Tickled Pink

License Statement 

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please download an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Praise for JT Schultz

JT Schultz is an author to watch!!! She packs action, humor and heat between the pages!!!

~Author Karen Kelley

JT has a way of combining humor and sensual delights to keep the reader entertained from start to finish! I’m positive you won’t be disappointed at any time!

~Joni – Twolips Reviews

JT Schultz has a style that grabs you and drags you in.

~Rachel C. - Fallen Angel Reviews

I love Ms. Schultz’s writing style and I would highly recommend her stories to others. You won’t be disappointed.

~Diana, Night Owl Romance Reviews

Also Available By JT Schultz

Short Stories

Her Wolf Guardian

Un-A-Were of You

Coming Home

Wolf Moon

Novellas

More Than Illusions

Tinsel & Takeovers

Cowboy's Wish

High Stakes

Rescued by a Vampire

Her Wolf Soul Mate

Mid-Category

Laws of Love

Crazy for Cupid

Cowboy Wedding Mix-up

Rings & Ravioli

Novels

Frog Tale

Irresistible

Tickled Pink

Coming Soon

Little White Cowboy Lies

Sinfully Yours

Rocking Christmas (Pleasantville Hearts Series)

Blind Date

Friends With A Cowboy

Dear Reader,

Thank you for purchasing Tickled Pink. This story was originally designed to go in an anthology; unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. Stay tuned for 2015. I am especially grateful for your purchase as 50% of the book sales will be going to Susan G. Komen in order to help find a cure for breast cancer. This is my first charity book and I promise you, it won’t be my last.

At this time I want to give special thanks to my editor, Annie Kelly, and fellow author, Suzie Ivy, for the time they donated to this project.

Antonia Deluca and Richard Bryson’s story holds a bit of magic, unleashed by the bottle of Tickled Pink. How does the story unfold? In Antonia’s own words - got arrested, met, got married, had sex, became friends then fell in love.

Again, thank you for your purchase and helping to work toward a cure. I truly hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

~Best,

JT

www.jtschultz.com

Trademarks Acknowledgement

Trademark owners of the following word marks mentioned in this story:

Mercedes: Mercedes-Benz

Armani: Giorgio Armani

Lego: The Lego Group

Batman: DC Comics, Inc.

Superman: DC Comics, Inc.

Spiderman: Marvel Entertainment, LLC

––––––––

Dedication,

To Amy, Lorie, Donna, Vickie, Kate and Shira, God blessed me when he gave you to me for friends and brought you into my life.

To Mom, Aunt Jinny and Aunt Dell. As women, unafraid of the past no matter the good, bad, ugly and at times sad—all the things what made you the strong ladies today. I turn to that strength and know I can be a better person despite circumstance.

Olivia, you are my heart, now, always and forever...it’s a mom thing. Always have hope and believe in the good.

To Robbi H., Laurie D., Riza G.M., Jana G., Kim W., Carolyn E., Tina K., Tammy G., Esther H., Acquabelle R., and Dawn R. You fought and survived or continue to fight, against the heartless disease that kills millions. It holds no discrimination. Breast Cancer doesn’t care about color, religion, sex or anything...but your courage matters to me—and to others.

To Alice C., Sandy and Tiffany L, Phylis G., sorry you lost the battle, others will continue to fight.

Charles P., Scott S., Michael V., James M. and David N., true men who would wear pink, knowing real men do—especially if there is a cure around the corner. Thank you, always.

To my editors, publishers, fellow authors and my beloved readers both old and new, let’s fight back, let’s stand up and together, work toward a cure.

~Love & Blessings, J

Prologue

It’s getting pink in here...

Thank you for making today perfect.

You’re more than welcome. Antonia Deluca smiled at her best friend Kayla. I’m happy to have you still here. It’s been a long eighteen months and I can’t think of anyone who deserves all the happiness in the world more than you do.

