Cupcakes! Hello hello! Oh how I have missed you all! First off can I say, I am so humbled, so many of you have tweeted & tumbl'd (is that even a word?) about this fic! I am so touched! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! To those of you that have said my fic is one of your favorites along side those of the great - Bakers Dozen, Out of Order & Not Guilty - I am truly honored! You are some of the most incredible readers, fans and friends! (And I am also impressed that no one asked if I was abandoning this fic due to the delay in posting! DON'T WORRY - I'M NOT! I am just honored & impressed that you all have that much faith in me! MWAHHH) MUCH LOVE!

Second, sorry about said delay! I could say it was due to Holidays & dates with cute boys but that would only be part of it... This chapter has been the funniest & hardest one yet for me to write! When Inquisitive Dreamer and I took a look over it the other day we realized that it was beyond 14,000 words and not yet finished (Didn't want to pull another 50 page Cabin like chapter on you (; ) ... so, with her help, we have broken it up so that I could post it for you today! If you follow me on TWITTER then you've seen some of the spoilers! (one of them is not in this part due to the fact that we cut it... so you have already seen a sneak peek of part B!) Do enjoy Chapter 4A of Warm Hearts... and be warned the snow may start melting due to some heat in this chapter! (;

Ruffles p.s. this chapter is most composed of one big flashback - read carefully, it's pretty apparent where it starts but i just wanted to let you know & thank everyone who pointed that out in my last update of The Cabin (: It will be my New Years Resolution to make those more noticeable & easy to read/follow!


I Really Can't Stay

A thousand thoughts flitted around in her mind like flurries of snow; however none were as prevalent as the warmth she was currently missing behind her.

Regina's eyes flickered open hazily, to the sight of pure white streaming in from the windows.

The snow hadn't stopped falling all night and somewhere around 2 a.m. it had turned from angry flurries of white fluffy powder, into crystalline shards of ice.

The entire city, from her view point, lying on the overstuffed grey couch in the massive living room of the penthouse suite, looked like it had been frosted over with diamonds. The first rays of light from the sun, peeking out from behind the clouds hit the Seattle skyline just right, making it glow.

She sat up slowly, wrapping the plush velvet robe she was wearing around herself tightly.

She glanced around the apartment. Not spotting what, or whom to be more exact, she was looking for; she stood up, making her way towards the massive windows. If there was ever a perfect personification of a 'winter wonderland', it was the view from the 31st floor. The entire city was sound asleep, the hum of electricity gone, replaced by the soft pitter patter of falling snow and crinkling ice. Seattle was decked out from head to toe in white, icicles dripping from the tall buildings like gemstones, glittering in the light.

When she would receive a copy of the paper later that morning she would see that overnight Seattle had experienced what was said to be, the worst 'Ice Storm of the Decade'. But at the moment she hadn't a care in the world. Her eyes were transfixed, watching the swirling white almost as if it had a magical pull over her. She rested her body against the banister that ran along the inside of the floor to ceiling windows, one elbow propped against the metal bar.

She didn't even register the sound of soft footsteps padding along on the tiled floors behind her until they stopped, mere inches from hers.

Two strong arms went to either side of her, boxing her in lightly against the banister as a deep, earthy scent engulfed her. She felt a shiver ripple through her as she felt a puff of warm air hit the back of her neck, making her hairs stand on end in the otherwise cold room.

She knew it was him without turning. Besides the fact that they were the only two in the entire mammoth of an apartment, she would have been able to tell it was him anywhere. His presence seemed to super charge all of her senses, kicking them into overdrive. She felt like she could actually feel the earth move when she was with him.

His voice was husky when he spoke, rumbling down her back where his chest was touching her and vibrating in ripples across her skin.

"Good morning."

His hand was warm as it wrapped around of hers, pulling her resting arm behind her and up to his mouth.

" 'Morning-" She returned but her voice caught in her throat as she felt his warm lips make contact with the bare skin of her exposed wrist and she let out a gasp, "Ah!"

She faintly heard him ask her something along the lines of, 'how did you sleep', but she didn't answer, for she was to wrapped up in the sensations his mouth was creating upon her wrist and the warm vibrations that were flowing throughout her body.

