Chapter 12

Tom's POV

I sank back into the soft seat of the booth and contemplated for a brief moment, what is it that I truly wanted in a woman? Hmmm, she'd have to be loyal, kind, a little crazy, definitely a naughty one. What else, what else? She would have to be in it for the right reason, not because I'm famous or rich but because she honestly wanted me for me! The more I thought about it the more impossible it seemed to explain, I felt like I would know if she was right from the moment I met her. Shoot me dead for thinking it but I sort of had that feeling right now as I stared through my half empty goblet at elegant fingers wrapped around the stem of her own wineglass.

"So what do you look for in a guy?" I questioned, as I leaned in, instinct drawing me closer by the second. I had no clue I was holding my self completely still until her answer caused a sharp drawl of breath, filling me lungs to the brink.

"I want someone real." She replied, matter-of-factly.

I couldn't help the reaction that poured through my body, slightly taken aback at her answer. I thought about the statement, trying to figure out exactly what the words meant but how could a person that hadn't spoken them explain something so vague? With a knee jerk reaction I skimmed out of the booth I had been in and slide up next to her, feeling my fingers itch in a way I had never felt before, tingling to touch her. Feeling her eyes on me I turned to see a face that was slightly shocked by my sudden move. Something miraculous happened the exact moment that our eyes met, I swear time ceased to exist. There was no one else in this world but us, no noises, no movements, just complete and perfect silence.

"Is there anything I can get you?" The asshole bartender panted over my head, completely oblivious to the moment Christina and I had just shared, that one moment in time that changed my mind about where I had hoped this would lead.

In a split second I knew exactly what I wanted from her! It was probably going to be a hard road but hopefully it would be worth it. I was praying I didn't get burned as I grabbed her hand, helping her from the seat we had just shared, that itching sensation winding through my body, limb to limb. As soon as the elevator doors shut I intertwined my fingers through hers, the sensation setting me on fire. The elevator's soft beep signified that we were here. The doors slide open to my suit as I pulled her through the front door, setting the bottle on the first flat surface I could find before I swung her into me, slamming my lips to hers. I couldn't control myself, couldn't keep my hands off of her. They slid up and down her back over and over before they finally cupped her ass and pulled her into me tighter. Her breath came out ragged as we melded into each other, tugging and pulling, slowly tripping our way back to my room. I cursed the handle as I struggled to get the door open before she pinned me up against the wall my hands losing their focus, cupping her face and pulling her back to me every time her lips left mine. I felt like I could die from the sheer bliss of her, the way she tasted, the way she smelled, the way her body felt pressed up against mine, and then suddenly, there was complete emptiness. I tried to look at her but I felt crossed eyed, my pupils refusing to focus. Eventually I saw the look on her face, flushed with desire, her lips round and swollen, lust burning so deep in her beautiful blue eyes that my heart felt like it might shatter into tiny little pieces if I ever saw her cry.

"Where'd you go?" I murmured, trying to make my brain function on a semi-normal level again, confused by her actions.

"I just…," she huffed, trying to complete her train of thought. "I just think maybe this could be something more. Please tell me if I'm wrong but back there in the bar, something screamed inside me that this was more then a one night stand." She finally finished, still breathless.

Relief washed over me as I reached the side of her face, twisting my finger around a few tendrils that had escaped from behind her ear. Her face leaned into my hand as I leaned down and laid a kiss on her forehead. I left my lips there as I tried to find the words to portray how I felt.

"I like you…a lot."

Well that was extremely profound of me. Geesh! I think she actually turned my brain into mush.

"Ok then." Was all she replied with before I bent down and kissed her again, softly, not filled with lust this time but over flowing with a need. There was a need deep inside me that wanted to know every single thing about her before we had to leave for LA tomorrow.