Harry opens the door to his house, and they're greeted by a very excited Scarlet. She barks and rushes up to Harry who gives her a quick pat on the head, saying, "Hello, Scarlet," before turning his attention to the alarm. The little dog then turns to Ruth, wagging her tail enthusiastically as she sniffs her legs. Ruth smiles, and crouching down, makes a fuss of her while Harry resets the alarm.
Harry takes off his jacket and hangs it up before turning to look at the two of them. He can immediately tell that they like each other very much, and he's relieved. He didn't realise how worried he was about it until just now. He had no idea if Ruth likes animals other than cats, and it saddens him that this is the first time they've created the opportunity for Ruth to meet his faithful companion. His momentary gloom passes swiftly, however, as he watches Ruth trying to deflect Scarlet's enthusiastic attempts to lick her face.
"No, Scarlet," Ruth repeats, but to no avail. The little dog is as determined as her owner and will not pass up the challenge. Harry never objects to her kisses, so why is this new, lovely, friendly person not happy to get one? Ruth attempts to stand up and move out of Scarlet's reach, but she loses her balance momentarily and falls backwards. She throws her hands back to catch herself, and the little dog sees her change. She jumps forward, avoiding Harry's arms which swoop down from above to catch her, and landing on Ruth's lap, she proceeds to lick her face enthusiastically.
Harry swiftly reaches down for his dog saying, "Come here, you naughty rascal. Leave Ruth alone."
However much to his surprise, Ruth begins to laugh and shakes her head at him. She gives up the struggle to stay on her feet, and sitting down, she wraps her arms around the dog and chuckles, "It's okay, Harry." Then she adds to the dog, "You just wanted to give me a kiss, didn't you, Scarlet? I'm sorry I didn't let you."
Then to the amazement of both, Scarlet lets out a small bark as if to say, "That's okay," gives Ruth one more lick, jumps off her lap, and runs into the kitchen.
He turns to Ruth who's still chuckling and offers her his hand, saying, "Better get up before she comes back."
Ruth smiles up at him, and taking his hand, lets him haul her to her feet. She takes the handkerchief he offers her and wipes her face. "Thank you," she smiles and hands it back to him.
"I'm sorry about her behaviour," he replies with a frown. "She's never done that before."
"You mean attack someone just to lick them?" Ruth asks in an amused tone.
"Yes," he smiles.
"Well," she says, "I'm flattered."
Scarlet runs back to them and gives a small bark as if asking what they're waiting for.
"Quiet, Scarlet," Harry commands, and the little dog looks at him intently as its tail slows down. "Sit," he says, and Scarlet obeys quickly. "Now, wait," he instructs, and turning to Ruth, he helps her out of her coat and hangs it up on a hook by the door.
"I'm impressed," Ruth smiles at the dog, causing her to wag her tail happily, but she doesn't dare get up. Then she adds, "How old is she? She's so full of energy."
"She's eight," Harry replies. "She does have a lot of energy for her age. I think she just saves it up all day for when I get home." Then turning to his dog, he adds quietly, "Come," and Scarlet gets up and runs to him, jumping up at his leg.
Harry crouches down and stokes her lovingly, scratching her ears and cooing to her softly. Ruth watches in wonder; she's never seen Harry openly display affection like this before. The little dog delights in the attention and jumps up to lick his face.
"Yes, I know," he coos. "I love you too, old girl."
Ruth smiles and can't resist teasing, "So that's what a girl has to do to get you to admit your feelings, is it?"
Harry glances up at her and straightens himself up, blushing slightly. "Drink?" he offers, choosing to just ignore her teasing remark as he can't think of anything clever to say in response.
"Tea, please," Ruth replies with a smile and follows him into the kitchen.
It is a spacious room with a lot of counter space and a small table for two overlooking the patio. She's surprised to see that everything is clean and neat, but then she remembers that Harry was in the army. There are very few ornaments about, unlike her own kitchen which is full of them. She watches Harry fill Scarlet's water and food bowls and place them on the floor for her. She gives a grateful little bark, and rushing over to her food, she begins to eat. Harry watches her affectionately for a moment before he washes his hands, and filling up the kettle, he turns it on to boil. Then he reaches into one of the cupboards for two mugs and places a tea bag in each of them.
