Married in Name Only

by Jules Bennett

  Paisley had the ability to order any wedding gown in the world and she’d chosen the most ridiculous, sexiest jumpsuit. Damn it if he wasn’t even more aroused and intrigued at her snarky act. At least this wouldn’t be a boring marriage.

  He was counting on her being just as fiery in bed.

  “You may now kiss your bride.”

  At the officiant’s word, Lucas circled her waist with his hands and pulled her hips to his, instantly capturing her lips. Much like moments ago in the hallway, Paisley melted against him. She had always been a passionate woman and now he was going to get to experience that all over again.

  Paisley broke the kiss and flattened her hands on his chest. “I think that covers it,” she stated with a breathless sigh. “I’ll take a nice bottle of prosecco in my suite, please.”

  Lucas dug his fingertips into the dip in her waist. “We’ve barely begun,” he murmured. “And it’s not your suite. It’s ours.”

  Paisley pulled away and smiled over gritted teeth. “I’m ready to get to our suite and relax.”

  Lucas shot a wink to the officiant. “The honeymoon can’t start too early.”

  Paisley twisted out of his grasp and turned to go back down the short, narrow aisle. Lucas nodded to the witnesses and turned to follow his bride. Never in his wildest dreams—and he’d had some wild ones—did he ever think he’d marry Paisley or have the woman standing in practically nothing as he slid a band of diamonds onto her finger.

  Speaking of, Paisley hadn’t reacted one bit when he’d put that ten-carat flawless diamond on her finger when they’d taken off from Houston. In fact, she’d stared out the window and barely said a word to him.

  Maybe he shouldn’t have gone for something so traditional. Someone like Paisley would want an emerald or a ruby. He should—

  No. Hell, no. What was he thinking? He wasn’t getting her something else. Between the engagement ring and now the wedding band, she had enough on that finger to help support her shop. This wasn’t for love or until death did they part. Paisley already had an expiration date on their marriage.

  Of course, if she produced an heir, there was no way he’d divorce her. He didn’t just want her in his bed, he wanted her to give him a child. Paisley had always wanted children, or she used to when they were together before. They’d often dreamed of one day having their own family.

  Lucas slipped his arm around her waist and guided her out to the waiting car. As soon as he settled in beside her and the driver closed the door, Paisley turned to face him.

  “I sent a copy of my mother’s letter to your email,” she started. “When we get back to the room, we can start digging into that and you can share what you’ve discovered so far. I can answer questions about my mom’s past, but—”

  Lucas leaned over and covered her mouth with his. He shifted so that he pressed her against the back of the leather seat as the driver took them down the Strip. Lights from the hotels flashed through the windows, but nothing else mattered except the fact that his new bride instantly wanted to get down to business.

  Well, he did, too, but a completely different kind.

  Paisley shoved against his chest and turned her head away. “Can you focus?”

  Lucas curved his hand around her upper thigh and gave a slight squeeze. “Oh, I’m plenty focused.”

  Those hazel eyes with flecks of emerald landed on him. “You promised to help find the truth and I want to be part of that process.”

  He stroked the inside of her thigh with his thumb. “You’re my wife now. You’ll be part of everything.”

  Her brows shot up. “I thought you’d try to exclude me.”

  “I see no reason in leaving you out when this is your life I’m dealing with.”

  Clearly his response shocked her. She shook her head and glanced out the window as the car turned into the front of their hotel.

  “I’ll never understand you,” she murmured.

  Lucas didn’t bother hiding his smile. He was banking on her being kept off guard. He wanted her wondering what he’d do next. Pretty much like she had always done to him, and today with that damn lace number was no exception.

  That was just one of the things he’d always loved about her—her ability to keep him on his toes. The way she’d challenged him and always had him guessing what she’d do next had made for a great relationship...until the ultimate moment when she’d caught him off guard and destroyed his heart.

  “How much did this scrap of lace cost me?” he asked.

  The car came to a stop and Paisley turned to him with a smile on her face. “I don’t recall, but it was worth every penny. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  Her door opened before he could answer and the driver extended his hand to assist Paisley. Lucas went out into the night after her and nodded his thanks to their chauffer.

  As he and his bride waltzed through the spacious five-story lobby, she got some looks. Not because of the nearly sheer getup—this was Vegas, after all—but because she was so damn stunning that she could’ve been wearing a sack and she still would’ve drawn attention.

  As they approached the elevators, Lucas settled his hand on the small of her bare back and swiped his card that would take them to the VIP floors. They weren’t staying in a traditional honeymoon suite, but the nicest high-roller penthouse available. The three-thousand-square-foot room complete with their own waitstaff was ready and waiting for them.

  Lucas would immediately dismiss the staff and have them on standby should he and Paisley need more food and wine. Other than that, he fully planned on keeping his wife all to himself tonight.

  No way in hell were they going to worry about Sterling Perry or her mother or some damn letter.

  Lucas had just one concern: How the hell did he get that lace jumpsuit off?

  Five

  Paisley’s hands shook as she stared at the enormous bathroom in their suite. Her entire apartment could fit in here and there would still be extra space.

