Page 166 of Ride a Cowboy

Seth nodded. “He knew.”

Sam picked up the story. “Jody wasn’t going down without a fight. She decided to make Seth work to win her affections back.”

“So you kidnapped her and tied her to your bed until she fell in love with you?” Daniel had to admit the idea had merit. He didn’t like Sienna talking to Josh. He recalled the scarf and his plans for it.

Seth’s gaze sharpened. “I wouldn’t suggest that course to anyone else. I got lucky. It worked for me. And I had her father’s blessing to proceed.”

Daniel blinked. “Jody’s dad knew you were kidnapping her? Forgive me, Seth, but that is one fucked-up way of proposing.”

Sawyer and Sam laughed.

Silas shook his head. “Oh Jesus, kid. You ain’t heard nothin’. I think Seth’s proposal was the least fucked-up of all us Comptons.”

Sam was the first to sober up, his face serious and kind as he caught Daniel’s eye. He wasn’t sure what Sienna’s uncle saw, but Daniel was afraid it was too much. Hell, he was pretty sure every single one of the men now realized he was falling for Sienna. “I’ll tell you right now, Daniel. Any woman worth having is worth fighting for.”

Sam’s words drifted back to Daniel off and on throughout the day. Only two months had passed since he’d first laid eyes on Sienna, but given the current state of his heart, it felt like he’d known her forever.

Seth had mentioned Sienna’s inexperience, but it seemed to Daniel that in the committed relationship realm, she was vastly wiser than he was. He’d offered Sienna an easy, no-strings affair because that was as far as his limited experience extended. She’d accepted because that was all she wanted.

How could he convince her to change the rules now? To take a chance with a man she’d only known a short while? A man whose current life ambition was simply to be happy?

He was a washed-up rodeo star turned ranch hand living in a rusty RV, and while Josh was a tool, at least he appeared to have a promising future ahead of him. If he ever managed to graduate, he’d have a degree and a prosperous business. He could give Sienna a big house, financial security, kids.

Daniel rubbed his eyes wearily. All he had to offer was a fun time between the sheets—shits and giggles, slaps and tickles.

Any woman worth having was worth fighting for.

There was no doubt Sienna was worth the fight, but was he the right man to throw the punch?

A light knock sounded. Daniel frowned and glanced at the clock. He’d told Sienna he’d meet her at twelve to escort her back here. It had become his nightly ritual to pick her up for their midnight trysts. He hadn’t liked the idea of her traipsing around the ranch alone so late at night. While he’d met and befriended most of the hands, there were still a few men—too fond of their liquor—who might be tempted by the sight of Sienna out alone.

He opened the door. Sienna was bundled in her winter jacket, the green scarf he’d given her wrapped loosely around her neck. “It’s only eleven.”

She walked in, shrugging off the coat and tossing it on the couch. “The house quieted down early. Guess everyone was worn out from the holiday partying.”

“You should have texted me. I would have come to get you.”

Sienna rolled her eyes. She’d told him almost nightly she didn’t need his escort. Tonight, she let her expression do the talking.

He grinned, but made no move toward her. Sienna frowned, confused by his reticence.

She leaned against his small kitchen counter. “Feel like unwrapping your present?”

There was nothing he desired more, but something held him back. “What did Josh have to say?”

Sienna bit her lip, his question catching her off-guard. “Nothing much. He just wished me a merry Christmas.”

He nodded slowly. “Seth said he’s called you a few times since Thanksgiving.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So why didn’t you tell me?”

Sienna fiddled uncomfortably with the edge of her scarf. “Never came up. I didn’t think it mattered.”

He tried to take a steadying breath. He failed. “It matters.”

“Why?”

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