Tickled Pink (10 page)

Well, a year, but reverend and his wife don’t need to know that.

The minister turned to Toni. “Okay my dear, your turn.”

“Richard, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to…” Her voice faded as she hung her head.

The older woman and the minister exchanged a concerned look, then chapel lady stepped toward Toni. “It’s okay dear. It’s normal to be scared.”

She released her hands from his and turned to older woman. “No, I’m scared of spiders. I just hit terrified. Everything is going to be different.”

“It is.” The older woman offered her a warm smile then glanced at Richard before returning her attention to Toni. “It’ll be okay. Something special brought you to our chapel.”

Yep. A court order.

“I was scared when I got married almost fifty two years ago. However, I loved him and I knew that was a good start.”

He sighed and knew he should say something, the last thing either of them needed was her deciding thirty days in jail would be better. So far though, she had rearranged her life more than he had. “It’ll be okay,” he reassured her. A weak grin turned up the corners of her mouth. She was definitely beautiful and indeed hesitant.

She turned, studied him a minute, but remained quiet. A thoughtful expression crossed her face. “I think so,” she finally whispered. She turned to the minister. “Sorry.”

“Ready to try this again?”

Toni nodded then turned to Richard. He held out his hands and again she placed hers in his. Her gaze met his and she offered him a small smile. “Richard, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live.”

She glanced at the teleprompter screen, winced then returned her gaze to him. “I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.”

“Wonderful,” The minister encouraged. “Do you have rings?”

Richard released her hands and reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew the two rings. He held out his hand and she removed the one that didn’t match her engagement ring.

“Okay, Richard, go ahead take Antonia’s hand and read the screen again.”

“I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife this day and forevermore.” He slipped the ring on her slender finger. 

The minister turned to Toni. “Your turn dear.”

She swallowed hard, glanced at the screen behind Richard then met his gaze. Toni took his hand and nodded once. “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.” She slid the platinum band on his finger and glanced down to see her hand still holding his.

“With the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.”

“We did it,” he whispered.

She nodded.

“You may kiss the bride.” The minister cheerfully added.

Oh God, no!

“It’s okay. I think we’re good,” Toni assured with a smile.

The minister chuckled. “I don’t consider a couple married until they kiss. Don’t be shy.”

The minister’s wife giggled. “Those are the rules.”

He glanced back at Toni. Yesterday he’d almost kissed her. Now he had no choice. He stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. A quick peck and they could get out of there.

Richard lowered his head toward hers and her lashes fluttered closed. The hand with her ring fell on his shoulder at the same time his mouth brushed against her full lips. They were even fuller and softer than he imagined and he lingered a moment. Her body eased against his and he deepened the kiss. His tongue caressed her lower lip and she let out a small gasp. His tongue entered and entwined with hers. His heart started to race and his body burned as he savored the flavor of her. He laced the fingers of his other hand in her hair and his groin stiffened. Richard’s hold tightened on her waist and she moaned softly against his mouth. Heat coursed through his entire body and he was glad his suit jacket covered the effect tasting Toni had on him.

“Now, that’s a kiss.” The minister’s voice cut in and reminded Richard where he was.

He lifted his head as her lashes fluttered open. For a fleeting moment, she looked slightly dazed and her breath was ragged and shallow. He couldn’t blame her; the kiss was off the chart—hot. Richard scanned her face. Right then and there he knew there would be no kissing, because too many of those kisses were going to land them in bed.

He bit down on the side of his tongue. Richard didn’t even want to imagine what kind of heat that would cause. A flash went off and both he and Toni turned to the beaming old lady with a camera.

“I know your marriage is going to be one that lasts.” She nodded her head. “You two definitely won’t be back here. That was the kiss of a couple who was meant to be.”

He and Toni both glanced at each other and smiled over the craziness—it was better than laughing. She shook her head; the sweet chapel lady was wrong.

Richard released his hold on Toni and they both turned. The camera went off again and he knew two things. One, the wedding pictures should be interesting and two, no more kisses, ever.

