Chapter 7
Emma floors it in her yellow bug as she merges onto the expressway headed north towards Michigan. She glances in her rearview mirrors and finds a good speed to keep up with traffic before relaxing into the driver's seat. She drums her fingers on the steering wheel along with the Florence + the Machine song on the radio. She glances over at Regina, her fingers are gripping the door handle like a lifeline, and Emma lets out a chuckle. "You okay over there?"
"Yes, Miss Swan, I'm fine," Regina responds, almost too quickly.
"You know," Emma starts as she goes to pass a semi-truck, "you should probably consider calling me Emma. I mean, if this is a date and all." She checks her blind spot, gets into the left lane and zips around the semi. "Unless you want people to start asking all sorts of questions."
Regina breathes out and says so quietly that Emma almost doesn't hear her, "I guess you're right."
"I am right, yes," Emma responds with a smile. She looks over at Regina. "You really need to relax."
"I would if we weren't flying down the road in this death trap. We could have taken one of my cars. Had Archie drive us. Something."
Emma lets out a laugh and pats the steering wheel. "You seriously have nothing to worry about. My trusty steed has never let me down. She has gotten me out of more sticky situations than I can even begin to tell you about. She's in ship-shape, too. I promise. I don't drive her for anything other than the fact that I love her."
"It's a girl?"
"You're surprised by that?" Emma asks, her eyebrow arching slightly. "Really?"
Regina turns her head to look at Emma, her eyes locking onto those green ones. A small smile comes to her lips before she responds with, "Okay, Emma, I'll trust you… and your girly death trap."
Emma feels her heart leap into her throat as she pulls her eyes from Regina's and focuses back on the road.
"So, whose house are we going to?" Regina asks after a few moments of silence.
"My best friend, August's," Emma answers. "He bought this old house on the coast in New Buffalo and fixed it up. He likes wood-working and carpentry. Sort of a side-job thing. The house is gorgeous and he could see it now and make three times what he paid for it. But he loves it. Our whole group kind of descends upon it in the summer. I think you'll love it." Emma takes a deep breath and looks out the side window at the scenery. "We've been friends for… God, for forever. Grew up together."
"And where was that?"
"Where did we grow up?" Emma glances at Regina and hears her soft 'mmhmm' before she looks back to the road. "Everywhere, actually."
"Very cryptic," Regina replies with a small laugh. "If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay with me, Emma."
The blonde feels chills shoot up her spine at the usage of her name again. There's definitely something about the way it sounds when Regina says it. Her voice is so low, so sexy. "No, it's not that. We were in foster care together. I mean, neither of us had a family. We were each other's family. We were moved around a lot, but fortunately, they tried to keep us together." Emma all of a sudden feels a feather light touch to the back of her hand that's resting on the gear shift. She looks down quickly, sees Regina's fingers, her hand, and then looks over at the brunette.
"I'm sorry," she says softly.
Emma tries to smile but ends up just looking like someone killed her dog. "It's okay. I'm good now." She feels sad immediately when Regina moves her hand back into her own lap.
"I'm excited to meet your friends. Maybe hear a little bit more about you. It's kind of disconcerting that you know more about me than I do about you."
"You can thank Wikipedia for that. And a website called Tumblr."
"Tumblr, hmm?"
"Yes! I was shocked… Whole blogs dedicated to you. It was… it was nice. A lot of pictures. Nice pictures."
Regina lets out a laugh. "I do have a lot of fans."
"Yeah, you do," Emma says, echoing Regina's laugh. "For good reason."
"Oh, really?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I did my research. I watched your shows." Emma pauses and then adds, shyly, "And the movies."
"And? What did you think?"
Emma takes a deep breath, keeping her eyes on the road, when she says, her voice shaky, "I think that you're breathtaking." She can hear the sharp intake of breath from Regina and honestly, it takes everything in her to keep the car on the road.
August has, of course, spared no expense for this party. The food is out of this world, the music is rigged up to the outdoor sound system, there are strands of lights in the trees, and the private beach that runs right up to Lake Michigan is absolutely beautiful. The fire on the beach is roaring and there are beach chairs and large outdoor pillows surrounding it.
Regina is sitting in one of the Adirondack chairs, her skinny jean clad legs crossed, her black strappy sandals sitting next to her in the sand. Emma is standing on the other side of the fire, August on one side of her, David on the other. Bob Marley is on the speakers, asking Is This Love and seriously, it's almost as if the entire playlist was put together to make this night perfect. She takes a long drink from her beer, continues to watch the brunette as she talks to Ruby.
"So, that didn't take long," August says with a smile.
"Yeah, like, what? A month? Not even, right?" David taps his koozy covered beer can against August's and laughs. "Quick-draw McGraw over here."
"Tell us, is it the tank tops that sealed the deal, Emma?" August asks, his eyebrows in his hairline while he downs his beer. "Or the insanely tight jeans?"
"Really?" Emma asks, irritated slightly, but definitely more embarrassed.
