Page 61 of Falling for the Maverick

They agreed to pursue their relationship privately for one month, after which they would determine whether to continue as a publicly recognized couple.

Lucas turned over with his back to Michelle and stared out the window. His cell phone chimed a familiar ringtone. Reaching for it on the bedside table, he stared at the message. His father wanted him to come to Bronco ASAP to discuss a setback in the latest franchise agreement.

Lucas swallowed a moan, got out of bed, and headed for the bathroom to shower. He couldn’t imagine what could be so important that his father couldn’t wait for the next day. Twenty minutes later, after leaving a note for Michelle telling her he had to go to Bronco, and he would see her when he returned, he left.

* * *

Lucas sat with Phillip, going over the potential franchisee’s contract, seeing firsthand why his father wanted to see him right away. They’d spent hours discussing what their client wanted to revise along with his questioning every clause.

Phillip ran a hand over his face. “I know you wanted to step back from monitoring my business, but because you were initially involved with this client, I would like you to continue to work with him to sort out all his concerns. Then Ethan can take over once you resolve this problem.”

Lucas wanted to remind his father now that he lived in Tenacity it would make it more difficult to conduct meetings in person. But because Phillip had agreed to his stepping away, Lucas had made this meeting an exception. “I will get in touch with Rodney and schedule a Zoom meeting so that we can go over everything. Once that’s done, I’ll send him a new contract for his approval and signature.”

Smiling, Phillip nodded. “Thanks, Lucas. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d do very well, Dad. It’s only after you decided to franchise it was a little more complicated. And don’t forget that you have Ethan as a backup.”

“You’re right,” Phillip agreed. “I know it’s late, so why don’t you bed down here and get a couple of hours of sleep before you drive back to Tenacity.”

Lucas stared at the clock on the fireplace mantel. It was after midnight, and he knew he had to sleep before going back to the ranch.

“Okay. I’m going to set the alarm on my phone for five.” He powered down his laptop.

“Can’t you hang around long enough to have breakfast with me and your mother?”

“I can’t. I need to get back to the ranch by seven,” Lucas said. He was usually up at dawn to turn the horses out to graze before mucking out the stables before returning to the house to prepare breakfast.

His father nodded. “That’s your place now. Just don’t let ranching take over your whole life, son.”

Lucas knew his father had a point. But he’d never operated any other way than being all in. Could he change now?

* * *

Michelle woke to find herself alone in bed. She got up and went into the bathroom to find a new toothbrush, a stack of towels and a bathrobe on a chair next to the double vanity. She picked up the bathrobe and smiled. It was Lucas’s and much too large for her, but it was better than walking around in a towel.

She brushed her teeth, then stepped into the shower stall. When she emerged, she did indeed smell like Lucas. The next time she came to his house, Michelle made a mental note to bring her own personal products.

The sky was brightening with the dawn of a new day when she walked on bare feet down the staircase to the kitchen. Lucas was leaning against a countertop drinking coffee. Her smile froze when she saw something in his eyes that frightened her. All traces of brown and green had disappeared, leaving them a glittering gold that reminded her of a cat she once had whose eyes would change color before he leaped and dug his claws into her until she was able shake him loose.

“What’s up, Lucas?”

“What? No good morning?” he countered.

Her eyebrows lifted questioningly. “Is it really a good morning?” she asked. “I’m not into playing twenty questions right now, so tell me what’s bothering you.”

“How do you know something is bothering me?”

“Because of the way you’re looking at me,” Michelle countered.

Lucas stood up straight. “I just think we’re moving too quickly, and—”

“And what?” she asked when his words trailed off.

“Right now, I can’t follow through on seeing you whenever you want because I have too many obligations to become the boyfriend you need me to be.”

“Obligations, Lucas?” She’d asked him yet another question.

He nodded. “There’s not enough room in my life for work and a relationship, and I don’t want to neglect you. You’re worth so much more than having to deal with a part-time boyfriend.”