Page 11 of Where She Is
“I’m okay. Just worried you thought I was being disrespectful this afternoon.”
“Not at all.” He leans back and looks at me, side on. “Why would you say that?” He takes his napkin and shakes it out with a snap. His company photographs do not do justice to his impressive features. They give a stuffy impression, but he is far from that. He could easily be the gentle cowboy or the stable hand I longed for. He seems such a normal and down-to-earth guy. He clears his throat to gain my attention. I’ve been away with the fairies.
“I’m worried what people think.” I clasp my fingers together on my lap and focus. He places one finger under my chin and guides my gaze to hazel eyes that melt my racing heart. “I don’t care what they think. The only thoughts that matter are yours. Tell me what you want to happen here.”
I open my dry mouth. “I…” His warm hand covers mine. It’s unexpected. “I’m not sure I expected anything to happen.” I can’t seem to find the right words. “I mean, we’ve only just met and I know nothing about you. How old you are, nothing.” Bugger, that must sound rude.
“I’m thirty-two.” His perfect lips rise together in a smile.
“Don’t you want to know how old I am?” I ask.
“Age is just a number, isn’t it?”
“So they say.”
“And it won’t make me want you any less.” My nipples literally buzz alive. It must have something to do with that accent. It could be the husk of his voice or that he told me he wanted me.
“I’m sorry if I come on too strong, Hannah, and I apologise. When I want something, I get it. And I know I want you.”
I break our gaze and focus towards his hand as it rests on mine. My body ripples with goosebumps and I can’t help but worry we’re moving at one hundred miles an hour.
“We met a few hours ago. This is all so quick.” I try to be the voice of reason.
Again, he places his finger under my chin and guides my eyes back to his. “If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that life is too short. Why wait to see what develops? If you want it, make it happen.”
My body shivers as my skin prickles with excitement, but I hide it with a serious nod of the head. “But sometimes, you’ve got to get to know a person.”
He jumps in. “Ask me anything.” There’s a playful edge to his voice.
“Okay.” I think for a second, “Anything?”
“Fire away.”
I sit up straight. “Okay then. Why are you still single? I mean, you must be the most eligible bachelor in Australia. Why would a man like you still be on your own?”
Daniel looks away momentarily and takes a deep breath. He blows it out and releases his hand from mine. I expect to see an arrogant expression due to the ‘eligible bachelor’ description.Instead, he looks sad, and instinctively, I take his hand as he speaks.
“Well… there’s a story… there was someone once. Someone special to me.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. What happened?” I ask, assuming this is just another broken romance.
“She died.”
My stomach rolls. “Oh God, I’m so sorry, Daniel.” He looks at me with glazed hazel eyes. “Thank you and please don’t apologise,” he says while he looks up briefly. “It was a long time ago.” He sits bolt upright in his chair and smiles. “How the hell did we get so morbid? We need a drink.” He catches the waiter’s eye and calls him over. “Could you get us two glasses of champagne, please?” He looks at me in question and I nod my acceptance back. “Oh, and a change of subject.”
The waiter gives him a quizzical stare, “I’m sorry sir, but is that some kind of cocktail?”
“Just the champagne, thanks.” His lips slowly turn to a smile and I blush with the goosebumps it gives me. At least the mood is lighter now.
“Shall we try another subject?”
I nod, “Okay. How about you tell me how you came to work for your dad?” I say while smiling at a very elegant lady who sways her arse with purpose as she passes by. It wasn’t my attention she was trying to gain, but she’s not in luck. His focus is firmly on me. He leans in, touching my knee. “I bet you think they handed me my position on a business plate.” His hand is there for just a moment, but it ignites a flame through my entire body. I raise my eyebrows, and Daniel’s panty dropping smile sparks a fire below. From nowhere, he turns in his chair briefly and shakes a hand. “John. Good to see you,” he says before his attention is back to me. “I love where I am and dad made me work hard for it. I started out at ground level and worked my way up.”
“Are you talking about a building site?”
“I am. Are you shocked?”
“I can’t imagine it.” Actually, I can. I’ve seen his incredible biceps and defined chest through the tight shirt he was wearing earlier.
