Married in Name Only

by Jules Bennett

  Sterling had to take the fall for murder. I wouldn’t go down for something that I’d done only to protect myself.

  Maybe Sterling hadn’t done the actual crimes he was incarcerated for, but he’d sure as hell done plenty of others. He was a complete bastard and nearly everyone could agree to that.

  I wouldn’t get caught. I had a plan and nobody would get in my way. Not the police, not Sterling.

  I was making my own way through life and it wouldn’t be long before people took notice and respected me.

  * * *

  Paisley had just slid her satin gown over her head when she heard the chime from the elevator. She glanced to the clock and wondered what Lucas’s version of late actually was. He’d told her she didn’t have to wait up, but it was only eight o’clock.

  She stepped into the living area just as the elevator door slid open. Lucas’s eyes immediately met hers and she got that giddy, aroused feeling she always did when she saw him. Maybe that young girl who’d been in love with him was still inside there. She was hopeful something could come from this crazy arrangement.

  But the woman who was married to him? Well, she had to be a bit more realistic. She enjoyed the sex and the living arrangement, but she also knew it would come to an end.

  “Thanks for my surprise.” Paisley gestured toward the coffee table with a giant bowl full of Sweetarts—hence the name he’d dubbed her years ago. “The Thai food was amazing and so was the candy. I also managed a glass of wine and a good book. It’s been a great night.”

  He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up his forearms, then undid the top two buttons of his shirt as he stalked toward her.

  “So you’re saying you didn’t need me?” he joked with a naughty grin.

  “I need you for other things,” she told him, purposely raking her gaze down his lean body. “I thought you were going to be late,” she added.

  Lucas pulled the black Stetson off his head and ruffled a hand through his hair, leaving it messy, sexy.

  “I went to the clubhouse hoping there would be some buzz about Sterling’s release,” he said. “Ethan Barringer was there and I found out something that could affect our plans.”

  Paisley reached for his arm and stared into his eyes. “What happened?”

  “First of all, you know Sterling is out, but he’s under house arrest. Clearly, he’s not going anywhere, but that won’t stop his cronies from coming to him.”

  “Okay. What else?”

  Lucas’s mouth twitched and she couldn’t tell if he was amused or stunned. “There’s a new rumor that Roarke isn’t Sterling’s son.”

  Paisley gasped. “What?”

  “I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, that would explain why Roarke wasn’t at his father’s side or working to free him.”

  “You think Roarke knows Sterling isn’t his father?” she asked, her mind trying to process what all this could mean.

  Lucas trailed a fingertip up her arm and curled his hand over her shoulder. “I don’t know anything yet, but I wanted to keep you informed. We need to figure out our next steps. I really need to find something that will put Sterling and your mom together before you were born. You and Roarke are about the same age, so maybe there’s some backstory there that we’re missing.”

  Paisley nodded in agreement, but she had no clue how to go about finding the truth about illicit affairs. Again, these were things only Sterling could reveal because everyone else—her mother and Sterling’s wife—had passed on.

  “Do you think Sterling cheated on his wife because she cheated on him first or vice versa?” she asked.

  Good grief. Was nobody faithful? Were she and Roarke both love children spawned from lust and revenge?

  “I think it’s worth exploring,” he told her as he slid his hand down her back and pulled her against him. “I planned on going back to the office and working more, but after I left the clubhouse, I just wanted to get home.”

  Paisley shouldn’t let his charming words affect her so, but she couldn’t help herself. Lucas was getting to her more and more each day. She wasn’t even sure he was deliberately trying to use his charms to spin her farther into his web. He was just naturally appealing.

  How could she not fall for the man he’d become? Successful, strong, protective...he was the entire package. And their past bond only pulled her in deeper.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here,” she admitted. “I wasn’t looking forward to going to bed without you.”

  Those blue eyes raked down her body as he reached for the straps on her gown. “It’s a bit too early for bed, isn’t it?”

  Paisley shivered as the satin slid over the swell of her breasts and grazed her sensitive nipples. She pulled in a deep breath and relished the instant arousal and the hunger in his eyes.

  “I’m not tired,” she told him. “Did you have something in mind?”

  Lucas’s lips twitched. “I have in mind to rip this gown off you, but I’m also enjoying your slow striptease.”

  “It’s not a striptease if you’re the one doing the stripping,” she informed him.

  Before he could say a word, Paisley stepped back. Keeping her eyes locked on his, she slid her thumbs into the fabric at her waist and very carefully, methodically, eased the material down. The gradual way it slid over her body only awakened her senses even more. She couldn’t wait for him to get his hands on her.

  They’d been intimate every single day since they’d married and the need to be with him continued to grow. Being physical was easy. The hard part was all the emotions that were going to hold her hostage in this marriage.

  Paisley stepped out of the gown and stood before Lucas completely bare. Once again, he raked that hungry gaze over her and she couldn’t begin to say who was actually in charge here. She may have him spellbound by being naked, but all he had to do was give her that heavy-lidded look or a crook of his finger and she turned into a puddle of desire.

