A Bargain with the Boss

“No,” Tuck and Amber answered simultaneously.

“I just need to speak with her,” said Tuck.

“Oh,” said Jade, glancing between them, obviously picking up on their discomfort. “Then, I’ll leave you two alone.”

As Jade withdrew, Amber moved onto the porch, pulling the door closed behind her. It was cold outside, but she wanted to get this over with.

“The job market’s very tight out there,” said Tuck.

“Are you trying to frighten me?”

“I’m asking you to be realistic. I need to talk to my brother.”

“I promised him I wouldn’t tell a soul. That included his family.”

“So you admit you know where he is.”

“I don’t know with any certainty where he is.”

“Why are you talking in riddles?”

She reached behind herself for the doorknob. “I’ve told you what I can.”

“I can’t imagine Dixon wants you to be fired.”

“I can’t imagine he does, either.”

Dixon had always given her top-notch performance evaluations. He’d praised her work, often saying he didn’t know how he’d live without her. She liked to think he wouldn’t want her fired.

“Don’t make me do it,” said Tuck.

“I’m not making you do anything.”

“Ignoring an order is gross insubordination.”

“Betraying a confidence is worse.”

He leaned in. “Circumstances have changed since you made that promise.”

She knew they had. But she also knew Dixon’s doctor had told him to get away from the pressures of Tucker Transportation.

“Amber.” Tuck reached out, his hand encircling her upper arm. “I need this, please.”

His touch brought a rush of memories—the strength of his embrace, the taste of his lips and the scent of his skin. Suddenly, she was off balance, and she felt herself sway toward him. Her hand moved to steady herself, her palm coming up against his chest.

He groaned deep in his throat. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

She jerked her hand away, but he was faster, engulfing it in his own, pressing it firmly back against his chest.

His tone was gravelly. “Don’t make me fight with you.”

She battled the desire rising in her body. She wanted nothing more and nothing less than to collapse into Tuck’s arms and kiss him until every other thought was driven from her brain.

She met his gaze. “I’ve told you everything I can.”

His expression turned mocking. “And you still claim there’s nothing going on between you and Dixon.”

“I’ll claim it as many times as it takes. It’s the truth.”

“Yet you’ll give up your job for him?”

“I’ll give up my job for a principle.”

He tugged her closer, voice going quiet. “You sure about that?”

She enunciated each syllable. “Positive.”

He kissed her.

She was so surprised that she didn’t fight it. Her lips were pliable under his—soft, welcoming—and, for a second, she kissed him back. Her brain screeched at her to stop. But his embrace was oddly comforting. His kiss was tender. And the warmth of his chest seemed to make its way into her heart.

Then reason asserted itself. She forced herself to push against him, staggering back and thudding against the closed door. They stared at each other. Her chest rose and fell with labored breaths.

“I had to be sure,” he said.

“Sure of what?”

“That you’re not in love with my brother.”

“Go away.” She scrunched her eyes shut to block him out. “Just go away, and stay gone. I think I might hate you.”

He didn’t make a sound.

After a moment, she opened one eye. His back was to her and he was halfway down the path, striding toward a sleek black sports car.

Thank goodness he was leaving. Thank goodness he was out of her life. She could get a new job. She would get a new job. The last place on earth she wanted to be was working for Tuck.

The door opened behind her.

“Amber?” Jade’s voice was hesitant.

“Yes.” Amber shook some sense into herself.

“Your boss is your boyfriend?”

Amber turned. “What? No.”

“You just kissed him.”

“That?” Amber waved it away. “That was nothing. He was being a jerk, is all. He fired me.”

“He what?”