BIG THANK YOU TO ELLEN FOR HELPING WITH THIS STORY!

ALSO THIS IS A NEW ACCOUNT I MADE TO HAVE A FRESH START. THIS IS MY ORIGINAL STORY THAT I WORKED ON BEFORE.

Robin Locksley of Locksley Holdings Inc., was pacing back and forth in his office at work extremely upset. His lawyer had went over his late father's will and it was quite clear to him that Robin was beyond furious.

"You see no way out of this? No way to break the will?" Robin asked his lawyer.

"I'm afraid not. Your father was of sound mind when he made out his will." the lawyer said. He hated he was the one who had to give the news that Robin Locksley obviously did not want to hear.

"You call adding a marriage clause to the terms of an inheritance a sane thing to do?!" Robin shouted, holding a loose rein on his short temper lately.

"Well, no... I mean yes. I don't know what to think." the lawyer said as he shook his head.

"I'm not paying you to think, I'm paying you to so as I ask and find a loophole." Robin said.

"It will take some time." the lawyer replied delicately.

"Thanks to dear old Dad, I've only got one year to resolve this mess." Robin said as he sighed very loudly.

"There is an simple solution for this problem. You, um, could get married." the lawyer said carefully.

"Let me make this perfectly clear to you, I have no intention of getting married just because my father's will says I must." Robin said. "No one is going to tell me how to live my life. Is that clear?"

"Perfectly clear sir." the lawyer answered.

"Good. Then I suggest you get this problem solved now." Robin said as the lawyer quickly got to his feet and left the office to do as he was directed.

Robin watched the man leave with growing impatience. Earlier the shock of his father's unexpected passing had left him feeling cold and numb inside. Now, thanks to the latest turn of events, a hot anger had thawed the icy chill. Just then his cell phone rang and Robin took it out of his pocket and recognising the number, quickly answered it.

"Mom are you alright?" Robin asked softly, his temper finally under control.

"Robin Lee Locksley your mother is perfectly fine and capable of taking care of herself." Claire Locksley said proudly.

"Sorry Mom, I've just having a tough time right now." Robin said.

"I had no idea your father had put something like that in his will, stubborn old fool." Claire said.

How many times had he and his father argues about his marital status in the past year? Robin shook his head. Too many times to count. He could still hear his father's bellowing.

"You're not getting any younger Robin, thirty four years old and still no wife! I need an heir a grandchild to carry on the family business. And like it or not, you're the only one who can produce my successor." Conall Locksley had said numerous times.

The funny thing was, before his father had started harping on this very subject, Robin had begun to mull over the possibility of changing his life-style. He had grown tired of dating women who were more interested in his bank account than in who he was as a person. The thought of settling down with one special woman had started to become more appealing every day.

Then his father had decided to horn in and take control of the his assets. His father had made certain to draw an ironclad will. A will it seems that not even a team of lawyers could not crack. He and his father hadn't always seen eye to eye, but he'd never have believed he could have stooped so low in order to get his own way. Unwanted pain contracted his heart, making it hard to breathe. He was going to loose the one thing he loved most, Locksley Holdings Inc.

"Robin, are you there?" Claire Locksley asked.

"Sorry Mom, I just zoned out for a second." Robin said.

"Have you considered that you could adhere to the will? You could marry a nice young girl and have a family." Claire said.

"Mom I don't want to marry someone just to be married. I want to find the one I'm destined to be with." Robin said.

"Well I really hope for your sake son that she comes along in the very soon." Claire said.

"Me too Mom, me too." Robin said as they ended their conversation shortly after.

Across town in her apartment that she shared with her best friend Rose or "Tink" as her close friends call her, Regina Mills was staring out of the window looking at the city. She was a secretary at Locksley Holdings Inc, and she had been working there for almost two years now for her boss August Booth a CEO at Locksley Holdings.

"Regina what are you doing standing by the window? You're going to be late." Tink said, then notcing Regina's outfit, "Is that what you're going to wear?"

