A/N: Thank you guys for taking the time to read and your fantastic reviews, they totally make my day. This chapter is imperative to the development of the story as we know how tough our lovely Regina can be… so that massive fortress of hers needs to be infiltrated. Enjoy!
Chapter 10
Keep On Loving You (Cigarettes After Sex)
The ambiance was intoxicating, Emma's hands were claiming every provoking inch of Regina's waist and lower back; while the brunette's fingers misbehaved under the blonde's shirt, every digit tracing electrifying caresses on her lower back. Regina's kiss was domineering and Emma found herself succumbing to every second of it.
Nothing around them mattered; nothing truly existed anymore. The grace and skill in which their lips teased each other was beyond maddening persuasion… The intense hues of the lights and the scentless smoke enveloped each tempting sway of hips, immorally close… creating a kind of friction that reveled in greed. Regina exquisitely bit the blonde's lower lip making her grin while moving her flushed face to the brunette's neck, nuzzling the delicious and sweaty skin. The raven haired woman groaned as Emma shamelessly tortured her.
At this point they were both impossibly aroused; Emma moved her mouth to Regina's ear and began to whisper, coaxing the brunette with a few suggestive words. As they broke apart the carnal gleam in the older woman's eyes gave her the answer she was looking for; the blonde swiftly laced her fingers with Regina's and whisked her away.
Stealing Regina away felt erotic and exhilarating… the fire this woman ignited within her could burn for eons and never be spent.
Earlier while getting drinks the blonde had spotted a secluded area that seemed to be restricted to the party crowd. The brunette allowed herself to be directed through the multitude with rosy cheeks as she smiled to the floor and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. As soon as they reached their destination, Emma unhooked the velvet rope and pulled the beautiful brunette into the dimly lit area. The blonde boldly pushed Regina against the wall and looked into her dark lustful eyes.
The brunette's smile died with the ache that only volatile lust could trace on any warm blooded creature's face. Their breathing was erratic from the furtive run; Emma's green eyes were transfixed in Regina's sea of glowing coal black, and there she saw just how unguarded the older woman was at the moment, every single brick of that wall seemed to be gone.
The blonde swallowed hard as she contemplated how infinite this woman was by simply looking into her eyes. Their gazes darted from contracted irises to wanting lips; Regina's fingers gripped on the blonde's blouse and pulled her into a searing and ravenous kiss. Emma moaned and bucked her hips forward as she felt the other woman's tongue untamed and deliciously seduce hers.
The taller woman felt her knees weaken as Regina moaned right into and back at her; this time the brunette thrusted her pelvis onto Emma's twice provoking the blonde and making her whimper while her darkly manicured hands gripped on the taller woman's blouse tightly.
Emma placed both her hands on Regina's ass and pulled her in; she then allowed her fingers to travel up the older woman's dress pushing it north with satisfaction. The blonde ran her hand down the back of the brunette's thigh and moved it up as she pried Regina's legs open. The brunette hissed as she felt Emma straddle her.
She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes while pushing her hips forward once more. Emma was losing her mind as she watched this gorgeous woman writhe to her touch; her flushed face began to sweat due to the expanding heat between them. The blonde leaned in and claimed Regina's lips once more, sneaking her hand between their bodies. Fingers expertly roamed amid the brunette's thighs and pressed against damp black lace.
Regina whimpered and clasped Emma's blouse tighter; kissing her with lax restrain. The blonde slowly pushed the soft garment to the side and almost came as she slid her fingers on Regina's soaking wet folds. The brunette broke the kiss with a moan, their lips still almost touching.
"Fuck…" Emma whispered and began to pant as Regina devoutly blew her mind.
The blonde dared to slowly pull back and look at the brunette. The woman before her with tousled hair, faintly red lips and aching eyes so bare and unbidden was all she could see. Regina felt the rawness of the moment and Emma's irrevocable gaze hit her deeply… in that instant she realized the blonde cared more than she should, and that perhaps so did she. This was extremely dangerous territory yet she continued to explore it.
