Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
But I’m here, and I’m on thin ice with Henry, so I might as well make the best of it. “I hear you have a future Olympian.”
Olivia’s eyes soften for a split second. “Maisy. Of all three of my girls, she is the most passionate and skilled.”
“Show jumping, right?”
“Right.” She pauses. “Are you familiar?”
I could lie. I could regurgitate the crap I learned watching YouTube videos. But something tells me this woman would see right through me, so I decide to be myself. With pants on, per Belinda’s advice. “Honestly, I had no fucking clue that was a thing until two days ago.”
The corners of Olivia’s mouth twitch. She takes a long, leisurely sip of her coffee—pinky up—before setting the cup down. “Belinda loves her dossiers, doesn’t she?”
I chuckle. This is unexpected. “So it’s not a well-kept secret.”
“What else did she prep you for? Oh, wait, let me see if I remember from the last grand opening.” She leans back in her chair, crossing her arms over her small chest. “I was a competitive swimmer in college, I’m divorced, I have three daughters, and my father, the previous CEO of Black Titan, died in a tragic skydiving accident. My brother fought me for the company and even accused me of sabotaging Dad’s parachute. I loved my father very much.” Pain cuts like a lightning bolt across her face before it’s gone, as if it never made an appearance. “I won the company and fired my brother. Does that about cover it?”
“You missed your husband’s affair with your nanny.”
“Oh, right, we mustn’t forget that.” Unlike the mention of her father, she seems unbothered by her unfaithful husband. “I know why I was invited here, Ronan. It’s the same reason I was invited to the Alaska opening. Henry Wolf wants to wine and dine me and convince me to spend exorbitant amounts of company money at his hotels.”
“If you’re not interested, why do you come to these things?”
She shrugs. “Because I like being wined and dined? And who knows, maybe one of these times I’ll be wowed. But for now, I can get a few days away from the office and enjoy the quiet of a luxurious new place.” She gestures around us with a wave. “And all I have to tolerate is a thirty-minute meeting where you guys pitch Wolf Hotel.”
“Like a time-share program.”
“Exactly.” Her lips twist. “Of course, I expected Henry to greet me.”
“And instead, you got me.” Lowly operations director. Would she be so stiff if she were sitting across from Henry?
Her blue eyes skitter over my sleeve of tattoos. “I suppose there are worse choices.”
Okay, she’s softening to me. “You’re right. You could have had Belinda.”
Her head tips back with a laugh. “Not likely. Belinda knows she doesn’t appeal to me.”
Huh. Interesting. “So, you know the game she plays.”
“The one where a pretty face and money gets you what you want faster than a brain and hard work?” Her eyebrow arches in question. “Tell Belinda to stop recycling research points if she wants whatever reward she gets for my business. Also, there are far more interesting things about me than my ex-husband’s infidelity.”
“Such as?” Because now I’m curious.
Her attention drags over the giant potted palm tree next to us. “I was the first female CEO of a major oil and gas company. There are a few more now, but I was the first. And I negotiated a multibillion-dollar takeover, which expanded Black Titan’s holdings by thirty-five percent.”
I’m sure Olivia’s used to reciting her résumé and getting impressed responses. “Your company is about as interesting to me as your ex-husband’s cheating.”
Her mouth hangs open for a beat. “Fine. My equine rehabilitation center is the largest charity of its kind in the state of Texas.”
“What’s your horse’s name?”
She hesitates. “I don’t have a horse, personally.”
“You have a giant charity, and your children are all competitive riders, and you don’t have your own horse.” I may not know much, but even I know that’s strange. By the way she adjusts in her seat, I suspect there’s more to this story. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t ride horses.”
“Why not?”
She sets her jaw as she considers her answer. “Because I’m afraid of them. Always have been. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Actually, yes.” I can tell it’s the truth and something she doesn’t normally admit to strangers. A slow smile curves my lips. “Now we’re getting somewhere interesting.”
“And here is the entrance to the spa.” I check my watch. “Right on time.”
“I appreciate the escort.” Olivia’s smile isn’t flirtatious, but it’s warmer than it was when we first sat down to coffee.
“No problem. It’s all a part of my role as liaison. And I’ll let you know what I can set up for fishing.” It turns out Olivia may be terrified of horses, but she’s a deep-sea fisherwoman who used to spend full days out on her father’s boat with him. She hasn’t gone since his death. Given she’s in the perfect location, I said I’d find a charter for her. On Wolf Hotels’ dime, of course, but mostly because, turns out, I like her.