Here comes the blackmailed bride

...and her Texas Cattleman’s Club groom!

Paisley Morgan just discovered that Texas’s most infamous billionaire could be her real father. Now she needs the help of her infuriating and incredibly sexy ex, investigator Lucas Ford. But Lucas will accept only one payment: Paisley’s hand in marriage. But will his thirst for revenge outlast their passion-filled nights as Paisley proves to be much more than a wife in name only?

USA TODAY bestselling author JULES BENNETT has published over sixty books and never tires of writing happy endings. Writing strong heroines and alpha heroes is Jules’s favourite way to spend her workdays. Jules hosts weekly contests on her Facebook fan page and loves chatting with readers on Twitter, Facebook and via email through her website. Stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at julesbennett.com

Also by Jules Bennett

Twin Secrets

Claimed by the Rancher

Taming the Texan

A Texan for Christmas

Most Eligible Texan

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Married in Name Only

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09245-6

MARRIED IN NAME ONLY

© 2019 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Legacy means passing down a gift and there’s

no greater gift than love. This is for you, Lori.

Your love and light will shine on forever.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Epilogue

About the Publisher

One

“I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

That statement alone added to the already sickening feeling in the pit of Paisley Morgan’s stomach. As if life hadn’t knocked her down over and over, now she stood on the other side of Lucas Ford’s desk as he continued to glare at her like she had nerve walking in here.

Well, she did have nerve. After dumping him years ago and never speaking to him since. But that was all in the past. Wasn’t it?

He leaned back in his leather desk chair and remained silent, and she couldn’t help but second-guess just how much her bold move twelve years ago had affected him.

Had he not moved on? Found someone else to drive insanely wild with desire just from one piercing blue stare? Had he ever thought of her? Because there hadn’t been a day she hadn’t questioned her decision to let him go.

Paisley had bigger issues to worry about than their past and what Lucas may or may not be feeling seeing her show up unannounced. Like the fact that her biological father could be Sterling Perry—the man loathed by nearly the entire city of Houston for his scheming, stealing and money laundering. Not to mention he was arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud.

“What makes you think Sterling is your father, and why should I help you?”

Paisley gripped her clutch in one hand and the letter from her late mother in the other. “I have reason to believe he’s my dad and I need you to investigate to see what you can find out.”

Lucas stared at her another minute, giving her a visual lick as he came to his feet. He was still just as ruggedly sexy as she remembered, but those shoulders had gotten broader, the creases at the corners of his eyes deeper and the strong jaw firmer.

Lucas Ford could always make her breath catch as a young woman and it was no different now, even though years had passed since she’d seen him. Her body responded just the same. There were some memories that were too alive to be pushed into the past. Those vivid moments were always part of her everyday life, no matter how she’d tried to move on.

“What’s this reason you have?” he asked.

Paisley swallowed and glanced down to the letter in her hand. She didn’t bother unfolding the paper as she tossed it down onto his desk. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep her emotions in check. Now was not the time to fall apart. Remaining strong in front of Lucas was imperative, especially considering he hadn’t seen her in over a decade. Vulnerability and tears wouldn’t get her what she wanted; what she needed.

And Lucas was her stepping-stone to finding out the real truth since the obvious choice of her birth certificate had been left blank on the father line.

If there had been any other way than to contact Lucas...

He reached for the letter, opened it up and shoved one hand in his pocket as he read. She knew every word written in her mother’s flawless, delicate writing. It was the content that had Paisley so unsettled and questioning everything she’d ever known and what kind of future she’d ultimately have.

Lucas’s eyes darted back to her. “You believe this? Your mother wasn’t the most—”

“I’m well aware of my mother’s faults,” she defended. “That’s not why I’m here.”

Lucas muttered a curse beneath his breath. “I didn’t mean that. Despite what went down between us, I was sorry to hear about your mother.”

Paisley nodded her acceptance of his apology as another wave of emotions threatened to clog her throat. She’d mentally pushed through the difficult past few months. The flood that had torn through Houston had ultimately claimed her mother’s life and left devastation and destruction in its wake. It had also left an unidentified body on the construction site of one of Sterling Perry’s properties—the elite Texas Cattleman’s Club. Even after all the time had passed, there was still a mystery surrounding the identity of the deceased. There was no ID on the person and no distinguished markings. The entire ordeal was a mess.

