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

She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that he’d been right about the car.

Tony bounded up the steps and entered the arched wrought iron doors decorated with delicate metal vines that led to a breezeway. The house, set more like an Italian villa atop the hill, had four wings that met in the center by a large expansive living room and dining area overlooking the vineyards. Tony liked his privacy, and each of the Carlino men had lived in separate sections of the house once they’d grown up.

“Hey, I thought I heard you come in. How are the newlyweds?” Joe asked, approaching him as he began his ascent up the stairs.

Tony sighed. “Fine.”

“That bad? I take it the wedding night didn’t go so smoothly.”

Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasn’t prying; he was simply concerned. “She’s still grieving.”

“Understandable. Where is she?”

“Outside. She won’t come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. She’s not thrilled that I’m moving in with her.”

“I wasn’t sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.”

“I’ll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but I’d appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Thanks. You know,” he began with a slant of his head, “if you’d have told me six months ago I’d be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

“Am I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’m adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.”

“She’ll come around. In fact, I think I’ll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.”

“I can use all the help I can get. Rena thinks she married the devil.” He chuckled as he took the steps up to his bedroom. He’d been called even worse by some of the women he’d dated in the past.

And it had all been true.

“Tony?” Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadn’t taken her directly back to Purple Fields after he’d picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, he’d driven to the cemetery where David was buried.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked.

Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, she’d made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. She’d come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after she’d learned about the promise he’d asked of Tony, she’d gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadn’t come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, he’d tried to take care of her. Guilt assailed her for being so shortsighted and selfish. She should have come more often. She should have honored the man who’d loved her. “Yes, I’m okay with this.”

Once out of the car, Tony met her on the lawn and put out his hand. She glanced down at it and then into his reassuring eyes. “We’ll do this together.”

She slipped her hand into his, and silently they walked to the center of the Gracious Hill section of the cemetery. A new bronze headstone with David’s name and birth date embossed in gold stared up at them. Rena sank to her knees and said a prayer. She sat there for a minute, looking down, running her fingers over the headstone, touching David’s nameplate with infinite care.

Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. “She’s safe, David,” he whispered. “We’re married now. I’ll take good care of her.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldn’t hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.

“It’s okay, honey,” Tony said softly. He turned his body and encompassed her in his arms, cradling her as she cried into his chest. She sobbed deeply, the pain emanating from deep within. Guilt and sadness washed over her.

Tony tightened his hold on her. “Let it out, Rena.”

Cocooned in Tony’s strength and warmth, she cried and cried until she finally managed to control her emotions. She sniffed and gulped in oxygen and stopped crying after several minutes, yet she couldn’t let go of Tony. Wrapped up in his arms, she was grateful for the comfort, the gentle assuring words, the soft kisses to her forehead. She gave herself up to Tony allowing him to be strong for her. She needed this. She needed for once to let someone else take the brunt of her heartache.

“He’s okay with this, Rena,” Tony whispered. “It’s what David wanted.”

She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her once—a man whom she blamed for her husband’s death, a man who’d felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?

“I was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,” she whispered painfully. “I haven’t come here in weeks.”

Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. “Don’t beat yourself up, Rena. You’re a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.”

“Even the ones that scream I shouldn’t have married you?”

Tony looked down into her eyes. “Yeah, even those.”

“I don’t intend on cutting you any slack,” she said quietly.

“Planning on making my life miserable?”

“Not deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.”

“Doubtful. I’m not going anywhere.”

Then he leaned down and kissed her softly, exquisitely on her lips, and for the first time, Rena came close to believing him.

With arms folded, Rena watched Tony set his bags on the floor beside her bed. He faced her, his gaze direct and piercing. “I told you, I won’t tiptoe around you anymore. We’re going to live as man and wife.”

Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. She’d used up her quota and then some at the cemetery. Though her insides quaked and her head ached, she knew she had no choice but to accept Tony in her home and in her bed. He had pride. He was virile and strong and extremely sexy. She suspected women had thrown themselves at him all the time. He was a race car champion, an appealing bachelor who was definitely easy on the eyes. He’d probably had women in every town he traveled.

Though he’d been patient and kind to her the past few days she knew she’d pushed him pretty far. And soon, he’d start pushing back.

He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. “For God’s sake, Rena. I’m not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.”

Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. “I understand.”

“Ah, hell.” He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. “You’d think we’d never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-can’t-breathe-anymore sex.”

Rena nearly tripped over her own feet backing up, his statement stunning her. Her face heated, and her body shook a little. Speechless, she lowered her lashes, fighting off memories of their lovemaking. He’d been blunt but accurate in his description. “That’s when …” she began, almost unable to get the words out. “When we were in love.”