Page 187 of Ride a Cowboy

Sienna shook her head. “No. I was away at school. Hope told me about it. It was really sweet of you to go to all this trouble. I understand that Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly a guy holiday.”

Daniel considered contradicting her. There were parts of this day that were definitely for him. In addition to the flowers he’d given her when he picked her up for their date, there was still a wrapped package on his bed that contained the sexiest red teddy he’d ever seen and pair of furred-lined handcuffs.

Oh, he fully intended to enjoy the holiday. Unfortunately, the fun stuff apparently wasn’t going to start until he’d spent the next two hours listening to some girl named Janine butcher “Lady of Spain”.

Daniel climbed out of the truck, crossing to open Sienna’s door for her. She was wearing a hot pink dress with a v-neck that showed off her cleavage a bit too well for his peace of mind. He’d had to make several adjustments to his pants since first seeing her and he’d even tried to make a deal with his cock. Go away through dinner and reap the rewards all night long. Damn thing had a head of its own. Literally. It wasn’t going anywhere.

She stepped out of the vehicle, keeping her hand in his as he led her to the restaurant. The inside of the restaurant was designed with lovers in mind. Each table was covered in a long white tablecloth with a single red rose lying across the lady’s plate. The lighting was dim enough to allow the flickering candles to complete the ambiance. So far, so good. There was no teenaged strolling violinist. Instead there was the soft sound of piano music filling the air.

It was perfect.

The hostess led them to a small table in the middle of the floor. Sienna picked up her rose and smelled it. “This is all so nice.”

Charlotte really had outdone herself. They’d arrived earlier than most of the dinner crowd. Daniel had purposely chosen the first seating offered since he intended to spend the majority of the night in bed with Sienna. As a result, only about half of the tables were full. He was glad. It added to the magic of the evening. They could pretend they were the only two people in the place.

The waitress came over to take their drink orders and since they were doing an abbreviated menu for the special occasion, she asked them for their dinner preferences. Daniel opted for the steak, while Sienna ordered the vegetarian lasagna.

Daniel reached across the table, clasping her hand in his. “You look beautiful in candlelight. Remind me to get some candles for the RV.”

She leaned forward, the new position giving him far too nice a view of her breasts as they peeked out from beneath her dress. “Thank you for inviting me out tonight, Daniel.”

He shrugged. “It’s a holiday for lovers.”

Her fingers tightened around his and, for a moment, he got a sense that she was going to say something. Her face was serious, pensive. Unfortunately, the expression morphed to one of surprise.

“Josh?”

He frowned when Sienna dropped his hand and straightened.

“What?” he asked.

Sienna didn’t reply. Instead, her gaze focused on someone coming in the restaurant. Daniel gritted his teeth as he watched Josh making his way over to their table. Fuck.

Josh walked right up to Sienna, his eyes failing to take in the fact that Daniel was at the table. “Sienna. I thought that was you. I was across the street at my parents’ store when I spotted you.”

Sienna must have noticed that Josh had failed to acknowledge his presence as well. She gestured toward Daniel. “Josh, you remember Daniel, don’t you?”

Daniel stood. “We met at Thanksgiving.”

Josh nodded absentmindedly as they shook hands. Daniel resisted the urge to squeeze the man’s fingers tightly as a warning. “Oh, sure. Yeah. I remember.”

“What are you doing here?” Sienna asked. “Why aren’t you at school?”

Josh turned back to Sienna and stepped closer to her. Daniel’s shoulders tensed and he took a steadying breath. It didn’t appear to have sunk into Josh’s thick skull that Daniel and Sienna were on a date.

“I hopped in the car right after lunch and drove four hours to get here,” Josh explained.

Sienna seemed genuinely perplexed. “Why?”

“To see you.” Josh’s face was the picture of earnestness. Daniel closed his eyes briefly to block out the image. Josh had finally figured it out. Realized what he’d let go.

Sienna didn’t appear pleased by Josh’s appearance. “Josh. I don’t think?—”

“I screwed up.” Josh cut her off. Sienna raised her hand, but he kept talking. “I’m sorry, See. I’ve been so miserable without you.”

“Josh, stop,” Sienna tried to halt the man’s onslaught of words, but they continued to flow, growing more desperate with each passing moment.

“I love you so much. I always have. I was wrong when I said I didn’t know who I was.”

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