He was where she expected him to be, with a fresh glass in front of him. When she was halfway across the room he looked up and watched as she walked over to him. Sitting next to him, he felt his heart leap. She had chosen to leave her room, she had chosen to come and find him and sit next to him in public.
"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked in a low voice.
"No," she said, her eyes burning into his. "I want to talk to you. In private." He nodded and took a last sip of his whisky before leaving the bar. Ruth wondered for a second if he was drunk but he was walking steadily so she discounted the thought quickly. Outside, they stopped in a deserted corridor and he turned to face her, his expression saying "you're about to disappoint me again" more clearly than words ever could.
"I heard Adam saying something," Ruth said.
"He mentioned something to me," Harry replied in a low voice, masking his emotions. "He apologised. He's worried that he might have upset you."
"No he didn't upset me," Ruth said. "He made me think about something." Harry raised an eyebrow as his heart lifted and she continued. "People are going to think what they want," Ruth said. "Nothing I say or do will change that. I am worried about… the consequences. But…" she tailed off, her eyes connected with his like magnetism. She knew he was leaning in closer to her and she couldn't move an inch. She didn't want to.
"Ruth," he said, reverting to the voice that she found so irresistible. "I want you to be quiet. Because I am going to kiss you. Now." Her breathing was heavy as he leaned in even closer. He caressed her lips lightly with his own. It was a slow gentle kiss, lips melding together. He backed away after only a few seconds, but stayed close to her, only a few inches away from her face. They were so close their breathing was whispering over each others lips. He didn't want to push her in spite of what she'd said. He wanted this to be at her own pace.
She looked at him as if thinking and then something in her brain just seemed to slip into place. She blinked a couple of times and moved closer to him, closing the gap. She was instigating this kiss, he thought with wonder as a hand caressed his rough stubbled cheek. After seconds of delight, in being this close to one another Ruth ran her tongue over his lips nervously and with hesitation. No further encouragement was necessary for him. He deepened the kiss, a hand on her back, pulling her body closer to his. Her hand lingered on his shoulder, feeling his skin under his shirt. She could taste the whisky on him, and the desire. He wanted her desperately, the incredibly intensity of the kiss told her that.
She gasped into his mouth as he raised the hem of her blouse, fingertips running over her spine. What else could he do with those hands? she found herself thinking, if she was breathless just from his hand on her back. His other hand was entwined in her hair, making sure she didn't back away. But she had absolutely no inclination to do so as their tongues danced together. Or she didn't until she heard a door bang. She moved away from him and her eyes glanced around the corridor, even as his arm still stayed on her waist. Ruth sighed as she saw a familiar head hurriedly leaving them alone again. It was Zaf. She closed her eyes feeling horror that they'd been caught in that position.
"Ruth," he said quietly, holding tightly to her hand.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. Their fingers were entwined and she slowly let her hand drop from his as she left him alone. He watched her leave with frustration. Just when they'd been getting somewhere and Zaf had to ruin it. He stayed standing there for several minutes, the taste of her still on his tongue. The sweetness of her still on his lips. He wanted to punch the wall but he refrained with difficulty. This wouldn't do. He had to find her.
Hope this doesn't leave you all too frustrated! Coming along slowly but I have a vague idea of how its going to end. Your reviews mean the world to me! Thanks so much...