Tickled Pink

by Schultz, JT

  Kayla turned back to the counter, but not before he noticed she was biting back laughter. Andrew dropped his gaze to the floor, but he too was fighting a grin.

  Richard blinked at the woman who was going to be his wife. “No. I put money up for other people to start companies with brand new concepts or improvements on an existing product.” He was losing his patience with every passing second. Sadly, the control on his libido followed shortly behind. God had sent Antonia Deluca to test him—or kill him.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m well respected in the business community, I’m often photographed at events, and I can’t have a wife—even if it is in name only—who resembles a candy wrapper.”

  Her large almond shaped eyes widened and she blinked her long black lashes at him. “Wow, then I guess we’re even.”

  Richard sighed. “How do you figure that?”

  Her lips puckered slightly and his groin stirred at the thought of tasting so much more than just her mouth. Toni then broke into a breath-stealing smile. “I can’t have a husband who has a pole up his ass.”

  His near erection diminished, as did his confidence. What had their fathers gotten them into?

  She shrugged her shoulders as if hearing the silent question and the corners of her mouth turned into a small frown. The sparkle left her eyes and she shook her head. Toni spun on her designer shoe. “I need air.” She walked out of the kitchen and the click of her heels followed her down the wooden floored hall—putting distance between them.

  Toni stepped out the back door and inhaled the evening air deeply into her lungs. She glanced out at the side yard, and lifted her gaze above the fence to see the sun setting. Usually sunsets and sunrises captivated her with their blaze of colors and the way the shards of light illuminated in ways to create varying shades. Tonight, the beauty was lost on her.

  The next year of her life was going to be a living hell. Sure, Richard was good-looking, but he was so uptight and he certainly didn’t like her much. She’d run his name on the internet after court. A bottle of wine later and having read everything written about him and his company, she knew his mother’s side was old money and his grandfather used to run the company. Richard was the youngest CEO in the company’s eighty-five years of business—and he had a penchant for dating anything leggy with an IMDB resume or a sexy photo on a major magazine.

  The back door opened and she turned. Kayla held a glass of wine out. “I thought you might want a drink. You’re on edge and I don’t blame you.”

  Toni nodded. “It might have something to do with you inviting my family—and his.” She took the goblet and smiled at one of her oldest friends. “Thank you.”

  “Okay, maybe not my best move, but wow, your future husband is definitely gorgeous.”

  Her brows furrowed and she sipped the crimson liquid. “Yeah, that he is. It’s a downright shame I can’t have sex with him if I want an annulment.”

  “You forgot to mention that part when you called me in hysterics.” Kayla stepped closer to her. “I know this is going to be hard, but maybe something good will come of it.”

  “Well it won’t be sex. I can’t believe I’m attracted to him. We are as opposite as night and day.” She sipped her wine again. “Good how? Because right about now, I think I’d rather face thirty days in jail.” She glanced back out across the yard. “I don’t know if you noticed, but Richard hates me and thinks I’m an idiot. I couldn’t resist the dumb blond routine in there.”

  A strange grin crossed Kayla’s lips. “I don’t think he hates you. The way he was looking you up and down, he was interested.”

  “I ruined our lives.” She shook her head and remembered the grin on her father’s face after the sentencing came down. “I was the first Deluca not to go into law.”

  “Well you started out there.”

  Toni blanched. “I don’t know what’s worse in my father’s mind, the fact I didn’t become a lawyer, or the fact I quit at something.”

  Her friend shook her head. “Why are you always so hard on yourself? You have these unrealistic expectations that you insist on holding yourself too.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and debated her answer. She didn’t really have one. “Sometimes I wish I had siblings, so I didn’t have to be everything to everyone. When I decided I wanted to go into interior design, I remember the drama that caused with dad. I think this whole thing with Bryson’s is him punishing me.”

  Her friend furrowed her brows and shook her head. “No. I think he just wanted to see you settled.”

