CHARLENE SANDS resides in Southern California with her husband, school sweetheart and best friend, Don. Proudly they boast that their children, Jason and Nikki, have earned their college degrees. The âempty nestersâ now enjoy spending time together on Pacific beaches, playing tennis and going to movies, when they are not busy at work, of course!

A proud member of Romance Writers of America, Charlene has written more than twenty-five romance novels and is the recipient of the 2006 National Readersâ Choice Award, the 2007 Cataromance Reviewerâs Choice Award and the Booksellers Best Award in 2008 and 2009.

Wed on His Terms
Million-Dollar Marriage Merger
Seduction on The CEOâs Terms
The Billionaireâs Baby Arrangement

Charlene Sands

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Table of Contents

Cover

About the Author

Title Page

Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Seduction on The CEOâs Terms

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

The Billionaireâs Baby Arrangement

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Copyright

Million-Dollar Marriage Merger

Charlene Sands

To my husband, Don,

the man Iâve been sharing chardonnay with for all our years. A really good man, like a fine wine, only gets better with age.

One

From the time Tony Carlino was six years old, heâd been infatuated with cars, speed and danger. Back then, the hills of Napa that create award-winning merlot and pinot had been his playing field. Racing his dinged up scooter down the embankment, heâd hit the dirt falling headfirst into a patch of fescue grass a hundred times over. But Tony never gave up when he wanted something. He hadnât been satisfied until heâd mastered that hill with his scooter, his bicycle and finally his motorcycle. Heâd graduated to stock car racing and had become a champion.

Newly retired from racing, his present fascination had nothing to do with cars and speed and everything to do with a different kind of danger.

Rena Fairfield Montgomery.

He glimpsed the blue-eyed widow from across the gravesite where dozens were gathered. Valley winds blew strands of raven hair from her face, revealing her heartbroken expression and ruffling her solemn black dress.

She hated him.

With good reason.

Soon heâd walk into a land mine of emotion and nothing posed more danger to Tony than that. Especially when it came to Rena and all she represented.

Tony glanced beyond the gravesite to those hills and Carlino land, an abundance of crimson hues reflecting off foil covering the vines, keeping grape-eating birds from destroying the crop. The land he once resented, the vines that had fed his family for generations was his responsibility now. His father had passed on just months ago, leaving the Carlino brothers in charge of the huge empire.

Once again, Tony glanced at Rena and a face devoid of emotion, her tears spent. She walked up to the bronze coffin, staring blankly, as if to say she couldnât believe this. She couldnât believe that her beloved husband, David, was gone.

Tony winced. He held back tears of his own. David had been his best friend since those scooter days. Heâd been there for Tony through thick and thin. Theyâd kept their friendship ongoing, despite a bitter family rivalry.

Despite the fact that Rena had loved Tony first.

Rena held back a sob and bravely reached out to the blanket of fresh flowers draped along the coffin. She pulled her hand back just as her fingertip touched a rose petal. At that moment, she glanced at Tony, her sad eyes so round and blue that a piece of him unraveled.

He knew her secret.

But Tony didnât give that away. He stared at her, and for that one small moment, sympathy and the pain of losing David temporarily bonded them.

She blinked then turned around, stepping away from the gravesite, her legs weak as all eyes watched the beautiful grieving widow say her final farewell to her husband.

Nick and Joe, Tonyâs younger brothers, stood by his side. Joe draped an arm around him. âWeâre all going to miss him.â

âHe was as good as they come,â Nick added.

Tony nodded and stared at the car as Rena drove away from the cemetery.

âRenaâs all alone now,â Joe said, once Nick bid them farewell. âItâll be even more of a struggle for her to keep Purple Fields going.â

Tony drew a deep breath, contemplating his next move. Theyâd been rivals in business for years, but her winery had been failing and was barely holding on. âShe wonât have to.â

Joe stiffened. âWhy, are you planning on buying her out? She wonât sell, bro. You know sheâs stubborn. Sheâs had offers before.â

âNot like this one, Joe.â

Joe turned his head to look him in the eye. âWhat, youâre making her an offer she canât refuse?â

âSomething like that. Iâm going to marry her.â

Rena got into her car alone, refusing her friendsâ and neighborsâ well-meaning gestures to drive her home, to sit with her, to memorialize David Montgomery. She never understood why people gathered after a funeral, had food catered in and specialty wines flowing. They filled their plates, chattered and laughed and most times forgot the real reason they had come. She couldnât do that to David. No, he was too young to die. Too vital. Heâd been a good man, an excellent and loving husband. She couldnât celebrate his life; heâd had so much more to live. So she spoke the words with sincerity to the guests at the funeral site, âI hope you understand that I need to be alone right now,â and had driven off.

She rode the lanes and narrow streets of the valley as numbness settled over her. She knew this land so well, had traveled every road, had grown up in Napa and had married here.

She wept silently. Tears that she thought were all dried up spilled down her cheeks. She found herself slowing her old Camry as she passed the Carlino estate, the vibrant vineyards sweeping across acres and acres.

She knew why sheâd come here. Why she parked the car just outside the estate gates. She blamed Tony Carlino for Davidâs death. She wanted to scream it from the hilltops and shout out the unfairness of it all.

A flashy silver sports car pulled up behind her, and she knew sheâd made a mistake coming here. From the rearview mirror, she watched him step out of the car, his long legs making quick strides to the driverâs side of her car.

âOh, no.â She grasped the steering wheel and rested her forehead there. Biting her lip, she took back her wish to scream out injustices. She didnât have the energy. Not here. Not now.

âRena?â

The deep rich timbre of Tonyâs voice came through the window of the car. Heâd been her friend once. Heâd been her world after that. But now all she saw was a drop-dead handsome stranger who should have never come back to the valley. âIâm fine, Tony,â she said, lifting her head from the steering wheel.

âYouâre not fine.â

âI just buried my husband.â She peered straight ahead, refusing to look at him.

Tony opened the car door, and she glimpsed his hand reaching out to her. âTalk to me.â

âNo â¦ I canât,â she said with a shake of her head.

âThen letâs take a walk.â

When she continued to stare at his hand, he added, âYou came here for a reason.â

She closed her eyes holding back everything in her heart, but her mind wouldnât let go of how David died. Spurred by renewed anger, she ignored Tonyâs outstretched hand and bounded out of the car. She strode past him and walked along the narrow road lush with greenery. From atop the hill, the valley spread out before her, abundant with vines and homes, both big and small, a hollow of land where many families worked side by side to ensure a healthy crop.

She had promised David sheâd hold on to Purple Fields, an odd request from his deathbed, yet one she couldnât refuse. She loved Purple Fields. It had been her parentâs legacy, and now it was her home, her sanity and her refuge.

She marched purposely ahead of Tony, which was an accomplishment in itself, since heâd always been quick on his feet. His footsteps slowed. Then he let go an exasperated sigh. âDamn it, Rena. David was my friend. I loved him, too.â

Rena halted. Jamming her eyes closed momentarily, she whirled around. âYou loved him? How can you say that? Heâs gone because of you!â Renaâs anger flowed like the rush of a river. âYou should never have come home. David was happy until you showed up.â

Lips pursed, Tony jutted his jaw out. Oh, how she remembered that stubborn look. âIâm not responsible for his death, Rena.â

âHe wouldnât have gotten behind the wheel of that race car if you hadnât come home. When you showed up, thatâs all David talked about. Donât you see? You represented everything David wanted. You ran away from the vineyards. You raced. You won. You became a champion.â

Tony shook his head. âIt was a freakish accident. Thatâs all, Rena.â

âYour return here brought it all back to him,â she said solemnly.

âMy father died two months ago. I came home to run the company.â

Rena glared at him. âYour father,â she muttered. Santo Carlino had been a harsh, domineering man whoâd wanted to build his empire no matter the cost. Heâd tried to buy out every small winery in the area. And when the owners refused, heâd managed to ruin their business somehow. Purple Fields had seen the brunt of the Carlino wrath for years. Yet her parents had fought him tooth and nail, keeping their small patch of life out of Carlino hands. âIâll not speak ill of the dead, but â¦â

âI know you despised him,â Tony stated.

Rena stuck to her promise and held her tongue about Santo Carlino, but she couldnât help how she felt and made no apologies for those feelings. âGo away, Tony.â

Tonyâs lips curved up, a sinful, sexy curl of the mouth that at one time had knocked her senseless. âThis is my land.â

She slumped her shoulders. âRight.â

Rena inhaled sharply, mentally chastising herself for driving up hereâa bonehead move, as David would say. She was even more remorseful that sheâd taken this short walk with Tony.

With hasty steps she brushed by him, but his reach was long and painfully tender when he caught her arm. âLet me help.â

A lump formed in her throat. He didnât know what he was asking. Sheâd never accept his help. She glanced into dark, piercing, patient eyes. That was something for the record booksâa patient Tony Carlino. He hadnât become a national stock car champion from his ability to wait.

She shook her head briskly. âPlease donât touch me.â

Tony glanced at his hand lying gently on her arm, then stroked the length of it, sliding his hand freely up and down. âI mean it, Rena. You need me.â

âNo, Iâll never need you.â She jerked her arm free. âYou just want to ease your guilty conscience.â

Tonyâs eyes grew hard and sharp.

Good.

She didnât need his help or his pity. Sheâd done without him for twelve years and didnât need anything he had to offer. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed and dream about the day when sheâd hold her precious baby in her arms.

Tony rubbed his aching shoulder and stretched out his legs, closing the Carlino books for the day. His racing injuries had a way of coming back to haunt him whenever he sat at his fatherâs desk. Maybe it was because Santo never wanted him to leave Napa. Heâd chosen racing over the family business and had left it all behind twelve years ago.

Heâd wanted more than grapes and vines and worrying about the weather, crops and competition. Of course, Santo Carlino hadnât taken it lightly. Heâd cursed and complained and refused to speak to Tony when heâd left.

Tony pursued his dream despite his fatherâs tirades. Being the oldest of three sons Tony was expected to take over the business one day with his brothers by his side. But as it turned out none of the three sons had stayed home to run the Carlino empire.

Now with Santo gone, Tony had no choice but to return. His fatherâs last will and testament made sure that each of his sons spent some time together running the company. Heâd stipulated that in order for any of them to claim their inheritance, the land, the company, the Carlino empire, one of them had to agree to become the new CEO within six months.

It was just another way for his father to manipulate them. But Tony hadnât come back to Napa for the money. He had plenty of his own. Heâd come back to lay his father to rest and to let his weary body recover from injuries garnered in a wreck at Bristol Raceway just months before.

Heâd called his younger brothers home. Joe, the real brain in the family, had been living in New York, trying to develop the latest software phenomenon. And Nick, the youngest, had been creating havoc in Europe, earning a reputation as a gambler and ladiesâ man.

Tony smiled at that. Little Nick had a wild streak that could lay shame to a young and virile Santo Carlino in his bachelor days. But if one thing could be said about his old man, it was that he was a loving and faithful husband. Tonyâs mother, Josephina, had tempered him with love and adoration. Many thought her a saint for putting up with Santo, but only the family knew that Santo would have died for her.

âSo whenâs the wedding?â Joe entered the office at Carlino Wines with his hands on his hips, his studious dark brown eyes visible behind a pair of glasses.

When Tony glanced at him in question, Joe continued, âYou told me you were getting married.â

Tony shoved the ledger books away and leaned back in his chair. âYou need a willing bride for a wedding.â

âWanna tell me why you chose Rena? Is it Purple Fields youâre after? Or something else?â

A sigh emerged from deep in Tonyâs chest. He rubbed tension from his forehead. âMaybe I want it all.â

âWant or need?â

Tony narrowed his eyes and gave his brother a look.

Joe shrugged in an offhanded way. âYouâve never spoken of marriage before. And the last thing I thought Iâd hear at Davidâs funeral was that you intended to marry his widow. Even if it is Rena. We all know sheâs not exactly your biggest fan.â

Tony scoffed. How well he knew. âHardly that.â

âSo, what is it? Do you love her?â

Tonyâs face crinkled up, despite his efforts to keep a blank expression. The truth was he had loved Rena when theyâd been younger but heâd loved racing more. He wound up breaking her heart by leaving her behind to pursue his dreams.

Now he had a chance to make it up to her and honor the pledge heâd made David. At the time heâd made that vow it was a no-brainer. David was on his last breaths, and heâd implored Tony to take care of Rena and the child heâd suspected she carried. Tony hadnât flinched when heâd made that promise.

Did Tony want to marry Rena and raise a child that wasnât his? He simply didnât know. But it was what he planned to do.

âNo, I donât love her.â He stood and looked his brother straight in the eyes, lowering his voice. âThis goes no further.â

Joe nodded.

âI made David a promise to take care of Rena, the winery and â¦ and their unborn child.â

Joe pressed a finger to the bridge of his glasses, securing them in place. He contemplated a moment staring back at Tony then gave an understanding nod. âGot it. Rena knows nothing about this I suppose.â

âNothing.â

âAre you seeing her?â

Tony winced, thinking back on the excuses sheâd given him. âIâve tried several times since the funeral.â

âNot cooperating is she?â

âNo.â

âCanât imagine why she doesnât want to start up right where you left off twelve years ago,â Joe said, mockingly. âShe picked up the pieces after you left her. It was a hard fall, Tony. I remember hearing all about it. When she fell for David, everyone thought it was the right move. They were happy for her. Sorry, but your name was mud around here for a long time. Then you started winning races and people forgot about the pain you caused Rena. Except Rena. She never forgot. She really loved David, and now heâs gone. You canât blame her for hard feelings. Sheâs had it rough.â

âI donât blame her. But I will honor my promise to David.â

Joe grinned. âI respect your determination, Tony. How are you going to charm a woman who clearly â¦â

âHates me?â Tony huffed out a breath. Unfortunately, what he had in mind didnât require a multitude of charm. Just blackmail. He would give Rena what she wanted most in life. âI have a plan.â

Joe shook his head. âYou always do.â

âItâs time I set that plan in action.â

Two

Rena looked in her closet as tears streamed down her face. It had been three weeks since the funeral, and Davidâs clothesâhis shirts and pants, his jackets and sweatshirtsâstill hung just beside hers. She reached out to touch his favorite blue plaid shirt. Her fingers lingered a bit and an image appeared of sitting by a cozy fire cuddling up next to David and laying her head on the soft flannel, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. She smiled at the memory, even through her tears. âWhat now, David?â she asked in the solitude of her bedroom.

She was a thirty-one-year-old widow. She never would have believed it. Not when just weeks ago sheâd planned on telling David her joyous news â¦ that they were to become parents. Sheâd had it all planned. Sheâd silk-screened T-shirts that said, âIâm the Daddyâ and another that said, âIâm the Mommyâ and the third tiny T-shirt said, âAnd Iâm the Boss.â Sheâd planned on giving David the set of them over his favorite dinner.

She hadnât gone to the doctor yet, relying solely on the pregnancy test sheâd taken. Sheâd wanted David by her side when they heard the news officially. Now sheâd be going to all of her appointments alone, facing an unknown future.

The only bright spot in all this sadness was the child she carried. She loved her baby with all of her heart and vowed to protect it, doing whatever it took to make a good life for him or her.

Rena closed the closet door unable to remove and discard Davidâs clothes as sheâd planned. âIâm not ready to let go,â she whispered. She needed Davidâs things around her, to feel his presence and warmth surround her. It gave her a sense of peace, odd as that might seem.

âDo you want me to help you with Davidâs things, Rena?â Solena Melendezâs voice broke into her thoughts. Rena turned to find her friend at the bedroom threshold, a concerned look on her face.

Rena smiled sadly. Since Davidâs death, Solena made a point to check up on Rena every morning.

âSolena, no. But thank you.â Solena and Raymond Melendez worked at Purple FieldsâSolena in the wine-tasting room, Raymond overseeing the vineyards. Theyâd been loyal employees since Rena and David took over the winery after her parentsâ deaths.

âIt will take time, Rena.â

Rena understood that. Sheâd lost both of her parents. She knew the process of grieving. âI know.â

âAnd when itâs time, I will help you.â

She smiled and wiped away her tears. âI appreciate that.â She reached for Solena, and they embraced. Their relationship had grown over the years, and now Rena thought of Solena and Raymond as more than employeesâthey were dear friends. Friends whose salaries she may not be able to pay if she didnât get this bank loan.

âWe have orders today,â Solena said, breaking their embrace. âIâll make sure they go out on time.â

âOrders are good,â Rena acknowledged with a nod of her head. Thankfully, Solena reminded her daily that she had a winery to run. Purple Fields was small but well-respected, and theyâd been holding their own until a slowing economy and bigger wineries started shoving them out. Smaller vintners werenât able to compete and sustain the same degree of losses as the more established ones.

âI have an appointment at the bank today.â Though Rena held out little hope, she had to try. She needed a loan to make her payroll this month and next. She was due a small amount from Davidâs life insurance policy, and that money would pay for her doctor bills and whatever was left over would go in trust for her childâs future. No one knew about the child she carried as yet, and sheâd planned to keep it that way for the time being. Sheâd not told a soul. Not even Solena.

âI will pray for good news,â Solena said.

âSo will I,â Rena said.

