"Nice rose." Ruby's voice sounded distant even though she was standing right next to them.
"Yes, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Belle responded without breaking eye contact with Gold.
Ruby watched them with a puzzled look in her eyes. "Mary Margaret wants us to start the buffet line⦠unless you're too busy."
Belle finally tore her eyes away from Gold's and looked up at her friend. "OK. We'll be over in a minute."
She turned her gaze back to Gold, a smile still playing at her lips.
"I guess we have to eat." She extended her hand to him and he helped her up from her seat. She loved the feel of his hand in hers so she clasped his hand tighter and led him up to the buffet. "You might not want to get too close to me. I'm terrible at balancing more than one dish at a time. I'd hate to spill anything on you." She laughed at herself and Gold was charmed even more than he already was.
She managed to get through the line without any accidents and was amazed to note that Gold was easily managing two plates, a glass and his cane.
The gang all gathered together for the meal and there was a lot of laughing and talking. Gold didn't have much of a chance to speak to Belle, but he enjoyed listening to her and her friends.
"So what happens now?" The meal was winding down and Gold was clueless as to what to expect.
"When we finish eating, Emma and Neal will be opening their gifts." She gestured toward a long table that was piled high with wrapped presents.
"They're going to open all of them?" Gold was disbelieving.
"Yes. I'll be helping them unwrap the gifts and you'll be here applauding after each one is opened." Belle giggled and Gold thought to himself that he'd never heard such a beautiful sound.
"I can't wait." He actually didn't think he'd mind. He was planning to spend his time watching Belle. That would make the event much more tolerable.
The rest of the day went by too quickly in Gold's opinion. He spent the whole time watching Belle and catching her giving him an occasional look and smile. He never thought he could take so much pleasure from something so simple.
After what seemed like a mountain of presents had been unwrapped, the wedding party gathered back at the front tables ready to call it a day.
"Belle, we're going out for drinks once we wrap up here. Are you coming?" Ruby was all smiles obviously anxious to get the real party started.
"I don't think so, Ruby. I'm exhausted. It's been a long day and I just want to go to my room and soak in the tub for a while. I'll see you all tomorrow for the hike."
"OK. We'll give you a pass this time, but you're not getting out of any other activities. See you in the morning."
Belle turned to Gold. "I suppose you're not going on the hike tomorrow?"
"I don't think I'd be able to keep up with you. But I'll be at Emma's tomorrow night for the tortilla soup dinner. She says it's some kind of tradition."
Belle laughed. "Yes, it's what we used to serve when we had a large group of people over for dinner. It was delicious, filling and inexpensive. Emma thought it would be fun to relive the old days again."
"You must be enjoying getting together with all of your friends. You seem to have a close connection with all of them."
"I've always been close with Emma, Mary Margaret and Ruby and it's been fun seeing everyone else. " She looked shyly at him. "I've also really enjoyed meeting you." She blushed as she said it and Gold wanted to kiss her badly.
"I was dreading this day, Belle, but I ended up having a lovely time thanks to you." He pushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I'm looking forward to spending more time with you this week."
Belle smiled widely at him. "Me too. " She got up to leave and Gold got up with her.
"Let me walk you to your car."
They walked out together after saying their goodbyes to everyone.
"We still haven't fulfilled the terms of our deal." Gold reminded her as they approached her car.
"That's right. I wouldn't want to default and owe you a penalty", she paused for a second and looked suggestively at him, "would I?" She was flirting with him and Gold felt his body reacting to her.
Belle looked into his eyes and saw that they had darkened considerably. Her pulse quickened and she could feel her heart pounding.
"You tell me. The penalty is quite simple, my dear. We can put off the deal until tomorrow, but you'll owe me a kiss today." He moved closer to her.
"That seems fair." Belle chewed on her lower lip and Gold felt his mind shut down as his body took over. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Belle let out a little sigh and Gold pulled her closer to him and increased the intensity of the kiss. She put her hands around his neck and started to run her fingers through his hair. The feel of her hands in his hair made him harden immediately. He tried to move back a little from her but she pressed her body against his and he knew she felt him hard against her. She let out a little whimper and he pulled her closer. Somehow Emma's words about the unicorn came back to him and he reluctantly broke the kiss and pulled away from her. He was embarrassed by how aroused he was and appalled by what she would think.
Belle let out a little moan when he moved away. Her body was in a heightened state of arousal and she wanted nothing more than to feel this man's arms around her and his lips on hers again. She was surprised by these feelings and a little shocked to find herself so responsive to a man she'd just met. But something seemed right about it. For the first time in her life she felt sexually uninhibited and sure of what she wanted.
"I'm sorry, Belle. I don't know what got into me."
Belle felt empowered by Gold's response to her. It excited her tremendously. She traced his lips with her thumb and then leaned forward and kissed him once again. Her whole body was trembling. "Don't apologize." She caressed his cheek and then took his hand in hers. "I want this and I want it with you."
He looked at her not quite registering what she was saying.
"Good night, Mr. Gold."
"Rum..." He barely recognized his voice. "You should call me Rum."
"Good night, Rum." She smiled up at him.
Good night, Belle."
She got into her car and drove away while Gold stood there still unsure of what had just transpired.
