Married in Name Only

by Jules Bennett

  “You know that’s not the case,” she defended with a layer of hurt in her tone. “I had to let you go, Lucas. Your father...”

  Intrigued, and maybe a little pissed at the fact she was even here, Lucas crossed his arms over his chest. “My father, what?”

  Paisley licked her lips and tucked her hair behind her ears. A slight nervous habit she’d clearly never outgrown. An instant later, she squared her shoulders and tipped her chin.

  “Your father told me I was holding you back,” she stated. “You were all set to head off to Harvard with a full scholarship and, well, he was right. I would’ve held you back. You would have put all your goals on hold to stay with me.”

  Gritting his teeth, Lucas thought back to the night he’d found her letter on the seat of his truck. Upon reading it the first time he’d thought it was a joke, but then he’d read it a second and third time, knowing full well his Paisley had gotten scared and hadn’t trusted what they had...she hadn’t trusted him.

  Ultimately, that had been what hurt the most. She hadn’t had enough faith in him and the fact he would’ve conquered anything to be with her. Forever.

  But he hadn’t known the bit about his father until just now. That was a new pain. The betrayal from his own father who witnessed how distraught Lucas had been and kept urging him to move on with his life and put adolescent relationships in the past.

  Pushing aside the raw memories, Lucas dropped his arms and shrugged. “That’s a nice story. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not. Doesn’t matter at this point.”

  Paisley opened her mouth as pain flashed in her hazel eyes. Then she merely nodded as if she couldn’t even come up with a plausible defense, which just proved his point that she didn’t have one. Seeing her again did bring back a rush of memories, but even more maddening was the fact that her standing before him had his body stirring.

  Damn it. He could block out the hurt, he could even block out how foolish he’d been to think they were a forever thing, but he couldn’t block out the way she’d felt lying against him or how her warm breath washed over his torso as she eased down his body.

  Lucas muttered a curse and circled back around to take a seat at his desk. If he didn’t get these lustful thoughts under control, this impromptu meeting would turn embarrassing real fast. He prided himself on being the best, taking on elite clients, and one proverbial blast from his past threatened to turn him back into a horny teen.

  “Coming here was a mistake,” she murmured as she took a step forward and reached for the letter on his desk.

  Lucas snaked his hand out to cover hers, waiting until her gaze met his. The instant she looked at him, Lucas knew he had her. She was in a bind and he could help...with a price. He didn’t want to be a dick about this, but he also had his own wants and needs. No reason they couldn’t help each other, right?

  Besides, he’d given up on fairy-tale thinking long ago. He knew love was just a four-letter word people tossed around to benefit their own needs.

  “The only mistake would be you walking out again, Tart.”

  Her lips thinned. “If we’re done with the past, then stop calling me that.”

  She was still so damn sexy when her cheeks tinged pink when she got angry. Every part of him wanted to give her hand a yank until she stumbled down onto his desk where he could give her a proper reunion.

  But business came first. She’d taught him that valuable lesson.

  “I’ll help you,” he told her, keeping his hand on hers. He slowly rose to his feet and leaned across the desk. “I’ll discreetly dig into this story about Sterling being your father and I’ll save your bridal shop because I know you’re on the brink of financial ruin.”

  Paisley’s lids lowered, out of shame or frustration he didn’t know. “And you want something in return. What is it?” she asked, focusing back on him.

  Lucas released her now and tucked that wayward strand of honey-blond hair behind her ear. “Marry me.”

  Two

  Oh, he was the most infuriating, arrogant man she’d ever met. Of all the things he could’ve asked for...

  Was he mocking her and the life they’d had all planned out?

  Or did he honestly believe marrying him would solve all of her problems? As if Lucas Ford had some magic wand that came with a marriage certificate and he’d wave it around like her sexy fairy godfather and she’d see stars and hearts.

  Okay, that all sounded fabulous, but even he wasn’t that powerful. And if he could manage all that, there was no way in hell she’d marry him. Her life was a mess and she wasn’t in the mood to play games.

  That was why yesterday she had simply snatched the letter from his desk and marched out of his fancy office without a word. She’d told herself she’d figure this all out on her own...somehow.

  First, her bridal boutique, Lilac Loft. Paisley slid two ball gown wedding dresses down the rack to make room for the new beaded A-line that had been a special order. Each wedding was special and each bride was treated like she was the only customer. Paisley prided herself on giving each wedding the time and attention it needed. She’d had one part-time employee, but Paisley had to let her go when the whole financial debacle happened, thanks to Sterling.

  Talk about feeling terrible. Paisley had hated letting Margaret go. The young girl had been so sweet, but the extra expense was just pushing Paisley to a position she wasn’t comfortable with.

  Paisley slid her hand down the clear bag that protected the beaded gown and couldn’t help but let her daydreams get the best of her—an occupational hazard.

  One day she’d have her own fabulous gown from her own store. She’d walk down the aisle lined with her favorite flowers—lilac—to the man of her dreams waiting at the end. A man that was not blackmailing her into marriage simply because they shared a past.