Rena lingered a bit after Solena left her room, putting a little makeup on a face that had seen too many tears. With dark circles beneath her eyes, no amount of makeup could hide her despair. Her grief would be evident, yet she had enough pride to want to appear in control of her emotions when she met Mr. Zelinski at the bank. Bankers were wary of desperation. Rena understood that and prepared herself with facts and figures she hoped would prove that Purple Fields was holding its own and worth the risk of a loan.

Rena walked down the stone hallway and made it to the living room when a knock sounded at her door. âWho could that be?â she muttered, taking up her purse and the file folder for her bank appointment and tucking it under her arm.

She opened the door to Tony Carlino. More than surprised, Rena blinked. âTony? What are you doing here?â

He cast her a grim smile. âYou wouldnât return my phone calls.â

âThereâs a reason for that. I donât care to talk to you.â

âMaybe not,â Tony said. âBut I have to talk to you.â

Rena took in a steady breath and calmed her nerves. Just the sight of Tony brought bad memories. Sheâd gotten over him once and had moved on with her life. She certainly didnât want anything to do with him now. âWhat could you possibly have to say to me?â

Tony glanced inside her home. Heâd been here before many years ago, but she certainly didnât want to invite him in. Sheâd never minded that sheâd come from humble beginnings and that her family home was cozy and rustic, where the Carlino mansion had four wings of stately elegance, two dozen rooms, Italian marble and ancestral artwork that went back a few generations.

âWhat I have to say canât be said on your doorstep, Rena.â

Rena glanced at her watch. âIâm on my way out. I donât have time to talk to you.â

âThen have dinner with me tonight.â

âDinner?â Rena had to focus hard not to wrinkle her face. âNo, I wonât have dinner with you.â

Tony let go an exasperated sigh. âI donât remember you being so difficult.â

She hadnât been when sheâd first met Tony at the age of sixteen. Sheâd taken one look at him and had fallen in love. Theyâd been friends first, Rena keeping her secret that sheâd fallen hard for a Carlino. Tony had a smile that lit up her heart, and when they laughed together, Rena thought sheâd died and gone to heaven. It had been painful holding in her feelings, not letting on that she loved him. It didnât help matters that Santo Carlino was trying to run her parents out of business.

âYou donât know me anymore, Tony.â Rena lifted her chin. âIf this is about easing your conscience about David, youâre wasting your time.â

Tonyâs face tightened. His dark eyes grew cold. He stared at her for a moment, then as if gathering all his patience, he took a deep breath. âI havenât got a guilty conscience, Rena. But what I have to say is about David.â

Rena glanced at her watch again. It wouldnât do to be late for her appointment, yet heâd caught her curiosity. âWhat about David?â

âHave dinner with me and Iâll tell you.â

Pressed for time and jittery about her bank appointment, Rena relented. âFine, Iâll have dinner with you.â

âIâll pick you up at eight.â

âOkay, now at the risk of being rude, I really have to leave.â

With a quick nod of agreement, Tony left and Rena breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldnât think about seeing him later and breaking bread with him. Sheâd seen the determined look on his face and knew he wouldnât take no for an answer. Frankly, she didnât have time to argue. The bank appointment was all she could focus on. âOne hurdle at a time.â She mumbled Davidâs favorite words of encouragement every time theyâd faced a challenge.

She had more important things to worry about than having dinner with Tony Carlino.

Tony drove out of the Purple Fields gates and turned right driving along the roads that would lead him to the Carlino estate. Vineyards on both sides of the highway spread across the valley rising up hills and down slopes, covering the land in a blanket of green.

Heâd only been home about three months, and he still felt disoriented, unsure of his place here in Napa. Heâd come home because his father had been ill. And now, as the oldest son, he had to assume responsibility for the business working alongside his two brothers. His father had expected as much from him.

The timing had been right for his return. Heâd made his mark on NASCAR and had enjoyed every minute of his career until a crash and injury took him off the racing circuit. Perhaps it had been an omen to quit, but it wasnât until his fatherâs passing that Tony realized heâd had no choice but to leave the racing world behind.

Somewhat.

He still had endorsement deals with various companies, and that could be an advantage to Carlino Wines. The Carlino name meant success, and people identified with that. Yet Tonyâs life had changed so drastically in such a short span of time, and now he planned on taking on a new responsibility with a wife and child.

Was he ready for that?

He questioned that reality now. His vow to David never far from his mind, Tony admitted, if only to himself, that Rena had been right about one thing. If he hadnât come home and rekindled their friendship, David would still be alive today.

Tony approached the Carlino estate and pressed the remote that opened the wide iron gates. He parked the car in front of the garage house and exited. He met up with Joe in the driveway, his brother ever the optimist wearing a smile and horn-rimmed glasses, slapped him on the back. âYou look like youâve seen a ghost.â

He had, in a way. Visions of Davidâs tragic death played in his head ever since heâd driven away from Purple Fields.

It had been a glorious afternoon in Napa, the temperatures in the low seventies with fresh sunshine warm in the airâa day that made you glad to be alive. Tony remembered thinking that, right before he witnessed Davidâs crash.

Before he knew it, he was riding beside David in the ambulance.

âI think sheâs pregnant,â David whispered, struggling to get the words out.

âShh. Hang on, David. Please. Save your strength.â

Tonyâs plea didnât register with David. He continued, his voice so low that Tony had to bend over to hear him.

âShe wonât drink,â heâd confessed, and Tony immediately understood. Vintners drank wine like others drank water.

Davidâs coherent pleas gave Tony hope, though he appeared so weak. So fragile.

âTony,â heâd implored.

âIâm here.â He knew whatever David had to say must be important.

âDonât leave her alone. She deserves a good life. Promise me youâll take care of her. And our baby.â

âI promise, David. Iâll take care of Rena,â Tony whispered, looking deep into Davidâs fading eyes.

âMarry her,â David said, grasping Tonyâs hand. âPromise me that, too.â

And Tony hadnât hesitated. He squeezed Davidâs hand. âIâll marry her.â

David gave the slightest tip of a nod and closed his eyes. âTell her I love her.â

âHang on, David. Sheâs coming. You can tell her yourself.â

Frantic, Rena rushed up to David the minute theyâd reached the hospital. Theyâd had time together, spoke their last words and Tony hung back giving them privacy. When David let go, Rena cried out. Her deafening sobs for David shook Tony and reached deep into his soul. Heâd never seen a woman fall apart like that.

Tony shifted back to the present and looked at his brother with a shake of his head. âI saw Rena today.â

Joe wrinkled his nose and gave an understanding nod. âWhich explains the haunted look in your eyes. Thinking of David, too?â he asked with genuine concern.

âYeah, heâs never far from my mind. Iâm the race car driver. Iâm the one taking risks, yet he was the one to die in a crash.â

âPeople die every day in car accidents.â Then Joe caught himself. He didnât have a cruel bone in his body. âSorry, I didnât mean to sound callous, but you didnât encourage him to get behind the wheel. And it was an accident.â

âI wish Rena felt that way. It would make what I have to do a whole lot easier.â

âSo, it didnât go well today?â

Tony shrugged. âShe blew me off, but not before I made a dinner date with her.â

âThatâs a start. It should get easier now.â

Tony scratched his chin, the stubble grating his fingers. âDoubtful. Rena is as proud as she is stubborn.â

âI hear you, Tony. Iâve learned my lesson with the opposite sex. No more relationships for me.â

Tony looked his brother in the eye. âSheila really did a number on you, didnât she?â

Joe lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. âIâm over it.â

Tony believed him, noting the firm set of his jaw and his cool air of confidence, despite his casual shrug. Joeâs gorgeous New York assistant had played him, using her charms to snare him into an engagement. But the minute a wealthier man had shown interest in her, sheâd dumped Joe for greener pastures and married a man who was twice her age. Joe had been burned, and he wasnât going near the fire any time soon.

âIâm on my way to the downtown office,â he said, changing the subject. âGood luck with Rena tonight.â

âThanks. And Joe, keep this quiet.â It wouldnât do for news to get out that Tony was dating his friendâs new widow.

âIâve got your back, bro.â

Rena parked her car outside her home, her hands frozen on the steering wheel as she looked with numbing silence at the house in desperate need of paint and a roof that had seen better days. Her garden had been neglected lately, the grounds and outer buildings werenât what they once were. But the vineyards beyond, whose budding grapes were the mainstay of her legacy, had the best terroir in the vicinity. Their merlot and cabernet wines won awards from the combination of good weather, soil and minerals. The vineyards had never let her down. âAll I have left are those vines,â she mumbled, her voice shaky. âWhat am I going to do?â

The news from Mr. Zelinski wasnât good. She hadnât known the lengths David had gone to in order to keep them in business until sheâd pressed the banker to be brutally honest. She saw regret in his eyes and sympathy cross his features and knew of his reluctance to tell her the ultimate truth. Both the Fairfield and Montgomery families were part of the tightly knit Napa community and had been personal friends of the banker. She assumed it was out of respect for her mourning that he hadnât been knocking at her door demanding his money.

The grim news she received shook what little hope she had left. Not only couldnât she qualify for a loan but David had taken out a home equity line of credit to keep them going these past few months. Until that loan was repaid and her credit restored, she couldnât even think about asking for additional help from the bank.

She owed more money than she originally thought.

Tears welled in her eyes as the hopelessness of her situation enveloped her. From across the driveway, out among the vines she spotted Raymond checking the leaves, making sure the grapes were healthy.

A sob escaped. She knew what she had to do, and it hurt to even think it. She couldnât pay Solena and Raymond. Sheâd barely scraped up enough money to give them their last monthâs salary. Sheâd let her other employees go, but hoped she could keep her friends on. Now, it was clear she had to let them go as well.

Her heart breaking, Rena bounded out of the car and ran up the steps to her house, tears spilling down her cheeks. She couldnât face losing them, not after losing David so abruptly. Everything around her was changing too fast.

Yet she couldnât expect Solena and Raymond to stay. She knew theyâd have no trouble finding employment at another vineyard. Both were efficient, dedicated and knew as much about winemaking as she did. Selfishly, she wanted to keep them close, to have them work the land and be here when she needed them. Rena had sad facts to face, and she didnât know if she was up to the challenge.

Slamming the door shut, she strode to her bedroom, wiping at tears that continued to fall. She tossed her files and purse aside, kicking off her shoes as she flopped down on her bed. She lay looking up at the ceiling, searching her mind for a way to keep her business afloat. What avenues had she missed? Who could she turn to for help? Finally, after a half hour of torturous thought, she came up with the only solution that made sense. She had no other option.

She had to sell Purple Fields.

Three

Tony debated whether to bring Rena flowers, remembering that sheâd always loved the tulips that grew in the Carlino garden. âI like the purple ones best,â sheâd said when they were teens. âTheyâre bright and happy, just waiting to put a smile on someoneâs face.â

But he knew giving Rena her favorite flowers wouldnât put a smile on her face now. Nothing he could doâaside from vanishing off the face of the earthâwould do that. Heâd opted to knock on her door empty-handed, hoping that she hadnât changed her mind about tonight.

Heâd sort of bulldozed her into this dinner date. What other choice did he have? Heâd waited a respectable amount of time to approach her, allowing her time to heal from the shock of losing her husband. Yet, with a baby on the way and a failing business, Rena was in trouble. Tony didnât think he could wait much longer.

Heâd promised David.

He drove his Porsche through the Purple Fields gates for the second time today and parked in front of the gifts shop-wine-tasting room adjacent to the main house. The quaint shop attracted tourists during the late spring and summer months when the weather was mild and the scent of grapes flavored the air. Rena had worked there during high school, serving sandwiches and cheese and crackers to their customers.

Tony ran a hand down his face, bracing himself for Renaâs wrath. She wouldnât agree to his terms lightly, if at all. He got out of the car and walked the distance to the house. Using the metal knocker on the door, he gave three firm raps and waited. When she didnât come, he knocked again, louder.

âRena,â he called out.

He gazed over the grounds as the last remnants of evening light faded. Focusing intently, he glanced around at the other buildings and through the vineyards. There was no sign of her. Tony tried the doorknob, and to his surprise it opened.

Sheâd left the door unlocked.

He felt a surging sense of alarm. Rena lived alone now. It wasnât like her not to be cautious. Without hesitation, he walked inside the house. The entry that led to the living room was dark. As he took a few steps inside, it seemed the entire house was dark. âRena?â

He made his way down the long hall and opened one door, peering inside to an empty room. He checked another room without success. When he got to the end of the hallway, he found the last door open. A small amount of moonlight illuminated the middle of the room where Rena slept on her bed.

Tony winced, seeing her sleeping soundly, her chest lifting and falling peacefully, her raven hair spread across the pillow. A few strands curled around her face and contrasted against her creamy complexion. She wore the same austere dress heâd seen her in earlier today, but it couldnât conceal the feminine slope of her breasts or the luscious curve of her hips.

Tony had loved her once. Heâd taken her virginity when she was eighteen. When sheâd cried, overwhelmed by emotion, heâd clung to her and assured her of his love. Rena had given herself to him one hundred percent and though heâd tried to give her everything she needed from him, he couldnât. He had another great passionâracing. It was in his blood. From the time he was a small boy, Tony needed to feel the wind at his back. He loved speed and thrilled at the danger of being wild and free. Later, heâd learned to harness his passion. Heâd learned that precision and accuracy as well as spirit made you a winner.

Heâd achieved his goals without much struggle. Heâd been born to race. But heâd also disappointed his father by not working alongside him as was expected by the eldest son, and heâd hurt the girl heâd admired and loved most in the world.

Memories flashed again, of making love to Rena and how incredibly poignant and pure itâd been. But Tonyâs mission here wasnât to rehash the past but to move on to the future. Rena was Davidâs widow now, and the strain 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 couldnât move, couldnât lift his eyes away from her sad desolate face. So he stood at the threshold of her bedroom, watching her.

It wasnât long before she stirred, her movements lazy as she stretched out on the bed. Tonyâs 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. âWhat are you doing here?â

âWe had a date.â

âA date?â To her credit, she did appear hazily confused. Then the anger resurfaced. âHowâd you get in?â

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

âAnyone did.â

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. âI guess I fell asleep. What time is it?â

âEight-fifteen.â

She looked up at him. âWere you standing there all that time?â

âNo,â he lied. âI just got here. I was fashionably late.â

She closed her eyes briefly. âI donât know what happened. I felt exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.â

The baby, Tony thought. Heâd had many a racing buddy speak about their wifeâs exhaustion during their early pregnancy. âMaybe itâs all catching up with you. Youâve been through a lot this past month.â

âYou donât know what Iâve been through.â She was being deliberately argumentative, and Tony didnât take the bait.

âHow long before you can be ready?â

Her brows furrowed. âReady?â

âFor dinner.â

âOh, I donât think so. Not tonight. Iâm notââ she began to put her hand to her flat stomach, then caught herself ââfeeling well.â

âYouâll feel better once you eat. How long since youâve eaten?â

âI donât knowâ¦. I had a salad for lunch around noon.â

âYou need to keep up your strength, Rena.â

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

âIâll wait for you in the living room.â

Tony turned and walked away, not really giving her a choice in the matter. There were many more things heâd 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 wouldnât leave until he got it off his chest. Thatâs 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 couldnât go there now.

Next came thoughts of her conversation with Mr. Zelinski at the bank. Heâd been kind to her, confessing his hands were tied. She wouldnât be getting the loan she desperately needed. She wouldnât 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 babyâs sake, if nothing else. She couldnât afford to sink into depression. It wouldnât 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 neckâjust 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 wasnât 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. âYou look better.â

She didnât comment yet noted genuine concern in his eyes. Why?

He strode to the door and opened it. âShall we go?â

âWhere are you taking me?â

Tonyâs expression flattened. Heâd caught her meaning. âIâve made arrangements, Rena. No one will see you with me.â

If she werenât so upset about everything, her face might have flamed from his acknowledgment. She lifted her chin. âHowâs that possible?â

âWe own half of Albertoâs. Itâs closed to the public tonight.â

âYou mean you had it closed for my benefit?â

âYou havenât had any use for me since I returned. I didnât think youâd like answering questions about being out with me tonight if anyone saw us.â

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.

âThis isnât a date, Tony. Just so weâre clear.â

Tony nodded. âVery clear.â

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 didnât wait for him to open the car door. She climbed into his Porsche and adjusted the seat belt.

âReady?â he asked unnecessarily. Once they made eye contact, he roared the engine to life. âItâs a nice night. Mind if I put the top down?â

âNo, I could use a good dose of fresh air.â

Itâs how Tony liked to drive, with the top down, the air hitting his face, mastering the car and the road beneath.

He hit a button, and mechanically the car transformed. He drove the road to Napa surprisingly slowly, as if they were out for a Sunday drive. Every so often, he glanced her way. She couldnât deny his courtesy.

Or the fact that she thought him the most devastatingly handsome man sheâd ever met. Sheâd thought so since theyâd first met the day he entered public school at the age of sixteen. Up until that point, the Carlinos had gone to an elite private school. But Tony hated the regimented lifestyle, the solitude and discipline of being in an academy. Finally, his father had relented, granting his sons the right to go through the public school system.

Tony had made a lasting impression on her, and theyâd started out as friends. But the friendship had grown as theyâd gotten closer, and Rena had become Tonyâs steady girlfriend two years later.

Despite his obvious wealth and place in Napa society.

