Tom Jones International

I had a photo of Tom and me that was taken last year at Foxwoods in Connecticut. I was hoping Tom would autograph it and was able to secure a backstage pass so my husband Ian and I could meet Tom after the show at Casino Rama. We went back after the show and waited while other people went in. Finally, we were the last ones waiting.

I can tell Ian is nervous as he hasn’t said a word in a couple of minutes, he’s just been watching everybody else backstage. Suddenly, I hear Don Archell say, “Tom, Fay’s here!’ I almost died. We walked to where Tom and Don were.

I give Tom a huge smile as I walked toward him, and he is smiling back. He is drop-dead gorgeous. I finally reach him, (seemed like forever to get over to him) and we shake hands. His hand is so big, so warm but dry (mine was hot and sweaty, I’m sure). His palm is not soft and smooth, just a little bit rough. Maybe that’s from lifting weights, no gloves? Anyway, I am drilling my eyes all over him, trying to see every little detail.

I show him the photo (we’re still holding the handshake, there was no way I was letting go first) and I was telling him when it was taken, how much I love the photo, I’d be thrilled if he’d sign it, blah, blah. We let go (mmmmm…I can still feel his hand in mine) and he looks at the photo, takes a Sharpie out of his jacket pocket, saying, “We look good!” I’m standing there, telling him how much I enjoyed the show that night, and he finishes autographing it. I asked him if we could have our picture taken together. “Of course!”

This whole time, Ian was just standing back beside Don, with the camera ready. I moved to stand beside Tom and I spy a long, blonde hair on his gorgeous black jacket. I reach up and pick it off, with a bit of disgust, and drop it on the floor as far away as my arm can reach. I’m very conscious of the other men in the room watching me as I do this, but I just smile at him and his reaction is priceless —- he doesn’t say a word, he winks at me, looks forward, straightens his back and puffs his chest out. OMG! It was hilarious! He’s so vain, I love it!!! His eyes are so blue I could just dive into them. I’m flirting with Tom Jones!

Poor Ian has been completely ignored up to this point but he takes our picture. I have my arm around Tom’s back, and I give him a squeeze (he has his arm around my shoulder, his hand kind of on the back of my neck, which was bare, and it felt great) and say, “Tom, I’d like you to meet my brother, Ian.” (OK, OK, just kidding) I introduce Ian — as my husband — and they shake hands. Ian had given the camera to Don.

Ian says, “Nice to meet you, Sir,” and Tom shakes his hand, seeming pleased Ian called him “Sir,” and it’s huge smiles between them.

Ian’s reaction was amazing, he totally surprised me. He is usually very relaxed and outgoing but, with Tom, he was very quiet and it was obvious he really, really admires him.

When Tom heard Ian’s accent he asked, “Where are you from?” Ian told him Glasgow, so there’s a bit of small talk between them about that. Ian tells him how much he loves his music, he’s been a fan for years, and then Tom says, “Let’s get a picture with all of us.”

We stand on either side of Tom and I put my arm around his back again. I’m loving it — shamelessly, recklessly loving it. He has such a strong back and he’s so muscular. There’s no way this guy feels 65, he’s so firm and has so much toned muscle on his frame. I could feel his warmth through the thin fabric, the lining of the jacket was slippery so when I squeezed him it slid over his lower back a bit and it felt sooooo good. I could feel the strength of his muscles underneath (insert cold shower break).

We’re standing there and Don (who’s obviously done this a time or two) is looking for the flash button on the camera, so I take my arm from around Tom and walk up to Don and show him where it is. I walk back, steal a glance at Tom and Ian. Ian is beaming and Tom is looking at me. Life is good.

I slide back in beside Tommy, put my arm around him and squeeze again and he squeezes back and the photo gets taken. I had been holding on so tight to him and rubbing his back and I made it no secret I was digging him. So Tommy slides his hand up my back, rubs my bare back and shoulders and then we all let go. His hand is so warm and it’s so big and a smidgen rough!

Then Ian shakes Tommy’s hand, I shake Tommy’s hand and we’re all smiling from ear to ear. Lots of thanks to him and Sandy, and Don. Best wishes for safe travels and all that. They were all so friendly and I was walking on a cloud.

Security escorted us out and I grabbed Ian’s hand and we giggled like two kids as we walked back into the casino. I turned to Ian and said, “Well?” and he let out a big holler and jumped up and touched the ceiling!

We went for a cold beer and talked non-stop all the way home about how great Tommy is, how awesome his voice is, all that good stuff.

Ian was really proud of me for arranging the meet-and-greet and has told a lot of people about how great it was meeting the man, showing the photos. I’m not sure who had a better time, me or Ian, but it doesn’t matter as it was a great night all around.