  “Right and this resembles more and more the archaic ritual of an arranged marriage.”

  Kayla shook her head. “It’ll be over before you know it.” Her lips curled into a wicked grin. “Just be grateful your father didn’t give two goats, a pig and three chickens to Judge Bryson to seal the deal.”

  Toni couldn’t resist the grin. “It’s good to have you happy and kidding.” Memories of Kayla’s rough days while battling her illness flashed through her mind. “Thank you.”

  Her friend tilted her head to the side. “Don’t thank me yet. Andrew and Richard are in the office and want you to join them before dinner.”

  “Fabulous. I should have no appetite by the time we sit down to eat.” Her stomach knotted but she knew there were things to discuss before court in the morning.

  Kayla laughed. “For everything else there is more wine.”

  She sighed with the weight of the world on her shoulders. “Tell me you have chocolate.”

  “An amazing triple layer cake,” she assured.

  Toni stepped toward the door. “Perfect. Serve dessert first.”

  “I don’t think anyone would appreciate that except us.”

  She might have a point. Toni walked into the house with Kayla behind and stepped into the office. Andrew was sitting at his desk while Richard sat in the chair. They’d been talking about football or baseball or something sports related. She knew nothing about sports nor did she care to. “Am I interrupting?”

  Both men turned and Andrew smiled. “Not at all,” her friend’s husband said with the wave of his hand. “Have a seat.”

  Toni stole a glance at Richard as she sat down. His posture stiffened slightly and he met her gaze. They just stared at each other a moment.

  A year. A whole year.

  “Did the air help?”

  Was this his attempt at being civil? “A little, thank you.”

  “Okay I wrote up a prenuptial as Richard requested. It covers the gamut. It should make things at the end of the sentence easier, since I highly doubt you’ll be buying property or attaining assets or having kids.”

  “Reminder,” Toni chimed in. “We aren’t consummating the marriage—kids are impossible.”

  “She’s right, this is a simple arrangement.” Richard agreed. “We’ll be going for an annulment.”

  “Go ahead, read and sign them then.” He placed the documents down in front of them. “Next, have you set a wedding date?”

  Richard blinked at the attorney. “We haven’t spoken until we saw each other in the kitchen about ten minutes ago.”

  Surprise washed over her friend’s face. “You have court tomorrow. You both risk going to jail if you don’t meet these guidelines. Could you please work on your communication? You’re going to be married.”

  “Not by our choice.” Toni again spoke up.

  The lawyer slowly exhaled. “And both of you need to understand this is what you make it. It doesn’t have to be a death sentence.”

  Might as well be.

  Andrew chuckled and shook his head as he bounced his attention between them. “Unbelievable.”

  Toni glanced at Richard, who met her gaze with a quizzical expression. She shrugged, not knowing what Andrew was talking about either. Both turned to the other man and waited.

  Richard cleared his throat. “What is unbelievable?”

  “The two of you. This situation. Let’s go over the rules. You must live together for 365 days
and have no more than three consecutive days apart. In addition don’t even think of doing three days on- three days off. You are only allowed eighteen in total. Any extra marital affairs makes this null and void and is considered failure to comply. You’ll end up going back in front of the judge.”

  “So much for my buying trips.” Toni hung her head. There was no way she’d be able to go overseas like she’d planned. She also knew, from the internet, that Richard changed flavors of girlfriends regularly.

  Kayla’s husband cast an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry.”

  “All I need is for you to pick a wedding date and decide whose residence you’ll be living at.”

  “My condo is larger than her house and would be easier, since I have to entertain clients at times.” He turned to Toni. “It’s not far from where you live, as you know, since I drive down your street every day.”

  “I gathered.”

  “It’s spacious and the guest room is large with a walk in closet.” He sounded so matter of fact, she wondered if he sold real estate part time.

  “Fine.” The defeat in her tone wasn’t hard to miss. “Any ideas on a date?”

