Free All Lit Up by Cathryn Fox Page B

apple out for Anna to take a bite, but she declined, having long ago lost her appetite. “You see, Anna. Your Daniel is no different from this apple.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Sometimes things aren’t always as they appear. You thought this apple was bad because it had a mark on its flesh. But after a sampling, it’s clear that it’s perfectly delicious.”
    Anna shook her head, unable to think straight. “Pamina—”
    “Daniel might not appear so perfect on the outside, but maybe there is more on the inside than you realize.” As she sorted through matters, Pamina added, “He’s here you know.”
    Anna sat up straighter and glanced at the door. “I didn’t see his van.”
    “That’s because it’s parked out back.”
    “Why?”
    “So the supplies were close at hand.”
    “Supplies? What supplies?” Why would Daniel have supplies? He’d finished the room already.
    “He asked me to send you outside.” A sparkle lit in Pamina’s eye. “Why don’t you go see what he’s up to?”
    With curiosity getting the better of her, she walked to the window to peer out. What she saw nearly stopped her heart.
     
    At least now Daniel finally understood why Anna had cooled on him back in high school. She’d overheard his friends rousing him, but if she’d stuck around longer, she would have heard Daniel shutting them all down. No one talked about Anna like that and got away with it.
    Honestly, he had no idea it was he who’d hurt her all those years ago, the one who’d shattered her belief in Prince Charming and happily-ever-after. Hadn’t he sworn that he’d kick the ass of the guy who’d hurt her? So apparently it was his ass that needed a good swift kick. Not to mention Justin’s. Daniel clenched and unclenched his fist, thankful that he’d taken care of that matter earlier.
    Her comment about him faking nervousness finally made sense as well. She thought he was putting on a show to get in her pants. Dammit, he hated how that one incident had scarred her so deeply.
    Daniel glanced heavenward and took in the black sky and the mosaic of stars glistening overhead. Perfect for what he had planned. He finished fitting the apple tree with lights as he worked to recreate the ambiance from years ago, ever determined to make things right for Anna.
    “Daniel—”
    He spun around and his heart missed a beat when he saw Anna standing there. God, he’d never met anyone who exuded sweet and sexy at the same time the way she did. A surprised look came over her flushed face as expressive eyes perused the surroundings. She completely took his breath away. Even dressed in loose-fitting pants and running shoes, she had such an innocent sensuality about her. It got to him in ways he couldn’t even imagine.
    He reached inside his van and flicked on the music from their teenage years. As he held his hand out to her, he felt a rush of love. “Can I have this dance?” he asked, as overwhelming emotions made him shaky. His entire body trembled.
    Silence stretched for a long time, then she murmured absently, “My sweet-sixteen party.”
    He stepped closer, craving the feel of her next to him. “The way it was meant to be.”
    She gave a rough laugh and he felt a shift in her, a change. “What’s the point of this, Daniel?” she asked soberly. “You’ve already gotten into my pants.” There was a hardness in her tone he’d never heard her use before.
    He stepped back. Stunned by her words. “I thought you understood—”
    She tilted her head and her voice sounded tight. “What I understand is that I’m nothing but a conquest to you. I heard you and Justin earlier.”
    His stomach knotted. “I’m so sorry. What did you hear?”
    “I heard him asking you if you nailed me. Well you did, so congratulations.”
    He let loose a frustrated growl. “That’s it. That’s all you heard?”
    “That was enough.”
    “If you’d have stuck around you’d have heard me defend you, and nail him.” He rubbed his sore