Page 49 of Triplet Tease

Siena nodded. “Yes.”

Mrs. Hardy smiled. “Travel broadens yourhorizons. I think that’s a great idea, darling.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SIENA

The guys invited me to live with them in NewYork, rent-free, with no need to contribute to expenses, and they’deven give me spending money. I didn’t have a better option. If Istayed put, I’d have to find a job; I couldn’t sit around hopingthe Lime Light would reopen.

With no job and no money coming in, I certainlyhad to consider the brothers’ proposition: move with them to NewYork while we made the preparations to work abroad.

To me, it sounded like a recipe for disasterand resentment, because I’d been there before. Only last time I wasthe one who kept a partner who didn’t pull his weight and who spentmy money without making his fair contribution. What would bedifferent about this?

Many things, the brothers said, in theireagerness to convince me.

Harry showed me pictures of a lush tropicalhabitat and creatures I instantly recognized because of theirdistinctive orange fur. “Did you take these photographs?” I askedhim.

He did not. But he wanted to go there and takehis own pictures of orangutans.

Orangutans in Borneo.

That’sa different continent.

The place, the creatures, they were so far frommy experience.

The guys were offering me more than just a roofover my head. They wanted to take me on their adventures. They wantedto make a better world for animals, and they wanted me to be a partof that.

I did want to be a part of that.

Yes. Why not?

I twirled a lock of my ginger hair around myfinger. “Do you think they might think I’m a close relative?”

With an expressionless face, Harry tilted hishead and considered me. “I guess there is more than just the haircolor to link you.” His face broke into a wide smile. “You andorangutans are both adorable. Come and stay in Manhattan with uswhile we plan our trip abroad.”

The guys were a dream come true, but becoming akept woman wasn’t my dream. I’d been in a disastrous relationshipbefore, and I wasn’t ready to give up my independence when it feltlike I’d only just gotten a grasp on it.

Eton grinned. “We want to keep you as ourwoman.” He was irresistible, and the way he said it was enough toruin my panties and almost persuade me to give everything up forhim.

“You can keep me in that way. You know what Imean.” But I was resolute in my determination to be my own woman.“I need to earn my own money and pay my way.”

It was a comfort to know these guys didn’tneed my money. They had enough of their own and took care of whatthey had. It boded well for the future, in complete contrast to mypast.

“Youcan work in New York, if you want to.” Finn tilted his head as ifwondering why I’d want to work. “If that’s the issue. There areplenty of jobs.”

“That is the issue. I can’t just turn up inNew York and be kept by you all like a pet.”

Harry ran his hand over his stubbled chin.“There are plenty of bar jobs, for sure.”

Eton offered me a job working as a vet’sassistant, but I had no relevant experience or qualifications. Howcould I do that? It sounded more like a job for Harry, and I was sureI had nothing to offer.

Still, with a mind to take up bar work,restaurant work, or any unskilled position in a new city for a fewmonths, I agreed to leave with them.

The following week we were all fully occupiedone way or another. Finn went to the office, Eton went to the animalhospital, and Harry stayed home.

Harry made an excellent house husband. He tookon all the chores, and we three came home to a delicious meal everynight. I won’t say Harry cooked them all from scratch, but itdidn’t matter where the food came from when I didn’t have tothink about it, only turn up at the table and eat. I wasn’t evenallowed to do the dishes. Harry insisted on doing all the choreswhile we were at work. I could have loved him for this one thingalone, but he had so many other good qualities.

Using all of their contacts, the guys foundgainful employment for me, which took me out and about. As it turnedout, there were a surprisingly large number of dog owners in New Yorkwho didn’t have enough time to walk their pets, and I quicklyfilled many of my hours exercising other people’s dogs.

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