  “Do you ever wear anything under your clothes?” He took a step toward her. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  “Are you implying I’m not ladylike?” she retorted. “I love my teddies beneath my dresses. They’re comfortable and keep all my rolls smoothed out, which works out well because I love candy, as you well know.”

  Lucas laughed as his hands circled her waist. “Your rolls are sexy, the teddies are sexy, though I realize you use them for other reasons than to drive me crazy.”

  “You feed me dinner every night, surprise me with my favorite candy, call my extra pounds sexy... Better watch it, Lucas. I might not want to end this marriage, after all.”

  Something shifted in his eyes, something she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Did he truly want to stay married to her? What if she did remain in this marriage? What if they had children like they’d once dreamed? She wanted to know his thoughts on her, on the marriage. Could he see a real future here?

  Just because their lives had changed drastically, did that mean their original goals when they’d been young had to change as well? Perhaps that twentysomething couple had been smarter than she gave them credit for. They’d had it all figured out...until she’d walked away.

  “Maybe we can come to an agreement that works for both of us,” he countered.

  Before she could reply, Lucas leaned down and slid his lips over hers. The slow, easy way he made love to her mouth only added to the ever-growing anticipation and arousal. They’d typically been so hot for each other, their clothes were removed in a frantic flurry.

  But right now, with his delicate touch, the way he seemed to explore her kiss as if for the first time, Paisley wondered what had overcome him. It was almost like he was getting to know her all over again.

  In a move she didn’t expect, Lucas removed his lips from hers and swept her up into his arms. She smiled as she looped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers throu
gh his hair.

  She thought he would take a few steps to the couch since they always just went with the closest surface, but he carried her down the hall toward their master suite.

  The man was full of romance tonight and he was spoiling her for any type of a future without him.

  Lucas set her down on her feet next to the side of the bed. With gentle hands, he forced her to lie down before he stepped back and started undressing. His gaze never wavered as he slowly exposed himself in all his magnificent, naked glory.

  Lucas Ford was a stunning man. With his sculpted muscles in all the right places and that wicked grin, Paisley couldn’t ignore the lust that slammed into her. But her attraction went beyond lust and she was well aware that love had entered back into the mix.

  That was something she certainly would not be sharing with him. They had more pressing things to tend to than her emotions...which she doubted he reciprocated.

  Lucas dropped to his knees before her and Paisley rose up on her elbows, eager to watch whatever he was about to do. He took one of her feet in hand and began massaging it. Not the body part she thought he was going for, but she certainly wasn’t complaining.

  His thumb slid over her arch and Paisley nearly groaned from the sensation. Nobody had ever given her a foot massage.

  Oh, mercy, those hands were talented.

  He thoroughly gave attention to one foot before releasing it and moving to the other. As she stared down at the top of his head, she couldn’t believe this was the position she was in. Not literally this moment, but the marriage to Lucas, the fact that she wanted it to keep going and see if they could build on this shaky foundation.

  Paisley’s eyes nearly rolled back in her head when Lucas slid his hands up her calves and continued this amazing massage. Then he traveled up to the knee, where he placed a gentle kiss on the inside of each one.

  He was driving her out of her ever loving mind and she wouldn’t trade this for anything.

  Lucas’s eyes came up to meet hers as his hands grazed up to her thighs. There it was again—that naughty grin that had her squirming at his silent promise.

  “You’re going awfully slow tonight,” she complained.

  Those thumbs moved up again, closer to her core where she ached the most. He was enjoying this bout of torture.

  “Have I ever left you hanging?” he asked, sliding one finger into her.

  Paisley’s hips bucked as she gripped handfuls of the duvet. A moan was her only reply. Did he actually expect her to talk?

  “That’s what I thought,” he murmured before he replaced that finger with his mouth.

  Paisley thought she heard him mutter something about needing her, but she was too lost to comprehend anything but his touch.

  Lucas grabbed hold of her hips as he pleasured her in a way he’d never done before. Paisley went between glancing down to him to tossing her head back and shutting her eyes to lock in the moment.

  Her body responded in no time and she spiraled completely out of control. Lucas never let up as he continued meeting her every need and making love to her in a way that took their intimacy to a different level.

  Finally, her body settled, the tremors ceased and Paisley was positive she’d never move again.

  But Lucas crept up her body, placing kisses on her abdomen and massaging her breasts.

  “Sorry about that,” he muttered between kisses. “I was trying to give you a body massage and got sidetracked.”

  Paisley dropped onto her back and flung an arm over her eyes. “I’ve never had a massage quite like that.”

  He eventually came all the way up and pressed her deeper into the mattress with his weight. His arms rested on either side of her head as he smiled down at her.

  “I’ll be the only one giving you massages,” he told her. “This body is all for me.”

