(Here goes another 31 Days of OutlawQueen one shots. I hope you enjoy them. I also want to thank a very special friend, Bekki boo! These one shots are inspired by songs, which I put some of the lyrics up.)
Ain't too proud to beg, sweet darling
Please don't leave me girl (don't you go)
Ain't too proud to plead, baby, baby
Please don't leave me, girl (don't you go)
(Song-Ain't to proud to beg by Temptations)
Twenty-two-year-old Robin Locksley walked up to his girlfriend Marian's apartment door. As he waited for her to answer, he rubbed the promise ring in his pocket. He'd bought it for her last week and had carried it with him ever since, something his brother, David, took great pains to tease him about.
"Finally, a girl who's got you whipped," David had crowed before Robin had left. "Try not to fawn all over her when you see her again. You'll ruin your heartthrob image. Hell, you'll ruin our image."
Robin didn't give a shit about images, his or theirs. He'd missed his girlfriend the past two weeks. He'd dated plenty of girls before her, but Marian was the first to truly understand him. To make him feel special, not like an extension of his loving but crazy acting family. She understood he was more than a performer. Even though they'd only been dating two months, he'd told her things he'd never told anyone before, including how he sometimes hated performing. How he sometimes wished he'd gone off to live on his own, so people wouldn't constantly be comparing him to his older brother.
Now he had something else to share with her: He loved her.
He'd suspected it before, but being away had confirmed it.
He knocked on her door again.
As the minutes ticked by and she didn't answer, unease morphed into worry. She'd called him less and less lately, and she hadn't been around to answer most of his calls. Of course, he'd assumed she was just busy with her studies, just like he was busy on the road acting.
He heard her voice coming down the hallway before he saw her. His heart sped up when she rounded the corner, her hair floating around her shoulders and her eyes sparkling. He grinned…
Until he saw she wasn't alone. Her arm was around the waist of a dark-haired guy. She froze when she saw him.
"Robin? What are you doing here?" Her brows drew together and she dropped her arm from around the other guy.
But she didn't move closer.
"I told you I was coming home today. Who's he?" He nodded toward her companion.
The guy shifted his feet uneasily then said to Marian, "I'll catch you later," before walking away.
Marian crossed her arms. "Don't make a scene, Robin."
His eyebrows shot up. "That implies there's a reason I would. Are you seeing that guy behind my back?" His voice sounded steady. Annoyed. Righteously indignant. But inside his heart hurt and he had to work to make sure his words didn't quaver.
He gripped the ring in his pocket. This couldn't be happening. She wouldn't betray him like this.
"Don't look so surprised. You knew it could never work between us. I'm just me. And well… you're Robin Locksley. The hottest young actor in Hollywood these days. The guy whose lips every woman wants to kiss."
He stepped toward her. "I've never played around on you." And he could have. Lots of girls came on to him, but he'd never been tempted, not once, to cheat on her.
"Maybe not yet," she said. "But it would happen eventually. I know you want to believe you're more than that, but…"
Her trailing words felt like daggers. She believed all the hype him after all he had done to assure her he was not a playboy. "You're wrong about me," he said.
"Your brother is dependable. One day he'll have a wife. A family. But you'll…"
"I'll what?"
"You'll keep having fun. Just like I'm going to have fun while I'm in college. The difference between us is I'll move on after I graduate. You're an actor—your whole life's about fun and games. So go back on the road and don't act like you want to be chained down."
A vise squeezed his heart, pain radiating everywhere. "Marian…"
"Goodbye, Robin Locksley." She shrugged away his touch, slipped inside her apartment then quietly shut the door behind her.
Robin could only stand there in a daze, till finally he walked back to his car.
He was twenty-two and they'd only been dating a couple months—it wasn't like he'd been considering marrying her or anything. But he loved her, he was committed to her, and she… what? Thought fun and games was all he wanted?
Anger built inside him.
Robin was an actor. So was David, and their father. But that obviously didn't matter. Something about him made girls only want him for a good time.
How often had his family and friends referred to him as "Robin, the fun one"? "Robin, the chick magnet." "Robin, the charmer." They never spoke of his intelligence or his ambition, or his ability to care about others.
Maybe that's because they knew something he didn't.
Maybe they saw him for what he truly was.
And what he wasn't.
Unless he wanted to hurt like this again, he needed to start thinking the same way.
Los Angeles, CA
Eleven years later
Robin started to make his way down the red carpet. The fans were on their feet, clapping and whistling, wanting to get Robin's attention. He smiled and posed for several pictures with the paparazzi along with a few grateful fans.
