Tickled Pink (12 page)

Andrew cleared his throat. “Can I say something here?”

He nodded. “By all means.”

“Do you hate what she did with the condo?”

“It was this incredible shock—but no. Actually, I could make a huge profit off it, if I sold it as is, furniture and all. It’s like something out of a magazine and it’s her attention to small details.” So, he had overreacted. Maybe. “She got kittens.”

Kayla laughed. “She actually adopted Boxter and Vette. Wow, she went all out. She has been looking after them the last few weeks when she volunteered at the animal shelter. Their mom was killed when they were almost four weeks old. There were six in total, but Vette and Boxter were the smallest and didn’t look so good for them. Toni became focused on them and they did well.”

“Seriously?” he bounced his look between Kayla and Andrew then rested it on Kayla. “She volunteered her time at the animal shelter and put her energy into orphaned kittens—which she named after her cars.” Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable. Of course, he would’ve known this if he had been around.

“Are you okay, you look a little grey there, buddy.” Andrew sounded concerned. He had every right to be.

“I’ve really messed things up with her.” He debated a moment and thought. “Tell me about the real Toni, tell me something, if I was to run her name on the internet that wouldn’t come up.”

“What difference would it make?” Kayla cast a level gaze. “Richard, you’re married to a woman who is the whole package. I know damn well she’s attracted to you and honestly I think that’s why she’s a bit out of whack. Her whole world changed and the one person who should have been there for her wasn’t.”

“I have a year with her, I know she’s hurt and I want to fix it. Please Kayla.” He sounded desperate. Of course he did. He was desperate, he wanted things better.

Kayla shook her head. “I don’t know. I’ve already said too much.”

“Just over eighteen months ago Kayla got diagnosed with breast cancer. No one saw that coming.”

Richard turned to Andrew and blinked then glanced to Kayla. “Are you okay?”

“I am now or at least for now.”

Relief washed over him and he turned back to Andrew. “Please, go on.”

The other man nodded. “Anyway Kayla and I had been together three years at that point and I had just asked her to marry me. I thought my world was going to fall apart.” He paused and the emotions were close to the surface. “Toni, gave up her social life, work, everything and was there for us.”

“She used to have really long hair,” Kayla started and he turned to the woman who his wife cherished like a sister. “She cut it off, so I could have real hair when I started to lose mine.”

The pieces started fitting together. “The pink streak in her hair…”

“Was for me. She cut off the hair, got the pink streak and was so strong through it all. She never looked back.” She shook her head and tears came to her eyes. “Richard, the two of you are married—it doesn’t have to be a sentence. Maybe it has the chance of something more.”

“Kayla’s right.” Andrew agreed and he turned to the man who had fast become a friend. “You two have a prenuptial. If you end up filing for a divorce in a year, instead of an annulment, so what? But don’t miss the chance to find out what could’ve been.”

He was at a loss and more than anything he wanted to talk to Toni. “I am so thankful for you both.” He swallowed back the cyclone of emotions raging through him. “Thanks for being good friends to Toni and me.”

“You’re welcome.” Andrew smiled. “I already know you’re a good guy Richard, you just need to show Toni.”

He stood and nodded. “I’m going to go home and talk to her.”

“She’s not there.”

Richard turned to Kayla who wore a sheepish expression. “What do you mean she’s not there?”

She shook her head and thinned her lips. “She went into the office to work. Toni does that a lot. When things get tough—she submerges herself in work.”

Wonderful. We’re more alike than I thought.

“Okay, I’m going home, changing my clothes, going to check out a few things on the internet—other than my email, and then heading over to talk to my wife.” Richard smiled and debated. “Hopefully we can kiss and make up.”

“I would definitely go for the kissing,” Kayla giggled. “She might surprise you and kiss you back.”

He grinned. “I plan on going for a lot more than that.” He wanted Toni more than ever and after hearing what he had tonight, he wanted to know even more about her.

Andrew winked. “Smart man.”

I’ve been an idiot and hope she forgives me.

Chapter Seven

What were we thinking?

Toni studied the different roller marks on the wall in front of her. Three different shades of blue and she couldn’t make up her mind. This wasn’t rocket science, this was a wall color. She was getting tired and her mind wasn’t on work, but instead the angry man to whom she was married. Things had been great in the beginning. They had gotten along fine. Finally, tonight he had decided to surface before she was in bed and they fought.

At least I got his attention.

She wondered how the kittens were and debated going home. Though she was hungry, she didn’t have much appetite for food. Instead, she wished life would go back to when she and Richard got along. Before their wedding and before they shared that kiss.

“Well, this is a surprise.”

A chill ran down Toni’s spine as she turned to the office door at the same time Hank stepped deeper into the room. “Hank, hi.” Instantly, she wasn’t comfortable. She needed to leave—now.”

“I find it strange that a newly married woman would be here working rather than at home in bed with her husband.” He drew closer to where she stood and more than anything she wanted away from him. Something in his tone sent a nervous sensation through her and settled in her stomach.

“I just wanted to check on a couple things, I was just leaving.”