When his hand let go of hers however, and wrapped around her mid-section, just barely brushing the underside of her breasts-swathed in the velvet robe, his mouth making its way up to the sensitive flesh of her neck, she moaned. Tilting her head backwards, she let it fall onto his shoulder giving him more access. His tongue drew patterns on her skin and she felt her jaw drop open, her eyes rolling back in her head, shutting in quiet ecstasy. When his other hand made its way to her hip, grasping her and pulling her body back, firmly against his, she released another moan, reaching her other arm up, wrapping it behind her head to find his. She ran her fingers through his hair, feeling him groan against her when she pulled him closer.

His fingers grazed over her hardened nipple and she felt goose-bumps pebble over her skin as his mouth made its way up her neck. However when his lips reached her ear and he nipped on her sensitive lobe she had had enough of the teasing.

Regina whipped her head around, surprising him, as she broke out of his embrace, before shocking him again when she planted her lips on his.

It only took him a moment to respond however. She felt the sharp intake of air from his mouth and then his lips were back on hers, kissing her with passion.

His hands were under her in a minute, finding purchase on her backside, squeezing her flesh before hoisting her up. She moaned into his mouth as her legs wrapped around him, feeling his solid warmth under her.

He was walking backwards, but she didn't notice, to preoccupied with exploring every crevasse of his mouth, until he turned them around, dropping them down lightly on to the couch.

The moment he was in a sitting position she unraveled her legs from around him, sliding up to straddle him on the couch.

He groaned as she did so. His hands were around her waist, holding her hips as she shimmied down into a sitting position atop of him.

Her lips broke away from his only momentarily so that she could readjust her robe, which had managed to tangle around her legs. She pulled at the plush fabric which she suddenly found utterly restricting, opening it partially, and the lace of her red lingerie peeking out, so that she could settle down comfortably. The moment that the robe was out of her way, spread out to the sides so that her thighs were free, she reattached her mouth to his, breaking into his lips with her tongue.

He moaned deeply, his hands coming to rest on her ass. From the amount of attention that he seemed to pay to that particular asset of hers, she would be willing to take the bet that he was an ass man.

She wrapped her hands around his neck, her fingers coming to play with his hair again as she ground her core against him.

However when she did so a second time he pulled back, his lips breaking away from hers.

"Regina-" he let out in a breathy whisper.

"What is it," she questioned, her voice no stronger than his, words coming out in discordant pants, "You want to stop, now?"

"I'm sorry."

Regina let out a huff before she could stop it, sliding off of his lap. But as she did so his hands shot out to her hips again, gripping her tightly as to stop her from adding any more friction to his already hardening self.

"It's not like that, I just don't want you to think that this-" He said, gesturing to the almost non-existent space between them, "is all this is about."

"What is this about then?"

The light haired man took a moment to think. Regina watched as his Adams Apple went up and down as he swallowed, trying to put together the right words.

"I don't know, but it surely isn't just about sex. At least not for me this isn't. I can't explain it completely myself, but I find myself inexplicably drawn to you Regina Mills, and not just for your beauty or for your body, but for you."

Just like she had become accustomed to, whenever she was in his presence for an extended amount of time, Regina blushed.

He continued. "And I want to see every part of you mentally first before I ever see you physically."

Regina Mills was a lot of things, a woman, a daughter, a friend, a sister, a godmother, and a mayor. She was used to battling to get what she wanted and putting up fights to do so. She was used to doing things on her own, by herself - for herself. She had always depended on herself since, in the end, she was the only one to get things done. She had always had to be strong. But no one had ever treated her like he did. No one had ever cared for her or put her hopes and dreams first, before their own. The way Robin's blue eyes looked at her she felt as if her insides were melting.

He wanted to get to know her. To learn about her and what made her tick, before he ever slept with her.

That in and of itself made her tear up slightly at the thought, and Regina found herself almost having to break one of her cardinal rules and run a hand up to her eyes to catch her tears before they fell.

She moved backwards, finally disentangling herself from him.

The only place she could think of moving to was back to the windows. She made her way over, standing in front of them, this time her eyes glazing over as she looked out over the snow as he came up behind her.

"Regina, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Robin was at a loss for words. He had wanted to make their first time together special and he hadn't though a romp on the overstuffed couch counted. But his words seemed to have affected her in a dour way.

He walked up to her, his hands itching to hold her against him, however he knew that would only result in a mixed message.

When he saw her turn around, it was only a few seconds too late for him to register what was happening.

