The woman had captured his attention the moment he stepped into the room. He'd been to quite a few of these kinds of events lately – the formal party, the drinks and buffet deal. He wasn't really great at parties but when he knew she would be there, he always made a special effort to attend.

He had been very late tonight but it couldn't be helped. As much as he had tried to get away, there always seemed to be someone vying for his time and of course, it was always a matter of life and death. His mood had been positively sour when he'd arrived – until he saw her that was.

Sighing, he helped himself to a drink from the tray the waiter held out to him and then moved back into the shadows to observe without being observed.

Guests were scattered across the room in small groups, all deep in conversation except for the few couples who were on the dance floor, but he didn't mind. He wasn't really in the mood for company; hadn't been since he first laid eyes on her. There was only one person who held any interest for him tonight.

She was wearing a plain black, strapless dress, which reached her ankles and hugged her curves like a second skin, accentuating them. Her hair was piled loosely atop her head, but he suspected that if just one of the pins were removed it would tumble down to her shoulders. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

She was perfectly groomed, a gold chain at her throat with a tiny heart-shaped pendant attached which drew his eye down to the enticing swell of her breasts, and simple pearl and gold earrings in her ears.

Allowing his eyes to roam lower he saw that the dress was split up the front to just above the knee. Nothing too daring but enough to offer enticing glimpses of well-tanned, shapely legs and feet clad in black and gold, strappy stilettos.

She turned until her back was to him and as she engaged in conversation with a male partygoer, she used her hands to emphasise a point she was trying to make… They were small but the fingers were long and strong; the nails perfectly manicured, and on her left hand he saw the glint of a diamond as it reflected the overhead lights.

As he watched she touched her companion gently on the arm and he felt the faint tingle of jealousy. Then she excused herself as someone else claimed her attention, moving elegantly across the floor.  He took the opportunity to study her from top to toe – there was no doubt about it, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen…

Her over-all appearance was immaculate. Her walk poised and graceful… And the way her dress clung to her body was incredibly sexy. A shudder of desire course through him, but with a determined effort he suppressed it. Soon… Soon she would be his… But not now… Not just yet…

Another waiter appeared at his side and he was astonished that they could even see him where he was. They seemed to home in on unsuspecting guests at the least convenient moments. His eyes left her for a few seconds as he selected a canapé from the tray and also a couple of minute sandwiches. Maybe that explained why there seemed to be so many servers? It prevented the patrons from starving to death. Awkwardly he juggled the plate, napkin and glass until they were comfortably settled in his hands then returned his gaze to where he had last seen her, but she was gone. A sense of loss washed over him and he quickly scanned the room but couldn't find her.

His disappointment was almost palpable but then he heard a woman's laugh – a laugh he would recognise wherever he was. It had come from his right… He turned quickly, almost spilling his wine in his eagerness to drink in the sight of her again and when she was in his field of vision, peace flooded through him once more.

She was talking to an older man with greying hair and a deep tan. There was something different in her stance this time. She seemed more at ease and her smile was warmer. He had obviously said something very amusing because her eyes widened in astonishment. But before she could speak another man appeared at her side. Her smile was apologetic now as she moved away once more.

As far as he could tell from where he was, a disagreement had broken out between two men and a woman and she had been asked to settle it. He couldn't hear what was being said but soon they were all smiles again. She was a born diplomat or maybe it was the sensual accent that soothed them – it certainly soothed him.

Concern etched his features as he watched her move away and into the shadows just as he was. She leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes for a few moments. Whether it was to regain her composure or she was just tired he didn't know. Studying her closely, her body language told him that it was fatigue as her shoulders slumped slightly. Then resolutely she straightened, pushing herself away from the wall to rejoin the fray.

She was immediately pounced on by two younger men and after a few moments discourse, she smiled and pointed them in the direction of two females of their own age, watching as they all went out onto the dance floor together.

The obligatory waiter appeared at her side and offered her a drink, which she took with gratitude and made her way towards an empty seat, stopping along the way to chat, and finally lowering herself onto the chair.

He watched as she discreetly removed her shoes for a moment when she thought that no one was looking. Flexing her toes to ease the ache. His fingers twitched as he fought the urge to go to her and massage the pain away. He didn't even want to entertain the thought that she was hurting, for it hurt him too – so much.

With an almost imperceptible sigh, which no one else would have noticed, she slipped them back onto her feet, and made her way across the room once more – her drink forgotten.

He knew that it was finally time and stepping forward into the light, he headed in her direction. A thrill of anticipation coursed through him - tempered by an inexplicable nervousness. Suddenly he was unsure of his reception…  After all, he wasn't expected…

His uncertainty disappeared as the first genuine smile of the evening spread across her lips; her eyes alight with happiness and surprise. She looked incredibly beautiful and his already ragged breath caught in his throat. Then she was moving again, not tiredly this time but eagerly, almost running across the floor.

"Nathan!"

She threw herself into his open arms and he knew without a shadow of a doubt, that he was welcome. "Hello Kris… God, I've missed you Baby."

"But you only saw me this morning."

"Was it only this morning? It seems like a lifetime ago…"