Page 93 of The Rancher's Secret Relationship

"Tell me what's wrong."

Chapter Nineteen

JUMANJI DRUMS.

Thornton cast a puzzled glance at her over his shoulder. "Pardon?"

In for a penny, in for a pound,Blake thought, realizing she had accidentally mumbled the words out loud.

Thornton could feel his forehead creasing in a frown as he listened to Blake's explanation.She had woken up hearing Jumanji drums,she had said.It's like this foreshadowing device in the movie. When you hear it, you know something's going to happen..

After flipping the pancakes one last time, he turned around and asked, "So what does it have to do with you?"

"Um."

He transferred the pancakes to their plates before taking a seat. "Wanna say grace?"

Blake cleared her throat. "Yes, sure." She tried not to get distracted while praying, but it was hard. And yes, she did know she had asked for it. She had teased Thornton earlier about needing to see him in an apron and jeans and nothing else, thinking he'd roll his eyes or just stare at her in that stoic way of his.

But instead he had said simply,Sure.

Thornton frowned when Blake's voice trailed off.

"A...."

"Men?" he finished blankly.

Hearing this, Blake snapped back to earth with a flush in her cheeks. "Amen," she repeated hastily.

"Everything alright?"

"Uh huh."

"So the Jumanji drums..." Blake didn't seem to notice the bottle of maple syrup he was holding out to her. Instead, her eyes were busy traveling up and down - his body?

That was when he finally realized what had her so distracted, and he nearly smiled. "You were the one who asked for this."

"I know." Her tone was half-glum, half-dazed. She couldn't even summon the brainpower needed to be embarrassed; she was just too busy staring and admiring the sleek slopes of his muscles and the fluid and graceful way they flexed with his every move.

"You're perfect."And I love you.

"So are you."And I love you.

"You really - wait." She finally managed to tear her gaze off his chest. Which was exquisitely naked. And which she recalled raking her nails—-concentrate, Blake Golding!

She yanked her mind out of the gutter and forced herself to concentrate on Thornton's face. It was just as beautiful, but a little less distracting at least. "What was that you, um, said earlier?"

"You're perfect."

She couldn't help bursting into laughter. "I'm not."

"You are—-" And before she could argue, he added quietly, "For me. You're perfect for me."

THE SCENE PLAYED OVERand over in Blake's mind. It actually had her smiling the whole time she was driving down to Laramie.You're perfect for me.That was what he had said. She was perfect for him. How could she not smile, with Thornton Blackwood of all people saying such a thing?

"HEY." SHE GAVE HERhalf-brother a quick hug before pulling back to take an anxious look at his good-looking face. He looked as tense as his voice had been in yesterday's phone call, when he had told her they absolutely had to meet...alone.

"Is everything okay?" she asked worriedly as they finally took a seat across each other in a window-side booth.

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