  What was his angle, anyway? Did he just want to prove that he could get her? Did he just want her in his bed?

  Paisley turned and pulled another plastic-wrapped, embellished gown from the shipment box. Each dress that passed through her store had the ability to make any woman feel like royalty, or a freakin’ warrior if that’s what she chose. Wedding gowns were the pinnacle of each ceremony. And while the focus should be on the happy couple, everyone knew all eyes were on the bride and what she wore. That second she stepped to the beginning of the aisle was like her own little red carpet moment.

  Paisley had dealt with brides who wanted all the bling and poof, while other brides preferred short and simple. Some wanted a veil while others preferred a simple flower or even a sparkling headband. Paisley loved her job and that each customer brought unique opinions and ideas for their special day.

  Unable to resist, Paisley hung the second gown up and pulled the zipper down. She parted the plastic and slid her fingertip over the intricate beadwork. Each time she mentally planned her wedding, she volleyed back and forth between wanting an intimate wedding with a little simple, body-hugging strapless dress or a lavish cathedral wedding in an elaborate gown with a train that trailed the aisle behind her, à la Princess Diana.

  Regardless of the dress and the venue, the man and the marriage itself were all that mattered. One day she would marry, she’d have kids and live happily ever after. She didn’t think that was a fantasy at all. She made her living off believing such realities and truly felt with her whole heart that there was someone out there for everyone.

  Her someone wasn’t Lucas Ford. She’d once thought he was, but if that were the case, they would’ve ended up together before now. She didn’t think fate threw her the curve of taking her mother away only to give her back the one man she truly loved.

  “That’s a beautiful dress.”

  Paisley startled and spun around, her hand to her heart. The devil himself stood before her, only there were no horns and a pitchfork. Only a black Stetson and a shiny belt buckle for this one.

 
; “I’m not open yet,” she informed Lucas.

  With that black suit and black shirt, he looked absolutely perfect amid these crisp white gowns. Like the mysterious cowboy coming to sweep away his bride. If only her life were that simple and utterly romantic. Her heart fluttered at the idea.

  “Door was unlocked,” he replied as he leaned a shoulder against the back door leading to the storage room.

  Paisley tucked the dress, and her fantasy, away and turned her full attention to her unwanted guest.

  “My sign says Closed,” she retorted. “But I assume you don’t follow rules. So, what do you want?”

  “You left my office without an answer to my proposal.”

  Paisley snorted and resisted the urge to roll her eyes—barely. “Any other man would have taken my silence and dramatic exit as answer enough.”

  “Other men don’t know you like I do, Tart.”

  “Would you stop with that?” she demanded.

  “Why?” he asked, pushing off the door and stalking toward her. “You don’t like remembering us?”

  “There is no us.” No matter how much she’d wanted them to last. Back then her dreams had included Lucas. Now she had new goals and none of them involved an old boyfriend.

  “Listen. If you’d get your pride out of the equation, you’d see that marrying me is the smartest move for you.”

  He took another step toward her until he stood way, way too close. That expensive, masculine cologne wafted around her, pulling her tighter into his web of charm and seduction.

  Hell, at this point she didn’t need all of those past memories tugging her into submission. The man Lucas had grown into was doing a fine job of that on his own.

  “You’ll owe me nothing for finding the truth about your father,” he started, those bright blue eyes holding her in place. “I’ll make sure your business doesn’t fall victim to Sterling, as many others have, and you’ll never have to worry about money again.”

  “And I only have to sell my soul to obtain all of that?” she asked.

  Lucas’s eyes raked over her, then landed on her mouth. “It’s not your soul I’m after.”

  Despite Paisley’s best attempt at trying to ignore his suggestive remark, a shiver crept through her. Her entire body tingled and her common sense and her hormones were waging their own battle and she knew—she just knew—which would come out on top.

  “We’re not the same people we once were,” she reminded him. “We’re not even close.”

  “We could be closer.”

  He smirked and reached for her, but she skirted around him.

  “Would you stop with the charm and one-liners that you think will get me to drop my panties?”

  “You wear panties? I recall a time you didn’t.”

  Paisley gritted her teeth and reminded herself violence was not the answer. Regaining control of this conversation was the only way to show him she was not so vulnerable that she’d marry him. She didn’t need someone to ride to her rescue, damn it. She just needed someone to find out the truth about her father and, unfortunately, Lucas was the best in the field.

  Paisley headed toward the front of her store. Standing amid stunning wedding gowns while staring down a tempting proposal was not helping her sanity. And she was tempted...but that was just the memories reminding her how perfect they’d been together at one time. No matter what happened between them, their chemistry could never be denied or forgotten.

  She’d tried to forget. Life would have been so much easier if she could’ve erased the feel of his touch, the comfort of falling asleep in his arms.

