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.”
Anna’s head came back with a start and she swatted him in the stomach, only to meet with a wall of muscles. “What? You were not.”
“Oh, Anna, that’s a great idea. Come by tomorrow and we can pack a picnic basket. I just picked up some fresh bread and cheese, and I just bought these great wine glasses…” As her mother droned on, Anna gave a slow shake of her head. So much for Prince Charming coming to the rescue. Daniel stood over her, looking all innocent and sweet as he rocked back and forth on his heels. But Anna knew him for what he really was, the devil in disguise.
No longer in the mood to make conversation, Anna excused herself and stepped outside for some fresh air. With everyone mingling, she suspected her temporary absence wouldn’t be noticed, and after a refueling breath, she would step back inside, give her goodbyes then make her way home. As she strolled around the garden, to the spot where she used to indulge in one of her romance novels or play with room designs, her glance went to Daniel’s bedroom window and to the tall, towering maple tree that she’d
