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He winked. “I appreciate the permission. And just so you know, I intended to do that anyway. So what’s up?”

They worked side-by-side for nearly an hour as she told him about her concerns over Vivi’s failing memory. He listened patiently, offering words of comfort and advice, until the heaviness that lingered in her chest lifted completely.

As they washed up, he told her dirty jokes until tears streamed down her face. One week had passed since she’d entered this casual affair with Daniel.

It had been the best week of her life.

Chapter 8

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 look 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.