He stepped in front of her and the close proximity unsettled her nerves even more. “I don’t believe you. Come on Toni. There’s no way Richard satisfies you. His finger caressed her upper arm and then and there she swore she was going to throw up on his expensive shoes.

“You pervert! Don’t touch me!” Toni struggled but his grip tightened.

“Please, don’t touch me.” Her voice cracked. She wanted Richard, she wanted her husband—and that wasn’t happening anytime soon. Coming here this late was a bad idea, but she never dreamed she’d run into Hank.

“Don’t be a prude.” He warned and stepped even closer. Toni backed away right into the wall. She had nowhere to run. Hank’s hand curled around her upper arms and panic hit.

“Stop! Don’t touch me!” Toni struggled but his grip tightened.

“I’m going to do a lot more than touch you,” Hank leered.

Fear slammed her heart to a halt. “I’m happily married—I’m sorry you’re not.” She tried to pull away from him, the room and the building, but he didn’t release his hold. She twisted and lurched from side to side, trying to shake his hold on her “Get away from me!” she nearly screamed.

“Let go of my wife before I break both your arms.” Richard’s voice was feral.

Hank released her, stepped away and turned to the door. Toni finally inhaled a small breath and swallowed back the bile. Her knees were shaking so badly she thought they were going to give out. She glanced at her husband, who wore a lethal expression. His angry blue gaze, however, remained fixed on Hank. His long legs took even, slow strides as he approached the other man.

“You’re going to apologize to Toni then walk your ass out of here.” Richard’s voice was low and rough with anger and ice. “After what I just witnessed, if you so much as look at her the wrong way, I’ll make damn sure she presses assault charges.” Hank frowned.

“That would ruin my career and marriage.” His voice was whiney and childish.

Finally, Toni found her voice and pushed unsteadily away from the wall. “No, Hank. You’re actions are ruining your marriage. Patricia deserves better.”

Hank tossed her a glance and muttered an insincere, almost indifferent “Sorry.” Then he again met Richard’s gaze. “I still don’t get how you ended up with her. She’s nothing like anyone you’ve ever been with.”

Her heart sank. The last thing she needed was someone stating that aloud. She wasn’t a super thin model type. At least she had a brain and wasn’t afraid to eat a cookie every now and then.

“And that’s exactly why I married her.” Richard’s tone revealed his anger that was quickly boiling to the surface. “Get the hell out of my sight before my fist ends up in your face.”

Hank shook his head. “We’ve known each other our whole lives and this is what it’s coming down to? The bitch over a brother and friend?”

Rage flickered over Richard’s handsome face and she stepped in front of him as he lunged at Hank. “He’s not worth it,” she informed her husband, placing her hands on his chest. “Don’t bring yourself down to his level.”

He covered her hands with his, but still glared at Hank. “Get out of here, before I ignore Toni’s advice.”

Hank shook his head and backed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Toni heaved a relieved sigh and lifted her hands from Richard’s chest.  She turned absently to the wall with the blue roller marks. If she was tired before, she was now officially emotionally drained.

“Toni…”

Toni spun and faced him, not sure what to say. She was still shaking from Hank trying to force himself on her. She shook her head. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

Temper sparked in his blue gaze. “Oh it was definitely what it looked like. Hank was forcing himself on you.” He shook his head and met her gaze. “If I hadn’t shown up…” he shut his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m terrified to think what could have happened.”

“Me facing assault charges and a high chance of Hank paying a visit to the hospital?” She swallowed back her nerves and a wild urge to giggle.  With a shiver she tried to pull herself together and admitted, “It’s my fault for being here late.”

Richard sighed and weighed her words. “Why are you here?”

She studied the man before her. “After fighting with you, I didn’t want to be at the condo. I couldn’t go to Kayla’s because you had shown up there; I didn’t know what to do with myself, except the only thing I’m truly good at, working.”

He blinked at her and sighed. “You’re good at a lot of things.”

She shook her head. “Obviously not, you’re hardly ever around.”

He nodded in agreement. “No, I haven’t been around much.” He darted a glance to the wall with the paint then again rested his gaze on her. “I overacted about the furniture. My condo looks like a show home, it’s remarkable—a big change—but you did an amazing job with it.” He paused then his lips twitched. “The TV is pretty cool.

“Thank you.”

He debated and continued to study her. “I know you started out doing it to get my attention.”

“Ah, Kayla and her need to talk.” Toni couldn’t believe her friend had told him. “It’s true, and then I realized, if you entertained, the living and dining area needed to have more flow and should have some conversation pieces.”

“You’re right, it did—which you accomplished.” He sighed and stared her as if he was looking at her for the first time. “The kittens are cute; I never bothered having a pet because I worked all the time.”

“Me either, but since I’m at home more, due to circumstance, the 4800 sq. ft. got a bit lonely and overwhelming—since you’re never there. I started to feel like I was in a very sleek, black and chrome prison.  I can only spend so much time with Kayla and Piper. They have lives.”

