Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

by Charlene Sands

  “You doubt me after I badgered that salesman with questions about baby-safe paint for half an hour?”

  A wave of excitement stirred as she envisioned her baby’s room all fresh and clean, filled with furniture, just waiting for his or her arrival. And Tony had been there every step of the way. She’d resisted giving him anything more than her body, but Tony wasn’t a man she could easily put out of her mind. Ever so slowly he was making inroads to her heart. “I’m anxious to start.”

  “I’ll clear my calendar, and we can start tomorrow,” Tony said. “We’ll have it done by the weekend.”

  “Oh, I can’t. I have a vendor coming for an appointment tomorrow. We have three wine tours booked this week, and I can’t leave Solena to do it all. Can we start on it first thing next week? Monday?”

  Tony looked into her eyes, hesitating. Then he rose to stand before the large double window facing the front yard, his hands on his hips. “I can’t do it next week, Rena.”

  His tone alarmed her. “Why not?”

  He scrubbed his jaw a few times, as if searching for the right words. “I was going to tell you tomorrow.” He paced the room, walking slowly as he spoke. “I’m up against a wall. I have commitments I made a long time ago, and my agent can’t find any wiggle room. I’m going out of town on Sunday. I’ll be gone at least a week.”

  “A week?” Rena’s heart plummeted. A serious case of déjà vu set in.

  I won’t be gone long, Rena. I’ll come back as soon as I can. Or you can come meet me. We’ll be together somehow, I promise.

  “What are you going to do?” she asked.

  “Some interviews and a commercial. It’s one of the last endorsements I’m contracted to do.”

  Rena felt numb. “Okay,” she said once she’d gathered her wits. She kept her voice light, her tone noncommittal. “You don’t need my permission.” She rose from the sofa. “I have some work to do to prepare for my meeting tomorrow.”

  “I’ll help you,” Tony said, gauging her reaction.

  Rena could only manage a curt reply. “No. I can do it myself.”

  Tony approached her. “Rena?”

  She halted him with a widespread hand. “It’s okay, Tony. Really. I understand.”

  “Damn it! You don’t understand.” Frustration carried in his deep voice. His olive complexion colored with heat. “I’ve put this off for as long as I can. They’ll sue me if I don’t show up, and that’s not what either of us needs right now.”

  “You don’t have to explain to me.” She hoisted her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I never wanted any of this to begin with.”

  Tony strode to face her. Taking her into his arms, he yanked her close and narrowed his eyes. “This isn’t twelve years ago. The situation is different. You think I won’t come back?”

  “Darn right, it’s different. I’m not that love-smitten young girl anymore. Whether you come back or not, I know I’ll survive. I did it once and I can do it again.”

  Tony released her arms and then barked off a dozen curses, each one fouler than the next.

  “As far as I’m concerned, you owned up to your obligation to David. You married me. Purple Fields is on its way to becoming solvent again. I won’t fool myself into thinking we have anything more. You did your duty, Tony. Congratulations.”

  “Anything else?” Tony asked, clearly fuming.

  “Yes,” she said, unmindful of his state of anger. She was plenty angry, too. To think he’d nearly had her fooled that they might have something to build on. But somehow, racing had always come between them. David was gone to her. But Tony? She’d never really had him to begin with, and this was a brutal reminder that she would always come in second place. “Thanks for ruining the best day I’ve had since my husband died.”

  Ten

  Nick and Joe were relaxing outside on the patio overlooking the Carlino vineyards when Tony strode in. The stone fire pit provided light and heat on this cool spring night. The weather was always cooler atop their hillside than in the valley below, and tonight, Tony welcomed the brisk air.

  His brothers welcomed him with curious stares. “Want a beer?” Nick asked.

  Tony shook his head. “I need a real drink.” He strode over to the outside bar and poured himself two fingers of whiskey. Without pause, he gulped down one finger’s worth of the golden liquid before returning to sit on a patio chair facing the flames. He slouched in his seat, stretched out his long legs and crossed one ankle over the other, deep in thought.