  Paisley thrust her fingers through his coarse hair and shifted her body to turn them over. Lucas went onto his back, and she straddled him. Her hair curtained them both as she looked down onto his surprised face.

  “I think it’s my turn to massage something,” she warned. “Plus, I need to show you my thanks for the dinner, the candy and for working so hard on my case.”

  Lucas curled his fingers into her backside and urged her exactly where she wanted to be. The second she sank down onto him, every needy, achy emotion came rushing back.

  “Do your thing, Tart.” He smiled as he moved her hips with his. “I do love to be rewarded.”

  Paisley proceeded to show him just how grateful she was...and she tried to tell herself that falling for him again was a huge mistake.

  Unfortunately, it was too late.

  Twelve

  “And if you want to remove the veil from the headpiece for the reception, that’s always an option.”

  Paisley assisted the bride and showed her the transformation, which earned a gasp from the bride’s mother and best friend who sat next to the stage and curved mirrors.

  “You have to get it,” the beaming friend said with a dramatic clap of her hands. “You look like royalty.”

  It was true. Paisley loved each of her customers and reveled in watching their dream wedding unfold before her eyes. Part of Paisley should be bitter for having been robbed of her special day, but that was all on her. She could’ve said no. She could’ve figured out another way.

  But part of her still wanted Lucas after all these years. She’d never wanted to end things with him in the first place. If his father hadn’t intervened and caught a naive young Paisley off guard, there was no doubt in her mind they’d be married...for the right reasons.

  Perhaps even by this time they would have little baby Fords running around, probably even in school.

  Even though they’d been separated, she had to admit being married to him was working out much better than she ever would’ve thought. She never felt used or like she was a burden to him. In fact, she’d swear that he had feelings for her, but she just couldn’t bring that up.

  Not when the case was hovering over them and he had made it quite clear he wanted her to have his child.

  She’d first thought that idea was preposterous, but now...if she could clear out all the mess surrounding them and they could start with a solid foundation, Paisley would jump at the chance to start a family with Lucas.

  “I want the veil and the dress,” the bride gushed, pulling Paisley back into the moment. “They’re so perfect for the venue and my style. Now, moving onto accessories and shoes.”

  Paisley smiled at the bride’s reflection in the wall of mirrors. “I can pull some of my favorites and then we can go from there. What size shoe?”

  “Eight.”

  While Paisley went to the accessory room, she heard the bell on the door chime. She poked her head out and was surprised to see her husband.

  Her stomach did a flip and she hated that he looked way better than any man had a right to. It was just last night they’d made love and cuddled. That hadn’t happened since they’d married. They’d only had fast, frantic sex and gone their separate ways. But last night was different. Last night had thrust her back to a time when nothing else had existed but the two of them. When she’d thought for sure she would spend her life with Lucas Ford.

  As much as she wanted to believe that could be a possibility, she had to guard her heart until this ordeal was settled and she knew the truth about her father. She really didn’t want to think of a future family when she didn’t have her past family figured out.

  As soon as Lucas spotted her, he crossed the space and kissed her cheek, then laid a quick, toe-curling kiss on her lips.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to regain her mental balance.

  “You’re closing soon, so I thought I’d take you to dinner.”

  She glanced over her shoulder and spotted the party of three ladies all
smiling and staring in her direction. No doubt they caught sight of the kisses.

  “I might be a bit longer,” she murmured. “I need to help this bride finalize her look.”

  Lucas shrugged and glanced around the shop. “No problem. I can just have a seat and wait. Don’t rush.”

  Not that she wasn’t thrilled he was taking her out, but having him hang around while she worked was a bit unnerving. Still, she knew it would be a vain attempt to get him to leave or wait somewhere else, so she didn’t argue the point.

  Paisley grabbed several earrings, bracelet and necklace options and took them back out to the bride.

  “Is that your husband?” the mother of the bride asked.

  Paisley nodded as she laid out the black velvet display board for everyone to see. She had her favorites, but she never said which until the bride made her opinion known.

  “You are one lucky woman,” the lady replied.

  Paisley merely smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Newlyweds?” she guessed.

  “We’ve been married two weeks.”

  The bride gasped. “Oh, congratulations! I already noticed your killer rings. They’re stunning. I bet you had a gorgeous wedding, too.”

  Paisley resisted the urge to laugh, but merely nodded and smiled. “It was quite memorable.”

  After about thirty minutes of debating, Paisley finally got the bride all settled with her dress, veil, shoes and accessories. Once they were gone, Paisley turned the sign and flicked the lock on the door.

  “You are remarkable.”

  She turned and tipped her head. “Excuse me?”

  Lucas should look ridiculous all relaxed on the white chaise, but he looked...perfect. Damn it. The man always looked perfect. She likely looked haggard since he’d kept her up most of the night and she’d logged in a full ten hours at the shop.

  “With your customer,” he added. “She was clearly nervous and not taking advice from her mother and you somehow found a middle ground and made them both happy.”