The older woman slid her own hand between their bodies and took Emma's wrist; she then slowly brought the blonde's hand up as she lowered her own leg back down. She teasingly guided Emma's fingers glistening with her very own wetness to the blonde's mouth; the action was sultrily brutal as the younger woman felt her body burn and her axis throb violently. Regina tasted sweet and she was instantly addicted; the brunette erotically gestured with her mouth as she continued to feed Emma with her wet essence, the blonde savored each second as the irresistible and irreplaceable scent of Regina's sex drove her mad.
Yearning, she leaned in and kissed the brunette's lips slowly allowing the other woman to taste herself in her lips. The blonde slid her hand up Regina's dress once more, this time knowing there was no turning back.
Regina smiled looking into her eyes as she stopped her fingers from going further "Not here… lets go"
The blonde nodded and then placed a small gentle kiss on the brunette's lips. "Let me go find Elsa and Anna and then we can go, I'll meet you at the table"
Regina gave Emma a small honest smile and nodded. The taller woman walked away and she threw her head back; letting it rest on the wall. Her eyes scanned the ceiling while she took a deep breath. After touching her lips with her own fingertips she grinned; Emma was the first person she had allowed herself to trust and show vulnerability to in years.
Emma made her way through the small sea of moving bodies and spotted Anna dancing with a handsome young man with a rather large nose. She shifted to their direction as she felt someone take her hand and pull her towards them; the familiar perfume hit her sense of smell quickly, as quickly as she caught sight of deep blue eyes and long mahogany hair. The blonde tensed.
The woman smiled coolly and leaned close to Emma's hearing range "Thank you for coming; I hope you're enjoying yourself"
The blonde backed up a bit and tried to speak over the loud music "Sure thanks… actually I'm about to go so…" She said while looking around trying to locate Anna again.
Belle leaned in once more "Emma look I'm sorry about all this with Killian, I know it's weird and I just- It's not what it looks like"
About twenty feet away Regina ran into Elsa; the blonde spoke a few words to the man who had danced her away all night and left his side with a smile. The handsome male opened his mouth to speak as she walked off, he was left awkwardly scratching his head.
"Regina! God… I'm so glad to see you; my feet are killing me" The blonde massaged her thigh and huffed "That guy was relentless"
Elsa noticed the brunette had a gleam in her eyes she hadn't seen before; she looked relaxed and… dare she say genuinely happy. "Emma is looking for you and Anna as we speak, perhaps we should wait for them at the table"
"Ah yes! I'm exhausted… a chair sounds heavenly"
Both women began to walk towards the table.
Emma had been exchanging words with Belle uncomfortably; the blonde was itching to turn on her heels and bolt. She ran her hand through her hair frustrated "Belle really it's fine… stop apologizing, we're over… we've been over for years! And besides this is not the place or the time" The blonde continued to look around.
The last thing Belle was expecting was for Emma to be this unresponsive; the blonde seemed obviously uninterested and the blue eyed woman grew more and more frustrated. "Look at me Emma!"
The taller woman continued her haunt as she felt her ex-girlfriend crash her lips on hers.
Elsa followed Regina through the crowd concentrated in her aching feet "I'd kill for the chance to take these god forsaken things off" The poor woman contorted her face and stumbled upon Regina who had come to a complete halt.
The blonde looked up "What's -" Her face fell "Oh no…" she finished with a whisper.
The brunette had not been able to hear Elsa's soft words of course; and even if she could the beeping sound in her ears would have impeded her from doing so. Her dark eyes were fixed on Emma and Belle engaged in a kiss; they quickly glazed with tears she would never allow herself to shed. The woman clenched her fists as she swallowed the volatile rage that had taken over her.
The whole thing had been a misfortune magisterially concocted by bad timing.
Regina's lip quivered and her walls shot up; the woman turned on her heels.
Elsa cursed inwards "No! wait Regina don't go" The blonde ran after the broken hearted brunette.
Emma pushed Belle off of her exasperated; successfully breaking the kiss "What the hell Belle?!"
The blonde gave the blue eyed woman her best disapproving glare and walked off. Belle was left with a wondering look on her face while touching her lips; unfortunately for Emma, she wouldn't be the only one leaving this party with Regina's taste in her mouth.
Once the inopportune woman realized what she was savoring, she swallowed broken and irate.
It was easy for Regina to take command of her emotions, at least the part visible to others… no one could tell she was aching yet it was evident she was dead pissed. The beautiful woman took Emma's jacket from the chair and walked towards the exit.