  After several moments of awkward silence, Nick asked, “What’s up, Tony?”

  Tony sipped his whiskey. “What? Can’t a guy come home to spend some time with his brothers?”

  Joe and Nick chuckled at the same time.

  “Seriously, why are you here?” Joe asked.

  The fire crackled, and Tony watched the low-lying flames dance. “I had to tell Rena I still have racing obligations. I’m leaving on Sunday for a week. She didn’t take the news well.”

  “She’s mad?” Nick asked.

  Tony shook his head. “Worse. She’s indifferent. She’s not sure I’ll come back and pretty much told me she doesn’t care.”

  “She’s recalling past history, Tone. She’s protecting herself,” Joe said.

  “I know. But the hell of it is that we were working out our problems, getting closer, until this came up. What am I supposed to do? My agent’s butt is on the line. Ben’s been with me since the beginning, and he’s been a loyal friend. I owe him. If I get sued for breach of contract, it reflects on him, too.”

  “It’s not like you can tell anyone you have a pregnant wife at home,” Nick added. “Ben doesn’t know?”

  “No, he doesn’t. There’s no need to tell him.” Tony finished his whiskey, not revealing his opinion about the subject. He’d tell the world about their marriage, if Rena would agree. “The problem is that we were getting closer. I took her to the doctor today. We’d planned on fixing up the nursery together. It’s the first time she’s let me in. And it felt good. Damn good. If I had any choice at all, I’d stay here and paint the baby’s room instead of flying off to do a commercial.”

  “Wow,” Nick said, catching his gaze. “I didn’t realize you were in love with Rena.”

  Tony couldn’t deny it. He set his glass down and stared into the flames. “I don’t think I ever stopped loving her.”

  “You two are a perfectly matched set,” Nick offered, his statement hitting home.

  Joe sighed. “I’m the last one to give advice on romance, Tony. But it seems to me from a logical standpoint that you need a gesture of some sort. Some way to show her how much she means to you.”

  “You mean like blowing off this deal?”

  “No, by asking her to go with you.”

  “She won’t go. She hates anything to do with racing. It would just remind her of all the bad things that have happened in her life.”

  “Then I suppose you’ll just have to make it up to her when you get back.”

  Tony agreed. He’d have a lot of making up to do. “Listen, will you two check on her next week while I’m gone?”

  “Sure.” Joe nodded.

  Nick added, “No problem. I like Rena. She’s family now, and I don’t have much on my nightly agenda at the moment.”

  “Which means you’re not dating three women at the same time,” Joe said, with a teasing grin.

  “Never three.” Nick leaned back in his chair and sipped his beer. Thoughtful, he added, “I only date one lady at a time. I like to keep things simple.”

  “You’re not off to Monte Carlo anytime soon, then?” Tony asked.

  “No. I’m here for a while. The contractors have the renovations at my house under control and it’ll be ready soon enough. At least dad’s timing was good in that respect.”

  Tony exchanged a glance at Joe. Of the three, Nick held the deepest grudge against Santo Carlino. With good reason, but the damage was done and they all had to move on with their lives.


  “Besides,” Nick added, “I told you I’d help out with the company for as long as it takes. Once we figure out which of you two will be running the company, I’m moving back there.”

  “What makes you think it’ll be me or Tony?” Joe asked.

  “Because it sure as hell won’t be me. You know how I feel about this place.”

  Tony raised his brows. “It’s just us now, Nick. Santo is gone.”

  Nick ignored him. “You’re both invited. You’ve never seen my place in Monte Carlo. I want you to come as soon as you can.”

  Tony rose from his seat, ready to get back home to Rena. Talking with his brothers had helped. He’d gotten his dilemma off his chest, but he wasn’t at all sure that they’d come up with a solution. “I’ll feel better leaving knowing you both will call Rena and stop by Purple Fields for a visit.”

  “We have your back,” Joe said.

