A Bargain with the Boss

by Barbara Dunlop

  “Somebody has to keep you in line.”

  He eased slightly closer. “You want to keep me in line?”

  She didn’t answer, but her eyes darkened to indigo.

  “Know what I want to do to you?” he asked softly.

  Her lips parted.

  He moved closer still, twining one hand with hers. He brushed back her hair, leaned in close to her ear.

  “Kiss you,” he whispered. “Pull you into my arms. Peel that dress from your body and make long, slow love to you.”

  “That wasn’t...” Her voice went breathless. “What I was expecting.”

  “No?” He placed a kiss on her shoulder, reveling in the sweetness of her skin.

  “I’m lying.”

  He kissed her again, closer to the crook of her neck. “Yeah?”

  “It was exactly what I was expecting.”

  “But you came up here with me anyway?” His lips brushed her skin as he spoke.

  “Yes.” Her palms touched his chest, warm and intimate. “I want you, Tuck. I keep trying to ignore it.”

  He drew back to look into her eyes. “I can’t ignore it.”

  “I feel as if we need to...” She toyed with a button on his dress shirt.

  “Make love?”

  “Set some ground rules.”

  He tenderly kissed her lips. “Sure. Whatever you want.”

  “This can’t impact our working relationship.”

  He cradled her chin with his palm, kissing her again. He didn’t see how that was possible, but he wasn’t about to disagree. “Okay.”

  “You can’t fire me, or promote me, or give me any better or worse treatment because I’m...”

  “Completely and totally blowing my mind?”

  “Tuck.”

  “I’m not going to fire you.”

  “Or promote me.”

  “Maybe. Probably. I think I pretty much already have. You want a new title?”

  “You’re not listening.”

  He kissed her again. “You’re very distracting.”

  She pressed against him, her body molding to his. “We have to get this straight.”

  “Keep the boardroom out of the bedroom.” He wrapped his arms around her, sighing in complete contentment. Up against him, wrapped around him, that was where she belonged. That was where he wanted her to stay.

  “Right.” She sounded surprised.

  “Then, shut up, Amber. We’re a long way from the boardroom.”

  He kissed her and passion roared to life within him.

  She kissed him back, coming up on her toes, her arms winding around his neck. He tipped his head to deepen the kiss, pressing the small of her back, arching her body, inserting his thigh between her bare legs.

  She groaned his name. Then she went for his belt, his button, his fly, her small hand all but searing him with need.

  “Amber, don’t.” He could feel his control slip away.

  “I can’t wait,” she rasped. “I’ve waited, and I’m done waiting.”

  She didn’t have to wait.

  He reached beneath her dress and stripped off her panties. Then he dropped into a chair, sitting her straight and square in his lap. She loosened his slacks and eased herself down. She was hot and tight, and each inch was a straight shot to paradise.

  He bracketed her hips and pushed himself home.

  She braced her hands on his shoulders. Her head tipped back. “Oh, yes,” she whispered.

  “You’re amazing,” he told her. “Fantastic. Spectacular.”

  Her nails dug in and her thighs tightened around him. He lost track of time as their pace increased. His world contracted and then disappeared. There was nothing but Amber. He didn’t end and she didn’t begin. They were fused to one and he needed to hold on to that forever.

  She cried out his name and the sound pierced straight through him. Her body contracted and pulsed, and he followed her over the edge in a cascade of heat and sensation. He dropped back on the chair, cradled her face with his hands, pulled her down for a kiss, tasting her, breathing her, feeling life pulse through her, willing the euphoria to last forever.

  Then he cradled her close, thinking how perfectly she fit against him.

  “Stay,” he murmured in her ear. “I want you in my bed. I want you in my arms. The night in Arizona was sheer torture after you left me.”

  Her chest rose and fell against his, the sound of her deep breaths echoing through the silent room.

  “Okay,” she finally said.

  He drew back. “Okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Okay,” he said, his body relaxing with relief. “Okay.”

  * * *

  Amber’s ringtone woke her from a sound sleep. She was instantly aware of Tuck’s naked body wrapped around her, the faint sandalwood scent of his sheets and the sound of a fan whirring above the big bed. The phone rang again.

  She pushed up on her elbow and groped for the bedside table. Tuck groaned and moved beside her. A moment later, the room was flooded with light. Her phone rang a third time as she blinked to adjust her eyes.

  “Did you find it?” he asked.

  “Yes. It’s here.” She fumbled with her cell as she answered, clumsy with sleep. “Hello?”

  “Amber Bowen?” The woman’s voice was crisp.

  “Yes. It’s me.”

  “This is Brandy Perkins calling. I’m a nurse at Memorial Hospital.”

  Amber sat straight up. “Hi, Yes.” She had met Brandy a number of times. “Is something wrong?”

  “Can you come into Maternity right away?”

  “Yes, of course.” Amber swung her legs to the side of the bed. “Is Jade all right?”

  Tuck sat up beside her.

