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

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СКАЧАТЬ of his death was evident on her beautiful face, even in sleep.

      His first inclination was to quietly leave, locking the door behind him, but he found he couldn’t move, couldn’t lift his eyes away from her sad desolate face. So he stood at the threshold of her bedroom, watching her.

      It wasn’t long before she stirred, her movements lazy as she stretched out on the bed. Tony’s gaze moved to the point where her dress hiked up, exposing long beautiful legs and the hint of exquisite thighs.

      His body quickened, and he ground his teeth fighting off lusty sexual thoughts. Yet, quick snippets of memory emerged of hot delicious nights making love to her all those years ago.

      Rena opened her eyes and gasped when she spotted his figure in the doorway. Immediate fear and vulnerability entered her eyes. She sat straight up, and when she recognized him, anger replaced her fear. “What are you doing here?”

      â€œWe had a date.”

      â€œA date?” To her credit, she did appear hazily confused. Then the anger resurfaced. “How’d you get in?”

      â€œThe door was unlocked. Not a good habit, Rena. Anyone could have gotten into your house.”

      â€œAnyone did.”

      Tony chose to ignore the swipe.

      Rena swung her legs around and set her bare feet on the floor. She rubbed her forehead with both hands and shook her head. “I guess I fell asleep. What time is it?”

      â€œEight-fifteen.”

      She looked up at him. “Were you standing there all that time?”

      â€œNo,” he lied. “I just got here. I was fashionably late.”

      She closed her eyes briefly. “I don’t know what happened. I felt exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.”

      The baby, Tony thought. He’d had many a racing buddy speak about their wife’s exhaustion during their early pregnancy. “Maybe it’s all catching up with you. You’ve been through a lot this past month.”

      â€œYou don’t know what I’ve been through.” She was being deliberately argumentative, and Tony didn’t take the bait.

      â€œHow long before you can be ready?”

      Her brows furrowed. “Ready?”

      â€œFor dinner.”

      â€œOh, I don’t think so. Not tonight. I’m not—” she began to put her hand to her flat stomach, then caught herself “—feeling well.”

      â€œYou’ll feel better once you eat. How long since you’ve eaten?”

      â€œI don’t know…. I had a salad for lunch around noon.”

      â€œYou need to keep up your strength, Rena.”

      She opened her mouth to respond, then clamped it shut.

      â€œI’ll wait for you in the living room.”

      Tony turned and walked away, not really giving her a choice in the matter. There were many more things he’d have to force upon her before the evening was through.

      Rena got up from her bed, moving slowly as she replayed the events of the day in her mind. First, Tony had visited her this afternoon, a fact that still irked her. Yet he had something to say and he wouldn’t leave until he got it off his chest. That’s how Carlinos operated; they did what they darn well wanted, no matter how it affected other people. Bitter memories surfaced of her father standing up to Santo Carlino, but Rena shoved them out of her mind for the moment. She couldn’t go there now.

      Next came thoughts of her conversation with Mr. Zelinski at the bank. He’d been kind to her, confessing his hands were tied. She wouldn’t be getting the loan she desperately needed. She wouldn’t be able to pay her employees. Purple Fields was doomed.

      Her head began to pound. She felt faint. Though her appetite had been destroyed today, she admitted that she really should eat something. For the baby’s sake, if nothing else. She couldn’t afford to sink into depression. It wouldn’t be good for the unborn child she carried.

      As quick as her body allowed, she got ready, cringing at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was drawn, her hair wild, her clothes rumpled. She washed her face, applied a light tint of blush to her cheeks, some lipstick to her lips and brushed her hair back into a clip at the base of her neck—just to appear human again. She changed her clothes, throwing on a black pair of pants and a soft knit beige sweater that ruffled into a vee and looked stylish though comfortable. She slipped her feet into dark shoes and walked out of the room. Whatever Tony had in mind, she certainly wasn’t going to dress up for him.

      Tony closed the magazine he was reading and rose from the sofa when she strode in. She squirmed under his direct scrutiny. “You look better.”

      She didn’t comment yet noted genuine concern in his eyes. Why?

      He strode to the door and opened it. “Shall we go?”

      â€œWhere are you taking me?”

      Tony’s expression flattened. He’d caught her meaning. “I’ve made arrangements, Rena. No one will see you with me.”

      If she weren’t so upset about everything, her face might have flamed from his acknowledgment. She lifted her chin. “How’s that possible?”

      â€œWe own half of Alberto’s. It’s closed to the public tonight.”

      â€œYou mean you had it closed for my benefit?”

      â€œYou haven’t had any use for me since I returned. I didn’t think you’d like answering questions about being out with me tonight if anyone saw us.”

      Rena had almost forgotten that the Carlinos had their hands in other enterprises. They owned a few restaurants as well as the winery. They also owned stores in outlying areas that sold a line of products related to wine.

      â€œThis isn’t a date, Tony. Just so we’re clear.”

      Tony nodded. “Very clear.”

      Rena strode past him and waited for him to exit her house before she locked the front door. She moved quickly, and once he beeped his car alarm, she didn’t wait for him to open the car door. She climbed into his Porsche and adjusted the seat belt.

      â€œReady?” he asked unnecessarily. Once they made eye contact, he roared the engine to life. “It’s a nice night. Mind if I put the top down?”

      â€œNo, I could use a good dose of fresh air.”

      It’s how Tony liked to drive, with the top down, СКАЧАТЬ