All Lit Up (3 page)

Apprehension surged inside him. Daniel’s mind raced, recalling her statement about romance and Prince Charming, and how she no longer believed it was in the cards for her. Why would she think such a thing?

A well-used paperback seemed to materialize on the nightstand. He hadn’t noticed it when he’d first catalogued the room. Pamina picked it up and thumbed through the pages. Daniel recognized the book as Anna’s. He’d seen her with dozens of similar novels over the years, all well loved and dog-eared. What was in those passages that had her wanting to reread them?

“But since she’s sworn off men and relationships, I guess she’ll never find out if true love really does exist.”

Unease moved through him and cooled his blood. “Why would she swear off men?” Had someone hurt her? So help him, if anyone had dared hurt the woman he was crazy about, they’d have hell to pay.

His brothers had kept tabs on her over the years. They’d seen many men come in and out of her life, the same way women had come in and out of his. It appeared that neither one of them was able to commit to anything for any length of time, as if she was holding out for him the way he was holding out for her. Wishful thinking, he knew, especially considering she kept pushing him away.

“Something happened, a long time ago, and it caused her to cool on the opposite sex.”

His searched his memories. Was it around the same time she’d cooled on him?

Pamina put the book down, reached into her pocket, pulled out a crisp red apple and took a generous bite. An odd tingling trickled through his bloodstream as she sailed past him. She gave him a peculiar look, tapped him on the shoulder, and around a mouthful of apple said, “I’ll leave you to it, Daniel. I believe you have a lot of work to do.”

Why did he get the sneaking suspicion that she wasn’t talking about the work she’d hired him to do? Nevertheless, after she left he made his way across the room and grabbed the book. He turned it over in his hand and read the back cover. Then he flipped the pages open that had been dog-eared, and read the passages.

Okay, now that he hadn’t anticipated. Maybe Anna was onto something here. No wonder she was hooked.

Twenty minutes later, after speed-reading his way through half the book, he sank down on the bed and wiped his brow. As he considered the hero in the story, he could only assume it was the kind of guy Anna wanted. Strong, confident, a take-charge kind of guy. Not at all like the bumbling idiot she’d always reduced him to. He really hadn’t expected to be so nervous around her. He chewed on that a moment longer. After reading all these novels, perhaps Anna felt romance wasn’t in the cards because no man could live up to her expectation. He certainly wasn’t behaving like a romance novel hero with the edgy, juvenile way he was acting, all nervous and shaky when she was close. He tapped the book against his palm and made a decision. If this was the kind of guy she wanted, this was the kind of guy he was going to give her. But first, more research was in order.

As the scent of freshly baked apple and cinnamon muffins filled the air, Anna snapped her cell phone shut and pursed her lips in thought as she leaned against the bottom post of the long winding staircase. She’d spent the last couple of days wondering when her mother was going to call to let her know that Daniel was back in town. Now she knew. Honestly, her mother, a romantic like Anna, was still holding out hope that the two of them would eventually get together. She certainly wasn’t going to burst her mother’s bubble and tell her Daniel wasn’t the sweet “boy next door” she thought he was.

Her mom had called to invite her to a dinner party that night, insisting she must attend because she hadn’t been by in weeks, but once Anna found out that she’d also invited Daniel and his family she flat-out refused. Working in confined quarters with him for the last couple of days had been hard enough. Seeing him all hot, sweaty, sexy, and sporting a tool belt, no less, while he worked with those deft hands of his, had played havoc with her libido. So much so that she’d actually worn down the batteries on her favorite vibrator. Sadly, her little rabbit would hop no more. She couldn’t imagine what it’d do to her to see Daniel all cleaned up. And boy, oh boy, she could only imagine how well Daniel, the man, would clean up.

“Everything okay?”

The deep, raspy sound of his voice sent shivers skittering through her. Of course everything wasn’t okay. How could they be okay, not when every time she turned around, the man she was crazy about—still crazy about dammit, despite the heartache he’d put her though—was looming over her, looking like sex incarnate, and blatantly turning on the charm. Was he determined to finally do her in, or better yet, melt her resolve and get her into his bed?

Heck, maybe she should just do it. Maybe that would get him out of her system once and for all. Oh hell! Who was she kidding? One night in his bed would be emotional suicide at best. There’d be no coming back from that.

Working to keep her emotions under wraps, she turned to him at the same time he stepped closer. Their bodies collided and he wrapped his hand around her waist to anchor her to him. Anna swallowed, fabricated a smile and extricated herself from his tenuous hold. Gathering her composure, she shook the phone.

“My mom. She invited me to dinner.”

He angled his head and his warm cinnamon-scented breath washed over her cheeks. “Are you going?”

“No. I’m working late tonight.” The truth was, she’d been waiting for Daniel to leave so she could have the room to herself. Then she could finally install the curtains and arrange the pillows, accessories and furniture, without the distraction of his hard body hindering her attention.

