* * *
“Don’t start having doubts.”
Lucas felt her pulling away. Oh, not physically. She was still wrapped all around him. Emotionally and mentally, she was already rewinding and trying to come up with something to say and some way to protect herself.
“This can work,” he added. “I know I made a mistake that could cost me everything, but I’m here to tell you that I won’t put anything above you ever again.”
He eased back and smoothed the hair away from her face. The thought of letting her go hurt him to a level he couldn’t describe and didn’t want to comprehend. He didn’t even want to go there in his own mind because he was going to do anything in his power to show her he was in love with her.
“I’ll buy you a wedding dress.” The words were out before he thought twice, but then he realized she deserved so much more. “Any dress. I don’t care if it’s hand-beaded, or whatever that expensive one was, or if you want to recycle that lace thing. I want to give you the wedding of your dreams.”
Paisley laughed. “I’m never wearing that jumpsuit again and you put so much money in my business account, I don’t need you to buy me anything.”
He’d put that money in her account because he didn’t want her to worry about finances even for a second. He’d secretly contacted the jilted bride and he knew the insane wedding gown had ultimately been paid for in full after he’d reminded the customer she was in breach of contract.
If Paisley ultimately decided to leave him, Lucas would be absolutely devastated, but he still wanted to provide a solid security for her and pave a smooth path in her life.
Paisley sighed. “I can’t keep that money, you know. And great sex won’t fix our problems.”
Lucas took a half step back and adjusted his pants, but left them unbuttoned. He eased the silky robe back up her arms and covered her breasts.
“I swear I did not come here for sex.” He wanted her to know she was so much more to him. “You’re everything to me. I’m here because I wanted to fix your hurt, if that’s even possible. I know I did damage, but tell me what I can do to make it right. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
Paisley bit on her bottom lip as her eyes darted away. She eased off the table, causing him to take another step back to give her space. Lucas watched as she righted her robe, but the silence was absolutely maddening.
He had nobody to be angry with but himself, but he couldn’t go back in time and have a redo. At this point, all he could hope to accomplish was to get through to Paisley that he really did have good intentions, he just executed everything the wrong way.
“Family is everything to me,” he told her. “I wanted vengeance for my father. I had been waiting for the right opportunity to get back at Sterling, so when he went to jail, I was thinking that would have to suffice, though I had nothing to do with that. But then you walked in and my first thought was, what if it’s true? What if you do belong to him? I won’t lie, I wanted you in my bed. I was more than eager to have you all to myself while I investigated.”
Paisley crossed her arms over her chest, but didn’t make a move to step away or shut him out. Lucas took that as a good sign and kept going.
“But then you moved in,” he said. “Having you in my space, even with the yellow throw pillows and those pictures you call art, I realized I wanted all of that there because that’s who you are. I wasn’t still hung up on some young love. I was falling for the woman you are now.”
Her eyes misted and she glanced down, but Lucas took his hand and lifted her attention back to him.
“Don’t hide from me,” he said. “When you feel something, anything, I want you to share it with me. And I’ll do the same. There’s nothing I want to do alone anymore. Tell me you’ll think about us, think about not leaving for good. I’m willing to start over, I’m willing—”
“Shut up.”
Lucas froze. “Excuse me?”
Paisley blinked, causing a tear to slide down her cheek. “I told myself to let you grovel for a long time, but I can’t handle it anymore.”