“Well, for a woman who’s supposedly incredibly loyal to me, she sure talks a lot about you.”
The statement took Tuck aback. “She does?”
“Almost as much as you talk about her.”
“I don’t—”
“Give it up, Tuck. You’re obsessed with her.”
“I like her. What’s not to like?”
“You think she’s pretty?”
Tuck could barely believe the stupidity of the question. “That’s obvious to anybody with a set of eyes.”
“You think she’s hot?”
“Have you seen her shoes?”
“What shoes?”
“The... You know.” Tuck pointed to his feet. “The straps and the heels and the rhinestones and things.”
“Never noticed.”
“There’s something wrong with you, man.”
“Why didn’t you date her?” Dixon asked.
“Because I was her boss.”
“Afterward—now—why don’t you ask her out?”
Tuck sat back down and reached for the bottle on the table between them. He took off the cap and poured himself another drink.
“I did,” he admitted. “She said no.”
Dixon cocked his head. “Did she understand the question?”
“Yes, she understood the question.”
“Did she give you a reason?”
“She doesn’t trust me. She’s got it in her head that I’m still an irresponsible playboy. She doesn’t think she can count on me.”
Tuck knew why she would feel that way. He also knew she deserved to feel that way. But she was wrong. If she’d give him half a chance, she’d find out she could count on him.
“So that’s it? You’re not going to fight?”
“How do I fight something like that?”
“How do you fight Dad? How do you fight his perception of you?”
“By standing up for myself. By taking my rightful place in this family.”
Dixon cracked a smile. “And?” It was obvious he thought he had Tuck cornered.
“It’s not the same thing. I have no rights to Amber at all.”
“You do if she’s in love with you.”
“She’s not—” Tuck froze. He gaped at his brother. “What makes you say that?”
“I asked her.”
Tuck moved his jaw, struggling to voice the question, terrified to voice the question. “Did she say yes?”
“She said no.”
Everything inside Tuck went flat. In that second, he realized he’d held out hope. He’d known it was impossible, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from dreaming.
“But she was lying,” said Dixon.
Tuck blinked in bafflement.
“She’s in love with you, bro.”
“That can’t be.” Tuck didn’t dare hope.
“I’m not saying she’s smart or right. I’m just saying she is.”
A million thoughts exploded inside Tuck’s head. Was it possible? Should he give it another shot? Should he not take her refusal at face value?
“You need to fight,” said Dixon. “You’re tough, and you’re smart and you know what you deserve. Fight Dad, fight Amber if she’s being stubborn. Hell, fight me if you think I’m wrong.”
Tuck tried but failed to temper his hope. “You are wrong. You’re wrong about a lot of things.”
“Then, fight me.”
“But I hope you’re right about this.”
“You love her?”
“Yes,” said Tuck, knowing it was completely and irrevocably true. He was in love with Amber and he was going to fight for her with everything he had.
* * *
Amber rocked Crystal in her arms while Jade worked on an English essay on her laptop. She told herself they were a family now. She had her job back, and the future was bright. Little Crystal was perfect, and she was going to grow up safe and happy, knowing she had a devoted mom and aunt to care for her.
Her gaze strayed to a glossy magazine on the coffee table. Chicago About Town. Jade had brought it home with the groceries. There was an inset photo on the bottom left, Tuck with a beautiful blonde woman. She didn’t know who it was and it was impossible to know when the photo was taken. But Amber was jealous.
Tuck was back to his old life, while Dixon’s words kept echoing inside her head. Are you in love with Tuck?
How could she have fallen in love with Tuck? How could she have been so foolish? She had so much going for her right now. Jade was working hard. She was going to pass her equivalency test. She was going to be a great mom.
Amber kissed the soft top of Crystal’s head. The future was blindingly optimistic. All she had to do was get Tuck out of her head.
Her chest tightened and her throat seemed to clog.
“Amber?” Jade asked softly.
Amber swallowed. “Yes?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Jade rose from her chair. “Is it too much?”
It was. It was far too much. Amber didn’t know if she’d be able to get over him. She didn’t want to keep fighting her feelings.
“Me and Crystal?” Jade continued. “Are we too much work?”
“What? No. No, honey. It’s not you.”
“You look so sad.”
“I’m just tired.”
“No, you’re sad.”
