Читать книгу Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger - Charlene Sands - Страница 12
Six
ОглавлениеTony drove to Napa, a debate going on in his head. On one hand, he knew Rena still grieved, but on the other hand, heâd taken responsibility for her. She was his wife now. He couldnât let her dictate the terms of their relationship, not if he planned to really honor Davidâs dying wish. So he drove past Purple Fields and down the highway leading to his home.
âWhere are we going?â she asked.
âTo my house.â
Rena slanted him a dubious look. âWhy?â
âJust stopping by to pick up some of my clothes to bring to Purple Fields.â
Rena blinked before realizing his intent. âThis was supposed to be a secret marriage, Tony. We canât live together.â
Tony expected this argument. He pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car. Immediately, Renaâs shoulders stiffened. She sat up straighter in the seat and faced him. Before he spoke, he searched her face for a long moment, reining in his anger. âRena, weâre not announcing to the public weâre married. But I canât possibly work with you at Purple Fields andââ
âWatch out for me,â she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.
She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. Heâd made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. âWeâll be discreet. Purple Fields isnât exactly bustling with crowds.â
âThanks for the reminder.â âRena, listen. All Iâm saying is that you donât have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isnât on the main highway. In fact, youâre in a remote location.â
Renaâs voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. âI didnât think weâd live together.â
Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. âYouâre my wife. Iâm your husband. We are married. Weâll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if youâd rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we canââ
âNo!â She shook her head. âNo, Tony. That makes no sense. I need to be at Purple Fields.â
Tony wasnât fooled. Renaâs hatred for his father was evident in her blatant refusal. After Tony had moved away, Santo Carlino had tried to ruin all the local vintners in the area, and Rudy Fairfield hadnât been the exception. Once Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tonyâs protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but theyâd never fully succumbed to his fatherâs ruthless business tactics.
Rena hadnât stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.
âWell then, itâs settled. Iâll move into your house.â
Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.
He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, âIâll wait for you out here. Itâs a nice day. I need the ⦠fresh air.â
Tony didnât push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasnât a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. âIâll be a few minutes.â
She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that heâd been right about the car.
Tony bounded up the steps and entered the arched wrought iron doors decorated with delicate metal vines that led to a breezeway. The house, set more like an Italian villa atop the hill, had four wings that met in the center by a large expansive living room and dining area overlooking the vineyards. Tony liked his privacy, and each of the Carlino men had lived in separate sections of the house once theyâd grown up.
âHey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?â Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.
Tony sighed. âFine.â
âThat bad? I take it the wedding night didnât go so smoothly.â
Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasnât prying; he was simply concerned. âSheâs still grieving.â
âUnderstandable. Where is she?â
âOutside. She wonât come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. Sheâs not thrilled that Iâm moving in with her.â
âI wasnât sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.â
âIâll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but Iâd appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.â
âSure, no problem.â
âThanks. You know,â he began with a slant of his head, âif youâd have told me six months ago Iâd be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldnât have believed it.â
âAm I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?â
âYeah, well, maybe Iâm adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.â
âSheâll come around. In fact, I think Iâll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.â
âI can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.â He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. Heâd been called even worse by some of the women heâd dated in the past.
And it had all been true.
âTony?â Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadnât taken her directly back to Purple Fields after heâd picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, heâd driven to the cemetery where David was buried.
âAre you okay with this?â he asked.
Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, sheâd made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. Sheâd come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after sheâd learned about the promise heâd asked of Tony, sheâd gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadnât come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, heâd tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man whoâd loved her. âYes, Iâm okay with this.â
Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. âWeâll do this together.â
She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with Davidâs name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching Davidâs nameplate with infinite care.
Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. âSheâs safe, David,â he whispered. âWeâre married now. Iâll take good care of her.â
Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldnât hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.
âItâs okay, honey,â Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.
Tony tightened his hold on her. âLet it out, Rena.â
Cocooned in Tonyâs strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldnât let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.
âHeâs okay with this, Rena,â Tony whispered. âItâs what David wanted.â
She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her onceâa man whom she blamed for her husbandâs death, a man whoâd felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?
âI was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,â she whispered painfully. âI havenât come here in weeks.â
Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. âDonât beat yourself up, Rena. Youâre a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.â
âEven the ones that scream I shouldnât have married you?â
Tony looked down into her eyes. âYeah, even those.â
âI donât intend on cutting you any slack,â she said quietly.
âPlanning on making my life miserable?â
âNot deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.â
âDoubtful. Iâm not going anywhere.â
Then he leaned down and kissed her softly, exquisitely on her lips, and for the first time, Rena came close to believing him.
