that’s what he’s been doing.

“I have a boyfriend,” I say.

“Your loss.” He huffs, sauntering away.

“Please tell me that’s a lie,” Jasper says, appearing at my side.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and stare up at him.