Ruth moves forward and walks up to the sink next to Harry where she washes her hands, and as he waits for the kettle to boil, he turns towards her and watches her quietly. Her face is in profile, and he can't help but notice how beautiful she looks. A smile appears on her lips, probably a result of something she's recalled, causing a dimple to form in her cheek, and a sudden desire to press his lips to it overwhelms him. Next thing he knows, he feels himself move slowly closer as if pulled by a strong magnetic force.
She turns to her right to get the towel she saw there a moment ago, but she finds herself confronted with Harry's chest instead. Briefly, she wonders how he managed to get so close without her becoming aware of it, however, soon all thoughts dissolve, and her heart rate shoots up when she sees his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallows. Slowly she lifts her eyes up towards his face, letting them linger on his full lips before moving up to meet his gaze. Her breathing quickens when she sees the desire clearly displayed in his expressive eyes, and she's transported back in time to a hotel corridor where a similar expression in his gaze had caused her to flee. This time, however, there's no sadness in his eyes, just hope, and she knows that, this time, she won't run.
"Yes, Harry," she murmurs in invitation.
Her words act like a catalyst, causing the remaining thin threads of his self-control to snap, and his arms to swiftly wrap around her body and draw her close against his chest as his mouth comes down on hers. He steps sideways, pushing her up against the sink as he moves one of his hands behind her head, sliding his fingers through her silky, chestnut hair. His lips are hot and demanding as he kisses her ardently, and his kiss is like nothing she's felt before, an incredible mixture of enduring love, unyielding devotion, intense longing, and acute need. She feels her passion rise as they stand wrapped in each other's arms, their tongues swirling around each other, their touch electric.
Hot desire like she's not felt in years pools in her abdomen. Her hands pull his shirt out of his trousers, and she slides them below it along the taught muscles of his back, revelling in the feel of his flushed skin. He feels so good; he's warm and sort, but there is firmness underneath, denoting strong muscles lying hidden beneath the surface. His mouth, oh God, his mouth is so amazingly talented, and every time she thinks this kiss cannot possibly get any better, he does something new with his lips and tongue that makes her reach new heights of pleasure.
This is a kiss to end all kisses, he thinks dimly. Dear God, but she's a quick learner. Every new move he makes she repeats, making him lose a little more of his control over himself and the situation. If she asked him to stop right now, he's not sure that he'd be able to any more. Her hair feels so soft, like silk, and he can't keep his hands out of it. He wants to feel more of her, all of her. He can hear nothing but the blood pounding in his ears, her smell is everywhere, and his skin tingles wherever she touches him. He can think of nothing but Ruth.
She feels his hardened length pressing against her abdomen, and the strength of the answering pull inside her alarms her. She's never wanted someone this much before. However, Harry chooses that moment to release her lips and begin to kiss her jaw, following it round to her ear, and it distracts her from her momentary fear. She feels his hot breath on the side of her face as he hovers near her ear and whispers, "I love you, Ruth."
He doesn't give her time to respond before his lips press against her, and his tongue darts into her ear canal. All thought leaves her head at the new, exquisite sensations that his tongue is creating, and she whimpers with pleasure, her legs almost giving out from under her. One of his hands finds the opportunity to leave her hair and make it's way down the other side of her face, tracing delicate patterns with the tips of his fingers all the way down her cheek and neck. When he reaches the fabric of her top, he dips his fingers below it before coming back up and moving to her shoulder, only to return to her neckline and repeat his motions.
"Harry," she whispers when she regains the power of speech as his lips move down her neck.
Something in the background is distracting her, trying to claim her attention, but she has no chance to find out what it is as he makes the journey back up her neck and approaches her ear once more.
"I want you more than my next breath, Ruth," he murmurs before removing her power of speech again by dipping his tongue into her ear once more. She moans and presses herself against him, sliding her hands down to grab his bum, trying to bring him closer. He can't get any closer in their current position, but her brain's capacity for logical analysis seems to have disappeared completely. He groans loudly and moves his mouth back down her neck towards her chest.
