Wed on His Terms: Million-Dollar Marriage Merger. Charlene Sands

her body needing the rest. When she woke, she snuggled into the pillow recalling her dream. She’d been out in the vineyards, the grapes ripe and ready to be picked, the air flavored with their pungently sweet aroma. She turned and David was beside her, his smile wide as he looked at the vines, then at her. “We’ll have a good year.” But then, David’s face became Tony’s. Somehow, within the eerie images of her mind, it had always been Tony out in the vineyard with her.

      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.

      â€œOh, God,” she whispered.

      â€œI 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?”

      â€œLike a bab— Um, very well.”

      â€œYou 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.

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

      â€œOkay,” 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.”

      â€œAnd that makes food magically appear?”

      He laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.”

      â€œYou 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.

      â€œRena, don’t back off,” he said.

      â€œI 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.”

      â€œThat’s what I intend to do, Rena. Protect you and the baby.”

      â€œNo, 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.”

      â€œHow could I ever hurt your child?”

      â€œThe 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.”

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

      â€œThat 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.

      â€œYou 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?”

      â€œYeah, 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.”

      â€œCan 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.

      â€œConsider it a wedding gift, since I didn’t get you a diamond ring.”

      â€œI