Regina was a woman who believed in playing it safe, in life as well as in how she dressed. Her hair was pulled back in a neat knot at the back of her head and she's been careful to use a light hand in applying her makeup. Glancing down at the simple grey dress with its matching jacket, she'd frowned. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing...just that it's so plain. It looks like something you would wear to work. I don't know why you insist on dressing so conservatively." Tink said. "You need to spice up your wardrobe and your life a little. Be more daring."

Regina reached into her pocket for her glasses and anchored them onto the bridge of her nose. "My wardrobe and my personal life are just fine, thank you."

"If your life's so fine, then why are you going to the Locksley party alone?" Tink asked. "And take off those glasses, would ya? They're reading glasses, for Pete's sake."

"I wouldn't be going to the Locksley Ball at all if it wasn't for my job. You know as well as I do, the ball if a fund-raiser for the upcoming holiday season. All the profits go towards the purchase of toys for needy children. Locksley Holdings is sponsoring the event. As a Locksley employee, I'm expected to attend."

"I should've known you weren't going merely to socialize. You're not really a fancy, dress-up type of person, are you?" Tink asked as she took a seat. "You're too sensible, too practical... too helpful."

"What do you want Tink?" Regina asked clearly annoyed.

"What makes you think I want something?" Tink asked with a smile on her face.

"Because of that look on your face. You're up to something." Regina said.

"It's time for a makeover." Tink smiled as she took Regina's hand and pulled her into her room of the apartment.

"I'm not so sure about this Tink." Regina said, reluctantly.

"What is there to be worried about? After I'm through with you, you're going to be a whole new person." Tink said.

"That's exactly what I'm worried about Tink. We are not kids anymore. We're not playing dress-up. I like the old me, I don't want to be changed." Regina said.

"Honestly, Regina. It's just a little makeup and a new dress." Tink's face took on an animated brightness. "Relax, this isn't going to hurt. Trust me, it'll be fun."

"Fun?" Regina asked. However, with a sigh she gave up her last bit of protest. She had always wanted to shake up her life a little. Maybe a brand-new Regina Mills was just the bump she needed.

Robin Locksley surveyed the crowded ballroom with he jaundiced eye of a man about to meet his executioner. In the frenetic activity of the Locksley Ball, he's found a stolen moment of quiet. His reprieve was short lived.

"Mr. Locksley, I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Hillary." an older woman said as she approached him, dragging a younger woman in tow.

Robin recognized the older woman as the wife of Brian Romney, Locksley Holdings Head of Research and Development. His chest tightened with a renewed sense of panic. Despite the tight lid Ryan had insisted on keeping on the contents of his father's will, somehow word had gotten out that he was in the market for a wife. In the hour since he had arrived at the Locksley Ball, he had been bombarded with a flood of unwanted attention from the female guests.

"Good evening, Mrs. Romney." Robin said hiding his annoyance behind a forced smile. He nodded at the daughter, who looked to be nineteen at best. "Hillary, its a pleasure to meet you." The young woman returned his greeting with a bashful grin, but didn't say a word.

Mrs. Romney took up the slack. "Hillary is a sophomore at Brown University, majoring in music. She's an accomplished pianist. When she was ten years old she made it to the state finals with a Chopin piece. And at thirteen, she won..."

Robin's smile stiffened as the woman's voice droned on and on. Tall women, short women, homely women and pretty, shy young lasses with their mothers at their sides, aggressive-I've got exactly what you need-career women...You name em, in the past hour , he'd seen them.

He had always held a deep appreciation for the female sex. But that was before a team of lawyers had informed him that they were unable to break his father's will. Now when he looked at a woman, he imagined her wearing a wedding dress. Whenever a woman came near, he heard the distant strain of the "Wedding March" ringing in his ears. To fall asleep he counted wedding bands, not sheep.