  “Her blood pressure has taken an unexpected spike.”

  Tuck’s hand cradled her bare shoulder, his voice deep and soft. “Something wrong?”

  “The baby has gone into distress, and we’re performing an emergency C-section.”

  “I’m on my way.” Amber rose from the bed as she ended the call.

  Tuck’s voice was sharper, more alert. “What’s wrong?”

  “I need to get to the hospital. It’s Jade.” Amber tracked down her panties, stepping into them and locating her bra.

  He rocked to his feet. “I’ll drive you.”

  “No. That’s okay. I’ve got my car.”

  “You’re upset. You shouldn’t drive yourself.” He was dressing as he spoke.

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

  “So what?”

  “So I want to take my car.”

  Her dress on, she headed for the bedroom door. Her shoes were still down in the library. She was pretty sure she remembered the way back.

  Tuck followed. “What happened?”

  “It’s her blood pressure. The baby’s in distress and they have to do an emergency Caesarean. I knew there was a chance, but things were looking so good. I didn’t expect...”

  She knew Jade’s condition could be life threatening, for both Jade and the baby. But she hadn’t wanted to face that possibility. She’d been too optimistic, too cavalier about the potential danger.

  She should have paid more attention to how Jade was feeling. Maybe if she’d spent more time at the hospital instead of throwing a party and sleeping with Tuck. What if she’d left her phone in her purse downstairs and didn’t hear it ring? What if the battery had died overnight?

  “Jade’s already at the hospital?” Tuck asked as they took the stairs.

  “She’s been there for two weeks.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Say what?”

  Amber’s personal life was anothe
r thing she was keeping separate. Tuck had barely even met Jade.

  “Tell me something that big was going on in your life.”

  “Why?” She entered the library.

  Luckily, the lights were still on, and she quickly located her shoes.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” said Tuck. “Because we see each other every day.”

  “Only because we work together.”

  She marched toward the living room. Her car keys were in her purse. She was maybe thirty minutes from the hospital, twenty-five if traffic was light, which it ought to be at 3:00 a.m.

  “Right,” said Tuck, a strange tone in his voice. “We work together. That’s all.”

  She paused to take in his expression. “I have to go to my sister right now.”

  “I’ll drive you.”

  “No, you won’t. Good night, Tuck.”

  “It’s morning.”

  She didn’t even know how to respond to that. She left through the front door, taking the long driveway past the brick entry pillars and onto the street.

  Traffic was blessedly light and she was able to find a good parking spot at the hospital. She rushed through the lobby, going directly to Jade’s room. She knew her sister wouldn’t be there, but she hoped the nurses could give her some information.

  Brandy was at the nurse’s station.

  “How is she?” Amber asked, realizing she was winded.

  “Still in surgery,” said Brandy.

  Amber didn’t like the look on the woman’s face. All the way here, she’d been telling herself it was going to be fine. Jade was going to be fine. The baby was going to be fine.

  Amber swallowed. “How bad?”

  Brandy came around the end of the counter. “She had a seizure.”

  Amber felt her knees go weak.

  Brandy took her arm. “Let’s sit down.”

  “Is she...” Amber couldn’t bring herself to ask the question. “What about the baby?”

  “They’re doing everything they can.” Brandy led her toward a sitting area in a small alcove.

  “I don’t like the sound of that.” It was not at all reassuring.

  Brandy sat next to her on a narrow vinyl sofa. “The baby is very close to term.”

  “So she has a fighting chance.”

  “Very much so,” said Brandy.

  “And all I can do is wait.”

  “I know it’s hard.”

  Amber nodded. She was sitting here wondering if her sister and her niece were going to live or die.

  “Can I get you something?” asked Brandy. “There’s coffee in the corner or water?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Would you like to freshen up?”

  Amber glanced down at her dress and realized how she must look. She hadn’t removed her makeup before tumbling into bed with Tuck. It was probably smeared under her eyes. Her hair had to be a fright.

  “That bad?” she asked the nurse.

  Brandy gave her a smile. “You’ll be able to see Jade once she wakes up, not to mention hold the baby. You don’t want to scare them.”

  “Yes,” said Amber. “Let’s think positively.”

  A woman in scrubs came through a set of double doors.

  Brandy took Amber’s hand and Amber’s heart sank through the floor.

  They rose together.

  “Dr. Foster, this is Jade’s sister, Amber,” said Brandy.

  “Jade is weak,” the doctor said without preamble. “We had to restart her heart.”

  Amber’s legs nearly gave way.

  “She’s in recovery,” said Dr. Foster. “Her vital signs have stabilized and her blood pressure is under control.”

  “She’ll be all right?” Amber felt the need to confirm.

  “We expect her to make a full recovery.”

  “And the baby?”

  The doctor smiled. “The baby is healthy. A girl.”

  “I have a niece?”

  “She’s in the nursery. You can see her if you want.”

  Amber gave a rapid nod, her eyes tearing up. Worry rose up from her shoulders and she felt instantly light.