  “I’m not marrying you,” she stated, hoping one of these times he’d believe her...and she’d convince herself not to fall for his charm. “If Sterling is my father, I won’t need your money. Sterling will want to take care of what’s his and I deserve for him to give back after what he did to my mother. I just need to stay on my feet now that everything’s been pulled away.”

  Paisley moved to the entrance and arranged the blush-pink throw pillows on the white sofa. They were perfect, but she needed to do something that didn’t involve looking or touching Lucas.

  “You’d rather take that bastard’s money than let me help?”

  If she didn’t know better, she’d say he sounded almost hurt. Paisley steeled herself against any emotions. That was not what this was about and they’d gotten too far off track.

  “All I need from you is to find the truth,” she reiterated, spinning back around after beating her pillows. “Do you want to take the case or not?”

  Lucas rocked back on his heels and shoved his hands in his pockets as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Must be nice to not worry about the possibility of losing your business or potentially finding out your father was a murderer. Not to mention trying to mourn the loss of your mother. There was only so much heartache a person could take without breaking, and Paisley refused to break in front of Lucas.

  “Do you really think Sterling will recognize you as one of his own and just welcome you into the fold?”

  Well...yeah. She did, but what if he didn’t? What if he didn’t care? He already had plenty of children and it wasn’t like he needed her for anything. Paisley was just...irrelevant.

  “Regardless of how he reacts, I want the truth.” Paisley turned and crossed to the front door. She flicked the closed sign to Open and tugged on the antique doorknob. “I’m not for sale, so unless you’re here to plan a wedding to someone else, we’re done.”

  The antique etching on the knob dug into her palm, but she kept her grip tight. Her nerves were shot and she hated how Lucas thought he could manipulate her into some absurd binding commitment.

  She stared straight ahead at the wall of mannequins, each draped with an elegant gown. She would not let him win this round. If she had to work to find the truth herself, so be it.

  His feet scuffed across the hardwood floor as he drew closer. Lucas stopped just beside her and leaned in. That warm breath of his washed over her collarbone, her neck, sending shivers up her arms she couldn’t afford to relish.

  “When you come to your senses, you know where to find me.”

  She closed her eyes as he walked by, and attempted to hold her breath so she didn’t have to inhale that sexy scent of his. But, even after he was gone, his presence lingered. A powerful man like Lucas knew how to make an impact without saying a word.

  But she’d gone to him initially, so she had no one to blame but herself for awakening the beast.

  Still, taking the risk had been necessary because there was no one to tell her the truth and Paisley deserved to know who her father was. It wasn’t like she could just march into the jail and demand Sterling tell her what he knew...if he even knew anything to begin with.

  Lucas was the best P.I. He would and she believed could find the truth so the benefit of the outcome would far outweigh the pain of marrying the only man she’d ever loved and lost.

  Blowing out a sigh, Paisley moved through her bridal boutique and headed for her white antique desk toward the back. She often did consultations here, but today she needed to check her emails and make sure her incoming orders were on time. Timing was everything in this business with jittery brides and deadlines.

  Paisley took a seat at her desk and pulled up her messages on her laptop. The most recent one stopped her heart.

  No. This could not be happening.

  She read through the email once again, praying she’d read it wrong. Her hands shook as she tried to clasp them in her lap. Tears burned her eyes, and her breath caught in her throat.

  The thirty-five-thousand-dollar gown she’d ordered for a bride was now no longer needed. The wedding had been called off and the mother of the bride was refusing to pay the remainder of the fee she’d agreed to pay. She was sure Paisley would understand and could return the gown.

  Sure, in
theory that sounded great, but in the real world a gown with that price tag couldn’t be returned like a pair of shoes.

  Paisley didn’t know if she wanted to just sit there and cry or throw a tantrum. Her eyes darted to the minibar she kept for brides and their guests. Mimosas for morning guests and rosé for the afternoon and evening crowd. Paisley had never indulged while at work, but today was proving to be worthy of a good buzz.

  Once she got home, she’d open the bottle of Reisling she’d been saving for a special occasion; after all, she’d given up on something special actually happening.

  Slouching back in her seat, Paisley wondered how she’d ever recover from not only the Sterling debacle, but now the major setback with the gown that she would be stuck with. A gown that cost more than her car. A blow like this could absolutely destroy her business and her livelihood.

  Dread curled low in her belly. There was a temporary answer to her problems. She just didn’t want to admit it even to herself.

  But at this point, she didn’t have much of a choice. She was going to have to marry Lucas Ford.

  Three

  Sterling Perry sank on the edge of his cot and rested his elbows on his knees. This was no way for a man of his standing to live. He was Sterling Perry, damn it. When he spoke, people snapped to attention and obeyed his every command.

  Whoever the hell had framed him would regret the day they ever crossed him. This was no accident. Someone outside these prison walls knew the truth and they’d yet to come forward. He wasn’t a damn murderer.

  But here he sat, still in this blasted cell, all because he’d made a few minor mistakes and then a body had been found at one of his construction sites once the floodwaters receded. The body hadn’t even been identified, so how the hell did they even have a motive to pin all of this on him?