Winters Thaw

chapter Eight


Daniel smiled as he handed Sienna the Christmas package. He usually sucked at shopping for the holidays, but when he’d spotted the deep green scarf, two things had occurred to him—how pretty the color would be next to Sienna’s chestnut hair and chocolate brown eyes and how sexy she’d looked with it tying her to his bed.

Sienna grinned as she tore the wrapping paper and lifted the lid. “You really didn’t have to get me anything,” she said for the tenth time.

“I saw it and thought of you. That’s all.” She bit her lip until he added, “You can give me my present tonight when you come to the trailer.”

“What makes you think I bought you anything?”

“I’m hoping you didn’t buy me anything and I can use that guilt you’re feeling to get what I really want.”

She rolled her eyes. “That transparent, am I?”

He shrugged.

“Well, I do feel guilty. I really screwed up the Christmas gift-giving this year. Got James the wrong size shirt and bought Doug a video game he already has. And now…” She paused. “I didn’t get you anything at all. I think I’d like a holiday do-over.”

“Good news. You’ll get your do-over. It’s called next Christmas.” Daniel leaned back on the couch where they were sitting, letting his arm drape along the cushions so he could touch her hair. They were maintaining a proper distance, still trying to keep their affair a secret. At first, Daniel had asked that they lay low. Seth wasn’t someone he ever wanted on his bad side.

However, as the weeks passed, he found himself aching to tell the world she was his. The annoying part of that was…she wasn’t. Sienna was still clinging tightly to the casual affair idea despite the evidence suggesting that they were well suited. They were never lacking for conversation, enjoyed riding horses together, loved Compass Ranch, and their compatibility in the bedroom was off the charts. So much so he thought maybe he should start taking vitamins and working out so he could keep up with the recently freed sex kitten. She was insatiable, passionate, adventurous and amazing.

Since their rendezvous in the tack room, Sienna had dared him into two more rounds of afternoon delight in that tiny closet as well as one quick roll in the hay…literally, in the barn hayloft.

Less than a month in and he suspected he hadn’t touched the tip of the iceberg as far as all the ways he could make love to Miss Sienna Compton.

Love. The word kept sneaking up on him at odd times, taking him unaware. He’d gone into this relationship with the intention of keeping it light, giving Sienna just what she needed and nothing more.

She’d made it clear on too many occasions their sex games were just that—games. She wasn’t interested in a boyfriend or a future. His determination to teach her how to live in the moment had come back to bite him in the ass.

“Oh.” Sienna pulled the soft scarf from the box. “Daniel. It’s beautiful.” He’d lured her away from the large family still gathered around the dining room table—even though the meal had ended—to give it to her. They’d spent the morning surrounded by the whole clan again. While Thanksgiving had felt a bit overwhelming as he was still trying to learn names and faces, this time it was easier. He’d established friendships with quite a few of the Comptons. He was touched by their willingness to accept a stranger into their midst and treat him like family.

He leaned closer. “Bring it tonight. I have plans for that scarf. And another gift. One that I didn’t think you’d like anyone in your family to stumble on accidentally.”

She gave him a wicked grin. “Damn. You’re good. And you’re totally getting whatever you want tonight.”

Daniel sucked in a deep breath, wishing she’d lay off the sexy smiles while her family was sitting in the next room. He’d been flying at half-mast all day, trying to conceal his erection from her mom, aunts, younger cousins and, most especially, her dad. “Dammit, See,” he whispered when her gaze lowered to his crotch. She knew exactly what effect she was having on him. Little minx would use it against him.

“Maybe we should try to find somewhere private. I could give you the first part of your gift now.” She dragged her hand along the front of his pants. Her too-soft touch was enough. He stiffened up like a pike.

Loud voices alerted them that her family had finally managed to drag themselves away from the table. Sienna moved a few inches away from him on the couch, just as her dad and his brothers, Sawyer, Silas and Sam, entered the room.

“Another present?” Sam asked, spotting the package still on Sienna’s lap.

She nodded. “Daniel bought me a scarf.”

Daniel tried to look impassive, though he definitely spied curiosity on Seth’s face. He shrugged, trying to downplay the gift’s significance. “Damn cold winter we’re having.”

It was a lame reason to buy a gift for the boss’s daughter, a woman who supposedly fell into the “just friends” category.

Sienna laughed lightly. “It was a very nice gesture.” She started to say more, but her phone beeped. As Sienna pulled it from her pocket, Daniel spotted Josh’s face on the screen.

Daniel gritted his teeth.

Sienna’s smile dimmed a bit, but she put her present down and rose anyway. “I guess I should take this.”

She said, “Merry Christmas, Josh,” as she started to leave the living room. “How’s Florida?”

