Page 87 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

"I won't."

Frankie was unimpressed. "We'll see, Mr. Blackwood. But just so you know...I'm not the only one who'll be after your hide—-"

"Curt Teller." The way Frankie jumped told Thornton he had guessed correctly, and his lips tightened. "I know he likes her."

Frankie had a hard time keeping her face expressionless.Oh no.Getting Curt to make Thornton potentially jealous had been her idea, and it had seemed like a good one...before. But now that the two were a couple?

She cleared her throat. "About that—-" But before she could say another word, they both heard Blake's mobile phone ring.

"Hello?"

Thornton's gaze narrowed when he saw something flicker in Blake's eyes. "Oh. Hey. It's you...Kate."

Frankie winced.Oh, Blake. She took a peek at Thornton's expression and found it utterly, terrifyingly bland.Oh, shit.That look just about said everything.

Thornton suddenly found his view of Blake blocked when her friend jumped in front of him.

"It's not what you think, Mr. Blackwood," she said in a rush. "Curt—-"

"Is what?"

Shit, shit, shit.

"You don't have anything to be jealous about," she tried convincing him.

"Can you prove that?"

Shit.

Thornton's jaw clenched at Frankie's helpless look.Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.Who the fuck was this Curt guy to Blake anyway?

Chapter Seventeen

IT WAS CLOSE TO SEVENby the time the last customer left, and Blake could barely keep herself from fidgeting while watching the old woman head for the door with her newly-purchased cozy mystery paperback clutched between her fingers.

Come on, come on...

The moment the door swung shut behind the customer, she immediately dashed towards the reading nook. Thornton was seated on one of the chairs, browsing through a history book, with a look of concentration on his beautiful bearded face.

As if sensing her gaze on him, Thornton glanced up, his gaze questioning.

Here goes...

One moment, Blake was standing a few feet away with a guilty expression on her too-pretty face, and then the next moment, she had launched herself without warning, and Thornton had to quickly grab hold of the table to keep both of them from toppling over.

Blake quickly threw her arms around his neck the moment she righted herself in his lap.

Thornton could feel how fast and hard her heart was beating.Scared.Blake was scared, and even though he still had the urge to pulverize something - anything - into pieces, he could already feel his concern for Blake overpowering his anger.

Which means I'm fucked,Thornton thought.

Blake sensed her boyfriend lifting a hand and tensed uncontrollably. She knew he wouldn't hurt her in any way, but...

A moment later, his hand settled on her head...and started stroking her hair.

Thornton heard the breath she expelled, and despite everything, he couldn't help feel the tiniest bit exasperated and amused. "You thought I'd strike you."

Blake winced. "Sorry," she mumbled. "It's stupid, I know. But it's only because...I know you know."

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