Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene SandsЧитать онлайн книгу.
as Rena tried to compose herself. So many thoughts entered her mind all at once that her head began to ache. She put her head down and rubbed her temples, to alleviate the pain and to avoid Tonyâs scrutiny.
âYou donât want to sell Purple Fields,â he said softly.
âNo, of course not.â
âYou know what it would mean to Purple Fields if we marry? Youâd have no more worry ⦠Iâd make sure of it.â
She kept her head down. She didnât want to admit that marrying Tony would solve her immediate problems and sheâd be able to keep her promise to David. But she also knew that her emotions would rule it out this time. She couldnât marry Tony Carlino.
Heâd abandoned her when sheâd needed him most.
Heâd hurt her so deeply that it took a decent man like David to heal her and make her trust again. She had no faith in Tony, and marriage to anyone, much less him, was out of the question. Her wounds were still too raw and fresh.
Tony reached over and caressed her hand with his. Again, an instant current ran between them. âThink about it, Rena. Think about the promises we both made to David.â
Twenty minutes later, as Tony drove her home, she still couldnât think of anything else. She wanted to save Purple Fields, to see it thrive and be successful again, but the cost was too great.
Tony walked her to the door. She slipped the key into the lock and turned to face him. âGood night, Tony.â
Tonyâs dark eyes gleamed for a moment. He glanced at her mouth, his gaze lingering there. Her heart pounded, and for an instant, she was that young smitten girl who banked on his every word. He leaned his body closer, his eyes on hers, and she remembered the chemistry between them, the joy of loving him and having him love her. Images that sheâd thought had been destroyed came back in a flash. He slanted his head and she waited. But his kiss bypassed her lips and brushed her cheek. He grabbed the doorknob and shoved open her door. âIâll come by to see you tomorrow, Rena.â
Rena stepped inside and leaned heavily on her door, her fingers tracing the cheek heâd just kissed. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed for a way out of her dilemma.
A way that didnât include marrying Tony Carlino.
The next day, Tony knocked on Renaâs door at noon. When she didnât answer the knock, he walked toward the gift shop and peeked inside the window. Solena Melendez waved to him, and he walked inside the store. âGood afternoon.â
âHello, Solena.â Tony had met her at Davidâs funeral for the first time. Heâd learned enough to know that Solena and Rena were good friends, Solena being just a few years older. She lived in a residential area of Napa with her husband, Raymond, and they worked for Purple Fields since Rena and David took over from her parents. A quick glance around told him that though Solena kept the quaint gift shop immaculate, the shelves were only scantily stocked with items for sale. âIâm looking for Rena. Do you know where she is?â
âIâm right here.â Rena came out of the back room, her arms loaded down with a few cases of wine.
Tony had an instant inclination to lift those heavy boxes from her arms but restrained himself. Rena was a proud woman.
She set the boxes down on the front counter. âIâll help you with these bottles in a minute.â She smiled warmly at Solena and turned to Tony, her face transforming from warm to cold in a flash. âFollow me,â she said and walked outside the shop and down the steps.
The air was fresh and clear, the sky above as blue as Renaâs eyes. She walked past her house to the vineyards, and once they were out of earshot she turned to him. âDo you plan on showing up here whenever you want?â
Tony grinned. âAre you mad because I didnât call to make an appointment?â
âNo. Yes.â Her brows furrowed. âIâm busy, Tony. I donât welcome drop-by company unless they are paying customers.â
âYouâre working with a skeleton crew. And working too hard.â
Rena rolled her eyes. âIâve been doing this work since I learned to walk, practically. Yes, I work hard, but I donât mind. Why are you here?â
âI told you Iâd come by today.â
âChecking up on me?â
âIf you want to look at it that way.â
Renaâs face twisted in disgust. âI can take care of myself. I hate that David made you promise to watch out for me.â
âI know you do. But a promise is a promise.â
âAnd you donât break your promises, do you? Except to young girls youâve pledged your heart to. Then you have no problem.â
Rena turned away from him, but he couldnât let her get away with that. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, turning her around to face him. âI loved you, Rena. Make no mistake about that. Iâve apologized for hurting you a hundred times. But I couldnât stay here then, and you know it. And you couldnât leave with me, and you know that, too. We werenât destined to be together back then.â
She yanked her arm free and hoisted her pretty chin. âWeâre not destined to be together ever, so why donât you go away.â
âIâm not going anywhere. Not until I make myself clear. Iâm offering you a business proposition, not a real marriage proposal. If you let go of some of your anger and pride, youâd see that. Iâm offering you a way to save Purple Fields.â
She remained silent.
âHow long before you have to let Solena and her husband go? How long before youâll have to close the winery? You donât want to sell. Purple Fields is a big part of you. You love what you do.â
âDonât,â she said, her eyes filling with moisture. âDonât, Tony.â
âDonât what? Speak the truth? You know damn well marrying me is the best thing all the way around.â
âDavidâs been gone only a short time. And ⦠and, I donât love you.â She pierced him with a direct look.
âI donât love you either,â he said, softly so as not to hurt her anymore. âBut, in all these years, Iâve never wanted to marry another woman. Iâve never even come close.â
He put his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. Without pause, he brushed his lips to hers softly at first. When she didnât pull away, he deepened the kiss, relishing the exquisite softness of her lips, enjoying the woman that Rena had become. Soft, lush and incredibly beautiful.
When he broke off the kiss, he gazed into Renaâs stunned blue eyes. âWe may not have love anymore, but we have history and friendship.â
She tilted her head stubbornly. âIâm not your friend.â
âDavid wants this for both of us.â
âNo!â Rena pulled away at the mention of Davidâs name. Confusion filled her expression, and she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, as if wiping away all that theyâd once meant to each other. âI canât marry youâno matter what you promised David. I still blame you for his death and, and â¦â
âAnd what, Rena? That kiss just proved we still have something between us. You can save your winery and honor Davidâs last wish.â
âYou