A Billionaire Abroad (Sweet Treat Novellas #22)

Chapter One

Keighley Ainsworth didn’t usually splurge on a taxi, but she wasn’t about to show up to a meeting with Sterling Westcott smelling like the subway.

He was a bachelor billionaire, a philanthropist, and probably the most intriguing guy she’d ever met.

As an event planner, she interacted with a lot of people, so her reference pool wasn’t exactly shallow.

Sterling was a step above . . . well, everyone.

She pulled out her phone, flipping the camera to selfie, and did a quick check. Nothing in her teeth. Makeup flattering without looking like she was trying too hard. She was having a good hair day, which was lucky. She wasn’t making a first impression, but she still wanted it to be a good one.

The taxi dropped her on Pearl Street. Traffic in the Financial District at the lunch hour was impressive, even for New York.

Sterling’s offices weren’t far; he had likely walked.

Keighley stepped inside the restaurant where he’d asked her to meet him, a Greek spot he’d mentioned before as a favorite.

She’d learned over the couple of years she’d been in New York how to act like a New Yorker. Every bit of nervousness and feeling like she didn’t fit in this swanky restaurant got tucked away, hidden behind a mask and posture of confidence. She faked it.

“I’m meeting Sterling Westcott,” she told the hostess.

The expected disbelief rushed over her face for just a moment, but it was tucked away quickly. She turned back and looked at the tables behind her in the busy dining room. Keighley followed her gaze.

Halfway back, Sterling rose. She heard the hostess’s breath catch at exactly the moment her own did. He was always handsome, but that blue suit fit him like it was made for him.

Keighley inwardly rolled her eyes. Of course the suit was made for him. Billionaires didn’t buy off the rack.

He smiled at her and waved her over. Keighley did her best not to smirk as she crossed past the hostess and the other diners, every single one of whom took notice of Sterling’s presence and her approach.

She might’ve been an Arizona transplant barely getting by in a tiny flat in the Bronx, but Sterling Westcott was there waiting for her.

“Thanks for coming,” he said, holding her chair out for her.

She sat. “You’ve talked about this place so much. I’m excited to finally try it.”

He took his seat across from her. “You’ve only come for the food?”

Keighley smiled. “Of course not.”

That brought his smile back in full force, a lethal weapon, really. It worked its magic on her, on their server, on a lot of the diners. Keighley had a little more practice at functioning under the influence of Sterling’s company. Some of that practice had come that morning in front of her mirror.

Once their lunch had been ordered, she pulled out a conversation starter that had worked pretty well with imaginary Sterling while she was putting on her makeup. “The Times ran a piece about the cancer benefit last week. Very positive.”

“I’m not surprised,” he said, flashing another of his billion-dollar smiles. “The event was a tremendous success, due mostly to you.”

She hoped her blush wasn’t too obvious. The fundraising dinner was the biggest event she’d ever been in charge of.

She’d worked herself to the bone, but happily.

Teaming with Sterling on behalf of such a worthy cause had been amazing.

He’d complimented her work but also her.

He’d been involved in the planning, wanted to know the details, and had been genuinely happy at the success of the night.

He cared about the cause they’d been promoting. She liked that.

“My company is looking to expand business in the European tech market,” he said. “But we don’t have a presence in Dublin.”

“Dublin?” He had her full attention. She used to dream of going to Ireland when she was a little girl. Any mention of that country or its capital still got her heart jumping around a little.

Sterling nodded. “That city is the heart of European tech. All the major companies are headquartered there.”

“I didn’t know that.”

He tore off a bit of pita—the appetizer he’d chosen—talking between bites.

“Anyone wanting to tap tech in Europe needs connections in Dublin.” He leaned a bit toward her, lowering his voice in the way he did sometimes.

It made her feel like only the two of them were around, even though that had never been the case when they were together.

“I am hoping to build those connections, and I think hosting an impressive event after a couple of weeks of meetings would do the trick.”

An event. She held her breath.

“Could you clear a week or so off your schedule at the beginning of next month?” he asked.

She tried to keep her voice steady. “I might have trouble planning an event that’s taking place on a whole different continent than I’m on.”

He flashed a dazzling smile, leaning back once more. “You would be planning it while in Dublin.”

In Dublin. Dublin! Somehow she kept her cool. “I could probably clear my schedule.”

“Perfect.” He paused while their server set their meals on the table. “I’ll have my travel secretary contact you to work out the details. I’m hoping we can undertake this sooner rather than later.”

Dublin! “Sounds perfect.” She took a calm bite of tsipoura. “May I ask why you’ve asked me to plan this? You could probably hire an event planner in Dublin.”

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 whose heads 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.