"Ruth, have you heard from Lucas?"
"Yes, he's infiltrated the group and sending new intel. They seem to have numerous targets but plan to dedicate the main attacks to only three, still to be determined. Their communications to London are all in Arabic, I'm working with Tariq on those."
"Good."
"And Dimitri, how's he getting on?'
"He's doing fine. He's out on surveillance, following a lead Lucas found."
Harry nodded and moved slowly towards the door.
"Thank you," he said and slid it open for her to go.
She crossed the room but he didn't move.
Her way blocked, she paused and looked beyond him to the door.
He stepped back.
She turned sideways to move past him, he had left her little room. As her body faced his, only millimetres away, she felt his intense gaze upon her.
He breathed in and his chest rose and the millimetres disappeared.
She glanced up and met his eyes, felt his breath, felt his warmth. His arm was blocking her path and she had nowhere to go.
"Ruth…" he whispered softly.
Her heart was hammering in her chest and her eyes became restless and flicked from his tie, to his eyes, to the wall beyond.
"If it takes a thousand times, then a thousand times I'll ask."
Her eyes flew to him now and she felt the blood rush to her face.
She held her breath.
He stepped away from the door.
"Ask Tariq to come in, would you?'
She felt it necessary to breath again.
She nodded at him.
He smiled the warmest, most loving of smiles.
"Okay, Harry," she said and went to find Tariq.