Masquerade, A Tom Hiddleston Story

Part 18 "For there was no story of more woe..."

"Well this sucks" I groaned.

The blonde head on my chest nodded slightly. We are plopped on the oversized sofa in the living room. My feet on the coffee table. Kate head resting on my chest. Her long legs curled up under her.

I kissed her head and smelled my shampoo on her hair. She sipped her coffee slowly while her free hand is firmly holding one of mind. Her graceful fingers playing with my fingers.

I took a sip of my coffee and put it down on the table next to me. Kate rests her coffee on the table and positioned herself so that we were eye to eye. She took my hand again and held it tight.

"I'm sorry... Again... It's my fault.. You are so wonderful and I'm just... Well... Mad for not wanting to drop everything and be just be with you. And I want to. But I can't" Her green eyes looked sad. But she is not crying anymore. Her voice once again calm and collected.

I smiled sadly back at her.

"Dont apologise for being honest. For being you. That's who I fell in love with..." I kissed the back of her hand tenderly.

"I'm the one who's sorry. I pushed you to give something you are not able to give... I'm a selfish prick. I just... " I gazed deeply into her green eyes.

"I guess I'm just crazy about you..." I finished.

"And I'm crazy about you..." She replied.

Then suddenly she laughed. I gave her a quizzical look.

"Don't you find this funny? Here we are confessing how we are head over heels for each other and yet..." She trailed off.

"Well lets just say this is what Romeo and Juliet will be if they were in their mid thirties and are not virgins..." She shrugged.

"Oh my God!" It's my turn to laugh.

"Imagine that. ''Tis but the name that is my enemy... But we shouldn't really be doing this. It's too complicated' hahaha" I added the possibility. We laughed at the silliness of it.

"It would save two lives though..." She mused.

"And the Montagues and Capulets can just be at war happily ever after..." I concluded.

We laughed again. She wrapped her arms around me and sighed.

"For there was no story of more woe..." She started.

"Than this of Juliet and her Romeo..." I finished.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a while. Both wanting time to stand still here and now. I held her tightly, feeling her beating heart next to mine. She looked up and our eyes locked. We kissed each other softly at first, I lost myself in the sweetness of  her lips.

Against my better judgement, I kissed her deeper and deeper. She hesitated but followed my lead. I wanted her and I can tell she wanted me. But she pulled back and steadied herself. I took a deep breath to gain better control of my desire.

"I have to head to the office... I have a fitting..." Kate said sitting up and sipping the last sip of her coffee.

"Let me drive you..." I offered getting up.

"No... Tom... I think it's better if you stay" she avoided my gaze as she got up. She started gathering her stuff together quietly.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I quickly got up and hugged her from behind.

"Tom..." She complained, trying to struggle free.

"Ssssh... " I shussed her.

"We really should..." She pleaded.

"No..." I said.

She finally complied and stood silently. Letting me hold her.

And then I had an epiphany.

"Let me have one day..." I bargained.

"What?" She replied.

"One more day of us. Of this...."

"Tom I think it's healthier that we don't drag this out..." She reasoned.

"I'm not dragging anything...  I'm asking for one day. Any day. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow or even this month, this year... A day where time stops and we can go back to here and now. Any day and anytime you want just let me know.  I can wait. I'll wait forever" I kissed her neck and tigthened my grip.

"How will that work?" She asked with a hint of curiosity.

"We spend the day together and be us. Loving each other... Just like this. Nothing is off the table. No strings attached. Then after that... I'll let you go" I emphasized the last few words.

"Tom... That is ridiculous. What if you meet someone before I can give you one day?" She asked.

I close my eyes. I picture her with a faceless man, holding her close like I'm doing at this very moment. A man who has a more desirable profession. A man who will be there when she comes home. A better man.

I quickly erase the vision from my head.

"The offer is infinite. All you have to do is ask me. One day. Me and you. Just like this... " I answered firmly.

"If I say yes will you let me go?"

I released her from my embrace. She turned to face me with glossy eyes. She nodded. I fight the urge to kiss her again. Instead I gave her my most convincing smile.

"One day..."