  He hauled out his phone and started punching numbers. “The sooner we get married the sooner we can get this over with.”

  “Finally we agree on something and with some luck, we can avoid getting over-ruled by crazy mothers with bridal magazines.”

  Richard glanced over his phone at her. “I have no idea what they were thinking—nor do I care.” He studied his phone again. “This weekend looks clear except Sunday night, which is family dinner at my parents. Dad insists it’s important for us to gather as a family.”

  “I’m an only child,” she assured him. “We won’t have that problem with mine unless mom throws a dinner party. She does have her large Christmas gala in early December to raise money and gifts for Toys for Tots.”

  “I believe my parents went last year, it sounds familiar.”

  “Good to know.” They just stared at each other a minute. “My weekend is clear but I need to be in Vegas on Monday afternoon to meet with one of the textile reps from China while he’s in the Country.”

  “Vegas works.” Richard stated dryly. “We can get you settled at the condo on the weekend. I’ll go with you Monday to Vegas—we can get married then.”

  And there it was. The beginning of the end of life as she knew it. “Fine.” She turned back to Andrew. “Well, I think you have enough to keep Judge Masters happy in the morning.”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt, but dinner is served.”

  Toni turned to Kayla and smiled. “I’ll be right there to help you. We’re about finished.”

  Andrew laughed. “Actually, you and Richard are just beginning.”

  Toni turned to her friend’s husband and shot him an unamused expression.

  Fabulous—attorney wasn’t enough. Now he’s a comedian. Grant me strength!

  Richard had to admit the five-course menu Kayla had put together for the dinner was incredible. Too bad he had little appetite. The parents were busy talking and he sat miserably, wallowing in self-pity. He glanced over at Toni, who was more intent on pushing food around her plate then on actual conversation.

  “I’m just saying,” his mother’s voice rose thoughtfully, “it would be bad enough having a jailbird as a son, but the gossip about his marriage being fake would be extremely bad for both you and Karl’s political career.”

  Toni lifted her head and met Richard’s gaze. He couldn’t miss the dread in her dark eyes blinking at him before both turned to the other end of the table.

  “Mona is absolutely right. I think Richard and Toni need to make everyone think this is real. It’s bad enough they’ll be divorcing in a year.”

  “Annulment.” Richard corrected Toni’s mother. “We’ve decided to get an annulment at that time. Not that it’s anyone’s business.”

  “Oh, it’s going to be everyone’s business,” his mother threatened. “I told you on the phone. Couples that go to jail together stay together and unless you convince the world this marriage is real and wonderful, I’m still the main controlling partner in my father’s company and I will sell it.”

  What could he say? Toni’s heavy sigh had him glance at her. Her dark gaze blinked despair.

  “Toni, you’ve caused enough of a commotion in her family,” her father declared. “I think you need to stop being selfish and not humiliate your mother or Mrs. Bryson. You can pretend for a year—I know you’re capable of it.” Karl glared at his daughter. “After all, you did pretend for two years at Harvard.”

  Wow, that was harsh.

  Toni swallowed hard and met her father’s stare. “I have a career as does Richard. This is all very sudden and frankly I think the rules Judge Masters has placed on us are completely archaic, unreasonable and after a bit of research I’m quite sure they are in violation of the Civil Liberties Act, not to mention, they revoke the theory this is a free country.”

  Go! Toni! You tell him.

  He had new appreciation for the woman across from him. Contrary to playing dumb—she was far from stupid and probably would’ve made one hell of a lawyer. He exchanged a quick glance with Andrew who smiled, his expression revealing the victory of “I told you so.” His new friend had told him Toni was smarter than most. He truly believed now.”

  “Not that you care, Dad,” the blonde with fire and spark continued. “But I had buying trips planned overseas that I’m now going to have to cancel. I just put a bid in on one of the new major casino projects in Las Vegas—which will be a bitch of a commute.”