David leans his head back and laughs, then slugs August on the arm. "You're such an ass," he comments, still laughing.
August grins, looks at Emma, and says quietly, "It's like that movie, though, right? Kevin Costner. Whitney Houston. Where he falls for her and protects her and loves her and, awww, swoon."
"Yeah, yeah!" David practically shouts. "The Bodyguard!"
Emma shakes her head and rolls her eyes. "You guys are seriously the worst friends ever."
"No, we are the best friends ever." August drapes his arm over Emma's shoulder and squeezes lightly. "You do have some phenomenal luck."
Emma feels her cheeks fill with pink. "It's not like that, though. I just -"
"You like her?" David interjects.
"Yeah."
"That's good," August comments before pushing Emma slightly. "You know I tease you because I love you."
"I know," Emma replies, her eyes filling slightly with tears. "You're still a fucker, though."
"This is very true," he agrees. "Go. Sit by her."
Emma waits a beat before she takes off towards Regina and Ruby. "What are you two talking about?" she asks as she pulls up a pillow and sits down in front of Regina's chair. She leans her back against it, feels Regina's leg press into her side, hears Oasis singing Wonderwall on the speakers.
"I'm just fangirling like an asshole," Ruby laughs. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Regina says softly. "You're adorable."
"Oh, Em, I'm makin' a move on your girl here. You'd better watch out," Ruby comments, pushing on Emma's shoulder with her long fingers.
Emma feels Regina lean forward in the chair, place a hand on her arm, and then squeeze lightly. Emma looks back at Ruby. "I always win. You know that," Emma says, the cockiness just oozing from her words.
"This is very, very, very true." Ruby gives Emma a mock salute and then goes to stand up. "On that note, Regina, I am going to let Emma continue to charm your pants off. I'll catch up with you two later."
Regina lets out a low laugh. She pushes gently on Emma, instructs her to sit up so she can pull her blonde hair from behind her. "Sit back," Regina then says seconds before she starts running her fingers through Emma's hair.
"Oh, my god," Emma pushes out, leaning her head back into Regina's hands. "This is… Holy shit… What did I do to deserve this?"
"You got me out of the house. I'm just a normal person for once. And you keep giving me alcohol. I'm pretty inebriated right now, so honestly? I'm the most relaxed I've been in months."
"My evil plan is working then."
"Yeah, well," Regina starts, pressing her fingers down Emma's neck and onto her shoulders. "Evil plan or not, I feel like I might have the upper hand right now." She pulls gently on the blonde's hair, making her lean her head back even further. "You are right where I want you, after all."
Emma feels the heat rise from her center towards the pit of her stomach. She gathers her self-confidence and responds with, "Maybe you're right where I want you. Ever think about that?"
A low laugh spills from Regina's mouth as she leans forward, pressing her lips against Emma's ear. "You," she says, her breath rushing against the blonde's skin, "are most definitely winning this one."
"Regina," Emma whispers, turning slightly so she can look at the brunette. "I didn't mean it like that."
"I know," Regina replies, her eyes smiling. They sit in silence for a few moments, listening to the fire, Emma's friends laughing and talking on the opposite side of the fire, and the waves from the lake. The sun had recently set, so the sky was filled with oranges and pinks, making it look like a painting. "I never knew the Midwest was so beautiful."
Emma lets out a laugh. "There's more than corn in the Midwest," she says before drinking her beer. "Except for Indiana. Indiana only has corn."
Regina takes a deep breath, lets it out slowly before saying, "I hope this night never ends."
"I know what you mean," Emma replies after waiting a few seconds to answer. Her ears perk as she hears the song on the sound system. She glances over at August and David, both of them cracking up while August pumps his iPod in the air, a sign of victory. Emma shakes her head, looks back at the brunette, and asks, "Do you hear the song?"
"Yeah," Regina answers, a grin slowly starting to spread across her lips.
"August and David think they're being real funny," Emma comments, nodding towards where the two are standing, now joined by Ruby. A streak of courage courses through Emma's body and she clears her throat gently. "Dance with me."
Regina laughs. "What? Right here?"
"Yes. Right here. I've always wanted to dance to this song."
Regina eyes light up. "You always wanted to dance to I Will Always Love You?"
"Yes!" Emma laughs. "The Whitney Houston version! And those assholes think they're being funny and we're just going to capitalize on it and it'll be perfect. Come on!" She turns quickly, gets to her bare feet and holds a hand out to Regina. "Dance with me."
Regina can't look anywhere but at the blonde standing in front of her. She takes Emma's outstretched hand and lets herself be pulled up into those strong arms. "Won't everyone just stare?"
"Let them," Emma answers, taking a couple steps with Regina and then turns to face her. She feels the brunette's arms wrap around her neck, draping over her shoulders as Emma slides her own arms around Regina's waist, their height different much more apparent when Regina isn't wearing shoes.
"Emma?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you really willing to die for me?"
The blonde can't help the small laugh that comes from her throat. She sighs, pulling back to look down at Regina.