Despite the fact that Santo Carlino and her father had become bitter enemies.

Despite the fact that Rena never truly believed she could have a lasting relationship with Tony.

âCare for some music?â he asked, reaching for the CD player button.

âIf you donât mind, Iâd like to be quiet.â

She didnât want to rekindle memories of driving in Tonyâs car with the top down and the music blasting. Of laughing and telling silly jokes, enjoying each otherâs company.

âOkay,â he said amiably.

They drove in silence, Tony respecting her wishes. Shortly, he pulled into Albertoâs back parking lot. âI usually donât resort to back alley entrance ways,â he said, with no hint of irritation. âAre you hungry?â

âYes, actually quite hungry.â

âGood, the food is waiting for us.â

Before she managed to undo her seat belt, Tony was there, opening the car door for her. He reached his hand inside, and rather than appearing incredibly stubborn in his eyes, she slid her hand in his while he helped her out. The Porsche sat so low to the ground she would have fumbled like an idiot anyway, trying to come up smoothly to a standing position.

Sensations ripped through her instantly. The contact, the intimate way his large hand enveloped her smaller one, trampled any false feeling of ease sheâd imagined. She fought the urge to whip her hand away. Instead, she came out of the car and stood fully erect before slipping her hand out of his. Composing herself, she thanked him quietly and followed him inside the restaurant.

âThis way,â he said and gestured to a corner booth lit by candlelight. True to his word, the entire restaurant was empty but for them. She sat down at one end of the circular booth, while he sat at the other.

The few times Rena had come here, sheâd always felt as though sheâd wandered in from the streets in Tuscany with its old world furnishings and stone fountains. Albertoâs was one of finest restaurants in the county, serving gourmet fare and the best wines from Napa.

âI had the chef prepare a variety of food. I wasnât sure what you liked.â

âYou forgot that I loved pepperoni pizza?â

Tonyâs mouth twisted. âNo one could inhale pizza like you, Rena. But I doubt itâs on the menu tonight. Letâs go into the kitchen and see what the chef conjured up for us.â

Tony bounded up from the booth and waited. She rose and walked beside him until they reached the state-of-the-art kitchen. They found covered dishes on the immaculate steel counter along with fresh breads, salads and a variety of desserts sitting in the glass refrigerator.

Tony lifted one cover and announced. âVeal scaloppine, still hot.â

Rena looked on with interest.

Tony lifted another cover. âLinguine arrabiatta, black tiger shrimps with bacon and garlic.â

Steam rose up, and she leaned in closer. âHmm, smells good.â

He lifted two more covers displaying filetto di bue, an oven roasted filet mignon, which smelled heavenly but was too heavy for Renaâs tastes, and ravioli di zucca, which Tony explained was spinach ravioli with butternut and Amaretto filling. Since entering the aromatic kitchen, Renaâs appetite had returned wholeheartedly.

âThe ravioli looks good,â she said. âAnd that salad.â She pointed to a salad with baby greens, avocado, tangerines and candied walnuts.

âGreat,â Tony said lifting the covered dish of her choice. And one for him. âIf you could grab that salad, weâll eat. Soon as I find us a bottle of wine.â

âOh, no wine for me,â she announced. Tony glanced at her with a raised brow but didnât question her. âIâll have water.â

âYour poison,â he said with a smile. He set the dishes down on the table and took off again, bringing back a bottle of Carlino Cabernet and a pitcher of water.

They settled in for the meal in silence, Rena polishing off the delicious salad within minutes and Tony sipping his wine, eyeing her every move. âQuit looking at me.â

âYouâre the best looking thing in this place.â

She squeezed her eyes shut. âDonât, Tony.â

He shrugged it off. âJust stating the obvious.â

When he turned on the charm, he had enough for the entire Napa Valley and then some. âDo you mind telling me whatâs so important that you couldnât tell me earlier this afternoon?â

âAfter dinner, Rena.â

With her water glass to her lips, she asked, âWhy?â

âI want you to eat your meal.â

She gathered her brows and shook her head. âBecause â¦ what you have to say might destroy my appetite?â

Tony inhaled sharply then blew out the breath. âBecause youâre hungry and exhausted, thatâs why.â

âWhy the sudden concern about my well-being?â

Tony softened his tone. âIâve always cared about you, Rena.â

âNo, Tony. Weâre not going there. Ever,â she emphasized. She wouldnât go down that mental path. She and Tony had way too much history, and she thought sheâd never heal from the wounds heâd inflicted.

âCanât you just forget for a few minutes who I am and who you are? Canât we break bread together quietly and enjoy a good meal?â

Rena relented but still questioned Tonyâs mysterious behavior. âFine. Iâll eat before the ravioli gets cold.â

âThatâs a girl.â

She shot him a look.

He raised his hands up in surrender. âSorry.â Then he dug into his filet mignon with gusto and sipped wine until heâd drained two goblets.

After finishing their entrÃ©es, Tony cleared the dishes himself, refusing Renaâs help. He needed time to collect his thoughts and figure out how he was going to propose marriage to his best friendâs new widow and not come off sounding callous and cruel. There was only one route to take and that was to tell her the truth.

Hell, he hadnât ever really thought about marriage to anyone but Rena Fairfield. As teenagers, theyâd spent many a night daydreaming of the time when theyâd marry. But then Renaâs mother became ill, and Tony had been given a real opportunity to pursue his dream of racing stock cars. Leaving Rena behind to care for her ailing mother and help her father run Purple Fields had been the only black spot in an otherwise shining accomplishment. Begging her to join him served no purpose. She couldnât leave. She had family obligations. She loved making wine. She loved Purple Fields. She was born to live in Napa, where Tony had been born to race.

Heâd hurt her. No, heâd nearly destroyed her.

Each time heâd called her from the racing circuit, sheâd become more and more distant. Until one day, she asked him not to call anymore. Two years later, sheâd married David. He hadnât been invited to the wedding.

Tony covered a tray with tiramisu, spumoni ice cream and chocolate-coated cannolis. He returned to Rena and answered her skepticism as she watched him place the food on the table. âWhat? Regardless of what you think, I wasnât born with a silver spoon. We had to do chores at the house. My father was a stickler for pulling your own weight.â

âI would think youâre one who is used to being served.â

âI am. I wonât deny it. Life is good now. Iâm wealthy and can affordââ

âShutting down a restaurant for the night to have a private dinner?â

âYeah, among other things.â

âI guess I should feel honored that you served me dinner. You must have a good reason.â

âI do.â He glanced at the desserts on the table and moved a dish of spumoni her way. âYou love ice cream. Dig in.â

Rena didnât hesitate. She picked up a spoon and dove into the creamy Italian fare.

Tony dipped into it as well, butting spoons with her. They made eye contact, and Rena turned away quickly. How often had they shared ice cream in the past?

After three spoonfuls of spumoni, Rena pushed the dish away. âOkay, Tony. Iâve had dinner with you. No one is around. So are you going to tell me why you needed to speak to me?â

âI know you hate me, Rena.â

She steered her gaze toward the fountain in the middle of the dining area. âHate is a strong word.â

âSo, you donât hate me?â he asked, with a measure of hope.

She looked into his eyes again. âI didnât say that.â

Tony didnât flinch. Heâd prepared himself for this. âWhat did David say to you before he died?â

She straightened in her seat, her agitated body language not to be missed. âThatâs none of your business.â

âFair enough. But I need to tell you what he asked of me, Rena. I need you to hear his last words to me as I rode beside him in the ambulance.â

Tears welled in her eyes. Tony was a sucker for Renaâs tears. He never could stand to see her cry.

For a moment, fear entered her eyes as if hearing Davidâs words would cause her too much pain. But then, courageously, she nodded, opening her eyes wide. âOkay. Yes, I do want to hear what he said.â

Tony spoke quietly, keeping his voice from cracking. âHe told me he loved you.â Rena inhaled a quick breath, and those tears threatened again. âAnd that you deserved a good life.â

âHe was the kindest man,â she whispered.

âHis last thoughts were only of you.â

A single tear fell from her eyes. âThank you, Tony. I needed to hear that.â

âIâm not through, Rena. Thereâs more.â

She sat back in her seat and leaned heavily against the back of the booth, bracing herself. âOkay.â

âHe asked me to to watch out for you. Protect you. And I intend to do just that. Rena, I intend to marry you.â

Four

Tony might as well have said he was going to fly to the moon on a broomstick; his declaration was just as ridiculous. Still, Rena couldnât contain her shock. Her mouth dropped open. She couldnât find the words.

Her heart broke thinking that Davidâs very last thoughts and concerns hadnât been for himself but for her. But at the same time, if what Tony had said was true, then a wave of anger built at her departed husband as well. How could he even suggest such a thing? Asking Tony to take care of her? To protect her? He was the last man on earth she trusted, and David knew that.

Didnât he?

âYou canât be serious,â she finally got out once a tumultuous array of emotions swept through her system.

âIâm dead serious, Rena.â He pinned her with a sharp unrelenting look.

âItâs ridiculous.â

âMaybe. But itâs Davidâs last wishes.â

âYouâre saying he asked you to marry me?â Rena kept a tight reign on her rising blood pressure.

Tony nodded. âI promised him, Rena.â

âNo, no, no, no, no, no.â She shook her head so hard that her hair slipped out of its clip.

Tony held steady peering into her eyes. âTell me what he said to you. His last words.â

âHe said,â she began, her voice shaky, her expression crestfallen. âHe said he loved me. And that he wanted me to keep Purple Fields.â She looked down for a moment to compose herself. âHe knew how much it meant to me.â

âAnd you promised him?â

âI did. But Iââ Flashes of her conversation with Mr. Zelinski earlier today came flooding back. There was no hope of saving the winery. As much as it hurt her, sheâd resolved that she had no other option but to sell Purple Fields. Not only would her familyâs legacy be lost but so would her livelihood. Yet she needed to provide for her baby. Thatâs all that mattered now, and selling out meant that sheâd have enough cash for a year or two if she were very careful. âI canât keep it. Iâve already decided â¦ to sell.â

Tony sat back in his seat, watching 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 â¦ 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 â¦ 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 donât understand.â Then Renaâs eyes reflected dawning knowledge, as if a light had been turned on inside her head. She covered her flat stomach with her hand. âYour family prides itself on bloodlines. Itâs instilled in your Italian heritage. Everything has to be perfect. Everything has to be pure from the wine you make to the babies you bring into this world. Well, Iâm pregnant, Tony. With Davidâs baby. Youâd be raising Davidâs child as your own.â

Tony didnât flinch. He didnât turn away. He didnât move so much as a muscle in surprise. That was his mistake. Rena expected shock. She expected him to change his mind, to withdraw his marriage proposal. It irked him that she thought so little of him.

Rena backed away, gasping at his nonresponse. Her mouth dropped open, and when she spoke, her voice broke with accusation. âYou know. How? How do you know, Tony?â She pressed him for an answer.

âI didnât know for sure, until now.â

Rena narrowed her eyes. âTell me.â

Tony sighed. âIt was David. He suspected it.â

Rena backed away, her hands clutching at her hair. Her shoulders slumped, color drained from her face. It was as if she relived his death all over again. She looked down at a patch of shriveled grape leaves on the ground. âHe knew about our baby.â

âIâm sorry, Rena.â

Her eyes watered. âDavid wonât ever meet his child.â

âNo, but he wanted to protect him and â¦ you. Iâm capable of doing that for you, Rena.â

âBut I donât want to marry you,â she said softly.

Tony heard the resignation in her tone. She was considering her options. âI know.â

She peered into his eyes. âHow would it look? Iâm barely a widowâand now Iâm marrying my husbandâs friend.â

Tony made this decision to protect Rena days ago. âNo one has to know. Weâll keep it secret.â

âSecret?â She looked at him, puzzled.

âFor a time, anyway.â

She closed her eyes, contemplating. She battled with the idea of marrying him. Her facial expressions reflected her thoughts as they twisted to and fro.

He pressed his point. âYour winery needs help fast,â he said quietly, and then added, âbut more important, your child needs a father.â

âMaybe thatâs true.â Renaâs eyes flooded with tears now, her voice filled with surrender. âBut I donât need you, Tony. Iâll never need you again.â

That was the closest sheâd come to a yes.

Tony made mental plans for their wedding day.

Rena cried herself to sleep for two nights, realizing the futility in denying the inevitable. She was cornered and had nowhere to run. Sheâd been waging mental wars inside her head since Tonyâs proposal for a secret marriage. She couldnât come up with any other viable solution to her dilemma. She was so heavily in debt she doubted sheâd find anyone willing to take on such a big risk.

But how could she marry Tony?

How could she allow him to be a father to Davidâs child?

It all seemed so unfair.

Rena stepped outside her house and squinted into the morning sunlight rising just above the hills. Golden hues cast beautiful color over the valley. This was her favorite time of day. When David was alive, sheâd often wake early and come outside to tend her garden and open her mind to all possibilities. David would sit on the veranda to drink coffee and watch her. They would talk endlessly about little things and his presence would lend her peace and comfort.

But since his death, Rena had sorely neglected her garden. Today, she hoped sheâd find solace working the soil and nurturing the lilies and roses. She needed this time to come to grips with what she had to do.

She put on her gardening gloves and took to the soil, yanking out pesky weeds, and with each firm tug, thoughts of what David asked from her in his death plagued her mind. He hadnât given her what she needed mostâtime to grieve. Time to try to figure out a way to save Purple Fields on her own. Instead, heâd hidden the facts from her and shielded her from bad news. David had always been a man she could count on, but he hadnât realized the toll his dying request would take on her.

She tugged at a stubborn weed, bracing her feet and pulling with all of her might. Emotions roiled in the pit of her stomach. Feelings sheâd held in for a long time finally came forth as she felt the weed break with the ground. âIâm so mad at you, David, I could spit.â

The weed released, easing from the soil slowly and Rena held it in her hands, staring at the roots that had once been secured in the earth. âYou died and left me with this mess.â

And when she thought tears would fall again, instead simmering anger rose up with full force. She was angry, truly angry with David. She was angry with herself. But most of all, she was angry with Tony Carlino. Her anger knew no rationality at the moment. And for the first time since Davidâs death, Rena felt strong in that anger. She felt powerful. She refused to let guilt or fear wash away her innermost feelings. David had let her down. Tony had blackmailed her.

But she didnât have to take it without a fight. She didnât have to lose control of everything she loved, just because fate had stepped in and knocked her down. New strength born of distress and determination lifted her. She still had a say in what happened in her life. Her primary obligation was to protect her unborn child and secure his future legacy.

Rena whipped off her gloves and stood up, arching her back and straightening out as a plan formed in her mind. With new resolve, she headed back into the house. She had a call to make. She needed expert legal advice and knew that Mark Winters, Davidâs longtime friend, would help her.

She may be down temporarily, but she wasnât out.

For the first time in a long time, Rena felt as though she had some control about her destiny.

And it felt darn good.

Tony glanced at his watch, his patience wearing thin as he sat in a booth by the window at the Cab CafÃ©. Rena was ten minutes late. Had she backed out of this meeting at the last moment?

This morning, heâd been happy to hear Renaâs voice on the phone. Sheâd called early, just as he was leaving for work and sheâd sounded adamant that he meet with her today. She wouldnât give him a hint as to what the meeting was about, but since heâd proposed to her last week, he figured sheâd come to realize that marrying him was inevitable. Not one to ever look a gift horse in the mouth, heâd cleared his schedule and shown up here five minutes early.

The boisterous teenage hangout held a good deal of memories for them both, and he wondered why sheâd picked this particular place. At one time the Cabernet CafÃ© was a wine-tasting room but when that failed, the owner had changed the cafÃ©'s focus and now it thrived as a burger-and-fries joint.

A waitress wearing an apron designed with a cluster of purple grapes approached and Tony ordered coffee to pass the time. He decided to wait until heâd finished his first cup before calling Rena to see what the delay was.

Less than five minutes later, just as he was pulling out his cell phone, Rena stepped into the cafÃ©. He rose from his seat and she spotted him. He gave her a little wave, which she ignored.

As she approached, Tony noticed she had shadows under eyes that were haunted and sad, but even that couldnât mask her genuine beauty. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail and she wore jeans and a blue sweater that brought out the sparkling hue of her eyes. Her purse sat on her shoulder but she also carried a manila folder in one hand. He waited until she reached the table and sat across from him before he took his seat.

âI was just about to call you. Thought you might have changed your mind.â

She glanced at him and shook her head. âNo, Iâm sorry Iâm late. I had an appointment this morning that ran a little long.â

âWhat kind of appointment?â he asked, wondering what was so important to keep him waiting.

She glanced out the window, hesitating, and then turned back to him. âI had my first checkup today for the baby.â

Tony leaned back against the vinyl booth and stared at her. âHow did it go? Is everything okay?â

Rena couldnât seem to keep her joy from showing. She granted him a smile and her voice lifted when she spoke. âYes, the baby is healthy. Iâm due in October.â

âThatâs good news, Rena.â But the news also brought home the reality of what he was about to do. He would take responsibility for a child he didnât father. He would marry a woman who didnât love him. All of it hit him hard between the eyes. This was really happening.