An even bigger mess since the person they thought had died, Vincent Hamm, had actually texted his boss and stated he quit and was taking off for the Virgin Islands. So, clearly a man soaking up the rays wasn’t the unidentifiable body found on Sterling’s construction site.

Sterling already had issues going on with the whole scheme he had concocted, which had left a good portion of the region’s banking system in an uproar and many families had lost everything they had... Paisley’s mother included. When she’d passed, Paisley had had to use her own savings to pay for her mother’s burial since there had been no life insurance.

As if dealing with the financial hit of Sterling Perry’s debacle wasn’t enough, Paisley feared for the future of her bridal shop now that she had no cushion to fall back on. But Paisley truly believed she could salvage her future, her finances. If the all-powerful billionaire was indeed her father, maybe she had a chance.

“I need to know if Sterling is my dad,” she went on. “I know Mom wasn’t the most dependable or honest, but I also don’t know why she’d lie about something like this or why she’d write a letter and never actually give it to me. I found it tucked into a book she’d been reading.”

Lucas glanced back down to the paper in his hands. “Sterling doesn’t deserve to know the truth if you’re his daughter.”

“Maybe he doesn’t know anything,” she replied.

Paisley took in a deep breath and went for the whole truth. “Listen, I know I’m the last person you wanted to see come into your office.”

“Actually, Sterling would be the last person, but since he’s incarcerated, that’s a nonissue.”

“As I was saying,” she continued, hating how vulnerable she felt standing before the only man she’d ever loved. “I’m not your favorite person. I get that. If you need to lash out and deal with the past first, fine, but you’re the best in this business and I need your help.”

A corner of his mouth kicked up. “Been keeping up with me, Tart?”

A shiver slid all through her at the nickname that stemmed from her favorite candy. He’d been the only one to call her that, but she’d never forgotten. Clearly, neither had he. That instant reminder from the past of the bond they shared gave her a sliver of hope that maybe he wouldn’t just throw her out of here without hearing her out or at least giving her the chance to defend herself.

He remained silent as he just stood there with a look she couldn’t quite describe. Part of her recognized the desire, but there was a layer of something else and she couldn’t tell if it was disdain or frustration.

The way Lucas used to look at her would have her clothes falling off in record time. They’d never argued, they’d had their future all mapped out...until one day she’d realized she had to let him go.

“Are you going to help me or not?” she demanded because getting caught up in nostalgia was not going to help her sanity or her business.

“My assistant can take down all the information and the deposit for my services.” Lucas tossed the letter back onto his desk. “I’ll be in touch.”

Anger bubbled within her. He was not going to dismiss her that easily. True, they’d ended on abrupt terms, but that didn’t just erase all they’d shared to that point. She wouldn’t let him just brush her aside when this was all she had left.

“First of all, I’m not dealing with your assistant, I’m dealing with you.” He was about to see just how serious she was about getting his help. “Second, I don’t exactly have all of the funds right now. But I promise you will get every dollar you are owed. I’m not leaving until you agree to take this case.”

Lucas took in a deep breath and circled his desk. With slow, methodical moves, he came to stand directly in front of her, bringing with him a waft of aftershave that smelled expensive and downright sexy.

Expensive and sexy? That summed up Lucas Ford in two simple words. He’d always been in a totally different league, but she’d been naive enough to believe the difference wouldn’t matter.

She’d been so utterly wrong and they’d both been crushed in the end.

“You need me.” His bold statement was as honest and real as anything they’d ever said. “You’re stuck without my help. Is that what you’re saying?”

Paisley gritted her teeth and nodded. He had her in a difficult position and he damn well knew it, but she’d meant it when she said she wasn’t leaving without his help. She had nothing left to lose, but she had everything to gain.

A smile spread across his tanned face and made those bright blue eyes shine with amusement and something akin to deviousness. “There might be a fee you can afford.”