She glanced around the now empty event tent. The flecks of silver in the nearly sheer fabric sparkled like tiny diamonds underneath the moonlight. The traditional swag bows, all pink, hung from the backs of chairs draped in white. Round tables adorned in pink tablecloths with white lace fabric in the middle held centerpieces of crystal bowls with floating white candles and pink roses.

I admit, I never thought I’d ever get to marry Andrew. Kayla’s face glowed with that special light only love can bring.

Speaking of the gorgeous groom, where did he escape to?

He’s gone out to the car. I left a gift there until we were alone. I got you a little something for being the most amazing friend, supporter and cheerleader anyone could ever hope for.

She shook her head. You didn’t have to do that. We’ve been friends since high school—I was just doing my job.

You’ve been a God send to us both. Andrew’s deep voice had her turning to the groom who pulled out a chair and joined them at the table. He carried a bottle of pink champagne and three glasses. Really, Toni, you’re amazing. Everyone raved about the wedding. Everyone is saying it was one of the loveliest they’d ever seen.

True, she did oversee every detail and called in some of her best colleagues to help ensure this wedding was not only beautiful, but perfectly Kayla. Thank you. I’m glad you’re both happy and do wish you both all the best.

Speaking of the best... Kayla squealed. She turned to her new husband and flashed him a bold smile. Did you get it?

I did. He reached inside his tuxedo jacket and withdrew a small white box with a pink ribbon—of course. He passed the box to Kayla who turned to Toni and shrugged. This is from us. For everything.

She slipped the box from her friend’s hand and blinked, then glanced up and darted her gaze between the newlyweds. You really didn’t have to.

Yeah, we did. Andrew winked, and then poured three glasses of the pink champagne.

Open it up, Kayla encouraged with a spark of mischief in her blue eyes.

Toni nodded and carefully untied the ribbon. She lifted the lid and stared at the small bottle with something pink inside and a tiny cork in the top as a stopper. Her curiosity was piqued and she lifted the unusual glass object out of the safety of the cotton encasement. The contents held a glittery quality, but the substance was reminiscent of pink smoke as opposed to a liquid or solid. She admired the gold label and smiled. "Tickled Pink."

Knowing Toni’s love for all things quirky and unique, the gift was perfect. She’d never seen anything like it. I love it.

Kayla turned to Andrew. I told you, it was ideal. She turned back to Toni and grinned. Now make a wish and pop the cork.

Her brows dipped. Why would I do that? You do realize it’s a bottle and not a candle on a birthday cake?

I do, but its magic and will grant you a wish.

Toni cast a skeptical glance at Andrew who offered her a grin and a shrug. She glanced back at her friend who had been through so much sadness, illness and finally had reached recovery and happiness. Okay, since I can tell this means so much to you, I’ll do it.

Kayla beamed and clapped her hands together. Her diamond ring sparkled under the lighting, but its radiance didn’t compare to the bride.

She thought for a minute; what could she wish for? She didn’t believe in the whimsical foolishness of making wishes—hell she didn’t believe in signs—but if this would make Kayla happy, that’s all that mattered. I wish for you to be happy.

Toni pulled the cork out. The pink misty substance escaped out the neck in the form of a cloud—a glittery pink cloud. Once all the substance had dissipated she glanced at her friend and placed the cork back in the empty bottle. How was that?

Kayla smiled and nodded. Perfect. However, out of fairness, only one thing could make me happy at this point. She took her husband’s hand and smiled. The cancer is gone—at least for now, I have amazing friends and family, and I married the man of my dreams. Her blue eyes filled with happy tears. The only thing that could make me any happier at this point is to see you settled—to find love.

I do have love—my career and I are very attached. She flashed the newlyweds a saucy grin.

That’s not what I meant and you know it. Kayla curled her fingers around the stem of the champagne glass. "Mark my words Toni—Tickled Pink is magic and it will happen—you wished for my happiness and that means you finding love."

To love and life. Andrew lifted his glass as did Kayla.

To love and life, Toni whispered and lifted her glass.

The three glasses clinked together and the flames on the floating candles flickered. Not just on their table, but on all the other tables.

