Married in Name Only

by Jules Bennett

  “Sex is a given,” he retorted. “But I want a child. Our child.”

  Six

  Maybe now wasn’t the best time to make that announcement. Lucas should’ve carried her into the grand bedroom with a wall of one-way windows overlooking the Strip. He should’ve taken his time with her, laid her out on the bed and showed her exactly what they’d missed from their years apart.

  But better she knew what she was getting into. Better she knew why he married her...or at least part of the reason. Paisley didn’t need to be informed of the whole revenge scheme he’d thought of if Sterling turned out to be her biological father.

  “A baby?” she repeated, her tone leaving no question as to her irritation. “You married me thinking I’d be... What? Your ticket to fatherhood? Isn’t this something you should’ve mentioned before we said ‘I do’?”

  She pushed off the counter and edged around him to the silky red robe she’d hung near the tub big enough for a party. He watched as she jerked the lapels closed and knotted the belt at her waist.

  Figuring he should put on something, Lucas grabbed his black boxer briefs and stepped into them.

  “I knew you wanted something from me,” she muttered as she pulled her hair from the robe, sending the tousled strands down over her shoulders. “I should’ve been more selective on who I asked help from. This is...”

  She shook her head and raked her hands through her hair. Lucas crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I didn’t mean I wanted you to give me a child now,” he told her. “I do want a child, someone I can pass my company down to. Neither of us is looking for love, but there’s no reason we can’t get what we want.”

  Her mouth dropped open as her brows shot up. “Do you hear yourself? I asked you to find the truth about my father. You’re asking me to give you a human being. One of those will bind us together for life. Is that what you want with me?”

  “I don’t believe in love, so finding someone to share my heart isn’t an option. Children are family and that’s a whole other aspect of feelings and one I am open to.” He took a step toward her, but stopped when she put her hands up. “We always discussed children. Remember?”

  “I remember,” she stated, dropping her hands to her sides. “I also remember that we were in love at the time and had unrealistic expectations on life and our future. This isn’t some young lover’s dream, Lucas. You can’t just bring a baby into the world because you want someone to take your business. That’s...that’s...archaic.”

  Lucas wasn’t about to get into an argument on his wedding night—regardless of the fact this wasn’t a typical wedding or marriage. The last thing he wanted was too much conflict at this early stage.

  “We can discuss this later.” He reached down and gathered his clothes, then scooped up her lace jumpsuit. “For the rest of this weekend, can’t we just enjoy the honeymoon?”

  The way she stood there with that messy, sexy hair, those killer heels and that silky robe made Lucas want to throw her over his shoulder and march right into the bedroom for round two.

  Hmm...was that archaic as well?

  If she knew he was using her as a way to seek revenge on Sterling, she’d sure as hell never agree to a child. The ground he treaded on was shaky at best and each step he took could be fatal to his plan.

  “You get this weekend,” she told him. “And then we’re getting to the bottom of Sterling and my mother and whatever history they had.”

  Surprised she gave in, Lucas nodded. “I’ll make Sterling my top priority.”

  Because if Sterling was indeed Paisley’s father, Lucas had every intention of letting his new father-in-law know just who was in charge and who ultimately would come out on top.

  * * *

  Lucas stared up at the neon sign attached to the dingy bar Paisley’s mother used to work at decades ago. Just because the place still existed didn’t mean anyone would remember Lynette Morgan.

  But he had to start somewhere other than a cryptic letter so here he was. He often put his best men on the grunt work of the jobs they took on, but this case was too personal. Besides, Lucas liked getting back to the basics of his business.

  The second Lucas tugged open the heavy door, loud country music from a live band spilled out. Couples danced on the scarred wood floor and the long bar that stretched from front to back was actually pretty crowded. Obviously there was a reason this place had stayed in business so long. He’d found the dive places were usually the hidden gems when it came to bars and restaurants.

  Lucas eased his way toward the bar and zeroed in on the older bartender at the end. From the looks of the younger staff, that would be the only person in this place who might remember anything at all.

  As he eased through a crowd of women who should be cut off their spirits, Lucas slid a photo from his pocket and rounded the edge of the bar. When the bartender glanced his way, Lucas waved a hand.

  “What can I get ya?” the man yelled over the band.

  Lucas flipped the picture up. “You recognize this woman?”

  The bartender narrowed his gaze and leaned forward, then nodded. “Lynette. I remember her. Hated to hear of her passing. Damn shame.”

  Yes, it was. Lucas wished like hell Paisley hadn’t lost her mother. To make matters worse, a complete bastard might turn out to be her father. Even so, Lucas couldn’t let guilt and tragedy stop him from seeking revenge. Sterling had destroyed Lucas’s father and it was time for him to pay.

  “When she worked here, did she have any guys that hung around or anyone she mentioned dating?”

  He hated yelling over this crowd, but he and Paisley had gotten home from Vegas a couple hours ago and he wanted to get this ball rolling. He figured a Monday night wouldn’t be too crowded, but apparently this was half off wing night.

