For a moment, Regina was sure she didn't hear that correctly. Surely, Emma hadn't just suggested….
Had she?
Regina stiffened. Felt her mouth pop open. No, that could not be. She was well aware that they had reached another milestone today, but in spite of that, she was still not ready to have sex, and if she had to explain that to Emma, she honestly would get a bit disappointed. She thought that Emma understood.
Perhaps she had been sending Emma signals. She probably had. What had she been thinking of, all that kissing and touching right before bedtime? She wasn't surprised that Emma had misunderstood. Anyone would have.
"I won't touch you," Emma said and interrupted her train of thoughts. She shifted slightly next to Regina, and her voice was very sincere as she continued: "I won't even lay close to you if you don't want me to."
Slowly, Regina turned her head and looked at Emma. Raised one of her eyebrows. She didn't understand what Emma meant. For once, Regina was the one who needed a translation and not the other way around.
"I can see that you're frustrated," Emma said gently. There was that patience Regina knew and loved. "And if this had been one of our dates, I would have called you once you got back to your own place, wouldn't I?"
Well…. Yes. She would have. Regina nodded in confirmation.
"I can't do that right now," Emma continued. "But I can help you. If you want me to."
Yes, Emma had already offered to help, but Regina still didn't understand how she was planning on doing that. Feeling slightly frustrated, she frowned. She didn't like not understanding.
"You could close your eyes like you do when I call you," Emma murmured and gently brushed her thumb over Regina's knuckles. It felt very soothing. "And I would close mine too. I won't touch you or look at you. I would simply use my voice to bring you pleasure. Exactly like I do after one of our dates."
Oh! Regina bit her lip when she realized what Emma meant.
"But it's only a suggestion," Emma said softly, hand brushing over Regina's knuckles again. "It's not something we have to do if you don't want to, Regina."
Regina let it hang in the air as she considered it. Usually, there was a phone between them when they did this. What Emma was suggesting was completely new and different. The two of them laying side by side with their eyes closed.
Regina felt a bit vulnerable. Obviously, she trusted that Emma wouldn't touch or look at her if she was to take her clothes off. It seemed terribly selfish of Regina to expect that of Emma, but she simply wasn't ready to be looked at. Or touched. Not yet. Familiarizing herself with her body took time. She had come a long way, but she still wasn't quite there yet. She still needed her body to be hers a little while longer. Still needed time before sharing it with Emma. At least physically. The experiences they had shared was on a completely different level.
Regina thought about it. Emma was right. Had this been a normal date night, they would have ended this over the phone. Like they so often had. They couldn't do that here, but as Emma just had pointed out, there was other options. Different options. Options that involved the two of them in the same bed. No phone between them. They would be more together than they ever had been before.
Regina checked herself. Did the thought of them in the same bed feel daunting? Did the idea of taking off her clothes while Emma was lying next to her made her feel uncomfortable?
She quickly reached a conclusion.
No. It did not.
For one simple reason.
She trusted Emma. If she had said that she wouldn't look at Regina nor touch her, Regina believed her. Emma would never betray her trust like that.
She shifted in the bed. Still had that feeling swirling low in her gut. God knows she needed release. Her intention had been to go to the bathroom and take care of things (which would have been a first too, she had not touched herself without help since a long time before everything… happened), but now that Emma once again was offering her help, perhaps that wouldn't be necessary?
Regina had to be honest with herself, she really wanted this. Saying yes wouldn't be selfish when Emma had offered.
Making her decision, Regina quietly tapped her fist against the nightstand twice. Exactly like she would have if this had been one of their regular dates.
"Yes?" Emma asked, and Regina noted that she had not turned her head.
'Tap-tap', Regina repeated the action, once again giving her yes.
Emma immediately shuffled away, giving Regina some space. "I'll close my eyes, and you'll signal when you're ready, okay? I won't open my eyes at any point. I promise."
If there was something Regina believed in, it was Emma's promises. She didn't even look at Emma to check if her eyes were closed. Of course they were. She licked her lips and noted that her fingers were shaking slightly as she unbuttoned her pajama shirt. But the tremoring had nothing to do with uneasiness. No, she was excited.
