Page 8 of The Billionaire's Baby Betrayal

At least, I thought I was at ease until I went to the bar and gulped down a glass of champagne to steady myself.She giggled as she untangled herself from the linens and hurried to take a shower.

She dressed in her best black jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a tan collarless blazer. If Felix’s father happened to be at the farm, he would expect a more professional look than jeans and a T-shirt. She began packing her bag with the intention of having a bite of breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Prior to the three-hour drive to the Bankes’ property, she wanted to stop by the track stables to confirm that Sir Valor was ready to fly to Kentucky in two days. He would travel by special air transport, while she was flying separately tomorrow. Piper checked the closet and the bathroom shelf one more time, made sure her laptop was in her tote bag, and let the room door lock behind her as she walked to the elevator.

Piper noticed the lobby desk clerk was not busy and decided to check out before breakfast, which was already included in her bill. The clerk was friendly and efficient, and Piper was headed toward the dining room when she heard her name and turned to see the casually dressed, excruciatingly handsome Andrés Olivera.

“Good morning, Ms. Marshall,” he said, flashing a brilliantly white smile. “I remember you said you had an early morning, so I’m glad I’m here early enough to see you before you leave.”

Piper’s brows knitted together in curiosity. “You came here for me? Why?”

“I would like to talk with you privately, and I’ve booked a meeting room. What I have to offer won’t take long, and I didn’t want to interrupt your breakfast, so I asked the kitchen to prepare a selection of breads, pastries, and fruits. There is also coffee and tea available.”

She thought quickly.He said offer. This I’ve got to hear. “Well, as long as there are pastries, say, chocolate croissants?” Piper tilted her head and smiled.

Andrés chuckled. “Well, if not, we will place an order. The room is down this hall.” He waited for her to precede him and followed behind.

They filled plates with fruits and pastries and sat at a round conference table across from one another. Piper accepted a cup of tea, and Andrés poured coffee for himself.

“What did you want to discuss, Mr. Olivera?” asked Piper as she pinched off a piece of chocolate croissant.

“When I discovered you were the head trainer at Bankes Farms and the sole trainer for Sir Valor, I read your history and was impressed with how you worked your way up from groom to the successes you’ve had training champions in Argentina and with Bankes Farms. Of course, it shouldn’t have surprised me with your family pedigree—one of the foremost breeding operations in the world.”

“Yes.” Piper didn’t like to talk about her family, but she disguised how uncomfortable it made her.

“To the heart of the matter, then. I pride myself on hiring the very best people to work with my horses. I want to offer you the head trainer position at my breeding ranch. Estancia Luis Grande, in Uruguay.” He pushed an envelope toward her. “In that envelope, you will find an offer commensurate with your talent, the appropriate two-year contract, a signing bonus, keys to an automobile and a casita on the ranch, along with a first-class plane ticket to Uruguay. One-way, of course.” Andrés smiled.

Piper was stunned into silence as she opened the envelope and took out the contract. After reading the offer, she raised disbelieving eyes to meet his. “You can’t be serious.”

“I assure you I am, Ms. Marshall. As I said, I hire only the best in their field, and I respect their skills and knowledge enough to give them what they deserve.” He took a drink of coffee. “All I ask in return is honesty and loyalty.”

Piper took a deep breath. She was flattered by the offer yet wary of such an opportunity, as well as the expectations that might go along with it.

“Thank you, Mr. Olivera. I would like time to consider the offer and the questions I might have about your operation. Is that possible?”

“Of course. I’ve left a card with my personal number in the envelope, and you can call me anytime with questions. The contract and the ticket are good for two weeks; will that give you enough time?”

“More than enough. Thank you. I will let you know my answer well before the end of two weeks.”

“If I need to throw in a steady supply of chocolate croissants to help make up your mind, please let me know.” Another brilliant smile flashed.

“You know, that may be the tipping point.” Piper relaxed some at his humor.

“While considering the offer, I ask that you keep it confidential. And should you accept, there will be a non-disclosure to be signed.”

“I will, and the non-disclosure won’t be a problem.”

Andrés stood. “Let’s get you on your way to Bankes Farms. I hope I haven’t delayed you too long. I will look forward to hearing your decision, Ms. Marshall.” He held out his hand.

“As I said, I won’t take overly long to make my decision.” She stood to shake his hand. “I’m honored that you consider me a good fit for your business.”

“Please have a safe drive, Ms. Marshall.”

He left the room, and when he was out of sight, Piper plopped down in her chair.

“I would never have guessed something like this,” she said to the empty room. Then she frowned. Señor Alberto may have won yesterday’s race, but what did she know about Olivera’s breeding and other racing successes? And what of him? Other than their first interaction about the parking and their dance the previous night, all she knew was what she had seen and read in publications.

“Okay, so he’s more handsome than any man has a right to be,” she continued aloud. “And, yes, he was a perfect gentleman when we danced. But he’s portrayed as a bon vivant and graces the social pages regularly, and I can’t be that public.” Piper quickly swept away from her mind the reasons why.

She exhaled deeply and tossed the offer envelope into her shoulder bag. Her ambition pressed her to consider the opportunity seriously, but her common sense told her it was out of the question. There would be plenty of time to think about what to do on her drive to Bankes Farms.

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