Page 19 of The Billionaire's Instant Triplets

They both got up. This time, Ria loaded her plate and fork into the dishwasher instead of washing them by hand, as did Tristan. They both smiled at each other then melted away, Ria going upstairs and Tristan heading back to his office.

This evening’s conversation had been an eye-opener for Ria. She’d thought Tristan was just a detached parent, like so many of the wealthy fathers she worked with. The truth was clearly much more complicated. As she shed her clothes and stepped into the shower, she vowed that she would do all she could to help Tristan ease into his new role as the triplets’ father. He clearly needed her help — and so did the kids.

She knew that she couldn’t be their nanny forever. And even if she stayed for years, a nanny wasn’t the same as a parent. She let the warm water soak into her hair and run down her back as she reached for some of the fragrant shampoo she’d brought from home. The best legacy Ria could leave in this family was one in which Tristan felt confident as a father, and the triplets were settled into their home.

If there was something else there, a flutter of attraction towards the honest and open man she’d met in the kitchen, Ria didn’t want to think about it. A crush on her employer would be a mistake. A crush on an employer who she lived with would be even worse. It was better to focus on all the things about Tristan that annoyed her, like his fake glasses and his love of weirdly healthy food and his poor taste in vases. She couldn’t let herself think about his smile, the sparkle in his green eyes, or the way he could be quite funny when he wanted to be.

Ria stepped out of the shower, dried herself with one of the fluffy white towels, and slipped into her pajamas. Back in her bedroom, she fell gratefully into bed. Chasing the kids around all day had been one thing, but the evening’s revelations had been far more tiring. Ria had a lot to think about. She had a lot of plans to make, too. Plans for how to help Tristan be a better father. Plans for how to help the triplets feel at home.

Plans for how to keep herself from feeling anything for Tristan or the kids beyond the usual fondness a nanny might have for her employer and her young charges.

CHAPTER10

TRISTAN

Tristan woke the next morning to his alarm. He crept downstairs, moving quietly so as not to wake Ria or the kids, and headed straight to his home gym. There, he spent half an hour on the treadmill. Ria had a point when she’d said that treadmills weren’t as interesting as running outside, but Tristan liked the lack of distractions. He was able to concentrate on his own thoughts instead of the outside world.

Usually, that meant thoughts about his company, but today, it meant thoughts about Ria. The conversation he’d had with her in the kitchen last night had been surprisingly impactful. He remembered the flicker of sympathy in her eyes as he’d told her about his parents and his sister. Henevertold anyone about his parents, much less his sister. Yet something about Ria had inspired him to open up.

Tristan would have to be careful. Ria was gorgeous, insightful, and clever, all of which were very attractive qualities. Whether she was dressed up nicely or dancing around the kitchen in her pajamas, she was equally lovely.

She was also his children’s nanny. Tristan couldn’t let himself feel anything resembling attraction to her.

For as long as she stayed in his home, he would need to be careful. He couldn’t let himself spend too much time with Ria. He’d need to keep his distance and focus on work.

Agreeing to take the triplets to the park with her this morning probably wasn’t a step in the right direction, but it was too late to back out now.

His gym session over, Tristan stopped by the kitchen for his usual morning beverage. Ria was already there, setting out cereal and milk and slicing strawberries. She smiled at Tristan when he came in.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.” Tristan made a beeline for the cupboard. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, quite.” Ria popped a strawberry into her mouth. “Are you excited for the park today?”

Tristan held in a sigh. He wasn’t excited, not at all. As if spending more time with the beautiful Ria wasn’t bad enough, he’d also be with the unruly kids in a public place. It was hard enough to keep them corralled in the privacy of his own home. It would be nearly impossible to keep track of them all at an open park.

“It should be fun,” Tristan said. Ria chuckled.

“I don’t think you mean that, but you’re probably right. It will be fun. You’ll see.”

“Yes, we’ll see.” Tristan poured water into his glass.

“Would you like to join us for breakfast?” Ria asked. “I’ll get the kids up in a minute.”

“No, I’m still fasting.”

“Hmm. Right. You know, strawberries are very healthy. They’re full of antioxidants and vitamins and stuff.” Ria grinned. “You could at least sit at the table and eat a few strawberries.”

Tristan leaned over, plucked a strawberry off her cutting board, and popped it whole into his mouth.

“Happy now?” he asked. He left the kitchen, drink in hand, to the sound of Ria’s soft laughter behind him. He hadn’t meant to make her laugh. The sound was lovely, though.

Tristan stepped into the shower, where he quickly rinsed off. As usual, he ended with a burst of cold water. Then he dressed and hesitated inside his room. Outside, he could hear the kids chattering and laughing as they galumphed down the stairs. Part of him was tempted to join them, but he decided against it. It was better to get a little work done before the ill-fated park trip.

An hour or so later, Tristan was in his home office, working, when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” he called. He turned in his swivel chair as Ria stepped through the doors, Jamie balanced on her hip.

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