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “You leaving already?” Nick asked.

  “Yep, I’m going home to my wife.” He needed to see her. He had to sort out their differences and try to make his marriage work.

  Rena’s last parting comment had stung him.

  Thanks for ruining the best day I’ve had since my husband died.

  He was her husband now.

  It was time Rena realized that.

  The next three nights Rena claimed exhaustion, turning in early and falling asleep long before Tony came to bed. In the morning, she’d find herself tangled up in his arms. He hadn’t pressed her for more. In fact, she admired the patience and consideration he’d shown her. He’d kiss her hello in the morning, then rise from bed early.

  They lived life like a married couple. He’d shave in front of her, and she’d catch glimpses of him showering, the vision often lingering in her mind long after he’d toweled off and dressed. She cooked for him and cleaned his clothes, and he thanked her politely.

  Often, he’d take a cup of coffee and buttered toast into the office and not come out until well past noon. He spent a great deal of time working on her books, but once in a while she’d spot him out in the vineyards speaking with Raymond or checking the vines.

  She found him today amid the merlot grapes. “The computer just arrived. And all the other things you ordered.”

  “Great,” he said, squinting into the bright sunshine. “I’ll be right there. With any luck, I’ll get it up and running before I leave tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” she said, not in any hurry to return to the office. Her mind was in a jumble. On the one hand, she didn’t know if she could trust Tony’s intentions, but on the other hand she hoped she wasn’t making a big mistake by misjudging him.

  She’d spoken with Solena about Tony leaving for a week to keep his contractual obligations. Rena had been honest about her feelings and concerns, and while Solena had always been supportive, this time she hadn’t seen it Rena’s way.

  “Are you sure you’re being fair to him?” she’d asked. “Doesn’t seem like he has much choice in the matter. Or maybe there’s more to your anger than that?”

  “Like what?” Rena had asked.

  Her friend had given her a knowing, yet sympathetic, look. “Like maybe you want to keep friction between the two of you because you’re falling in love with him again.”

  Tony broke into her thoughts, staring at her over her obvious reluctance to leave. He cast her a big smile. “Is there anything else?”

  Her heart lit up. “No, nothing else. I’ll be giving a wine tour in a few minutes. I’d better go.”

  “Yeah, me too. I’ll walk with you.”

  He put his hand to her lower back, and together they left the fields.

  “Tony?” she began, as they headed for the house.

  He looked up. “Hmm?”

  She stopped at the very edge of the vineyard and peered into his eyes. Sunlight cast a glow over his dark hair and deepened his olive skin. He was gorgeous-times-ten, and that never hurt his cause. But she had loved the man inside that hunky body, the one who’d slay dragons for her. Or so she’d believed.

  “I may have overreacted the other day.”

  His brows rose.

  “I’m not saying I did, but just that there’s the possibil—”

  “Shut up, Rena.” The softness of his tone belied his harsh words.

  He grabbed her waist and yanked her against him, taking her in a crushing, all-consuming kiss. When the kiss ended, she opened her eyes and swayed in his arms, feeling quite dizzy.

  “How long before your tour group shows up?” he asked in a rasp, nuzzling her throat. “Ten minutes.”

  Tony groaned. Then he kissed her once more, bringing her body up against his again, fitting them perfectly together. “Tonight, after dinner.”

  Rena’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t pretend she didn’t know what he meant. She wouldn’t protest. Sleeping next to him and waking up wrapped in his arms, pretending indifference hadn’t been easy on her. She was a mass of contradictions when it came to Tony. But she wouldn’t deny him. She wanted him. Not that her sexy husband would take no for an answer.

  Judging by the hot gleam in his eyes or the way he’d just kissed her senseless, Rena knew they were in for a memorable night.

  Dinner seemed to take forever. Rena fumbled with the meal, undercooking the potatoes and forgetting the garlic toast in the oven. They ate raw potatoes and burnt bread, and all the while Tony’s gaze never wavered as he watched her stumble her way around the kitchen. She apologized a half dozen times, but Tony continued to eat her nearly inedible meal. “I’m not complaining, sweetheart.”

