Page 32 of Filthy Elites

“I’m not being cocky. I’m just making an observation.”

“Be back here in an hour,” he tells me.

I put my hands on my hips. “What makes you think I don’t have plans in an hour?”

He smiles darkly. “I know your schedule.”

“I still need to buy a proper violin.”

He steps into my personal space. “I already said you’ll use the violin I gave you.”

My pulse accelerates at his proximity. His intoxicating aftershave reaches my nose, and my brain floods with the memory of our kiss. His stormy eyes drop to my mouth, making me suspect that he’s thinking about the same thing.

“Is that how you plan to sabotage me? Are you that afraid that everyone will know I’m better than you?”

He lifts his gaze to mine again. “You’re not better than me.”

“I think I am. I’ll wait to judge when we practice later,” I reply sweetly.

His nostrils flare, reminding me that he’s prone to losing control.

“Jason, what are you doing wasting your time with that loser?” Sloane interrupts.

He schools his expression into the arrogant mask he likes to wear, and steps back. “I was just making sure she understands her assignment.”

"Whatever, I’m hungry. Let’s go eat off-campus.”

Gag me. Just watching them talk is twisting my stomach. I look at the time and curse in my head. I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry. I shove all my notes into my bag and then rush out of the classroom. Jason calls my name—my real name—in front of Sloane. I know he made a mistake, but if I answer, I’ll give my secret away. The best course of action is to ignore him and pray she doesn’t connect the dots.

* * *

Jason

I seeIsabelle drop something from her bag, and on reflex, I call her by her real name.Shit. She’s done something to me, because I’m not prone to making rookie mistakes like that.

“Who is Isabelle?” Sloane asks.

“I don’t know.” I bend over to grab what Isabelle dropped. It’s her eyedrop bottle. I pocket it before Sloane can see what I got.

“You called Nicola ‘Isabelle’.” Sloane is watching me through narrowed eyes now.

“Did I? I didn’t notice.”

She crosses her arms. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Jason. Who the fuck is Isabelle? You wouldn’t have called that weirdo by another name if she wasn’t someone you’re thinking about it.”

“You’re under the impression I owe you an explanation. You’re not my girlfriend, Sloane. You’re not even my fuck buddy.” I hoist my violin case over my shoulder and head out.

“You’re an ass, Jason.”

I ignore her. I don’t have time to deal with Sloane’s jealousy bullshit. It’s her problem that she got it into her head that she had a chance with me.

Dating and all the annoyances attached to it were never something I was interested in. Hookups are much easier. I chose to hang out with Sloane because she wasn’t boring, but now she’s getting on my nerves. Sure, I’ve been leading her on since Isabelle walked into my life, but that strategy is giving me more headaches than it’s worth.

I shove my hand in my jacket pocket and curl my fingers around the eyedrop bottle. Isabelle will miss this, and she’ll have to endure dry eyes for the rest of the day or take off those hideous lenses. It’s a shame she has to hide her eye color. It’s gorgeous.

Jesus. I’m losing my mind.This physical attraction is getting out of hand. I can’t let it distract me. It’s thanks to her that my life has been a shit fest. Maybe I need to fuck her already and move on.

The twitch in my pants confirms that my cock is one hundred percent on board with the idea.

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