  He’d chosen to come straight here for one because he wanted to dive straight in, but he also needed space to think. The damn woman was driving him out of his mind with want, lust, need. He didn’t recall needing anyone the way he’d found himself craving her the past few days, not even when they were together the first time.

  They’d spent their honeymoon in the suite, completely naked, save for the few times she’d thrown on his shirt when they’d had carpet picnics. They’d even made love on his private jet on their way home.

  So, yeah. The chemistry was stronger than ever.

  “There was an older man that came around,” the bartender stated, pulling Lucas back into the moment. “Wealthy. Don’t know his name, but he always wore a suit and tossed out hundred dollar bills for tips. Always thought the guy was arrogant.”

  Buster’s Bar was certainly not the type of establishment you’d toss around wads of cash. That type of cockiness sounded like Sterling Perry, but this definitely wasn’t enough proof to confront the guy.

  “Would you know his name if you heard it?” Lucas prompted.

  “I never heard Lynette say,” the old guy replied. “But she sure was smitten with whoever it was.”

  Lucas nodded and shoved the photo back into his pocket. He pulled out another and held it up.

  “Do you recognize this man?”

  The man’s eyes narrowed and he thought for a moment. “It’s been a long time, but I don’t think I’ve seen him before.”

  Lucas gritted his teeth against the frustration and offered a smile. “Thanks for your time.”

  “Can I get you a beer?”

  Lucas offered a smile. “Next time,” he promised. He figured he’d bring Paisley back sometime. There might be more questions once he dug a little deeper.

  He weaved his way back through the crowd and out into the night. Just being away from his wife for an hour had him itching to get home. Yes, he’d needed a few minutes to himself, but now he realized he wanted to be with her. Their time in Vegas had been intense, but too short. Lucas wanted to schedule a
nother getaway for them soon. First, though, he’d have to find the truth about Sterling.

  Maybe this wasn’t a traditional marriage, maybe Paisley wanted an end date, but he was taking full advantage of being married to the one woman he’d always wanted. She’d gotten away once, but he had no intention of letting her go again. His reasons were just a tad different this time.

  Before, when he’d been young and too trusting, Lucas had been expecting them to live forever after on love and happiness. Now they could live on determination and passion. Hey, that was more than most relationships, right?

  He wasn’t under some delusion that he’d ever marry for love. Such a notion was for fairy tales and fiction novels. He did want a child and he hadn’t lied when he told Paisley he wanted her to be the mother. There’d been no other woman that had filled that bill so the whole fatherhood thing was something he’d thought had been off in the future. But then she’d walked through his office door and the opportunity had landed in his lap.

  By the time he got home, Lucas was more than eager to see Paisley. The topic of the baby hadn’t been brought up again, but he knew full well she wasn’t done. It was something they needed to discuss and he’d much rather talk about a child than the revenge she knew nothing about.

  For now, there was no reason for her to think anything other than the fact he was helping her business and they should start a family.

  When he stepped off the private elevator, he froze.

  What the hell?

  Lucas dropped his keys onto the accent table to his right without even looking away from the newly decorated living area. This was...not his style. The throw pillows were everywhere. Some had polka dots, some had stripes. There was a tray on the oversize square ottoman that held candles and flowers.

  A few new pictures hung on the walls...pictures with quotes that he didn’t want to take the time to read. They wouldn’t be staying.

  “Oh, hey! You’re home.”

  Lucas glanced toward the open kitchen and nearly swallowed his tongue. Paisley paraded through wearing an apron and heels—only an apron and heels—holding a glass of what he presumed to be his favorite bourbon.

  “I hope you don’t mind I brought a few of my things over.” She strutted toward him and held out the tumbler. “I just thought since I’m staying here, you’d want me to be happy and feel at home.”

  The moment he took the drink, she turned away, giving him the most impressive view of her bare ass and those legs.

  “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes if you want to change,” she called over her shoulder.

  Lucas tipped back the amber liquid and welcomed the burn. How long had he been gone? And how the hell did she find the time to do all of this?

  He followed her to the kitchen and watched in awe as she pulled something from the oven that smelled better than anything he’d ever created here.

  “I hope you like chicken Cordon Bleu.” She set the pan on the stove and closed the oven door then reached up to turn off the heat. “There’s also an apricot and feta salad to start.”

  Lucas crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter next to her. “Are you going to just pretend like you didn’t completely redecorate and that you’re not cooking dinner completely naked?”

  She shot him a half grin that didn’t help his growing arousal. Damn, she was playing a game. She was playing him.

  “First of all, I’m not completely naked.” She had the nerve to pat his cheek before she turned back to dinner. “Second, with your archaic way of thinking, I just assumed you’d want me naked in the kitchen. Was I wrong? I’m just trying to be a good wife.”

  She stopped looking through the cabinets to stare at him, blinking like she was utterly innocent.

  Lucas slammed the cabinet door she’d been holding open. In one swift move, he gripped her waist and hoisted her up onto the island behind them. With a squeal, Paisley held on to his shoulders.

