Swelter

He saw her walk into the crowded dining room. His heart pounded against his ribs, and he wiped clammy hands against his thighs.

Why did he ever think this was going to work? It all seemed so simple on paper, but real life was always so much more complex than words on a page.

Mentally he shook himself, squared his shoulders, and exuded a debonair confidence he no longer felt. But, appearance was half the battle, and that’s one thing he excelled at.

He swept across the room and was pleased to see that she was  watching his advance and they locked eyes when he reached two tables away from where she sat.

“I’m hoping you’re Candice,” he said extending his hand toward her.

“I am,” she said rising to meet him. “Would you care to join me?”

His hackles rose for a moment, she didn’t ask his name, but he took a seat anyway. He was in control of the situation, and she would realize it soon enough.

She took her seat once again and picked up her wine glass.

“I must admit, you had me fooled until you took my invitation to sit,” she said. “What did you hope to accomplish with this?”

He swallowed a small lump in his throat, but his confidence was still high.

“I can’t tell you that,” he said. “But, I wouldn’t  under estimate me.”

She laughed and dabbed her wine reddened lips with a napkin.

“You’re not used to losing are you?” she asked. “Well your only hope now is to work with me.”

“What makes you say that?” he said. “We are in a public and crowded area, and I came in prepared.”

“Oh really,” she said. “Your men are gone, and mine are in their place. But, both our lives are at risk. If we work together we can make it out of here alive.”

The blood drained from his face and now the heat was from fear and not confidence.

“They turned on us,” he said. “Tell me your plan.”

With heads bent low they frantically whispered as the room started to close in. They could escape, but hunter was now the hunted.