Elsa tried to catch up to her with no avail. The blonde was sore and far too tired; a few seconds later her sister startled her.
"Is Regina ok?" Anna was visibly concerned.
"You know?"
"Yes I know! That bitch totally forced herself on Emma"
"I didn't get to see that part" Elsa dared to take off a shoe and began to massage her foot.
"Neither did Regina actually" The young woman said.
Elsa noticed the man standing behind her sister still holding her hand.
"We should go after her, she looked very upset" The blonde added as she put her shoe back on.
"We should, but what about Emma?" Anna asked loudly over the music.
Elsa took a peek over her sister's shoulder and noticed her friend approaching. Emma's face contorted in wonder
"What's going on? you guys look like someone just died…" She looked around and realized the object of her complete attention was amiss. "Where's Regina, she was supposed to meet us here"
Anna touched her earlobe uncomfortably and Elsa broke the silence "She left Emma…"
The blonde furrowed her brows "What do you mean she left?"
"She saw you and Belle kissing…" Elsa informed her friend regrettably.
Emma's face fell, and suddenly she felt her stomach sink. The blonde buried her face in her hands frustrated at her inappropriate ex. She huffed exasperated and walked away.
Elsa and Anna shared a look and followed her. The handsome guy trailed after them.
Once outside, Emma jogged towards the street and caught a full view of Regina marching down the sidewalk with determination. The brunette searched the blonde's jacket and took the keys from one of the pockets, discarding the leather garment on the ground.
Emma ran to catch up with the woman picking up her jacket "Regina wait!"
The brunette took a deep breath and clenched her jaw as she continued to walk without turning.
Emma quickly caught up with her "Regina please listen to me" The blonde kept the brunette's quick pace "Let's talk about this"
"There's nothing to talk about Emma"
"Of course there is! I'm sorry you saw that, it meant nothing"
"Your friend was next to me, I am simply doing what any girlfriend would" The brunette kept her hurried and determined pace.
Emma shook her head confused "What?! No… I mean I thought we, just stop walking! Let's talk about this" Emma halted as she took Regina by the arm.
The seething woman glared at the blonde and yanked her arm away "There is nothing to talk about"
Regina took off and Emma pinched the bridge of her nose as she watched everything she wanted walk away from her. Killing Belle felt like the next thing on the to do list.
The blonde took a deep breath; giving Regina her space felt like the best thing to do at the moment. She had come so far with the brunette and giving up was not an option. It was clear to her she was far in and deeply falling for her but now… there was no going back; fear was still there but that was to be expected with her horrible track record with relationships, however Regina had taken her breath away in every way imaginable, this woman was not expendable and all though things were currently looking grim; what she saw in those beautiful brown eyes was pure disappointment... she never wanted to be the one to add to the pain that lived behind Regina's gaze; and for the looks of it all she had.
The tall woman kicked an imaginary rock and watched Regina drive away with their only mean of transportation.
Seconds later the trio finally reached Emma breathless.
"Emma… what happened? where is she?" Anna asked while standing next to her sister who now held a pair of shoes in her hands.
"She um… she just left" Emma looked defeated "We should call a cab, she took the car… I'm sorry guys"
Elsa placed a sympathetic hand on her friend's shoulder "Hey it's ok… don't worry about that I never despised Belle more…"
The tall young man interjected politely "I can take you all home if you'd like… it would save you the hassle and crazy rates of a cab"
Anna melted a little inside "Thank you Kristoff… you don't have to"
"Really it's no trouble at all…"
The younger woman looked at her sister and her friend for approval. "What do you guys say?"
Elsa scanned the man and pushed a smile "Alright… thank you" She told the handsome male and then turned to the other blonde "I think you should get to Regina ASAP… come on" Elsa hooked her arm in Emma's and allowed the man to lead them to his car.
Soon after her friends dropped her off at the house, the blonde noticed the car on the driveway. She quickly made her way inside the house and ran up the stairs; when she tried to turn her bedroom's door knob nothing happened.
"Regina… please open the door" The blonde pleaded as softly as she could.
Nothing.