  “Innocent is never a word I would use to describe you.” He stepped between her legs and stared directly into her eyes. “Are you done being a smart-ass?”

  Paisley shrugged. “Probably not.”

  “What the hell am I going to do with all of those ruffled pillows on my sofa?”

  Paisley laughed. “Admire how much they spruce up the place?”

  “They look ridiculous,” he grumbled.

  Paisley toyed with the button on his shirt. “The honeymoon must really be over if I’m barely wearing anything and you’re worried about pillows.”

  More like he was trying to hold on to the shred of control and not rip her apron off. How could he want her every second of the day? She seemed to have the same feelings, so why was he questioning this?

  “Where were you anyway?” she asked, sliding one button undone, then another, and on down she went. “We barely got in the door and you took off.”

  “Because when we’re alone all I want to do is get you on your back,” he growled, jerking his shirt off and flinging it to the floor. “I had work to do.”

  She stilled. “About Sterling?”

  Lucas took a step back. “Yeah. I went to the bar your mom worked at during the time she got pregnant with you.”

  “It’s still there?” she asked. “I never go to that side of town, so I never thought about it. Was it all run-down?”

  “It’s not the best part of town, so it matches the rest of the old buildings,” he agreed. “But the bartender remembered your mom.”

  Paisley hopped off the counter, eyes wide. “What did he say?”

  “He knew there was a wealthy man who always hung around, but he didn’t know a name.”

  Paisley pursed her lips and glanced to the floor, her wheels obviously turning. Lucas, on the other hand, had short-circuited the moment she’d waltzed through looking like his every fantasy come to life.

  Paisley turned her attention back to him. “I thought everyone knew who Sterling was.”

  Lucas stepped forward, reaching around to undo the ties at her neck and waist. “Maybe he does know Sterling, but this was a long time ago and he may not have known him then. People change.”

  The apron fell to the floor between them. Her eyes widened.

  “Aren’t you hungry?” she asked.

  His body stirred. “Starving.”

  Lucas crushed his mouth to hers, palmed her backside and lifted her against his body as he carried her from the kitchen. Paisley wrapped her legs around him, one of her heels digging into his ass, but he didn’t care. He wanted this woman with the snarky mannerisms and quick wit. He wanted her in his bed and he wasn’t about to wait another second.

  As he stepped into his master suite, her heels clattered to the floor. She threaded her fingers through his hair and groaned.

  Those little noises had always gotten him. When they’d been younger, and he’d had considerably less control, those sweet sounds would nearly have him embarrassing himself before they’d even started.

  Paisley pulled her lips from his. “Wait,” she panted. “I don’t want to be just another woman you bring in here. I mean, I know this isn’t love or a real marriage, but I just—”

  Lucas put his fingertip over her lips. “Clearly I’ve been with other women since you, but I swear, I’ve never brought a woman into my bedroom. Ever.”

  He would stay over at a lover’s place, but this was his domain and it never seemed right to have someone invade his space.

  Paisley seemed to relax as her lids lowered and she licked her bottom lip.

  Every single thing that woman did drove him out of his mind. She’d always held a different spot in his life than any other woman, but he had no clue since she walked back in just how much he’d missed her.

  They’d been so damn young before—so clueless.

  His eyes were wide-open this time...and his heart completely closed.
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  They’d been married for three days and they’d barely kept their hands off each other. That was the marriage he wanted with her, the marriage he needed with her.

  Lucas made quick work of removing his clothes. The topic of birth control hadn’t come up since that first time. He knew she was on something and he’d never deceive her with getting pregnant. He wanted that to be a joint decision...but he would sway her to seeing things his way.

  Her hazel eyes raked over him. The way she always seemed to sample him with her eyes made him wonder just how she was going to feel once she discovered his true reason for marrying her.

  Guilt had no place in the bedroom or his plan.

  Right now all that mattered was that his wife was naked and standing inches from him. He circled her waist with his hands and lifted her onto the bed. With a slight bounce, she laughed and stared up at him with wide eyes.

  Lucas rested a knee next to her hip and raked a hand up her thigh, over her flat stomach and on up to circle one pert breast.

  Her immediate response to his touch was definitely one area that hadn’t changed. Their connection had always been electrifying and unlike anything he’d ever had with anyone else.

  Lucas reached back down, keeping his eyes locked on hers, and gripped the back of her thigh. He settled himself between her legs and thrust into her, earning himself a long, slow moan from his sexy wife.

  How the hell was he going to go back to work? He wanted to keep her in his bed and forget all his responsibilities.

  When she opened her eyes and stared up at him, Lucas leaned down and covered her mouth. He couldn’t look into her eyes, not now. He was confused; he was falling back into their old patterns and forgetting that she’d broken him before. If she started developing feelings, they’d both end up hurt because that was not what all of this was about.

  Revenge. That was the key component of his focus.

  And the warmth of Paisley. He had to stay in this frame of mind because she took him to a place that he wanted to stay...if only that wasn’t some unrealistic fantasy.