The loud beat of the music could be heard from a block away. Emma picked up her pace and jogged toward the door, her breath coming out in puffs that could be seen in the cold air. When she saw her friends, she smiled and waved.
"Emma!" Mary-Margaret gave her a one-armed hug, while her other arm stayed wrapped around David.
They both smiled at Emma, and she wondered how long she would have to be the third wheel tonight. Taking a breath, she smiled again and gave David a hug. "How are you guys?"
David nodded toward the club. "Excited to be an adult for the night," he said. "Neil's been a pain in the ass," Mary-Margaret lightly slapped his shoulder, "Sorry, a little angel, but dad needs a break."
Mary-Margaret rolled her eyes before shrugging her shoulders. "Maybe a little bit of a pain."
Emma winced. "Still not sleeping well?"
They both shook their heads no. David clapped his hands together. "Well, are we ready to get wasted?" Another small slap, "I mean, drink responsibly?"
Emma laughed. "Absolutely." The club was hot and crowded. Emma shed her jacket and draped it over her arm, rolling her eyes as David jokingly whistled. They made their way to a small booth, Mary-Margaret and David pressing close together on one side, as Emma laid down her jacket and took the other seat. They chatted with each other for a few minutes, ordering drinks and catching up on lives. Mary-Margaret's job was going well (she was an elementary school teacher) and David had just picked up another construction contract. Emma tried not to share too much, knowing that her life was anything but interesting right now. As a law student, she didn't do much besides study and sleep. Maybe next year, after she took the Bar, she would have something new to say. As the conversation died down, Mary-Margaret and David began to whisper to each other, disappearing into their own world. Emma sighed.
"I'm gonna go get another drink!" she yelled over the music. Neither one noticed as Emma left. She walked toward the bar and sat down, the beat of the music reverberating in her head. Holding up a finger, she signaled to the bartender and ordered straight bourbon. As much as she loved Mary-Margaret and David, she hadn't wanted to come tonight. There was only so much time you could spend with a couple so clearly in love when you were utterly and completely single. And lonely. She took a sip of the liquor, feeling the burn of the alcohol slip down the back of her throat and provide her with the slight buzz she was looking for.
"Long night?" Despite the volume of the music, Emma heard the question clearly. She turned toward the voice, eyes widening as she took in the sight of the woman next to her: brunette, olive skin, deep red lips, and drop-dead gorgeous. Emma nodded and the woman rewarded her with a small smile. She ran a finger down Emma's forearm and softly grasped her hand before pulling up. "Let me make it better."
Somehow unable to respond and her drink forgotten, Emma nodded again and followed the woman as she led them toward the dance floor. The space was tight as dancing bodies crowded her, but the woman kept close, pulling Emma toward her body and placing her hands on Emma's waist. She was wearing all black, a tight sleeveless shirt and pants that looked painted on, with high-heeled boots.
The woman leaned closer to Emma, her lips grazing the shell of Emma's ear as she whispered, "I'm Regina."
Emma shivered and cleared her throat. "Emma," she said, "I'm Emma."
Regina rewarded her again, this time with a deep, throaty laugh. She moved with Emma's body, swaying to the music, but staying close to her ear. "I saw you come in, Emma." Emma nodded and swallowed. "You looked good enough to eat."
Emma almost moaned at the words before remembering that they were in the middle of a very crowded dance floor. With a flash of sudden clarity, Emma considered that she had literally just met this woman who was now molded against her body. She felt Regina's hands slide down the outside of her thighs and back up, trailing across the small of her back, then cupping her ass. Her moment of clarity disappeared, and, this time, Emma couldn't help the low moan that escaped her throat.
For a few minutes, the only things Emma knew were the sound of the music, the feeling of Regina pressing against her, and the way Regina's breath felt on her ear. They moved together, Regina's hips moving in small circles as she gyrated against Emma's hip. Emma bit her lip at the feeling, forgetting everything about her life except for this one moment in time. Her mind felt hazy, blank, and all feeling in her body radiated from the points where she could feel Regina.
Without warning, Regina stopped dancing and grasped Emma firmly by the hand, pulling her in another direction. Emma followed and was a little shocked to realize that, at that moment, she would have followed Regina anywhere. She kept her eyes on Regina's back, reveling in the sight of her body outlined in skintight clothes, and barely registered Mary-Margaret and David, managing a weak wave in their direction at the looks of confusion on their faces.
As they left the club, Regina turned to face Emma and stroked the side of her cheek. She traced Emma's lips with one finger, pulled her finger away, and sucked it into her mouth. Emma felt heat in the pit of her stomach, knowing that she would be at Regina's whim tonight.
Regina removed her finger from her mouth and smiled widely, her teeth bright and her lips dark red. "Take me to your place."
Minutes later, Emma was in the driver's seat of her car, the mysterious woman she had met just half an hour ago in the passenger seat. She could still feel Regina's touch on her thigh, the woman's fingers gently massaging the muscle.
Emma cleared her throat. "Do you, um, want to stop for some food or anything?" She immediately regretted the question. The feeling of Regina swirled around her, making her mind feel light. This was completely uncharted territory. Of course, Emma had slept with women before. But the idea of taking someone home, someone she had just met, someone who had so efficiently taken control, was unnerving.
Regina shook her head and tightened her grip on Emma's thigh. "I'm not hungry for food."
Emma groaned, both at the feeling of Regina's hand and her voice. This was too much. Without worrying about her safety, Emma pressed down on the gas pedal, speeding down the road toward her apartment. As she parked in the lot and Regina exited the car, Emma took a deep breath. The clarity returned and Emma, safe, studious Emma, resurfaced. She shouldn't be doing this. It was dangerous. She didn't know Regina. She never brought people back to her apartment, save for her friends and the occasional girlfriend, especially not after knowing them for such a short time.
Emma unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her car door, prepared to tell Regina that she felt uncomfortable with how quickly they were moving, and to offer to drive Regina back to her house. As she did, she felt Regina's body press against her back and hands trail down her stomach, resting against her hips. Regina's lips pressed against her neck, kissing her lightly, before trailing up to her ear.
"Ready?"
Fuck.