She can breathe again now. She had no idea her ears were so sensitive as none of her previous lovers had ever paid them any attention. Lovers. She smiles as she realises that Harry's finally going to be her lover. Harry!
The noise in the background tries to claim her attention again, and this time she focuses her mind on it despite the distraction provided by Harry's hands and mouth. Scratching and a low whine. She turns her head towards the back door and spots the source. "Harry," she says in a breathless, husky voice, but gets no response. "Harry," she repeats. Then she momentarily loses her train of thought as his hand pushes aside her cardigan and cups her breast through the material of her tight fitting top. She gasps and almost loses herself in the sensations again. "Stop," she whispers and feels him freeze.
No, no, no, no, no! His mind howls. This can't be happening. His lips are pressed against her neck, and he can feel her pulse thundering below them. His arms involuntarily hold her tighter against him as his body screams at him to continue, but his mind knows full well that he cannot. He holds her close as the seconds tick by, unwilling to release her in case he never gets to do so again. He must have misheard her, he thinks. She can't mean that. Not now. Not after everything. And yet he's terrified of looking into her eyes and seeing a confirmation of her words.
"Harry?" she whispers.
The sound of her voice makes him realise how futile his attempts are to hold on, and he slowly lifts his head and looks into her eyes. Her gaze is warm and loving, but it immediately switches to a look of concern when she sees his face. For once it's completely naked, entirely transparent, and she can see all that he's feeling written on it as clear as day.
"Oh, no," she murmurs. "I didn't mean it like that. I don't want you to stop. It's just that your other lady needs your attention right now."
His face takes on a completely baffled look, and he says, "Excuse me?"
"Scarlet," Ruth explains with a smile.
It is then that he becomes aware of the scratching and low whine coming from the back door. Scarlet. He'd forgotten about her. It's not surprising really; he'd forgotten about everything. Some spook you are, Harry Pearce, he thinks, disgusted with his sudden inability to multi-task and keep an eye on his surroundings. It's been decades since he's been so caught up in a woman that he can't pay attention to anything else.
"Would you like me to let her out?" Ruth asks quietly.
"What?" he replies, and then making an effort to engage his brain, he adds after a moment, "No. If we let her out, she'll escape. There's a hole in the hedge that she likes to disappear through. I'll have to take her for a walk." He sighs and adds quietly, "I'm sorry, Ruth."
"It's fine, Harry," she murmurs and kisses his cheek softly. "Just don't be too long," she whispers near his ear.
"Oh, Ruth," he moans and pulls her tightly against him, pressing his face into her neck.
She wraps her arms around him and they hold each other close for a few moments before she pushes him away gently, saying, "Go now. She's probably been waiting a while."
Nodding, he steps back and shakes his head to clear it. His body's still highly aroused, but his brain is finally capable of performing some basic functions. "Would you like to come with us?" he asks.
Ruth shakes her head and answers, "No, thank you. It's cold out. I'll wait here."
He looks at intently for a moment and murmurs, "You'd better still be here when I get back, Ruth, or else I'll have to come after you, and I don't care how many MI-5 resources I have to misappropriate to find you."
She laughs and replies, "Don't worry, Harry. I'll be waiting for you."
He smiles, and turning on his heel, he walks briskly towards the front door, calling to Scarlet as he goes. The little dog scampers after him, and after taking a moment to breath deeply and calm herself, Ruth follows the pair to the door where Harry's attaching Scarlet's lead.
He straightens up and gives Ruth a hot, lingering look before saying, "Make yourself at home. I've lots of books in the study, or help yourself to anything else you need. I won't be long."
She thanks him, and he leaves, closing and locking the door behind him. Ruth sighs heavily and wonders back into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She puts the kettle on again, but as she waits for it to boil, she changes her mind and decides that a glass of water will do just as well. She picks up a mug from the counter, and removing the tea bag, she fills it with water at the sink. She gulps it down thirstily and then wonders over to the window. The street is dark and very quiet, and she wonders what time it is. The kitchen clock tells her that it's almost midnight.