Toni was relieved to be in the elevator heading up to the office. After the wedding things had been fine, civil and comfortable. Except that she couldn’t erase the wedding kiss from her mind. Never had she been kissed where her knees had actually weakened. She chalked it up to the moment, to the fact that they found each other attractive. There was no way could she allow herself to think it meant anything else and refused to set herself up for disappointment and heartache.

This is a sentence—not a relationship.

Her mind returned to the balcony in Vegas where they had sat working on their tablets and catching up on work. They had a drink, casual conversation and comfortable silence.

Since they had turned their phones off—both agreeing to leave a message that told callers they were getting married—the father’s had blown up their voicemail. Apparently, in the three days they were gone, an exchange of gifts had occurred, thanks to her friend Felix—event planner extraordinaire—and the brother of one of Richards clients.

“Do you think your father will show up at the office?” Toni finally asked, since Richard had gone back to being quiet.

The moment they stepped on the plane to head back to California everything had changed. She figured the reality of the situation had set in and their sentence was in full swing.

“I doubt it.” He glanced over at her and shook his head. “The man lives at court, the golf course and caving to my mother’s wishes and whims.”

The elevator stopped and the door opened into the lobby of Stewart Locke Investments. Mona was right. The place was dreary and outdated. Thus, Toni had been called into service. Actually, she figured it was guilt because Toni had not only cancelled her buying trips but a couple out of state jobs.

“Good morning Mr. Bryson and Ms. De—”

“Bryson—the last name is Bryson.” Toni corrected. “But just call me Toni. Mrs. Bryson is my mother-in-law.”

Richard halted and turned to her. “You’re taking my last name?” His voice was a mere whisper, but she didn’t miss the surprise in his tone.

“Yes. That’s how things are done in my family. Besides, your mother might have a fit if I don’t and go back to her threats of selling.” She sighed and offered a smile. “I’ll get my driver’s license changed this afternoon at the DMV after I drop the papers and photo evidence off at Andrew’s office for good ole Judge Masters.” She too whispered. The last thing either of them needed was anyone knowing the details of   their new life.

He studied her a moment and a range of emotions crossed his face. “Thank you.”

Though his tone was sincere, there was something off. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what. She nodded, since words failed her.

“I mean it. Thank you—you’re right about my mom.”

“I figured,” she breathed.

“Antonia Louisa Deluca!” her father called. The only time he used her middle name is when she was in trouble.

She spun on her high heel and faced her father. Oh yeah he was pissed. “You forget yourself. I’m a Bryson now.”

His eyes widened slightly as her father-in-law walked up and bounced his gaze between the two. “Richard why don’t you take your pretty wife into your office so we can have a word with you kids.”

Richard darted a skeptical glance and she forced a smile. “After you,
honey
.”

He turned and walked toward his office. Toni followed him in and both fathers followed. Her dad shut the door then turned to her and her husband. “What the hell were you two thinking with that stunt?”

“Gee, Daddy, which stunt would that be? The one in front of the Elvis wedding chapel, the one where we actually got married or the one where we thought your lives should be as uncomfortable, just for a fleeting moment, as ours have been since you both decided to meddle?”

Richard nodded his head. “Toni is right, there is some clarification required.”

“I had livestock show up while court was in session,” his father exclaimed. “It was disruptive, and set the hearing back due to uncooperative chickens.”

“You mean they didn’t heed your orders in the court room?”

Judge Bryson glared at her and they locked gazes. “You—should’ve been a lawyer.”

“Forgive me, but I find that train of thought irrelevant at this point and inadmissible.” She flashed him a saucy grin.

“Don’t get rude with Daniel. What you and your husband did was uncalled for,” her father snapped.

“Uncalled for, Karl, come off it.” Richard finally spoke. “You both had a hidden agenda and played both the ADA and Judge Masters.”

“My office was filled with gold and silver coins. It took a cleaning crew two hours to find my desk.” He placed his hands on his hips and glared at her husband.

Richard turned to Toni. “Felix is good.”

She smiled and nodded. “One of the best, actually I think you’ll like him. Very business minded.” Of course, she left out one minor detail; he was also over the top flamboyant at times. Meh—her husband would find out soon enough.