Her hands had shot up into his hair, wrapping around his neck and he could just make out the red rim lining her eyes before she kissed him, hard. Tears were streaming down her face. He could just taste the salt as her lips pressed against his fiercely, but tenderly.

"Thank you," She whispered when they broke apart, slightly out of breath, "But why?"

Robin felt his face screw up in confusion, just for a moment, before understanding hit him and he nodded, answering.

"Because, to me Regina you deserve more than that. I don't know what it is, but for some reason I cannot help but to see you as a Queen. Therefore, I feel like I need to treat you as one."

Robin's hands reached out to hold onto her arms as she began to shake, her breathing coming in and out in shallow, teary gasps.

"Regina?" He questioned worriedly.

"Who are you?" She spoke through her tears, her voice slightly cracking. She continued, "Nobody else would have done that."

Finally understanding that she was not crying, -however mostly due to her desperately trying to hold her tears back- due to any unforeseen injury, Robin smiled warmly.

"Well," He said, feeling a wayward strand of her short dark hair move through his fingers like silk as he tucked it back behind her ear, "I'd like to think that I'm unlike anyone else you've ever met before."

A watery smile broke out on Regina's face as he felt her tilt her head appreciatively into his touch.

"That's for sure." she said.

He smiled and she leaned her head forward, capturing his lips softly once again between hers.

It only took a moment for their embrace to become heated again.

Regina lost herself in the feeling. His warm lips on hers made her feel like she was melting. An image of a snowman turning into a large puddle of - in her case - feelings, made its way into her mind and she shook her head trying to get the image to leave her. However in doing so she also moved the rest of her body along with her, resulting in her lower half grinding against his.

Robin broke the kiss with a sharp inhale and a hiss.

"Regina, please don't make me go against my word." He said, his hands tightening quickly around her waist, moving her back from him. "You have no idea the effect you're having on me."

Regina felt her cheeks heat up at his confession, she agreed with an 'Alright' and she stepped back reluctantly, as far as she could, until her back bumped up against the frosted window.

She watched as Robin opened his eyes slowly, pupils dilated and irises darkened. They trailed up her figure, stopping suddenly when they reached her top.

"It might help, if you were to put some clothes on." He spoke, his voice husky. Regina knew what had stopped him. During their very first, hot, make-out session that morning the top of her robe had come undone. Now, the lace of her lingerie that blended into her tanned skin had become exposed.

She knew exactly what kind of effect she was having on him. She'd have to thank Tink.

"Well then I'll need to have a shower first."

"Ugh!" he whined, and she smiled victoriously as he screwed his eyes shut, casting his head away from her, "Don't say that."

"What? That was a perfectly innocent thing to say, it was you who took it wrong!"

Robin hung his head slightly, a smile on his face. "Two doors down, to the left, you'll find towels under the sink."

Regina smiled triumphantly. If she couldn't have him sexually, then at least she knew she could have him thinking about her while she was away, to have him hoping she would stay.

"Thank you," she whispered into his ear before making her way down the hall where he had directed, putting some extra effort into swaying her hips as she went.

xxx

The warm water splashed over her. It would have been a wonderful solution to the missing heat problem in the freezing apartment, however her body was fully flushed from prior activities and now, under the steaming current, and she was overheating.

Regina reached out to turn down the tap.

She could still feel his warm lips on hers. Robin's strong hands around her hips. His moan, as his tongue met hers.

She shivered at the thought.

Her brain was spinning; she couldn't believe that she was there! Everything had happened so rapidly!

The whole of the night before had become a blur.

She let the staccato pulse of the water drum on her back, as she mentally rewound and tried to put the pieces together, to remember what had led them to the events of this morning.

First they had been outside, wrapped around each other in the snow and he had offered her somewhere warm to stay. Then the snow storm had hit, the power had gone out, and she found herself alone with him in his apartment, with nowhere else to go.

Things had certainly gotten interesting.

The first thing she remembered was pulling out her phone.

He had been behind her, staring out of the window as they watched the power go out in each building one by one across the Seattle skyline, leaving it dark, save for the snow. She felt a bolt of nerves ripple through her as she heard him speak from behind her, asking her thoughts on what they should do to 'stay warm'. One idea after another had swam through her mind, however none involved clothing...

She couldn't believe where her mind was going! One look at him and she felt a warmth in her core that she hadn't in... Well years. However it wasn't like her at all.

