Page 176 of Ride a Cowboy

“No.”

She waited for him to elaborate, to say more. He didn’t.

“God dammit, Daniel. You have no right to act like?—”

“Don’t,” he interrupted. “Don’t say anything else.” He was teetering on the edge of a cliff as it was. One push from her and he’d make damn sure they both went tumbling into the abyss.

“What’s wrong with you?” Her voice was quieter, confused. If he wasn’t mistaken, there was a bit of fear mixed in as well.

She needed to be afraid. Deserved to feel the pulse-pounding terror that was coursing through his own veins right now.

He gripped her shoulders and turned her away from him. Forced her gaze to the mirror in front of them. “You, Sienna. You’re what’s wrong with me.”

She winced.

“You’re also what’s right with me.”

Her eyes closed, sadness creeping onto her face. “No. Daniel. Please. Please don’t say anything else.”

Jesus. She was tearing his guts out. He could hate her just as easily as he loved her right now, but he could see she was taking no pleasure in any of this. She was in pain too. He’d vowed to erase Josh from her mind. Promised her sex without strings. Fun without commitment.

It wasn’t her fault he’d changed his mind.

Truth was, she made him long for things he’d never wanted before. Roots, a home without wheels, love. He’d been a drifter and a loner for so long, he’d convinced himself it was enough. Maybe he and Sienna were more alike than they realized. They’d spent years lying to themselves and others about their true desires.

He was tired of the lies. But Sienna…she wasn’t ready to let go yet.

“Fine,” he said at last.

Sienna’s eyes lifted, her gaze finding his in the reflection.

“Nothing changes, Sienna. You will come to my trailer every night. You will sleep in my arms. And you will find me if you ever need me. No matter what it’s for—sex, a laugh, to talk. Hell, I don’t care if you just need someone to sit and be quiet with. I’m the man who will give you all of that.”

And then he took a chance and added the two words that truly mattered. “Only me.”

She never looked away as he issued his demands. He wouldn’t change their status, wouldn’t force her into calling this what it was. But she was going to make those concessions.

“Agree?”

She nodded.

“Say it. Out loud.”

“I agree,” she whispered.

He pressed on her shoulders, forcing her to lean forward. She didn’t resist. She continued until her elbows rested on the rim of the sink.

The position gave him a bird’s eye view of her cleavage, her breasts spilling out of the top of her tight blouse. He reached beneath her, cupping the flesh roughly. A soft moan escaped Sienna’s lips. Her nipples peaked as he pinched them, despite the clothing in his way.

He should walk away right now. Should get the hell out of here and calm down. His emotions were raw, his gut ached. He’d never be able to take her gently. Never.

“Don’t leave.”

He jerked. Surprised.

She didn’t lower her eyes, didn’t offer him the chance to escape. “Don’t leave.”

“Sienna—” His voice broke on her name.

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