Robin ran a nervous finger beneath the starched collar of his tuxedo shirt. If he was not married by next year he was going to loose Locksley Holdings for good. He glanced at the poor young waif, Hillary and gave an involuntary shudder. Was the security of owning Locksley Holdings worth the price of his freedom?

"Mrs. Romney, I'm sorry but you must excuse me. I've been trying to track down a business associate all day long and I have just seen him over there by the punch bowl. I must speak with him." Robin said.

"Of course, Mr. Locksley," Mrs. Romney said, looking none too pleased. "Perhaps later-"

"Perhaps," Robin said evasively as he slipped away into the crowd.

He made a beeline for the punch bowl. Halfway there, he spotted a group of young ladies positioned around the table. Gods! Was it his imagination, or were there single women everywhere tonight? He made a quick detour, veering to the left, deciding not to linger long enough to find out. With a determined stride, not daring to pause for any reason, Robin headed for the exit.

However as he approached the exit, two women blocked his escape. Both women turned on bright smiles and waved as he neared the door. His heart pounded a warning beat. Looking around quickly he noticed a pair of French doors that led outside. Sighing with relief, Robin escaped into the night, finding refuge on the quiet, deserted veranda.

Regina exited the taxi and quickly paid the driver as she walked up the stairs where the ball was being hosted. As she was almost to the door she received the attention of a onceover from a male taking a smoke just outside. Regina's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected attention. She wondered, not for the first time, if she had made a mistake in allowing Tink to give her this make-over.

She had barely recognized herself after Tink had completed the transformation. A woman with softly curling dark hair, large brown eyes lined with eye shadow and mascara, Tink had confiscated her reading glasses for the evening-and delicate, high cheekbones had been buffed to perfection with powder and blush. She almost felt pretty, sexy.

The dress had been a stumbling block, however. She was sheathed in low cut, skintight black gown. In the back at the bottom of the dress was a high slit, that showed off her legs from the back. Regina felt as though she had been poured into the dress. Never before had she worn an outfit that was so revealing, so provocative. The normal Regina always wore high necklines, loose fitting jackets to hide her curves. But tonight, she had broken her own rule. This evening all of her womanly assets were displayed for the eye to see. And from the enthusiastic looks she was receiving as she made her way into the ballroom, she knew Tink had accomplished what she wanted.

She wobbled a bit on the four-inch black heels, another mistake she had allowed herself to be coerced into and she received an arm from one of the waiters. Embarrassed heat stung her cheeks as Regina shot him a grateful smile. Regina paused as she looked around the ballroom, she had never been in this hotel before but had heard of its decadent richness from other women in the secretarial pool. She spotted her boss Mr. Booth, head of accounting, standing near the bar with a large group of others. He caught her gaze, shot her an appreciative glance and then turned away. Regina's mouth dropped open in surprise. She couldn't believe it as her own boss, the man for whom she had been working for since starting at Locksley Holdings hadn't recognized her.

A smile played on her red-glossed mouth, Tink was right. She was a whole new person. She almost felt like Cinderella going to the Royal Ball. With a confident step she moved across the ballroom and crashed into a solid frame of a man's chest.

"Whoa, there little lady. What's your hurry?" a clearly drunk man asked.

"I'm sorry." Regina stammered. Regina felt her flesh crawl as he raked a leering glance up and down her body.

"I'm not... sorry that it. Honey you can bump into me anytime you want." the man said as he made a move to put his hands on her.

"Excuse me I'm meeting someone." Regina said as she moved away from him quickly. Her stomach churned, and a bitter taste filled her mouth. For a fleeting moment she had felt like Cinderella dressed for the ball. Now she felt like the village floozy. All it had taken was offensive attention of one man to burst her bubble and bring her dream crashing back down to reality.

Coming here dressed in a sexy, revealing dress had been a mistake. She had worked to very hard to build up her reputation as a serious-minded employee. The last thing she needed was to put her respectability on the line. She had to leave. Now. The man with the barroom breath stood at the entrance of the ballroom, blocking her escape from the ballroom. Just when she was about to give up, she spotted a set of French doors. With a sigh of relief she stepped out into the night, finding refuge on the quiet deserted veranda.

