Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene SandsЧитать онлайн книгу.
been years since sheâd known what it was like to simply have something she wanted without guilt.
Next they took the trolley to Fishermanâs 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. âOh, Iâm so full.â
âMe, too,â Tony said, looking at her empty dish. âI guess you never get over loving hot fudge over strawberry ice cream.â
âWith nuts on top.â
âHmm and whipped cream. Remember the whipped cream fight we had?â Tony asked.
Rena remembered how theyâd each taken out a can of Reddi-wip from Tonyâs refrigerator. No one was home and theyâd just finished eating sundaes. âYeah and you cheated!â
âI did not. I fight fair. I couldnât help it that your nozzle got stuck.â
âYou took advantage then and squirted me until I was covered with it. That stuff even got in my hair.â
âYou were sweet from head to toe,â Tony said with a nostalgic smile.
The memory popped into her head of Tony kissing it off her until kissing wasnât enough. Heâd taken her to his bedroom then, stripped her down and licked every bit of the whipped cream off. Theyâd made love in the shower, deciding that strawberry sundaes were their favorite dessert.
âI never have whipped cream without thinking of you,â Tony said, his eyes fixed on hers.
Her cheeks heated and she inhaled sharply. âThat was a long time ago.â What she didnât add is that the same held true for her.
âBut a good memory.â
âI donât think about the past anymore,â she fibbed.
He watched her intently. âMaybe you should. We had something special.â
â'Hadâ being the key word.â She refused to let Tony get to her.
Tony leaned over and kissed her on the lips. âLetâs go,â 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 theyâd head back to Napa, Tony drove her to a four-story shopping mall and parked the car. âWhat are we doing here?â
He grinned. âWeâre getting baby things.â
âBaby things?â
âI 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.â
âReally?â Tempted by such an elaborate offer, Renaâs heart raced with excitement. Offhand, she could think of dozens of items sheâd need for the babyâs arrival, and quite frankly, she didnât know how sheâd manage to pay for all of it. Other than shopping at thrift stores, she was truly at a loss.
âI havenât a clue what a baby needs,â Tony said, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.
âIâm on new ground here, too.â She took his outstretched hand. âWeâd always talked about having children, butââ 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? Theyâd 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 hadnât really planned on this baby.
Rena ached inside thinking that David would never know his child. Heâd never change a diaper, kiss its face or watch it take its first step. Heâd never go to a ballet recital or little league game. Heâd 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. Heâd 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.
Renaâs legs went weak suddenly. Her body trembled, and she knew she couldnât do this. She glanced at Tony, her voice a quiet plea. âIâm sorry. I donât think Iâm ready for this.â
Tony drew in a breath. âRight.â He closed his eyes briefly, and Rena noted genuine pain there. âOkay, weâll do this another time. When youâre ready.â
She sighed with relief. âItâs not that I donât appreciateââ
âI get it, Rena. Iâm not the babyâs father. Enough said.â
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 Tonyâs 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 Carlinoâs wife? Only to find now she should have been more careful what sheâd wished for.
Tony 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