Emma clenched her fist and let her head fall on the frame of the door "Please Regina… we need to talk, I don't want anything to do with Belle… what you saw was a misunderstanding"
Click.
The blonde blinked as a soft smile crossed her face; she turned the knob and entered the room closing the door behind her.
Regina was standing right in front of her with arms crossed.
"When I agreed to this, I never signed up for being humiliated"
"Regina no... What you saw was a mistake, I don't - I… she was the one who kissed me, I had no idea"
The brunette scoffed "And I guess that makes it ok then"
The blonde walked closer to the visibly upset woman "Of course it doesn't… Regina this is all a misunderstanding I don't want her, I was standing there looking for Anna when she just kissed me, if you would have stayed another second you would have seen I pushed her away"
"As I told you before Emma… you got your show, because do not forget… that is all this is" Regina had a sour way with words yet she had never stung Emma before, and truth be told as she saw those green eyes wallow in sadness she wanted to vomit. The older woman took Emma's pillow and blanket and shoved them against her chest "Please get out"
Emma swallowed the desire to cry and so did Regina. The blonde nodded and walked away with a broken look on her face.
The raven haired woman closed the door and sat on the bed; she took off her stilettos and brought her knees to her chest. Being left alone with her thoughts and a violent kind of silence wasn't easy to assimilate but she had to.
A few minutes later Lily walked down the stairs and found her beloved granddaughter sitting on the couch in the middle of the dark.
"Angel face what the hell are you doing here? You look like a burned out lamp"
The loving woman sat next to the blonde and placed a hand on her knee. "Why aren't you in the room with Regina? Are you two fighting?"
Emma took a deep breath "Something like that yes…"
"What happened?"
"She saw Belle and I kissing"
The older woman widened her eyes and smacked her granddaughter on the back of her head.
"Ow!" Emma protested.
"Emma Isobelle Swan… What the hell are you kissing that little tramp for?"
The blonde furrowed her brows and massaged her head "Please don't middle name me… and I didn't kiss her, she blindsided me and Regina saw us… I don't really wanna talk about this grandma"
"Well sweetheart just give her some space to cool off… I'm sure tomorrow you both can talk this through"
Emma gave her grandmother a small smile and nodded; Lily kissed the top of the blonde's head and stood. "Everything's gonna be ok... That girl loves you deeply"
Emma's breath got caught in her throat as she heard the older woman's words. Could it be true?
The older woman left and Emma let her head fall on the pillow; she ran a hand through her stunning blonde hair and scanned the ceiling knowing this would be just another sleepless night.
The morning after; Regina made her way down the stairs dressed and so ready for a cup of coffee, she was glad the enticing smell wasn't just a figment of her imagination. Lily smiled as she saw the brunette walk into the kitchen.
"Bright eyes… Good morning" Lily began to pour some coffee on a couple of cups "Come here and join me for a cup of joe"
Regina smiled and complied; this woman had managed to completely steal her heart in a matter of days just as her blonde granddaughter had.
"Since this is the last day I'm going to have you two all to myself, I was thinking of cooking out… for you and Emma, hell we can even call Elsa and that sweet sister of hers what do you say?"
Regina felt caught between a rock and a hard place; she opened her mouth to turn the woman's offer down but for the life of her could not find the valor to do so.
"Come on… The weather is great…" The charming lady placed her hand on the brunette's and captivated her with the same effectiveness Emma usually did. "I tried that amazing putanessca… and I know it had to be your doing; there's no way in hell my kid could pull that off" To Lily this was more than a simple last minute bonding barbecue… she was just trying to break some of the tension between the couple. "I'll let you lead the kitchen" The woman finished with a smile.
Regina had no choice but to agree. "Alright" Regina added with a genuine smile.
Lily let out a small laugh with glowing eyes as she pinched Regina's cheek "That's my girl... you won't regret it"
The brunette recalled a certain blonde saying same exact words to her a few too many times and this was what everything had come down to.
Emma on her side had woken up and taken a shower while Regina still slept, she had gotten dressed and gone for a ride on her bike even before the sun was up. That was her method of choice when she wanted to clear her mind.
