A corky, crooked grin consumes Emma's face as she's dragged back inside the pitch-black home with the harsh rain slowly fading away from her mind. She peels away her sopping wet jacket while she kicks off her boots and attempts to hide the smile embedding deep into her cheeks.
"You should really take a hot shower to get the chill out of your bones," Regina states in a tone that is all motherly and Emma hates how she's such a fool for this woman when she's looking out for her wellbeing.
"What about you? You're just as wet and I'm sure there's only enough hot water for one shower," she says.
"Are you offering to share my hot water?" Regina teases with a twinkle of mischief flashing in her dark eyes.
Emma steps forward, and she decides that after a kiss as powerful as Regina's, she's going to have to start being her full self around this woman, no more Allison Cameron. She shoves her undercover persona aside and allows the confidence of her normal self to consume her. She grips Regina's hips and tugs her flush against her body and she's in love with the little smirk Regina offers.
"We can share the shower, but no funny business," she declares, narrowing her eyes as her lips ghost over the puffy ones before her, dangling a kiss in front of this woman as bait until she agrees to her terms.
"Honestly, we really won't have much time before the hot water runs out. It's after the shower that you should be concerned with," Regina easily flirts, draping her arms over Emma's shoulders and twirling her wet locks around her finger. "The question is, can you control yourself?"
"I think you know the answer already, I deserve a medal for how long I've been controlling myself around you," she sasses, refusing to connect their lips for a kiss to prove how strong-willed she can be.
Regina slowly drags her arms away from Emma's shoulders and smirks that devious little grin before she sashays away without another word spoken. She uses the light on her phone to guide the way upstairs and Emma immediately follows the woman like the poor little orphan she is, starving for dry shelter and a loving home.
They tiptoe up the stairs, aware of the sleeping child and Emma already notices the temperature dropping with each step she takes. Regina stops outside Henry's door and places her finger against her lips while Emma wraps her arms around her shivering body and nods slowly.
She waits in the hall as Regina sneaks inside her son's bedroom, observing as the white beam from her light glows softly in the boy's room. His mother checks the temperature underneath his mound of blankets and then tucks him in again.
"All good?" She whispers as Regina creeps out of his room before she offers a small nod.
"It's very warm beneath the comforters, he's good," she confirms, smiling softly at the mention of her son before she ushers Emma into her room. "I'm not trying to make this romantic, however, we do need candles in the bathroom to see," she teases as she gathers a few large glass candles from her closet.
"Are you sure that underneath that hard exterior isn't just a big softy and hopeless romantic begging to come out?"
"Bite your tongue," this beautiful brunette sasses, leading the way into the ensuite.
She gently places the candles on the vanity then proceeds to light each one. Maybe it's just Emma's hormones but the way the flames are flickering off Regina's face in the night, somehow makes her even more irresistibly gorgeous. Without thinking, she reaches out for the woman, lacing their fingers together and tugging her against her chilled body once again. She smiles softly while Regina smirks salaciously and they both dive back in for another kiss.
However, this kiss is nothing like the one they shared downstairs in the pouring rain. No, this one is timid, gentle, as if they are fearfully exploring a new world. Emma expertly guides swollen lips apart and tentatively slips her tongue to meet the silky muscle just waiting for her. It's awfully strange how they have only shared one deep kiss, yet this woman already feels so familiar to her.
Regina softly groans and it's all the motivation Emma needs to continue, but there's something swirling around in her heart, firmly instructing her to take things slow. This woman deserves to be worshipped, not tossed around like some hand-me down rag doll. So, with her twitchy fingers, she finds the hem of Regina's thick sweater and gently eases the wet material up her body. Her knuckles skim lightly over each one of those prominent ribs, persuading a broad smile to bloom across Regina's face. And Emma cannot help but smile just as wide back before playfully pecking her lips.
Gradually, so her eyes don't miss a single moment, she pulls the sweater up and over Regina's head, memorizing every inch of this stunning woman. She takes in the swell of ample breasts spilling over the tops of a black lace bra and her mouth goes dry. Regina's perfectly still as Emma drops the garment to the floor, admiring the taut stomach on full display and that adorable belly button that she knows she will tease with her tongue one day.
