Married in Name Only

by Jules Bennett

  “I’m impressed.”

  “I’d hold back praise until you actually taste it.”

  Lucas glanced over his shoulder to her. “You went to a good bit of trouble for this meal.”

  Paisley wasn’t great at dealing with compliments of the domestic goddess variety, so she skirted around him and grabbed the bottle of wine from the ice bucket.

  “Don’t get too excited,” she told him as she poured him a glass of Chianti. “I had to look everything up. It’s not like I was raised with a mom who showed me how to make homemade mashed potatoes with gravy or roll out fresh biscuits.”

  After she served herself some wine, she placed the bottle back in the bucket and risked glancing to Lucas. He remained in place, his eyes locked on her.

  “Your mother didn’t have to make homemade anything,” he stated. “She had other areas she excelled at, I’m sure.”

  Paisley attempted a smile and started filling the plates. “I’ve never thought about it before,” she told him. “I mean, she did work her butt off to support us. I didn’t know any different than having her gone most of the time or there were days I had to go to work with her when she couldn’t afford a sitter. By the time I was ten, she just started leaving me alone and would call on her breaks to check in.”

  Ten years old. Paisley couldn’t imagine leaving a ten-year-old home alone, but then again, she wasn’t a single parent with limited options. Never once did she doubt her mother’s love. The woman just made life choices that made things more difficult at times.

  “She never dated,” Paisley went on. “Or if she did, I never met the men. It always seemed to just be the two of us. I guess that’s why this is so hard. I had no clue she knew who my father was and purposely kept it from me.”

  Lucas took a seat next to her instead of across from her. Once she sat down, he took her hand and stared into her eyes.

  “Maybe she didn’t know,” he defended. “That’s still to be determined and I’m sure we’ll find out more once we get proof on Sterling.”

  Paisley sighed. “Is that even possible at this point? I doubt he would even know unless my mother flat out told him, and if she did tell him, why didn’t he claim me or ever reach out?”

  Paisley had so many questions and there were only two people who could answer them: her mother, who was no longer living, and her real father, if he ever knew anything to begin with.

  “It’s hopeless, isn’t it?” she asked.

  “I’ve never given up on a client and I sure as hell am not about to start with my wife.”

  His conviction had her blossom of hope growing. She truly believed him. She just didn’t know how he’d pull this off.

  “I just want to go see him,” she muttered.

  Lucas’s fork clattered to his plate a second before he reached for her hand and squeezed. “Patience. That’s the one thing you have to have in my business. It’s not easy, and can be downright maddening at times. But I promise, we will confront him. Together.”

  Together. Perhaps he did want them to be a team and maybe in more ways than just this case. Having dinner together every night seemed so familial and they’d settled right into a nice pattern.

  Paisley couldn’t help but feel that maybe this could work. She so badly wanted to tell him her true feelings, but she needed to be patient. Isn’t that what he’d just told her?

  Every part of her life now required the right timing—confronting Sterling and telling Lucas she’d fallen in love with him again.

  Fourteen

  Lucas had never been the best at sleeping all night. Clients and cases would wake him, and his mind never fully seemed to shut down.

  Which was why he sat on the floor of his living room with another open box of Lynette’s things. She wasn’t the most organized person. He’d uncovered some planners that she seemed to have good intentions of completing. She’d start out the year with detailed accounts of events, only to taper off about May or June.

  Nothing in any of those pointed toward any man, let alone Sterling. It truly did look like all she did was work and spend time with Paisley.

  He pulled out a planner dated for the year Paisley would’ve been four. Lucas still flipped through each page, even knowing the end of the year would be blank, as per the usual, and found a set of pockets in the back.

  Shifting in his seated position, Lucas turned toward the rustic coffee table and searched the pockets. A coupon fell out, overlooked bills and an envelope with a name on it. Jeb Smith. Lucas pulled out the folded piece of paper.

  Jeb,

  You are behind on your child support AGAIN! Why do I have to always remind you of this? It’s bad enough you’re her father and have dismissed her, but you could at least send what you owe so I can raise her without worrying about two or three jobs.

  Don’t think I won’t contact an attorney if you keep ignoring me. You’re six months behind now. Pay up!

  Lucas read the letter through a second and third time.

  What the hell? Who was Jeb Smith? Why did Lynette never mail this? Clearly she was angry and obviously needed the money.

  Lucas glanced over his shoulder toward the bedroom where Paisley slept. If this Jeb turned out to be her father, that would destroy any thoughts of Sterling.

  So many mixed emotions swirled around inside him at this revelation. If Sterling was out of the picture, that meant Lucas wouldn’t get his revenge through Paisley. But more importantly, she wouldn’t have the Perry name. That sounded so selfish even to him, but if Paisley were a Perry, she would’ve had sisters and possibly a brother, if Roarke was actually Sterling’s son.

  If this letter, pointing toward Jeb Smith, proved to be truthful, Lucas had a sinking feeing he’d just found Paisley’s biological father.

  He quickly put everything back in the planner, keeping the letter and envelope to himself. After placing everything back in the box, Lucas came to his feet and stretched until his back popped. He really should get to bed, but this development had him more wired than ever to uncover the truth for Paisley.