She slid the pajama shirt down her arms, slipped them through the sleeves and then let the shirt fall onto the floor right by the bed. Next were her pajama bottoms. She lifted her hips as she slid them down. Then putting those on the floor too. Now there was only her underwear left. Her breath caught as she slid those down her legs and them fall onto the floor as the last article of clothes she had been wearing.
Now she was very much naked. Which could have been a vulnerable state to be in. But it wasn't. Regina wasn't the least bit fearful. She didn't even slip under the covers. Didn't feel the need to. She took a shaky breath, but again, not because she was afraid. But because her body was still on edge. Certain parts of her was still aching for touch. For release. A release that Emma once again would give her…
She licked her dry lips. Closed her eyes and then tapped the nightstand twice once more. 'Tap-tap'.
"Hi, lovely," Emma greeted her. Exactly like she would have if this had been one of their phone calls. "Are you comfortable?"
Tap-tap. Yes, Regina felt quite comfortable.
"Are your eyes closed?"
Tap-tap. That too.
"Good. So are mine. And they'll stay that way. Are you undressed?"
Regina tapped the nightstand twice again. She was very much undressed.
"Okay," Emma said, voice a little hoarse now. "Take a few deep breaths, yeah? In and out."
Regina loved that Emma always started with that. The deep breaths was such a good way to 'ground' her and make her feel that connection with her body she had lacked in the past. She breathed in slowly. In and out. Felt her chest rise with each inhale and fall with each exhale. Again. Inhale. Chest rising. Exhale. Chest falling. She felt connected to her body. Felt how much it belonged to her. How much she was the one in charge over what happened to it. With Emma's help. They were doing this together.
"Yeah, that's it," Emma said. "Are you ready to feel good?"
Tap-tap. A bit harder against the wooden surface this time. Because she was eager. And more than ready to feel good.
"Very good. You know how happy it makes me when you let me help you with this. I love it. I love that you trust me so much. I love you," Emma said, pausing briefly as though to allow it to sink in.
And boy, did it ever sink in. The words had Regina shivering slightly, acknowledging that this would be the first time they did this after declaring their feelings for one another. That was special. Well, of course this experience was special every single time, but Regina had a feeling that it would be a little extra special tonight.
"Now, start by slowly running your fingers down your right arm," Emma continued. "From the top of your shoulder and all the way down to your fingertips."
And so the sweetest foreplay began. Regina sighed happily as she slowly ran her fingers down her right arm. Starting at the top of her shoulders and slowly making her way down to her fingertips. Making sure that no part of her arm was left untouched. This was what Emma had taught her. Not to neglect any part of herself. To pay special attention to every part, no matter how small or insignificant she felt they were. They wasn't. No part of her body was small or insignificant. She knew that now. And she had come to appreciate how soft the skin on her arms was. How her muscles flexed when she touched. How she could feel the strength in them. She had even come to appreciate the fine hairs on her arms she once had felt so very insecure about. The goosebumps pebbled on her skin, and that was perhaps the sensation Regina appreciated the most when doing that. How she could make herself get goosebumps when she touched. She could not have asked for a kinder, more patient and gentler guide on this journey to re-connecting with her body and learning to see it as more as just a shell that somebody else had broken.
"Yeah, like that," Emma said softly. "Now do the same to your left arm. From the top of your shoulder and all the way down to your fingertips, beautiful."
Easiest thing in the world. Regina slowly ran her fingers down her left arm, enjoying the sensation it brought her and felt how the goosebumps pebbled on her skin once more. By the end of this, she would be covered in goosebumps. But that was alright. She let out a sigh of pure relaxation. It was entirely possible that this was her favorite thing in the world.
"Now use the tip of your finger to trace along your collarbone. Slowly, of course. Don't rush it."
As Regina traced her collarbone inch by inch, she thought about how much she appreciated the reminder to take it slow. Emma was so good at reminding her to be gentle with herself and show her body the respect and care it deserved.
She squirmed a little bit as she touched her collarbone. Smiled ever so slightly. She was a bit ticklish there, and it never failed to amuse her. She couldn't wait to someday share that secret bit of information with Emma.
Once her collarbones were sufficiently covered with goosebumps, Regina let out another soft sigh. She had a feeling that Emma would recognize that sound as being the signal for 'more' tonight.