  The heated marble floors, the open shower big enough for a party, the wall of mirrors and the chandelier with so many twinkling lights...there was just so much to take in and she didn’t even want to know what this place cost per night.

  She also knew Lucas wasn’t ready to dive into the letter or the truth. He was ready to dive into her pants. Paisley wasn’t even going to pretend she wasn’t looking forward to feeling his body against her again. She was human; she had basic needs.

  But there was nothing basic about what she and Lucas had once shared. He’d always been an attentive lover, but they’d been so young. Clearly they’d both changed over the years.

  Paisley took a step back and glanced at herself in the floor-length mirror. She certainly didn’t have the same body she’d once had. Gravity and doughnuts had made a few alterations.

  Might as well get out of this ridiculous outfit. She’d been in such a spiteful mood when she’d gone wedding dress shopping for herself. Of course she had her favorites. There was one magnificent gown she’d had her eye on for the past few months.

  Like any woman, especially one owning a bridal boutique, Paisley had her own vision of her big day. But there was no way in hell she was wasting any of that fairy-tale stuff on Lucas. Because one day she would marry for love. She’d get that gown of her dreams, the sparkling accessories, her mother’s simple diamond necklace, maybe even plan a destination wedding or a grand cathedral ceremony. Or maybe she’d go with a classy garden wedding.

  None of those daydreams mattered now. All that mattered was trying to get through her current marriage with her heart still intact and finding the truth about her father.

  She honestly didn’t know if she wanted Sterling to be her biological dad or not. He’d destroyed her finances, not to mention that of others, and he was just an evil, spiteful man. He currently sat in a jail cell, after being denied bail, because he was accused
of fraud and not too long ago a body had been found on one of his work sites.

  The thought sent a shudder through her. No, that was not the type of man she wanted for a father.

  On the other hand, knowing who and where she came from would at least give her a sense of belonging. She certainly felt a yawning void since her mother’s passing. There was an emptiness in her life she hadn’t expected, and a large part of her seemed to just be going through the daily motions. The sense of being lost and floating along seemed to grow worse. Her heart ached and she was so utterly confused she truly had no clue what to do next.

  Marrying Lucas didn’t help.

  He’d had her suitcase brought up to the suite before the ceremony. Paisley had changed at the chapel so she could surprise her husband. Mission accomplished.

  Paisley had brought her robe into the bathroom a few minutes ago and hung it on the back of the hook next to the garden tub. She had no clue what to expect when she stepped out, but she was thankful he was giving her a few minutes of space.

  The tap on the door pulled her from her thoughts. There went that alone time.

  “You plan on hiding much longer?” Lucas called through the double doors.

  Paisley sighed as she straightened and reached around her neck for the hidden closure. “Almost done.”

  The doors opened just as her top fell to her waist. Lucas’s vibrant eyes zeroed in on her bare breasts as he remained in the doorway. Paisley didn’t bother covering herself. He might as well see that she wasn’t a stick-thin twenty-year-old like she used to be.

  From the clenched jaw and tight lips, he wasn’t disappointed in her curves. That fact not only boosted her confidence, but sent a shiver of arousal through her. She hadn’t cared what he thought about her until just this minute. Which was silly because she was happy with her body and wouldn’t change for any man.

  “I knew that getup looked like you were wearing nothing beneath,” he stated. “But you sure as hell were bare.”

  Paisley smiled. Feeling extra saucy, she slid her thumbs into the material gathered at her waist and shoved it on down to pool at her feet. Carefully, she stepped out of the garment, leaving her standing before him in only her spiked, strappy heels.

  He’d already shed his jacket and tie and loosened the top button on his black shirt. His hair was rumpled from his Stetson, his sleeves were rolled up onto muscular forearms, and judging by the way he looked at her, it would be a miracle if they didn’t set this place on fire just from the electricity charging between them.

  Chemistry...they still had it. Quite possibly even stronger than their first time around.

  Regardless of the circumstances surrounding their marriage, there was no denying their attraction and there was no use fighting it. Paisley wondered if she needed time to grasp their new, temporary reality, but all she needed was that boost of courage that only came from one of Lucas’s sexy stares.

  “Had I known what you weren’t wearing, we would’ve taken the long way here from the chapel.” Lucas stalked toward her, unbuttoning his shirt and discarding it across the floor. “Do you even know how sexy you are? More than I remember.”

  Did that mean he’d thought about her over the years? Paisley wasn’t about to admit she’d done her fair share of fantasizing. She was stronger now, more independent...or trying like hell to be. The blows she’d been delivered lately had forced her to admit vulnerability. She hated needing anybody, but there was also no need in being stupid about her situation. She needed Lucas now, in more than one way. He’d always been her weakness.

  Before he could touch her, Paisley put her hands on his bare chest and looked up at him. “This can’t be more than, well...this.”

  His brows drew in. “What?”

  “Sex. This marriage isn’t more than you helping me and sex. I can’t get hurt, Lucas.”

