Harry was taken aback. That was the last thing she had expected Dempsey to say. She swallowed hard, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"What?!"
"You heard me." Dempsey remained still.
"When?!"
"Right now!"
Harry smirked. "Where."
Dempsey leaned in so that his breath tickled her neck. "Right here."
Before Harry knew what was happening, Dempsey had taken her hand and pulled her up to a spot in between the fire place and the unit where the record was playing. The music didn't allow for intimate contact and Dempsey could tell these were hits that Angela would dance to, after she'd been on the wine. The fact that Harry hadn't objected and pulled her hand away gave Dempsey a new energy, and he laughed as he twirled Harry in and out, keeping in time with the beat. Harry was utterly surprised at Dempsey's actions, but it dared her to hope. All tiredness had been forgotten as she allowed Dempsey to lead her and spin her into himself, and then back out again, in a crazy sort of routine that had her grinning from ear to ear, and squealing at Dempsey as she became dizzier. As the music faded, Dempsey and Makepeace grinned at each other, as Dempsey pulled at her hand and she walked slowly towards him.
"Look at the state of me!" Harry said breathlessly.
She patted the clip that she had placed in her hair earlier, it was now hanging loose, and allowed more sections of hair to escape and surround Harry's face. Dempsey smiled softly, pulling Harry into him. Still holding her hand, he used his left, free hand to release the clip altogether, loosening all of her blonde locks, as he combed through them with his fingers, giving her a tingling sensation throughout her whole body. His hand left her hair and stroked her cheek softly as a new, slow song began its introduction.
"I like it better that way." Dempsey whispered.
Harry stood rooted to the spot, hardly daring to breathe. She couldn't even think about anything other than Dempsey holding her hand, their fingers entwining, as he stroked her hair, which she guessed he was learning was a weak spot for her. She recognised the new song being played, and wondered what Dempsey's next move would be. The adrenaline was beginning to build up inside her, and she had a feeling that she would do whatever he suggested. She felt powerless to stop the sensations he was building within her. More importantly, she didn't want him to let go of her, she wanted to feel safe, encompassed in his arms.
As if he had read her mind, Dempsey dropped his hand from Harry's face and secured it tightly around her waist. He raised their entwined hands and brought them up to his shoulder, leaving Harry's hand to rest there, as he put his now free hand, high on her waist, just below her breast. He never broke eye contact with her, and watched her intently to see if she would retaliate in any way to any move he made. He was pleased to see that she seemed happy to be this intimate with him, and her being sober this time gave him more hope. They looked into each other's eyes, as the song began.
I've been alone with you, inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you, pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
Because you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you.
Dempsey pulled Harry into him so that their bodies were as closely connected as humanly possible. He listened to the words and willed Harry to search his eyes and see that this was how he felt about her. He had dreamed about her for so long, wanting to kiss her, wanting to hold her, wanting to tell her just how much she meant to him. He swayed her on the spot, his hands firmly wrapped around her waist, pressed firmly on her back so that she was pushed towards him. Harry automatically brought her hands to secure themselves around his neck, her fingers caressing the bottom of his hairline, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again
How much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello!
I've just got to let you know
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Dempsey bent his head to that it was nuzzled into Harry's neck, his breath tickling her with every movement. His hands began to caress her silky pyjama jacket, their bodies pressed against one another's as they mirrored each other's movements. Dempsey had never felt so content in his life. He closed his eyes, almost believing that Harry would see that this song epitomized his feelings for her. It was so straightforward in his thoughts. As he caressed her back, he had a sudden urge to feel Harry's bare skin beneath his fingers. He didn't want to ruin the moment between them by doing so, but he needn't have worried.
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you.
Harry was in heaven. She nuzzled herself into Dempsey, locking her hands around his neck, her breathing pace increasing as she suddenly felt Dempsey's hands descend down her back, and slowly up again, this time, going underneath her shirt. She wasn't wearing a bra and any minute now, Dempsey would realise it too. She felt his fingertips play horizontally where her bra fastening should be, as she buried her head further into Dempsey's neck. Dempsey then placed a full hand on her back, as he lowered it, and began to stroke her side, his thumb catching the side of her breast as his hand covered her side completely. As the instrumental played, feeling her skin beneath his fingers, feeling her breath tickling his neck, Dempsey didn't want this moment to end.
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Dempsey continued to caress Harry, as they swayed from side to side. He didn't know how far she would let him go, he was surprised she hadn't flickered when she felt his hands on her skin, but she didn't even flinch. He loved the way she felt, and how her body was reacting to him. As his thumb once again reached the bottom of her breast, he could feel her reaction beneath his hand, and his body reacted with it. He quickened the pace, but pulled back as he felt the slightest touch of the most sensitive part of her breast. He had felt her body's reaction nevertheless, and that was enough to reassure him that she didn't resent him for going this far. He had no idea what he was doing. His body seemed to be reacting and doing things that his mind couldn't control. Harry wasn't telling him to stop, and he knew this could all go wrong, but something was telling him she wanted it just as much as him.
Harry felt Dempsey's thumb catch the centre of her breast and she automatically moved her head slightly back, to look into his eyes. His thumb had obviously stretched too far, but she loved the feel of him touching her. That was what stopped her from saying anything. She needed to see where this would lead. His lips hovered dangerously close to hers, as his brown eyes moved from her eyes, to her lips, and back to her eyes again.
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you.
As the song sang the last line, Dempsey came to a halt and the click of the record player indicated the end of the tape. Harry wanted Dempsey to kiss her, as she too looked at his lips, and then back up to his eyes. Dempsey moved his head forward a touch, to see if Harry moved back. She didn't. His eyes dropped as her lips parted. She closed her eyes, and waited to feel Dempsey's lips upon hers. And then it happened. It was a brief caress of his lips on hers. She barely had time to react before he moved back once again. He watched her face for a second. The crackling fire at the side of them lit up her face, emphasising her sparkling eyes, which were still fixed upon his. Realising her lips were still pursed, he kissed her, ever so gently, catching her upper lip between his. This was the moment they had waited for.