Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Disoriented, she popped her eyes open and gazed out the window as the San Francisco Bay came into view. She clung to cotton one-thousand-thread-count sheets and sat up in bed, looking around the master suite of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. It all came back to her now. David was dead, and she’d married Tony Carlino yesterday.

“Oh, God,” she whispered.

“I see you’re up.” Tony stepped out of the bathroom, his face covered with shaving cream, his chest bare, wearing just a pair of black slacks.

Rena blinked, trying not to stare at his tanned, broad chest or the way he casually strode into the bedroom as if they’d been married for twenty years. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a bab— Um, very well.”

“You look rested,” he said, then turned around and entered the bathroom again. She craned her neck to find him stroking a razor over his face. “Breakfast is ready if you’re hungry,” he called out.

She was famished. She’d discovered the first trimester meant eating for two. Finally, her appetite kicked in full force and that was good for the baby. Her child needed the nourishment and so did she. She’d been so terribly strained lately, with David’s death, the failure of Purple Fields and her financial situation, that she’d lost her appetite. She’d had to force herself to eat. It was so much easier when she actually felt like eating.

“I’ll get out of here in a sec,” Tony said. “Give you time to dress. I’ll wait for you in the dining room.”

“Okay,” she found herself saying.

Rena entered the bathroom shortly after Tony finished his shave. She splashed water on her face and combed her hair. While she’d often stay in her bathrobe during her morning breakfast routine, she found that too intimate to do with Tony. She dressed in a pair of slacks and a thin knit sweater that Solena had picked out of her wardrobe when Tony had secretly asked her friend to pack a bag for their stay here at the hotel.

Rena suspected Tony hadn’t mentioned their wedding night at the Ritz to her, knowing she’d refuse. But yesterday after the wedding dinner, he’d just sprung it on her, catching her off guard. Just one more reason she didn’t trust him. While others might see it as a romantic gesture, Rena felt as though she’d been deceived.

She entered the dining room and found Tony relaxing at the head of the table, reading the newspaper and sipping coffee.

He stood when she entered the room. “Morning again.”

She managed a small smile then glanced at the antique sideboard filled with platters of food. “Where did all this come from?”

Tony shrugged. “It’s the Presidential Suite.”

“And that makes food magically appear?”

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“You might be used to being treated like this, but this is … overwhelming to me.”

Tony walked over to stand before her. He searched her eyes. “I don’t live like this, Rena. But it’s a special occasion. I thought you deserved a little pampering.” He stroked her cheek, his finger sliding along her jaw line tenderly. It had been so long since she’d been touched like this. So long since she’d had any real tenderness. She was nine weeks pregnant, and though she’d tried to be strong when David died, there were times when she just needed some gentle contact.

She looked into Tony’s dark beautiful eyes, then lowered her gaze to his mouth. It was all the encouragement he needed. He took her carefully in his arms and bent his head, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss.

Rena relished his lips on hers, the gentle way he held her, the warmth and comfort he lent. It wasn’t a sensual kiss but one of understanding and patience.

He surprised her with his compassion, and that made her wary. She couldn’t put her faith in Tony—he’d destroyed that years ago. If she’d had any other way out of her dilemma she wouldn’t have married him, despite gentle kisses and kind overtures.

“Rena, don’t back off,” he said.

“I have to. You offered me a business proposal. Your own words were, ‘this isn’t a real marriage.’ And now, now … you’re expecting me to fall into the role as your wife.” She shook her head, and her emotions spilled out. “Don’t you understand? At one time, I would have trusted you with my life, but now there’s not much you could say or do to make me trust you. My heart is empty where you’re concerned. I was forced to marry you … otherwise I wouldn’t be here. I’m protecting myself, and my baby.”

“That’s what I intend to do, Rena. Protect you and the baby.”

“No, you’re going to help build my company back up. Period. I can’t let you get too close to my child. I can’t let you hurt my baby, the way you hurt me.”

“How could I ever hurt your child?”

“The same way you hurt me. By walking out. By leaving. By finding something more exciting than being a husband and father. While I’ve recovered from you leaving, it would be devastating to a child to be abandoned that way. My son or daughter may never get over it.”

Anger flashed in his eyes. His jaw tightened, and his body went rigid. “I don’t intend on abandoning either of you.”

“What if you get the racing bug again? What if you’re called back? It’s in your blood, Tony. You love racing.”

“That part of my life is over. I did what I set out to do. I’m not going back, ever.”

Rena shook her head, refusing to believe him.

“You have my promise on that,” he said. Then he spoke more firmly. “Did you hear me, Rena? I’ll never leave you or the baby. It’s a promise.”

Tony stared at her for a long moment, and when she thought he was so angry he’d walk out of the room, he handed her a plate. “Eat up,” he said. “We’re going to have some fun today.”

Rena glanced at him. “We are?”

“Yeah, even if it kills me.”

Rena chuckled, despite the tension in the room just seconds earlier. She had to hand it to Tony for lightening the mood. “That’s not my intention.”