Heâd loved David as a friend, but he also knew that if it had been any woman other than Rena, he wouldnât have agreed to Davidâs request. He wouldnât be doing this for a stranger. Though Rena would deny it, they had a connection. Their lives had been entwined for years. Marrying her wasnât as much a hardship for him as it was for her. âWhat else did the doctor say?â

She breathed out quietly. âHe told me to try to stay calm. Not to let stress get me down.â

âThatâs good advice, Rena. Youâve had a lot to deal with lately and you should try to relax forââ

âI donât need a lecture, Tony.â

Her abrupt behavior had him gritting his teeth. Pregnant women were temperamental at times, at least thatâs what heâd heard from his married friends, but it was more than that with Rena. His proposal to her was nothing more than sugarcoated blackmail. Hell, he hated to add to her stress. But he owed David this and he had to see it through.

She looked at him and inhaled a deep breath. âIâm sorry. This isnât easy for me. Believe me, I have the babyâs well-being in mind every second of the day. Thatâs why itâs been such a tug of war.â

Tony had thicker skin than to be offended, but most women wouldnât consider a proposal from him a terrible thing.

The waitress walked up to the table again. âHi, what can I get for you?â

Rena faced her without opening the menu. âI should have the California cafÃ© salad.â

âOne California cafÃ© salad, got it. And for you sir?â

âBut,â Rena interrupted and the waitress turned back to her, âIâm craving a chili cheeseburger with extra pickles.â

The waitress grinned. âThatâs our specialty. Got it. And Iâll make sure you get those pickles.â

âThank you. Iâll have a lemonade too.â

Tony ordered the same thing, and after the waitress left, he glanced at Rena. âYouâre having cravings? I wondered why you wanted to meet me here.â

She lifted a shoulder and shrugged. âItâs been a long time and this morning when I got up, I couldnât stop thinking about having a chili cheeseburger.â

âWe sure ate our share of them when we were kids. We used to close down this place, remember?â

âYeah, I do.â

And for a moment, Renaâs face softened. Tony remembered what it was like being with her back then. The fun times theyâd had together. Theyâd been so close and so much in love.

Rena stared at the manila folder sheâd set down on the table and her expression changed.

âWhatâs going on?â Tony asked, glancing at the folder. âWhatâs in there?â

âItâs something I want from you.â

Surprised, Tony looked at her, arching a brow. âOkay, so why donât you tell me?â

She slid the folder toward him. âItâs a prenuptial agreement.â Her eyes met his directly.

Tony hid his surprise well. He didnât react, though a dozen thoughts popped into his head all at once. He decided to hear her out and not jump to conclusions.

âIf I marry you, I want Purple Fields to remain in my name. I want full ownership of the winery and vineyard. I want to have the final say in every decision having to do with it. My child will own Purple Fields one day, no questions asked. Have your attorney look it over. Itâs legal and there shouldnât be any problem.â

Tony sighed heavily. âRena, you do see the irony in this, donât you?â

Rena searched his eyes. âHow so?â

âFirst of all, I donât want Purple Fields. Marrying me has nothing to do with me getting my hands on your winery. The fact is, Iâm worth tens of millions, Rena. Everything I own will be yours. Iâm not asking for a prenuptial agreement from you.â

âIf you want one, Iâd sign it.â

âI donât want one, damn it! Iâm not entering into this marriage lightly. If we marry, itâll be for keeps. Weâll have a child and weâll be a family. Do you understand what Iâm saying?â

âYes, of course. But youâve made promises to me before that youâve broken, and now I have no choice in the matter. I want some control. You should understand that, being a Carlino.â

Tonyâs lips tightened. He didnât want an argument, so he chose his words carefully. âThis time itâs different. This time, Iâm not going to break any promises I make to you.â

âIâd sleep better at night if I believed you.â

Tony let go a curse.

Rena continued to explain. âIâm only protecting whatâs mine. Can you blame me? Itâs all I have left and I donât want to lose it.â

Angry now, Tony didnât bother reading the agreement first. âFine. Iâll sign it.â

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. Then he slid the papers out and gave them only a cursory glance before signing his name at the bottom.

âDonât you want your attorney to look it over?â Rena asked, her expression incredulous, watching him slide the papers back into the folder.

He shook his head. âI know you well enough to know thereâs nothing in this agreement that Iâd find questionable. I trust you.â

Rena sat back against the booth, her chin bravely raised. âI wonât let you make me feel guilty about this.â

âIâm not trying to make you feel guilty,â Tony remarked gruffly. Then when he saw Rena holding back tears, he softened his tone. âI signed the papers. Youâre getting what you wantâat least as far as Purple Fields is concerned. I never intended on taking that away from you.â Then he braced his arms on the table and leaned in. Their gazes locked. âWe have to make this work, Rena. If for nothing else but that child youâre carrying.â

Rena closed her eyes briefly. Her silence irritated him, as if she were trying to believe and trust in him. He wasnât like his ruthless father, but would Rena ever acknowledge that? âI know,â she said finally.

Tony settled back in his seat. What was done, was done. He didnât want to rehash the past. It was time to look toward the future.

And live in the present.

Tony changed the subject as soon as the food was delivered. He wanted Rena to enjoy the meal sheâd craved. Lord knew she needed to build her strength. She also needed some calm in her life and wondered if he could ever provide her that.

Without Rena actually saying so, the existence of the prenuptial agreement heâd just signed was an acceptance to his proposal.

Tony resigned himself to the fact that soon heâd be a husband to a pregnant and reluctant bride.

One week later, Rena stood beside Solena, Tony beside his brother Joe as they spoke vows before a Catholic priest in a little church just outside of San Francisco. Renaâs mind spun during the entire mass thinking this was some kind of a bad joke. She couldnât believe she was actually marrying Tony Carlino, the boy sheâd once loved beyond reason. The boy sheâd dreamed of marrying with every breath that sheâd taken. Now that dream seemed more like a nightmare.

As the priest blessed their union, Rena reminded herself of the reasons sheâd made this decision.

Marrying Tony meant saving her winery from ruin.

It meant that she could honor Davidâs last wishes.

It meant that her baby would never want for anything, much less a roof over his head or a meal on his plate.

They were good solid reasons. No sacrifice was too great for her child.

Father Charles finished the ceremony. âYou may kiss the bride.â

She hardly felt like a bride. She wore a pale yellow dress suit. Tony had provided her with a small calla lily bouquet and had placed a simple platinum band on her finger during the service. Out of reverence to David, he hadnât given her a diamondâsheâd only just last week removed her wedding ring from her finger and tucked it away safely in her jewelry case. It had been excruciatingly hard letting go.

Tonyâs lips brushed hers softly. He smiled when he looked into her eyes. She granted him a small smile in return.

Joe and Solena congratulated them, their mood solemn. If Father Charles noticed the austere atmosphere at the altar, he didnât mention it. In fact, he pumped Tonyâs hand hard and embraced Rena.

Raymond approached with a handshake to Tony and a hug for her. Nick approached her with arms open and a big smile. âWelcome to the family. Iâve always wanted a sister. But Iâll let you in on a little secret. I had a big crush on you in high school.â

Rena chuckled and flowed into his arms. âNo, you didnât.â

âI did. But you were my big brotherâs girl.â They broke their embrace and Nick stepped away, turning to Tony and slapping him on the back. âHeâs a lucky man. Be good to her or I might steal her away.â

Tony glanced at her. âIâd like to see you try.â

Rena bit her lip, holding back a smile. Sheâd seen the Carlino boysâ teasing banter, and at times she had been a part of it. If anyone could make her laugh, it was Nick. Heâd always been too clever for his own good. All the Carlino boys had their own brand of charm and sheâd learned early on that each in his own way was a ladykiller.

The six of them dined in an out-of-the-way restaurant on the outskirts of San Francisco, and everyone sipped champagne when Nick proposed a toast. Rena pretended to sip hers, letting the bubbly liquid touch her mouth before she set her glass down. She was among her closest friends here, and though sheâd explained to Solena and Raymond her reasons for this sudden secret marriage to Tony, she hadnât confessed about the baby yet. She needed time to come to grips with all that had changed in her life.

When the dinner was over, Rena walked outside with Solena, bidding her farewell. âI hope Iâm not making a mistake.â

Solena took her hand and squeezed gently. âRemember, David wanted this for you.â She glanced at Tony who stood beside Raymond and his brothers. âGive him a chance,â she whispered. âYou loved him once.â

âItâs different now, Solena. Thereâs so much hurt between us.â

âI know. But if you find forgiveness, your heart will open.â

Rena doubted it. She didnât know if she was capable of forgiving Tony. Heâd destroyed her life not once but twice. Was she supposed to forget all that? Emotions jumbled up inside her, and she fought to control them. âI canât believe I married him.â

Solena reached out to hug her tight. âIt will work out as itâs meant to. Be patient. And remember, I am always here if you need me.â

Rena faced her and gratitude filled her heart. âI know you are.â She reminded herself that if she hadnât married Tony, she wouldnât be able to employ her dear friends, and that was enough consolation for now.

Tony approached and put a hand to her back. âAre you ready to leave?â

She nodded to him and bid farewell to her friend, squeezing her hand tight. âIâll see you tomorrow, Solena.â

âYes.â Solena glanced at Tony. âCongratulations.â

âThank you.â

Once Raymond and Solena left, Tony took Renaâs hand and guided her to his car. âYouâre not going to your own execution, you know.â

âDid I say anything?â she quipped, slipping her hand away.

âNot in words.â

She shrugged. âItâs all so strange.â

But before Tony could respond to that, Joe and Nick walked up. Nick smiled. âYou did it, you two. Finally.â

Joe cleared his throat. âLetâs leave them alone, Nick.â

âJust wishing them well,â he said. âI guess weâll see you at the house later.â

Tony shook his head. âIâm not going back to the house tonight.â

âYouâre not?â Renaâs nerves jumped. She hadnât discussed with him what theyâd do after they married. Sheâd only assumed that since the marriage was secret, heâd stay at his house and sheâd stay at hers.

âNo.â He turned to her. âIâve booked a suite at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco.â

Joe grabbed Nickâs shoulder and gave a little shove. âLetâs go.â

âI guess Iâm going,â Nick said with a cocky smile. âCongrats again, Rena. Big brother.â

Rena watched them both get in the car and leave. She turned to Tony, dumbfounded. âWhy did you get us a room at a hotel?â

âItâs our wedding night.â

She closed her eyes, praying for strength. âSurely, you donât expectââ

âYouâre my wife now, Rena. Did you expect me to remain celibate the rest of my life?â

Five

Rena sat stonily silent in the car all the way to the hotel, her expression grim and her pretty mouth deep in a frown. She said nothing as he checked in or on the ride in the elevator to the Presidential Suite.

A private servant opened the door and showed them inside. In awe, Rena gasped when she entered the suite.

Rich furnishings, stately artwork and a Steinway grand piano filled the living room. Tony put a hand to her back and guided her inside. The servant showed them around the suite, walking them through French doors to the master bedroom with an amazing view of San Francisco Bay, the master bathroom highlighted by a sunken whirlpool bath filled with scented flower petals, a second bedroom and an elegant dining room with seating for eight.

Once back in the living room, Tony dismissed him. âWe wonât need your services for the rest of the evening.â

âYes, sir,â he said, and once he left the suite, Tony opened the French doors to the terrace.

âItâs massive,â Rena said, stepping outside and taking a deep breath of air. The sun began a slow descent on the horizon. âYou could fit two of my gift shops in the terrace alone.â Then she turned to him. âWhy did you do this?â

âYou deserve it, Rena.â

Before she could respond, he turned her shoulders and pointed out toward the ocean. âLook, thereâs Alcatraz.â

Rena focused on the island that had once been a notorious prison. âThe view is amazing. All of this is amazing.â

Tony kept his hands on her shoulders for a few seconds, caressing her lightly. The air fresh and clear, he breathed in and caught the subtle scent of her exotic perfume. Sheâd put her hair up for the wedding ceremony, giving him access to her throat. He took in another breath before he felt her stiffen. He backed away, giving her space and time to adjust to the situation and pulled out a white iron patio chair. âSit down and enjoy the fresh air.â

She did and he sat facing her. âIâm not the big bad wolf, Rena. I know this is difficult for you.â

âDifficult doesnât begin to describe it. I never thought Iâd see this day.â Her eyes appeared strained. Her body slumped with fatigue.

âWhat day?â he asked.

âThe day that Iâd be your wife.â

âIâm not the villain here. Iâm trying to do right by you and David. Iâm going to save your business, take care of you and raise â¦ our child.â

Rena flinched, and regret filled her eyes. âYouâre trying to ease your conscience and fulfill an obligation.â

Tony shook his head. âYou wonât cut me any slack, will you?â

âIâm sorry Iâm not the doting wife youâd imagined. I canât be â¦ this is all so unfair.â

âI wish to hell David was alive, too. He was my best friend, damn it.â Tony rose and paced the terrace. He hadnât planned on any of this. But he was trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Heâd been patient with Rena, though she still blamed him for Davidâs death. Heâd tried to please her. Heâd tried being the nice guy, yet she wanted no part of it.

Okay, the gloves were coming off.

âYouâre exhausted. Why donât you take a bath? Itâs waiting for you. Then get into bed.â

Rena hoisted her chin. âIâm not sleeping with you tonight, Tony.â

âWrong,â he said pointing a finger at her. âIâm not sleeping with you, but Iâm your husband whether you like it or not.â

âWhat does that mean?â She asked with real fear in her voice.

Tony was too annoyed with her to care. âIt means that I donât plan to tiptoe around you anymore, Rena.â

He left her on the terrace and strode over to the wet bar, pouring himself three fingers of scotch. He hated that Rena had it right this time. He had married her out of obligation and a sense of duty to David. But he hadnât expected her resentment to irk him so much.

Hell, heâd never had to beg a woman for sex in his life. And he wasnât about to start now.

Rena had never stayed in a hotel as extravagant as this one and decided to take advantage of her surroundings. True to Tonyâs word, the bathtub was steaming and waiting for her. Her body craved the warmth and tranquility a nice hot soak in a tub would provide. She closed the bathroom door and lit the candles that were strategically placed around the tub, sink and dressing area. The Ritz-Carlton knew how to pamper and she wasnât going to deny herself this pleasure. She kicked off her shoes, then stripped out of her clothes folding them neatly and setting them on the marble counter. She turned on the large LCD screen on the wall, finding a music station that played soulful jazz. All lights were turned down but for the flashing abstract images on the flat screen and the candles that burned with a vanilla scent.

Naked and relishing her impending bath, Rena stuck her toe in the water. âPerfect,â she hummed, sinking the rest of her body into the exquisite warmth. For the first time in days, she relaxed.

She closed her eyes and obliterated all negative thoughts. Instead, she thought of the baby growing inside her. She wondered if it was a boy or a girl. She hoped it would have Davidâs kindness and intelligence and maybe her blue eyes. She hoped for so many things, but mostly she hoped her child would be happy.

A smile surfaced on her face as she pictured a sandy blond-haired little boy or a raven-haired little girl. Or perhaps a boy would have her coloring and a girl would have her fatherâs. Either way, Rena would love that child beyond belief.

The door to the bathroom opened and Tony strode in. She gasped and sunk farther down into the tub. âWhat are you doing in here?â

Tony unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it onto the floor. He looked her over, his gaze following the valley between her breasts. âIâm taking a shower.â

Her heart rate sped. âIn here?â

âThis is the master bathroom, right?â

Rena narrowed in on him. âHow much have you had to drink?â

He cocked her a smile and shook his head. âNot enough, honey.â

His shoes were off in a flash, and when he reached for his belt, she closed her eyes. She heard him stepping out of his clothes, open the glass shower door, then close it. The shower rained to life, and steam heated the room.

Rena opened her eyes slowly. Tony was deep into his shower, soaping himself up. She took a swallow and watched, unable to tear her gaze away. At one time, Tony Carlino was everything she wanted in life. Those old feelings surfaced, and she tried to shove them away, but it was darn hard to do. Not when he was built like a Greek god, stunningly masculine and boldly beautiful. He moved with grace and confidence, comfortable in his own skin. And so she watched him lather his body, wash his hair and let the water pelt down in streams over his broad shoulders, down the curve of his spine and into the steam that hid the rest of him from view. He turned abruptly and caught her staring. His brows elevated into his forehead, and the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

Rena turned away then, afraid that if he read her expression, heâd know what she was thinking. Heâd know that some feelings canât be destroyed. Some feelings just simply â¦ stay, no matter how hard you try to abolish them. They hide under the anger and pain, waiting.

When the shower spigot turned and the water shut off, Rena tensed. She didnât know what Tony expected. His comment about not tiptoeing around her had her perplexed. The shower door opened, and Tony stepped out, naked. Rena refused to let him intimidate her. She didnât look straight at him, but she didnât look away either. Instead she focused on a point beyond his head.

After wiping down his body, he wrapped the towel around his waist and glanced at her. âYou should get out. Youâre getting cold.â

His gaze lingered on her chest. No longer covered with flower petals and bubbles, her nipples were now visible beneath the water. She covered up and nodded. âI will, as soon as youâre through in here.â

Tony scrubbed the stubble on his face, contemplating. âI guess Iâll shave tomorrow. You can get out now.â He reached over and handed her a plush chocolate-colored towel.

She grabbed it and hoisted it to her chin. âWell?â

âIâll be sleeping in the second bedroom. Get some rest, Rena.â He bent over and kissed her on the cheek then cast her a rather odd look.