“It’s great, but I sure do miss Compton Pass and you. Feels weird working on a tan in December. You’d love it here, See. There’s a huge pool in the hotel that…”

Sienna hastily left the room before Daniel could hear any more of the conversation. She cast an uncomfortable glance at him over her shoulder.

Daniel’s hands clenched in a fist as a wave of pure, unadulterated jealousy rumbled through him. Why the f*ck was Josh calling? He thought they were on a goddamn break.

Seth’s words mirrored Daniel’s thoughts. “Damn. I wish that boy would stop stringing her along.”

Daniel agreed, then something in Seth’s comment tweaked him. “Has Josh been calling her since Thanksgiving?”

Seth nodded. “Just a few times, but it’s enough to put Sienna in a funk for a few hours.”

Josh had been calling? Why hadn’t Sienna told him that?

Daniel didn’t reply, but Seth appeared to be very good at reading faces.

Seth lifted his chin toward the package Sienna had abandoned. “Nice gift. Didn’t realize you and Sienna had become such close friends.”

Silas glanced at his brother, then Daniel, but he didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. He was the one brother who intimidated the f*ck out of Daniel. Silas was a fair man, but damn if his large stance and dark scowl didn’t feel like the blinding, bright lights of an interrogation at times.

Daniel needed to tread lightly. He’d been dreading this conversation with Seth. There was no way in hell he could survive it with all four Compass brothers glowering at him. “She’s a nice girl. She’s made me feel welcome here.” He picked every word with care. While he hoped to eventually come clean about his feelings for Sienna, he wasn’t going to discuss them with these men until he’d sorted them out with her. Regardless of his desire to date See, he suspected it wasn’t wise to mention he’d been f*cking Seth’s daughter six ways from Sunday, especially since they’d all just shared Christmas dinner.

Seth leaned back in his chair, but the relaxed posture didn’t fool Daniel for a minute. “She’s a very nice girl. And she’s going through a rough patch right now. I’d like to see her avoid sticky entanglements until she sorts out all this shit with Josh. She’s still young and inexperienced as far as relationships go. I’d like to see her hang on to that innocence for a while longer. If you catch my drift.”

Daniel nodded. Sienna had been inexperienced…a month ago. Now…

Shit. It took all of Daniel’s energy simply to school his features. If Seth expected an intelligent response, he was going to be disappointed.

Sawyer broke the awkward silence by chuckling. “Careful there, Seth. You’re starting to sound just like Thomas Kirkland.”

Seth shot his brother a dirty look.

“Who’s that?” Daniel asked.

“Jody’s father. Seth’s old boss,” Sawyer answered.

When he failed to elaborate on the comparison, Sam continued the conversation. “Thomas spent quite a few years warning Seth to stay away from Jody.”

Daniel frowned. “Why?”

Seth sat straighter. “She was a few years younger than me and heading off to college. Thomas was determined she get her degree. I took heed.”

Silas laughed. “The f*ck you did. You bided your time, I’ll give you that, but the second that girl came home from graduation, you kidnapped her ass and tied her to your bed. If I recall correctly, Jody was about the same age Sienna is right now.”

Daniel struggled to figure out if Silas was joking. It was impossible to read the man’s humor. “Kidnapped her?”

Seth didn’t appear to be happy with the direction of their conversation. He’d obviously intended to warn Daniel to stay away from Sienna, but his brothers were turning into Daniel’s unexpected allies—whether they realized it or not.

Sawyer leaned forward, happy to share the juicy story with Daniel. “Jody didn’t just come home with a diploma. She had a fiancé in tow too. Seth had listened to Thomas’ warnings to stay away, but Jody didn’t take too kindly to being put off. So she moved on.”

Seth crossed his arms. “I’d hardly call Paul moving on.”

Daniel tilted his head. “Paul? You mean the Paul that’s out there in the kitchen helping the women get dessert ready? The one who’s here with Chase? Didn’t he realize he was gay back then?”

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 f*cked-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 f*cked-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?”

Because he was f*cking in love with her. Because he didn’t like her prick of an ex using her—trying to have his cake and eat it too. The bastard asked for a break, but rather than walk away and leave her alone, he kept calling, kept her on an invisible rope Sienna couldn’t seem to see. He didn’t say any of that. Instead…

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you two to keep talking. I thought you were trying to move forward. Find out who you are without him.”

The anger he’d seen sparking at his questions faded. “I’m doing that. A few phone calls aren’t stopping me.” He didn’t agree.

She stepped closer. “Are we really going to waste tonight talking about Josh?”

He didn’t want to, but it seemed like avoiding the topic wasn’t working for them.

Sienna ran her hand along his chest. “You promised me another present.”

