Jules Bennett - Married In Name Only

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.”