âWhat?â she asked, curious.

âWhen we were together, neither one of us would have imagined our wedding night to be anything like us.â

She sighed. âNo, not back then.â

He nodded and left the room, leaving her with poignant and erotic memories of making love to him years ago when theyâd been hot and wild for each other.

Rena slept heavily, her body needing the rest. When she woke, she snuggled into the pillow recalling her dream. Sheâd 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. âWeâll have a good year.â But then, Davidâs face became Tonyâs. 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 sheâd married Tony Carlino yesterday.

âOh, God,â she whispered.

âI see youâre up.â 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 theyâd been married for twenty years. âDid you sleep well?â

âLike a babâ Um, very well.â

âYou look rested,â he said, then turned around and entered the bathroom again. She craned her neck to find him stroking a razor over his face. âBreakfast is ready if youâre hungry,â he called out.

She was famished. Sheâd 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. Sheâd been so terribly strained lately, with Davidâs death, the failure of Purple Fields and her financial situation, that sheâd lost her appetite. Sheâd had to force herself to eat. It was so much easier when she actually felt like eating.

âIâll get out of here in a sec,â Tony said. âGive you time to dress. Iâll wait for you in the dining room.â

âOkay,â 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 sheâd 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 hadnât mentioned their wedding night at the Ritz to her, knowing sheâd refuse. But yesterday after the wedding dinner, heâd just sprung it on her, catching her off guard. Just one more reason she didnât trust him. While others might see it as a romantic gesture, Rena felt as though sheâd 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. âMorning again.â

She managed a small smile then glanced at the antique sideboard filled with platters of food. âWhere did all this come from?â

Tony shrugged. âItâs the Presidential Suite.â

âAnd that makes food magically appear?â

He laughed. âYeah, I guess so.â

âYou might be used to being treated like this, but this is â¦ overwhelming to me.â

Tony walked over to stand before her. He searched her eyes. âI donât live like this, Rena. But itâs a special occasion. I thought you deserved a little pampering.â He stroked her cheek, his finger sliding along her jaw line tenderly. It had been so long since sheâd been touched like this. So long since sheâd had any real tenderness. She was nine weeks pregnant, and though sheâd tried to be strong when David died, there were times when she just needed some gentle contact.

She looked into Tonyâs 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 wasnât a sensual kiss but one of understanding and patience.

He surprised her with his compassion, and that made her wary. She couldnât put her faith in Tonyâheâd destroyed that years ago. If sheâd had any other way out of her dilemma she wouldnât have married him, despite gentle kisses and kind overtures.

âRena, donât back off,â he said.

âI have to. You offered me a business proposal. Your own words were, âthis isnât a real marriage.â And now, now â¦ youâre expecting me to fall into the role as your wife.â She shook her head, and her emotions spilled out. âDonât you understand? At one time, I would have trusted you with my life, but now thereâs not much you could say or do to make me trust you. My heart is empty where youâre concerned. I was forced to marry you â¦ otherwise I wouldnât be here. Iâm protecting myself, and my baby.â

âThatâs what I intend to do, Rena. Protect you and the baby.â

âNo, youâre going to help build my company back up. Period. I canât let you get too close to my child. I canât let you hurt my baby, the way you hurt me.â

âHow could I ever hurt your child?â

âThe same way you hurt me. By walking out. By leaving. By finding something more exciting than being a husband and father. While Iâve 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.â

Anger flashed in his eyes. His jaw tightened, and his body went rigid. âI donât intend on abandoning either of you.â

âWhat if you get the racing bug again? What if youâre called back? Itâs in your blood, Tony. You love racing.â

âThat part of my life is over. I did what I set out to do. Iâm not going back, ever.â

Rena shook her head, refusing to believe him.

âYou have my promise on that,â he said. Then he spoke more firmly. âDid you hear me, Rena? Iâll never leave you or the baby. Itâs a promise.â

Tony stared at her for a long moment, and when she thought he was so angry heâd walk out of the room, he handed her a plate. âEat up,â he said. âWeâre going to have some fun today.â

Rena glanced at him. âWe are?â

âYeah, even if it kills me.â

Rena chuckled, despite the tension in the room just seconds earlier. She had to hand it to Tony for lightening the mood. âThatâs not my intention.â

âCan I bank on that?â

She shrugged as she filled up her plate. âSure,â she offered. âYou can bank on that.â

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. âYou donât have to do this,â she said.

âConsider it a wedding gift, since I didnât get you a diamond ring.â

âI know, but I donât need this. What I need is for my vineyard to thrive and be solvent again.â

âThatâll happen too, Rena. You donât have to give up one to get the other.â

Rena sighed inwardly. Sheâd been doing that most of her life, sacrificing her own needs and wants in order to assure Purple Fieldsâ survival. It had been years since sheâd known what it was like to simply have something she wanted without guilt.

Next they took the trolley to Fishermanâs Wharf and ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, then stopped at an ice cream parlor and ate sundaes until Rena thought her belly would expand out of her pants. âOh, Iâm so full.â

âMe, too,â Tony said, looking at her empty dish. âI guess you never get over loving hot fudge over strawberry ice cream.â

âWith nuts on top.â

âHmm and whipped cream. Remember the whipped cream fight we had?â Tony asked.

Rena remembered how theyâd each taken out a can of Reddi-wip from Tonyâs refrigerator. No one was home and theyâd just finished eating sundaes. âYeah and you cheated!â

âI did not. I fight fair. I couldnât help it that your nozzle got stuck.â

âYou took advantage then and squirted me until I was covered with it. That stuff even got in my hair.â

âYou were sweet from head to toe,â Tony said with a nostalgic smile.

The memory popped into her head of Tony kissing it off her until kissing wasnât enough. Heâd taken her to his bedroom then, stripped her down and licked every bit of the whipped cream off. Theyâd made love in the shower, deciding that strawberry sundaes were their favorite dessert.

âI never have whipped cream without thinking of you,â Tony said, his eyes fixed on hers.

Her cheeks heated and she inhaled sharply. âThat was a long time ago.â What she didnât add is that the same held true for her.

âBut a good memory.â

âI donât think about the past anymore,â she fibbed.

He watched her intently. âMaybe you should. We had something special.â

â'Hadâ being the key word.â She refused to let Tony get to her.

Tony leaned over and kissed her on the lips. âLetâs go,â he said abruptly, taking her hand again. They rode the trolley back and checked out of the hotel. Rena took one last look around, feeling oddly sentimental. She blamed it on her fickle hormones.

When Rena thought theyâd head back to Napa, Tony drove her to a four-story shopping mall and parked the car. âWhat are we doing here?â

He grinned. âWeâre getting baby things.â

âBaby things?â

âI promised you a fun day, and I figured a new mother-to-be would enjoy picking out furniture and clothes and whatever else the baby might need.â

âReally?â Tempted by such an elaborate offer, Renaâs heart raced with excitement. Offhand, she could think of dozens of items sheâd need for the babyâs arrival, and quite frankly, she didnât know how sheâd manage to pay for all of it. Other than shopping at thrift stores, she was truly at a loss.

âI havenât a clue what a baby needs,â Tony said, getting out of the car and opening the door for her.

âIâm on new ground here, too.â She took his outstretched hand. âWeâd always talked about having children, butââ Rena stopped and slipped her hand from his, her heart in her throat. How could she do this? How could she look at cribs and bassinets and baby swings when this was a dream she and David shared together? Theyâd always wanted a family. The time had never been right. She refused to think of the life growing inside her as an accident, but they hadnât really planned on this baby.

Rena ached inside thinking that David would never know his child. Heâd never change a diaper, kiss its face or watch it take its first step. Heâd never go to a ballet recital or little league game. Heâd never know the joy of seeing his child develop into a smart-alecky teen or fall in love one day. David would have been there for his child. Heâd have seen his son or daughter through the good times and the bad, because David was loyal and devoted. He would have made a wonderful father.

Renaâs legs went weak suddenly. Her body trembled, and she knew she couldnât do this. She glanced at Tony, her voice a quiet plea. âIâm sorry. I donât think Iâm ready for this.â

Tony drew in a breath. âRight.â He closed his eyes briefly, and Rena noted genuine pain there. âOkay, weâll do this another time. When youâre ready.â

She sighed with relief. âItâs not that I donât appreciateââ

âI get it, Rena. Iâm not the babyâs father. Enough said.â

Tony got back into his car and revved the engine, waiting for her to climb inside. She bit her lip and held back tears as she sank into the car. They drove to Napa in silence, Rena glancing at Tonyâs stony expression every once in a while.

She knew in her head that David was gone. He was her past, while this angry man sitting beside her was her future.

The irony struck her anew.

How many times had she hoped to be Tony Carlinoâs wife? Only to find now she should have been more careful what sheâd wished for.

Six

Tony drove to Napa, a debate going on in his head. On one hand, he knew Rena still grieved, but on the other hand, heâd taken responsibility for her. She was his wife now. He couldnât let her dictate the terms of their relationship, not if he planned to really honor Davidâs dying wish. So he drove past Purple Fields and down the highway leading to his home.

âWhere are we going?â she asked.

âTo my house.â

Rena slanted him a dubious look. âWhy?â

âJust stopping by to pick up some of my clothes to bring to Purple Fields.â

Rena blinked before realizing his intent. âThis was supposed to be a secret marriage, Tony. We canât live together.â

Tony expected this argument. He pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car. Immediately, Renaâs shoulders stiffened. She sat up straighter in the seat and faced him. Before he spoke, he searched her face for a long moment, reining in his anger. âRena, weâre not announcing to the public weâre married. But I canât possibly work with you at Purple Fields andââ

âWatch out for me,â she finished for him with a twist of her full lips.

She tried his patience, but Tony held firm. Heâd made up his mind about this and decided it was best for both of them. âWeâll be discreet. Purple Fields isnât exactly bustling with crowds.â

âThanks for the reminder.â âRena, listen. All Iâm saying is that you donât have a big staff that will spread gossip through the county. The place isnât on the main highway. In fact, youâre in a remote location.â

Renaâs voice held quiet concern, and she refused to look at him. âI didnât think weâd live together.â

Tony reached over to gently turn her chin his way. She lifted those incredible eyes to him. âYouâre my wife. Iâm your husband. We are married. Weâll keep the secret for a while, but make no mistake that I intend for us to live as man and wife. Now, if youâd rather move into the Carlino estate with me, we canââ

âNo!â She shook her head. âNo, Tony. That makes no sense. I need to be at Purple Fields.â

Tony wasnât fooled. Renaâs hatred for his father was evident in her blatant refusal. After Tony had moved away, Santo Carlino had tried to ruin all the local vintners in the area, and Rudy Fairfield hadnât been the exception. Once Tony was gone, his father had ignored Tonyâs protests to leave Purple Fields alone. The Fairfields had suffered, but theyâd never fully succumbed to his fatherâs ruthless business tactics.

Rena hadnât stepped foot in his house since. It seemed his new wife hated everything Carlino.

âWell then, itâs settled. Iâll move into your house.â

Rena swallowed and gave him a reluctant nod.

He bounded out of the car and opened her door. She looked up and announced, âIâll wait for you out here. Itâs a nice day. I need the â¦ fresh air.â

Tony didnât push her. He helped her out, making a mental note that his Porsche wasnât a family car or comfortable for his pregnant wife. âIâll be a few minutes.â

She nodded and stretched out, raising her arms, shaking out the kinks, confirming that heâd 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 theyâd grown up.

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

Tony sighed. âFine.â

âThat bad? I take it the wedding night didnât go so smoothly.â

Tony knew Joe meant well. He wasnât prying; he was simply concerned. âSheâs still grieving.â

âUnderstandable. Where is she?â

âOutside. She wonât come in. But I plan to rectify that soon. Sheâs not thrilled that Iâm moving in with her.â

âI wasnât sure of your plans. I guess it makes sense for you to live there for a while.â

âIâll divide my time between here and there, Joe, but Iâd appreciate it if you and Nick could hold down the fort for a few days without me.â

âSure, no problem.â

âThanks. You know,â he began with a slant of his head, âif youâd have told me six months ago Iâd be married to Rena and raising a baby, I wouldnât have believed it.â

âAm I hearing a little bit of awe in your voice?â

âYeah, well, maybe Iâm adjusting to the situation a little better than my wife is.â

âSheâll come around. In fact, I think Iâll step outside and say hello to my new sister-in-law. Maybe put in a few good words for you.â

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

And it had all been true.

âTony?â Rena questioned him immediately when she realized where they were going. Tony hadnât taken her directly back to Purple Fields after heâd picked up his clothes from his estate. Instead, heâd driven to the cemetery where David was buried.

âAre you okay with this?â he asked.

Rena squeezed her eyes shut. Right after David died, sheâd made daily trips to the cemetery to lay wildflowers by his grave. Sheâd come and sit on the grass just to feel close to him again. But after sheâd learned about the promise heâd asked of Tony, sheâd gotten so angry with him for his manipulation that she hadnât come back since. Now she realized the folly in that. David had tried to protect her. Even in death, heâd 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 whoâd loved her. âYes, Iâm okay with this.â

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. âWeâll do this together.â

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 Davidâs 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 Davidâs nameplate with infinite care.

Tony helped her up, and taking her hand, he spoke with reverence as his gaze drifted down toward the grave. âSheâs safe, David,â he whispered. âWeâre married now. Iâll take good care of her.â

Overwhelmed with emotion, Rena let out a sob. Tears she couldnât hold back, spilled down her cheeks. The reality of the last few weeks came crashing down on her.

âItâs okay, honey,â 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. âLet it out, Rena.â

Cocooned in Tonyâs 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 couldnât 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.

âHeâs okay with this, Rena,â Tony whispered. âItâs what David wanted.â

She knew that to be true. But she also realized she had just married a man who had hurt and betrayed her onceâa man whom she blamed for her husbandâs death, a man whoâd felt obligated to marry her. How could she find comfort in that?

âI was mad at David for asking this of you. Of me,â she whispered painfully. âI havenât come here in weeks.â

Tony stroked her back again and again, keeping her head pressed to his chest. âDonât beat yourself up, Rena. Youâre a strong woman, but you have a right to all your feelings.â

âEven the ones that scream I shouldnât have married you?â

Tony looked down into her eyes. âYeah, even those.â

âI donât intend on cutting you any slack,â she said quietly.

âPlanning on making my life miserable?â

âNot deliberately, Tony. But yes. You may want to move out before the week is over.â

âDoubtful. Iâm not going anywhere.â

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. âI told you, I wonât tiptoe around you anymore. Weâre going to live as man and wife.â

Rena drew in a breath. Exhausted, she had no more tears to shed. Sheâd 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. Heâd probably had women in every town he traveled.

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

He must have noted her fear, because his jaw clenched and he swore. âFor Godâs sake, Rena. Iâm not about to force myself on you. But we will sleep in the same bed.â

Rena glanced at the bed, then up at him. âI understand.â

âAh, hell.â He rolled his eyes at her robotic answer. âYouâd think weâd never had sex before. Mind-blowing, earthmoving, do-it-until-we-canât-breathe-anymore sex.â

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. Heâd been blunt but accurate in his description. âThatâs when â¦â she began, almost unable to get the words out. âWhen we were in love.â

âRight.â Tony tossed his overnight bag on the bed. He pulled out aftershave lotion, deodorant, razors and a hairbrush. âYou have a place I can put these?â

She pointed to the master bathroom. âItâs small, but you should find some room on the counter.â

Sheâd taken Davidâs things out of the bedroom, unwilling to have that daily reminder of his absence. But sheâd yet to remove his clothes from the closet. Sheâd be forced to now. Tony would need the room, and unlike his home with massive walk-in closet space, her closets were barely big enough for two people.

She held out hope that heâd get disgusted with her small three-bedroom house and move back to the estate where heâd be ensconced in luxury.

Rena opened her closet and began gathering up Davidâs clothes to make room for Tonyâs. Before she knew it, Tony stood beside her and placed a stopping hand on hers. âYou donât have to do it now. Youâre exhausted.â

âIt needs doing. I just never could faââ

âIf it makes you feel better, Iâll do it.â

âNo,â she said with a shake of her head. âI should do it.â

Tony grabbed both of her hands while they were still on the hangers. He stood close. So close that she noted the golden flecks in his dark eyes. âOkay but not today. It can wait. Agreed?â

She nodded, breathing in his subtle, musky scent. A lump formed in her throat thinking of his stirring kiss before. She didnât want to be attracted to Tony. Sheâd gotten over him a long time ago, yet when he touched her or looked deep into her eyes or kissed her, emotions rolled around inside. And made her nervous. âIâll make dinner.â

âThank you.â

She strode out of the room, confused by what she was feeling and angry for feeling anything at all.

Rena stirred the spaghetti sauce, watching as little bubbles broke on the surface sending a pungent, garlic scent into the air.

âSmells great.â Tony came up behind her, his body close again, surprising her in how quietly he appeared in her kitchen. He reached for the wooden spoon. âMay I?â

She handed it to him. âI hope you donât mind pasta tonight.â

âAre you kidding? Iâm Italian. You know I love pasta.â He stirred the sauce, then lifted the spoon to his mouth, tasting it.

