CharismaticCrowe59f

They arrived at the restaurant, and were a very professional waiter escorted them to a private room deep nestled in the back, with Russell's arm around her waist. Tash couldnt suppress a small gasp of pure pleasure as they entered the room. It was scented softly with sandalwood incense, complete with what appeared to be a hundred different candles flickering softly, casting darting shadows throughout the room. There were even wall sconces with tall candles thrusting from the holders.

It was a smallish sized room, but very comfortable, with a small table in the center. Placed carefully about the table were lovely china plates and sparkling silverware. Ornate wine glasses shining in the flickering light, and a bottle of Merlot was cooling in a wine holder beside the table. There were even rose petals tossed about on the pure white tablecloth.

It was a perfect romantic setting, and Tash heard strains of soft music in the background. Russell was watching her with an expectant look on his handsome face, and she turned to him full of feeling, saying softly "You certainly know how to impress a girl, Mr. Crowe." He smiled, relieved and said, "Love, I think you know me well enough by now to call me Russ. Shall we be seated m'lady?" With his arm still around her waist, he led her to the table, pulling her chair out and when she was seated, pushing it back in for her. He couldnt repress himself from bending down to her and kissing her neck softly.

She was wearing black slacks, and a spaghetti strap white silk blouse which exposed her lovely shoulders and gave him a wonderful view of her ample bosom. He lingered on her neck for a moment, his arms wrapped around her. Realizing she might be hungry by now, he released her to take his own seat, and he heard her small sign of disappointment.

They had to laugh because just at that moment the waiter appeared to take their orders. They grinned a co-conspiratorial grin at each other and proceeded to order, he ordered Veal Parmigian, and she Fettucini Alfredo. The waiter had brought complimentary Caesar salad, and some soft breadsticks. After he had taken their orders, he quietly departed to give them some privacy.

"I take it you like my choice, love?" Russ said softly, smiling tenderly at her and leaning forward toward her. She grinned at him and replied, "I love it. I couldnt have imagined a more perfect setting for a romantic dinner. It is asolutely wonderful. You have outdone yourself, Russell." He grinned and took her hand. "Russ, love. That is what most of the folks that I am close to call me."

She leaned forward until her lips were touching his. After a tenderly passionate kiss she replied, "Russ it is then."
"So tell me, Tash, do you think I'm as surly and aggressive as the pressies portray me as?" He grinned. She looked perplexed, and said, "Surly? They called you surly?" She seemed exasperated, and he giggled.

"Yeah, they dont like me because I tend to get a little, well, angry with them when they get in my face. If they ask a stupid question, I'm pretty sarcastic with my answers." He giggled again. "You wouldnt believe some of the moronic questions I've been asked too! But all jokes aside, yeah, they view me as this womanizing bastard who will punch them at any given moment. I'll admit to you though, I have been in a fair few fights that ended up in blows, but most of the time I was either drunk, provoked, or both, love. I realize I can be just as big an arsehole than the next guy. Maybe even more so. But I'm not like that all the time, matter of fact, I'm not like that 90% of the time. Just an occasional curt reply and smart-arse comment." He sighed. "It's not always easy to hide the way you really feel about someone. I find it hard to act my way through real life, you know?
"
She nodded, amazed. "I dont read the tabloids, so I suppose I'm not up on my gossip and I dont ever care to be. It just never interested me. I cant imagine anyone not being completely mesmerized by you.." she caught herself, cutting her sentence off. She looked startled to have revealed so much to him, and she bit her lower lip in consternation, afraid that he would read between the lines and discover how much she felt for him. He was watching her intently again, and surprised her by taking her face into his warm, rough hands.

"If you havent figured out yet that I'm completely crazy about you, let me tell you now, love. I've never met a woman who has made me feel like I want to lose myself in her. Well, I feel that way about you love. It makes me want to spend my life making you laugh, just so I could lose myself in the beauty of your smile.."

He grinned, knowing he had revealed too much, but not caring. He just wanted to convey to her what she had come to mean to him in the short amount of time that they had known each other. He felt closer to her than he ever had to anyone. He knew both of them were still sorting out feelings, and he knew that he would have to sort his out on the plane back to Australia. He felt like it would give them both some time to see if this was really something that would last.

He was afraid that it would just be a fever of the flesh, one that would burn off as soon as he was on the other side of the world. He wouldnt have hurt her for anything in the world, and it would give them both time to think. But for now, they had a beautiful evening to enjoy, and each others company. He kissed her forehead lightly and released her face, settling back into his chair.

She smiled at him and touched his hand lightly. She understood completely, and there was no need to speak. She knew that with his busy job he would have to on the go again soon, but she had every intention of enjoying what time they did have togather. She was a little apprehensive of how she was going to feel when he was gone, but she refused to spoil the evening by contemplating things that had yet to happen. When it did happen, and it would, she would allow herself to think about things. But for now, her plan was to simply enjoy as much of him as she could.