Kate tilted her chin. "Well okay. Not as permanent yet as I thought. At least that gives me something to work with," she muttered, not quite as under her breath as I would have liked and walked to the other side of the room waiting for our cue.
I looked to Tudor, who was biting his lip in embarrassment. "That woman is without doubt the scariest person I have ever met." I whispered, so she couldn’t hear me.
He ticked his head to the side knowingly. "Yeah, but the best at what she does."
I smiled, fully believing that no-one in Hollywood could stop that freight train from barrelling through.
"Right, you two. It’s time to move those saccharine-sweet hinies!" Kate interrupted again, and then peered at my backside sceptically. “Or is yours full-sugar?” she asked and laughed hysterically to herself.
Why I ought to… cower in the corner. Jesus, grow a pair would you, Tash?!
Tudor laughed at my glowering face and seductively squeezed my ‘full-sugar’ arse in both hands and licked his lips, his brows dancing suggestively.
I took a calming breath and took my curvy-arse-loving man’s hand. He leaned down and whispered, "If you get nervous just look at me, okay? I'll protect you. You look beautiful, by the way."
I tried to smile but grimaced instead, my nerves were beginning to take over. Tudor pulled me to his chest laying his chin on my head. "We had to do this eventually, gorgeous. We couldn't live in our private little bubble forever, not with what I do for a living."
I squeezed my arms around his back. "I know. But I loved being in that little bubble of love. It was cosy and only made for two. I like having you all to myself. I don't know how to be with you in any other way, how to share you with the world."
"You will always have me to yourself, gorgeous. The real world knows a fictional man, only you get the hundred per cent real me – fucked-up dad and all. We will figure it out as we go along. You and me forever. Yes?"
I nodded, filled to the brim with love and pecked a quick kiss on his stubbly cheek.
I beamed from ear to ear as we walked out of the dressing room and we stood patiently in front of the closed doors that led to the massive conference room holding the eager horde of journalists and photographers.
The noise was deafening and scary, so I took his advice and looked up at my gorgeous boyfriend. He was so yummy in his black jeans; tight, long white T-shirt with a deep V-neck; tattoos on display and, you guessed it, grey beanie hat, but then, he always looked gorgeous to me. Well, me and the world’s entire female population.
My name is Natasha and I am a total Tudor Chick!
A knock on the door signalled that we were good to go, and as if someone had flicked a switch, Tudor’s stance suddenly changed, and I noticed that he had taken on the persona of Tudor North – actor. He looked completely calm and confident, one hundred per cent movie-star.
Tudor glanced down at me and winked, squeezing my hand as the doors began to open. Flashing lights blinded me, my ears were deafened by the thunder of questions being fired in our direction, and I began to shake with nerves.
My eyes roved over all of the unfamiliar faces glaring at me in scrutiny. My chest grew tight, and I began to feel like I couldn’t breathe, but then I saw a frantically waving hand trying to catch my attention. Standing just to the right of the hungry mob was my fabulous fairy, blowing me a kiss to show his support, wearing a red sequinned blazer that, when pulled apart, revealed a hand-made T-shirt that read, ‘Tash and Tudor forever!’ in purple italic script. Next to him was Tate, who was clapping enthusiastically in his red dickey bow and tailored black suit, as Tudor and I stood proudly on show for the first time as a couple. I burst into laughter at the sight, my inability to breathe forgotten, and I nudged Tudor, pointing in the direction of the cutie twosome.
He let out an amused snort, turned to me and asked, "Ready for this, Sunshine?"
I looked up at my stunning boyfriend – my lover, my soul mate, my Tudor – and any remaining nerves stilled.
I smiled confidently and replied, "For you, babes, I’m always ready," and giggled when he waggled his brows suggestively in response. With one final deep breath he leaned down and kissed me softly on my lips, pulled back to face the crowd and we walked forward hand-in-hand, into the throng of media vultures, declaring our love to the world, for everyone and their mothers to see.
Together.
The End