âWhat do you think?â

âNeeds a little salt,â he said, then grabbed the salt shaker and added a few shakes. âThere.â

âYou like to cook, donât you?â

He shrugged. âI get by. When a bachelor wants to eat, heâs got to know more than how to boil water.â

âI didnât think youâd ever have to cook a meal for yourself.â

Tony continued stirring the sauce. âWhen my gourmet chef was off, I had three other servants waiting on me hand and foot.â He turned to her and grinned.

âYouâre teasing.â

âYeah, Iâm teasing.â Then he set the wooden spoon down and stared at her. âIâm not going to apologize for how I live. Iâve earned it. Racing has afforded me a good life. But there were sixteen-hour work days, long lonely times on the road. Times when I had to cook for myself when I longed for a home cooked meal. Eating out is overrated.â

âThere must have been plenty of women happy to cook for you. Never mind,â Rena said, catching herself. She didnât really want to know. âForget I said that.â

Tonyâs expression changed, and he gave her a quick shake of the head. âYour image of me is way off.â

Rena pursed her lips. âIt really doesnât matter.â

Tony grabbed her arms gently as steam rose up from the sauce and bathed them in heat. âYes, it does matter. Iâm your husband. I care what you think of me.â

Rena stared into his eyes, unable to answer. She had mixed emotions when it came to Tony Carlino, but for the most part, she didnât want to see any good in him. She wanted to keep him a safe distance away in her mind and heart.

When he realized she wouldnât respond, he let her go and she went about filling a big pot of water for the pasta noodles.

Tony watched her work at the stove for a long while before he spoke again. âWhat can I do to help?â

Grateful to give him something to do, she barked orders. âTake out the romaine and tomatoes from the refrigerator. I think thereâs a cucumber in there, tooâand anything else you can find for a salad.â

She heard him going to work, and much to her surprise, he fixed a delicious salad, and, adding black olives and herbs, he made his own olive oil-based dressing.

When she walked over to taste it, she cast him a nod of approval. âYummy.â

âMy motherâs. One of a few recipes I learned from her before she died.â

Tonyâs mother died when he was fifteen. Rena hadnât known her, but sheâd heard she was a saint among women. Sheâd have to be in order to be married to Santo Carlino. Rumor had it sheâd kept him in line. When she died, Santo poured himself into building his business taking no prisoners along the way.

âAnd you remembered it,â Rena said. âItâs funny the things we remember about the ones we love.â

âWhat do you remember about your mother?â he asked.

Rena smiled wide, recalling her motherâs favorite pastime. âThatâs easy. She had a morning and nightly ritual of walking three miles. No matter how tired she was, no matter the weather. Sheâd get into her walking clothes, put on these beat-up old shoes and go for a walk. She said it cleared the mind, cleansed the soul and kept the weight off.â Rena grinned, confessing. âMy mama liked to eat.â

Tony chuckled. âThatâs a good way to remember her. Walking, I mean. Not eating.â

âHmm, yeah.â Rena blinked herself back to reality. Even with all her exercise, her mother still contracted a deadly disease. Sheâd lingered for years, missing her daily walks and everything else that required a bit of effort. It was a brutal reminder of the unfairness in life.

Once the meal was ready, they sat down to eat at her country oak kitchen table. She wondered what Tony thought about this rustic house. To her it was home, and she wasnât ashamed of it. Through the years, sheâd put personal touches throughout, cheerful curtains, comfy sofas with throw pillows sheâd sewn, refinished tables, armoires and cabinets. When she looked around her home, she saw bits and pieces of her parentsâ life here as well as her life with David.

Facing Tony at her kitchen table reminded her once again how it had all changed so quickly.

Tony ate up heartily. There would be no salad-only dinners for him. He was a well-built man who enjoyed a good meal. He was halfway through a large dish of pasta when he lifted his head. âI want to see your accounts tomorrow. I hope to get through them by the end of the week. Then Iâll know better how we can get your winery back on track.â

Grateful that heâd taken the first step, Rena discussed with him her conversation she had with the banker. Tony hadnât even blinked when she told him her financial situation and how much money she owed.

âIâll take care of it,â he said, without pause. âYouâll make your payroll, and any other debts you have will be dealt with.â

âThank you.â Humbled by his generosity, she put her head down.

âRena?â She looked up into his dark eyes. âWeâre in this together from now on. You donât have to worry about the winery.â

âI know. I appreciate everything, really. I just canât help feeling like a failure. I tried. David tried. We had some bad luck, equipment that needed replacing, problems with distributors and well, the bigger wineries tried to shove us out.â

Tony covered her hand, and the instant spark jolted her. âCarlino Wines being one of them. Thatâs not going to happen anymore.â

She tried to ignore sensations rippling through her. âThe Fairfields have always taken pride in their livelihood. I have a lot of pride. I feel like I let my parents down. I had to remarry to save the business.â

Tony stroked her hand, his fingers caressing hers. It felt goodâtoo goodâto pull her hand away. Lord help her, she needed to feel his touch.

âI wonât take offense to that,â he said. âI know Iâm the last person on earth youâd want as a husband.â

She watched as his fingers slid over her knuckles so gently. âAt one time, I wanted nothing more.â

âAnd now?â

She gazed deeply into his eyes and lifted a shoulder in confusion. âNow, I donât know, Tony. I really donât know. Iâm just so tired.â

Tony rose from the table with concern in his eyes. âGo. Iâll take care of this.â He took up their plates and headed toward the dishwasher. âYou need to rest. Itâs been a long day.â

Rena got up, ready to argue, but Tony had already rinsed their dishes and began loading them into the dishwasher. With his back to her, she noted his broad shoulders tapering down along his back and slim waistline. His slacks fit perfectly over his buttocks, and she recalled the quick flash of excitement she felt when heâd stepped out of the shower yesterday, buck naked. Sheâd only caught a glimpse, but oh, that image wouldnât leave her anytime soon.

âI, uh, thanks. Iâll take a quick shower and go to bed. What will youââ

He turned sharply and met her gaze. âIâll come to bed later, Rena.â

She gave him a clipped nod, turned around and strode out of the room. Her exhaustion catching up with her, she was too tired to think of the implications of sleeping with her new, extremely sexy secret husband.

Seven

Rena snuggled deeper into her bed, rebelling against thin rays of dawn creeping into the room. She closed her eyes tighter, rolling away from the light and into familiar warmth. Cocooned in the heat now, she relaxed and let out a stress-relieving sigh.

Her eyelids blessedly shut, she breathed in a pleasing musky scent and smiled. A warm breath brushed her cheek, then another and another. She popped her eyes open. Tony was there, inches from her face, his eyes dark and dusky. He lay stretched out on his side, apparently watching her sleep. âMorning, beautiful.â

Alarm bells rang out in her head. She couldnât believe she was in bed with Tony. And enjoying it. His warmth surrounded her. She focused on the firm set of his sculpted jaw, then opened her mouth to speak, but Tony placed his finger to her lips, stopping her words. âShh. Donât overthink this, Rena.â He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer.

She remembered putting on her most unappealing nightshirt last night, a soft, brushed cotton garment with tiny cap sleeves just in case Tony held true to his word to sleep with her. But Rena liked to feel feminine in bed, so the least suggestive nightgown she owned was still a far cry from head-to-toe flannel.

âDonât overthink what?â

âThis,â he said, moving closer and touching his lips to hers. The heat of his mouth and the intimate contact should have caused her to panic. Yet, she didnât resist, her body and mind not fully operational at the moment. He pulled away long enough to search her eyes and must have been satisfied with what he saw in them.

Tony knew how to kiss a woman, and he held nothing back with the next kiss. He drew her in with expert finesse, coaxing a reaction from her. His hand on her waist, she felt his strength through the thin cotton fabric of the nightgown. He squeezed her gently, and immediate tingles coursed through her body. She sighed aloud, a throaty little sound that emanated from deep within. Tony moved his hand up, stroking her side slowly up and down, his fingers brushing the underside of her breast.

Oh God, it felt good to have him caress her, teasing her breast until she ached for his touch.

Rena loved the physical act of making love. She loved the intimacy, the joy of having her body succumb to infinite pleasure. Tony had taught her that. Heâd taken her virginity and taught her to enjoy sexual intercourse. Of course, back then theyâd been so much in love that holding back wasnât an option. Sheâd given herself fully to him, surrendering her heart and her body. Sheâd only been with two men in her life, and each in their own way had taught her about loving a man. Where David had been sweet, patient and dependable, Tony had been irresistible, hot-blooded and sexy.

Tonyâs passionate kisses unnerved her. His touch drew her like a magnet. She moved closer, arching toward him, her breaths heavier now. He nibbled on her lips, whispering how beautiful she was, how much he wanted to touch her.

She gave him permission with a sigh.

His hand came up and cupped her breast over the fabric of her cotton nightie. He flicked a finger over the tip, rubbing back and forth, sending shock waves through her body. Intense heat swamped her, and she longed for more.

She knew the instant Tonyâs body went taut. His breaths deepened, and his kisses became more demanding as he parted her lips. His tongue beckoned hers, and she met him halfway. They sparred in an endless search for satisfaction.

While her body craved the physical release, her heart and mind screamed no. Torn by indecision, she stilled, forcing herself to think this through.

âYouâre overthinking again, Rena,â Tony said in a low rasp. He continued to stroke her breast, unraveling her mind.

She mustered her willpower and covered his hand with hers, stopping him. âOne of us has to.â

âI told you I donât plan on being celibate in this marriage,â he said quietly. âIf I thought you werenât ready, Iâd back off. But the woman I was just kissing wasnât protesting at all. You were enjoying having my hands on you. In another second I would have taken off your nightgown, and we would have been skin to skin. I want that, and I know you want that, too.â

Renaâs heart pumped hard. He was right, but she had to voice her innermost thoughts. âWanting and having are two different things.â

âRenaâs rules, not mine.â

Rena drew oxygen in. âI canât forget who you are. I canât ignore what you did to me. My heart is empty where youâre concerned.â

âSo youâve said.â Tony flopped onto his back and looked at the ceiling. âWhatâs done is done, Rena. I canât change that.â

âI know. And I canât change how I feel. I may want you physically, but youâll never really have me. I canât love you again. I wonât. Youâll never own my heart.â

âAs long as youâre faithful to me, thatâs all Iâll ask for now.â

Stunned by the statement, Rena lifted her head off the pillow. âYou know me, Tony. Iâd never even considerââ

He turned onto his side again to face her. âWhat you donât know about me is that Iâd never consider it, either. But Iâm a man with physical needs, and since weâre married and compatible in bed, thereâs no reason not to make love.â

âYou mean, have sex? Because without love, itâs just sex,â Rena pointed out.

He lifted a strand of her hair, eyeing it as he let it fall from his fingers. âJust sex?â Tony cocked her a playful grin. âEven better.â

Rena shook her head in bewilderment.

âCâmon, Rena. Weâve cleared the air. I get it. You donât love me, but you crave my body.â

âI never said that!â

âOh, no?â he said innocently. He was such a tease. He crushed his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately. Sheâd hardly come up for air when he grabbed her hand and set it on his chest. âTouch me.â

Crisp scattered hairs filled her palm and underneath muscles rippled. She wove her hand up along his sculpted shoulders then down to tease his flattened nipple. His intake of air let her know he enjoyed her flicking her finger over him, the way he had to her.

Laying her hand against his torso, she inched her way down, tempted by a perfect body and powered by the sounds of Tonyâs quick jagged breaths. Okay, so maybe she did crave his body. She had memories that wouldnât go away. Sexual flashes that entered her mind at the most inopportune times. Sheâd remembered how heâd made her feel, how potent his lovemaking was, how satisfied sheâd been afterward. If anything, Tony had matured into a stunning male specimen. He knew how to give pleasure, and he knew how to take it. Heâd always made Rena feel special and cherished, no matter what act they performed.

She slid her hand farther down, slipping below Tonyâs waistline. When she reached the elastic band of his boxers, she hesitated, tentative in her approach. Myriad thoughts flitted through her mind one right after the other, but Tony interrupted that train of thought. âJust let go, Rena,â he whispered. âWe both need this.â

Rena touched him then, her hand gliding over silken skin. His arousal shocked her, though she didnât know why it should. He was a virile man, and they were in bed together, ready to consummate their marriage.

âI want you.â Tonyâs low tone held no room for doubt. He cupped her chin and brought her lips to his. There was a sense of urgency to his kiss, yet he remained gentle and patient, waiting for her to respond. She stroked him with trebling fingers, bringing him to a fuller state of arousal.

âThis is notââ Rena began, but Tony kissed her again, his mouth generous and giving, coaxing her to fulfill their destiny. Torn by indecision, she shoved all thoughts of the past years aside and tried to focus on the future.

âWeâll have a life together, Rena.â Tonyâs words mirrored her own. Her life included him now, whether planned or not, whether she liked it or not. She had no other option now.

âI know,â she said, finally resigning to her fate.

Tony removed his boxers then placed her hand back on him, skin to skin, and her insides turned to jelly. There was life to Tony, a vitality sheâd missed during these past months. He filled the void, the hollowness that beseeched her since sheâd become a widow. She had her precious child, yes, but this intimacy fulfilled her need to feel alive again.

She stroked him until his pleasure heightened. Instincts, or perhaps recollection, told her that heâd reached his limit. He flipped her onto her back, and in one quick sweep, he removed her nightgown, pulling it up and over her head. His kisses burned her through and through, and his hands roamed over her, touching, tormenting, caressing and teasing every inch of her skin. His voice was low and consumed with passion. âYouâre as beautiful as I remember.â

He brought his mouth down to suckle her breast, his tongue wetting her with long swipes. After laving each nipple, he blew on them, and every ounce of her body prickled with need. Her pulse raced with exquisite excitement. Unmindful of any repercussions, she relished the thrill of the moment.

Tony praised her body with quiet expletives and cherished every limb before moving on to touch her at the apex of her legs. His palm covered her, and she arched up.

âYouâre ready for me, sweetheart,â he acknowledged. Without hesitation, he rose over her. She gazed up at him, and images of their past, of doing this very thing with nothing but love in their hearts, played out in her mind. Sheâd relished their joining, eager to show the man she loved how much he meant to her. It had been perfect. Blissful. Exciting.

Tony stared into her eyes in the dawn light, and she witnessed that same spark. The memories had come back to him, as well. His lips lifted and his eyelids lowered. Then he gripped her hips and she squeezed her eyes shut, ready for him to take her.

âLook at me,â he commanded.

âTony,â she murmured, popping her eyes open. It was clear what he wanted. No memories of any other man. No memories of David.

He nodded when their eyes met, apparently satisfied, then he moved inside her with extreme care. Rena adjusted to his size and accommodated him with her body. It wasnât long before his thrusts magnified, their bodies sizzled hot and the burn sheâd remembered from long ago returned fiercely.

Infinitely careful and recklessly wild, Tony made love to her, seeing to her needs, giving as much as taking, gentle at times and feral at others. He was the perfect loverâthat much hadnât changed. And all the while, Rena gave up her body to him but held firmly onto her emotions.

It was just sex.

And as Tony brought her to the peak of enjoyment, her skin damp, her body throbbing for the release that would complete her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and arched up, her bones melting but her heart firmly intact.

Tony wrapped Rena in his arms. They lay quietly together on the bed after making love, each deep in thought. It had been months since heâd had sex, and his release had come with powerful force. Rena had responded to him as she always had, with wild abandon. At least her body had reacted as heâd hoped. He knew what she liked and how to please her. Sheâd been his first love, too, and a man doesnât easily forget how to please the woman he loves.

Theyâd been so young back then, full of dreams and plans for the future. But Tony had been a rebel. Heâd hated being under his fatherâs thumb. He hadnât wanted any part of the family business, not when racing cars meant so much to him. Heâd never planned on leaving Rena behind. It just happened. While his professional life had been great, his personal life had suffered.

Once heâd become a champion, he had women knocking at his door at all hours of the night. They followed him from race to race. Theyâd called him, showed up when he least expected it. Beautiful, sexy, outrageous women. Heâd never fallen in love with any of them. Heâd had flings and a few casual relationships that never lasted more than a couple of months.

Heâd held hope for Rena in the early years, but he hadnât blamed her for giving up on him. He hadnât known what the future held for him other than racing cars. He was on the road a great deal of time, thrilled by his success but heartbroken about Rena.

His gaze fell to Renaâs face, her expression glum, her eyes filled with regret. Hardly the loving wife in the aftermath of lovemaking.

Hell, he felt like crap himself, guilt eating at him. He wanted to do right by David, but he couldnât forget that a few months ago, his friend was alive and well and living with the woman he loved. He was to become a father, something that David always wanted.

Tony had suspected David had feelings for Rena early on. They had been good friends in school, yet all three understood in an unspoken agreement that Rena and Tony were meant for each other. When Tony left town, David stayed behind to pick up the pieces of Renaâs shattered heart. Heâd loved her that much to forego a chance to enter the racing circuit with Tony. To Renaâs way of thinking, David was her white knight coming to her rescue, where Tony was the villain whoâd abandoned her.

Now theyâd consummated a loveless marriage.

Her remorse irritated him more than it should. Was it ego on his part? Theyâd just made incredible love, and now Rena looked so darn miserable.