“Can I bank on that?”

She shrugged as she filled up her plate. “Sure,” she offered. “You can bank on that.”

They exited the hotel, and because it was a glorious day, they decided to walk the crowded streets. A few times, Rena and Tony got separated in the onslaught of foot traffic, so he grabbed her hand and they strolled along that way, browsing through shops. When Rena took a lingering look at a ruby necklace, her birthstone with a setting that was beautifully unusual, Tony dragged her into the store and purchased it for her. “You don’t have to do this,” she said.

“Consider it a wedding gift, since I didn’t get you a diamond ring.”

“I know, but I don’t need this. What I need is for my vineyard to thrive and be solvent again.”

“That’ll happen too, Rena. You don’t have to give up one to get the other.”

Rena sighed inwardly. She’d been doing that most of her life, sacrificing her own needs and wants in order to assure Purple Fields’ survival. It had been years since she’d known what it was like to simply have something she wanted without guilt.

Next they took the trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf and ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, then stopped at an ice cream parlor and ate sundaes until Rena thought her belly would expand out of her pants. “Oh, I’m so full.”

“Me, too,” Tony said, looking at her empty dish. “I guess you never get over loving hot fudge over strawberry ice cream.”

“With nuts on top.”

“Hmm and whipped cream. Remember the whipped cream fight we had?” Tony asked.

Rena remembered how they’d each taken out a can of Reddi-wip from Tony’s refrigerator. No one was home and they’d just finished eating sundaes. “Yeah and you cheated!”

“I did not. I fight fair. I couldn’t help it that your nozzle got stuck.”

“You took advantage then and squirted me until I was covered with it. That stuff even got in my hair.”

“You were sweet from head to toe,” Tony said with a nostalgic smile.

The memory popped into her head of Tony kissing it off her until kissing wasn’t enough. He’d taken her to his bedroom then, stripped her down and licked every bit of the whipped cream off. They’d made love in the shower, deciding that strawberry sundaes were their favorite dessert.

“I never have whipped cream without thinking of you,” Tony said, his eyes fixed on hers.

Her cheeks heated and she inhaled sharply. “That was a long time ago.” What she didn’t add is that the same held true for her.

“But a good memory.”

“I don’t think about the past anymore,” she fibbed.

He watched her intently. “Maybe you should. We had something special.”

“'Had’ being the key word.” She refused to let Tony get to her.

Tony leaned over and kissed her on the lips. “Let’s go,” he said abruptly, taking her hand again. They rode the trolley back and checked out of the hotel. Rena took one last look around, feeling oddly sentimental. She blamed it on her fickle hormones.

When Rena thought they’d head back to Napa, Tony drove her to a four-story shopping mall and parked the car. “What are we doing here?”

He grinned. “We’re getting baby things.”

“Baby things?”

“I promised you a fun day, and I figured a new mother-to-be would enjoy picking out furniture and clothes and whatever else the baby might need.”

“Really?” Tempted by such an elaborate offer, Rena’s heart raced with excitement. Offhand, she could think of dozens of items she’d need for the baby’s arrival, and quite frankly, she didn’t know how she’d manage to pay for all of it. Other than shopping at thrift stores, she was truly at a loss.

“I haven’t a clue what a baby needs,” Tony said, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.

“I’m on new ground here, too.” She took his outstretched hand. “We’d always talked about having children, but—” Rena stopped and slipped her hand from his, her heart in her throat. How could she do this? How could she look at cribs and bassinets and baby swings when this was a dream she and David shared together? They’d always wanted a family. The time had never been right. She refused to think of the life growing inside her as an accident, but they hadn’t really planned on this baby.

Rena ached inside thinking that David would never know his child. He’d never change a diaper, kiss its face or watch it take its first step. He’d never go to a ballet recital or little league game. He’d never know the joy of seeing his child develop into a smart-alecky teen or fall in love one day. David would have been there for his child. He’d have seen his son or daughter through the good times and the bad, because David was loyal and devoted. He would have made a wonderful father.

Rena’s legs went weak suddenly. Her body trembled, and she knew she couldn’t do this. She glanced at Tony, her voice a quiet plea. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m ready for this.”

Tony drew in a breath. “Right.” He closed his eyes briefly, and Rena noted genuine pain there. “Okay, we’ll do this another time. When you’re ready.”

She sighed with relief. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate—”

“I get it, Rena. I’m not the baby’s father. Enough said.”

Tony got back into his car and revved the engine, waiting for her to climb inside. She bit her lip and held back tears as she sank into the car. They drove to Napa in silence, Rena glancing at Tony’s stony expression every once in a while.

She knew in her head that David was gone. He was her past, while this angry man sitting beside her was her future.

The irony struck her anew.

How many times had she hoped to be Tony Carlino’s wife? Only to find now she should have been more careful what she’d wished for.

