Page 12 of Where She Is
“It’s true. My first job was labouring.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” He pushes his chest out so far as he takes in a breath I’m sure the buttons may burst from his shirt.
“I’m impressed, Mr Grant. I assumed, as you’re the boss’s son, you’d go straight to board level.”
Daniel’s smile ignites yet another fire between my legs. This could get dangerous.
“Have you met my dad? He may be the friendliest man you’ll ever meet, but, Christ, he’s a taskmaster.” His hand brushes my knee when he says, “Especially with his sons.”
We both lean back as the waiter arrives. “Thank you,” we say in unison as he sets down the tall, elegant glasses and then the conversation picks up from where we left it.
“I must admit, I forgot about your brother, Joe.”
“Oh yes. He’s as bad as me when it comes to construction. Dad insisted we both start from scratch. It was the best training we could have done. You’ve got to understand every level of what you’re talking about in this business and there’s no better foundation than a construction site.”
He screws his face up, and it makes me laugh. “What’s the face for?” I say, still laughing.
“The pun. It made me sound like an arse.”
“I didn’t think so.” I love how he pronounces arse. It’s all drawn out and lazy. ‘Arrsse.’ I could listen to him all night long.
I take a brief look around as the room fills with people searching for their seats or casually standing in groups. There’s a lot of shaking hands and kissing cheeks while the gentle hum of conversation makes it easy for us to chat without gaining toomuch attention. As my eyes scan the room, I ask, “Is your brother here?”
“He’s in Melbourne on a business trip with his wife.”
I turn my attention back to his hazel eyes. “What a shame. I would love to meet them both.”
“I’d like you to meet Joe.” I notice Daniel clench his fists before fanning his fingers out several times. “My sister-in-law? Not so much.”
I don’t want to pry, but I am intrigued. “Is there a problem?”
Daniel sighs and sits back in his seat, “Freya and me, we don’t really get on too well these days.”
Just as he is about to continue, Diana takes her seat next to me. She winks as her mouth curls to the side with a smile. Damn it! Bang goes that conversation.
“Everything all right Daniel?” She asks while her eyes move between the two of us.
“We’re good, aren’t we, Hannah?” His arm reaches around the back of my chair, and I nod in Diana’s direction, “Absolutely, thank you.” Diana re-arranges the cutlery in front of her slightly with a small smirk on her face. “Good. I’m glad you’re both enjoying yourselves.” Diana leans into me and talks out of the corner of her mouth. “I believe someone is smitten. He’s been asking about you.”
I’m surprised, but thrilled. Unfortunately, my good mood doesn’t last long when I raise my head to reply and come into direct eye contact with Richard. He is wearing what I call his ‘professional mask.’ It means he is pleasant and happy in front of his hosts, but underneath he is pulling a face the devil himself would flinch at. He heads to his seat, taking the route behind my chair, and I sense his eyes as they bore into the back of my head. Daniel can sense something too. “Your boss has a serious problem with me talking to you.”
“He just worries.”
“Listen, Hannah.” He shifts in his seat, his voice low so hismother doesn’t hear him. “Earlier at the farm…” He takes my hand under the table resting it on his thigh. It excites me in places it shouldn’t. “Tell me you didn’t feel something too.”
“Yes. I felt it.” He has no idea how much.
He whispers. “Can you feel it now?”
I nod while I relish the pad of his thumb brushing over my hand. For a moment, we are the only people in the room as he whispers once more, “I want you.”
My breath hitches as the waiter clears his throat behind us and holds back on serving our starters. He’s giving me time to control my breathing and come back into the room. We shift apart and straighten when the food is placed in front of us.
“I want to see more of you and Richard can’t stop that from happening.” There’s another brief pause while I rest my knife and fork on the plate then pick up my napkin and dab my mouth. His words have fuelled something deep inside me. “Daniel,” I gaze into his sparkling eyes then instinct has me looking towards my hands again. They have an uncontrollable urge to squeeze his firm thigh, but I have to answer his unspoken question.
“Spending time with you today was wonderful, and I have no doubt, there is something happening here.” I stop for a second, giggling. “Actually, I must admit initially, I assumed you worked with the horses.”