He remembered the little package he had wrapped and placed on his nightstand. Thoughts of Josh were wiped away as he pictured Sienna wearing her new gifts. Maybe he didn’t have a ton of money or a fancy degree to offer, but he knew how to touch her so she shimmered like a lake in the moonlight. For now, it would have to be enough. His cock thickened.

“You already opened one of yours. Now it’s my turn to unwrap a gift.” Daniel lifted the green scarf from her neck, placing it around his. Then he reached for the hem of her sweater, wasting no time dragging the cashmere away from her body. Soft as the material was, it didn’t hold a candle to the delicate texture of her bare skin. His gaze caught sight of her black bra, the lacy little bit of nothing that accentuated her breasts perfectly.

“New?” he asked.

She nodded. “Hope gave it to me. Said she thought you might like it.”

“I’ll have to remember to thank her.”

Sienna giggled. “My cousins love you.”

While he knew she meant her words as a compliment, they stung a bit. He wasn’t as interested in the love of her cousins as he was in hers. Instead, he pushed the thought away, running his finger along the tops of her breasts.

Sienna inhaled softly. She seemed to enjoy his light touch as much as his rougher strokes.

“You’re leaving the bra on.”

She blinked. “I am?”

“Hell yeah. I love the way that looks on you.”

She grinned, her hands moving to the button on her jeans. “Then you’re in for a treat, because there are matching panties.”

He swatted her hands away when she started to unzip her pants. “My present,” he reminded her.

He finished the task she’d begun, making short work of her jeans after she kicked off her boots. She was right. The thong that matched her bra was equally deadly to his self-control.

The thin lace of her bra did nothing to hide her pebbled nipples. Daniel leaned forward, cupping her flesh to take a taste. He used the lace between his tongue and her sensitive nub to build her arousal.

Sienna’s hands gripped his hair tightly, holding him to her as she silently begged for more. Her breasts were a hot spot for her. A few hard sucks and well-timed nips could drive her to the edge quickly. Daniel was determined that—one day in the future—he’d buy her nipple clamps and play with her breasts until she came. Unfortunately, this was all still too new. Though he tried to draw out each night, squeezing as many exciting experiences in as possible, the truth was she was simply too powerful for him to resist. She’d whimper or touch him a certain way and his restraint would shatter until he had no choice but to f*ck her or die.

“Bedroom,” he growled.

Sienna led him along the narrow hallway, his gaze glued to the way her thong did nothing to shield her gorgeous ass. He sucked in some much-needed air. He had planned tonight out carefully, until every detail was likely to be etched in his fantasies forever.

He grinned at the irony. He’d convinced Sienna that life could be fun if she was willing to go with the flow, to give up her need to plan everything to the nth degree and let things happen naturally. However, since taking her to his bed, he’d lost that ability himself. She inspired a million fantasies and he was determined to see every single one of them transpire.

Sienna crawled onto the bed before rolling onto her back and beckoning him with the crook of her finger. It would be so easy to join her there. To climb over her body and take her. God knew that was what his cock was voting for.

“Not yet.”

She started to sit up when he didn’t come closer. He jumped into action. Placing one knee on the bed by her side, he pressed her shoulders back to the mattress before grasping her wrists.

He raised them to the headboard. “Leave them there.”

Sienna’s breathing accelerated, her chest rising and falling more rapidly.

Taking the scarf he’d given her from his neck, he used it to bind her hands together and then to his bed. Sienna didn’t fight him as she had in the tack room. This wasn’t a capture. This was a claiming, pure and simple. And she was his warm, willing slave.

Despite her desire to be bound, Sienna couldn’t resist testing the waters. She tugged against the scarf, but it didn’t give.

“This is what happens when you play with a rodeo cowboy,” he taunted. “Knots are my specialty.” Reaching down, he stripped off her tiny thong, tossing it aside.

She swallowed heavily, but her face didn’t show fear. Instead, it was the picture of unbridled lust. “Take off your clothes.”

He shook his head. There was something heady, something hot about having Sienna bound, naked in his bed while he remained fully clothed. “I realize old habits die hard, but you always tend to forget—you’re not calling the shots, Sienna. I am.”

She licked her lips. “Then call them faster. I’m dying here.”

He chuckled at her breathless demand. She may accept his commands in the bedroom, but she’d never truly be ruled by any man. She was too strong, too opinionated. Hell, she had too much Compton blood running through her veins. Daniel recalled Sawyer’s story, considered how Seth had captured his own dark-haired bride this way. How much was Sienna like her mother?

Daniel reached toward the nightstand, Sienna’s gaze following his hand. If she’d seen the small wrapped package there when she entered his room, she didn’t mention it.

He glanced at her bound hands and gave her a rueful grin. “Looks like I’ll have to open this gift for you.”