“That’s all you two have to say for yourselves?” Her father-in-law barked again.

“No, actually.” Richard reached into his briefcase and withdrew two envelopes. “We made sure you each got a copy of the marriage certificate.”

“A souvenir of your manipulation.” Toni added. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to go down the hall and meet with Mona about the designs.”

Judge Bryson turned to her and thinned his lips. “My wife told me to tell you she’ll meet you at our house.”

She heaved a sigh. Richard had given her a ride to the office. Not good. “I see.” She turned to Richard. “I’ll catch a cab to your parents. I’ll see you tonight.”

Hesitation and another emotion crossed his face. “Actually, I’ll be late tonight. I have to catch up on things.” His tone had come out flat and bit on the cool side.

Fair enough.

“Don’t worry about calling a cab,” her father interjected. “I’ll drive you to Judge Bryson’s house myself. That way we can have a nice father daughter chat.”

“Wonderful.” Toni thought for a moment. Oh yeah, she was in seriously deep hot water. However, it beat the cold shoulder from her husband.

Chapter Six

Now you see me, now you don’t!

The third family dinner as a married man, things should be getting easier, but in truth, Richard found things more difficult. Toni and Piper had become friends and even his niece Lauren liked her. His father had gotten over the incident with the animals in his courtroom and almost four weeks into their marriage Toni was treated like she’d been part of the family for years.

Richard glanced across the dining room table at his wife. She wasn’t paying attention to the conversation, but instead staring at her plate. Her attention was more intent on pushing the food around then what transpired around her. Toni wasn’t happy, though when they passed each other at the office, she always had a smile and an endearment.

When they were at home, she barely spoke, yet tried to have conversations with him. He knew he’d withdrawn from her. How could he not? She was stunning, smart, creative and had a way about her that people loved. Every man in the office, he was quite sure, had noticed her butt, both in her fitted skirts and her faded tight jeans. His father was right, she would have made a hell of an attorney, but he also knew she was a great interior designer. The sketches and plans for the office were going to make it look like it was a brand new building the moment anyone stepped off the elevator.

“Toni, you’re awfully quiet tonight.” His mother’s voice pulled her from wherever her mind had been and she glanced at the older woman. “I just love what you have planned for the offices, and I know my father would have loved them.” She smiled. “He would have really liked you.”

No mom, he would have loved her.

He kept the thought to himself and thought of his grandfather. He missed him a lot and knew he would have adored Toni. Especially since with everything else—she was a phenomenal business woman. Toni was the whole package—which made life a living nightmare for Richard.

“So tell me, what’s going on in my daughter-in-law’s world.” His mom, if anything was persistent.

“Not much,” she offered with a smile that fell short of sincere. “I cancelled all of my textile buying trips. China, Italy, India and Turkey. I have turned down two job offers out of state—one being a twenty-five million dollar commercial project.”

Holy hell!

Richard’s heart slammed to a stop. “How much was the other one for?”

She turned to him and met his gaze. Surprise etched on her pretty face. He already knew it was because he had initiated conversation. “Ten million.” She replied flatly.

Turning down jobs like that is going to kill her career.

They sat there staring at each other a moment. Sadness blinked at him from behind her long lashes. She then turned back to his mom. “Other than that, my friend Felix has helped me fill in the extra time on my hands by teaching me the fine mastery behind working with phyllo dough and let me tell you, I have mastered it and can make the fanciest
hors d'oeuvres.” Her last word carried the heaviest amount of bitterness and more than a bit of sarcasm.”

Piper shot an unamused look to him. “Didn’t you know Toni turned down jobs?”

He glanced at Toni who was back to staring at her plate. She remained quiet and continued to look unhappy. He had no one to blame but himself. He met his sister’s gaze. “She didn’t mention it.”

Toni glanced up and stared at him. He knew by the spark of temper in her eyes that she was dying to say something. Her lips parted to speak, but noise came from the hall and Erik strode into the room.

“Hello everyone, I’m back from Japan,” he announced.