“I miss him,” Amber admitted.
“Tuck?”
“How can I miss him? I know who he is. I know where it was going. But I couldn’t seem to talk myself out of it.”
Jade moved toward her, sympathy in her expression. “I know how you feel.”
“Does it go away?”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Eventually, your head will overtake your heart,” said Jade. “Though it can take a while.”
Amber didn’t like the sound of that. Her head was stronger than her heart, always. It was what had kept her safe and sane all these years. How could it be failing her now?
The knock sounded again and Jade brushed Amber’s shoulder on the way to answer it.
Amber hugged her niece tight.
“I’m looking for Amber.” Tuck’s voice made Amber sit up straight. “Is she home?”
A buzzing started in the center of her brain, radiating to her chest then along her limbs. What was he doing here?
“What do you want?” asked Jade.
“To talk to her.”
“Is it about work?”
“Yes.”
Amber came slowly to her feet, careful not to disturb Crystal.
“It’s okay,” she said to Jade.
Jade sighed and opened the door wider.
Amber came forward. “Tuck?”
Jade gathered Crystal from her arms while Tuck smiled at the baby.
“She’s beautiful,” he said.
“What do you want?” Amber asked.
Tuck met her gaze. “I’m coming to work on Monday.”
The words surprised her.
“Dixon’s contemplating bringing Zachary back,” said Tuck.
“He told me that, too,” said Amber.
“It’s a bad idea.”
“I agree.”
Tuck glanced behind her. “You mind if I come in?”
She hesitated, but she didn’t want to be rude. “Okay.”
“Did you tell him that’s what you thought?” Tuck asked as she shut the door behind them.
“I did. Then I was afraid he might fire me.”
“Dixon’s not going to fire you.”
“He didn’t.” But she’d made a mental note to keep her opinions to hers
elf. She had grown used to being frank with Tuck, but her relationship with Dixon had always been more formal. She had to respect that.
Cooing to Crystal, Jade made her way down the hall, obviously deciding to give them some privacy.
“Are you planning to stop him?” Amber asked. “From rehiring Zachary.”
“I’m going to try,” said Tuck, moving to the middle of the room. “I’m going back, and I’m going to fight for what I want.”
She was puzzled. “Why?”
“Because it’s my company, too.”
“It’s a lot of work.”
Right now, as he had in the past, Tuck had the best of all possible worlds.
“It is,” he agreed.
“You don’t need to do it.”
“I disagree with that. Tucker Transportation can’t run itself.”
“But Dixon—”
“Dixon doesn’t know everything.”
“He knows a lot.”
Tuck frowned. “What do you think of my brother?”
The question struck her as odd. “You know what I think of your brother. We spent weeks discussing what I thought of your brother.”
“We spent weeks trying to keep our hands off each other.”
Amber couldn’t believe she’d heard right.
“Let me put that another way,” he said.
“Good idea.”
“What do you think of me?”
“Right this moment?”
“Right this moment.”
Amber reached down and lifted the magazine, putting the cover in front of his face, reminding herself of exactly who he was.
“What?” He squinted.
“I think you’re exactly what you seem.”
“That’s Kaitlyn.”
“Nice that you remember her name.”
“That’s from last year. At the charity thing. The one for the animals. Pets, not the zoo.”
“The humane society?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have a nice time?”
“Why are you asking? What difference does that make now?”
“Because it’s on the cover of a magazine.”
He stared at her for a long moment. “I’m not dating anyone, Amber.”
“I don’t care.”
But she was lying. She did care. She couldn’t stand the thought of him with another woman. She wanted him for herself and she didn’t know how to stop wanting that.
“You should care,” he said. “You better care.”
“I don’t—”
“I asked you what you thought of me.”
“And I told you.”
He snapped the magazine from her hands and tossed it on the table. “Use words.”
Her brain stumbled around. With him standing so close, she found she couldn’t lie. “You’re not good for me.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t do this, Tuck.”
“Why not?”
“You know I’m attracted to you. You know we have chemistry. But we can’t go there again.”
“Why not?”
“Why not?” she all but shouted.
Why was he determined to make her say it?
“That’s what I asked,” he said.
“Because it’s not enough.”
“What would be enough?”
“Stop. Just stop.” She wanted him to go away. Her heart was already shredded and he was making it worse.