Damn it, what did she expect? She was his wife. He would raise her child as his own. Theyâd both agreed to honor Davidâs last wishes. That meant living as man and wife and sleeping together. He blinked away anger and guilt then rose abruptly, mindless of his state of undress. âIâll grab a shower, then I want to go over your accounts.â

Rena glanced at him for an instant, bit down on her lip then focused her attention out the window. âIâll make breakfast.â

âIâm not hungry,â he said. âCoffee will do. Meet me in the office once youâre dressed.â

Rena nodded without looking at him.

Tony showered quickly and dressed with clothes heâd taken from his bag. He put on a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt then shoved his feet into a pair of seasoned white Nike shoes.

He heard kitchen sounds as he walked down the hallway, the aroma of hot coffee brewing, whetting his taste buds. But instead of greeting his new wife in the kitchen, he strode outside and closed the door. The northern California air was crisp and fresh, the brilliant sky laced with white puffy clouds.

He filled his lungs several times, breathing in and out slowly, enjoying the pristine air. The vineyards were far removed from the city, elevated to some degree, the vistas spread out before him, glorious. Funny, as a young boy, heâd had no appreciation for the land or its beauty and solitude. Heâd never seen this country as his father had seen it.

Now heâd make a life here. The irony that his father was getting what he wanted in death, rather than in life, was never far from his mind.

Tony entered the office adjacent to the gift shop with the key Rena had left for him on her dresser. He glanced around, noting two tall file cabinets, an outdated computer, a desk that had seen better days and shelves displaying certificates, wine awards and pictures of Rena and David. He walked over and picked one up that was encased in a walnut frame. He looked at the image of the couple standing among the vines ripe with cabernet grapes.

âIt was a good year for cabernet. Our fifth anniversary.â Rena walked into the office with a cup of coffee and set it down on the desk.

Tony stared at the photo. âYou look happy.â

âDavid made me dinner that night. He set up twinkling lights out on the patio. We danced in the moonlight.â

Tony put the frame back, deciding not to comment. What could he say to that? âThanks for the coffee.â

She shrugged. âWell, this is the office. Our accounts for the past ten years are in those file cabinets.â

Tony picked up the coffee cup and sipped. The liquid went down hot and delicious, just what he needed. âIâll start with the past year and work my way backward.â

âOkay, Iâll get those for you.â

âAre they all paper files? Do you have anything loaded into the computer?â

Rena glanced at the machine. âWe have our inventory computerized now. And David had started to enter the paper files. But he didnât get very far, Iâm afraid.â

Tony sat down at the desk and signed on. âWant to show me where everything is?â

Rena came close, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. She bent over the computer, clicking keys. Her clean scent wafted in the air. âWhat is that?â he asked.

She looked at him in question. âWhat?â

âYou smell great.â

She smiled softly. âItâs citrus shampoo.â

Tony met her eyes, then took her hand gently. âRena â¦ listen, about this morning.â

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. âDonât, Tony. I canât help how I feel.â

âHow do you feel?â

She hesitated for a moment, but Tony fixed his gaze on her and wouldnât back down. She sighed quietly. âLike I sold my soul.â

âTo the devil?â

Her lips tightened as if holding back a comment.

Tony leaned in his chair, releasing her hand. âPhysically, are you okay?â

âYes,â she said. âIâm fine. I see the doctor next week, but Iâm healthy.â

She continued clicking on keys, showing him where the files were kept and how to access them. Then she came upon a document and lingered, her gaze drawn to the words on the screen: Vine by Vine. âDonât worry about this,â she said, her finger on the delete button.

âWait.â Tony stopped her. âWhat is it?â

âItâs nothing.â Rena said, but he wouldnât let it go. Something in her eyes told him, whatever it was, it was important to her.

âI need to see everything, Rena. If Iâm going to help you.â

âItâs got nothing to do with the accounts, Tony. Trust me.â

âSo why wonât you let me see it?â Determined, he pressed her.

âOh, for heavenâs sake!â Rena straightened, her eyes sparkling like blue diamonds. âItâs just a story I was writing.â

âA story?â That sparked his curiosity. âWhatâs it about?â

âItâs about a girl growing up in the wine country.â

âItâs about you?â

âNo, itâs a novel. Itâs fiction, but yes, I guess some of it is about what I know and how I feel about living here. Itâs sort of a wine guide but told from a different perspective. Itâs an analogy of how a girl grows to womanhoodââ

âAnd you relate that to how a vine grows? Sort of like, how you need to be cared for and loved and nourished.â

âYeah,â she said, her expression softening. âSomething like that.â

âYouâre not finished with it?â

She made a self-deprecating sound. âNo, Iâd forgotten about it. Thereâs too much to do around here.â She shrugged it off. âI never found the time.â

âMaybe someday youâll have time to finish it.â

Rena stared deeply into his eyes. âRight now, Iâm more interested in saving my winery.â

Tony glanced at the computer screen, satisfied that sheâd removed her finger from the delete button. âAgreed. Thatâs the first order of business. We have to find a way to keep Purple Fields afloat.â

Rena walked into the gift shop through a door adjacent to the office, leaving Tony to work his magic on their books. Sheâd given him all the files, answered his questions and left once he was neck-deep in the accounts, unaware of her presence any longer.

Her small little haven of trinkets and boutique items always perked up her spirits. She loved setting up the displays, making each unique object stand out and look desirable to the customer. They made very little profit on the shop, but it complimented the wine-tasting room and made the whole area look appealing.

Rena sighed with relief rather than anguish this time. For so long sheâd had the burden of saving Purple Fields on her shoulders, and the weight had become unbearably heavy. Now she knew that with Tonyâs assets backing her up she had salvaged the future of Purple Fields, thus insuring her babyâs future as well. She could only feel good about that.

But saving the winery had come at a high price. If it werenât for the promise she made to David, she wondered if sheâd be standing here right now. Sheâd been set to sell Purple Fields and move away, making a fresh start with her child. Now she was tied to Tony Carlino, and the notion prickled her nerves.

She didnât want to enjoy being in his arms this morning. She didnât want to admit that having sex with him made her world spin upside down. She hated that sheâd liked it. That sheâd responded to him the way she always had. Tony wasnât a man easily forgotten, but sheâd managed it for twelve years. Now he was back in her life and planned to stay.

Solena entered the gift shop, thankfully interrupting her thoughts. âHey, youâre up and out early this morning.â

Rena smiled at her friend, happy to see her. âItâs just another workday.â

Solena eyed her carefully. âIs it? I thought you got married two days ago.â

âSeems longer,â Rena said, lifting her lips at her little joke.

âThat bad?â

Rena glanced at the door leading to the office. âI shouldnât complain. Heâs in there right now, going over all our files and accounts. Heâs owning up to his end of the bargain.â

Solena walked behind the counter and spoke with concern and sympathy. âAre you doing the same, my friend?â

Rena lowered her lashes. âIâm trying. Iâm really trying. I never thought weâd live together like this. We, uhââ Heat reached her cheeks, and she realized sheâd blushed, something she rarely did.

Solena spoke with understanding. âTonyâs a very handsome, appealing man, Rena.â

âSo was David.â Tears welled in her eyes.

Solena leaned over the counter to take her hands. Rena absorbed some of her strength through the solid contact. âDavid is the past, Rena. As hard as that is to hear, itâs true. You have to look forward, not back.â

âBut I feel so â¦ guilty.â

Solena held firm. âRemind yourself that David wanted this.â

âThere are times when I really hate Tony,â she whispered. âAnd Iâm ashamed that Iâm not too thrilled with David for making me do this.â

âBut we both know why he did.â

Rena tilted her head to one side. âThereâs more. I should have told you sooner.â

âWhat?â Solenaâs dark eyes narrowed with concern.

Rena hesitated, staring at her friend. Finally she blurted, âIâm pregnant.â

Solena drew in a big breath then let it go in relief. âOh! You had me scared for a second there, imagining the worst.â Quickly, she walked around the counter to give Rena a hug. âThis is good news â¦ really good news.â

âYes, it is. I know.â A tear dropped down her cheek. Sheâd already fallen in love with her baby. âIâm happy about the baby, but now do you see why Iâm so, soââ

âYouâre torn up inside. I can see that. But you have hope and a new life to bring into this world. Oh Rena, my dear friend, I couldnât be happier for you.â

She glanced at the office door and lowered her voice, speaking from the heart. âDavid should raise his child, not Tony.â

Solenaâs eyes softened with understanding. âBut that canât be. Your feeling bad isnât going to change that. It takes a remarkable man to raise another manâs child. Tony knows?â

âHe knows.â

âYou resent him.â

âYes, I do. I resent him for so many reasons. Iâm so afraid.â

âAfraid?â Solena met her gaze directly. âYouâre afraid of Tony?â

She shook her head. âNo, not of him. Of me. Iâm afraid Iâll forgive him. I donât want to forget the hurt and pain he caused me. I donât want to ever forgive him.â

Tony spent the morning loading the Purple Fields files into a new database program. His first order of business was to update the computer. He wasnât a genius at business like his brother Joe, but he knew the value of state-of-the-art equipment. Rena needed a new computer, but for now heâd do what he could and download everything to a flash drive.

Rena walked into the office holding a plate of food. âItâs after one, and you havenât eaten lunch.â

Tony glanced at his watch, then leaned back in his seat. âI didnât realize the time.â

She set the plate down onto the desk. âHam and cheese. I have chicken salad made if youâd prefer that instead?â

Tony grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. âThis is fine,â he said, his stomach acknowledging the late hour. âDid you eat?â

âSolena and I had a bite earlier. Since Davidâs death, sheâs been babysitting me. She thinks I donât know it, but itâs sweet. We usually have lunch together.â

âWhat about Ray?â

âHe eats a huge breakfast at home and skips lunch.â

âDo you have time to sit down?â he asked. âI could use the company.â

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 wasnât used to poring over a computer screen for hours. He wasnât used to being holed up behind a desk in a small office either.

He gobbled his sandwich and began working on the apple sheâd cut into wedges. âHowâs your day going?â

âGood,â she said. âI gave a wine tour at eleven, and we sold a few cases today. Want something to drink?â

âIâll have a beer later. Iâll need it.â

She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes marked with question. âToo many numbers?â

âYeah. Iâm inputting files. Setting up a database. My eyes are crossing.â

She laughed. âI know what you mean.â

Tony liked the sound of her laughter. He stared at a smile that lit the room. âYou do?â

âAll those numbers can make you crazy.â

He grinned. âI think Iâm there now.â He gobbled up the apple wedges. âThanks for lunch.â

Rena watched him carefully. âYouâre welcome.â

âYou need a new computer and some stuff for the office. This thing is outdated. Weâll work out a time to do that.â

Renaâs eyes widened. âA new computer? I, uh, we never could affordââ

âI know,â Tony said softly. âBut now we can.â

âAnd you need me for that?â

âYes, I need your input. Look, we can drive into the next town if youâd feel more comfortable, butââ

âI would.â She offered without hesitation.

Tonyâs ego took a nosedive. Heâd promised her a secret marriage and heâd stick to it, but he wasnât accustomed to women not wanting to be seen with him. Usually, it was just the oppositeâwomen enjoyed being seen around town with him.

Irritated now, he agreed. âFine.â

âSo what are your plans?â She stood and picked up his empty plate.

âI loaded the info to a flash drive. Iâm going to have Joe take a look at everything. Though I have my suspicions, I need his opinion.â

âYouâre going home tonight?â

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. âYeah, but Iâll be back.â He kissed her soundly on the lips reminding her of the steamy way theyâd made love early this morning. He nuzzled her neck, and the devil in him added with a low rasp, âI have more inputting to do.â

Renaâs eyes snapped up to his.

He smiled and then released her.

Heâd told her no more tiptoeing around and heâd 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. âHi, you must be Tony Carlino.â The womanâher cleavage nearly spilling out of her topâlifted up from her desk to shake his hand. âJoe said youâd be stopping by. Iâm Alicia Pendrake, but you can call me Ali.â

âHi, Ali.â He grasped her hand and shook.

âIâm Joeâs new personal assistant. Todayâs my second day on the job.â

âNice to meet you,â Tony said, curious why Joe didnât 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. âHeâs inside, crunching numbers, what else?â

Tony chuckled. The woman was a spitfire. âOkay, thanks.â

âNice meeting you, Mr. Carlino.â

âItâs Tony.â

âOkay, Tony.â 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. âWhoa â¦ where did you find her?â

âFind who?â Joe said, his attention focused on the computer.

âAlicia â¦ Ali. Your new PA.â

Joeâs brows furrowed and he took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. âI met her in New York last year. Sheâs efficient and capable.â

âI bet. What happened to Maggie?â

âI had to let her go. She wasnât doing her job. This place was in chaos when I got here. I remembered Ali, and I called her. Offered to pay her way out here, gave her an advance on her salary to get set up. I didnât think sheâd take the job.â

âBut she did. Just like that?â

âYeah, I got lucky.â

âYou got lucky? Joe, the woman is beyond gorgeous. Havenât you noticed?â

Joe rubbed his jaw. âSheâs attractive, I suppose.â

âYou suppose? Maybe you need better glasses.â

âMy glasses are fine. Iâm not interested, Tone. You know that Iâve sworn off women. After what happened with Sheila, Iâm basically immune to beautiful women â¦ to all women actually. Ali is smart. Sheâs dedicated, and she does her work without complaint. Sheâs very organized. You know how I am about organization.â

Tonyâs lips twitched. âOkay, if you say so.â

âSo, whatâs up? You said you needed a favor?â

Tony tossed the flash drive onto the desk. âI need you to compare these accounts from Purple Fields with ours, for the same dates. Iâve been going over Renaâs books. I just need your expert opinion.â

âHow soon?â

âToday?â

âI can do that.â Joe inserted the flash drive into his computer. âIâll upload the files and let you know what I find out.â

âGreat, oh and can you burn them to a CD for me? Thereâs something else I want to check on.â

âSure thing. Iâll do that first.â While Joe burned the information to a disk, Tony walked around the office, noting the subtle changes Joe had made to Santo Carlinoâs office. Joe had secured even more high tech equipment than his father had used and updated the phone system. He was determined to make the company paperless, sooner rather than later.

It would seem that the only thing left from the older generation of the winery were the vast acres of vineyardsâsix hundred in allâthe grapes that couldnât be digitalized into growing faster and the wine itself.

After a few minutes, Joe handed him a CD of Renaâs accounts. âHere you go.â

Tony tapped the CD against his palm. âThanks.â

âSo howâs married life?â

Tony shrugged, wishing he knew the answer to that question. âToo soon to tell. Iâll be back later. You donât have plans tonight, do you?â

Joe shook his head. âJust work.â

âOkay, Iâll see you around six.â

Tony walked out of the office after bidding farewell to Ali, who was as intent on her computer screen as Joe had been. He drove out of town and up the hills to the Carlino estate, waving a quick hello to Nick as he drove off the property with a pretty woman in his car. Tony only shook his head at his happy-go-lucky brother, thinking âbeen there, done that.â

Tony entered the house and grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator. Taking a big swig from the bottle, he walked upstairs to his quadrant of the house, entered his private office and sat down at his desk. He logged onto his computer and inserted the CD into the slot.

He stopped for one moment, contemplating what he was about to do. Taking another gulp of beer, he sighed with indecision, but his curiosity got the better of him. He searched the files and finally found what heâd been looking for. The screen popped up with the title Vine by Vine by Rena Fairfield Montgomery.

Tony began reading the first chapter.

Roots.

In order to make great wine, you need good terroir, meaning the soil, climate and topography of a region that uniquely influence the grapes. A wine with a certain terroir cannot be reproduced in close resemblance of another, because the terroir is not exactly the same. Much like the DNA of a person each wine has a one-of-a-kind profile.

I guess I came from good terroir. That is to say, my parents were solid grounded people, rich, not by monetary standards but by life and vitality and a grand love of winemaking. My roots run deep and strong. I come from healthy stock. Iâve always been thankful for that. Iâve had the love of the best two people on earth. A child canât ask for more than that.

My parents, like the trellis system of a vine, show you the way yet cannot dictate the path you will ultimately choose. As I grew I felt their protection, but as I look back I also see the strength they instilled in me. After all, a new vine needs to weather a vicious storm now and again. It needs to withstand blasting winds, bending by its might but not breaking.

I remember a time when I was in grammar school â¦

Tony read the chapter, smiling often as Rena portrayed anecdotes from her childhood, relating them to the ever-growing vines, taking shape, readying for the fruit it would bear.

He skimmed the next few chapters until he came upon a chapter called âCrush and Maceration.â

The crush in vintnerâs terminology is when the grapes are harvested, broken from the vine by gentle hands. The crush happens each year between August and October, depending on the kind of grapes that are growing in your vineyard. For me, the crush happened only once. Itâs that time in your life when you break off from the ones that graciously and lovingly nourished you to become your own person. I was sixteen when that happened. I grew from an adolescent girl to womanhood the autumn of my sophomore year. The day I met my first love, Rod Barrington.

I had a big crush on Rod from the moment I laid eyes on him. He was new to our school, but his family was well known in the area. Everyone knew of the wealthy Barringtons, they owned more property in our valley than anyone else.

While my friendship with Rod grew, I fell more and more in love with him. For a young girl, the pain of being his friend nearly brought me to my knees. I couldnât bear seeing him tease and joke with other girls, but I kept my innermost feelings hidden, hoping one day heâd realize that his good friend, Joanie Adams might just be the girl for him.