Emma did. "Caress your stomach, lovely," she said hoarsely. "Slowly. Use only your fingertip to draw a line all the way down and then up again."
Oh gods. Every touch felt better than the previous one. Draw a line all the way down and up again, meant from just above her belly button and down to where shortly cropped curls met soft skin. It was temping to slide her fingers lower, but not yet, Regina reminded herself. Slow. Go slow. That was what made this so wonderful. She reveled in how her stomach muscles contracted when she touched. But not because she was ticklish. This was all about lust. About the anticipation of knowing what would happen. But of course it was also about appreciating herself. Loving herself. Showing yet another part of herself respect and gratitude. Because really, her body was amazing. Capable of so many things. Giving life. Feeling. Surviving.
"Yeah, that's it," Emma breathed. "Doesn't that feel amazingly good, beautiful?"
This time, Regina tapped the mattress twice. This was the kind of question that needed more response than 'just' a sigh.
"And you deserve it," Emma said softly. "All of it. You deserve to feel good. Now stroke your right inner thigh. Remember to go slow, babe. It's about feeling the most pleasure, not the endgame."
Her fingers slipped slightly on the soft skin. She was wet there. Wet and slippery. Regina moaned. She hadn't expected herself to be this wet this quickly, but really, this shouldn't come as a surprise to her. Emma's words combined with her own touches always made her feel this way. Every single time. The muscles between her legs tensed and Regina's fingers slipped again. She was growing wetter.
"Now switch side, gorgeous," Emma gently suggested. "Caress your left inner thigh. Feel how soft and smooth you are."
She was soft. And smooth. And very, very slippery too. Regina moaned as her fingers for a moment came closer to the spot where she was the warmest. She didn't touch, though. Not yet. Not until it was time. It felt a little bit like teasing, but it was the sweetest type of teasing. The kind that didn't leave her frustrated. Only anticipating and eager for more.
"Now slowly run your hands up your stomach again," Emma croaked, voice breaking slightly. "All the way up to your chest."
Regina pulled the air in between her teeth as she did as suggested. Her stomach muscles twitched again. Core clenching and inner thighs growing slicker. When she reached her chest, she hissed. Her fingers itching to touch her breasts.
Emma knew that. Of course she did. "when you feel ready, cup your right breast. But only when you're ready. Take your time, sweetheart. Be good to yourself. This is for you. And only for you."
Regina moaned again. Sharper this time as she as she cupped her breast. God, that felt good! So, so good! She couldn't resist giving her breast a tiny little squeeze. Just a small one.
"That's right, beautiful," Emma whispered. "Start kneading your breast slowly. Yeah, just like that, I know how much you like that. And move your other hand down a bit. Circle your navel."
Oh god, she loved when Emma asked her to use both her hands at the same time. She kneaded her breast again while circling her navel. Her toes flexed. Then curled in that particular way. A well-known sign. It felt like her skin was burning. And the fire had started in her core. She felt herself straining. The muscles in her neck flexed. Her legs parted slightly. Her palms were growing slightly clammy. She could not keep still and heard the mattress creak as she moved.
"That feels so good, doesn't it?" Emma murmured. "You are wonderful, Regina, you are so, so good at being good to yourself!"
It feels so good. Regina wanted to tell Emma that. Even tried telling her. The sound coming out of her mouth was a moan. But if you paid careful attention, you would be able to hear the tiny and barely audible 'good' hidden there.
"Don't hurt yourself, beautiful," Emma said gently. Perhaps she had heard. Or perhaps she simply knew that Regina was straining.
Regina gave a frustrated huff. What she wouldn't have given to share her feelings in words right now.
"Touch your other breast, babe," Emma rasped. "Start by slowly touching the underside of your breast and then work your way up to your nipple."
Every part of her breast was so sensitive to her touch. But the moment her fingertip came into contact with her nipple, the breath nearly exploded out of Regina. Her toes curled and her core clenched again. She was aching to be touched there.
"Take your nipples between your thumb and index fingers and give them a very light pinch," Emma breathed. "Gently. Don't apply too much pressure."
