Secret Love

Challenging....

"So, diner tomorrow then? 7.30?" He smiled, entwining her fingers with his. He lifted her knuckles to his lips and kissed them softly. She looked at him, licking her lips nervously, terrified he would kiss her - and she would faint.

"You know..." he whispered over the hand that was still at his lips, his eyes glittering in the light outside her door, "If I wasn't a gentleman and you weren't a lady...." His voice was soft, his eyes dark and his pulse hammering like a steam train.

For a moment, Flick looked at him, her breath leaving her body. Could this really be happening? Tom Hiddleston, on her doorstep, telling her.... what exactly? She knew what. The evening had gone in one direction from the moment he'd knocked on her door.....

"Just coming!!" Flick yelled as she hopped on one foot along the hall, cursing her blasted ankle straps!!  She opened the front door, half bent, fastening the sandal as she looked up into.... perfection.  Yep, Tom was all that and more.  He smiled and held out a hand.

"May I be of help? You seem to have a little.... issue with your footwear darling?" he held her elbow as she managed at last to get the little leather snake that passed for a strap to behave.  Flick blushed furiously and thanked him equally intensely.

"I'm SO sorry. You must think I'm a complete muppet.  Can't even have my shoes done up for you arriving! It's just, well, I had to have a quick shower and realised I'd forgotten to switch the boiler back on  and then I couldn't find my hairbrush and then my other shoes are at my mums still..." she realised she was babbling complete nonsense as he fell silent and just watched her.  "You didn't really need to know all that, did you?" she asked quietly, now standing on two feet, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her. If she could have self combust with shame, she would have.  Talk about a nervous teenager!

"Darling, you could tell me the contents of your kitchen cupboards and I would be enthralled..." he winked, "It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it!  Never has one woman made so many minutiae sound so interesting.  Come on, let's get that drink, I'm dying to hear more about your impressive lack of organisational skills!"  He crooked his elbow to her and she threaded her arm through, pulling the door shut behind her. 

"FUUUUUCK!" instantly, she slapped a hand on her forehead. "My keys are on the STAIRS!!" she wailed as the Yale door locked itself. For a moment there was silence as Tom looked at her, then, his shoulders began to shake, followed by his lips twitching.  Then, as suddenly as her swear word, a roar of laughter left his mouth.  He clung onto the railings beside them and howled. Flick felt her own insides begin to shake and as he continued, she too started to giggle, then laugh, then mirroring his own mirth, full on howl.

"Oh....my.... God Flick, you are... quite the most.... hilariously, wonderfully, idiotically sweet person I think I've EVER the pleasure to take on a date. " With supreme effort, he pulled himself together and now gently took her hand and led her to his car.  "Come on Calamity Jane, your carriage awaits.... we can sort out the key issue later!" he winked and she nodded.  Mrs Walker next door had a spare.  She could call on her later.  Now was for... what WAS it for exactly.... she didn't have much time to ponder as they approached Tom's car.

"Ohhh nice!" she said almost unconsciously as she took in the sight of the sleek blue Jaguar. She grinned at him, "500 bhp?  V8? All wheel drive?" His eyes widened and he nodded, completely taken aback. 

"Yes... but... I mean wow!" he opened the door and she slid into the leather seat with a sly smile.

"I do like a nice car and this, Mr Hiddleston, is a VERY nice car.  Now, care to show me what it can do?" she winked and bit her lip, wriggling in the seat almost moaning softly. Tom looked at her, astounded. For a moment, she held his gaze then, snorted with laughter,