Her eyes took in his progress, widening when he removed the lid and revealed the vibrator inside.

The tips of her lips lifted in a crooked grin. “I already have one of those. I was pretty happy to replace it with you.”

He removed the vibrator from the box. He’d taken it from its original packaging and washed it earlier in the day. He knew himself well enough to know he’d never have the patience for that simple act tonight. He’d been correct.

Daniel grabbed lube from his nightstand. “This isn’t a replacement,” he explained as he knelt between her outspread legs. “It’s an addition.”

She blinked rapidly, her brow creasing with curiosity. He didn’t bother to say more. Actions spoke louder anyway.

He squeezed a healthy dollop of lube on his finger and pressed it to her anus. Sienna gasped. They’d toyed with anal play since the very first night, but Daniel had never extended the exploration beyond a single digit. Tonight, they were going to expand on that.

He worked the lube into her tight opening. Removing his finger, he placed the nozzle of the lube against her ass, adding even more sticky gel. This time, it wasn’t one finger entering her, it was two.

Sienna groaned softly, a perfect mixture of pleasure and pain. He’d grown accustomed to all her sex sounds. He knew when she needed a break…and when she wanted more. Her hips rose from the mattress, urging him to go deeper.

He accepted the invitation and pushed his fingers inside her…repeatedly.

When he decided she was ready, he removed them. Spreading lube on the vibrator, he slowly worked it into her ass. It was thicker than his two fingers and definitely longer. Even so, it was much smaller than his cock. They’d add that adventure another time.

Tonight he had a different plan. Once the vibrator was fully lodged inside, he turned it on its slowest speed. Sienna’s hips jerked, her hands suddenly fighting against her bondage in earnest.

“God, Daniel. So good.” Then she added, “Not enough.”

She continued to thrash, her body seeking the extra stimulus it needed. While the vibrator got her motor revving, it wasn’t kicking her into overdrive. He let the pressure build, forced himself to count to ten, then twenty as her back arched and she yelled her wicked demands.

“F*ck me. Oh God. Hurts so much. Need…”

Her face flushed with exertion as a thin sheen of sweat covered her creamy skin. He recalled how frozen she’d seemed when he’d first arrived. He had to admit there was nothing more beautiful than watching Sienna’s sexual thaw.

Soon her cries dissolved to one word. Just one. “Please.”

He opened his pants, shoving them to his knees. It was all he had time for. Once again, he’d thrown himself on his own knife. He’d planned to drive Sienna wild, but he’d taken himself down as well.

He shoved his cock into her wet p-ssy with a thrust that was almost brutal in its intensity. He needed her too f*cking bad. The vibrator in her ass had him clenching his teeth, praying not to come.

Too much. With her, it was always too much. Too incredible.

Sienna grunted at his rough entry, but offered no complaint. Her gaze pierced his. “Please,” she repeated.

He was a goner. F*ck it. Reaching down, he cranked the vibrator up, skipping the middle speed, shooting it straight to high.

Sienna arched, her body taking on a life and a strength of its own. Her p-ssy clamped down on his cock until he saw stars behind his eyes. Pure animalistic need clawed its way to the surface. He pounded into her, his usual control and finesse gone.

“Jesus, See.” The words were dragged from his chest, sounding more like a growl than true words.

He grasped her breast, his finger and thumb rolling the taut peak harder through her bra. And harder. She heaved against him once more. Her closed eyes clenched tight, her breath thready, harsh.

Daniel continued to move inside, their pelvises slapping out an uneven rhythm. Finally, there was no going back.

“See.” Her name was a prayer, a promise, a plea. “Sienna.”

Strong jets of come filled her, mixing with her own hot liquid. His name on her lips signaled she was with him as she cried out her sweet release. They were together.

She may be his captive, but there was nothing docile about his lover. She lifted her head. And bit his shoulder.

His gaze flew to her face, catching her wicked grin. “Mine,” she whispered.

His eyes narrowed. She had no idea.

Reaching up, he released her hands, rubbing her shoulders at her slight wince. He pulled the vibrator out of her ass, turned it off and tossed it to the floor with her panties. All of his movements were clumsy, heavy. Daniel felt like he was trapped in quicksand up to his neck.

He collapsed next to her and for several long minutes, the only sound in the room was that of their labored inhalations. He knew the second hers turned from wakefulness to sleep.

Lifting his head, he gently pushed a stray tendril of hair away from her eyes as he soaked up the peaceful expression on her face.

She said she hadn’t gotten him a gift. She was wrong.

She was exactly what he wanted, even if he hadn’t realized it until this moment.

Now he had a true goal.

A future. A forever.

“Goodnight, Sienna,” he whispered.