Page 2 of A Billionaire Abroad

It was a stupid thing to ask, considering she was being given the chance of a lifetime. If he hadn’t thought of using someone local, he’d think of it now.

That smile. She almost melted.

“I’ve seen your work, Keighley. I know you will put on a top-notch event. I also know we work well together.” He took a sip of wine. “It would be a gamble with any other planner. I can’t risk this not going well.”

“You trust me, then?” Again she called on the New York vibe she’d learned to fake the last two years and asked the question with amusement.

“Obviously.”

He spoke with a twinkle of appreciation in his eye and a shimmering smile pulling at his lips, giving it extra meaning. The memory of it kept her heart spinning all through the remainder of the meal as he explained his ideas, what the event was meant to accomplish, and a few of the companies whoseheads he would be inviting. There was something personal in the interaction, something more than just business.

Sterling Westcott was inviting her to join him in the city of her dreams and be part of his efforts there. The two of them. In Ireland.

It was the chance of a lifetime.

Chapter Two

Keighley had never flown overseas before and had never even set foot in the first-class cabin of a plane. She’d now done both. Sterling could just as well have sent her economy. Flying over the Atlantic, lying down in a seat that converted into a bed, she’d thought again and again what a personal touch it was, and how thoughtful. He was spoiling her. She had worked with other wealthy clients, and none were as thoughtful as he was.

A uniformed chauffeur had met her at Dublin Airport, driving her in a luxury Mercedes-Benz toward the heart of the city. He hadn’t talked much, but his few words rang with that gorgeous Irish accent she’d fallen in love with from watching movies. Was this actually real?

Her phone didn’t automatically switch over to the international coverage she had enabled before leaving New York. She fiddled with it a little while the car flew down a freeway. If Sterling called or the hotel texted information, sheneeded to be able to get the message. By the time she looked up and out the windows again, they were in the heart of Dublin.

She held back a gasp of excitement. The driver probably drove all kinds of sophisticated people around. If she came off as a total noob, that would likely get back to Sterling. She didn’t want to repay his generosity by embarrassing him. But inside she was kind of freaking out. Her head snapped back and forth, looking out the windows on both sides of her. Some things about the city looked really modern. Others looked straight out of a BBC historical drama. Was the whole city that way, or just the part she was seeing?

A million questions swam through her mind as they inched their way through the much busier part of the city. How many people lived in Dublin? What was the name of the river they crossed over? Were all the spires she could see dotting the skyline from churches? How many were there?

They passed buildings with marble columns out front, iron gates that must have been centuries old, narrow back lanes, shops that were probably older than America itself. There were so many people walking around; that part reminded her of New York. But the rest was something totally different. It was new and exciting and spoke to her heart in a way she wasn’t sure she could have explained.

The car pulled up in front of a very modern building. It was at least five stories tall and looked like a glass and concrete checkerboard. The ground level was entirely glass. The walks crisscrossed over patches of grass and paving stones. It wasn’t at all what she thought of when she thought of Ireland. She liked it, even though it was unexpected.

Giant silver letters above the brass-framed glass doors declared this The Marker Hotel. Her destination.

She didn’t know how Sterling had managed it, but she didn’t have to wait at the reception desk or explain who she was. Thedriver carried her luggage in and handed it to a bellhop. The man at the desk, sporting a suit and tie and the look of someone in charge, called her “Miss Ainsworth” and welcomed her before she’d even had a chance to introduce herself. She was personally accompanied to the “lift” and on to her room, all while hearing a list of impressive amenities, all spoken in a beautiful Irish accent.

Keighley had never been in such a fancy hotel suite. Her apartment looked like a dump compared to this place. And the suite was bigger. She crossed to the windows and the view of the city. A billion-dollar view. And Sterling was providing it. She could’ve pinched herself.

The bellhop and concierge had both left, leaving her room keys and luggage in the spacious living area. She almost felt like holding her breath.

“I’m in Ireland.” Her amazed voice echoed around the room. What hotel had accommodations big enough for echoes? And this wasn’t even the only room in her suite.

She peeked through the doorway to the bedroom. Gorgeous. Elegant. She’d always dreamed about visiting Ireland, but had figured she’d do it on a shoestring budget. This was luxury.

A knock sounded at the door to her suite. Housekeeping? Maybe she left something in the car? She pulled the door open and every word disappeared from her brain. Sterling. She hadn’t been expecting him, but she should have known he’d drop in. He’d arrived a few days ago. He was most likely staying in this same hotel. She was here to arrange an event on his behalf, and he liked to be involved in the details. Of course he would drop by.

“You made it,” he said with his trademark smile. “Does everything meet with your approval?”

Meet with her approval? How could it not? But she kept her composure. “It’s great. It will be an excellent home base for the work I have to do.”

“I’m glad to hear it. And your flight?”

“It was excellent. I was surprised how well I slept.”

He nodded. “Good. I want to run some thoughts and useful information past you. But I know you’ve just arrived, so take the time you need to settle in.”

He was going to leave? So soon? “Come in,” she instructed. “I’d like to get started right away. You’ve been here longer than I have. I’d appreciate whatever you can tell me.”

He came in, and she closed the door behind him. Turning to face the living room again took her breath away. It didn’t seem to have any impact on him. What would that be like, being so used to something like this that it basically went unnoticed?