Once he arrived in the venue, he saw David standing to the side of the room, grinning. Of course, his grin probably had less to do with the crowd's reaction than it did the woman standing next to him. Mary Margaret, David's wife, was beautiful, but six months pregnant with their first child. She glowed with vitality, blushing when David bent to whisper something in her ear. Robin had never seen his brother happier.
Robin made his way toward them, laughing when Mary Margaret threw her arms around him.
"It's so good to see you, Robin."
He pulled back and flicked her nose, and his affection for Mary Margaret whom he and David had known since she was fourteen and they a few years older—swelled inside his chest. Back then she'd already been in love with David. Robin had known it. David had known it. Hell, everyone had known it. When Mary Margaret turned sixteen, David had finally decided to ask her out but Robin messed things up by kissing her. It had been a shitty thing to do, one motivated by jealousy on his part, and because of his rash behavior they'd all paid a heavy price. David and Mary Margaret essentially stopped speaking to one another, and Robin often sensed his brother's resentment towards him. Luckily, last year, Robin had the chance to make things right. By forcing them into a sexually charged situation, he'd gotten them to confess their true feelings. Soon afterwards, they were married.
Robin looked around but didn't see Mary Margaret's best friends, who were visiting her from New York. "Where are Belle and Regina?"
Belle's name rolled off his tongue with ease. Regina's not so much. It never did. Something about the woman got to him, even when she was just a voice on the phone.
Mary Margaret's eyes flickered slightly. "They said to tell you they would be sure to check out your new movie when it hit the big screen. Belle had a book signing come up at the last minute and Regina decided to head back with her. She has a lot on her mind. A few things she needs to work out as well."
Well, that was certainly vague. And intriguing.
Belle always was the intelligent one. Always able to talk about any subject that anyone ever brought up. If someone could stump her, they better write it down as it didn't happen too often.
Regina was quieter than Belle. Not shy exactly, but definitely more restrained, with a huge New York accent and a propensity for idioms that called to mind hot sultry nights and smooth bourbon. She had an irreverent kind of humor that sometimes sneaked up on him, but on the few occasions he saw her, Robin felt the wall she put up between herself and others. Each time, he was tempted to climb it. Partially because he was curious, and wanted to appease that curiosity. Mostly because she was so damn beautiful. The combination revved him up. Made him think of all the ways he could rattle her. Challenged him to explore just how long it would take to melt her reserve and have her clawing at his back, clenching around his cock, and screaming his name as she came.
Imagining her spread and under him had become a small obsession, one he sometimes had difficulty hiding. He admitted to dreaming about it a time or two...or twenty.
The last thing he needed was to jeopardize his relationship with his brother and Mary Margaret by screwing one of her best friends. Regina wasn't like him or the women he dated, out for some fun while it lasted. Besides, she wasn't impressed by Robin's sex appeal or his notoriety. Hell, she barely seemed to notice him at all.
Still, she was Mary Margaret's friend so…
"Anything I can help Regina with?" he asked.
Robin could swear Mary Margaret blushed before she shrugged. "I'll let her know you offered but she probably just needs a good night's sleep."
He was feeling tired himself. So tired, he just wanted to go home, shower and sleep for three days straight. But he couldn't. Tonight he had his premiere for his new movie, Are You Ready For A New Adventure?
"Is Adam here?" David asked.
"I sure am." Adam called from behind them.
They all turned.
Adam was Robin's manager for the last five years. And while yes, Adam had helped Robin in the acting field, booking him in some movies, there was something about him that no one seemed to like about the guy.
He slapped both Robin and David on the shoulder. "Excited about tonight, guys." He nodded at Mary Margaret. "You're looking beautiful as ever."
She smiled politely. "Thank you."
He nodded then looked at Robin. "Great turnout. Look I've got to go talk to some people," he said before walking away.
Mary Margaret glared at him as he walked away. "I do not like that man."
"With the exception of a few hookers, not many do," David said.
"David!" Mary Margaret said hitting him on the shoulder.
"What? It's true from what I've heard. He's a sleezeball who is almost broke, and I wished you would get rid of him, Robin."
Robin sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm already considering it. Come on, let's go in."
After the movie ended, and the trio were making their way to the exit, Robin turned to his brother and his wife and said. "I'm heading to The Arsenal, you two want to come along?"
David pulled Mary Margaret closer to his side. "We'll have to pass. Ladybug here's been yawning all night so I want to tuck her in."
She gazed up at him, her eyes filled with love and adoration.
That, Robin thought. That's why he'd kissed her all those years ago. Because he'd wanted a woman to gaze at him the way Mary Margaret had always gazed at his brother.
