Smile Please

California Dreaming

If anyone had told Lizzie before she came to California that she would end up standing on a balcony kissing Tom Hiddleston, as the sun set over the Pacific, she would have thought them mad.  Hopelessly romantic, but mad.

Now, she knew they weren't.  What they couldn't have told her was the conversation that would precede that kiss.  No-one  - least of all Tom and Lizzie - could have predicted THAT.

Dinner had been a truly romantic affair.  Just the two of them on the terrace, discrete but attentive staff bringing delicious course after delicious course.  A bottle of the finest wine to wash it down and dark, smooth and aromatic coffee to finish.

Tom was the perfect host, always making sure she was happy, keeping the conversation flowing and generally treating her like a total queen.  She felt like it was almost happening to someone else.  How on earth would anything ever compare to this ever again?  Her mind raced at a million miles an hour, trying to memorise every word, every action, every look that passed between them.  She wanted to have this perfect moment captured for when she had to return to reality.  And that, she realised with a crushing pain in her heart, was coming all too soon.

They were just finishing their coffees when Tom looked at her, a serious expression now crossing the face that had previously been lit up with his usual megawatt smile.

"Lizzie, can I ask you something?" he grasped her hand across the table and she put her cup down with a small frown, 

"Of course Tom, I have nothing to hide, couldn't if I tried to be honest, Peter tells me I'm a terrible fibber anyway!" her smile faded a little when she saw his expression. "What's up?  You look, well, serious - have I said something wrong?"

"No darling, quite the opposite really," he sighed a little and squeezed her hand. "It's become even more apparent to me over the course of the evening that you are truly a wonderfully witty, sharp, caring, genuine and beautiful person - inside and out. " she blushed and looked at their hands as she took in the fulsome compliments. "Look at me Lizzie, please, never feel embarrassed by the truth, love" he continued "What I have realised is that this is our last night here." she nodded sadly and he went on "but I wanted to ask if , and only if you really would like to, I don't want to make assumptions, "he paused and she almost screamed at him to get the hell on with it, " I wanted to ask if we could see each other again - at home. Please? I really would like to spend more time with you, I think we have a connection that neither of us were expecting and neither of us would want to break?" he looked at her, eyes full of the fear of rejection.  Rejection that was never going to come.  Lizzie let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. Her heart was racing and her mind screaming at her. OH MY GOD HE WANTS YOU!

Trying not to cry, she smiled softly and took a deep breath. She thought of being witty, she thought of being clever but in the end, Peter's words played through her mind 'no regrets'.  She broke free of his hand and stood up, coming round to his side of the table.  His face was now a picture of swirling fear and disappointment, almost as if he assumed he was being rejected.  She knew she couldn't be cruel and drag this out. 

"Tom, " her voice almost sounded like someone else's it was so quiet and calm. She held out a hand and he stood up, taking hers as she pulled him across to the edge of the balcony and looking out over the sandy bay.  She turned and screwing up all her courage, she looked up at him, smiling.

"I have something to ask you" she said softly, the blood rushing in her ears as she tried to stay calm, "today, when you kissed me - was - was it real? I mean, if it was just for the photos I understand, but..." she trailed off, looking out to sea. He released one of her hands and then turned her face to him, softly tracing the line of her jaw, his thumb dragging across her bottom lip then tipping her chin up.  His beautiful ocean eyes bored into her very soul.

He smiled, unfazed at her question, relieved at the lack of rejection. "Did it feel real to you?" he asked quietly "did it feel like I wanted to kiss you but didn't know how else to do it? Like I might want to take you in my arms but was afraid the whole world would see how I feel? Like this?"

As he spoke, he had moved closer and closer, till his face was mere inches from hers, his breath on her lips.  Her head spun and her heart pounded.  Then before she was even aware, he was holding her in his arms, kissing her passionately. For a second she stood immobile then instinctively she reached up and put her hands around his neck, her fingers buried in his hair.  She felt herself begin to burn with a desire she had never felt before and he pressed her to him, their bodies reacting on the most basic level to their feelings. 

She moaned softly and he took the chance to slip his tongue into her mouth, delving and tasting her.  His turn to let out a soft groan.  She could feel the strength of his desire pressed against her and almost surrendered to the urge to tell him to make good on that obvious desire for her. Almost.  In the back of her mind, no matter how much she wanted to spend the night with him, this was still their first date.  She knew he would respect her. Gently, very gently, she pushed against his chest.

With superhuman effort, Tom broke the kiss and looked down at her as she smiled up at him.

"I'm sorry darling, " he was almost breathless "did I do something wrong?" he looked concerned and she shook her head instantly to reassure him.

"No " she blushed "It was all very, very right Tom, too right.  I do, I - I want to - not that I don't want you as much as you seem to want me but..." she bit her bottom lip and he laughed as he realised what she was saying.

"It's ok my love, we will have many many more days - and dates - to get to know each other.  I am more than happy to do - or not do - anything you want.  I just want you to be ok.  " he smiled and kissed her softly.  "So what WOULD you like to do now?" he smiled and she relaxed into his arms.

"Skinny dip" she said pulling back and looking up at him.  "I want to go skinny dipping!" he laughed and then realised she was serious.

"you really mean it don't you?" he said in amazement.  This petite and feisty and wonderful woman never failed to take his breath away.  Always something new to discover. "Well I'll be honest, I hate the ocean but I will act as your lifeguard!" she pulled his hand, tugging him towards the door.  

"Come on  Tom, let's go!" her laughter, her beautiful laughter echoed in his ears as he paid the bill and followed her out to his car where she now stood, grinning broadly. As they drove away down to the little bay, she raised her hands in the air and let out a "Whooooooo" of delight.  Her blushing insistence that they not sleep together, even though this could be their last night if fate was cruel, reinforced that she was every bit as genuine as he had thought.  He truly hadn't been testing her, he was in no position to judge anyone, it was just that he admired her even more for her restraint.  Nothing and no-one was going to compromise her.   As she turned to him eyes shining, the dying light soft on her face, he knew he was falling head over heels for her.

He only hoped that it was a two way process, he suspected it was but he wasn't taking anything for granted.  Being hundreds of miles apart in the next few days was going to make it one hell of a challenge.