01 Winters Thaw

by Mari Carr

  “Time has a funny habit of creeping away. I’ve spent years, traveling around, never finding a place to put down roots. To try my hand at a real relationship.”

  It was ironic when she considered it. Sienna had never wanted to be anything other than an adult. She’d tried to escape all the childish things in her rush to be settled. All of her attempts had failed. She was as inexperienced as Daniel. “Now that I think of it, I’ve never tried that mature relationship thing either.”

  He tilted his head, studied her face for just a moment. “No,” he said at last. “I don’t think you have.”

  His hand stopped moving on her leg, the conversation distracting them both. She was tired of games. Sick of pretending.

  “I hear there’s a New Year’s Dance at the fire hall.”

  Sienna nodded, surprised by Daniel’s abrupt change of subject. “Yeah. Vivi and Mom are on the planning committee. It’s all they talk about these days.”

  “Go with me.” It was so like him. He never asked. Just demanded. She told herself she only let him get away with his imperiousness in the bedroom because it turned her on. Truth was it was fucking hot everywhere.

  Still, she didn’t believe in making things too easy. “Is that a request?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m not taking a chance that you’ll refuse.”

  She laughed. “So what is this? A date?”

  “Yeah, Sienna. A date. I’d like to go out with you.”

  Her heart pounded hard at his request as a tiny nugget of fear crept in. Dating wasn’t part of this. She was supposed to be going with the flow, not making more of those cursed future plans. Hell, she hadn’t fully shed the last boyfriend. Was she really ready to invite a new guy into her fucked-up life?

  “When’s the last time you had a quickie in the front seat of a truck?”

  Sienna laughed at his unexpected question. He always knew how to take her off-guard, surprise her. “Um. Never?”

  Daniel reared back. “Seriously?”

  “Josh has never driven a truck.”

  Daniel grasped her hand, pulling her from the booth. “Well, you’re in luck. Because I am in possession of the ranch truck tonight. Spotted a little lane off the main highway on our way here. What do you say we refuse to grow up one more night?”

  “How do we do that?”

  “You and me are going to go parking.”

  An hour later, Sienna lay on her back with her head resting in Daniel’s lap. The steamy heat of sex fogged up the windows of the truck, but she wasn’t interested in seeing what was outside. She stared at Daniel’s face, his eyes closed, his head pressed against the back of the seat.

  Once again, he’d wiped away all of her inhibitions, anxieties, everything. When she was in his arms, the world disappeared.

  Until tonight that release carried over, kept her going, made her strong.

  Until tonight…

  Now as she lay gazing at his peaceful face she could only think of one thing.

  She’d forgotten the rules of spontaneity and kicked the concept of going with the flow to the curb.

  She’d done something she’d never done before.

  Jumped from the safety of the reliable frying pan straight into the raging, uncontrollable fire. There was no way she wasn’t going to get burned now.

  Chapter Ten

  Daniel watched Mark Parker tug Sienna into his arms as they danced way too close for his comfort. His temper had been on a slow burn all night, but jealousy was seriously kicking in now, adding fuel to the flames. He stood near the edge of the dance floor, forcing air into his lungs. It wouldn’t do for him to march over to the couple, drag Mark away from Sienna and punch the guy’s lights out.

  For one thing, he and Sienna weren’t a couple. Though they’d come to the dance together, he’d heard her tell more than a few people they were just there as friends. When Daniel called her on it, she said it was to protect his job. Fuck his job. He’d stuck by the decision to remain silent about their affair more for her than for him. Seth wouldn’t fire him for his affair with Sienna. While his boss might not be thrilled, Daniel knew Seth well enough to realize he was fair, a straight shooter. Her father would probably issue a warning, threaten to take a slice out of Daniel’s hide if he hurt Sienna. It wouldn’t matter because Daniel had no intention of hurting Sienna. Not now. Not ever.

  No. There was something else driving her desire to keep him a secret. And he aimed to find out what it was. That was…if he could get within ten feet of her.

  Unfortunately, more than a few of the young bucks at the dance had taken notice of a very sexy, very free Sienna, and the sharks had started to circle. No doubt Mark had caught wind of Sienna’s “Daniel and I are just friends” bullshit and felt safe to issue his invitation to dance.