  Eleven

  As soon as Amber had left the mansion, Tuck realized he’d been a total jerk. Her sister was having emergency surgery. What did it matter if he and Amber’s relationship was up in the air? They could talk about it tomorrow, or the day after that, or the day after that.

  She’d made love with him. Then she’d spent the night with him. He’d reveled in holding her naked in his arms, joking and laughing with her. He’d looked forward to breakfast together, mentally filing away another image of her in his family home.

  Instead, he’d showered and changed, stopped to pick her up some coffee and a bagel and made his way to the hospital. She had to be exhausted, and distressed, and he was determined to make up for his behavior. She needed his support right now. She didn’t need him arguing with her.

  It took some time to locate the maternity wing. But once there, he was told visiting hours didn’t start until seven and he had to wait in the lobby. He gave in and drank both cups of lukewarm coffee, finally getting on the elevator with the blueberry bagels for Amber.

  As he approached the room, he could hear her voice. It was melodic and soothing.

  “She’s incredible,” she was saying.

  “Isn’t she?” Jade responded, her voice sounding slightly weak.

  Tuck paused to brace his hand on the wall, relief rushing through him. He hadn’t realized he’d been that worried.

  “Thank you,” said Jade. “For being here. For helping us.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Amber responded. “Of course I’m here, and of course I’m helping.”

  “You always do.”

  “She has your eyes,” said Amber.

  “I thought of a name.”

  “You did?”

  “After you. I’m going to name her Amber.”

  For some reason, Tuck’s chest went tight.

  “I don’t know,” said Amber.

  “We owe you so much.”

  “I’m her aunt. It’s my job, and she doesn’t owe me a thing. Look at that face, those blue eyes, that tiny nose.”

  There was a silent pause.

  “I think,” Amber continued, “that she’s her very own little person. She deserves her very own name.”

  “You think?” asked Jade.

  “I’m sure. Thank you. Really, it’s a wonderful thought.”

  There was a pause and Tuck took a step forward.

  “What about Crystal?” asked Jade.

  “Another rock?” There was a trace of laughter in Amber’s voice.

  “You’re solid as a rock,” said Jade.

  “So are you,” said Amber.

  “And she will be, too.”

  “Crystal. I love it. It’s perfect.”

  Tuck knew he should either walk away or announce himself, but something kept him still and silent.

  “Do you think the three of us can become a family?” asked Jade, a catch in her voice. “The way we never were.”

  “Yes,” Amber said softly. “You, me and Crystal. We can do that.”

  “No creepy boyfriends.”

  Tuck found he didn’t like the sound of that. He wasn’t creepy. Then again, he wasn’t a boyfriend.

  “No unreliable men,” Amber stated firmly.

  Did she think of him as unreliable? She probably did. She probably thought Dixon was more reliable, which wasn’t fair, given the current circumstances.

  He gave himself a mental head slap. If he didn’t want to keep hearing things he didn’t like, he needed to stop eavesdropping.

  “She’s never
going to be frightened,” said Jade, as Tuck moved for the door. “Or hungry, or lonely.”

  “We’ll keep her safe.”

  “I’ll get a job,” said Jade.

  “Not today, you won’t.”

  He knocked softly on the open door. “Hello.”

  Amber looked up. She was sitting in a chair at the bedside covered in a pale green hospital gown, a pink bundle in her arms. He couldn’t see the baby’s face, but she had a head of dark hair—a brunette like her aunt.

  Jade was propped up in the bed, looking exhausted, her face pale, her hair flattened against her head.

  “Tuck.” Amber was obviously surprised to see him.

  “I wanted to make sure everything was okay.” He glanced at the paper bag in his hands, realizing he should have brought flowers or maybe a teddy bear.

  “Hi, Tuck,” said Jade. She seemed less surprised and gave him a tired smile.

  “Congratulations, Jade.” He moved to get a better view of the baby. “She’s beautiful.”

  “Isn’t she?” asked Jade.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, giving in to an urge to squeeze her hand.

  “Sore. But I’m going to be fine.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that.”

  His attention went back to Amber and the baby. She looked good with a baby in her arms, natural, radiant.

  “How did you know I was here?” asked Jade.

  Amber’s eyes widened.

  Tuck paused to see how she’d answer.

  She didn’t.

  “Were you with him last night?” asked Jade.

  She was very quick on the uptake for someone who’d just had surgery.

  “It was a corporate party,” said Tuck.

  “We spent the night together,” said Amber.

  Her answer thrilled him. Yes, they’d spent the night together. And he didn’t care who knew it.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” said Jade, glancing between them.

  Tuck grinned with amazement. “You had to have one of the best excuses ever.”

  Jade chuckled and then groaned with obvious pain.

  “I’m sorry,” he quickly told her.

  “Don’t apologize for being funny.”

  “I didn’t mean for it to hurt.”

  Crystal let out a little cry.

  “It does,” said Jade. “I hate to whine, but it hurts a lot.”