The blare of the party accompanied the opening of the French door. With a silent growl of disappointment, Robin realized his haven of peace had been breached. He stepped into the shadows, unwilling to make his presence known. A young woman with dark hair and a black dress stumbled upon the veranda, closing the doors behind her. For a long moment she did not move. Obviously she had made the same mistake he had done minutes before. She must of thought the doors led to an exit. But as Robin had soon found out, the veranda was a dead end. There was no way off this stone prison except the way he entered, into the teeming mouth of the Locksley Ball.

When she turned just the right way, he could see tears on her cheeks. To his surprise, Robin felt an irresistible urge to step out of the shadows and comfort this wounded dove. She looked lost and upset. And despite his current desire to stay clear of all women, he hated to see anyone in pain. Her complexion was fair. Her cheekbones were delicate and carved, like a porcelain doll. And she had the most perfect, gently curving body of any woman he had ever seen. Awareness hit him square in the gut. His wounded dove looked like a vision, a dream come true. He wondered if there was such a thing as love at first sight?

Robin frowned, wondering where that idea had come from. Thoughts like that could get him into a whole mess of trouble, more specifically the marrying kind of trouble. The only affliction from which he was suffering was lust at first sight. He shifted uncomfortable as his foot slipped on a loose stone, making a soft scraping sound. Not a loud noise by any means, but enough to alert the woman to his presence. She whirled around in his direction, her eyes searching the darkness.

"Is anyone there?" she asked.

Robin felt torn between flight and fantasy. A part of him wanted to escape into the night, not to be forced into another unwanted encounter of the feminine type. Another part of him, the beast smitten by the beauty, wanted to stay. In the end the beast won the battle.

Robin stepped out of the shadows. At her look of alarm he raised a quieting hand. "I must apologize. I should have let you know I was here."

Regina backed away as he neared, distrust marring her beautiful face. "Yes, yes you should have. What were you doing there lurking in the shadows?"

"Watching you." Robin said honestly with a smile.

The startled look returned. He could see the fear in her expression. She appeared poised for flight once again. His beautiful dove was about to fly away before he had a chance to get to know her. Robin felt a lump of disappointment lodge in his throat, making it hard to breathe. He couldn't let her go.

"When you stepped outside, you surprised me. I wasn't expecting anyone else." Robin said. "And then I noticed your tears and thought it best not to disturb you."

"I see. I guess I should be getting back to the party." Regina said as long delicate fingers whisked the tears from her cheeks. Robin couldn't help but notice her left hand was ring less. A confusing sense of relief surged through him.

"Don't go." he said, surprising them both.

She returned her shimmering glance to him. Robin's heart stuttered as their gazes met and held. Once again he toyed with the notion of instantaneous love. He pushed the disturbing thought from his mind.

"You came outside for a moment of peace like myself." he said. "I'd hate to be the one to rob you of your retreat." He waved a hand around the quiet veranda. "There's plenty of room, surely we could share our sanctum from the crowd."

She bit thoughtfully on her red colored lower lip. Robin held his breath and awaited her answer. Her smile was hesitant and all too brief. He caught a glimpse of even white teeth. "I guess I could stay a little longer."

He released a slow breath of relief. "My name is R-Roger," he lied. Robin excused himself this small lie. Telling her his real name might be an invitation to trouble.

"I'm Regina." she said.

"Regina," he repeated, testing the name on his lips. He like the sound of it. Its whimsical flavor matched the mysterious woman at his side. "What brings you to the Locksley Ball, Regina?"

"My job." she replied.

"You work for for Locksley Holdings?" he asked not bothering to hide his surprise. As head of a company, he came into contact with nearly every department. How was it that he'd missed this gorgeous creature?