That particular touch had Regina's thighs trembling slightly. As they always did when she was reaching a particular point in her excitement. Her head lifted from the pillow and her back arched and made the old mattress creak again. She moaned deeply. Didn't try to speak this time. Simply expressed her enthusiasm.
"Now roll your nipples between your fingers, beautiful," Emma rasped. "I know how much you love that. I know how good that makes you feel."
Oh god, did she ever love that! She 'mm'ed!' without fully knowing how she had managed as she rolled her nipples between her fingers. Slowly first, then slightly quicker. She pressed her legs firmly together, allowing herself to get some friction where she needed it the most. The pressure had her moaning and tossing and turning. "You're amazing, Regina," Emma whispered. "You are so, so beautiful! And you deserve this so much!"
Yes! Yes, she did. Regina knew that she deserved this. That she was worthy of this. That her body should be treated with kindness and love. She rolled her nipples faster and felt more wetness emerge from her core. She was soaked and warm and a little bit dizzy.
"Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful," Emma chanted. "God, you're amazing! I love you! I love you so, so much, Regina! Massage your breasts, beautiful! Make yourself feel good!"
Regina panted and her hands trembled on her breasts. Or perhaps all of her was trembling. She moaned and acknowledged that the sound was a bit more high pitched than before. Was she growing desperate? Perhaps. Her body certainly was working on its own. Her hips wiggled uncontrollably and made the mattress creak again. Regina couldn't have cared less about the sound. She was completely in the moment. Completely wrapped up in the delicious pressure in her core.
"Are you ready to feel more pleasure now, beautiful?"
Regina slammed her fist against the mattress four times. Yes, yes, yes! She was more than ready! Honest to god, it felt like she would die if she didn't soon touch herself where she needed it.
"Good," Emma said hoarsely. "The slowly run one hand down your stomach. Go slow and take the time to circle your navel."
Regina's hand trembled uncontrollably as she moved it away from her right breast and slowly down her stomach. She circled her navel. Hissed and thrashed about in the bed. She hadn't realized how much she had moved until she felt her shoulder brush against something. Emma. She didn't move. Neither did Regina. This touch wasn't enough to throw her off. It didn't feel scary. It felt good. Knowing that Emma was right there if she needed her.
"Go a bit lower now," Emma breathed next to her, and Regina was sure her shoulder trembled slightly against her own. "Caress your lower abdomen, babe. Feel how the muscles clench when you do it."
Her muscles absolutely did clench when Regina brushed a hand over her abdomen. First using only her fingertips and then the back of her hand. Her belly button pulled inwards as she did so. More goosebumps pebbled on her skin. She couldn't hold back a whimper. That felt really good! But still, it wasn't quite enough. She was nearing her target, but she wasn't quite there yet.
"Spread your legs, gorgeous," Emma half-moaned. "And slip that hand lower now, you're ready for more!"
Regina stopped thinking all together as she finally, finally let her hand drop lower to the place where the tight curls were wet with her arousal. Only the slightest touch had her struggling to catch her breath. She moaned. Her spine curved as did her hips. Up to meet her hand. She could hear Emma next to her. Her breathing was rapid too. It was clear as day that she was feeling the same as Regina did, and suddenly Regina yearned for contact. Physical contact. Not just Emma's voice guiding and loving her. But more. She outstretched her free hand and searched. Tried to find…
"Stroke yourself," Emma hissed. "Up and down. Go slow, go slo-oh!"
The exclamation came because Regina had just found what she was looking for. Emma's hand. She let her fingers slip between Emma's and gave a little squeeze.
"I'm here, Regina. I'm right here with you. We're doing this together, you and me."
Regina knew that. And that wasn't what this was about. She had simply wanted to hold Emma's hand. Had wanted to feel close to her in a way that didn't made her feel uneasy. A way she knew and recognized as something good. Something safe. But now she wondered if it was okay. If it perhaps was too much. She let her hand grow limp and debated whether she should pull it back.
"It's okay," Emma quickly assured, once again soothing Regina's fears like so many times before. "I don't mind that you hold my hand. I actually love it, I feel... I feel so close to you!"
Regina gave her hand a little squeeze. Then concentrated on her other hand which still was nestled between her thighs. Her hips wiggled as her pelvis pushed up against her hand to gain more friction.
