Page 227 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Who wants to know?”

He leans his shoulder against the wall, giving me a smile that sets a kaleidoscope of butterflies loose in my stomach.

“As I invited you here, that would be me.”

“Really?” I say, turning my body and mirroring his pose.

“Really.” His hand comes up and cups my cheek. “Our parents, I’m sure, would love us to get together.”

I step back, frowning.

“Is that why you’re flirting with me? For fuck’s sake, Jasper, I’m seventeen.”

“Hold your horses. Of course I’m not, babe. You’re beautiful, one of the hottest girls in your year group.”

I force some of the tension from my shoulders.

“Sorry, force of habit,” I mutter.

Getting hit on because of our family’s wealth and prestige is something I’ve watched my siblings battle for years. Jasper’s family are in the same league as ours, but something feels off and I’m beginning to wish I’d never snuck out.

“Don’t I know it. But Harper, don’t you think your dad would be happy if you dated me?”

“To be honest, probably not. He told me not to come tonight. He doesn’t know I’m here. I snuck out.”

“Snuck out?” His eyes glisten. “Naughty, naughty, Harper Frazer, I didn’t think you had it in you. You always give off such a goody-two-shoes vibe.”

“I’m not sure that’s a compliment,” I fire back.

Jasper might be smooth and gorgeous-looking, but now I’m here talking to him, that initial attraction is waning fast. Describing me as annoyingly well-behaved, virtuous and rule-abiding makes me wonder what game he’s playing. I’m beginning to wonder if he’s more brawn than brains.

He moves closer, his eyes locking on my lips.

“I better go and find my friends,” I say, pushing off the wall, not waiting for a reply.

As soon as I leave, one of the burly bouncers from earlier takes my spot and starts talking to him.

I make my way into the kitchen where Becca has her tongue down some guy’s throat, and Carolyn is deep in conversation with some girls in our year group.

“Harper,” Carolyn shouts over, waving her arms frantically as I make my way through the crush of people.

“Hey, you having fun?” she says.

“Ish,” I admit. The fact that I snuck out is not sitting well with me. Maybe I am a goody-two-shoes, regretting that I let my friends talk me into this. “I think I’m going to call a taxi and head home.”

“Really? I thought you were hoping Jasper…” She waggles her eyebrows.

I grimace and shake my head.

“Really?” she says. “But he’s hot.”

“No, I’m not feeling it,” I admit.

She pulls a face. “You’re never going to lose your V-card at this rate.”

Where Jasper is concerned, the kaleidoscope of butterflies has turned into ten tonnes of concrete in my stomach.

“Plenty more fish in the sea. I’m only seventeen,” I say, nodding in Becca’s direction.