* * *

Lucas didn’t know what game he was playing, but once he’d started talking, he couldn’t stop himself. Paisley waltzed in here looking too damn sweet and innocent than should be allowed—and he knew she was neither. She couldn’t be, not with the way she’d pulled a Dear John breakup with him twelve years ago. That had obliterated any “sweetness,” and he’d stolen her innocence one stormy night in the garden shed on his father’s estate.

They’d been each other’s firsts so of course she’d stuck with him. He refused to admit it was because he was foolish enough to actually think they’d marry and live happily ever after.

Now she came to him with another type of letter, this one dropping a veiled hint that the devil himself was her biological father.

Oh, she didn’t come out and name Sterling, but the clues she dropped with words like “billionaire” and “well-known Houston businessman” and the real red flag of “a man nobody wants to mess with.”

Sterling Perry had ruined so many lives over the years and the trickling effect would last for some time to come. In fact, Sterling was the whole reason Lucas had entered into private investigator work to begin with. Once Sterling had ruined Lucas’s father, wiping out the businessman’s reputation when he spread lies about stolen money and Sterling claimed to have proof to back up his claims. All of it turned out to be bogus, but the damage had been done. It had ruined Lucas’s father.

Lucas had vowed to work to seek justice for those who couldn’t obtain it themselves.

Most recently, Sterling’s crooked investments had bankers scrambling to secure their reputations and businesses. So many small businesses were affected, like Paisley’s wedding shop.

But now he’d been arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud and Lucas hoped like hell the man never saw the light of day again...though something more damning would have to be found for Sterling to be put away for the amount of time he deserved.

Lucas never liked Sterling, never even wanted to mention the man’s name, and now Paisley was asking him to research the guy? Was there a ring of truth to this cryptic letter?

As much as Paisley had hurt him, Lucas still couldn’t imagine a monster like Sterling having a child like Paisley. The last thing he wanted to do was get wrapped up in either of their lives...and if those two lives were entangled? Damn it. He turned cases down on the daily simply because he didn’t want them for one reason or another. He could quit working now and never have to worry about making a living again. Money had never been the issue and that wasn’t the reason he hesitated now.

Something pulled at him. No, not something. Paisley. Even after all these years, she had some damn hold over his conscience. He knew she worked hard for her business and she struggled now, both emotionally and financially.

Plus, he knew that emptiness at the loss of a parent. How could he just ignore her when she needed someone and clearly, he was it?

But he wasn’t a fool, and he was going into this with more experience than he’d done before and his generosity would most certainly come at a price.

“Listen,” she started before he could get to his offer. “I know I hurt you years ago—”

“You left a damn note.” A note he’d held on to for too long until he’d finally tossed it into his fireplace and watched it burn while he’d downed copious amounts of his favorite bourbon. “After all we’d shared, I deserved better. Or maybe the serious relationship was only one-sided.”

“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?

Sterling had been locked up too damn long, having been denied bail. According to the powers that be, they considered him a flight risk.

Bullshit. He wasn’t going anywhere, except maybe to see his son, Roarke. One would think a crusading attorney son would come to his father’s defense, but not Roarke.

What the hell did a man have to do to earn a little respect?

According to his attorney, there was another chance to petition for bail coming up. Sterling needed out of this place and he needed to get back to the Texas Cattleman’s Club because he sure as hell had every intention of becoming the president of the newest chapter.

Sterling came to his feet and blew out a sigh. He wouldn’t be in here forever and the time he’d spent so far had only got his gut churning and mind rolling. Roarke had never approved of Sterling’s business dealings, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he hadn’t come to his father’s aide.

But was he even Roarke’s father? Because Sterling had some serious doubts about his late wife’s fidelity.

Maybe there was a way to get that rumor out there without sounding like a jaded husband. Shouldn’t Roarke know the truth? There was that period where Sterling’s wife had been sneaky, distant. He’d always suspected an affair.

He wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Roarke was a love child.

Sterling couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. Soon. Very soon people would know just how powerful and mighty Sterling Perry truly was. If they thought he was a shark before, they’d better watch out. Even these bars couldn’t hold him back.

The murderer needed to be found, and Sterling needed to secure his position at the club and find the truth about Roarke. There was too much to do and he had run out of patience.

