Page 12 of My Boyfriend Bites

“Oh goodness, no. We always have time for a handsome man,” tittered Frances.

“Might I join you?”

“Definitely.” Jackie patted the empty seat beside her, right across from Selene.

Dante sat down but had yet to look at her. Selene chose to study the gnocchi left on her plate, chasing a slippery-sauced sucker with her fork.

“And how are you all doing this evening?” Dante struck up a conversation.

It led to a mad gushing as the three ladies competed for his attention, beaming and preening before his suave manners.

Selene finished off her plate—because, in her house, growing up, you always finished your dinner—before rising and uttering a bright, “It’s been a pleasure meeting you. If you’ll excuse me.”

She practically ran off before anyone could say anything, her brisk walk allowing her to quickly cross the dining room. Not quick enough, though.

Dante managed to get the door and hold it open for her before she could reach for it.

“After you.” He swept a hand.

“I can’t believe you ditched them like that,” she muttered, passing him by.

“Hardly ditched. Frances ordered me to go after you.”

Selene rolled her eyes. “Because apparently being single and childless at my age is a crime.”

“Do you want to be married with children?”

Given his playboy status, she said the one thing guaranteed to scare him. “Yes.”

“Then we share that in common. The difficulty being finding someone who can understand me.”

Hunh, they did share that commonality, with a big exception. She had a big hairy secret that took the right person to understand.

“I wish you luck with that.” She hoped it came across as a polite brush-off.

“You skipped our dinner,” he stated, keeping pace with her as she made her way to the elevator.

“Didn’t skip. I told your aide, Renard, I wouldn’t be coming.”

“Rennie also told me you refused the upgraded suite.”

She halted abruptly to whirl on him. “Because I’m not about to become your paid floozy on board.”

“Who said you would be?”

“Why else pay for me to have a luxury room?” She arched a brow.

“Because I can.”

“Taking pity on the poor girl in this economy?” she sassed, feeling her temper rise. Not good, as it led to her skin pimpling. She had to calm down.

“More like wanting to give you the option for more privacy. The concierge suites have their own lounge, a much quieter pool deck, deluxe dining options, and other amenities I thought you might appreciate.”

Those did sound good, but… “And in return, what?”

“A dinner or two… or three?” He offered a charming smile that had her stomach doing somersaults.

“And?” she prompted.

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