Regina made her way downstairs the next day in another red dress, as she arrived in the lobby she was not surprised to see Robin waiting for her there. He had his back to her, but she could tell it was him. She took a deep breath as she walked up to him.
"A woman on time, I'm impressed," Robin said as he turned around and had a red rose in his hand. "For you."
"Thank you," Regina said.
"You look stunning, Milady." Robin said as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles lightly.
"Thank you," Regina said.
"Shall we?" Robin asked as she started to walk towards the door, Robin placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked. He had a limo waiting on them at the entrance, Regina took her seat and made plenty of room for Robin to sit. When he tried to sit closer to her, she moved just a hair away from him.
"No need to run from me, I'm not going to try to make out with you in the backseat," Robin said as he then placed a hand on her knee and patted it lightly, before leaving it to settle there. "Not yet anyways."
"Didn't stop you from doing so on the patio," Regina kindly reminded him.
"Well, yes but I don't believe I was the only one who enjoyed that," Robin said confidently, watching her look anywhere but at him. He knew she had been just as affected by him as he was her that night. It wasn't his arrogance that was saying that, he could tell and feel how she had reacted that night to him. The bond he wanted to build with her was starting, and he looked forward to continuing to let it build.
"So how long are you in town for?" Regina asked, wanting to change the topic immediately.
"Just through the weekend," Robin answered. "And what about yourself?"
"Same, I plan on leaving tomorrow night," Regina said.
"So we have tonight and some of tomorrow then," Robin said.
"To do what?" Regina asked.
"Why, to get you to change your mind about me," Robin answered as he took her chin to make her look at him.
"Why would you want me to do that?" Regina asked.
"Because of this pull that is between us, you feel it as much as I do." Robin said as he leaned in to let his lips brush against hers, not really kissing her but just teasing her, getting a taste of her and letting her have a taste of him.
"It's not like this will go anywhere. I'll be leaving, and you'll be heading back to your law firm," Regina said.
"So you know I'm a lawyer? Someone keeping tabs on me?" Robin asked.
"You're not that hard to miss," Regina answered as she turned to look out the window as they made their way to the church.
"I've thought of you quite often over the years, saw your name a few times in the papers," Robin admitted. "I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to come see you."
"What stopped you?" Regina asked as she turned back to look at him, she couldn't help the feeling of being slightly disappointed he hadn't come after her.
"I could tell you were trying to get yourself established, and I didn't want to distract you," Robin answered.
"And now?" Regina asked before she could stop herself.
"Now, you're established. Now I'm established, and both of us are free. So now I'm into full courting mood," Robin answered as he inched closer to her.
"Courting? This is not olden days," Regina stated.
"I know it's not, because if it was I would have courted you properly before winning you over and then we would have been married years ago," Robin admitted.
"You are full of yourself aren't you?" Regina asked.
"Just confident," Robin replied back.
"Well, you are wasting your time. I don't want anything to become of this, and I don't want you distracting me," Regina said as the limo finally pulled up the the church. The driver opened the door and Robin hopped out, he put his hand down to help her out which she placed in his hand. He placed her arm through his as he escorted her into the church. They talked to a few people as they walked towards their seats. They sat on the bride's side of the church, before long the wedding party was making their way down the aisle. The guests all stood as the bride made her way down, Ruby was a beautiful bride with hints of red in her gown.
During the ceremony, Regina caught sight of Jefferson across the aisle. He winked at her and she slightly waved back, Robin put his arm around the back of her and pulled her a little closer to him, causing Jefferson to smile at this. Before long the ceremony was over and they were all making their way to the reception.
Robin left her side to grab them something to drink. Taking her chances she made her way out to the patio, which was now decorated with candles and flowers. Regina went to stand where she could over look the grounds and think to herself. She heard footsteps and turned around to see Robin coming out with two champagne glasses and a whole bottle of champagne.
"Thank you, but I really don't want any champagne." Regina said.
"Now, is that nice?" he asked plaintively, as the cork came out with a loud pop and ricocheted off the wooden patio cover. Pouring the foaming wine, he added, "To save wounding my feelings you could at least pretend to be grateful."
"I am, of course. But I-"
"You don't look a bit grateful," he objected, peering at her closely.
Becoming convinced that he was just having a bit of cruel fun at her expense, she said raggedly, "I'd be very grateful if you'd just go away."
"I'll think about it when you've had at least one glass of champagne," Robin said.
"Why should I need it?" Regina asked.
"Just to let you enjoy the rest of the evening with me," Robin said. "Here's to us, and whatever makes us happy." He handed her a glass of champagne, she took it eventually.
Feeling goaded and driven, with an unaccustomed recklessness, she took an heavy gulp of the fizzy champagne and promptly choked. As she coughed and spluttered, he patted her back solicitously, inquiring at length, "That better?"
Unable to speak, she nodded.
"Why don't you try another drink?" he urged.
This time she was a great deal more careful, and after a couple of sips managed a husky, "Thank you."
"Is this genuine gratitude, or just good manners?" he inquired quizzically.
"Good manner," she flashed back. "As I said earlier, if it's genuine gratitude you want, you'll go away and leave me alone."
Sensing that she was beginning to shiver, he added decidely, "Time we were moving. It's starting to get cooler out here."
"You'd better go. The reception will be over now. They'll be wondering where you've got to." Regina said as she took another drink of her champagne, promptly finishing it off.
He laughed mirthlessly. "I very much doubt it. Come on, now let's have you up and moving before you catch a chill in that dress. Enticing as it is, I'd hate to have you catch a cold."