Did she have a sex drive? Yes. Oh yes. She did. But she wasn't one to be expecting it, nor giving it, after a first date!

She was steadfast in her rules and regulations. As the mayor of Storybrooke she was known by many names. Iron Hand, Ball Breaker, and even by some, The Evil Queen. She was never one to daytime drink or hang on the arm of any man. She never went back on a deal, her word was her bond. But Storybrooke was miles away, and so to seemed to be her rules and regulations.

However, she had decided not to voice any of her promiscuous thoughts, settling for clearing her throat, blushing profusely and grabbing her phone, using it as an excuse to vacate his addicting presence for a moment.

She backed out of the room, turning on her phone. Scrolling through the contacts, she looked for her mother's number in the 'M's'. Realizing that at no time during her and Robin's impromptu date did she think of telling her parents where she was or who she was with. So she thought it best to call them. But hearing her own thoughts Regina nearly rolled her eyes.

She was a grown woman of 30! She had no need to be phoning her parents at every hour to let them know that she was alright! It wasn't like she had done so for at any time in the last ten years. However, there was something about being at home, and being caught out in a snow storm that pushed her to want to make the call. Finding her mother's contact number she clicked it, pulling up her info. But she hesitated.

It wasn't that she didn't want her mother to know where she was or what she was doing. On the contrary, out of the handful of people Regina considered close to her, her mother was one of the few that she trusted. She told her everything, well, eventually... Regina had learned at a young age that there was no point in hiding anything from the woman since she always managed to find out anyway. Cora Mills had a knack for knowing everyone's business, sometimes, even before they did themselves. Regina could never manage to hide anything from her Mother for long. But this time Cora would of had no idea! She wouldn't have had a clue what her daughter was up to, not until she saw her the next day and then she would put all of the pieces of the puzzle together.

No, this time her mother would be in the dark! She didn't know that Regina had gone out that morning to return Robin's coat. Regina hadn't told her. She had only said that she was going out and would return later. Besides, Regina wasn't particularly sure that she wanted her mother to know about her surprise date with the stranger she had met only the day before. She could hear her speech now on "get him before he's gone Regina! Show him what he's been missing!"

But this time Regina held all the cards. She wasn't going to call her mother. Instead she settled for a text message to let her know that she was fine, and that she had found a place to stay during the power outage, that she would see them in the morning.

Regina smiled to herself for her cleverness, but only for a second as the text had done nothing to ease the nerves that we're currently zooming around in her stomach. She closed the door to the room she had wandered into, realizing that she had wound up somewhere in the middle of the apartment that looked like a kitchen. She sighed before she pressed the call button on another name in the 'M' section.

The phone picked up, there was a ring signalling that the call had been received and then a few seconds later there was a soft 'pop' and the bright and chipper voice of her assistant came from the other side.

"Hello? Regina!? Is that you?!"

"Yes, Mary Margret it's me."

"Oh my goodness!" The woman named Mary Margret squealed. Regina had to pull the cell phone away from her ear for a moment to preserve what was left of her splitting left ear drum before returning it to the receiver. "I'm so sorry, hello! I'm sorry; I just wasn't expecting a call from you! Sorry about that! How's your holiday going? Are your parents doing well? Are you calling about work? I assure you everything's going fine over here in your absence!"

"They're doing fine," Regina said, cutting off the overly talkative woman before she could get a jump on her very high pitch and very fast train of thought.

Out of all of the people in Storybrooke her assistant was the last person she would have ever thought that she would be calling in a situation like this. The woman was the complete opposite to her. She had a heart shaped face and a pixie haircut, which made her look like a modern day cherub. She was also unceasingly good and put the priorities of everyone else before her own. That was what made her such a good assistant.

When Mary Margret had initially interviewed for the spot of assistant to the Mayor, Regina had thought it had been a joke.

Surely a little goody-two-shoes, like her was just hoping to land a good job and had no real interest in politics?