It's what he'd wanted from Marian.
It's what part of him still wanted.
But as always, he squashed that part of himself down.
He had a good life, with only the occasional blip. As for wanting what David had with Mary Margaret? Why mess things up by dreaming of things he couldn't have? He simply wasn't the kind of man women wanted to settle down and have kids with, but hey, that had its perks, too. If he sometimes forgot that, more women were always there to remind him.
"I'll be in touch with you two." Robin said as they finished their goodbyes.
So off to The Arsenal he went. Within minutes, Elise, a gorgeous brunette he'd dated a few times, clung to his side and made it clear she'd be down for more of what they'd shared. He chatted with her while he waited for Catherine and the paparazzi that would inevitably be following her.
The more time that passed, however, the more he found himself thinking of a different woman altogether.
Mary Margaret's friend, Regina.
What problems were stressing her out?
And why had Mary Margaret blushed when Robin had offered to help Regina?
Robin Locksley was a man who could look at any woman and cause her knees to weaken, her brain to become clouted.
According to rumors, the famous actor, who just happened to be Regina Mills' best friend's brother-in-law, delivered the goods every single time.
The question was could she convince him to work his magic on her.
Regina sneaked another peek at Robin's reflection in the mirror hanging behind the bar at The Arsenal. She'd been watching him for more than an hour, feeling very anxious whenever she thought of approaching him.
She caught the bartender's eye. "Can I get another lemon drop please?"
A minute later, the bartender set the drink down on the counter. "Here you go, sweetie." She tucked her brilliant red hair behind her ear before asking, "Get you anything else?"
"This is good for now, thank you." Closing her eyes, she tossed back her drink, then slapped the glass onto the bar with a loud thunk. She always counseled students at the university to aim high when it came to their career goals. Why shouldn't that rule apply to her? And why shouldn't they apply to an orgasm? She was almost thirty and, thanks to Keith Nottingham, she was dealing with an ugly sexual misconduct charge at work. More importantly, while she was thrilled that Mary Margaret's dreams of love and family were coming true, she also couldn't deny she was jealous.
She didn't like feeling jealous of anyone, particularly her friends but, as always, she was determined to deal with her issues in as practical a manner as possible. This entailed acknowledging her jealousy, dissecting it and making a plan.
Of course she was jealous of Mary Margaret, who was now building a life with the man of her dreams, and that included the imminent arrival of their baby. But Mary Margaret hadn't gotten where she was without taking risks, and Regina had to admit she'd gotten far too comfortable with her safe life in Los Angeles. She'd put everything into her job and hadn't dated in months, convinced if a man couldn't satisfy her in bed and was just going to leave her eventually because of that, what was the point? Now her career had been hijacked and she had extended periods of time with nothing to do but contemplate her failures. If she didn't want to spend the rest of her life alone, she needed to do something about it. Like Mary Margaret, she needed to take some risks.
She'd secretly crushed on Robin from the moment she'd first talked to him on the phone more than a year ago. More importantly, while he might be a tomcat, Mary Margaret trusted him completely. As such, so did Regina. She trusted him to be discreet. She trusted him to be kind. And she trusted him to give her what she needed in the end, if he would do it.
Turning slightly on her stool, she scoped him out. As usual, he wasn't alone. The blonde he was talking to was practically sitting on his lap. She was beyond overt, with hair down to her waist and a voluptuous body she poured into a tight midnight blue dress. It showed off her ample breasts and mile-long legs to their best advantage. She looked confident in her sexuality, as did Robin, who was grinning broadly—although his smile seemed to dim a little when the woman ran her finger down his arm.
When Regina imagined it was her touching him, a current of desire zipped through her chest and settled low in her tummy. Good Lord, he did it for her, but who didn't he do it for?
He dressed formally when he was making his appearances. Now that the show was over, he'd lost the jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt, exposing the corded length of his forearms. Even with most of his body covered, it was apparent he was strong, with broad shoulders, hard thighs and a sexy ass. He moved with confidence when he walked.
Last year, Mary Margaret had even asked Robin for sex lessons. Granted, he and Mary Margaret had been friends for years, and Robin had only pretended to agree as a ploy to finally get Mary Margaret and David back together. Sex for Robin was like breathing was for most people. Natural. Comfortable. Bountiful.