With arms folded, Rena watched Tony set his bags on the floor beside her bed. He faced her, his gaze direct and piercing. âI told you, I wonât tiptoe around you anymore. Weâre going to live as man and wife.â
Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. Sheâd used up her quota and then some at the cemetery. Though her insides quaked and her head ached, she knew she had no choice but to accept Tony in her home and in her bed. He had pride. He was virile and strong and extremely sexy. She suspected women had thrown themselves at him all the time. He was a race car champion, an appealing bachelor who was definitely easy on the eyes. Heâd probably had women in every town he traveled.
Though heâd been patient and kind to her the past few days she knew sheâd pushed him pretty far. And soon, heâd start pushing back.
He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. âFor Godâs sake, Rena. Iâm not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.â
Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. âI understand.â
âAh, hell.â He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. âYouâd think weâd never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-canât-breathe-anymore sex.â
Rena nearly tripped over her own feet backing up, his statement stunning her. Her face heated, and her body shook a little. Speechless, she lowered her lashes, fighting off memories of their lovemaking. Heâd been blunt but accurate in his description. âThatâs when â¦â she began, almost unable to get the words out. âWhen we were in love.â
âRight.â Tony tossed his overnight bag on the bed. He pulled out aftershave lotion, deodorant, razors and a hairbrush. âYou have a place I can put these?â
She pointed to the master bathroom. âItâs small, but you should find some room on the counter.â
Sheâd taken Davidâs things out of the bedroom, unwilling to have that daily reminder of his absence. But sheâd yet to remove his clothes from the closet. Sheâd be forced to now. Tony would need the room, and unlike his home with massive walk-in closet space, her closets were barely big enough for two people.
She held out hope that heâd get disgusted with her small three-bedroom house and move back to the estate where heâd be ensconced in luxury.
Rena opened her closet and began gathering up Davidâs clothes to make room for Tonyâs. Before she knew it, Tony stood beside her and placed a stopping hand on hers. âYou donât have to do it now. Youâre exhausted.â
âIt needs doing. I just never could faââ
âIf it makes you feel better, Iâll do it.â
âNo,â she said with a shake of her head. âI should do it.â
Tony grabbed both of her hands while they were still on the hangers. He stood close. So close that she noted the golden flecks in his dark eyes. âOkay but not today. It can wait. Agreed?â
She nodded, breathing in his subtle, musky scent. A lump formed in her throat thinking of his stirring kiss before. She didnât want to be attracted to Tony. Sheâd gotten over him a long time ago, yet when he touched her or looked deep into her eyes or kissed her, emotions rolled around inside. And made her nervous. âIâll make dinner.â
âThank you.â
She strode out of the room, confused by what she was feeling and angry for feeling anything at all.
Rena stirred the spaghetti sauce, watching as little bubbles broke on the surface sending a pungent, garlic scent into the air.
âSmells great.â Tony came up behind her, his body close again, surprising her in how quietly he appeared in her kitchen. He reached for the wooden spoon. âMay I?â
She handed it to him. âI hope you donât mind pasta tonight.â
âAre you kidding? Iâm Italian. You know I love pasta.â He stirred the sauce, then lifted the spoon to his mouth, tasting it.
âWhat do you think?â
âNeeds a little salt,â he said, then grabbed the salt shaker and added a few shakes. âThere.â
âYou like to cook, donât you?â
He shrugged. âI get by. When a bachelor wants to eat, heâs got to know more than how to boil water.â
âI didnât think youâd ever have to cook a meal for yourself.â
Tony continued stirring the sauce. âWhen my gourmet chef was off, I had three other servants waiting on me hand and foot.â He turned to her and grinned.
âYouâre teasing.â
âYeah, Iâm teasing.â Then he set the wooden spoon down and stared at her. âIâm not going to apologize for how I live. Iâve earned it. Racing has afforded me a good life. But there were sixteen-hour work days, long lonely times on the road. Times when I had to cook for myself when I longed for a home cooked meal. Eating out is overrated.â
âThere must have been plenty of women happy to cook for you. Never mind,â Rena said, catching herself. She didnât really want to know. âForget I said that.â
Tonyâs expression changed, and he gave her a quick shake of the head. âYour image of me is way off.â
Rena pursed her lips. âIt really doesnât matter.â
Tony grabbed her arms gently as steam rose up from the sauce and bathed them in heat. âYes, it does matter. Iâm your husband. I care what you think of me.â
Rena stared into his eyes, unable to answer. She had mixed emotions when it came to Tony Carlino, but for the most part, she didnât want to see any good in him. She wanted to keep him a safe distance away in her mind and heart.
When he realized she wouldnât respond, he let her go and she went about filling a big pot of water for the pasta noodles.
