Page 130 of Ride a Cowboy

However, the way Daniel said it, slowly, almost like a caress, made her think of sex and sweaty sheets and naughty, naughty things. Sienna blinked rapidly and forced herself to glance away from the good-looking cowboy. She was standing next to her grandmother, for God’s sake, and imagining doing all sorts of wicked things with a man she’d only just met.

Her horniness was Josh’s fault. He’d headed back to the university at the end of August and hadn’t bothered to make even a quick weekend trip home since then. They’d have to make up for lost time over Thanksgiving.

“What brings you to Compass Ranch, Daniel?” Leave it to Vivi to cut to the chase and ask the question on the tip of every woman’s tongue.

“I hired him,” Dad replied. “He’s going to help me start my horse breeding business. I called Sam last night and we decided the time was right to diversify a bit. Silas and Colby are more than capable of handing the cattle side of things. Sam and I are interested in seeing if we can make a real go of the horses—more than just the tinkering I’ve been doing the past few months.”

Mom smiled, wrapping her arm around Dad’s waist. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. So you’re familiar with horse breeding, Daniel?”

Daniel nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I grew up on a farm in Loudoun County, Virginia. I was working with the horses alongside my dad from the time I could walk.” Sienna tried to ignore the effect Daniel’s slight southern twang was having on her more private parts. Better to blame her suddenly taut nipples on the cool October breeze.

“How did a Virginia boy end up all the way over here in Wyoming?” Vivi asked.

Doug answered for him, too excited about the news he had to share. “The rodeo. Daniel was a rodeo star and he’s gonna teach me and James all the tricks. He rode the bulls, Vivi. Loads of times. He’s retired now, though.” Rodeo riders were Doug’s superheroes. While most eleven-year-olds wished they could be Batman or Superman, Doug had always insisted he would be a bull rider. Sienna, like her mother, prayed it was a dream that would pass as he grew older. She hated the thought of her baby brother ever doing anything so dangerous.

Now that her father had brought this man here, it was going to be even more difficult to discourage Doug’s youthful aspirations.

Daniel was still staring at her. His gaze was almost unnerving. No one had ever studied her with such blatant interest. Sexual interest.

Time to nip things in the bud. She had enough on her plate without dealing with some horny ranch hand. “A bull rider, huh? You seem awfully young to be retired. Were you not very good at it?”

Dad blinked, surprise and confusion written on his face at her rudeness. Her tone sounded hostile even to her own ears.

“Sienna,” Dad started, but Daniel didn’t appear to take offense.

“I was injured pretty badly during my last ride. It put a quick end to my future with the rodeo.”

Sienna felt like dirt. God dammit. What was wrong with her? She bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry.”

Daniel grinned. “Why? You weren’t the bull. Anyway, I packed up my trailer and decided to try my hand at being a salesman for a rodeo equipment company. Met your dad at the trade show and he took mercy on me. Apparently, I suck at sales.”

Dad chuckled and patted Daniel on the back in a friendly gesture. Sienna was curious about how this man had earned her father’s fondness in just a few days. “The man is too damn honest. He wasn’t content with just telling me what was good about the items he was peddling. He also felt compelled to explain what was wrong with them.”

James piped up. “He told us how the strap on one of the saddles broke and cost him a rodeo championship.”

“I can see how that might have impacted sales,” Mom said, laughing.

“Anyway, we invited him to join us for lunch. One thing led to another and I realized that with his knowledge of horse breeding, he would be an asset to Compass Ranch.”

“And don’t forget he’s going to teach us how to be real rodeo cowboys,” Doug added, stressing what was clearly the most important part of Daniel’s new duties on the ranch.

Daniel reached over and messed up Doug’s hair. “I’m only going to teach you if you promise to stop cussing in front of ladies. Cowboys are always gentlemen.”

Doug nodded his consent. Sienna suspected her little brother would also promise Daniel the moon on a silver platter and the dirty magazine he had hidden under his bed if it meant he’d get his lessons.

Dad pointed to the rickety RV. “And better yet, Daniel comes to us with his own lodging. Sienna, why don’t you help him pick out a nice spot to set up camp while the boys and I unpack the truck? Unfortunately, not all the salespeople at the trade show were bad at their jobs. I bought way too much.”

Mom grinned. “I’ll remember that the next time I go shopping with Cindi, Leah and Lucy.”

Vivi walked to the front door. “I’ve got a big pot of spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. I hope you’ll join us for dinner, Daniel.”

Daniel gave her grandmother a smile that was far too charming, and Sienna felt the effects of it in places she didn’t care to acknowledge. “Thank you, Mrs. Compton. Spaghetti sounds real good.”

“Call me Vicky. I think you’ll find we’re not big on formalities here at the ranch.”

Daniel touched the brim of his hat again, the old-fashioned gesture touching…and sexy. “Thank you, Vicky.”

Sienna took a deep breath. Dammit. She wouldn’t be feeling so hot and bothered if Josh had just stuck to the plan. She’d never abstained for so long. Sex was one of the best perks of a steady boyfriend, as far as she was concerned.

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