He stepped closer to where she stood. Seeing him in jeans and a navy blue Henley surprised her. He rarely dressed casual, but the shirt clung to his well-muscled body. Why did he have to be so attractive? Even with the dark circles under his eyes, indicating he wasn’t sleeping as much as he should. How could he? He was never home. “I admit I was avoiding you as much as possible.”

His words bothered her and a heavy weight settled on her chest. “I gathered that—thank you for confirming my theory.”

Again, he scanned her face as if taking in every detail of her. “The thing is, it’s probably for one of the dumbest reasons ever.”

Her brow crinkled and she wasn’t sure if she had the strength to listen to his reasoning. However, they were only forty-four days into their sentence, which meant they had a lot more to go—like 321 more.

“You know I’m attracted to you. Not that I’ve shown you or told you that lately.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond to the statement and remained quiet.

“I’ve been avoiding you because I’m more attracted to you now than ever and I was afraid I’d do something incredibly stupid if I was around you for any length of time.”

Toni was tired, hungry and confused. “Like what?”

His firm mouth turned into a grin and he reached out a hand and cupped the base of her neck. “Probably something like this.” No sooner did the words leave his mouth, his other arm circled her waist and his head lowered. His lips covered hers and her whole body heated and melted against his solid chest.

Her knees weakened and she laced her arms around his neck. Every nerve in her body went on full alert as his tongue slid across her lower lip. Her mouth parted, he entered and entwined his tongue with hers.  Richard’s hold on her tightened, the kiss deepened and her nipples hardened beneath the lace of her bra. The arm holding her against him shifted and his hand caressed her back as his head lifted away from hers.

Her lashes fluttered open and her lungs failed to work since his kiss had left her breathless. She stared into his blue gaze and savored the safety of his hold.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered as his hands slipped away, causing her body to chill where his touch had been.

“I hope not for the kiss, because I’m quite sure it holds a new record of some sort.”

His firm mouth broke into a smile, revealing his dimples. “Definitely not for the kiss.” His fingers toyed with the pink streak in her hair. “I plan on kissing you again—a lot.”

“That might lead us into trouble.” She warned, not even wanting to imagine what that trouble might be after the kiss they’d just shared. Chances were high fireworks would be getting involved.

“I’m never going to survive a year of not holding you or touching you.” His hands slipped to her hips and he held her firmly. “I think about the kiss we shared on the day we got married, probably about a thousand times a day.”

Her lips curled into a weak, but uncontrollable grin. “Me too,” she admitted in a whisper

He tugged her closer to him and held her there. “Let me take you home, order some take out, turn off our phones and just hang out together.”

Toni inhaled her first normal breath in days. “I’d really like that. What about my car?”

“It’ll be fine in the parking garage overnight—unless you want to take it”.

“Depends, did you want to drive it?”

His eyes widened. “Seriously? You’ll let me?”

He reminded her of a little boy. “Yeah, I’m pretty tired and still a bit shaken over the incident with Hank.”

“I wanted to kill him and I’m still thinking about it. You were scared and pale.” He paused a moment. “I also heard what you said about being happily married.”

Toni didn’t know what to say. “I am, most days.” The words fell between them a notch above a whisper.

Richard gazed at her intensely and he gently squeezed her hips.. “Would you be happier if we spent more time together?”

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and wondered if she would sound needy if she said yes. Instead, she simply nodded her head.

He placed a kiss on her forehead and let his lips linger before he again met her gaze. “I’m such an idiot. An idiot with a beautiful wife.”

“Ready to take me home?”

The expression on his face warmed her and some of the tension over the last few weeks started to ease. “Most definitely.”

Three hours later, Richard still fumed with rage beneath the surface. He couldn’t believe what he’d walked in on, if Hank had gone any further—he would have hurt him. Badly. Walking into the situation he did would bother him for a while, but it was the revelation he needed. There was no doubt; he was fiercely possessive over Toni and absolutely crazy about her. He thought of the things Andrew and Kayla had told him about her and they confirmed something he’d known for a while.

She wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met.

Toni walked back into the room. “The left over sushi is in the fridge and the kittens are eating.”

He took in every detail of her as she drew closer to the sofa where he sat. The worn fabric of her ripped jeans curved over her hips. Her long sleeve shirt had the couple of buttons at the top undone, showing only a hint of cleavage, but the pale pink hugged her full breasts and narrowed down into the waist of her pants.

Her steps paused. “What’s wrong?”

Richard raked his gaze over her. “Nothing.” He grinned. “I still can’t believe you let me drive the Corvette.”

She closed the distance and sat near him on the sofa. Closer than she had been before, close enough to touch him. “Well, I’m glad you liked it.”

“The car is amazing.” He reached out and captured her wrist and wasn’t sure how she’d react. When she didn’t pull away he gently tugged her toward him. “Come here,” he whispered.

Toni shifted and straddled his lap. His arms circled her waist and savored the feel of her. He studied every detail of her face, and though she wasn’t as pale as she had been, he could tell she was tired. To him, though, she looked incredible. He hadn’t slept well in weeks and would lay awake in bed thinking of her sleeping down the hall. Studying her now, he wondered if she wasn’t sleeping either.