Isobel looked around Richard's office. His office was so him yet really not so. It was organised and very masculine like Richard but it did not give any of his personal tastes away, it was utterly professional – again just like Richard.
Isobel though, was curious as to what the man underneath was like. What colours did he like? What food did he like? She knew it must have been something with meat by the way he smirked at what she was recently eating and called it 'rabbit chow'. She also remembered her deer in headlights look and his deep, quiet laugh before he ended up as target of her napkin missile.
She had been living at his hospital quarters for the last couple of days and he just slept on the office cot like a gentleman. Isobel had come to like the familiarity blossoming, she had forgotten what it felt like to live with a man who was not her son. How to blush when slightly inappropriate things happened like her falling on top of him when her right leg gave way as she went to hand him the journal he had lent her and she ended up in those arms she was now missing.
She had to admit it. Isobel Crawley had a major crush on Doctor Richard Clarkson and it was transforming into something more. He had ordered her in his tender but commanding tones he must have got from the military, to rest and to take some fresh air in the small private garden until he returned at noon with a lunch ordered from a pub nearby. 'You need substance.' He mumbled grumpily and yet – she only wanted to kiss him and rearrange that hair which drove her crazy because beyond that grumpiness lay the most lovable man she'd ever met. And the most beautiful.
True to his word he returned to find her planting a rose in that tiny garden he could admire her pink cheeks and her excellent figure which was now regaining it's beautiful curves in her breasts and hips. He noted that she looked way healthier and the nurses were finally able to breathe free of Head Nurse Crawley's reigns who made them work like her.
The smell of steak and mashed potatoes reminded her of her growing appetite and she smiled radiantly at him. She missed him.
"You're back baring gifts I see." She removed her hat and went to get his coat and to lay her small desk which they used as their table.
"Indeed." He said, stoking the fire "Not only that. I got repaid in wine today – a real good one, you'll find it on the side."
With his back to her, he never saw the glass at the edge of the table. With his senses heightened whenever he was in her presence and in the situation where she was in a more vulnerable position, the crash of the glass hitting the ground had him springing back like a lightning bolt.
She stood with a sad expression on her face with shards all around her "Oh Richard I'm so sorry, I cannot seem to do anything right lately…"
She was about to kneel down and start cleaning up when Richard noticed she was wearing her soft slippers.
"No!" he said in a voice which was a little louder than he intended – but it worked and got her attention. "You're wearing your soft slippers so stay where you are let me get you out of there…"
He walked to her, glass crunching under his boots. He got to be in her personal space and there was a moment when she was looking at him all big brown eyes not expecting what he was about to do. He offered her hand to quietly get permission – she gave it to him but to her surprise he simply put it on his shoulder before sliding his arm behind her knees and lifting her. She found herself cradled in his hold and her heart was beating ever so fast!
Having Isobel in his arms like this for Richard was like a dream which he expected to shatter soon, probably with a slap to the face but instead he found his head leaning towards her own nearing one and then…His lips were on hers.
AN: Sorry for the delay but I found myself buried in work - looks like these two are getting a bit closer let me know what you think! :)