  What the fuck was she doing? Daniel had made it clear at Spurs this was going to be a date. His jaw tightened. He knew what he’d done. He’d scared her off. For a second, at the table, he thought he’d spotted a flash of panic when he dropped his guard and asked her to be his date tonight. Rather than address the concern, he’d tried to brush it aside, dragging her out to the truck and reverting to form. He’d been a dumbass, thinking he could fuck away her fears.

  Now Sienna was running scared. If he could keep his shit together, he’d pull her aside and they’d find a way to work this out…without bloodshed. Mark’s hands drifted lower on Sienna’s ass.

  Fuck it. No, they couldn’t.

  Daniel had only taken two steps onto the dance floor when Sterling blocked his path. “Easy there, cowboy.”

  He shook his head. “Get out of my way, Sterling.”

  “No. I think you need to take a deep breath. Maybe go outside for some fresh air. Think about what you’re about to do.”

  He tried to play off his anger, but Sterling was too savvy to be fooled. “There’s nothing wrong with what I’m about to do.”

  “Oh yeah? Tell me what you’re planning.”

  He gestured to Sienna and her dance partner. “I’m going to go over there and break Mark Parker’s neck.”

  Sterling grinned. “Yeah. That’s what I thought. I’m not going to let you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re too close to succeeding with See to fuck it all up now.”

  It was the only thing Sterling could have said that would have stopped him. “I’m close?”

  “Yeah. You are. So dance with me.” Sterling lifted her arms, making it impossible for Daniel to refuse.

  He accepted her invitation and led her out onto the floor. “How do you figure I’m winning Sienna over? She’s danced with three different guys tonight and flirted with at least half a dozen more.”

  Sterling glanced over at her cousin briefly, then lifted her gaze to him. “She’s in freak-out mode.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “I can only guess you got too close, so now she’s initiating a full-out retreat. Jade said you two seemed pretty chummy the other night at Spurs. And you showed up here together.”

  Daniel grimaced. “She’s been avoiding me since we walked in the door.”

  Sterling nodded. “So I noticed. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

  It was the first time anyone had come straight out and asked the question. “Yeah. I am.”

  “I think she’s starting to feel the same way about you.”

  Daniel glanced over in time to see Sienna laugh at something Mark said, her hands clinging to the other man’s shoulders a bit too tightly. “I can see that.”

  His tone was pure sarcasm, but Sterling didn’t take offense. “We’ve spent years telling Sienna she should date other guys, not to settle for her first love. Now she’s taken our advice, but she’s falling for the second man. If one guy wasn’t enough, what makes two the magic number?”

  He shrugged. Sterling’s comment sounded logical in his head, but his heart wasn’t interested. “I have no idea what makes it right. It just is.”

&nbs
p; Sterling paused, studying his face. He wasn’t sure what she saw written there, but she dropped her arms. “Okay. So I was wrong. You should go with your instincts.”

  He wasn’t sure what to make of that. His impulse had been to beat the hell out of the guy Sienna was dancing with. Surely her cousin didn’t intend for him to do that. Fortunately, the song ended.

  Sienna glanced around the room, smiling when she found him. He let the fact that she was looking for him soothe his anger.

  Sterling excused herself as Sienna approached.

  “Hey,” she said. “It’s almost midnight. You having fun?”

  He nodded stiffly, struggling to find his voice. His temper was too close to the edge. He tried to count to ten, tried to take Sterling’s words to heart. Both things failed when Sienna pointed out a blonde in the corner, suggesting that he ask her to dance.

  It was the last straw.

  “Come with me.” He wrapped his arm around her waist tightly, despite her desire to shrug him off.

  “Daniel,” she said in a hushed, annoyed tone. “Let go of me.”

  “No.” He continued to propel her forward until they reached the hallway. There was a coat closet on the left, a women’s bathroom on the right. It was too close to midnight. Too many of the older people would be searching for their coats, ready to take their leave, and there was another bathroom. It made the decision easy. He needed time.

  Spying a broken, old-fashioned drinking fountain, he reached for the Out of Order sign taped to the front. Change came slowly to places like Compton Pass. The fire hall had been built well over fifty years ago and was badly in need of an overhaul.

  He pushed her toward the bathroom and slapped the sign on the door. Luckily, the tape was still sticky. It opened as Hope emerged, her gaze widening when she spotted Daniel and Sienna.

  Daniel pointed down the hall. “Direct people to the other bathroom, Hope.”

