I know I know I shouldn't be writing new fics beacause I probably won't be able to finish them before I go...but I had to write it!
He saw her across the room, his breath caught, he prayed rob wouldn't notice as he coughed, spluttering his drink. She was beautiful. Full figure, dress cut perfectly to show her curves while still being conservative enough not to be attract that much attention. he had always had a penchant for the classical woman. He watched her talking, chatting, laughing, drinking just generally having a good time. Her smile was like one he had never seen before, something from a film, a flash of teeth, her plump red lips pressing together and her nose wrinkling when she disagreed. Her dress was blood red, cut on the bias just below her knee. From the sheen on her legs he could tell she was wearing tights, hold ups, maybe even suspenders. Her shoes were very much in keeping, black satin again a classic style. He couldn't stop staring at her, she seemed to stand out to him, when he scanned the room all he saw was her. Her figure, cut out of the blur, her dress assaulting his eyes and her eyes flashing over towards him every few minutes. Her eyes. They kept meeting his. Each time he couldn't help but smile a little. He had stopped concentrating on Robs anecdote and was now just nodding along.
He tuned back in, hearing the end of the joke he chuckled slightly and excused himself, making his way over to his wife. He joined their conversation seamlessly, not introducing himself but Jane didn't either. He wanted to see how she acted towards him while there was the possibility he was single. He placed his hand in his pocket so to hide his wedding ring. He had learned early in life that women act differently around attached men and men who could become lovers or spouses.
"I've only ever travelled in Europe" She mused an intent look on her face. "Since university the list of places I've wanted to see has been growing, but there are enough sights in the near area to keep me occupied for several more years, I've always wanted to go to New York though." She spoke with such enthusiasm, he could tell she had a wealth of knowledge behind her even when she was talking about the simplest things.
"Yes" Jane replied. "We considered that New York for our latest holiday but Harry here suggested Rome and that just seemed such a romantic place, I could say no."
And the secret was out, less than a minute he had had to observe her actions. She had angled her body towards him when he entered their little group, perhaps she was being polite, she had defiantly flashed him a smile or two, and played with her hair when she looked at him, all of these things, he knew from basic training were signs of attraction. He saw the flash of disappointment in her eyes but she quickly hid it away, any one else would have missed it, only some one trained to see these things would have caught it. He wondered if she was trained to hide, or if she was just good at stealing her emotions.
"I would love to go to Rome, its some where I've read so much about yet never managed to get to." She said after a pause, at least he thought there was a pause, but it might have been the way he filled the breath with thoughts.
"Oh it was beautiful, just beautiful. Full of little piazzas and continental cafes. It really was the most gorgeous place I've been to. Wasn't it lovely darling?" Jane gushed, over enthusiastic as usual Harry noted.
He nodded in agreement "Personally I've always wanted to go to Paris, most romantic city in the world, don't you agree?" He never took his eyes from hers but lifted his wife's hand, gently kissing it. She smiled "I'm just going to find myself another drink, don't bore the poor girl while I'm away" Either this woman is blind or she's just incredibly secure with him, that or she's having an affair herself. She thought. It was blatantly obvious Harry was flirting, maybe she was imagining it, she often found she fabricated affection where there was none. "I'm sorry; I didn't catch your name" He said. She gulped a little as he reached for her hand, drawing it up towards his mouth. "Its Ruth" She said trying desperately to distract herself from the flutter in her stomach as his lips brushed her skin, lingering slightly longer than necessary.
That was how they first met, the very first time their eyes met across the room, so clichéd yet so true. He had known right then he wanted her.
R&R you know you want too :D x