  Once they finished, he helped clear the dishes, moving about the kitchen and touching her whenever he could, a casual graze here, an accidental bump of the shoulders there. Rena’s nerves stood on end. This was foreplay, Carlino style. And it was working! His dark, enticing eyes made her wish she was tumbling in the sheets with him rather than doing dishes by the sink.

  Tony came up behind her, pressed his hips to her rear end and wrapped his arms around her, his hands just teasing the underside of her breasts. His warm breath teased her throat. If anyone could make her feel desirable wearing an old apron with her hands in soapy dishwater it was Tony.

  “I know what I want for dessert,” he whispered, nibbling on her neck.

  The glass she’d been rinsing slipped from her hand and shattered in the sink. “Oh, no!”

  Tony chuckled and turned her around to face him, his body pressed to hers. “Calm down, Rena. It’s not as if you broke your parents’ prized antique goblet. Like when you were a kid.”

  Rena’s brows furrowed. “What?”

  “You know, your great-grandmother’s goblet that you broke when you were trying to surprise your mother by washing the whole set.”

  “I know what I did, Tony.” Rena chewed on her lip, her mind reeling. She’d never told anyone about that incident. She’d replaced all the glasses in the curio praying her mother wouldn’t notice that one of the eight were gone. “But how did you know? I never told a soul about that.”

  Tony blinked. A guilty expression crossed his features.

  Rena shoved at his chest and moved away from him. Anger bubbled up. “You read my story, didn’t you?”

  Tony hesitated for a moment then nodded, not bothering to lie. “I did.”

  “How could you do that, Tony?” Rena’s voice rose to a furious pitch. “That wasn’t meant for anyone to read. I can’t believe you’d invade my privacy like that!”

  “Sorry, but I had to know.”

  “Know what?” she shouted. “That losing you had devastated my life? That when my mother was sick I cried for her every night, needing you so badly? That after she died, I was at my wit’s end and David, poor David, came along and picked up my shattered life and made me whole again.” Rena paced the kitchen floor, her temper flaring. “I needed to write that for myself, Tony. Don’t you see? Those were my innermost, heartfelt thoughts. Those were mine and mine alone!” Rena
whipped her apron off and tossed it aside, her body trembling. Regret and remorse set in. “Damn it, Tony. You were never meant to read that.”

  “Maybe I needed to read it, Rena. Maybe it made me see what a big mistake I made back then.”

  “No,” Rena said, shaking her head. She didn’t want to hear any of this. Not now. It was far too late. “Save it, Tony. For someone who cares.” She directed her gaze right at him. “I thought that maybe this marriage could work, but now I see it never will. You abused my trust one too many times. I want you to go, Tony.”

  Tony shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You did what you set out to do. You saved my winery. I’ll make it on my own from here on out. I’m not afraid of hard work. You’ve repaid your debt to David.”

  “This isn’t about David anymore, Rena. You know it and I know it.”

  Rena faced him dead-on, her bravado slowly dissipating. Tears threatened and she held them back yet her voice cracked with anguish. “I know nothing of the kind. Now I’m asking you to please leave my home. You were leaving me anyway tomorrow. What’s one more night?”

  “You’re my wife, damn it. I’m not leaving you tonight.”

  “Fine, do whatever you want. That seems to be what you do best. Just leave me alone.”

  Rena walked out of the room with her head held high. She slammed the bedroom door and fell onto the bed, tears spilling down her cheeks.

  Tony’s vivid curses from the living room reached her ears. She curled her pillow around her head, blocking the sound of her husband’s frustrated tirade.

  At least she knew that tomorrow morning he would be gone.

  Eleven

  Stubbornly, Tony refused to leave Rena’s house. He’d made himself comfortable on the sofa, listening for her. Once he was sure she’d shed all of her tears and had fallen asleep, he opened the bedroom door to check on her.