Regina had rolled her eyes, slightly looking forward to crushing the younger woman's naive fantasies. However when she had pulled out her resume and list of references Regina had been impressed. Apparently her angelic face and doe-eyes weren't the whole story. Regina spotted her previous work experience and just about did a double take. She had studied for a criminal law degree in the hopes of becoming a cop. However she said, that she had shadowed the profession for a year but she quickly found that she was better suited to working the law from the other side of the aisle. She had an amazing list of past employers, but it was her skills in diplomacy that had sold her. She described herself as a modern day bandit. Able to get information from just about anyone, just like a thief would rob a bank. The woman may look like a fruit cake wrapped up with a bow on the outside, but she sure was cunning and she could chatter her way onto anyone's good side. She could also make a killer cup of coffee. Which was a vital skill to possess.

So Regina had hired her, and she had been her assistant since day one. But it wasn't her office smarts that she was calling her for now.

Regina took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves, before she continued.

"Mary Margret, I'm not calling you to ask about work." She said.

"Oh?" Came the response from the younger woman. Regina could just see the confused look screwing up her round face. "Then why are you calling?" She asked.

Regina swallowed, taking a deep breath. "I'm calling because I need your advice."

"Oh!?" Mary Margret said the surprise in her voice evident. "On what exactly?"

"Dating."

There was a long, dead silence for a moment on the other side of the line. Regina pulled the phone away from her ear just to check that she was still connected. She was.

"Mary Margret, are you still there?"

"Yes! Yes I am!" came the other woman's voice again. "Sorry!"

"What was that? Where did you go?"

"Huh? Oh nowhere! I just- I owed someone a quarter!"

Regina shook her head. "A quarter? For what?"

"Nothing! It's nothing!" chirped Mary Margret. There was a soft shuffling and then the phone seemed to settle on the other side. Mary Margret continued. "So... what is it you need to know?"

"How soon is too soon to... uh." Regina stopped, not sure exactly how to ask. However the pixie haired woman filled in the silence.

"To what?" Her assistant asked, "To kiss?"

"No, we haven't exactly done that yet." Regina stated.

"Oh? Well then to what then? Oh wait! Do you mean?"

"Well I am currently in his house."

"Oh my goodness!" There was another shuffling from the other end. Regina whipped her head around, checking that the door to the kitchen was in fact, still closed. Seeing that it was, she turned back, putting her ear back up to the phone.

"When did you two start dating?"

"Recently."

"How recently?" Mary Margret pried.

Regina swallowed. "Today."

There was another silence on the other end of the phone, however shorter this time and Regina would have sworn she heard a muffled laughter and the sound of money changing hands.

"Mary Margret?"

"Sorry!" She chimed. "Okay, so you've just met then?"

"Well technically we met yesterday. I rescued his son at the tree lighting."

"Aww! How romantic!" Mary Margret cooed.

Regina rolled her eyes. It was just like the woman to skip over the part of her rescuing a stranger's kid and jump straight to the cheesy romance movie meet-cute.

"What's his name?! Ooh! What does he do!? What does he look like?" She continued, sending Regina's mind into a tizzy.

Regina shook her head. "I'm not calling to discuss what Robin looks like!" She snapped, effectively letting her assistant know to shut her trap. When she did, Regina continued. "Mary Margret I'm calling because I'm at his house and I don't know what to do. And you're the only person I could think of to ask."

"Really?" came her soft voice from the other side, "Why me?"

Regina thought for a moment. Why had she called her assistant out of everyone else?

There was her sister and her closest friend Tink that she could have called instead. But no, she had chosen Mary Margret for a reason. For all of the traits that Regina did not envy about the other woman she did have something that Regina herself was sorely missing. A relationship, and a good one at that.

Ever since she had known her, Mary Margret had been dating one man. He was a cop, and soon to be sheriff of Storybrooke and they had gotten married just last fall. She had been at the wedding; however she had arrived late, but after apologizing she had got to see the most beautiful part. The moment that the bride walks down the aisle and the soon to be husband sees her for the first time.

It was then that Regina realized why Mary Margret was so adamant about love, true love, being real. Regina had always believed that it was only something written about in fairy tales, which it was meant to inspire children to hope and to believe, but it never really happened. However it was clear as the sky was blue, when Mary Margret walked down the aisle, that that man was madly, truly and deeply in love with her.

From her spot in the second row she could see it surely in his eyes. His whole being radiated love for the small, pixie haired woman. Regina had never been one to cry before at a wedding, seeing that she hadn't been to many - but, she had shed a single tear that day watching as they made their vows and pronounced their love for everyone to see.

She wanted that.