Six

Tony drove to Napa, a debate going on in his head. On one hand, he knew Rena still grieved, but on the other hand, he’d taken responsibility for her. She was his wife now. He couldn’t let her dictate the terms of their relationship, not if he planned to really honor David’s dying wish. So he drove past Purple Fields and down the highway leading to his home.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To my house.”

Rena slanted him a dubious look. “Why?”

“Just stopping by to pick up some of my clothes to bring to Purple Fields.”

Rena blinked before realizing his intent. “This was supposed to be a secret marriage, Tony. We can’t live together.”

Tony expected this argument. He pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car. Immediately, Rena’s 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. “Rena, we’re not announcing to the public we’re married. But I can’t possibly work with you at Purple Fields and—”

“Watch out for me,” she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.

She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. He’d made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. “We’ll be discreet. Purple Fields isn’t exactly bustling with crowds.”

“Thanks for the reminder.” “Rena, listen. All I’m saying is that you don’t have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isn’t on the main highway. In fact, you’re in a remote location.”

Rena’s voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. “I didn’t think we’d live together.”

Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. “You’re my wife. I’m your husband. We are married. We’ll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if you’d rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we can—”

“No!” She shook her head. “No, Tony. That makes no sense. I need to be at Purple Fields.”

Tony wasn’t fooled. Rena’s 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 hadn’t been the exception. Once Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tony’s protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but they’d never fully succumbed to his father’s ruthless business tactics.

Rena hadn’t stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.

“Well then, it’s settled. I’ll move into your house.”

Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.

He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, “I’ll wait for you out here. It’s a nice day. I need the … fresh air.”

Tony didn’t push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasn’t a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. “I’ll be a few minutes.”

She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that he’d 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 they’d grown up.

“Hey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?” Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.

Tony sighed. “Fine.”

“That bad? I take it the wedding night didn’t go so smoothly.”

Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasn’t prying; he was simply concerned. “She’s still grieving.”

“Understandable. Where is she?”

“Outside. She won’t come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. She’s not thrilled that I’m moving in with her.”

“I wasn’t sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.”

“I’ll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but I’d appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks. You know,” he began with a slant of his head, “if you’d have told me six months ago I’d be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

“Am I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’m adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.”

“She’ll come around. In fact, I think I’ll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.”

“I can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.” He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. He’d been called even worse by some of the women he’d dated in the past.

And it had all been true.

“Tony?” Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadn’t taken her directly back to Purple Fields after he’d picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, he’d driven to the cemetery where David was buried.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked.

Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, she’d made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. She’d come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after she’d learned about the promise he’d asked of Tony, she’d gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadn’t come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, he’d 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 who’d loved her. “Yes, I’m okay with this.”

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. “We’ll do this together.”

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 David’s 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 David’s nameplate with infinite care.

Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. “She’s safe, David,” he whispered. “We’re married now. I’ll take good care of her.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldn’t hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.

“It’s okay, honey,” 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. “Let it out, Rena.”

Cocooned in Tony’s 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 couldn’t 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.

“He’s okay with this, Rena,” Tony whispered. “It’s what David wanted.”

She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her once—a man whom she blamed for her husband’s death, a man who’d felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?

“I was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,” she whispered painfully. “I haven’t come here in weeks.”

Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. “Don’t beat yourself up, Rena. You’re a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.”

“Even the ones that scream I shouldn’t have married you?”

Tony looked down into her eyes. “Yeah, even those.”

“I don’t intend on cutting you any slack,” she said quietly.

“Planning on making my life miserable?”

“Not deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.”

“Doubtful. I’m not going anywhere.”

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. “I told you, I won’t tiptoe around you anymore. We’re going to live as man and wife.”

Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. She’d 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. He’d probably had women in every town he traveled.

Though he’d been patient and kind to her the past few days she knew she’d pushed him pretty far. And soon, he’d start pushing back.

He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. “For God’s sake, Rena. I’m not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.”

Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. “I understand.”

“Ah, hell.” He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. “You’d think we’d never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-can’t-breathe-anymore sex.”

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. He’d been blunt but accurate in his description. “That’s when …” she began, almost unable to get the words out. “When we were in love.”

“Right.” Tony tossed his overnight bag on the bed. He pulled out aftershave lotion, deodorant, razors and a hairbrush. “You have a place I can put these?”

She pointed to the master bathroom. “It’s small, but you should find some room on the counter.”

She’d taken David’s things out of the bedroom, unwilling to have that daily reminder of his absence. But she’d yet to remove his clothes from the closet. She’d 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 he’d get disgusted with her small three-bedroom house and move back to the estate where he’d be ensconced in luxury.

Rena opened her closet and began gathering up David’s clothes to make room for Tony’s. Before she knew it, Tony stood beside her and placed a stopping hand on hers. “You don’t have to do it now. You’re exhausted.”

“It needs doing. I just never could fa—”

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll do it.”

“No,” she said with a shake of her head. “I should do it.”

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. “Okay but not today. It can wait. Agreed?”