"T-touch your clit," Emma breathed. "Give it a very light touch. Use only the tip of your finger!"
She touched. Her abdomen twitched. Her toes curled. The hand in Emma's went limp. The haze of pleasure swirled around in her mind. She was halfway to heaven but somehow still managed to return the squeeze Emma had just given her hand. Then she moaned. That and the sound of the mattress creaking under her was the only thing breaking the silence in the bedroom. And Emma's labored breathing, of course.
"Yeah, that's it," Emma murmured. "Touch yourself. Just like that, Regina! I love hearing you!"
Regina's body twitched. She felt her fingers being squeezed gently once more. She couldn't squeeze back.
"That's it, that's it, I'm right here. Tease yourself a bit now, circle your entrance slowly, feel how wet you are, beautiful!"
Regina let out another deep moan as she teased herself. She still couldn't return the squeeze. Her sole attention was on her other hand. Her pelvis lifted once more to meet her hand. There was just something about this slow teasing that drove her nuts in the most delicious way possible. And Emma knew that. It was mind boggling. She had never touched Regina, and yet she knew exactly what to say. What to suggest.
Regina dug her heels into the mattress. Strained the muscles in her legs. She was unable to keep still.
"Y-yeah," Emma breathed almost in her ear. Their shoulders brushed together again. "Exactly like that, beautiful! That feels incredible, doesn't it?"
More than that. She squeezed Emma's hand in an attempt to give her some kind of answer.
"Touch your clit again," Emma moaned, and the sound made Regina climb a little higher on that metaphorical ladder. "Rub it slowly, up and down! You know exactly what to do to make yourself feel good, babe. You have all the power, now use it! Make yourself feel amazing, Regina!"
She did have that power. And she was going to use it! She could barely breathe as she rubbed her clit. Her body twisted and turned. Her fingers squeezed tightly around Emma's. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and bit into it. For what purpose? The moans were still spilling out of her. There was no way to control them.
"Go a bit faster now," Emma hoarsely encouraged her. "Apply just a little bit more pressure."
At this rate, only the slightest bit of pressure had Regina whimpering. Her fingers were slipping in warm heat. Her pelvis pushing up and grinding against her fingers. Circling in a rapid pace that had Regina's back going slippery with sweat. Her breathing was ragged. Her clit was throbbing, and each rub had her head tipping back and her neck arching forward in a strained position. Her fingers twitching helplessly in Emma's grasp. She desperately needed release, but she also needed a bit of extra help to get there.
"You can do this, beautiful, you can let go. I've got you. I'm right here with you, just let it all out, Regina!" Emma's voice was tight with pleasure and her fingers squeezed Regina's again as she helped her along. "You deserve this so much! I love you, god, I love you, make yourself come, do it now!"
She strained for just a second longer. Then completely fell apart and cried out. Moaned shakily. She could feel the orgasm in every part of her body. From her curling toes to her floaty head, her fingers that trembled weakly in Emma's grasp once more. And of course in her core which clenched tightly for a moment before the muscles went soft and she felt her fingers grow sticky with her own essence. Her hand trembled in Emma's grasp one more time. Then the fatigue kicked in and she released a little puff of air.
She took a moment to breathe and wrap her head around this new milestone. This was the closest to 'real' sex she had come in a very, very long time. And it had felt goddamn amazing! Doing this with Emma in the same bed had once again only shown how strong their relationship was. How much they trusted one another.
Emma hadn't touched her. Not once. She was probably the only person in the world who wouldn't have tried. That was why Emma's word was worth something. Because she always, always kept her promises. No matter what. She truly was an amazing woman.
Regina slowly sat up in bed. Once sure that her back was turned to Emma, she opened her eyes and reached down to find her pajama top and bottoms. She had no idea where her underwear went, and right now she couldn't be bothered either.
She wiggled slightly to put her pajamas back on. Didn't turn around to check whether Emma was looking or not. Trusted her completely.
But honestly, if Emma was sneaking a peek, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
She heard shifting behind her, and once finished buttoning the pajama shirt, Regina turned around. Emma had shifted so she was laying on her side with her front to Regina. Her eyes were still closed. Regina lied down next to her, so they were face to face. She let out a sigh. