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

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СКАЧАТЬ holding a plate of food. “It’s after one, and you haven’t eaten lunch.”

      Tony glanced at his watch, then leaned back in his seat. “I didn’t realize the time.”

      She set the plate down onto the desk. “Ham and cheese. I have chicken salad made if you’d prefer that instead?”

      Tony grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. “This is fine,” he said, his stomach acknowledging the late hour. “Did you eat?”

      â€œSolena and I had a bite earlier. Since David’s death, she’s been babysitting me. She thinks I don’t know it, but it’s sweet. We usually have lunch together.”

      â€œWhat about Ray?”

      â€œHe eats a huge breakfast at home and skips lunch.”

      â€œDo you have time to sit down?” he asked. “I could use the company.”

      He rose from his chair, offering it to her. He waited until she took the seat before he sat on the edge of the desk, stretching his legs out. He wasn’t used to poring over a computer screen for hours. He wasn’t used to being holed up behind a desk in a small office either.

      He gobbled his sandwich and began working on the apple she’d cut into wedges. “How’s your day going?”

      â€œGood,” she said. “I gave a wine tour at eleven, and we sold a few cases today. Want something to drink?”

      â€œI’ll have a beer later. I’ll need it.”

      She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes marked with question. “Too many numbers?”

      â€œYeah. I’m inputting files. Setting up a database. My eyes are crossing.”

      She laughed. “I know what you mean.”

      Tony liked the sound of her laughter. He stared at a smile that lit the room. “You do?”

      â€œAll those numbers can make you crazy.”

      He grinned. “I think I’m there now.” He gobbled up the apple wedges. “Thanks for lunch.”

      Rena watched him carefully. “You’re welcome.”

      â€œYou need a new computer and some stuff for the office. This thing is outdated. We’ll work out a time to do that.”

      Rena’s eyes widened. “A new computer? I, uh, we never could afford—”

      â€œI know,” Tony said softly. “But now we can.”

      â€œAnd you need me for that?”

      â€œYes, I need your input. Look, we can drive into the next town if you’d feel more comfortable, but—”

      â€œI would.” She offered without hesitation.

      Tony’s ego took a nosedive. He’d promised her a secret marriage and he’d stick to it, but he wasn’t accustomed to women not wanting to be seen with him. Usually, it was just the opposite—women enjoyed being seen around town with him.

      Irritated now, he agreed. “Fine.”

      â€œSo what are your plans?” She stood and picked up his empty plate.

      â€œI loaded the info to a flash drive. I’m going to have Joe take a look at everything. Though I have my suspicions, I need his opinion.”

      â€œYou’re going home tonight?”

      Her hope-filled voice only irritated him some more. With legs spread, he reached out and pulled her between them, the plate separating their bodies. “Yeah, but I’ll be back.” He kissed her soundly on the lips reminding her of the steamy way they’d made love early this morning. He nuzzled her neck, and the devil in him added with a low rasp, “I have more inputting to do.”

      Rena’s eyes snapped up to his.

      He smiled and then released her.

      He’d told her no more tiptoeing around and he’d meant it.

       Eight

      Tony entered the Carlino offices, a two-story building set in the heart of Napa Valley. The older outer structure gave way to a modern, innovative inner office filled with leather and marble. The mortar and stone building had been classified as a ghost winery, once owned by an aging retired sea captain who had run the place in the 1890s until Prohibition put him out of business, along with nearly seven hundred other wineries in the area. While some wineries had been turned into estates and restaurants, some held true to their original destiny, haunted not by ghostly spirits but by the passage of time and ruin.

      The place had lain dormant and in a state of wreckage until Santo Carlino purchased the property then renovated it into their office space.

      Tony walked into the reception area and was greeted by a stunningly gorgeous redhead. “Hi, you must be Tony Carlino.” The woman—her cleavage nearly spilling out of her top—lifted up from her desk to shake his hand. “Joe said you’d be stopping by. I’m Alicia Pendrake, but you can call me Ali.”

      â€œHi, Ali.” He grasped her hand and shook.

      â€œI’m Joe’s new personal assistant. Today’s my second day on the job.”

      â€œNice to meet you,” Tony said, curious why Joe didn’t mention hiring anyone new when they spoke, especially one who looked like an overly buxom supermodel, with rich auburn curls draping over her shoulders, wearing a sleek outfit and knee-high boots.

      She pointed to the main office door. “He’s inside, crunching numbers, what else?”

      Tony chuckled. The woman was a spitfire. “Okay, thanks.”

      â€œNice meeting you, Mr. Carlino.”

      â€œIt’s Tony.”

      â€œOkay, Tony.” She granted him a pleased smile that sent his male antenna up.

      He found Joe seated behind his desk, staring at the computer screen. He made sure to close the door behind him. “Whoa … where did you find her?”

      â€œFind who?” Joe said, his attention focused on the computer.

      â€œAlicia … Ali. Your new PA.”

      Joe’s brows furrowed and he took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. “I met her in New York last year. She’s efficient and capable.”

      â€œI СКАЧАТЬ