felt tingles engulf her, she could hardly breathe. Then Daniel loosened his hold on her and she started to move away, but he brought his hand round, following the line of her jaw with his fingers. Sarah looked into his face in the dark. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her lips and she saw that predatory look in his eyes. She wanted to kiss him but they just looked at each other, her heart melting - tingles rising in waves from where his knee pressed against hers, and descending in waves from where his hand held her chin. Then he traced her lip with his fingers and she pulled away. Knees still touching she put her back against the seat, took a deep breath and picked up her glass. Then she looked back at him and he smiled, that utterly devastating smile, making her actually laugh.
She drank some more wine and picked up the menu, leaning forward to study it under candle light.
‘What would you like?’ he asked, sliding out of the booth.
‘Tapas. How about we get a selection and share?’
Daniel nodded and walked off to order.
Sarah leant back and closed her eyes, but she suddenly felt uneasy and opened them, looking around. She felt like she was being watched, but couldn’t see anyone looking her way. In fact, she was in there all alone, but could still hear low talking coming from the other room.
There were many more booths like the one she was sitting at throughout the room, each with little flickering candles. The doorway they’d entered through was behind her, and there were two windows across the room, each with their curtains drawn. She shivered and sat up a little straighter, still feeling like there were eyes on her. Then she heard Daniel return, light footed and smooth like an animal. He glided back in and regarded her.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘Umm, nothing. I’m just being paranoid. I felt like I was being watched,’ Sarah confided, feeling silly.
Daniel looked around though, looking slightly disconcerted himself. He’s probably got a vivid imagination too, thought Sarah, after all he is writing a book about vampires.
He looked back and Sarah caught his eye, she smiled ruefully. He reached out and brushed her hair away from her face, his eyes lingering on her neck. Sarah let herself enjoy his touch and briefly closed her eyes, breathing him in.
She leant back against the seat again and Daniel extended his arm and wrapped it round her shoulders, pulling her tightly to his side. Her whole left side was pressed against his.
I wonder if he’s this affectionate with everyone, she thought. I hope not. But her heart twinged as Jo’s image entered her mind. To be acting like this at all was bad enough, let alone when he’s missing. Yeah, but he might be with another woman. Or it could be worse.
‘So, where shall we go from here Daniel?’ She regretted it after saying it; it may have been open to interpretations she didn’t intend.
He laughed, she looked across at him and he raised his eyebrows, ‘Where do you think?’ And he brushed her cheek again with his finger-tips; they felt cool in the stuffy darkness. She almost gave in and was just starting to lean closer to him when a waiter appeared with their food. She drew back instead and Daniel laughed, lightening the situation. Oh my, he just exudes sleek masculinity.
Sarah inspected the food, it actually looked tempting, better than she’d expected. Daniel had ordered six tapas dishes, some olives and bread. She helped herself to tiger prawns and grilled eggplant, while Daniel took meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and bread. She nibbled on olives, which were delicious and salty, and tucked in, feeling the knots in her stomach begin to loosen. Being hungry always made her more on edge.
‘Well, considering his car is missing, maybe we could go for a drive? We better not get another drink,’ she said tentatively.
‘Yes, that sounds like a plan. Maybe tomorrow, if he still hasn’t turned up, it would be worth asking in garages, seeing if his car’s been picked up anywhere. And maybe check the scrap yard too, just in case,’ he said gently, trying not to upset her.
Sarah ate until she was full. Daniel had already finished, they both took the last sips of their drinks, exchanged a glance and prepared to leave.
When Sarah was standing Daniel turned to face her, he was standing very close. He touched her