A Bargain with the Boss by Barbara Dunlop Page A

Transportation.
    â€œAmber.” 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.”
    â€œI’ll claim it as many times as it takes. It’s the truth.”
    â€œYet you’ll give up your job for him?”
    â€œI’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.
    â€œI had to be sure,” he said.
    â€œSure of what ?”
    â€œThat you’re not in love with my brother.”
    â€œGo 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.
    â€œAmber?” Jade’s voice was hesitant.
    â€œYes.” Amber shook some sense into herself.
    â€œYour boss is your boyfriend?”
    Amber turned. “What? No.”
    â€œYou just kissed him.”
    â€œThat?” Amber waved it away. “That was nothing. He was being a jerk, is all. He fired me.”
    â€œHe what ?”
    â€œWe had a disagreement. No. More a difference of opinion. I’d call it a difference of principles and values. He’s not a man I want to work for.” Amber paused. “I’m fine with the way things turned out.”
    She was fine. At least she would be fine.
    â€œWhat will you do?” There was worry in Jade’s expression.
    Amber linked her arm with her sister’s and moved them both inside. “I’ll get another job. This was a good job, but it’s not the only job. I have skills and experience. Maybe I’ll even make more money.”
    â€œYou sound confident.”
    â€œI am confident.”
    Maybe her leaving Tucker Transportation was inevitable. Jamison had most certainly planned to fire her before his heart attack. If she looked at it like that, she’d actually been granted an extra month with Tuck at the helm. But it was doomed to end one way or the other.
    Dixon would eventually come back and he’d probably take her side. But Jamison was the president of the company. Eventually, he’d recover fully and overrule Dixon. And with Tuck now on Jamison’s