"Why is that funny?"
"It's not funny," Emma protests. "It's just… it's my job. Of course I'm willing to die for you."
Regina moves her hand, slides her nails along the soft skin on the back of Emma's arm. "Why did you choose protecting people as a job?"
"Well, I can't sing," Emma pushes out, her breath catching in her throat from the feel of the brunette's nails dragging along her skin.
A chuckle escapes from Regina's mouth this time and she leans slightly forward so she's closer to Emma's ear. "I'm sure you sound okay," she whispers playfully. "But protecting me…?I'm no President of the United States."
"It's a job, Regina," Emma says pulling back again to look at the brunette. "I was trained to not let things get in the way… feelings, emotions, my heart."
"This is probably not at all what's supposed to be happening then." Regina reaches forward with a trembling hand and moves a lock of hair away from Emma's cheek. She pushes it gently behind the blonde's ear. "It's probably making it a lot harder for you to focus… a lot harder for you to keep it professional."
"Well, there's that," Emma starts. "And there's the fact that the more I get to know you, the more I can't imagine letting anything ever happen to you." She presses her hand against the small of Regina's back.
"Has this ever happened before?" Regina whispers.
"No. But," She waits a beat and finishes with, "There hasn't been a woman president yet, though."
Regina leans back, a shocked expression on her face and Emma bursts out laughing. "Oh, you little shit," the brunette laughs.
"Don't worry," Emma says softly after she finishes laughing. "I don't make a habit of this."
"I hope not."
After giving Regina the choice of going back to the ranch or driving an extra 30 minutes to Emma's, the blonde isn't completely surprised when Regina chooses Chicago. Of course, it was only after being reassured that Ruby was not going to be there.
And promising that they would be alone.
Just the two of them
In Emma's house.
To say that Emma is nervous is a bit of an understatement. She tries to keep her cool, though as she hands Regina a glass filled with sparkling water and vodka, a lime hanging onto the side of the tumbler. She watches as Regina takes a sip, looks back at a bookshelf filled with photographs and other memorabilia. Emma then finds a seat on the couch, leaning back and sighing, taking in the very, very nice view.
"Volleyball, hmm?" Regina asks, a smirk playing on those full red lips.
Emma laughs, "Yeah, well, it got me through college."
"You look like you were quite the athlete."
"I was," Emma responds, taking a drink of her own beverage.
"What position?"
"Left side."
Regina looks back at Emma, "You mean 'strong side?'" Emma shrugs her shoulders in response, her face flushing slightly. Regina bends down and looks at a bunch of figurines on the second to last shelf. "Star Wars… I would have never known."
"Why do you think Henry likes me so much?"
"Because you're you," Regina answers without even thinking. She stands upright and turns to look at Emma, her hand on her hip, the other on her drink. "Do you bring a lot of women back to your place?"
"I've had a few back here, yeah," Emma responds. "None of them were as excited about my Star Wars collectables as you, though."
"Oh, I'm sure." Regina smiles. "How long have you lived here?" she asks, motioning around the living room with her drink in her hand.
"I grew up in Chicago. Bought the house right after school. Then, you know, worked my way into the police academy, FBI, secret service…" Emma's voice trails off when Regina takes a couple steps with bare feet towards her. She has her black, sheer shirt unbuttoned to the third button revealing a black bra, and it's honestly all Emma can do to form a coherent sentence. "Ruby has been my roommate since college," Emma finishes, her voice low, her eyes watching as Regina sets her drink on the end table next to the couch and then takes Emma's drink and does the same thing with it. "We, uh, went to college together," she adds softly when Regina's hands land on either side of Emma's shoulders. Her face is inches from Emma's, her brunette hair softly falling over her shoulders. She hears, more than sees, Regina's knees plant themselves firmly on each side of Emma's thighs. "We, um, yeah, that."
Regina lets out a breathy laugh as she's straddling Emma's lap. "That, hmm?"
"Um, yeah, that."
"What's that?" Regina asks, her lips mere centimeters from Emma's ear now.
"I don't fucking know," Emma whispers while her hands slide up Regina's tight thighs and around to grip her backside. "Or care."
"Emma," Regina breathes right against the blonde's earlobe.
Emma snakes her hands up and under Regina's sheer shirt, running her nails along the soft skin of her back. "Hmm?" she asks, her hands sliding up to the clasp of Regina's bra.
"If I asked you to make love to me, would you?"
Emma feels her heart clench in her chest, her panties damped immediately, and her mouth go dry instantaneously. "Jesus," she manages to push out before Regina pulls away and looks into her eyes.
"I need you to make love to me," the brunette says when she moves her hands to cup Emma's face. "Take this fear away."
"Regina…"
And with that, Regina leans forward and captures Emma's lips with her own. Emma wraps her strong arms around the brunette and in one easy, fluid movement is able to stand from the couch. Regina wraps her legs around Emma's hips as they kiss, moving through the house towards the bedroom.
