A Bargain with the Boss by Barbara Dunlop

blouses along for good measure.
    I’ll call you when I get back , Amber typed.
    â€œOh?” Tuck took a seat on the other end of the sofa.
    Thing is , Jade returned, I kind of need a place now, tonight.
    Amber swore under her breath. It was coming up on midnight in Chicago, and her little sister had nowhere to go. She didn’t delude herself that Jade would have money for a hotel.
    â€œWhat is it?” asked Tuck.
    â€œShe needs a place now.”
    â€œRight now?” He glanced at his watch.
    â€œI’m guessing she just got in from LA.” Amber wouldn’t be surprised if Jade had hitchhiked.
    Hotel? Amber wrote.
    Can’t afford it. Jerk took all the money.
    Of course the jerk boyfriend took Jade’s money. They always did.
    â€œI take it cash flow is an issue,” said Tuck.
    â€œThat’s a polite way to put it.”
    â€œSend her to the nearest Aquamarine location.”
    Amber raised her brow in Tuck’s direction. The Aquamarine was a quality, four-star hotel chain.
    â€œTucker Transportation has a corporate account,” said Tuck.
    â€œI know Tucker Transportation has a corporate account.”
    â€œYou can tell her to use it.”
    â€œI can’t misuse the company account for my sister.”
    â€œYou can’t,” he agreed. “But I can.”
    â€œI won’t—”
    â€œI need your attention,” said Tuck. “I need you off your cell phone and I need you not worrying about your sister. The way I see it, this is the cheapest way forward.”
    â€œThat’s a stretch.”
    Tuck’s tone turned serious. “Tell her. Let me make that an order.”
    Amber wanted to argue. But then she didn’t particularly want to send Jade to her town house, nor did she want to rouse a neighbor at this hour to give her a key.
    â€œI know you respect orders,” said Tuck. “You are the consummate professional.”
    â€œYou’re messing in my personal life.” Amber knew she shouldn’t take him up on it, but she was sorely tempted.
    â€œYeah,” he said. “I am. Now send her to the Aquamarine.”
    Amber heaved a sigh.
    Before she could send the message, Tuck scooped the phone out of her hand, typing into it.
    â€œHey!”
    â€œYou know it’s the best answer.”
    She did know it was the best answer. And she’d been about to do it herself. Further protests seemed pointless.
    â€œShe says great,” said Tuck.
    â€œI’ll bet she does.”
    He set the phone down on the coffee table. “You’re a good sister.”
    â€œIn this instance, I think you’re the good sister.”
    â€œNever been called that before.”
    â€œNeither have I.”
    Tuck chuckled, obviously assuming she was making a joke.
    She wasn’t.

Four
    T uck was pretty good at handling late nights, but even he was starting to fade by the time he and Amber shut down the last client file. She looked exhausted, her cheeks flushed, makeup smudged under her eyes and her hair escaping in wisps from the updo.
    â€œThat’s as ready as we can be,” she said.
    They were side by side on the overstuffed sofa, a lamp glowing on an end table, the lights of the city streaming through open curtains on the picture window across the room.
    Tuck had long since shrugged out of his suit jacket and loosened his tie. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, but he was still too warm. The thermostat might be set too high. More likely, it was his attraction to Amber.
    She was intensely sexy, every single thing about her, from her deep blue eyes to her rich brunette hair, to the delicious, sleek curves revealed by her fitted dress.
    â€œDo you feel confident?” she asked, tipping her head to look at him.
    He realized he’d been silently staring at her.
    And he was still staring at her. He was overwhelmed by the urge to kiss her, kiss her deeply and thoroughly, taste those soft, dark red lips that