  His fingertips trailed over her hips, into the dip of her waist and over the sides of her breasts. All the while he kept his gaze locked firmly on hers.

  “You think I’d hurt you?”

  He took one step, closing the last bit of distance between them. With a quick, expert move, Lucas reached for her hands, pulled them down to her sides and gently behind her back. With one firm grip, he secured her wrists and towered over her.

  With his free hand, he covered her neck and stroked his thumb along the sensitive spot behind her ear, and then he ran a fingertip over her lips.

  “I’d never hurt you,” he murmured. “But I’m keeping myself guarded as well since you were the one who broke my heart with a letter and a vanishing act.”

  He gave her no chance to defend herself as his hand disappeared, quickly replaced by his mouth.

  Paisley had no choice but to arch against him in this current situation. He had complete and utter control and the very female, aching, needy part of her wanted him to do whatever he planned. She trusted him completely with her body. It was her heart that she had to keep protected.

  At least they were both in agreement that their hearts had no place in this marriage. Now, if she could just remember that as they went through the rest of their days as husband and wife while playing house.

  Paisley opened to him, welcoming the passion. There was something so familiar, yet so strangely new with having Lucas consume her. That young adult body had turned into manly muscle and the sometimes timid touch was now all demanding. A man who knew what he wanted, and who he wanted, was so damn sexy.

  There was no question that Lucas had every intention of remaining dominant and maybe, just in the case of the bedroom, she’d let go of the reins for now. She found his strength and power arousing and refreshing from guys she’d dated in the past.

  Paisley looped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his thick hair. Was it naive of her to want to get lost in him for just a bit? This was no typical wedding night, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t thoroughly enjoy herself and the man she now called her husband.

  Lucas lifted her and walked to the vanity. The cool marble against her heated skin had Paisley shivering, but that shock was nothing compared to the man standing between her spread legs looking like he wanted to devour her.

  With his heavy-lidded eyes homing in on her, Lucas took one step back to rid himself of all his clothes. He stood completely bare before her, a sight she never thought she’d see again, let alone in this instance. Lucas Ford was her husband and she had a very real feeling that someone was not going to come out the other side unscathed.

  “Stay with me, Tart.”

  His husky words pulled her back. She didn’t want to be anywhere else. She didn’t want to worry about tomorrow or even next month. She only wanted this moment with Lucas...the way it should’ve been so many years ago.

  She reached for him. “I’m right here.”

  Lucas lifted her legs by gripping the back of her thighs and eased her to the edge of the counter. Paisley clung to his shoulders in anticipation.

  “Protection?” she asked.

  Those baby blues traveled from between their bodies up to her face. “I want to feel my wife. Are you worried? I’ve always used something, except with you.”

  When they’d been younger and so lost in each other they’d forgotten a couple of times. She wagered a mental battle with herself, but ultimately knew what she wanted.

  “You’re the only man I’ve ever been with that way.”

  Lucas’s eyes darkened as he pulled her hips closer and finally joined their bodies. Paisley closed her eyes, wanting to hold on to every single sensation and freeze this moment.

  So much for guarding her emotions.

  “Look at me,” he demanded.

  The second she locked her gaze with his, Lucas began to move. The tips of his fingers dug into her hips and she tipped her pelvis just so, enough to create the most pleasurable experience for both of them.

 
There was something so intimate about staring at Lucas, something she couldn’t put her finger on. But she didn’t want to look away. The man held her captivated as he continued to pump his hips. He reached between them and touched her at the spot she ached most.

  Paisley cried out as a wave of pleasure crashed into her. Her head dropped back as she squeezed her eyes shut. A second later, Lucas’s hands framed her face and tipped her head back up to meet his demanding kiss.

  Her body continued to spiral out of control as he claimed more and more from her. There was nothing outside these walls. No secrets, no worries. Everything that mattered was right here, raw and abandoned. Real emotions they couldn’t hide.

  The moment Paisley’s shivers ceased, she pulled from the kiss and glanced up to Lucas. He looked down at her, hunger in his eyes and the muscles in his jaw clenched.

  Paisley smiled as she leaned back on her elbows and locked her ankles behind his back. The act of relinquishing total control had Lucas flattening a hand on her abdomen as he pumped harder, faster.

  When he trembled, Paisley became utterly captivated as his climax consumed him. She kept her eyes locked onto his and Lucas didn’t look away, which only turned her on even more.

  The man was demanding, cocky, arrogant...even during sex.

  Why did that all have to be so damn arousing? She’d already been pleasured, yet she wasn’t quite ready to give up this warmth, this passion.

  Once he calmed, Lucas reached down and cupped both of her breasts. Paisley waited, wondering what he’d say or do next. When the silence became too much, she finally eased all the way up and dropped her legs to rub against the sides of his.

  “If you only wanted sex from this marriage, I’d say we’re off to a hell of a start,” she told him, trying to maintain her nonchalant image.

  Lucas leaned down and captured her lips for a short, hot kiss that had her toes curling. Then he eased back and gave her that naughty grin she’d never forgotten.