Page 33 of Falling for the Maverick

Michelle laughed softly. “You’re also another kind of hot, Lucas. You must know the effect you have on women.”

“And what’s that?” he questioned.

“You’re a head turner.”

“I wouldn’t know about that.”

She wondered if he was clueless or just self-­deprecating when it came to his face and body. Even her grandmother thought he was gorgeous. Michelle was glad they weren’t dating openly because then she would have to witness other women’s attempts to come on to him.

She settled back against him once again and closed her eyes. “I’m going to hang out here a little longer before heading home.”

“Don’t you want coffee and dessert?”

“No, thank you. I’m so full I can hardly move.”

“I thought you would have one of the cupcakes with me.”

“If you don’t eat all of them in a couple of days, I’ll come back and share them with you.”

Lucas chuckled. “You’re really asking a lot, dollface, because I doubt if there will be any left in a couple of days.” He paused. “When do you plan to come again?”

“Maybe Thursday. Instead of dessert, I’ll bring a side dish.”

“Do you eat fish?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Because I’ll grill fish instead of meat.”

“Who taught you to cook?” she asked him.

“My college roommate. His parents owned a restaurant, so by the time he was a teenager, he was working in their kitchen.”

“Where did you go to college?”

“Cornell.”

A beat passed. “Cornell in New York?”

“Yes.”

“So, my boyfriend is an Ivy Leaguer.”

Lucas rested his chin on the top of Michelle’s head. “Are you saying I’ve elevated my status from friend to boyfriend?”

“Yes. I never allow my friends to kiss me the way that you do.”

“So kissing is a line in the sand you won’t allow them to cross?”

“Yup. And you crossed that line when you kissed me in the parking lot the night of the crawl.”

“Don’t forget that you kissed me back.”

“True. And look where it’s taken us.” Michelle didn’t want to remind Lucas that whatever they would share as a couple would have to take place behind the scenes. But gauging from his reaction, she didn’t have to.

“I know you don’t want anyone in your family to know that we’re seeing each other, but this can’t go on forever, Michelle. I’ve never sneaked around to see a woman, and not only is this a new thing for me, but I’m also very uncomfortable with it.”

“I also don’t like sneaking around to be with you, Lucas, but I believe it’s for the best for the time being.”