“I’m working late too.”

“Oh.” Well then, that changed everything. If Daniel was going to be here, she certainly wasn’t. But he didn’t need to know that, otherwise he might change his plans.

His glance dropped to her chest, making her feel very self-conscious. She pressed harder against the banister, the post indenting her back. At first she thought he was ogling her cleavage, slightly exposed in her V-neck T-shirt. But then something in his eyes softened, and beneath the surface she could see sadness.

“What?” she asked.

“Your necklace.”

Anna slipped her fingers under the chain and gently ran the soft pad of her thumb along the gold. “What about it?”

He rolled one shoulder. “Nothing really. I just remember how happy you were when your mother gave it to you.”

“During my sweet-sixteen party,” she said absently, as she recalled that evening so long ago. It was the only nice thing about that night. She’d tried to put on a good show for her guests, playing the happy party girl, but deep inside she was miserable and dejected because the one guy she wanted to be dancing with under the stars wasn’t there.

Another thought struck. How did he know about the necklace? Had he been spying on her that night too?

A perplexed frown crossed his face. “About that night…”

Dammit, she didn’t want to dredge up those painful memories again. Not now. Not here. And definitely not with him. Before she had a chance to respond, his cell phone rang and he excused himself.

Anna swallowed her unease and turned her focus to the ironing board and sewing machine she’d set up in the front room, and to the curtains awaiting her attention. She sat down, prepared to run the hem through the serger when Candace showed up, looking a little hot, bothered and flustered herself. Anna wasn’t surprised, really. She’d seen the man Pamina had hired to help Candace build furniture. She wondered if her friend was having as hard a time as she was at keeping to the pact.

“Lunch?” Candace asked.

Anna powered down the serger, deciding a few minutes away from the inn was exactly what she needed.

“Love to,” she said eagerly. “Let’s check in with Lindsay.” Perhaps over lunch they could all reaffirm their vow to steer clear of men and that would help get her head on straight and her focus back on her work, where it belonged.

Anna and Candace climbed the staircase and popped into Lindsay’s room, which was coming along quite nicely. Unfortunately Lindsay couldn’t join them because her shipment of BDSM equipment had just arrived. Too bad. With the way Daniel was affecting her, Anna really could have used a good stern talking to.

A few minutes later they stepped out into the fresh outdoors and walked down the street to the quaint restaurant around the corner. After lunch, Candace decided to go for a run, while Anna returned to her curtains. Much to her delight, the rest of the day passed quickly, with no incidents or encounters with Daniel. He stayed in the room working, and she stayed on the main level sewing and ironing.

As nighttime closed around them, Anna tidied her work area, checked in with her partners, then headed back to her condo. Her mother was right. She’d been so busy working that she hadn’t had time to visit. So tonight, with Daniel tied up in the room, it seemed like the perfect night to attend their dinner party and placate them.

Less than an hour later, dressed in her comfy jeans and a knit sweater, she exited her condo and jumped into her car. Her breath turned to fog as she turned her engine over and flicked on the heater. Even though the days were warm and sunny, the nights had turned cool and brisk, a sure sign winter was just around the corner.

The streets were fairly quiet as she made her way to her parents. Numerous cars lined the driveway as well as the cul-de-sac, and Anna smiled, thinking this was just the thing to take her mind off matters for a while.

With her mom and dad’s driveway full, she parked on the street, just outside Daniel’s parents’ house, and made her way up the walkway to the home that she’d grown up in. Her designer’s eye took in the beautifully finished two-story with its welcoming country decor. Her mother really did have a knack. Anna had obviously come by her designer skills honestly. Laughter and music reached her ears as she pushed open the front door. Her mother, Margaret, moved through the crowd to greet her, a wide smile on her pretty face.

“I’m so glad you decided to come.” She looked past Anna’s shoulders. Her mother frowned as she tucked a silver strand of hair behind her ear, a habit Anna had picked up long ago. “Is Daniel with you?”

“Why would Daniel be with me?”

“Well he’s working with you, isn’t he?”

“That doesn’t mean we travel together. Besides, he’s working late.” Her mother’s eyes sparkled, like she knew something Anna didn’t. Needing to set her straight, Anna cupped her mother’s hand. “Mom, look. Daniel and I are just friends. Nothing will ever develop between us.”

“We’ll see.”

Anna rolled her eyes heavenward and groaned, “Mom,” but she knew any efforts to convince her mother otherwise were futile. Simply and utterly futile. When her mother put her mind to something, there was no changing it.

Ignoring her protest, her mother ushered her to the dining room, and with a wave of her hand she gestured for the other guests to follow. Anna gave her father a kiss on the cheek and took her regular seat. She politely smiled at Daniel’s parents, who sat across from her and were assessing her over the brims of their wine glasses. Then she proceeded to exchange pleasantries with the three other couples who gathered around the long oaken table, which was dressed in a vibrant orange and red tablecloth, perfect autumn colors. Anna was quick to notice that the seat beside her was still empty, and she could only guess who it was meant for.