“Me loving you?” he asked. “Would that be enough?”
His words penetrated and her brain screeched to a halt.
“Would it, Amber?” he asked. “Because I do. I love you. I’m in love with you. I want to work with you. I want to date you. I think I even want to marry you. Scratch that. I know I want to marry you. Now I’m asking again. What do you think of me?”
She worked her jaw, but no sound came out. “I...uh...”
He cocked his head. “I’m really not sure how to take that.”
“You love me?” She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
“I love you.” He reached out and took her hands in his. “But I’m going to have to insist you answer the question. I swear, Amber, I don’t know whether to kiss you or slink out the door.”
“Kiss me,” she said, joy blooming in her chest.
Tuck’s face broke into a broad smile.
“I love you, Tuck. Kiss me, please.”
He didn’t wait another second. He kissed her deeply, wrapping his arms around her, drawing her close against his body.
“I’ll be there for you,” he whispered in her ear. “I promise I’ll be there for you and for Crystal and for Jade. I’ll protect you and fight for you. You can count on me now and forever.”
“This doesn’t seem real.” She let the warmth of his body flow into hers.
“It’s real, sweetheart. And it’s definitely forever.”
* * * * *
If you loved this novel, don’t miss the first two CHICAGO SONS books from New York Times bestselling author Barbara Dunlop
SEX, LIES AND THE CEO
SEDUCED BY THE CEO
Available now from Harlequin Desire!
* * *
And pick up these other emotional and sexy reads from Barbara Dunlop
THE BABY CONTRACT
THE MISSING HEIR
A COWBOY COMES HOME
* * *
Read on for an exclusive sneak preview of ONE NIGHT CHARMER from USA TODAY bestselling author Maisey Yates and HQN Books.
* * *
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Copper Ridge, Oregon’s, favorite bachelor is about to meet his match!
If the devil wore flannel, he’d look like Ace Thompson. He’s gruff. Opinionated. Infernally hot. The last person Sierra West wants to ask for a bartending job—not that she has a choice. Ever since discovering that her “perfect” family is built on a lie, Sierra has been determined to make it on her own. Resisting her new boss should be easy when they’re always bickering. Until one night, the squabbling stops...and something far more dangerous takes over.
Ace has a personal policy against messing around with staff—or with spoiled rich girls. But there’s a steel backbone beneath Sierra’s silver-spoon upbringing. She’s tougher than he thought, and so much more tempting. Enough to make him want to break all his rules, even if it means risking his heart...
Read on for this special extended excerpt from ONE NIGHT CHARMER by USA TODAY bestselling author Maisey Yates.
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One Night Charmer
by Maisey Yates
CHAPTER ONE
THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE in Copper Ridge, Oregon, who—between them—knew nearly every secret of every person in town. The first was Pastor John Thompson, who heard confessions of sin and listened to people pour out their hearts when they were going through trials and tribulations.
The second was Ace Thompson, owner of the most popular bar in town, son of the pastor and probably the least likely to attend church on Sunday or any other day.
There was no question that his father knew a lot of secrets, though Ace was pretty certain he himself got the more honest version. His father spent time standing behind the pulpit; Ace stood behind a bar. And there he learned the deepest and darkest situations happening in the lives of other townspeople while never revealing any of his own. He supposed, pastor or bartender, that was kind of the perk.
They poured it all out for you, and you got to keep your secrets bottled up inside.
That was how Ace liked it. Every night of the week, he had the best seat in the house for whatever show Copper Ridge wanted to put on. And he didn’t even have to pay for it.
And with his newest acquisition, the show was about to get a whole lot better.
“Really?” Jack Monaghan sat down at the bar, beer in hand, his arm around his new fiancée, Kate Garrett. “A mechanical bull?”
“That’s right, Monaghan. This is a classy establishment, after all.”
“Seriously,” Connor Garrett said, taking the seat next to Jack, followed by his wife, Liss. “Where did you get that thing?”
“I traded it. Guy down in Tolowa owed me some money and he didn’t have it. So he said I could come by and look at his stash of trash. Lo and behold, I discovered Ferdinand over there.”
“Congratulations,” Kate said. “I didn’t think anything could make this place more of a dive. I was wrong.”
A Bargain with the Boss Page 19
