The Rancher Returns Read Online Free PDF Page B

was funny he would ask. After all, she was the visitor on his land. This was his house. Ms. Melody had told her that Gavin and some of his SEAL teammates had built it a few years ago as a place to hang out whenever they visited.
    Gavin and his friends could get loud and rowdy here at the cottage without disturbing his grandmother. That accounted for why the place was so spacious with the cupboards bare—except for a refrigerator stocked with beer and wine coolers. Not to mention that a deck of cards seemed to be in every room.
    â€œYes, of course you can come in. You own the place.”
    â€œBut you’re my grandmother’s guest.”
    Had he said that to remind her she wasn’t his guest? To remind her that her presence on the Silver Spurs was something he didn’t support? Layla would find out soon enough.
    She moved from the door and he followed, closing it behind him. “Would you like something to drink?” Grinning brightly, she said, “There’s plenty of beer and wine coolers in the fridge.”
    Gavin chuckled. “I’ll take a beer.”
    She nodded. “One beer coming up.” She felt his gaze on her backside.
    â€œHere you are. I feel funny doing this,” Layla said, coming back into the room carrying a cold bottle of beer.
    He lifted a brow. “Doing what?”
    â€œServing you your own beer.”
    â€œNo reason that you should. You’re my grandmother’s guest.”
    That was the second time he’d said that, Layla thought. Not one to beat around the bush, she crossed the room to hand him the beer, and then wished she hadn’t. Their hands had only briefly touched so why was heat filling her? And why was he looking at her as if that same heat filled him?
    She quickly took a step back and wiped her hands down the sides of her jeans.
    â€œYou think that will get rid of it?”
    She met his eyes. She knew what he’d insinuated, but she wanted to be sure. “Get rid of what?”
    â€œNothing.”
    He then opened the bottle and took a huge gulp. Afterward, he licked his lips while she watched. Her chest tightened. He lowered the bottle from his mouth and held her gaze. “Want a sip?”
    She drew in a deep breath to clamp down on her emotions. Was he offering to share his beer? For them to drink from the same bottle? Doing something like that was way too intimate for her. Evidently not for him. A distinct warmth coiled around her midsection. The way his eyes darkened wasn’t helping matters.
    She should call his bluff and take a sip. But that might lead to other things. It might give him ideas. The same ideas floating crazily through her head. The last thing she needed was an involvement with a man. Any man. Especially him. Her work was too important to her. The idea of an October fling was not. “No thanks. I had one earlier and one was enough for me.”
    Instead of saying anything, he nodded and raised the bottle to his lips to drain the rest. She watched his throat work. When had seeing a man drink anything been a turn-on?
    When he finished the bottle and lowered it, she asked, “Want another one?”
    He smiled at her. “No, one was enough for me.”
    She couldn’t help but smile back at his use of her words. “I don’t know, Gavin Blake. You seem like the sort of guy that could handle a couple of those.”
    â€œYou’re right, but that’s not why I’m here.”
    His words were a reminder that he hadn’t shown up tonight for chitchat and drinking beer. “Yes, you said you wanted to talk. Is there a problem?” Layla knew there was and figured he was about to spell it out for her.
    â€œWho taught you to play the harmonica?”
    She’d expected him to just dive in. His question threw her. “My grandfather,” she said, angling her head to look up at him. “He was the best. At least most people thought so.”
    â€œAnd who was your