Anna inhaled and took in the medley of food in the center of the table. Her stomach grumbled. Goodness, she’d forgotten how much she loved her mother’s home cooking. As everyone began to fill their plates and Anna helped herself to a heaping spoonful of mashed potato, her mother initiated conversation.

“So, Anna, I haven’t seen you in a while. Is there anyone special in your life that you’d like to tell us about?”

With the serving spoon poised over her plate, Anna was about to open her mouth and tell her mother no, but slammed it again when questions about her marital status—or lack thereof—came at her fast and hard from the other women sitting around the table.

“Are you dating anyone?”

“Do you have any plans to get married?”

“Have you met Mr. Right yet?”

“Have you and Daniel gone out yet?”

“He’s back for good now, you know.”

“Time for that boy to settle down too.”

Okay, this was a twist she hadn’t—yet should have—expected from her parents’ longtime friends. She loved her mother, she really did, and understood she only wanted what was best for Anna, but this was too much. She glanced at her father who simply offered her an apologetic look. Feeling like she had just been put before the firing squad, Anna blinked, dropped the scoop of potato onto her plate and tried to keep up with the next round of questions.

As her appetite dissolved and she remained tight lipped, the guests began to talk amongst themselves, speculating on Daniel’s sudden return home, and it became clear to Anna that everyone in the room thought she and Daniel belonged together. After a moment of reprieve from their questions, they turned their attention back to her.

Anna glared at her mother, but Margaret presented her with a polite smile in response. She worked to keep her temper in check as she removed her napkin from her lap. She was just about to toss it onto the table and set the record straight, when a voice in the doorway stopped her cold.

“Why don’t we let Anna eat and save the questions for later? The poor girl has been working day and night and is in need of nourishment. Look at her, she’s dwindling away to nothing.” His tone was soft and easy, but commanding nonetheless. Beneath that humor, Daniel meant business, and for that she was grateful.

He stood in the archway, his large body practically blocking the light from the other room. With body-molding jeans riding low on his hips, and a black leather jacket that accentuated his broad shoulder and fit body, the man looked like sin and seduction all rolled into one delectable package. Dammit, did he have to clean up that nicely? As she stared at him and took pleasure in his attire, it occurred to her that like some real-life Prince Charming, Daniel had come to her rescue.

The incessant chatter around the room stopped as all eyes turned to Daniel. With a sexy half-grin on his mouth, he removed his coat to showcase a gorgeous chest and tight abs emphasized beneath his button-down dress shirt. He crossed the room, dropped a kiss onto his mother’s cheek then took his seat beside Anna. After a round of greetings, Daniel effortlessly redirected conversation and in no time at all, everyone went back to filling their plates.

Anna turned to Daniel and spoke in a low voice as they exchanged a long, heated look. “I thought you said you had work to do.”

He arched a brow. “I could say the same about you.”

Okay, so he had a point there.

“Changed my mind. A girl has a right to do that you know.”

He grinned, and shot back, “And what, a guy doesn’t? Hey what’s good for the goose.”

“So I’m a goose now, am I? And a scrawny one at that, apparently.” She feigned insult, but Daniel’s soft laugh soon had her smiling.

His grin broadened. “Would you have preferred I’d let them go on?”

“I supposed you’re looking for a thank-you?”

He angled his head. “A thank-you would be nice.” Something about the way he said that had desire skittering through her veins.

“Fine then…”

He held his hand up to stop her. “Wait. You can thank me later.”

She pursed her lips, wondering what he was up to, but he simply gave her a devilish look and turned the conversation to his progress on the guestroom, entering into safe, common ground, she supposed.

They spent the next thirty minutes talking about the room and her ideas. He listened with interest and for a moment there, it felt like old times when they’d chat about nothing and everything over the backyard fence. Once the dishes were cleared, the guests made their way to the other room for after dinner drinks, and Daniel went to speak to his parents.

As everyone mingled, Anna tried to blend into the background, but from across the room Daniel spotted her inching toward the door. When his eyes locked on hers and a predatory smile crossed his face, he sidestepped the other guests to close the gap between them.

Anna swallowed and tucked her hair behind her ear. Oh God, how she wanted him. As warmth moved through her, she began to question the logic behind the pact and the logic behind denying her needs.

He eased in beside her and arched a brow. “Looking for a quick getaway?”

Anna smirked. “That obvious?”

“To me it is.”

“Oh really? Aren’t you astute?”

“I just know you, Anna.”

“You don’t know me, Daniel. I’m not that same naïve girl I was back in high school.”

Two drinks in hand, her mother stepped up beside them, a glint in her blue eyes. “It’s nice to see you two getting reacquainted.” She held the drinks out, but neither one accepted.

Daniel cleared his throat. “I was just trying to convince Anna here to take in a football game with me.”