She faced the bar again. As she did, the fabric of her blouse rubbed against her nipple piercing. The friction caused by the small gold hoop with small silver balls exacerbated the tight achiness she already felt staring at Robin. The piercing, including the one between her legs, had been one of her more desperate attempts to feel sensual and maximize her sexual pleasure. They turned men on plenty. As for the pleasure they'd given her, the piercings actually lived up to their promise. Manipulating them brought her to orgasm much faster when she was masturbating. When she was with a man, however? Great for ratcheting up her arousal but just like everything else she'd ever tried, useless when it came time to bringing it all home.
She turned back to look at Robin.
He was finally alone. Now was her chance. But still she hesitated.
That's what came with being a little too self-aware.
What made her hesitate was fear of rejection, yes. And that man wasn't the one with the playboy reputation or the electric charisma in the movies. It was the man she'd gotten glimpses of over the past year. The one who was so affectionate with Mary Margaret. The one who pumped his fist in the air when Mary Margaret and David walked down the aisle as man and wife, and danced with his mother at that same wedding, then boogied with the crowd to "YMCA." The man whose gaze she sometimes felt on her and wondered if perhaps… just maybe… he was as attracted to her as she was to him.
He was the man she wanted to get to know better, but she knew it was dangerous to think that way. No matter how many layers he seemed to have, Robin was the quintessential playboy. He wasn't going to magically transform into a monogamous family man who fell hopelessly in love with her. If she was going to do this, she was going to have to do it knowing the most she would get out of the experience, could be her not happily ever after.
She could do that, right?
Finally, when she was able to answer that question in the affirmative, she braced herself to stand. Just then, someone sat on the stool next to her and touched her arm. It was the blonde again.
"So you decided to go for it?" The woman didn't even try to flag down the bartender. She just looked at Regina, a definite challenge in her eyes.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked, even though she knew exactly what the woman was referring to. Who she was referring to. Good Lord, had she been that obvious? Stalking Robin like he was some kind of prey?
The other woman smiled. "Don't worry. He hasn't noticed you."
Right. Gloves off, Regina thought, as her spine stiffened.
"Chill out. I didn't mean it that way. You're gorgeous and Robin does like variety. He's obviously done with me. I just want to make sure you know what you'll be getting into, that's all."
Hmm. Still on guard, Regina remained quiet. The blonde was going to have her say, so what was the point? Besides, Regina always did have too much curiosity for her own good.
"See, Robin only has one speed. Fast and furious. He's really good at showing a woman a good time. Multiple times. All night long, if you get what I mean."
A rock would get her meaning and the woman's words were making her regret coming. Which was undoubtedly what the other woman wanted. Robin might be done with her, but she was obviously not done with him. Her next words confirmed it.
"You seem a little… delicate… for what Robin dishes out. I'd think twice about taking him on. But even if you can handle him, don't expect it to last long. It never does with Robin. Just thought I'd do my duty for the sisterhood and let you know."
Regina told the woman what she thought of her advice in the only way she could think to say: "Opinions are like assholes, some are just louder and smellier than others." Her tone was sugary sweet, but as she held the woman's gaze, it was apparent they understood each other. The blonde had warned Regina off. Regina wasn't about to give the other woman the satisfaction of listening.
After the woman left, it took Regina a couple of minutes to gather her courage again. The fantasy of Robin doing her—hard and fast and furious, all night long—was both a temptation and a deterrent. If things went as usual for her, he'd spend the whole night not getting what he normally did out of a woman. But…
She took a deep breath and spun her stool in Robin's direction yet again.
Instead of catching his eye, she caught him staring at the ceiling. The energy he'd had while talking with the blonde earlier had seeped out of him. Unsmiling, he tilted back his head and seemed to let out an audible sigh. His facial muscles relaxed and he appeared to be relieved. Grateful to finally have a moment alone.
It was yet another layer to add to the others she'd already witnessed.
Robin Locksley might very well be a celebrity and a player, and a man who could give a woman multiple orgasms, but at that moment he was just a man craving some peace and quiet, something he obviously didn't get enough of.
Who was she to intrude?
He glanced over and met her eyes. Surprise flickered across his face—he knew she was in town visiting Mary Margaret but he was probably wondering why she was here alone—just before he lifted his chin, his facial muscles tightening. She saw the tension come over him and she heard his thoughts loud and clear.
What now? What the fuck does someone else want from me now?
Regina's nerves were so fried right now.
Her cheeks heated and she shot him a small smile before spinning around. Her crush aside, she didn't know the real Robin Locksley. She'd only met him a few times. Mary Margaret asking him a favor was one thing, but her? She had no right to ask the man anything. The blonde's words proved there were some who viewed Robin as a means to an end, and she was no better.
"Hey."
She glanced up at the bartender.
