Page 18 of Falling for the Maverick

Michelle spun around, totally unaware that Lucas had come up behind them. Clad head to toe in black, he cut an imposing figure, which prompted her admirer to walk away.

“You’re early,” she said breathlessly when Lucas reached for her hand.

“It’s a good thing because your friend didn’t look like he was going to take no for answer.”

She rolled her eyes at Lucas. “He’s not my friend, just someone I remember from high school.”

Lucas tightened his hold on her hand as he led her inside. “I figured I’d get here early. Now that the weather is nice, I knew folks would be out.”

“I was lucky enough to find a parking spot behind the building.”

“I parked a couple of blocks away.” Lucas paused. “I know we’re on a pumpkin spice crawl, but this is a bar. Wouldn’t it look a little odd if we order coffee rather than beer?”

“They do serve pumpkin ale beer.”

Smiling, Lucas gently squeezed her fingers. “Lead on.”

* * *

It was Lucas’s first time in what he thought of as a classic Western honky-tonk. The interior was appealing with natural stone bricks, a lengthy bar with most stools occupied and a chandelier adorned with antlers. A colorful jukebox blared classic country.

He let go of Michelle’s hand and put his arm around her waist. “I see an empty booth near the pool tables.” Wending their way through the crowd, they avoided a group of people holding mugs of frothy beer. He waited until Michelle sat down. “Do you want something other than beer?”

Michelle smiled. “No. Beer is okay.”

As Lucas walked over to the bar, he recalled Tiffany complaining that she would never feel comfortable living in Tenacity because it had none of what she’d been accustomed to in Bronco. There were no high-end boutiques, restaurants or jewelry shops, and she’d miss eating at DJ’s Deluxe or dressing up for an intimate dinner at Coeur de l’Ouest.

Lucas, on the other hand, had come to appreciate that Tenacity had its own small-town charm, which was slowly growing on him. Unlike Bronco Heights and Bronco Valley, there was only one Tenacity. He’d just been too busy at the Big Doggo to visit any of the bars or restaurants since moving from Bronco. He’d come to town to buy his meat and groceries from Tenacity Grocery, feed and ranch supplies from Strom and Son Feed and Farm Supply or Tenacity Feed and Seed, and drugs and personal items from Tenacity Drugs and Sundries. And then he’d run back to work the ranch.

If Michelle hadn’t mentioned the pumpkin spice crawl, Lucas doubted whether he would’ve come to the Grizzly Bar. His father was right about the ranch doing well and that he needed more in his life than Flash and horses. But that was before Michelle talked about meeting up separately and he wondered if she’d been pressured not to get involved with him. The more he thought about it, the more he had to agree with her. They were better off as friends.

Lucas got the bartender’s attention and ordered two pumpkin ale beers.

“Do you want a cinnamon and sugar rim?”

He knew it was common in the Northeast and Midwest but wasn’t sure about the Northwest. “You can put it on one glass.” Lucas wasn’t certain whether Michelle would like the sugared rim, and if she didn’t, then he would drink it. He watched the man use a citrus wedge to moisten the rim, then gently dip it in a plate with cinnamon sugar and twist it until it was evenly coated.

Lucas placed a bill on the bar, telling the bartender to keep the change, then made his way over to where Michelle sat waiting. She’d removed her jacket, and he nearly stumbled, staring at the roundness of her breasts under a white sweater that left nothing to his imagination. In that instant, he knew for certain that he had to keep his distance when it came to Michelle Corey because the only thing he could think of was taking off her clothes and making love to her.

Lucas set the glasses on the table, took off his own jacket and slipped into the booth next to her. “You can take whichever one you want.” He was a little surprised when Michelle picked up the one without the sugared rim.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked. “I’m sweet enough, so I don’t need any extra sugar.”

Lucas’s jaw dropped. “Are you saying I’m not sweet?”

“No. Still, not as sweet as I am.”

It was only when he saw Michelle smile that he realized she was teasing him. “I’m going to get you for that.”

“Yeah, right,” she drawled, then switched glasses. Holding the drink with the sugared rim aloft, she said, “Here’s to your first pumpkin spice crawl and may it not be your last.”

Smiling, Lucas touched his glass to hers. Then he took a swallow of the icy brew, his gaze fixed on Michelle’s face as she licked the rim of the glass. She was clearly unaware of how sensual it was to watch her mouth, a mouth he’d wanted to taste since the first time he laid eyes on her.

There was something about her that was so utterly sexy and demure at the same time. It was obvious that she was totally unaware of her effect on men. Her large brown eyes were as alluring as her slender body with no straight lines.

Not only was she sexy, but she had a carefree spirit he found alluring. It was as if she didn’t take herself too seriously. That life was to be enjoyed and she intended to make the most of it.

Either he had to get a grip on his emotions or he would be forced to tell Michelle exactly what he wanted to do with her. The urge to make love to her was so strong that he was glad he was seated. He wouldn’t have been able conceal his erection even with his hip-length wool jacket.