Page 63 of The Billionaire Invitation

He’d told her that being a billionaire was also about balance and that no one could eat foie gras all the time. To which she’d replied, “No one should eat foie gras ever.”

Spending time with him for the past week plus had been educational, sensual, luxurious, and unique. And then there was today, which was turning out to be a combination of all of the above.

“I should go back home. I’ve spent too much time away from the office. I want to arrive bright and early tomorrow morning. For Gabby’s sake.” And for her own sake. Honesty could use a break away from Mr. Wonderful. As much as she had been trying to distance her heart, that distance was becoming more difficult to maintain.

She didn’t want to become reliant on him. Whether he was driving her around or driving her wild, this temporary relationship was fast becoming a new norm. And it was important, nay, pertinent, that she did not become accustomed to it.

He was leaving for LA any day now. She had a life of her own to live.

“Understood.” He didn’t bring up their going to his penthouse again. She tried to convince herself she was glad.

“Will you pick me up tomorrow night for the dinner at your father’s restaurant, or would you like me to meet you there?”

“I’ll pick you up, but we are going home together tomorrow night. Either your place or mine, but one of us is packing a bag.”

“Oh, is that a fact?”

He slid her a damn sexy look before returning his eyes to the road. “That’s a fact.”

“You mean like a sleepover?”

“I do not mean a sleepover.” He opened his mouth and accepted two more French fries. Around a mouthful, he said, “There won’t be much sleeping for either of us if we’re doing it right. Might want to rest up tonight.”

She ate another fry to disguise her smile. What he’d described sounded like heaven to her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

As Dante and Honesty walked through the lobby of The Silver Fox, one thing became abundantly clear. His father’s ostentatious style had all but sucked the air from the room.

Amber light bounced off golden-yellow stucco walls as well as the clashing patterns of the wall hangings, paintings, and pottery pieces. Dante felt his lip curl. This was definitely O’s handiwork.

He wasn’t sure if his father’s hallmark style—or lack thereof—was more Tuscan Villa or Old World Traveler, but he could see what it wasn’t: understated. It was like the set designer for Indiana Jones had decorated the place.

Then again he was coming in hot tonight. His father had texted him earlier today to needle him about his date.

Jaylyn says you’re bringing a woman tonight. Don’t hurt yourself trying to impress her with your noble devotion to duty.

The comment had crawled beneath his skin the instant he’d read it. His father possessed a gift for making loyalty sound like a character flaw.

A follow-up text had read:

Although, if this is the girlfriend from Northwestern, she’s probably immune to your charms.

Dante almost told Jaylyn about it, but he could have predicted her response: He’s just being funny! Lighten up. But their father’s jokes had a way of hitting Dante sideways. He’d ignored his anger. Until now, apparently.

O wasn’t so much mean-spirited as he was abysmal at connecting with Dante. They’d been oil and water for years. Why would today be any different?

Honesty and Dante were directed to a private room with ornately patterned rugs underfoot, brass lanterns glowing from the walls, and shelves crowded with twine-wrapped wine bottles, vintage hardbound books, and other plants and artifacts.

“It’s like a yard sale,” he muttered to his date.

“It’s not that bad,” she replied with humor in her voice. At least she hadn’t picked up on his mood—or if she had, she wasn’t letting it ruin hers.

A craggy, rustic wooden table, softened by age, dominated the space. Around it were bourbon-colored leather chairs with burnished gold rivets. Each place setting featured wine glasses, rolled napkins, and stoneware plates. In the center of the table were floral arrangements and low candles.

“Okay, it’s a lot,” Honesty whispered up at him. To his surprise, he managed a half smile.

“There he is!” Jaylyn shouted. She sounded glad to see him rather than exasperated. “Hi, Honesty. I was hoping Dante hadn’t scared you off!”