Page 56 of Falling for the Maverick

“That’s because she likes to ride like the wind.”

“The next time you take her out, come to Big Doggo, and we’ll go riding together.”

“To ride or race?” she asked.

“Ride, dollface.”

Michelle gazed at the arrangement of dishes atop the spotless white tablecloth. “Why do you call me that?”

Reaching across the table, Lucas gently took her hand. “Because you’re the perfect prototype for a beautiful Black doll. But if it bothers you, I’ll stop.”

“It doesn’t bother me, it’s just that no man has ever called me that.” Had Michelle been entirely candid, she would have informed Lucas that no man had ever addressed her with any sort of endearment in conversation. They’d complimented her on what she’d been wearing or said they thought her sexy. Something they could say to any woman.

“It’s probably because you’ve been dealing with the wrong men.”

“And you’re not the wrong man for me?” Michelle knew she’d shocked Lucas when he went still. Nothing moved, not even his eyes.

“No, Michelle. I don’t believe I am wrong for you.”

“What about good?” she asked.

A hint of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth, bringing her gaze to linger on his neatly barbered moustache and goatee. “Good enough. I’m not perfect. I’ve dated women I shouldn’t have, and I’ve had a few relationships I should’ve ended much sooner because it would’ve prevented a lot of hurt feelings.”

“Are you admitting to being a bad boyfriend?”

“No. I’ve tried to act with integrity, and I have always maintained fidelity in my relationships.”

“How long has it been since you’ve been in a relationship?” Michelle wondered if, after their secret relationship ended, she still wanted to date Lucas openly.

“It’s been almost three years. Not because I was opposed to a real relationship, but because I had to get my life and my head together. I was working for this investment company and monitoring my father’s dry-cleaning franchises at the same time, and I was close to burnout. I was putting in more twelve to fourteen hours a day staring at three monitors searching for investments that would prove beneficial for my clients. Meanwhile, on weekends I would do the same for myself. Then one day I discovered I couldn’t get out of bed. Then when my phones began ringing I didn’t have the strength to reach over to answer them. That’s when I knew I had to change my life.

“When I was finally able to get out of bed after two days, I left my apartment and drove to the office. Everyone was staring at me because not only was I unshaven, but I wasn’t wearing a suit. I walked into my supervisor’s office, placed my resignation on his desk and exited the room without a word.”

“What did you do after that?” Michelle whispered.

“I went on an odyssey to find out who Lucas Phillip Brandt was and what he wanted for his future. I reviewed my finances and realized I finally had the means to pursue a lifelong dream…establishing a horse ranch. Working with horses has always felt more natural to me than working at a desk. When I told Tiffany of my plan to set up a horse ranch and that I’d thought about buying land in Bronco, she recommended Tenacity.”

“I’m glad you followed Tiffany’s advice because Tenacity can always use another ranch.”

Lucas tightened his hold on her hand. “And I’m glad, too, because I like living in Tenacity. I’ve lived in Montana my whole life, but this is the first time I’ve really felt this connected. Spending time outdoors invigorates me and gives me a renewed sense of life. Most days I’m physically exhausted because I’m running the ranch by myself, but it’s different from the mental fatigue I experienced when I worked in finance.”

“Don’t you have the resources to hire ranch hands?”

Lucas’s eyebrows lifted. “It isn’t about money, Michelle.”

“If it isn’t, then why are working yourself into exhaustion when you could have help?”

“It’s about showing myself I can start a ranch and make it successful all on my own. I’m also thinking about stepping back from monitoring my father’s company because running the ranch is a lot of responsibility, and I’m not equipped to do both.”

All conversation ended when a sommelier approached the table, uncorked a bottle of wine and poured a small amount into a wineglass for Lucas to sample. Once he nodded his approval, two glasses were filled with rosé.

Smiling, Lucas raised his glass in a toast. “Here’s to all that you are and whatever you wish and dream for to become your reality.”

Michelle raised her glass and gently tapped it against his glass. “I wish the same for you.”

* * *

Lucas continued to stare at Michelle during dinner, wondering how he’d gotten so lucky to spend so much alone time with her. There was no doubt they both loved living in Tenacity, and with his sister married to her brother, they would get to see each other during family gatherings. However, that was different from dating each other. Meeting her privately had prepared him for what it might be like when he and Michelle began seeing each other publicly.