The Rancher Returns by Brenda Jackson Read Free Book Online Page B

this situation. Little did she know he had no intention of doing that. Their attraction was too strong and he intended to use it to his advantage.
    As he stood to head for the bathroom, he halted upon hearing voices. They were his grandmother’s and Layla’s. His body immediately reacted to the sound of Layla’s voice. They were in the kitchen. And he could tell his grandmother was enjoying the conversation.
    He could understand why Gramma Mel was so taken with Layla. Although he never thought about it much, his grandmother probably got lonely around here whenever he was away. Even though she had Caldwell, there hadn’t been another woman staying on the Silver Spurs since Gavin’s mother had left.
    He tried pushing thoughts of Jamie Blake from his mind like he’d always done. Why should he think about the woman who hadn’t thought of him? One day she’d packed up and left, drove away leaving only a letter claiming she needed time away and would return. She never did. That’s what had bothered Gavin the most, knowing a woman could just walk away from her husband and eight-year-old son without looking back.
    Refusing to think about his mother anymore, Gavin entered his bathroom to shower. He hoped Layla stayed in the kitchen with his grandmother for a while because he definitely needed to talk to her.
    * * *
    Layla’s hand tightened on her glass of iced tea the moment Gavin entered the kitchen. She didn’t have to glance behind her to know he was there. His presence filled the room and sent all kinds of sensations vibrating through her. She was a little irritated that she was so aware of him. The sexual chemistry she’d hoped was a fluke was back in full force.
    â€œGavin, I figured the smell of food would wake you sooner or later,” Melody Blake said, smiling at her grandson.
    When he moved into Layla’s line of vision she had no choice but to glance over at him. “Yes, it definitely did,” he said, answering his grandmother but staring straight at Layla.
    Then he spoke to her. “Layla. How are you today?”
    She wanted to tell him she’d been fine until he’d made an appearance. She couldn’t stop her gaze from roaming all over him. He stood near the window and the fading afternoon light highlighted his features, his clothing, everything about him. Not for the first time, Layla thought he had to be the sexiest man alive.
    When he lifted a brow, she realized she had yet to answer his question. “I’m fine, Gavin. Thanks for asking.”
    She quickly switched her gaze away from him and back to her plate. Why had she waited so long to answer? Doing so had made it obvious she’d been checking him out. Thoroughly.
    â€œI left your food warming in the oven, Gavin,” Ms. Melody said, breaking the tension.
    â€œThanks, Gramma Mel. All I’ve been able to think about these last few days was getting back to your home-cooked meals.” Gavin opened the oven to peek inside.
    After getting his plate out of the oven, he smiled at Layla and crossed the kitchen to sit in the chair beside her, brushing his thigh against hers. He said grace and then lifted his head and looked over at Layla. He caught her staring at him again. She knew his touch had been no accident. Totally deliberate.
    He pasted an innocent smile on his face and asked, “So, Layla, how was your day?”
    Layla gritted her teeth. The nerve of him asking how her day had gone when she’d been waiting to meet with him. She hadn’t mentioned anything about Gavin’s visit last night to Ms. Melody. There was no way Layla could have mentioned it with a straight face, especially when she couldn’t help thinking of the kiss they’d shared.
    Knowing he was waiting for her response, she said, “My day has been going great.”
    â€œGavin, I’m glad I got to say hello before I leave,” his grandmother said, standing to her feet.
    Gavin