Tony read a few more passages, skimming the words on the page quickly, absorbing each instance that Rena relayed in the story, vaguely recalling the circumstances much like Rena had written. It was clearly obvious that though Rena had changed the names, Rena had written about his relationship with her, reminding him of the love they once shared. As he read on, the smile disappeared from his face, Renaâs emotions so bold and honest on the page. He knew heâd hurt her but just how much he hadnât known until this very moment.

In winemaking once the grapes are gently crushed from the skins, seeds and stems, allowing the juices to flow, maceration occurs. The clear juice deepens in color the longer itâs allowed to steep with its counterparts, being in direct contact with stems and seeds and skins. Time blends the wine and determines the hue and flavor, intensifying its effect.

And thatâs how I felt about Rod. The longer I was with him, the more direct contact I had with him, the more I loved him. He colored my every thought and desire. I knew Iâd met the man of my dreams. We blended in every way.

Tony skimmed more pages, his stomach taut with regret and pain. He stopped when he came to a chapter titled âCorked.â

He knew what that meant. He forced himself to read on.

Wine that is âcorkedâ has been contaminated by its cork stopper, causing a distinctly unpleasant aroma. The wine is ruined for life. Itâs spoiled and will never be the same. Fortunately for wine lovers, only seven percent of all wine is considered corked or tainted. A sad fact if youâd invested time and energy with that bottle.

Wine shouldnât let you down. And neither should someone you love.

Tony ran his hands down his face, unable to read any more. But a voice inside told him he had to know the extent of Renaâs feelings. He had to find out what happened to her after heâd left her. He continued to read, sitting stiffly in the chair, woodenly reading words that would haunt him.

âRod called today, after his first big sale. It killed me to talk to him, I felt selfish for wishing heâd flop in his high-powered position in New York. I was dealing with my motherâs terminal cancer, needing him so badly.â

After reading Renaâs story, which ended abruptly when Renaâs mother died, Tony slumped in the seat. Drained, hollowed out by what heâd learned, he simply sat there, reliving the scenarios in his mind.

Eventually Tony logged off of his computer, leaving the disk behind, but Renaâs emotions and her silent suffering while he was winning races and pursuing his dreams would stay with him forever.

He met Joe at the office at six oâclock as planned, his disposition in the dumps. âDid you find anything unusual?â he asked his brother.

âNo, not unusual. Dad did screw a lot of people over, but Iâve never seen it so clearly as now.â

Tony groaned, his mood going from gray to black in a heartbeat. âI was hoping I was wrong.â

âNo, youâre not wrong. Your instincts are dead-on.â Joe shuffled papers around, comparing notes heâd written.

âLooked to me like Dad deliberately undersold cabernet and merlot to the retailers to drive Purple Fields out of business. We make five kinds of wine, but he chose the two Purple Fields are famous for to undercut them. From what Iâve found, he sold for a slight loss for at least ten years. He knew he could sustain those losses without a problem, while Purple Fields couldnât compete.â

Tony winced, hearing the truth aloud. âIâd asked Dad to leave Purple Fields alone. To let them make a living. But Iâm betting he did it to spite me.â

Joeâs brows rose. âYou think he singled them out because you chose a different career?â

âHeâd never approved of my choices. He didnât want me to succeed. He wanted to dictate the course of my life, and it pissed him off that I wouldnât listen to him. I chose racing over him.â

âYeah, Dad was angry when you took off. He wanted to hand down his business to his firstborn son. Hell, he wasnât too fond of me not sticking around either. Iâve got a head for business, not grape growing.â

Tonyâs lips curved halfway up. âYouâre a computer geek, Joe.â

âAnd proud of it,â Joe added, then focused his attention back on the subject at hand. âDad was an all-around brute. I bet he used the same tactics on half a dozen other small wineries to drive them out of business.â

âDoesnât make it right. Hell, he made millions. He didnât need to shut down his competition.â

âApparently, he didnât see it that way.â

Tony let go a frustrated sigh. âAt least thereâs something I can do about it. Iâm going to renegotiate those contracts. Weâll sell our wine at a fair price, but we wonât undercut anyone, especially Purple Fields.â

Joe nodded and leaned back in his chair. âThat should make Rena happy.â

âYeah, but it wonât make up for all the past pain this family put her through.â

âYouâre not just talking about Dad now, are you?â

Tony took a steadying breath and shook his head. âNo. But I plan to make it up to Rena. Whether she likes it or not.â

âThose sound like fighting words, Tone.â

Tony rose from his seat. âThey are.â

âOh, before I forget, someone called for you today.â Joe shifted through a pile of notes, coming up with one. âSomething about your racing contracts. Theyâve been calling the house and couldnât reach you.â

He handed Tony the note, and when he glanced at the name, he cursed under his breath. He didnât need this right now. âOkay,â he said, stuffing the note in his pocket. âThanks. Iâll take care of it.â

Now he had three things to deal with, the note he tucked away being the least of his worries. At least he knew now how to save Purple Fields, but after reading Vine by Vine, Tony wasnât sure how he could repair the damage heâd done to Rena.

The promise he made to David far from his mind, Tony wanted to save his hasty marriage for more selfish reasons. He couldnât deny that reliving the past in these last few hours made him realize how much Rena had once meant to him.

He got in his car and drove off, speeding out of town, needing the rush of adrenaline to ward off his emotions and plaguing thoughts that he was falling in love with Rena again.

Tony entered the house, and a pleasing aroma led him straight to the kitchen. He found Rena standing at the stove top stirring the meal, her hair beautifully messy and her face pink from puffs of steam rising up. She didnât acknowledge his presence initially until he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her against him. He kissed her throat, breathing in her citrus scent. âLooking good.â

âItâs just stew.â

âI meant you,â Tony said, stealing another quick kiss. Coming home to this domestic scene, something grabbed his insides and twisted when he saw her. âYouâre beautiful behind the stove. I want to come home to you every night.â

She frowned and moved slightly away. âDonât say those things.â

âWhy?â he asked softly. âBecause Iâve said them before and now you donât believe me?â

Rena kept stirring the stew. âYouâre astute.â

âAnd youâre being stubborn.â

She shrugged, moving away from the stove to grab two plates from the cabinet. Tony took out cutlery from a drawer and set two glasses on the table.

So now they were resorting to name-calling? This certainly wasnât the scene Tony pictured in his mind when he first entered the house.

âDid you find out anything from Joe?â Rena asked.

âYeah, I did. But letâs eat first.â

âWhenever someone says that to me, I know the news is not good.â

âThereâs bad news and thereâs good news. I think we should eat first before discussing it.â

Rena brought the dishes to the stove top and filled their plates, adding two biscuits to Tonyâs plate. She served him and sat down to eat. Her long hair fell forward as she nibbled on her food. She wore jeans and a soft baby-blue knit blouse that brought out the vivid color of her eyes. She hardly looked pregnant, except for a hint of added roundness to her belly.

Sweeping emotions stirred in his gut. He wanted to protect Rena. He wanted to possess her. He wanted to make love to her until all the pain and anger disappeared from her life. So much had happened to her in her short thirty-one years from losing her mother and father, to losing David, but it had all started with him. And Tony determined it would all end with him as well.

After the meal, Rena started cleaning up. Tony rose and then took her hand. âLeave this. Weâll take care of it later. We need to talk.â

She nodded and followed him into the living room. Oak beams, a stone fireplace stacked with logs and two comfortable sofas lent to the warmth of the room. Tony waited for her to sit, then took a place next to her.

They sat in silence for a minute, then Tony began. âWhat I have to say isnât easy. Joe and I went through the records and have proof now of how my father manipulated sales in the region.â

âYou mean, my father was right? Santo set out to destroy us?â

Tony winced and drew a breath. âI canât sugarcoat it, Rena. My father undercut Purple Fields, even at a loss to his own company to drive you out of business. Joeâs guess is that it wasnât personal. Heâd been doing the same to other small businesses for years.â

Rena closed her eyes, absorbing the information. âMy father knew. He didnât have proof. His customers wouldnât talk about it, except to say that theyâd found better deals elsewhere. Theyâd praised our wine over and over but wouldnât buy it.â

âMy father probably strong-armed them into silence,â Tony said.

Rena opened her eyes and stared at him. He couldnât tell what was going on in her head, but he suspected it wasnât good.

She rose from her seat and paced the floor. âMy mother was worried and anxious all the time. She loved Purple Fields. She and my father poured everything they had into the winery. They worked hard to make ends meet. She held most of it in, putting up a brave front, but I could tell she wasnât the same. My father noticed it, too. Heâd stare at her with concern in his eyes. And that all started around the time when we broke up and you left town.â

Tony stood to face her. He owed Rena the full truth or at least the truth as he saw it. His voice broke when he made the confession, âI think he targeted Purple Fields after I left.â

She stiffened and her mouth twisted. âMy God,â she whispered, closing her eyes in agony. âDonât you see? The stress might have triggered my motherâs illness.â

Tony approached her. âRena, no.â

She began nodding her head. âOh, yes. Yes. My mother was healthy. There was no history of that disease in our family. Mom was fine. Fine, until the winery started going downhill. She worried herself sick. The doctors even suggested that stress could be a factor.â

Renaâs face reddened as her pain turned to anger. She announced with a rasp in her voice, âI need some air.â

Tony watched her walk out of the house, slamming the door behind her. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration rising. âDamn it. Damn it.â

Heâd never hated being a Carlino more than now. He could see it in Renaâs eyesâthe blame, the hatred and the injury. When sheâd looked at him that way, he understood all of her resentment. He knew sheâd react to the truth with some degree of anger, but heâd never considered that sheâd blame his family for her motherâs illness.

Could it be true?

Tony couldnât change the past. All he could do now was to convince her heâd make things right. He gave her a few minutes of solitude before exiting the house. He had to find his wife and comfort her.

Even though in her eyes, he was the enemy.

Nine

Rena ran into the fields. The setting sun cast golden hues onto the vines, helping to light her way. She ran until her heart raced too fast and her breaths surged too heavy. Yet she couldnât outrace the burning ache in her belly or the plaguing thoughts in her mind. She stopped abruptly in the middle of the cabernet vines, fully winded, unable to run another step. Putting her head in her hands, tears spilled down her cheeks. Grief struck her anew. It was as if she was losing her mother all over again. Pretty, vivacious Belinda Fairfield had died before her time. Her sweet, brave mother hadnât deserved to suffer so. She hadnât deserved to relinquish her life in small increments until she was too weak to get out of bed.

Renaâs sobs were absorbed in the vines, her cries swallowed up by the solitude surrounding her. Her body shook, the release of anguish exhausting her.

Two strong arms wrapped around her, supporting her sagging body. âShh, Rena,â Tony said gently. âDonât cry, sweetheart. Let me make it right. Iâll make it all right.â

âYou â¦ canât,â she whispered between sobs. Yet Tonyâs strength gave her immeasurable comfort.

âI can. I will. Weâll do it together.â

Before Rena could formulate a response, Tony lifted her up, one arm bracing her legs and the other supporting her shoulders. âHold on to me,â he said softly, âand try to calm down.â

Rena circled one arm around his neck and closed her eyes, stifling her sobs, every ounce of her strength spent.

Tony walked through the vineyard, holding her carefully. In the still of the night all that she heard was the occasional crunch of shriveled leaves under Tonyâs feet as he moved along.

When he pushed through the door to her house, her eyes snapped open. He strode with purpose to the bedroom and lay her down with care, then came down next to her, cradling her into his arms once again. âIâm going to stay with you until you fall asleep.â

Rena stared into his eyes and whispered softly, âI hate you, Tony.â

He brushed strands of hair from her forehead with tenderness then kissed her brow. âI know.â

The sweetness of his kiss sliced through her, denting her well-honed defenses.

He took off her shoes and then his own. Next he undressed her, removing her knit top over her head and unzipping her jeans. She helped pull them off with a little tug, ready to give up her mind and body to sleep.

Tony covered them both with a quilted throw and tucked her in close. She reveled in his warmth and breathed in his musky scent despite herself. âJust for the record, sweetheart,â he began, âIâm not here just because of the promise I made to David. It goes much deeper than that. And I think you know it.â

Rena flinched inwardly, confusion marring her good judgment. She should pull away from Tony, refusing his warmth and comfort. She couldnât deal with his pronouncement. She couldnât wrap her mind around what heâd just implied. Yet at the same time, she needed his arms around her. She needed to be held and cradled and reassured.

Was she that weak?

Or just human?

âGood night, Rena.â Tony kissed her lips lightly, putting finality to the night. âSleep well.â

Rena slept soundly for the better part of the night but roused at 3:00 a.m. to find Tony gone from bed. Curious, she slipped on her robe and padded down the hallway. She found him sprawled out on the living room sofa with his eyes closed. He made an enticing sight, his chest bare, his long lean, incredible body and handsome face more than any woman could ever hope to have in a mate.

Rena shivered from the coolness in the room. She grabbed an afghan from the chair and gently covered Tony, making sure not to wake him. She lingered for just one moment then turned to leave.

âDonât go,â he whispered.

Surprised, Rena spun around to meet Tonyâs penetrating gaze. âI thought you were asleep.â

âI wasâon and off.â Tony sat up, planting his feet on the ground and leaning forward to spread his fingers through his hair.

âSorry if I disturbed your sleep.â

Tony chuckled without humor. âYou did. You do.â

Stunned by his blunt honesty, Rena blinked.

âSleeping next to you isnât easy, Rena.â Tony shook his head as if shaking out cobwebs. âSorry, I wish I could be more honorable, but youâre a handful of temptation.â

Renaâs mouth formed an âoh.â

Tony stared at her. âYou shouldnât find it shocking that I want to sleep with you. You remember how we were together.â

Renaâs spine stiffened. âMaybe you should sleep in another room.â

âI have a better idea.â He took her wrist and tugged her down. She landed on his lap. Immediately, he stretched out on the sofa, taking her with him. âMaybe I should make love to my wife.â

A gasp escaped from her due to his sudden move. âOh.â

He untied the belt on her robe, his tone dead serious. âI want you.â

His hands came up to push the robe off her shoulders, revealing the bra and panties sheâd slept in. His appreciative gaze heated the blood in her veins. âYou canât blame me for that.â

âNo. But for so many other things,â she said quietly.

âI get it, sweetheart. I understand.â Tony pulled the robe free, exposing her fully.

Positioned provocatively, feeling his hard length pressing against her, excitement zipped through her system. Her breathing rough, she barely managed to utter the question. âDo you?â

âYes, I do. And I want to make it up to you. Let me do that,â Tony said, cupping his hand around her head and bringing her mouth to his. He kissed her softly. âLet me wipe away the pain.â Again his lips met hers. âLet me help you heal, sweet Rena. Youâve been through so much.â

His sincerity, his tone, the breathtaking way he looked at her softened the hardness around her heart. She wanted to heal, to release her defenses, to feel whole again.

âTony,â she breathed out, unsure of her next move.

âItâs your call, sweetheart,â he said, stroking her back in a loving way that created tingles along her spine. Another notch of her defenses fell.

Images flashed of the good times sheâd had with Tony. The fun, the laughter and the earth-shattering lovemaking theyâd shared. As much as she wanted to forget, the good memories came back every time he touched her. âI want the pain to go away,â she whispered with honesty. Even if it was only for a short time tonight.

âThen let me take you there.â

She closed her eyes, nodding in relief, surrendering herself to the moment. âYes.â

Rena touched his chest, her fingers probing, searching, tantalizing and teasing. He felt incredibly good. Strong. Powerful. She itched to touch him all over.

Bringing her head down to his, she claimed his mouth in a lingering kiss. She took it slow, pushing aside her misgivings. His body seemed in tune with hers. Every little action she took brought his sexy reaction. Every moan she uttered, he answered with a groan. She liked being in control. It was the first time sheâd ever taken the reins so fully, and Tony seemed to understand what she needed. He encouraged her with a gleam in his eyes and a willing body.

âIâm all yours,â he whispered.

Her breath caught. She knew he meant it sexually, but Rena seized on the reality of that statement. He was all hers. But what she didnât know was, could she ever be all his?

âYouâre thinking again,â Tony scolded with a smile.

âGuilty as charged.â Rena reached around to unhook her bra, freeing her breasts. Letting her bra drop, she freed her mind as well, pushing all thoughts away but the immediate here and now.

Tony reached for her then, his touch an exquisite caress of tenderness and caring. He kissed her lovingly, cherishing every morsel of her body with his lips and hands until his unexpected compassion seeped into her soul.

Their lovemaking was sedate and measured, careful and unflappable one moment, then crazy and wild, fierce and fiery the next. They moved in ups and downs, from highs to lows, they learned and taught, giving joy and pleasure to one another. The night knew no bounds. And when it came time to release their pent-up tension, Rena rose above Tony, straddling his legs. He held on to her hips and guided her. Taking him in felt natural, familiar and so right. She enjoyed every ounce of pleasure derived from their joining. She moved with restless yearning, her body flaming, all rational thought discarded.

Tony watched her, his eyes never wavering, his body meeting her every demand. He was the man sheâd always wanted, the man sheâd been destined to love. Heâd pushed his way back into her life, but Rena couldnât trust in him, not fully, not yet. But each time they came together, her resolve slipped just a little, and her heartache slowly ebbed.

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