She nodded. "Have been for nearly two years. How about you? Why are you at the Locksley Ball?"

"My job, also." he said with a wry grin. "Its a given, I suppose. If you work for Locksley Holdings, you attend the Locksley Ball."

"It's for a good cause." Regina said.

He didn't need the reminder. His father's favorite charity had been one that cared for underprivileged children. It was the one tradition his father had started that Robin didn't mind carrying on.

"Yes it is. One of the best." he replied, brushing away the bittersweet memories. "But still, I get the impression you'd rather be somewhere else?"

"You're right, if it wasn't for Robin Locksley, I wouldn't be here at all." Regina admitted.

Her answer shocked him. Up until that moment, their encounter had been perfect. Disappointment niggled its way into the magical atmosphere. Was his earlier suspicion correct? Was she just another female out to capture the head of Locksley Holdings?

"Robin Locksley?" Robin asked, unable to keep the coolness from his tone.

"You know.. the head of Locksley Holdings?" Regina asked.

"Of course, I've heard the name." Robin scowled. "Don't tell me, you want to marry him too?"

"Marry him?" Regina looked confused. "Don't be silly. I just don't want to get on his bad side."

His curiosity was piqued, but Robin feigned a disinterested expression. "Oh, and why is that?"

"Didn't you get the interoffice memorandum on Friday? The one in which he encouraged all employees to attend the Locksley Ball?" Regina asked.

"Um, yes now that you mention it." Robin shifted uncomfortably.

"From what I hear Robin Locksley is not a man you want to anger." Regina said as she glanced around as though afraid of being overheard.

Relief poured through his body. The lady wasn't after his money. She was just scared of him, that's all. He leaned forward, mimicking her confiding manner as he struggled to hide an amused smile. "You don't say."

"Do you remember Conall Locksley? His father?" Regina asked.

"Quite well." Robin said.

"Then you'll also remember what they used to call him." Regina said.

"The Tyrant of Locksley?" Robin said as he raised a brow.

"From what I have heard through the office grapevine, Robin Locksley is fast on his way to earning the title in his father's place. I understand he's very demanding. A real bear to work for. I hear he drives his employees hard."

"No harder than he drives himself." Robin blurted out in his own defense.

"Have you met him?" Regina asked as her eyes widened.

"Once or twice. Believe me he's not a monster. He's just a normal person trying to cope with a demanding job." Robin said. "Look enough about Robin Locksley. Let's talk about someone more interesting...like you."

"I'm not that interesting." Regina said as she smiled and felt a blush reach her cheeks.

"I find that hard to believe." Robin said as he tried to be charming.

"Believe me the only thing amazing about my life is how utterly unamazing it really is." Regina said.

"Now that I don't believe-"Robin started to say.

"You're sweet, but you don't know me very well." Regina said as one of her hands went to her throat. "What am I saying? You don't know me at all."

"Enlighten me. Tell me about yourself." Robin said, wanting to find out everything he could about her.

"There's not much to tell. I was born and raised in New York. I live with my best friend Rose." Regina said.

"What about your parents?" Robin asked.

"They're both dead." Regina said as pain flickered in her brown eyes. Robin's heart went out to her. Her father had died of a heart attack a few years ago. Her mother a couple years later to cancer. His own father had died less than a year ago.

"I'm sorry." Robin murmured. His own father had died less than a year ago.

Strains of a waltz filtered through the closed doors. Without giving the proposition much thought, Robin asked. "Do you like to dance?"

"I love to dance." Regina replied with a smile.

"Would you care to dance with me milady?" Robin asked.

"You mean...here? Now?" Regina asked, secretly loving his endearment.

"We won't have to worry about bumping into anyone." Robin said as he looked around and gave a meaningful glance around the empty veranda.

"Sure, why not?" Regina said.