She wanted a relationship like the one Mary Margret had with David. A beautiful and true love that was as pure as snow. Though she didn't particularly care for all of the heart eyes and public displays of affection, which only ever made her stomach, wrench and made her wish she had some magical affinity to be able to stop them. Maybe fire balls? She still wanted what they had. The connection they shared.

It was one that could not be broken, by time nor strife. It was infinite and it was beautiful and she wanted it.

She cleared her throat, shaking her head to derail her train of thought, and she spoke.

"Because," she answered softly, "You and David have the best relationship that I know of, and... I -" she paused. She knew why she had called, she needing someone to tell her that what she was feeling was okay. That she wasn't going crazy. That the emotions, that were currently bubbling up in her stomach, whenever she thought of Robin were normal.

She had called Mary Margret to hear her advice, but she had also called so that she could voice her thoughts aloud to someone other than herself!

She continued, "I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about this guy."

There was a sound from the other side of the line. Regina would have sworn that she heard her assistant cooing softly and then the sound of a sniffle, before she spoke again.

"Well what does you mind say?"

"My mind says jump into bed with him right now!" Regina blurted.

Mary Margret only laughed. "That's normal. Attraction is good, but I wouldn't suggest jumping straight into his bed after the first date it if you want this relationship to last." She stated before asking. "Do you want this relationship to last?"

Regina thought long and hard for a moment. She let the events of the past two days wash over her. She had met Robin not even 48 hours ago. It was a once in a lifetime chance, a lucky shot, she had just managed to be in the right place at the right time. But there had been something about him, even then, that had drawn her to him. Before she knew that he had money, before she knew that he was the most spectacular and chivalrous kind of guy that she had ever met.

There was something in his gaze, something that made her want to stare at him and get lost in his eyes. There was something about the way in which he held her, and when he spoke, there was something about his voice, and what it did to her.

"I do," she whispered at last. And then Regina knew what to do, without even needing to hear the rest of what Mary Margret had to say.

"Well then maybe kiss him first."

She was about to comment, to tell her that that was exactly what she was thinking, however at that moment there was a soft knock from behind her. She turned around just in time to watch as the door handle moved and the kitchen door opened.

xxx

Robin had been standing watching the snow fall for about fifteen minutes by himself before he decided to go looking for the brunette that had excused herself from him.

He wanted to give her time and space, in order for her not to feel like he was putting any pressure on her at all.

It was strange enough that they had met just the other day and he had instantly felt something towards her. He wasn't sure what it was. She was beautiful, that he was certain of. Her dark hair and her red lips had been the first things he had noticed about her when he had seen her on the side of the street with his son.

After that it had been her voice and the way she talked that had entranced him.

He wasn't usually one for shorter women. He usually dated models, tall and of the stick like sort. But Regina was completely different. She wasn't short per-say but she was a few inches lesser then him, however he found that he liked the difference, seeing that it forced her to look up whenever their eyes connected, causing the light to dance and flicker through her chocolate eyes.

As well, she was no stick. She was thin yes, and fit he could tell, but she had curves that went on for days. The way her hips felt in his hands was enough to make him feel like he was turning into a bowl of Christmas jelly.

Furthermore she held herself highly, and regally, further shortening the distance between them.

She held herself tall, as if she were royalty and she walked in a way in which hinted that she thought so too. Robin smirked, thinking of the way in which she had stalked out of the office that morning, when she had seen him with Marian.

She had been upset yes and he had been worried, running after her in the hopes not to lose her again, however for a moment he had been still, bewitched by the way her hips swayed in her dress as she walked away.

She was stunning, but it was more than that, which attracted him to her, and she was becoming even harder for him to resist.

He went in search of her, looking around the vast apartment, peeking his head into the rooms, until he heard a noise emanating from under the crack between the door and the floor of the kitchen.

Walking over to the entrance, he paused, putting his ear up to the glossed wood.

He could just make out her voice, muffled behind the door, as if she were talking to someone or something.

Realizing that she must be talking to someone, however knowing that there was no one else in the suite, he presumed that she was speaking to someone over the telephone.

He nodded his head in understanding, trying to give her another moment to wrap up her conversation undisturbed, however he pressed his ear closer to the door in the hopes to over hear something that she was saying.

"My mind says jump into bed with him right now!" He heard her say.

Robin snapped his head back. Was she talking about him?!

He felt a bolt of heat shoot straight through him, electrifying every part of his body as it did.

