Page 47 of Falling for the Maverick

Lucas entered, having also removed his boots.

“You can put the hamper on the floor next to the island,” Michelle called from the kitchen.

“Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” he questioned.

“No. Why would you ask me that?”

“Because you’re barking orders like a drill sergeant.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like that.”

Lucas approached her, his arms encircling her waist. “It’s okay. Now, where’s my good afternoon kiss?”

Michelle put her arms around his neck, and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. “Good afternoon, sweet prince,” she whispered, then pressed a tender kiss on his mouth. He returned her kiss; it was surprisingly gentle.

She rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the strength of the arms holding her against his muscled physique. Michelle suddenly realized she’d been lying to herself. She wanted this man. And not just for the upcoming weeks. She didn’t just like Lucas Brandt; she’d fallen in love with him. And she knew if they parted she wouldn’t just be heartbroken. He would’ve ripped her heart out, making it impossible for her to ever love again. Michelle knew she’d made a mistake in continuing to see Lucas, because each encounter would make their breakup even more devastating for her. However, she had agreed to see him until the end of the month, and she would be able to keep her emotions in check until then.

“You’re going to have to let me go,” she whispered. “I have to preheat the oven.”

Lucas buried his face in her hair. “What if I don’t want to let you go? You feel so good in my arms that I want to hold you like this for hours.”

“Later, Lucas. After we eat.”

He kissed her ear. “You promise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Okay, you win.” He lowered his arms. “Do you need me to help you with anything?”

“I have everything under control. I prepared everything in advance. All that’s left is for everything to warm up. What you can do is set the table. You do know how to set a table, don’t you?”

“Very funny, Michelle. I wasn’t raised eating off lap trays.”

She winked at him. “Just teasing.”

“Do you want to eat in the kitchen or the dining room?”

“Down-home meals are always better in the kitchen.”

Lucas nodded. “I was hoping you would say that.”

Lucas watched Michelle empty the hamper. She took out a casserole dish with macaroni and cheese, then another with stuffed pork chops. He felt as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning opening presents when he saw a covered glass dish he knew was a mixture for cornbread.

“Hot damn! We’re going to eat good tonight.”

“The only thing that’s missing is sweet tea,” Michelle told him.

“I don’t have tea, but I make a drink with lemons, limes, sparkling water and agave syrup.”

“That sounds great. I’ll warm up the mac and cheese and pork chops together, then add the cornbread near the end.” Michelle glanced at the clock in the microwave. “It’s a little after two. Do you want to eat at three or four?” she asked Lucas.

“Make it five or six. After I stabled all of the horses because of the weather, I ate something just before you got here.”

“I thought we’d eat early because there’s a prediction of ice and sleet for later this evening.”

“Don’t worry about that, Michelle. If the weather’s really that bad, then you can stay over until tomorrow morning. And don’t look at me like that. There are four bedrooms in this house, and you can choose whichever one you want you to sleep in. There’s also a laundry room where you can wash and dry whatever you need to wear tomorrow. Unfortunately, I don’t have any female beauty products, so if you use my body wash, then we’ll smell alike.”

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