Very slowly, Regina dips forward and captures her lips again while her fingers fumble for the waistband on Emma's sweatpants. This sexy woman slides the clinging, wet sweats down Emma's bottom before she breaks the kiss and shoves the stubborn material down toned thighs. She deliberately scratches her nails agonizingly light down Emma's thighs and calfs just to tease her. And Emma has a sneaky suspicion that this woman is going to be not only a firecracker in bed, but a teasing sex goddess as well.
Emma kicks the soaked pants aside and guides Regina back up, so she can remove a pair of tight yoga pants from Regina's sculpted legs. She leaves behind the black lace thong, because she needs to see this masterpiece standing tall and fully proud in her matching set. While her eyes are busy drinking in this mouth-watering sight, Regina frees her from the heavy sweatshirt drenched in cold rain and her t-shirt underneath. She had been ready for bed earlier, before she came over to check on her neighbors, so she's now fully exposed, no bra or underwear to protect her from Regina's greedy eyes.
Regina fists her wet hair and brings their lips together again, while her free hand gently glides across Emma's collarbone and over her shoulder like she's desperately trying to memorize her. Emma's heart skips a beat or two. Her sneaky fingers skim across the woman's ribs to unclasp the bra before traveling up her back, so she can peel those straps down Regina's arms. She allows the garment to fall all on its own at the mercy of their feet as Regina dips her tongue back into her mouth.
Regina moans softly into the kiss and Emma knows she's trying to keep her sounds trapped inside her throat. But Emma wants all those noises, she wants to swallow them up and keep them securely locked away in her heart for another rainy day.
The air is bitter cold, but Emma has an inkling that maybe the stiff nipples brushing against her own having nothing to do with the lack of heat, but everything to do with the pleasure pulsating between them.
"We should hurry up and get back by the fire," Regina suggests, stepping out of Emma's bubble to turn the shower on.
"Wait," Emma stops her just before she turns on the water and spins her back around. She curls a wavy chunk of hair starting to dry behind Regina's ear and smiles so softly. "I just need to tell you," she whispers, pecking the woman's lips slowly, "you're beautiful," she murmurs against the full lips, her hot breath warming Regina's insides right up, despite the chill in the air.
"And you my dear, are absolutely breathtaking," she chuckles, her knuckles sweeping down Emma's cheek before diving right back in for another kiss.
Emma blushes profusely and she's so unbelievably thankful that it's so dark and this woman won't be able to detect the insecurities brightening up her cheeks. Nobody has ever told her how beautiful she is, most hookups have usually confessed how hot she is and yes...she would always utter half asleep how pretty she was, but to hear Regina call her, breathtaking, well that's something completely new to her.
"Come on, let's shower," Emma shyly says, tugging the other woman into the elaborate shower, decorated in modern decor with grey tiles and splashes of black.
Regina slides the glass door shut behind them and quickly turns on the water. Emma pulls the shivering woman into her arms as they stand back until the water has a chance to warm up. She cups the back of Regina's neck, her thumb admiring the silky flesh below as she encloses the minimal gap between them. The brunettes's cool hands glide around Emma's waist before her fingertips press into her flesh and drag slowly up her muscular back.
"How are you athletically fit when you sit behind a computer and write all day?" Regina mindlessly mumbles into their kiss as her hands become acquainted with the firm body pressed up against her own.
"I actually work out a lot," Emma honestly says. "In the morning before I start my day," she explains, her lips still moving to mesh perfectly with this woman's.
Gradually, Emma walks Regina under the steady stream and it's not as hot as she would like, but she knows this is hot as it will get under the circumstances.
Regina seems lost, infatuated with running her hands all over Emma's body, but she's avoiding all the sensitive spots that instantly turn her on, yet, Emma is still embarrassingly hot and sticky between her legs from the way this woman is gently caressing her. It's like she's mapping her out, memorizing every detail along the way for another date. It's extremely personal and above all, intimate, and Emma is utterly dazed under the hypnotizing touch.
She suddenly feels this overwhelming sensation expanding in her chest, it's hot and sends shivers down her spine and all her mind can comprehend is this need to protect this woman before her. She wants this woman for once in her miserable life, to feel loved. So, Emma takes her time, kissing this woman softer than she's ever kissed another, except for that one time when she said goodbye, but she shoves that thought away. She cups this woman's face, sweeping her thumbs delicately over her cheeks before her nails drag away, traveling lightly across her collarbone. She proceeds to lightly scratch down Regina's shoulders until her fingers are pressing deep into the tense tissues constantly knotted in her shoulders. She works her away down, shivering with every moan that slips passed this woman's lips as she massages the brunette's back.