Regina on the other hand spent all mid morning helping Lily make preparations for the infamous barbecue. The older woman had expertly laid out everything that was needed, invited Emma's friends over for a late lunch and cooked five or her granddaughter's back yard favorites. The brunette had been in charge of deserts and whipped up her specialty... apple turn overs made from scratch along with a delicious passion fruit pie.
The raven haired beauty took the stress relieving tasks as the perfect opportunity to think over what she had thought of all night long. The more her mind wondered in endless circles the more frustrated she became… her heart and brain were having an all-consuming battle; the continuous string consisted of internal emotional match, vulnerable to guarded… from feral and wild to calmed and collected, heartbreaking and meaningful to fearful and hardened, yet no matter how hard she tried the loop would always close at the same starting point… Emma, and her ridiculous ability to make her forget all the resilient hacks her father had repeatedly hardwired her with since she was a child. She hated the man for making her a master of self-sabotage… for giving her great capacity of self-flagellation and more than anything for making it so fucking easy for her to push others away in the most tart ways… however now most of those skills seemed to have fled... and she needed them back.
It was now well passed noon; the blonde drove into the opened garage and Regina took a deep breath as she recognized the familiar sound; she moved to the sink and began to wash an array of dirty dishes while her stomach churned. Moments later the blonde walked into the kitchen and filled her lungs with oxygen herself. She saw Regina's back and decided to sit on the table across from the brunette.
Sitting in silence was just fine. The blonde rubbed her lips with her fingers and simply stared at the woman faithfully. Perhaps this was Emma's way of letting her know she was there for her and would not falter, that no matter how long it took she was there to stay and had no intentions of leaving.
Regina was well aware of the blonde's presence yet continued to wash the soapy dishes without turning.
The air in the kitchen was thick and charged with their unmistakable chemistry… both women felt dangerously close to spontaneously combusting but did nothing about it. Emma's green eyes were fixed on Regina while the brunette scrubbed harder and harder until she simply stopped.
The older woman dropped the sponge and slammed the edge of the sink with both hands and scanned the ceiling. "Who in their right mind drives a motorcycle in the middle of winter and doesn't own a car?"
Emma shifted in her seat and removed her hand from her lips; she simply listened trying to make sense of Regina's words.
The brunette turned "Who would be so irresponsible to dangle themselves on a bridge and get thrown in jail for such stupidity?"
Emma noticed Regina's eyes were red rimmed and she quickly rushed to face her. "Regina…"
The brunette gripped on the edge of the counter tightly and swallowed her tears "You are an idiot Emma Swan"
Emma placed both her hands on Regina's arms and tried to calm her "Shh hey hey… Regina it's ok"
The brunette looked into the blonde's eyes almost allowing herself to cry, her crimson lips trembled lightly and she looked down.
Emma felt like her entire world turning; noble green eyes searched for Regina's as she placed her fingers on the raven haired woman's chin "I didn't kiss her… I swear, I don't love her, I don't want her… please believe me"
The older woman bit the inside of her cheek and stared at the blonde with glazed eyes "I do believe you and that's the problem"
Emma grew confused yet realization quickly hit her.
"Regina…" She whispered and smiled. "I know this is sudden and… so unexpected but" The blonde's eyes were gleaming magically.
"Emma this is not me… this doesn't happen to me, I can't let it"
The blonde placed her fingertips on Regina's lips "I know… please don't say it"
Emma caressed the other woman's cheek with the back of her finger "Our trip ends tomorrow night… don't take you away from me, not yet at least… I'm as scared as I know you must be feeling, Regina I'm so inept when it comes to relationships and feelings but… let's just see what happens?"
Emma searched Regina's eyes with wonder and the brunette took a deep breath.
"No expectations… no drama… just please don't shut the door" Emma continued.
Regina considered the blonde's words with her intense and emotive brown eyes fixed on green ones. She didn't want it to stop and that was the only truth.
Regina nodded in silence and Emma leaned in, claiming her provoking lips with the most gentle meaningful kiss they had shared until now.
A/N: This was a very decisive and important chapter to this story, as Regina acknowledges her emotions and Emma realizes she wasn't the only one falling. I hope you guys enjoyed it… I will continue to write some more tonight as I am super excited for the next chapter, I can't promise I'll post tonight but it should be up soon. Please don't forget to review as you guys are the ones keeping this story's heart beating.