Page 18 of The Boss's Triplet Surprise

After all, as much as she cared for Dan, and as attractive as she found him, she knew he was married to his job. She herself was more dedicated to a career and motherhood than a relationship. Two strong, independent people trying to make a romantic relationship work was a recipe for disaster.

Dan stirred beneath Leah’s head and she sat up, pulling the blanket around herself. His mouth widened into a smile as he adjusted his position until he was propped against the headboard with a pillow, his head propped on one hand. His bare chest, which was rippled with muscles and somehow perfectly tanned, was on full display, and Leah felt her attraction rise again.

“I’d better take a quick shower and get dressed,” she said hurriedly.

“If you’d like.” He gave her a slow smile that sent warmth radiating through her. She got to her feet, wrapped the blanket around herself, and hurried to the shower. She paused on the way only to grab the small overnight bag she’d packed.

In the bathroom, Leah gave herself a long, stern look in the mirror. Just one night with Dan had shown her that he was hard to resist. But it had also shown her that a relationship between them would never work. Their night together had been passionate and tender, but that didn’t mean they were right for each other.

Stern look finished, she hurried through the shower. Then she dressed in the outfit she’d packed for the second day of the conference, slacks and a blouse again, and tied her hair back. After a final brush of makeup, she felt armored and ready for the conversation that she was about to have.

Dan was dressed when she returned to the main room. He had on the same suit he’d worn yesterday and looked professional, although his hair was still rumpled from sleep. He grinned at her, then slipped past her into the bathroom. When he emerged a few minutes later, his hair was tamed and he looked even more like his normal, in-control persona.

“Last night was magical,” Leah began. She’d spent the time that Dan was in the bathroom pacing and preparing what she wanted to say.

“Agreed.” Dan gave her another of those smiles. “However…”

Relief flooded her. “However, we should keep things professional going forward.”

“I think so, too. I don’t regret a single second of last night, but a relationship would complicate things, and we both have enough on our plates right now.”

“Agreed.” Leah sank onto the bed. She was glad that they were on the same page. And if a part of her wished that Dan had disagreed and encouraged her to consider something more, well, she didn’t have to listen to that part.

“Good.” Dan stretched. “So, I’ll head back to my room and get ready for the day. I’m planning to attend the session on pain management during birth.”

“I was thinking the same thing. We can meet there?”

“Sounds good to me.”

At least it wasn’t awkward, Leah told herself as he said a quick goodbye and left. Everything could go back to normal — or at least as normal as a business relationship involving a fake relationship and a real baby could be.

This was for the best.

And that night really had been magical. It only made sense for Leah to be just the slightest bit disappointed that there wouldn't be a repeat. That didn’t make her a gooey romantic. Not at all.

CHAPTER 8

DAN

If Dan had worried that things would become awkward between him and Leah after their night together, he was quickly proven wrong. The pair spent the day attending conferences, enjoyed a pleasant lunch with a few counterparts from other companies, then drove home together (once Dan had retrieved the car from the restaurant). On the way, they chatted about light topics and even listened to a little music after discovering that they had overlapping tastes.

Dan dropped Leah off at her apartment around six. As he pulled into a free parking space in front of her building, he had the strange urge to ask if she wanted to join him for dinner, but he quickly set it aside. They’d just agreed to keep things professional. It was best to continue that.

“I really enjoyed the conference,” Leah said as she unfastened her seatbelt and took her overnight bag from the back seat.

“As did I.” Dan paused. He wanted to say something else about their night together, but perhaps it was better to put it out of his mind. “I’ll be in touch about our next steps.”

“Wonderful.” Leah slid out of the car and shut the door behind her. Dan watched until she was safely inside the building, at which point she waved a friendly goodbye before disappearing inside.

He was surprised by how strongly he felt her absence. After only a little more than twenty-four hours together, he’d grown very used to her company. The way she made little jokes, her insightful comments, her sweet smiles… He was going to have a hard time forgetting any of it. And even more, the memory of their night together was so strong that he was having a difficult time moving past it.

He’d meant it when he’d said that he and Leah should keep their relationship professional. Their situation was unusual enough anyway without adding any further dimensions. And he meant what he’d said to both Leah and his father — that he needed to prioritize RMA over a relationship that may or may not work out.

Still… Dan couldn’t help imagining what it might be like if he and Leah were in a real relationship. If they could spend more nights like last night together. If he could learn more about what made her who she was and hear more of those insightful opinions. It was ridiculous, because he had never felt this kind of romantic interest in anyone before.

As someone who had studied science, Dan knew that what he felt now was probably due to the release of endorphins and hormones after his and Leah’s night together. Logically, he knew that if he left those feelings alone, they would disappear.

Yet still, Dan missed Leah and wanted to see her again.

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