Robin held his hand out for hers. She accepted his offer. Palm against palm, her hand felt small and delicate. Her skin was warm to the touch. He drew her close, placing a hand on her unbelievably small waist. For a second, she stiffened in his arms but then she relaxed. She was soft and feminine, fitting well in the niche of his embrace. Robin breathed deeply, inhaling the delicate scent of her perfume. It reminded him of honeysuckle and springtime.

"You dance well." Robin murmured.

"So do you." Regina replied, her voice soft as a whisper.

"I didn't have a choice. When I turned thirteen my mother enrolled me in a class on manners. She was determined that I learn all of the rules of social etiquette. Ballroom dancing was one of the lessons." Robin said.

She glanced at him, looking as though she was trying to conjure a picture of him as a boy of thirteen. Her innocent smile set his heart pounding and his blood pumping hot and thick. He put a tight rein on his overactive libido. He didn't want to do anything to scare her away.

"How about you?" Robin asked. "When did you learn to dance?"

Her smile faltered. "I've always loved to dance. I wanted to be a ballerina when I was a child. Unfortunately, that wish proved to be a pipe dream."

"What changed your mind?" Robin asked.

"My mother didn't think I should be a ballerina and that was the end of that." Regina said.

"I'm sorry she did that to you. Everyone should be able to pursue their dreams, to go after what they want." Robin said.

He felt her slight shudder as he held her tight in his arms. The night was warm for early fall. Her trembling response had nothing to do with the air temperature. Robin felt a twinge of pure male pleasure at the knowledge. Her soft curves were pressed against the hardness of his body. She didn't protest the intimacy. Instead she allowed herself to be swept away by the music, by the moonlight and by him.

They finished the dance in silence. And the next dance. And the next...

Until time slipped away, the minutes passing like seconds. All he could think of was the woman in his arms. And the fact that not once had he wanted to escape her feminine charms. Something special was happening between him and this woman named Regina. Something he never wanted to music stopped. And yet neither of them moved to part.

Regina looked at him, a question in her eyes.

Robin acted on impulse. Wordlessly, he dipped his head and took her lips in a gentle kiss. A kiss that, like the moment was magical. Sparks of desire ignited deep inside of him. A sensual rush of heat spread slowly throughout his body, warming his blood.

Regina's breath caught, making a whispery sound in her throat signaling to Robin that this was not normal for Regina. Now more than ever, he told himself, exercising a bit of restraint would be well-advised. Half expecting it, half dreading it, he waited for her to push him away. But instead she slipped her hands to his shoulders and pulled him even closer.

Desire hit him like a Mack truck. Self control, along with his common sense, fell by the wayside. Robin became aware of his body by the sudden tightening in his groin. It had been months since he had enjoyed feminine companionship and the beast in him had awoken from its self-imposed slumber. At least, that's the reason he allowed himself for this fiery attraction towards Regina.

His hands slid from her waits to the delicate splay of her hips. He cupped her bottom and pressed her flush against him as the kiss became hungry, probing, hot. The distant chime of church bells broke into the stillness of the night, bursting the romantic mood like a cork popping from a champagne bottle.

"Oh... my," Regina gasped,pushing herself out of his arms. She stepped away and looked at him, brushing a disheveled lock of dark hair from her eyes. Her voice broke as she said. "I'm not... I shouldn't have...oh God what am I doing?"

"Regina, I'm sorry..." Robin said. The air felt cold and unforgiving without her in his arms.

Before he could stop her, she ran across the veranda, threw open the French doors and escaped into the people in the ballroom. Robin followed her, unwilling to allow their encounter to end so disastrously. But as soon as he stepped into the ballroom, he found himself surrounded by female guests. None of who was Regina. Robin released a growl of frustration. He was too much of a cynic to believe in love at first sight. But something special had happened tonight. Tonight he had been seduced by a beautiful woman. A beautiful woman he knew little if anything about.

A woman who could very well hold the key to his future in her tiny hands. Her name was Regina. Once a long time ago she had wanted to be a ballerina. And for a short time, in his arms, she had made his life seem complete.