However, the water isn't as warm anymore, so they quickly break apart and work in a haste to wash their bodies and warm up their bones before the water runs completely cold. They don't wait for the hot water to run out, instead they quickly jump out and dry off in the thickest towels Emma's skin has ever come in contact with.
She takes a chance and glances through her eyelashes at this beautiful woman, and never has she ever felt so shy in front of another human. There was something far too intimate in that moment in the shower and she is completely aware that something has shifted between them and there's no going back now.
"Come on, I have some sweats you can wear since yours are all wet," Regina offers, and her voice has somehow dropped, maybe from all the kissing, maybe from the lust she feels, but it's definitely the sexiest sound to ever grace Emma's ears.
"Do you have thick, fuzzy socks?" She ecstatically inquires, following a towel silhouette back into the dark bedroom.
"As a matter of fact, I do," she seductively drawls and Emma wonders how she can so easily make talking about socks sound so damn sexy.
Regina uses the flashlight on her phone again to rummage her drawers and closet for her warmest clothes. They layer up, extra shirts and the thickest sweats and two pairs of socks, because the temperature seems to keep dropping and they both are trembling from their wet-heads. Emma borrows Regina's brush and ties her soaked locks into a discombobulated bun while Regina allows her hair to stay down.
Regina checks on Henry one more time, adding one more throw blanket into the mix before she guides Emma back downstairs. The fire is slowly dying out, so Emma piles on more wood and adds some newspapers while Regina refills their glasses. She feels abundantly shy and it's because of the moment they shared upstairs. Kissing so softly while their fingers roamed over every inch of skin so delicately, is far more intimate than sex and now she feels this attachment to Regina in a way that she's never quite felt before. Her heart is hammering, demanding that she stops avoiding love, open up those pretty green eyes and acknowledge what's right there in front of her.
Except, she doesn't want to build this relationship on lies, especially after what Regina had confessed about her past relationship.
When Regina settles down beside her, in front of the fire, she hands Emma a replenished glass of hard cider. The brunette presses firm into her side, attempting to steal what little warmth Emma has because she's visibly quivering.
"Come here," Emma chuckles, setting down her glass beside her and in one sift motion she pulls Regina between her legs. She gathers a blanket to drape over the petite woman and then wraps a larger blanket around her own back, creating their own little cocoon. "Better?" She hopefully asks, slithering one arm around Regina's flat stomach while her other hand reaches for her drink.
"Indeed," the mayor sighs softly, scooting further back into Emma's warm embrace.
There's a moment of silence washing over them, both lost in their own insecurities and apprehension about what all this means for their future, while they slowly sip their drinks that will hopefully warm up their chilled blood. Emma is dying to know what's swishing around in that highly intelligent brain of hers, but she's equally petrified to find out where this one night is leading to.
Maybe because the woman is facing the fire and cannot possibly see her face to detect any lies, but Emma somehow finds the courage to confess a truth about her past, even if it will be surrounded by another bed of lies. She just wants this woman to know the real her before she makes any rash decisions about them.
She closes her eyes and braces herself, stealing one deep breath before she buries her face in Regina's shoulder and confesses. "I...I'm an orphan," she murmurs so quietly that if she wasn't directly behind Regina's ear, the woman would have missed it altogether.
Regina slowly cranes her neck, but Emma refuses to open her eyes and meet that pitiful gaze she knows will be waiting for her. "What?"
"I'm sorry I lied before, but I hate telling people the truth. I hate seeing pity in everyone's eyes when I tell them the truth about what really happened," she whispers, with her eyes screwed painfully tight, pretending Regina's not there at all, staring back at her and silently pleading for her to open her eyes.
"So...you lied about your parents being high school sweethearts and their jobs and-"
"No," she chokes on her own damn words because her nose is tingling and her eyes are burning from holding back her tears. Tears she hasn't cried over her parents since she was a little girl locked inside a closet. "They were high school sweethearts, we did move when I was five and then, one day after they dropped me off at school, they were in a car accident."
"Allison," she gasps, causing Emma to flinch from that other lie of her name and she wants to scream out in agony from being so torn between work and her life.