  Somewhere along the way this case shifted from pure revenge to wanting to do this for the woman he still cared about. Oh, he still wanted Sterling to pay for every crime he’d committed, but now he wanted Paisley to find that family she deserved.

  What she didn’t deserve was being kept in the dark, but that was exactly what he needed to do until he found Mr. Smith and talked to him.

  Lucas went to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee. This was going to be a long night and an even longer day if he uncovered the location of this new player in the game.

  He took the coffee to his office and closed the door. In no time he had his laptop up and was on the hunt. It didn’t take long for him to find several Jeb Smiths in Texas, considering the first and last name were quite popular.

  He was successful at his job for a reason and by six in the morning, after two more cups of coffee and before Paisley woke, Lucas had an address and he was just thankful Jeb was only in the next town over and alive and well.

  He’d go pay him a visit, take this letter and Lynette’s picture, and hopefully get the answers Paisley deserved.

  And once Lucas had all the facts, he’d present them to her. Then they could decide what to do about this marriage. A sinking pit in his stomach had him wondering if she’d follow through with ending things or if she’d stay. While Lucas tried to remain emotionally distant, he couldn’t deny he’d started developing more feelings for her than he would’ve liked.

  He hadn’t been able to avoid that heart tug years ago and now was no different. Having her in his bed every night, knowing how determined she was to remain on her feet and find the truth, seeing her passion for her work all made him realize the girl he’d wanted all those years ago had grown into the woman he didn’t want to live without.

  If she walked out again, Lucas wasn’
t sure he could handle the void again. All the more reason to never tell her how he truly felt.

  * * *

  Paisley turned side to side in the mirror and smoothed down her red cocktail dress. Lucas had planned on coming to Melinda’s party, but he’d texted a few hours ago and said he was following a lead and couldn’t get back in time. He told her to go enjoy herself and he’d meet her back at home.

  When she’d asked if the lead was on her case, he never replied.

  Paisley didn’t want to go to the party. She wanted to wait and see what was going on because his silence spoke volumes. He’d been so up-front with her so far, she had to believe everything he was doing was in her best interest.

  She hoped the truth revealed itself soon. She was on the brink of telling him she loved him. There was only so long she could hold in her emotions and he deserved to know where she stood.

  Plus, he loved the color red.

  Paisley had chosen this slinky dress with her husband in mind. She’d imagined him slipping her out of this as soon as they made it back to the penthouse, or maybe he’d try in the elevator on the way up. Or maybe he’d give her another one of those toe-curling massages.

  With one last glance to her hair and a swipe of pale shimmer gloss to her lips, Paisley grabbed her gold clutch and headed to the elevator. Lucas had ordered his driver to take Paisley to the party even though she insisted she could drive herself.

  Arguing with that man was sometimes just a losing battle. But when he was being adorably sweet, she couldn’t quite fault him.

  The drive to Melinda’s home didn’t take long, but Paisley found herself looking at her phone, waiting for any update or clue as to what he’d found.

  Paisley thanked the driver as he assisted her from the car, and he informed her he’d be out here waiting whenever she was ready to go. No doubt by her husband’s orders.

  This was a whole new lifestyle for her—living in a penthouse that was three times the size of her little town house, having a driver at her disposal, being made love to the way Lucas made love to her and having someone put her needs first.

  There was no way Paisley could leave. She wanted to build a life with him; she wanted to give him that family he wanted. She had so much in her to give because when she’d left him all those years ago, she’d never given her heart to another man. There had been no one that even came close to Lucas.

  Yes, he was harder now, more cautious, but that all stemmed from having been hurt. She’d made a mistake and she knew building anything new would take time...time she was more than willing to give because she’d already created their little family in her mind.

  After this party, Paisley would tell him she loved him. She would tell him she wanted to move forward with a real marriage, a real family. He may not be ready to admit love yet, and that was fine. But she wasn’t going anywhere, and he could take his time in coming to grips with his emotions.

  With a renewed hope for her future, Paisley headed toward the limestone condo high-rise. The doorman greeted her, and the attendant at the elevator happily sent her on up to the twenty-fourth floor. Melinda and her sister Angela both lived in this stunning building, but on different floors. Paisley had to assume Angela would be at the party, too, and perhaps their other sister, Esme.

  Nerves of anticipation curled low in her belly. These women could potentially be her half sisters. If Lucas came back with information confirming Sterling was her father, Paisley would have names to put with her new family.

  What would it be like to have sisters?

  The elevator opened on Melinda’s floor and Paisley made her way to the condo unit. She’d barely knocked when the door swung wide and the hostess herself beamed a wide smile.

  “You made it,” Melinda exclaimed. “Come on in. Where’s your husband?”

  Trying to see if you and I share a father.

  “He’s away on business,” Paisley replied.

  She stepped into the suite and glanced around at the people mingling as trays of delicate finger foods passed by in the deft hands of uniformed waitstaff.

  “Well, I’m glad you could make it anyway,” Melinda stated. “Come out to the balcony. Esme and Angela are out there and I know they’d love to see you.”

