A Bargain with the Boss by Barbara Dunlop Page B

than that. He might not have known her long, but he knew there was more depth to her than a dozen of his Saturday-night dates combined.
    Her shoulders dropped. “I’ll just say good night.”
    â€œYou didn’t do anything wrong.”
    He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to keep talking, even if they were arguing. He liked the sound of her voice. But he also wanted to kiss her again and carry her off to his bed. He couldn’t do that.
    â€œIt’s late,” she said. “We’re both tired. Let’s not say or do anything we’re going to regret.”
    â€œI don’t regret a thing.”
    â€œI do.”
    The words were like a blow to his chest. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    â€œI’m your employee, Tuck.”
    â€œYou’re Dixon’s employee.”
    â€œTucker Transportation’s employee. And you’re a vice president.”
    â€œIn name only.” He found himself parroting his father’s words.
    â€œYou need to change that, Tuck. You really do.”
    â€œAre you lecturing me on my corporate responsibility?”
    â€œSomebody has to.”
    He was about to retort that they already had. But then he realized it wasn’t true. Neither his father nor Dixon had lectured him. They’d never pushed him to become more involved in the company. They’d barely suggested he show up. But he wasn’t about to admit that to Amber.
    He had to stop himself from taking her hands in his. “How did we get here?”
    Her eyes narrowed in puzzlement. “We were prepping for the client meetings.”
    â€œI meant in the conversation. We were talking about us, and suddenly we’re on to Tucker Transportation.”
    â€œThere is no us.”
    â€œThere was almost an us.”
    It was barely there, but he could tell she stifled a smile.
    It warmed his heart.
    â€œI’m leaving now,” she said.
    He reflexively grasped her hands. “You don’t have to go.”
    â€œI do have to go.”
    â€œStay.” He gave himself a mental shake, backing off. “I’m sorry. I never do that. I never try to convince a woman to sleep with me.”
    She arched a brow. “They normally throw themselves into your bed?”
    They did. But he knew how that sounded.
    â€œI like you, Amber.”
    â€œI’m not going to sleep with you, Tuck.”
    â€œThat’s not what I’m asking.”
    â€œIt’s exactly what you’re asking. It’s 2:00 a.m., and I’m in your hotel room.” She hesitated. “That was my mistake, wasn’t it? What was I thinking?”
    â€œYou didn’t make a mistake.”
    She tugged her hands from his. “I didn’t think this through. I just assumed you wouldn’t misunderstand.”
    â€œI didn’t misunderstand. I didn’t plan this, Amber.” He’d taken her behavior at face value. He knew she was only trying to help him get ready for the meetings.
    She held up her palms and took a couple of backward paces. “Time for me to say good night. Don’t forget the breakfast meeting.” She took her purse from the table. “Don’t be late.”
    â€œI’m never late.”
    â€œTrue,” she allowed as she retrieved her shoes and strode toward the door. “But I always expect you to be late.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’ll see you tomorrow.” And then she was gone.
    He wanted to call her back. He wished he could call her back. But he’d made enough mistakes for one night. He realized that if he wanted Amber to let him get anywhere close to her, he had to back off until she was ready.
    * * *
    Back in Chicago two days later, Amber dreaded meeting up with Jade. She was happy her sister had dumped whatever loser boyfriend she’d hooked up with this time, but she also held out no hope for the next one, or the one after that. Bad boyfriends and heartache had been Jade’s