  Hope’s gaze took in the sign, then she nodded.

  “What the f—” Sienna didn’t have time to finish her statement as he shoved her inside. The last thing he saw before he closed and locked the door was Hope’s astonished look dissolving as an amused smile crept to her lips.

  “What the hell are you doing?” She started to push by him, intent on leaving. He pressed her back until her thighs hit the sink.

  “I’m having a hard time keeping track of my date tonight. Decided it might be easier if I kept her in a contained place.”

  She glowered at him. “I’m not a fucking dog you can put in a cage. Let go of me.”

  “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.

  “Please.”

  Fuck. It was the one word he’d never been able to resist from her. Regardless, he owed her an explanation. A warning.

  “I can’t…” he started. The words wouldn’t come.

  “I don’t care. Don’t go.”

  He lifted her skirt and fought back the wave of lightheadedness that attacked when he caught sight of her thong.

  He lifted his hand and slapped her bare ass cheek. Sienna started to rise, but he placed his hand on her neck and held her down. Her retreat wasn’t based on fear or revulsion. He’d seen it in her face. She was aroused. The leash slipped, fell away.

  He spanked her again. And then again.

  Soon Sienna began to anticipate his strikes, tried to move into them, rather than away. Her thighs glistened with her arousal as she trembled with need.

  She groaned as he painted her ass pink, then red. “More,” she pleaded.

  Shoving her legs apart, he pulled the thin string of her thong to the side and drove two fingers into her hot pussy. She reared up, her hair falling across her face as she fought for breath, for release.

  Daniel didn’t temper his movements, didn’t hold back as he took her hard. Removing his fingers, he used her body’s juices to his ease his way into her ass. She moaned when he pressed the same two fingers deep inside the tight portal.

  He needed her to understand. Maybe she couldn’t hear the words yet, but she would know by his actions, he would possess her, every part of her—body, soul, heart. He’d give her time to adjust to that, but he wouldn’t halt the pursuit, wouldn’t wait patiently on the sidelines.

  He reached beneath her, shoved his free hand under her thong and found her clit. He rubbed the sensitive nub quickly. She was soaking wet, her body making it far too easy. “Come, Sienna.”

  She splintered in his arms, but he didn’t release her. He continued to fuck her ass with his fingers and stroke her clit until she tumbled again. Sweat gathered at her brow as her fists clenched. “Too much. God, Daniel.”

  It wasn’t. It would never be enough. Dragging his fingers from her body, he reached for her blouse. Releasing the top two buttons, he
reached into her bra and pulled her breasts free of the constricting lace. Her bent position, as well as the shirt and bra, framed her breasts perfectly. He cupped the flesh and squeezed.

  She moaned, urging him on. He rolled her nipples between his fingers, teasing the taut nubs until they were large, hard peaks. He longed to suck them into his mouth, but he wasn’t willing to turn her around and lose the sight of her in the mirror.

  Her face flushed. Her hair was a delicious mess, a sienna waterfall. He reached for the soft tresses, drawing them away from her face. Gathering the thick mass in his hand, he wrapped it around his palm, allowing the tension to grow slowly, twist by twist until he pulled her head back.

  He swallowed heavily. “Do you see yourself?”

  Could she? See how beautiful she was? How perfectly they fit together?

  He hastily unfastened his pants and withdrew his cock.

  “Yes,” she hissed.

  Daniel placed the head at her opening, then froze. “Now look at me, Sienna.”

  Her gaze met his in the mirror once more.

  “Do you see?” he asked as he pressed inside. Her eyes held his as he filled her. They never wavered until he was lodged completely within her.

  He ached to say the words. Three words. He couldn’t deny they were there. That he felt them. But she wasn’t ready.

  He retreated, then returned. Retreated. Returned. His thrusts weren’t gentle. They weren’t easy. He released her hair and gripped her hips, pulling her back to meet him.

  Sienna’s hands covered his, adding her own force to this incredible merging. Two bodies becoming one. Her fingers tightened, her nails scraping along the skin on his hands, red welts appearing. While he intended to leave his mark tonight, it was clear she wouldn’t be the only one wearing the memory.

  He moved faster, while trying to hold off the inevitable. He’d never wanted to come more…or less. Daniel wasn’t anxious to see this end.

  Grasping her wrists, he directed her hands to her breasts. Covering the flesh with her own palms, he held them in place.