  Paisley slid her clutch beneath her arm and followed Melinda out to the balcony, which overlooked Houston. The lights from the city were the perfect picturesque backdrop for the cocktail party.

  “Paisley,” Esme squealed. “It’s so great to see you again.”

  The beautiful blonde stepped forward and gave a half hug so as not to spill her champagne glass.

  “Great to see you,” Paisley replied, smiling.

  “Excuse me,” Melinda said. “I’m going to grab you a drink.”

  Melinda stepped inside and plucked a fluted glass from a server’s tray and returned, handing it to Paisley.

  “I’m so glad you could come,” Angela chimed in, sipping her own glass. “And that red dress is killer!”

  “It’s a shame Lucas isn’t here with you,” Melinda joked. “But maybe it’s a good thing. No man could resist that.”

  “Lucas?” Esme asked, her brows drawn in. “Lucas Ford?”

  Paisley smiled and gripped the stem of her glass. “Yes.”

  “Her new husband,” Melinda added.

  Angela’s eyes darted to Paisley’s hand, then back up. “It’s a good thing he didn’t come,” she murmured.

  “Excuse me?” Paisley asked.

  “Getting him in a room full of Perrys is probably not the best idea,” Esme added. “He has had a thing for our dad for years.”

  Paisley stared at the women, stunned by what she heard, but trying to process everything. Lucas hated Sterling that much? A hatred that spanned years and he’d failed to say one word to her when she first approached him?

  No, that couldn’t be right. He wouldn’t hide something like that from her.

  “I forgot about that,” Melinda said, clearly surprised. “I mean, I knew Lucas hated Dad, but I didn’t put it all together when you said you guys had married. I was just so happy for you. He still would’ve been welcome here.”

  “Of course,” Angela added. “Lucas is a nice guy and his reputation is impeccable. But I’m not sure he would’ve liked it very much or felt comfortable here.”

  Paisley remained silent, confused, hurt, wondering if this was true. She wanted to believe him, she’d put so much faith in him. Lucas hadn’t said a word when she’d told him whose party she was attending. Not. One. Word.

  Surely this was all wrong information or gossip.

  “You didn’t know this, did you?” Melinda asked, sympathy lacing her tone.

  Paisley took a sip of her drink, mostly to have something to do and to help push down that lump of emotions and doubt that clogged her throat.

  “No, I wasn’t aware,” she admitted, suddenly feeling nauseated. “We were apart for years, so we both have things in our past that haven’t come out yet.”

  Like the fact she’d never stopped loving him and he opted to deceive. Oh, she prayed that wasn’t the truth, but the niggling in the back of her mind said she had to be realistic.

  “Apparently our dad did something to Lucas’s father years ago,” Angela added. “I don’t know all the details, but I do know Lucas has made it clear he’s not a friend of the Perrys.”

  The women continued to discuss, reminding each other of what their father had indeed done to Lucas’s. Something about a business deal gone wrong, lies, betrayal...all of that sounded like Sterling, and Paisley wasn’t doubting all of that had happened.

  What she was doubting, however, was her husband’s devotion to her. If all this was true, was Lucas using her as a stepping-stone to get closer to Sterling and serve justice for his father’s wrongdoings?

  The idea made her tremble—out of fear, anger, the unkno
wn.

  Paisley’s cell vibrated in her clutch beneath her arm. She’d been waiting for Lucas to get back to her. Could that be him now? Had he found the truth he’d been looking for?

  “Paisley, I drove by your shop earlier and that is a gorgeous strapless gown in the window,” Melinda stated, obviously trying to turn the conversation around. “If I marry, I want that one.”

  Paisley attempted a smile. “I will be happy to set you up. You would make a stunning bride.”

  “I just want to come in and try everything on,” Esme said with a laugh. “Your shop is so elegant and every wedding you’ve done that I’ve been to has been like a fairy tale.”

  “I love my job and I hope every bride feels special when she’s there.”

  Paisley did not want to stand around and make small talk, not even when the chatter involved her beloved boutique. She wanted to make haste and get back home. She wanted to know if Lucas had deceived her purposefully. If he’d married her only as a way to seek the ultimate revenge.

  But if she left now, the ladies would know why and she really didn’t want anyone to have an insight into her sham of a marriage.

  As much as this bombshell hurt, she wanted to hash it out in private with Lucas and at least give him a chance to defend himself. It would be so easy to rush into judgment and lay into him about how much it hurt that he hadn’t told her about his hatred for Sterling.

  But she wanted to hear his side because she prayed he hadn’t married her as some warped way to get revenge on Sterling for doing his father wrong...and for her leaving him years ago.

  Fifteen

  After about an hour, Paisley couldn’t stand any more small talk. She checked her phone, seeing a message from Lucas, and feigned a need to get home.

  The ladies assumed she was just in a hurry to get home to her husband, but her reasons for rushing home were far removed from what they were winking and hinting at.

  Paisley took the elevator and rushed out the front door. She didn’t have to say a word to the driver. He had been standing next to the car and immediately opened the back door for her so she could slide in.