* * *

Lucas didn’t even try to hide the smile as he waited for the penthouse elevator to slide open the next morning. The security guard for his building had already notified Lucas of the petite blonde heading his way...and according to Nyle, she didn’t look too happy.

All the more reason for him to celebrate. If Paisley was here and in a bad mood, that could only mean one thing. Wedding bells would be ringing soon.

Lucas hooked his thumbs on his belt loops and whistled. “Here Comes the Bride” seemed appropriate, but there was no need to completely piss her off so he went with an old country song instead.

The door whooshed open and Paisley stepped into his penthouse. That narrowed gaze and set jaw said more than any words could. Yes, definitely not the time for “Here Comes the Bride.”

“Beautiful morning for a visit,” he called out to her.

Paisley shot him a glare and Lucas bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He hadn’t been out at all, but the sunshine beamed through his wall of windows.

“Stop looking so damn smug,” she stated, marching farther into his penthouse. “This is not going to go the way you think.”

As she brushed past him as if she had every right to barge into his home, Lucas chuckled. Oh, he had every intention of getting exactly what he wanted—Paisley in his bed and her having his child. That didn’t seem like a high price to pay for all he would be doing for her.

Lucas spun on his heel and followed those swaying hips into the living area.

“First of all,” she started, spinning around with her finger pointed right at him like a dagger, “we will get married, but make no mistake, this isn’t some happy-ever-after. Don’t think that I love you or I have some fantasy that this will be some fairy tale.”

Love and fairy tale? No, none of that had entered his mind. What did love have to do with marriage? Thankfully, she knew exactly what this was and wasn’t.

Well, there was one thing she didn’t know, but he’d save the heir talk for a bit later. He had her here now and he needed to keep her since he was making headway.

“Any other stipulations?” he asked her.

Lucas felt it best to just let her think she called the shots. So long as he got what he wanted out of the deal, he didn’t care what she thought.

He wanted a child of his own and justice against Sterling Perry. And Paisley could give him both.

“I want a prenup and everything we agree on in writing,” she added. “There will be no surprises at the end of our marriage and my business will not suffer.”

Lucas couldn’t help but admire her for putting their past, and her emotions, aside to keep her dream alive. He had his own dreams, but they were quite different from hers.

“What brought you here now?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and leveling her gaze.

“There was a...minor setback at the boutique.” She fidgeted with the strap of her bag resting on her forearm. “I just realized that I can’t do it alone and as much as I hate being here, I’m not going to let my business fall simply because my pride got in the way.”

Another notch up on the scale of admiration. Maybe she had changed from the girl who had been too afraid to face their difficulties head-on.

Regardless, they were different people now and nothing about their past played a role in this situation. He wasn’t the same naive boy he was back then, young and in love—or what he thought was love. Lucas had a lucrative business and while he might not believe in love in the terms of marriage, he did believe in love of family and he wanted one of his own. He wanted to have that security of passing a legacy down to his children.

Lucas dropped his hands to his sides and closed the space between them. As he grew closer, Paisley tipped her head back to stare up at him and that perfect mix of colors in her eyes never failed to punch him in the gut with lust.

Lust he could handle; in fact, he welcomed it. Having Paisely again wouldn’t be a hardship.

“Just so I have everything clear for my attorney to draw up the proper papers, you want me to make sure your business is set to continue to prosper, you need me to find out the truth about your father and you want all of this to have an expiration date.”

She pursed her lips as her eyes darted away. That slight slip of her resolve had him swelling with the knowledge that she might come off as headstrong, but she still had that underlying vulnerability he remembered.

And that was the damn crux of the situation. He wanted to be the one to save her. Even after the ridiculous way things ended and all the time that had passed, he couldn’t deny the ego trip at the fact she’d come to him for help. Which only meant she’d been thinking of him.

At some point, he’d want answers about the past. Not that it would make any difference, nor did he want to relive everything, but he did wonder. And that bit about his dad going to her? Lucas wasn’t so sure that was the whole truth.

“Are you even going to ask what I want out of this?” Lucas couldn’t stop himself. He reached out and trailed his fingertip down her creamy cheek and along her jawline. “Or are you just going to trust me?”

She licked her lips as she continued to stare. “I...um. I assume you’ll tell me.”