“Uncle Erik!” Lauren squealed, as she jumped up from the table and ran over to his brother. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, so much I brought you back presents.” He gave the teen a hug then his gaze fell on Toni. “Mom. You didn’t mention we’d have such gorgeous company for dinner.”

Richard exchanged an eye roll with Piper as Erik walked over to where Toni sat. “And who might you be?”

Toni smiled sweetly—a little too sweetly. “Well, Erik, I’m your brother’s wife. You’d have known that if you had found a little time to answer your mother’s phone calls.”

His mother bit back the smirk and Piper suddenly found the drapes hanging in the floor to ceiling dining room window fascinating. Erik glanced at Richard. “You actually got married?”

“I did. Erik this is Toni.”

Erik turned back to Toni and grinned. He raked his gaze over what he could see with her seated at the table and cast a lopsided grin. “Welcome to the family. I can hardly wait to get know you.” He winked and Richard wanted to punch his brother. “I know I’m going to love you.” Erik’s tone grated his nerves.

“I bet.” Toni turned to Richard. “You’re right, he is a flirt. Now maybe you can explain to him the difference between a pick up bar and a dining room.”

Piper burst out laughing and turned to Erik. “She has your number.”

His mother’s expression became animated and a broad grin crossed her lips. “I love this girl.”

“You’re father’s right,” his dad chimed in. “You’d have made a hell of a lawyer.”

Toni turned to his dad. “I object.”

The two locked gazes and his dad chuckled. “Sustained.” He cast a wink. “I hear you’re a damn good interior designer.”

His wife smiled and for the moment and the first time in weeks, looked happy. “Thank you, sir.”

Richard’s cell phone went off and he reached into his suit pocket. He glanced at the number. Dammit! “Excuse me please, I have to take this.”

“Really?” His wife’s tone held icy coolness.

“It’s important,” he explained. “Excuse me.” He got up from the table and answered the phone. “Hello?”

Toni blinked after her husband and strain tightened the muscles in her neck.

“Toni, come help me get a plate and cutlery for Erik.” Piper’s voice cut into her wallowing.

“Of course, excuse me.”

She pushed back her chair and followed Piper into the kitchen. Toni walked over to the cupboard where Mona kept the plates.

“What the hell is going on?”

She turned to her sister-in-law. “Nothing, why?”

“You are a horrible liar.” Piper stepped toward her. “Toni, mom told me the truth.”

Her heart slammed to a stop. “Lauren?”

“Thinks everything is fine, and she doesn’t need to know.” Her sister-in-law sighed. “I also have seen the pictures from your wedding.”

Toni reached into the cupboard and withdrew a plate. “I’m not surprised. I’m amazed that your mother hasn’t had them blown up.”

“Toni, for the last few weeks something has really bothered me and I need to say something.” Piper studied her. “The couple in the wedding picture. They look completely taken with each other. I saw you two at your engagement party. Neither of you look like your serving a sentence—you looked like the real deal.”

Tension in her neck and shoulders tightened. “What can I say; your brother and I have wonderful acting skills.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

Toni had seen the wedding photos obviously. She also could see how things could be mistaken. “He doesn’t like me.”

“Who?”

She swallowed back the bile churning in her stomach. “Richard.”

Piper’s brows went up and disbelief washed over her face. “You’re kidding right.”

Footsteps entered the kitchen and the conversation came to a halt. She already knew who had joined them and turned to her husband.

“Sorry to interrupt. However, Toni, I have to go.”

She blinked at Richard. “It’s Sunday evening.”

“I know, I can drop you off at the condo, but I have to meet someone.” His expression held guilt.

Toni sighed and was getting used to him either working late—or leaving the house early in the morning or late at night. She already had her suspicions as to why. “Sure, let me say good bye.”

“No.” Piper turned to her brother. “There is no reason why Toni needs to leave, just because you’re in an all fired hurry to get out of here. I’ll drive her home.”

Richard met Toni’s gaze and she would give up one of her classic cars to know what he was thinking or what the expression on his face meant. “I’ll probably be late.”