Tony watched her work at the stove for a long while before he spoke again. âWhat can I do to help?â
Grateful to give him something to do, she barked orders. âTake out the romaine and tomatoes from the refrigerator. I think thereâs a cucumber in there, tooâand anything else you can find for a salad.â
She heard him going to work, and much to her surprise, he fixed a delicious salad, and, adding black olives and herbs, he made his own olive oil-based dressing.
When she walked over to taste it, she cast him a nod of approval. âYummy.â
âMy motherâs. One of a few recipes I learned from her before she died.â
Tonyâs mother died when he was fifteen. Rena hadnât known her, but sheâd heard she was a saint among women. Sheâd have to be in order to be married to Santo Carlino. Rumor had it sheâd kept him in line. When she died, Santo poured himself into building his business taking no prisoners along the way.
âAnd you remembered it,â Rena said. âItâs funny the things we remember about the ones we love.â
âWhat do you remember about your mother?â he asked.
Rena smiled wide, recalling her motherâs favorite pastime. âThatâs easy. She had a morning and nightly ritual of walking three miles. No matter how tired she was, no matter the weather. Sheâd get into her walking clothes, put on these beat-up old shoes and go for a walk. She said it cleared the mind, cleansed the soul and kept the weight off.â Rena grinned, confessing. âMy mama liked to eat.â
Tony chuckled. âThatâs a good way to remember her. Walking, I mean. Not eating.â
âHmm, yeah.â Rena blinked herself back to reality. Even with all her exercise, her mother still contracted a deadly disease. Sheâd lingered for years, missing her daily walks and everything else that required a bit of effort. It was a brutal reminder of the unfairness in life.
Once the meal was ready, they sat down to eat at her country oak kitchen table. She wondered what Tony thought about this rustic house. To her it was home, and she wasnât ashamed of it. Through the years, sheâd put personal touches throughout, cheerful curtains, comfy sofas with throw pillows sheâd sewn, refinished tables, armoires and cabinets. When she looked around her home, she saw bits and pieces of her parentsâ life here as well as her life with David.
Facing Tony at her kitchen table reminded her once again how it had all changed so quickly.
Tony ate up heartily. There would be no salad-only dinners for him. He was a well-built man who enjoyed a good meal. He was halfway through a large dish of pasta when he lifted his head. âI want to see your accounts tomorrow. I hope to get through them by the end of the week. Then Iâll know better how we can get your winery back on track.â
Grateful that heâd taken the first step, Rena discussed with him her conversation she had with the banker. Tony hadnât even blinked when she told him her financial situation and how much money she owed.
âIâll take care of it,â he said, without pause. âYouâll make your payroll, and any other debts you have will be dealt with.â
âThank you.â Humbled by his generosity, she put her head down.
âRena?â She looked up into his dark eyes. âWeâre in this together from now on. You donât have to worry about the winery.â
âI know. I appreciate everything, really. I just canât help feeling like a failure. I tried. David tried. We had some bad luck, equipment that needed replacing, problems with distributors and well, the bigger wineries tried to shove us out.â
Tony covered her hand, and the instant spark jolted her. âCarlino Wines being one of them. Thatâs not going to happen anymore.â
She tried to ignore sensations rippling through her. âThe Fairfields have always taken pride in their livelihood. I have a lot of pride. I feel like I let my parents down. I had to remarry to save the business.â
Tony stroked her hand, his fingers caressing hers. It felt goodâtoo goodâto pull her hand away. Lord help her, she needed to feel his touch.
âI wonât take offense to that,â he said. âI know Iâm the last person on earth youâd want as a husband.â
She watched as his fingers slid over her knuckles so gently. âAt one time, I wanted nothing more.â
âAnd now?â
She gazed deeply into his eyes and lifted a shoulder in confusion. âNow, I donât know, Tony. I really donât know. Iâm just so tired.â
Tony rose from the table with concern in his eyes. âGo. Iâll take care of this.â He took up their plates and headed toward the dishwasher. âYou need to rest. Itâs been a long day.â
Rena got up, ready to argue, but Tony had already rinsed their dishes and began loading them into the dishwasher. With his back to her, she noted his broad shoulders tapering down along his back and slim waistline. His slacks fit perfectly over his buttocks, and she recalled the quick flash of excitement she felt when heâd stepped out of the shower yesterday, buck naked. Sheâd only caught a glimpse, but oh, that image wouldnât leave her anytime soon.
âI, uh, thanks. Iâll take a quick shower and go to bed. What will youââ
He turned sharply and met her gaze. âIâll come to bed later, Rena.â
She gave him a clipped nod, turned around and strode out of the room. Her exhaustion catching up with her, she was too tired to think of the implications of sleeping with her new, extremely sexy secret husband.