Toni sipped the pink champagne and her heart raced. The wish, the Tickled Pink and the sudden flickering candles were just a coincidence—right?

Chapter One

Couples that go to jail together...

You are nothing but a menace to society! Toni glared at the sleek black, latest of the latest Mercedes Benz, turning onto the street. The screech of tires at the red light a block down and the faint thud of bass blowing out very expensive speakers had warned her of the cars near arrival.

It was also five o’clock, the time when the driver of the vehicle in her crosshairs came home from wherever he went. No woman would behave as if chased by a demon with horsepower, and all to the sound of...was that eighties rap music? Thus, the driver had to be a male with a fast, expensive car, and music cranked louder than a Kiss concert. He was clearly trying to overcompensate for the short protruding part between his legs.

The black vehicle picked up speed and Toni dropped her attention to the golf ball on her balcony. I’ll get that bastard to slow down yet.

She brought her golf club back and swung. Her gaze followed the ball as it sailed through the air. It would, no doubt, land on the grass with the others across the street. However, like the many that had gone airborne before, the sudden movement in front of the windshield of the reckless individual always resulted in them braking. Either way, she had done her part to reduce speeding on her street and saving the lives of the kids who played there, even if it was only in her mind.

The wind picked up slightly and the golf ball descended sooner than usual. The Mercedes was going faster than most cars. The sound of glass splintering echoed through the early evening air as the speeding white missile made contact with the back passenger window.

Oh hell! She cringed as the vehicle screeched to a halt directly in front of her house. Slowly, she tucked the golf club behind her back and waited.

The car door swung open and the driver climbed out. Yep, he was male all right, only she’d never pictured him to be so hot. His handsome face scowled at her and he looked...well...angry.

So, he had every right to be mad, but he shouldn’t have been speeding. Technically, he had brought the shattered window on himself. At least that was her story and she was sticking to it.

Are you just going to stand there or you going to stop playing Juliet and get off the balcony? He might have had a sexy voice if he wasn’t yelling at her. Hard to tell, but where did he get off comparing her to a Shakespearean damsel? The hotty in the expensive suit was obviously overreacting, and it was high time she set the record straight.

Well you certainly aren’t Romeo screaming like a raving maniac. She rested her golf club in the corner of the balcony next to the steel bucket of balls she kept on standby for people who insisted on tearing up the street as if it was their own personal racetrack.

Toni stomped back into her bedroom, down the hall and quickly made her way to the first floor. She paused with her hand wrapped around the cool brass doorknob of the front entrance.  Could she tell him it was just an accident? No the several attempts over weeks past that had sailed over his car roof undoubtedly made it pre-meditated. Or did they only use pre-meditated when it came to murder?

Loud chimes filled her ears and didn’t stop. The doorbell had to be stuck because it kept on clanging. She tore open the door to notice a strong finger poking at it repeatedly. What the hell are you doing? I heard you the first time you rang.

The man from the car spun and glared at her. Her lungs froze instantly. Her head went light with fuzziness, most likely from lack of oxygen and her eyes rested on the hottest man she had ever seen. Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome turned out to be even better looking up close than from a distance. The fact did nothing to ease her suddenly racing heart.

What the hell were you thinking, aiming at my car like some mad woman?

Well, he had a good thing going—until he opened up his mouth and spoke. She sighed. How man like of him. I was thinking you were a menace to society and needed to be stopped before you killed innocent children and defenseless animals.

His sapphire blue eyes darkened beneath his mega long black eyelashes. What kind of person do you think I am? he growled.

She winced at the roar of temper he had enunciated every word with. Well for starters, I think you have anger issues, but do you really want me to answer that question?

He pursed his lips and inhaled a sharp breath. "I don’t have anger issues; forgive me if I’m slightly irritated over the fact you shattered my car window. You’re the menace with that weapon of yours."

Don’t stand on my front step and yell at me. You’ve torn down this street for the last month with reckless abandon in order to reinforce to your ego that you’re a real man. Maybe it isn’t anger issues you have but an attempt to hide your insecurity.

