Hopefully this is the right chapter now - sorry to all for the wrong chapter that kept popping up.

He stood behind her and took her coat , he was sorely tempted to kiss her neck but stopped himself thinking he didn't want to rush her.

She felt his breath on the back of her neck and willed him to reach that inch closer and kiss her. He didn't.

"Drink?" he asked.

"Please. A glass of red would be good"

He nodded and retreated to the kitchen almost wishing it was the following day and they could be past this awkwardness.

She waited and wished he would stop treating her like something that might break if he touched it.

"Thanks" she said as she took the wine and they both sat on the sofa, close but not close enough for either of their likings.

They both drank and the silence hung heavy around them.

"I'll put some music on" and he was up and fiddling with an ipod, "this should do"

he said eventually and sat back down.

Despite the music their silence felt just as heavy and screamed just as loud.

She left her hand casually languishing on the sofa, close enough for him to easily take it.

Her hand was so close, he could reach out but he didn't.

She looked at him and willed him to kiss her, to hold her, something.

She was looking at him and her eyes were so bright and beautiful and he wanted her so much but he told himself to tread gently.

"Harry?"

"Yes."

"This isn't really working it is?"

She said, less question and much more statement.

He looked at her.

"Please don't do this now, Ruth. Please don't back away from me now."

"No, Harry. You don't understand."

He looked like a child, unsure as she held all his hopes and happiness in her hands.

"I mean, right now, why are you so distant?"

"Ruth…I'm not…I don't understand"

"Harry, why do you hardly ever touch me?"

"What?"

"Why when in the past, I've touched you, shown you some encouragement, given you something to react to, why have you never reached back out to me?"

"Is that all?"

"What do you mean, is that all?"

"Is that all that's the matter, right now, when you said it's not working?"

"Well, yes"

"Are you sure?"

"Harry." She didn't want to go down the 'are you sure' line again.

"You think I don't want to touch you?"

"Well, I have the distinct feeling that either you don't want to or you daren't come near me in case I break, or flee, or something."

He looked away from her and sighed, wondering whether they would ever stop misreading each other when it came to their feelings. He thought about explaining how yes, he was worried that she would still run from him if he pushed her. He thought about what to say and then he decided to say nothing. He decided to trust in her and himself.

"Harry?" whatever was going through his head, she couldn't read.

He turned and with one very smooth movement reached a hand behind her neck and pulled her firmly forwards. His other hand wound around her waist and he pressed her against him. His kiss surprised her, it enveloped her and she felt herself falling into it and not wanting to ever resurface. There was a wave of relief to finally kiss him and then a wave of desire fell over her and the she was caught in the surf, helpless, wave after wave crashing over her.

He finally released her from the tumult of his kiss, lips still just brushing hers,

"Come to bed," he said

She couldn't speak so she just nodded.