They went back inside, and enjoyed the dinner together. A few hours later, Ruby made her way over to talk to them quickly.
"Well, you two certainly gave Victor and I a run for our money," Ruby said.
"You looked beautiful, Ruby," Robin said as he stood to give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug. "But I must admit, I've only had eyes for one particular lady tonight."
"Ruby, you looked so happy today. I'm very happy for you both," Regina said as she hugged her.
"I hope to see a lot more of you," Ruby said as she looked at Robin and then turned and winked at Regina, before leaving and going back to her new husband's side.
"Well, she certainly looks very happy," Regina said.
"You ever think of your wedding day?" Robin asked.
"I gave up on that dream a long time ago," Regina said.
"I'm sorry that you feel like that, but I'm going to do everything that I can to change your mind," Robin said as he took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.
"If you'll excuse me," Regina said as she stood up.
"Is something wrong?" Robin asked as he stood up as well.
"I just need to go to the ladies' room for a moment," Regina said as she walked off from him. Once she neared the room, she took a detour and headed to some doors that led outside. It was dark out now but the outside of the club was well lite with candles and lights. She took the path that led to a gazebo, where she took a seat to collect her thoughts. She could tell that she was already responding to Robin, she couldn't believe that less than twenty four hours, and she was like a pile of goo around him. She still had feelings for him, how was that even possible?
"You're in love," a male voice sounded, and not just any male voice, but the male voice.
"Excuse me?" Regina said as she turned to look at him.
"You're in love with the view so much, you had to leave my company?" Robin asked as he moved closer to her.
She felt like he could read her mind, "I need to get back to the hotel,"
"Feeling sick?" he inquired, concern for her clearly on his face.
"No." She answered.
"Thank the lord for that." Robin said.
"But I do need to go," Regina said.
"What's the hurry? If I didn't know any better, I would say you're running from yourself and from me." Robin said.
"I'm not running from you, I just need to leave," Regina said.
"Regina, stop fighting yourself. Stop fighting me," Robin said.
"I'm really not feeling well, I think I've had too much champagne. There, now are you happy?" Regina said, she did feel a little dizzy and just wanted to leave.
"Why didn't you say so?" Robin asked as a moment later he was lifting her effortlessly. His strength was as comforting as his warmth, and her head against his shoulder, she gave up the struggle and let him take control.
She couldn't remember ever being carried before, and the feel of the powerful male body she was being held against and the solid bone and muscle beneath her cheek, stirred her senses in a way she had never envisaged. Dimly she realized that it must be the champagne that was lowering her inhibitions and making her feel this way.
His step brisk and breathing even, carrying her as easily as if she were a child, he said, "I propose that we head for the rear of the club. If we go in the back way there should be less chance of us being see."
Avoiding the floodlit areas, Robin skirted the old walled garden and as they got nearer to the main lawn he began to move with even greater care. Though the sound of the orchestra playing and a buzz of conversation was still coming from the brightly lit marquee, thanks to the space-heaters and the beauty of the evening, some guests had elected to sit outside.
Robin was carrying her, heading towards the limo that had driven them here, when he looked down at her and watching her eyes on him, he could not resist and bent to kiss her. Regina thought that the feel of his mouth on hers seemed very normal and very wanted. She could hear the fluttering of a little group of people coming out of the club, but as her lips parted beneath the slight pressure of his, somehow it no longer seemed to matter if someone saw them.
As Regina clung to him, he continued to kiss her while the group passed by, still talking. Only when their voices had faded into the distance did he raise his head. He saw the look of desire in her eyes, and how he wished he could continue this, but he was not going to take any advantage of her. He wanted her to come to him, on her terms. He was going to continue to pursue her, but not press her too much.
He finally got to the limo, he motioned with his head for him to open the the door. Once he did, Robin carefully placed Regina into the backseat. He then climbed into the back himself, telling the driver to leave. Robin looked at her as the limo kept going, he moved a stand of her hair that was on her face. Regina opened her eyes and looked at him, before smiling and curling up next to him.
"Wake up, sleeping beauty."
Eyes still closed, she tried to brush away the intrusive fingers that were stroking her cheek. "We're at your hotel."
She didn't care. All she wanted was to be left in pace. She tried to say so, but the voice was insisting, "Come on, wake up," and the fingers were no longer stroking, but rubbing her cheeks lightly.
Feeling aggrieved, she opened heavy lids and realized dazedly that they were at the hotel. "That's better," Robin murmured. "Now, let's see how you are on your feet."
He hauled her out, and finding she was like a rag doll, half carried her across the pavement and to a side entrance. As her head began to droop, he said sharply, "Don't go to sleep again until I know which is your room."
"Room, 214." Regina said as he took her onto the elevator and to her floor. Once he was at her room, she gave him her key and he unlocked the door. He helped her to the bed, while he went to get some coffee going. A few minutes later he came back to her side.
"Here, it's not star bucks, but it might wake you up some," Robin said as he handed her a cup. She took her time, drinking it slowly as he stayed kneeled in front of her. After a few minutes he could tell she was waking up slowly.
As his handsome face swam in and out of focus, she caught hold of his hand. "Thank you."
"Good night, and sweet dreams." He rose to his feet.
Still clinging to his hand, she begged hoarsely, "Don't leave me. Please don't go. I don't want to be on my own tonight..."
Robin wanted to stay with her, but he was not going to give in to his desires. She was in no state and he was not going to start them off on a bad note. Instead he laid her back onto the bed, more comfortably, removing her shoes and throwing the cover over her. He looked down at her and even with the coffee in her, she was sound asleep. He then went over to the couch in the room, he removed his jacket and his shoes and laid down.