  Her father sat his fork down and glared at her. “You wouldn’t have these problems if you had a normal job.”

  Toni’s lethal glare revealed to Richard that her nerves were just as raw as his. “No, Dad. You mean if I’d gone on to be a lawyer like you and every other Deluca before you.”

  Ouch! I know how she feels.

  “Antonia!” Her mother’s crisp scold reminded him too much of his own mother’s. “That wasn’t fair.”

  His future wife’s pretty face revealed pure sadness—despite the temper smoldering in her eyes. “Fair? Like the situation he put me in.”

  “I should check the next course,” Kayla breathed.

  Toni turned to her friend. “Stay seated, I’ll do it.” She rose from her chair. “Excuse me, please.” Without another word, she hurried out of the dining room. He couldn’t blame her for being upset. He thought on her comment about putting a bid in on a casino in Las Vegas. She must be damn good at what she did to even have the opportunity.

  He shot a glance at Andrew who cast him a sympathetic look. Richard then turned to Kayla, who was obviously tuned in to her friend’s grief. She looked just as devastated as Toni. He cleared his throat and ask Kayla, “Why don’t I see if Toni needs a hand in the kitchen?”

  She offered a weak smile and a single nod of her head.

  He plastered a grin on his face. “That way you can visit with your other guests.”

  “Thank you, Richard.” Her voice was a mere whisper.

  “No problem. Excuse me, please.” He had never been more grateful to get up from a table in his life. He still felt a lot of resentment toward his dad—and Toni’s. Right now, he figured he had to say something to the woman he was destined to spend the next year with, whether they liked it or not. He stepped in the kitchen and stopped.

  The pretty blonde had her back to him and he could not help but take in the hourglass shape accented in all the right places by the fitted dress.

  Damn!

  His future wife had a killer shape. Just what his libido needed.

  The most marvelous aroma assaulted his sense—the food smelled amazing—unfortunately, the faint sound of sniffling distracted him from the second course. He ventured another step further into the bright and elegant kitchen.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” Toni sniffled again.

  “Highly doubt that.”

  Sh
e turned and surprise registered on her tear stained face. “You’re not Kayla.”

  Both their worlds had been turned upside down and both were giving up the lives they knew. Now, they were venturing into what seemed like an impossible situation. He stepped deeper into the kitchen. “No, I’m much taller,” he explained and grabbed a tissue from the box on the counter and crossed the floor to where Toni stood. “Not to mention I don’t have the legs to wear the dress she has on.”

  Her full mouth twitched at the corners as he passed her the soft white sheets in his hand. “I don’t usually cry; my father raised me to believe it’s a sign of weakness.” She blotted her face.

  “I understand how you feel. I too, should have had a career in law, but decided I liked technology and fixing things more than the legal system.” He studied her a moment, grateful they weren’t arguing for once. She really was quite stunning. He realized this was the first time he’d seen her in makeup. Her dark eyes stood out in contrast to the wheat of her hair and pale pink streak.

  He glanced to the counter. “Lobster bisque?”

  “Yeah, I promised Kayla I would make it, since it’s one of her favorites.”

  He blinked in disbelief. “You cook?”

  She nodded. The more Richard talked to her the more he liked her. “You know, I’ve taken companies that have had no chance and turned them into multi-million dollar corporations.”

  A thoughtful expression dusted her face as she digested his words. “I get that process. I’ve had buildings and rooms I’ve looked at that seemed bleak and probably have earned a wrecking ball.” She paused and weighed her words and for that moment, he wondered if maybe they weren’t as different as he had first thought.

  She smiled and continued, “Only then, I see this small thing I hadn’t noticed before and suddenly the room isn’t what it is, but a bunch of beautiful possibilities.”

  A year. The time could drag or it could fly. “I think we should start from scratch.” Richard met her gaze and held out his hand. “I’m Richard Alexander Bryson.”