"Were you waiting to talk to Robin? He's alone now, but that's not going to last. If you want a shot at him—"
She nearly winced. How much of her conversation with the blonde had the bartender overheard? Shaking her head, she smiled slightly. "He looks tired so I don't want to disturb him. I'll chat with him some other time."
"You sure? Because he's actually coming this way."
"What?" She glanced over her shoulder and stiffened. Robin Locksley was indeed headed straight for her.
Damn, damn, damn. What was she going to do now?
Her heart pounded, pushing her into panic mode. Jumping to her feet, she searched her bag for her wallet, then dropped a few bills on the counter.
Suddenly, a redhead with boobs spilling out of her strapless sequined top grabbed Robin's arm. He glanced at Regina, his jaw tightening and his eyes reflecting impatience as the woman blocked him.
Regina used that opportunity to escape. Holding her purse tightly against her, she wove through the crowded nightclub, feeling Robin's gaze on the back of her neck.
"Regina!"
She stumbled slightly when she thought she heard Robin call her name but didn't stop. Finally, she pushed out the door, her heels clicking along the crowded sidewalk. Her heart pounded wildly as tears burned behind her eyes but she blinked them back.
Then strong fingers gently clasped her arm and she swung around. With a feeling of dread, Regina looked up and met Robin's gaze.
"What the hell, Regina? Why are you running from me?"
She gulped. The feel of his hands gripping her arms—gently, but firmly—made her shiver. She pasted a smile on her face. "Oh, hi Robin. I'm not running, it was just time for me to leave."
He let her go and crossed his arms over his chest. "Uh-huh. And you didn't hear me calling you?"
"You called me?" she asked, eyes wide, her tone obviously forced. Lord, she was such a horrible liar.
She shivered as his gaze traveled down her body, taking in her outfit. A rose-colored halter, black skinny jeans and heels. Definitely club worthy and sexier than anything he'd ever seen her wear. When his eyes finally met hers again, she couldn't help but gasp.
His expression was hot. Scorching. And unless she was mistaken, he looked like he wanted, really needed, what the blonde had said he was very good at providing. Fast and furious sex with a woman all night long. Sex with her.
Before she could stop herself, her gaze traveled to the front of his pants where sure enough…
The evidence of his obvious desire ignited her own.
She'd come here for a reason and now she had her opening.
The question was whether she was going to reach out and take it.
The answer was a resounding no.
She couldn't.
Couldn't endure being in Robin's arms only to have him witness her inability to do what so many other women seemed to do so easily. Besides, although he'd checked her out and seemed to like what he saw, it was probably just reflex. She was dressed up. He was on the prowl. More importantly, she'd actually been running from him. His hunter instincts had kicked in was all.
She started to back way. "I'm sorry, Robin, but I have to go. It was good seeing you again."
"Damn it, wait."
At the commanding tone in his voice, she instinctively stopped. She held her breath as he walked toward her. That breath whooshed out of her lungs when Robin lifted a hand and cupped the side of her neck. She gasped at how delicious his touch felt, how it was both tender and inescapable, and his eyes darkened to a deep burnished gold.
"What's going on? Why are you here?"
The way he stared at her, intense and deep, coupled with the way he spoke to her, almost made her knees buckle. They certainly quivered, as did that tender spot between her legs. Heat washed over her then exploded when he skimmed his thumb across the line of her jaw. The way he was looking at her… as if he saw something in her that others didn't, as if he liked what he saw and wanted to spend some time exploring it and hoped that's what she wanted too… made a foolish hope start to bloom.
"Regina," he whispered. "Answer me."
"I—" She licked her lips, noting how his gaze dropped to her mouth as she did so. "I came to ask you…"
When she paused again, he leaned closer, until she could feel his breaths on her mouth, like tender air kisses teasing her with all that could come next. "Regina, I know you're having a problem with something. You don't know me well, but I think you know I'll help you if I can. So tell me. What did you come to ask me?"
She took a deep breath and wondered if she was really going to say it, right here on the street. But the way he was looking at her, the way he was touching her… she wanted more of that. She wanted it too much.
Her gaze flitted away from his. "Robin, I can't…"
He raised his other hand so he was cupping both sides of her neck now. It made her feel boxed in. Trapped.
And she never wanted him to let her go.
Instinctively, she gripped both his wrists.
"Regina. What did you want to ask me?"
"You're being far too bold, Robin. I'm not goin' to—"
"What did you want to ask me, Regina?"
"Will you please stop—"
"Just ask me."
"It's nothing."
"Damnit, Regina tell me!"
"I want you to give me an orgasm!"