Page 38 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

When she got downstairs, she peeked in the bar fridge and saw an open bottle of champagne. Piper found two more champagne flutes, poured from the bottle into each glass, and carried them to the sunken area in front of the fireplace.

She considered how the day had held several surprises for her and asked herself why she couldn’t pull back from the desire to be in Andrés’ personal life as well as in a professional role. She stared at the bubbles in the champagne, thinking,Don’t be stupid! You are falling in love with him!She squeezed her eyes shut and let her head drop back onto the sofa

“Yes, you have my approval.”

Piper’s eyes opened, and she raised her head. “What for?”

Andrés sat down beside her. “Reading to Luis when I am away. I heard as I was walking into his room. Thank you for the champagne, by the way.” He picked up the glass and smiled at her. “I’m glad you feel comfortable enough here to help yourself.”

“I was made to feel welcome by all of you, and I thank you. It was a lovely day.”

Andrés exhaled. “I’m sure you have some questions.”

“Yes, I do.” Piper paused to take a drink of the champagne. “Will I need something more potent than champagne to hear the answers?”

“I don’t believe so, but let me know if you decide otherwise. What is your first question?”

“Why didn’t you tell me to expect I’d be meeting your son, or better yet, that you have a son?”

“My job as a wealthy single father is to protect my family from harm, specifically kidnapping. That is why Luis is homeschooled and Italian cypress trees border the household grounds. He only visits the stables and barns when I am with him and few employees are working.”

“Couldn’t you have explained that to me?”

Andrés chuckled. “I could have, yes. But until I saw you standing outside our door this morning, I was trying to make myself believe you were just another employee who signed a non-disclosure agreement.”

“Oh.” Piper’s heart was thumping in her chest, and she needed a stronger drink to slow it down. “Do you mind if I pour myself a vodka?”

If Andrés was surprised at her question, she didn’t see it. “I will pour us each one,” he said. “Lime?”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

Piper was trying to make sense of what he said. Was he trying to say he thought of her as more than an employee? Did he think of her as a friend? Was it possible Andrés was beginning to have affectionate feelings toward her?

“Here you are.” He was back with a crystal glass of vodka.

“Andrés, where is Luis’ mother?” she delicately asked. Piper kept her eyes on him as he took a large gulp from his crystal glass and walked to the fireplace.

He sat down on the hearth, twirling his glass in his hand. “Would you like me to build a fire? Is it too cool in here?”

“I’m quite comfortable, thank you.”

He nodded and was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “My wife and Luis’ mother, Lily, died during childbirth. Luis never got the chance to know her.”

Piper was shocked. She had considered a past love affair or divorce, but death hadn’t crossed her mind. She placed her drink on a side table, rushed to Andrés’ side, and clasped his hand in hers.

“Andrés, I am so sorry. You must have been devastated.”

She sat holding his hand as he told her about Lily and the first years after her death. He spoke of Eleanor’s help, the compassion and love she had showered on him and Luis, and her refusal to have them live in Uruguay without her. By the time he finished, Piper’s head was on his knee and her cheeks were wet from tears.

“Piper, I haven’t talked with anyone except Eleanor about that time. Emmett and Armand know I was married and that my wife died, but nothing of what I shared with you. I would be grateful if you…”

Piper immediately raised her head and interrupted him. “I would never repeat what you’ve told me. Never.”

Andrés wistfully smiled at her. “I trust you. And thank you for listening to me. Now, it’s been a long and busy day, so let me walk you to the casita. You might need a jacket.”

“I’ll be fine, but thanks. Do you have a powder room I can use to rinse my face? I must look frightful with red eyes and a streaked face.” She gave him a nervous half-smile.

His knuckles caressed her cheek. “You are not a fright, but yes, there is a powder room down the hallway, to the right of Luis’ room.”

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