Sarah’s eyes were glued, yet the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end when his breath caressed her ear. She gulped back a gasp as her heart rate quickens. She could feel the heat of the fire as her hand neared ever closer, the flicks of the flame tickling at her fingertips. Her lips parted slightly as the dance glittered in her irises.<br/><br/>...<br/>...<br/>“Will you be having another drink, Sarah?” As soon as Abia’s voice came up from behind her, Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin. Her face was beet red as she looked to her friend. Her mouth only gaped in speechlessness, still dazed from the fire’s dance as she couldn’t quite process an answer to her question.<br/><br/>She was freed from her obligation to speak though as Abia turned to Victor. “And what about you, sir?” She gave him the same smile she gave to all her patrons, but this one held a sternness as she spoke, “would you be liking anything here: drink, food, etc? Normally I wouldn’t mind if ye didn’t want anything and just wanted somewhere warm to take a moment’s rest, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to make an exception here as I don’t wish to see my friend getting hurt. So, if ye don’t want anything, I’ll have to excuse you from my establishment and ask you to please be on yer way.” She glanced back at Sarah again, her friend’s expression looking sheepish at how easily she allowed herself to be so far drawn into a pretty stranger.<br/><br/>Sarah cleared her throat as she regained her focus on herself and nodded at her friend in thanks. This wouldn’t be the first time she’s been burned by a man, but this was almost the first time it would be literal. She stood up from where she sat, her question still unanswered, but accepted that it would most likely be a mystery until the end of her days. With another glance back at Victor, and a small shy smile, Sarah made her way back to the more crowded part of the bar, choosing a seat at the counter, leaving an empty stool next to her.<br/><br/>“So...will you be having anything? Or will ye be leavin?” Abia asked the stranger once more as she kept her stiff stance by the seats next to the fireplace, looking down at him.  A few locals sitting at a table nearby started whispering about what just happened, but she ignored them, her focus completely on Victor.