She nodded and resisted the urge to cry. Tears were weakness. “I know; I’m getting used to it.”

“Toni—”

“Good night, Richard, I’ll be in bed when you get home. I have a full day with the crew tomorrow at the office.”

He nodded and glanced at his sister. “Thanks, Piper.” He again darted a look at Toni but she looked away and walked over to the cutlery drawer. Richard didn’t say another word but walked out of the kitchen.

Toni set the plate on the counter and covered her face with her hands. “I have eleven more months of this. He barely knows I exist.”

“I know my brother. Something is really bothering him. He’s not happy.”

She lowered her hands and blinked at the other woman. “Neither am I.”

Piper shook her head. “I mean it, Toni I’ve never seen him like this. I have no clue what’s going on with him.”

She slowly exhaled and nodded then finally braved what she’d be thinking for over a week. “I think he’s having an affair.”

Piper’s brown eyes widened in shock. “Now why the hell would he do something like that?”

For the life of her, Toni wished she had the answer.

Ever since he’d left Sunday dinner two weeks ago, Richard had noticed the change in Toni. She had completely shut down toward him. Sure, at the office, when the world was watching, she was the happy cheerful wife. When they were alone, she was completely different and cold. He couldn’t blame her; he had basically avoided her at every chance he got.

This morning he’d wakened and she’d already left. He needed to talk to her but what could he say? He was slowly going insane. How he wanted to change the rules of their marriage?

He stepped off the elevator and instantly faint traces of her perfume assaulted his senses. Her giggle echoed from down the hall and his stomach knotted. Sure, she laughed and smiled. But only, if it was in front of an audience or he wasn’t around. He sighed and walked toward his office and paused at the boardroom door. 

Toni stood with her back to him in fitted, ripped jeans talking to a man with a tool belt on his waist and a ball cap. A tiny sliver of fabric peeked out of one of the rips in her jeans, just under one of her firm, round, butt cheeks. She wore boxers? He ran his gaze up the curve of her hips to where she narrowed at the waist and then curved out. Her white t-shirt clung to her and he could well imagine what she looked like from the front.

She walked over to one of the walls and knocked on it in several spots. Toni glanced back to where the older man she’d been talking to still stood. “Do we need this wall?”

The man shook his head. “No.”

“Good. Knock it down. There is an empty office on the other side and if this wall is gone we’ll have more space in here which will open the room completely up.”

She has a point.

He couldn’t argue the difference would be huge. Richard also noticed she was wearing glasses today. After six weeks of marriage, he’d never seen her in glasses. He liked them on her. The wire rimmed frames hinted at the brain behind the beauty.

“Also burn this carpet, I’m positive they stopped making this back in the seventies.”

He couldn’t control the grin over her comment. The silent war was killing him and he stepped into the room. “I’ve always hated this carpet.”

Toni turned and blinked in surprise. “Richard…” He could tell she was surprised as he ventured deeper into the room. Her full lips pursed together and he thought of the kiss they’d shared when they got married. His chest constricted and he resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and tell her he was sorry.

“You left early this morning.”

She nodded and glanced around the room before again meeting his gaze. “Yeah, I have to leave the office early today, so I wanted to make sure Chris and his crew knew exactly what I wanted at this end of the building. Your mom wanted the boardroom moved up as a priority.”

He couldn’t control his smile. “Does my mom know your knocking down walls?”

“No, but I don’t need permission, she left me with creative control.”

“Mr. Bryson, I’ve worked with your wife on five other projects and when she has free reign—she does amazing things.”

“It’s Chris, right?” he asked the other man.

He nodded. “That’s right.”

“Well, I’m pretty proud of Toni. She is very good at what she does.”

His wife turned and looked at him with disbelief in her dark eyes. Finally, she recovered and smiled warmly at him. “It’s nice to hear.”

“Chris can you give me a minute with my wife, please?” Richard didn’t take his gaze off of Toni.

“Of course.” The man left the room and Richard stepped closer to where she stood.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Is everything okay?”

He decided to go with honesty. “No. I was hoping we could find time to talk.”