Easing his thumb over her moist bottom lip, he smiled. “I want you in my bed. For as long as we’re married, we will be man and wife in every way. There’s no way I can live with you and not touch you, not want you. Not have you all to myself.”

Paisley’s eyes widened as she gasped. “You know I’m not staying forever. Why would you want to pretend this is real?”

Lucas was done playing games. He framed her face with both hands and covered her mouth. The bag she had on her arm bumped his abdomen, then fell with a thud to the floor.

Paisley let out a little squeak as he all but consumed her. She opened for him, just as she always had. Some things never changed. She’d never hesitated with her response to him and now was no different. She gripped his biceps as if she needed to hold on or hold him in place—either way was fine with him.

Damn. She tasted just as sweet as he remembered. Lucas threaded his fingers through her hair and tipped her head back. Paisley arched against him as he nipped at her lips and slowly pulled away.

“Was that you pretending?” he asked, his voice surprisingly stronger than he actually felt. “Because I just want to make sure I don’t get confused about what’s real or pretend.”

Paisley took a step back, then another, until she bumped into the curved staircase. Her shaky hand went to her lips and she closed her eyes.

Lucas was having a bit of a problem keeping himself in check. He wanted nothing more than to strip her bare and take her right here in his living room. But that was how they’d been when they were younger. They’d been all over each other. Young love had carried them so far, but ultimately, not far enough.

Still, having her in his home stirred something primal in him and he was positive he didn’t want her leaving. Call him selfish, but he wanted Paisley and he wanted her right here.

“Chemistry doesn’t mean anything,” she retorted.

If there had been any conviction in her tone, he might believe her. If she hadn’t arched that sweet, curvy body against his, he might think she didn’t want more. But he knew better. She’d come to him, pride aside.

She could have chosen anyone else to help her, but she wanted him. Despite everything that happened in their past, they still had a bond and he knew she trusted him with her case.

Lucas reached for her, sliding his hand across her cheek and up into her hair. “You want to end the marriage, I get that. Do you have an expiration date?”

Those hazel eyes never wavered from his. “If Sterling turns out to be my father and recognizes me, then I want out. I don’t want someone to take care of me forever. I want to stand on my own. But I’m not stupid enough to ignore the fact that I need help, because I won’t let my business suffer. It’s all I have left.”

So, it all came down to money. Most things in life did, he realized. Plus, he understood the need to protect something you’d built. Wasn’t that the reason he wanted a child to pass his business down to? All she wanted was to keep her shop running and live comfortably—which she could right here in his penthouse.

“Fine.” Lucas leaned down, brushed his lips over hers once more before stepping back. “You will be in my bed every night. Nonnegotiable. We’ll marry in Vegas, have our honeymoon and I’ll get to the bottom of the letter about your father.”

“Vegas?” she asked, quirking a brow. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

“It’s fast, simple.” Lucas smiled. “Unless you wanted to prepare and plan. A cathedral wedding would be fine, and actually not bad for my reputation. We could invite the press and—”

“Vegas it is.” She narrowed her eyes. “One more stipulation. You’re buying the gown of my choosing.”

Lucas could care less about the gown—more what was beneath. He’d have something sexy and sheer ordered for her for their wedding night and have it waiting in their suite.

He’d also have his jeweler get a stunning rock sent over as soon as possible. Their marriage might not be traditional, but Lucas wasn’t going to have his wife walking around with anything less than the best.

“Done,” he finally agreed.

Paisley stared at him another minute, cautiously keeping her emotions guarded, which he didn’t like. The Paisley he used to know had always been an open book, and she kept slipping into that state, but he could also see the independent woman she’d worked so hard to become. She was strong, she was resilient...and she was his.

Finally.

She’d have his ring on her finger and her body in his bed. This might not be the way he’d imagined they’d end up together, but they were going to be together nonetheless. They’d both get what they wanted.

Lucas had been naive years ago to think love would carry them through all their happy days and into old age. Then life smacked him in the face with a dose of reality and he finally saw that love didn’t exist. Money, power, careers—those things lasted and could be controlled. Love was nothing but a made-up emotion for people who lived in a fantasy world.

Love wasn’t for him...and never would be.

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