His mouth dropped open in shock. He looked somewhat cute with that horrified look on his face, and to the raging hotty’s credit; he did have a nice mouth. His arms flailed heavenward then slapped against his suit covered thighs. Insecurity? Do you have any idea who I am?

No, but I don’t think you’ll like my answer on that either, so let’s put that question on the same list as the last one you asked.

His eyes widened. It wasn’t hard to miss that he was taken aback by her comebacks. I’m not hiding any insecurity.

No, my guess is your pants zipper does the job just fine. Now, are we going to discuss your wee little problem—she held her pointer finger and thumb up an inch apart to emphasize her statement—or are you going to demand I pay for the damages to your window, when clearly it was your fault the window got broken in the first place?

You will be paying for the damages.

And you might want to move your car from the middle of the street, she politely suggested.

Don’t tell me what to do! he snapped at her. Instead, tell me how you will be paying for this. I know where you live.

Well, I’m sure the officers getting out of the sheriff’s car behind your fancy car will tell you the same thing. She smiled and shrugged at the horror washing over his face. You’re blocking traffic.

He turned and cast a glance to the street, and watched the two officers walking up the sidewalk. Thank God! I have a crime to report.

Toni smiled at the officers, an old one and a young one. Too bad they weren’t priests; she was positive the man in the Armani suit, ranting like a lunatic, needed an exorcism.

Sir, is that your car in the middle of the street?

Yes, actually. I was—

Could we see your license and registration please? The older officer hitched his pants up, and then hooked his thumbs on his belt while he waited for the man on her step to hand over the required items.

The hot-tempered hotty reached in his pocket for his wallet and removed his driver’s license. If the police were smart they would cut it to pieces. However, Toni decided to remain quiet. The registration is in the car. I need to go get it.

The younger officer made a stop signal with one hand and took the license with the other. No. You need to stay here and away from the vehicle. He turned to Toni, and with a serious expression, ask her, We heard yelling when we approached—this man isn’t being abusive is he?

Toni glanced at the handsome man who narrowed his gaze as if in warning. She turned back to the officer and shook her head. No, I think he’s just having an emotional breakdown. Possibly forgot to take his meds for neurotic behavior.

I’m not on medication nor am I neurotic. I’m perfectly fine. He all but barked at Toni.

Right, noted the older officer. That’s why you left your brand new Mercedes in the middle of the street still running. He leaned in closer. Have you been drinking?

The good-looking guy tugged at his over-priced and rather ugly tie. It’s five o’clock in the afternoon. Of course not.

Right, the older officer exchanged a doubtful look with the younger one. I’ll get the registration and run our new friend’s name. He glanced at the card in his hand. Richard Bryson.

That would be me.

The older officer glanced up and studied him. Any relationship to Judge Bryson?

Richard heaved a sigh and shook his head. A displeased expression crossed his handsome face. He’s my father.

Right, the older officer responded, again not believing, and then turned to his partner. I’ll be back; find out why these two decided to create the public disturbance. He walked away and the young officer turned to her.

Ladies first.

Toni smiled and nodded. Well technically I wasn’t in public. I was on my balcony.

Yeah and taking aim at my vehicle with that golf ball of yours.

She turned to Richard. You shouldn’t be speeding down this street. It’s residential, children live along here. Children and small animals.

Miss, could I please get your name?

She turned to the officer. Antonia Deluca.

He scribbled the name down then glanced up. Go on.

Well, I was on my balcony practicing my golf swing and one of the balls accidentally hit the back window of this man’s car.

Accidentally, Richard exclaimed, with a mocking laugh. She didn’t appreciate his sarcasm but did admire the deep dimples on either side of his firm mouth. You’ve been taking aim at me for the last two weeks.

Not exactly. I’ve been sending you warnings to slow down. Which you’ve chosen to ignore while trying to prove your gas pedal works.

Enough! The officer barked and both she and Richard focused on the young officer. So you have been aiming at the vehicle with golf balls?

"They usually sail right