Her life, she's never had a life outside of work and she wants this life with Regina and Henry so badly.
"They passed away when I was five and I grew up in the foster system. Please, please don't mention this to anyone," she pleads, sniffing away the liquid ready to pour from her face. "I really don't want anyone to know."
"I won't," Regina firmly vows, her warm palm gently cupping the back of Emma's head to hold her close. "But this isn't something you should be ashamed of. Is this why you are so close to Henry? You understand what he's going through, don't you?"
"I do," she quietly admits. "I know that feeling, better than anyone. It's not your fault Regina. There will always be this hole in his heart, burning with questions of the unknown. He's angry and confused and he's too little to understand how lucky he is to have you. One day, he will see things more clearly."
Regina gently dips forward, carefully seeking out Emma's lips and connecting them in the most tender manner. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, barely audible for existence.
"I'm sorry I lied," she slowly backs away from the kiss and peers deeply into those dark eyes shimmering with compassion. "Things are all very complicated in my life right now and I can't completely explain it at the moment, but one day soon, I promise I will explain it all."
Regina certainly appears perplexed, but maybe because Emma confessed something so heavy, she chooses not to pry any further. "Thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share that with me. It really means a lot to me."
Emma nods slowly, squeezing the woman against her front again and Regina happily molds perfectly against her. She rests her chin upon Regina's shoulder and presses a lingering kiss against her neck.
"I really enjoy spending time with you and Henry."
"We really enjoy spending time with you as well. However, I don't want to confuse my son any more and this is all new-"
"Say no more, I meant it when I said I want to take things slow. And I meant it even more when I said, I don't want to hurt either of you. We can keep these little moments between us."
"I actually like the sound of that," Regina hums, in that deep sultry voice that tingles every nerve ending in Emma's body. "Sneaking around, private moments just between us. I feel young again."
"Speaking of...how young are you?"
"Thirty-five. And you?"
"Thirty-two. Thank god, that's probably something we should have discussed right out the gate, no?" She laughs wholeheartedly, earning herself a deep chuckle from the woman cuddled in her arms.
"I suppose, yes. We were preoccupied with more important things though."
"True," she says through a yawn that she fails miserably to cover up.
"Am I boring you, Miss Cameron?"
"No," she whines her protest, snuggling in even closer to this alluring woman that smells so sweet this evening from the fresh shower. "It's late, isn't it?"
Regina hums as she fumbles for her phone beneath their cave of blankets. "I suppose it is just after one in the morning. We can try and get some rest in front of the fire," she kindly offers, already moving to adjust some pillows and blankets.
Regina lays out a blanket, directly in front of the crackling wood, and rearranges the pillows, side by side. She lays down, facing Emma who has yet to move and appears utterly puzzled in the moment. She drapes one blanket over herself and then another before she lifts one end in a silent invitation for the blonde to crawl inside.
"I really should be heading home," she weakly states, standing tall and nervously shoving her hands into the front pocket of Regina's borrowed hoodie. "Thanks for a really nice-"
"Allison Cameron, we are done playing games. Whatever childish fears you have in your head about staying the night, shut them down. We have already established that we won't be sleeping together tonight and that we are taking things slow."
"I know, but-"
"No but's. If you truly want me, like you claim, if you really want a relationship together, then you need to stop running from your fears. You have two choices right now, walk out that door, like you do every night, except this time there will be no more potential us, no more chances, or you climb under here and stay the night and take a step forward for a relationship with me."
"I-" Emma stutters and clams right up. Her palms are sweating, her heart is pounding, her spine is prickling and she feels sick to her stomach, because she knows she wants Regina more than anything and she can't keep running. She's not a child anymore. She has to stop running from her fears of abandonment.
"Five, four, three, two-"
Emma leaps to the ground and crawls under the blankets. "One," she taunts, wrapping an arm around a slim waist and sliding her leg between Regina's. She tugs the smaller woman flush against her body and crushes their lips together for a deep kiss.
"I had a feeling you aren't as blonde as you seem," Regina teases, sneaking one hand beneath Emma's sweatshirt, pressing her hand flat against her back and holding her close.
"Oh shut up," she grumbles, stealing just one more kiss before they both surrender to sleep. And when she thinks Regina's sound asleep, she kisses her temple and whispers, "Goodnight, Regina."