He had been attracted to her before, wondering what she would look like with just her red lipstick on, but now he was fully lusting after her.

Robin pressed his ear up to the door again but now he couldn't hear a thing. Her voice had quietened and he took a deep breath, calming his excited nerves and raging heartbeat, and he knocked on the door gently.

When he was met by silence he pushed the door open slowly.

There behind the large wooden door stood Regina in the entryway. Her back was to him, but she was spinning around, skilfully sliding the phone that was in her hands down from her ear and into her pocket.

Robin smiled at the failed attempt at stealth; however he said nothing, choosing to mention something different instead.

"Hungry M'lady?"

At her confused look he nodded his head, gesturing to the rest of the kitchen that they now found themselves in. She smiled when she understood, nodding back.

"I was just thinking," she said, her voice distinctively lower than it had been before she had left him, "If we're stuck here, and it's going to be a snow day, why don't we keep up with tradition."

"And what tradition would that be?" he asked, feeling his eyebrows knot into confusion.

Regina shrugged, "Hot chocolate?"

Robin just about laughed. He liked this side of her.

She was beautiful and smart, he garnered from the way she spoke and held herself, however she was funny and witty and seemed to have no end for her appetite for food.

He bit his lip in order to keep him from busting up. He could see from the look in her eye that she wasn't joking. Walking forward he stopped dead in front of her. He heard more than felt her breathing stop, watching as her eyes connected with his before they dropped to his lips.

He felt his pulse spike as he saw her lashes lower, covering her eyes in their long veil of black. He had to swallow to keep his voice from cracking as he spoke.

"Cups are behind you. Cocoa is over there," he said, pointing to the right where the top cabinet was.

She tilted her head, following his finger, and Robin watched the change in her visage with fascination.

"And the cinnamon?"

Robin blinked, confused. "Cinnamon?" He asked.

"For the hot chocolate. A friend once showed me it, and now I can't stop putting it on top of the drink."

"Ah!" He responded, intrigued by her unique habits, "Well, in that case, same cabinet, lower level."

Robin watched as Regina smiled, moving out to go around him and to grab the ingredients. He reached up, looking for two mugs. Finding them he brought them down, setting a kettle of hot water on the stove to heat up.

Once the hot chocolates were made, he let her take them, doctoring both with a sprinkle of cinnamon and taking one for herself while handing him the other.

Robin sighed when the warm liquid hit his throat. It was delicious, and the cinnamon definitely added an extra kick. He hadn't realized how cold it had gotten in the penthouse until then. He was shivering slightly and would hazard to guess that she wasn't fairing much better either. He knew they were going to have to change into warmer attire soon if the power still remained out, in order to stay warm, however he wasn't quite sure how to approach the topic so he didn't. Choosing to enjoy the moment with her in his kitchen he took another sip of his drink.


i do hope you have enjoyed part one... if it wasn't steamy enough for you ( Kincaid1027, Praewa, Aria, Guest, anacferreira, d'evilregal, AddieGreysPPPEvilRegal , Laura- Mai, Fand09m, LucyTheMarauder, Zoe Louisey, MonicaHoodMills, NicoleLeeTV, DeannaMolinaro, stephaniemichx, LucileCJt.. and anyone else I have missed!) WELLLL, just wait for part B!

Guest - whoever you are that said "OH GOOOOOOOD, my brain just turned into a stack of melted marshmallows..." you made me laugh for 10 minutes straight I kid you not! Let me know who you are/give me a name to call you! Yo made my day(;

RedBlackandLights - Roland is coming! And you may be on to something there(;

andrea - Sir Dimples is coming I promise!

hevelinchris - Thanks for your review! I hope I answered your age question! Regina is 30, Robin's a few years older.

RoseRed - you will find a man that is perfect for you all in due time, for now focus on being an amazing lady, be confident, kick butt & be unapologetic-ally you & incredible men will be attracted to you!

LucyTheMarauder - Seattle truly is beautiful! I was just visiting all of the places in this story yesterday & have posted pics on Twitter!

Thornspike - first, I always read your name as Thorinspike instead of Thornspike! ha, i blame Lord of the Rings! Second Your comment inspired a line in this chapter (or maybe part B - I can't remember! But I used it because you made me laugh with that comment(; Thank you!)

can't wait to read all of your lovely reviews! they really do make my day! see you soon! x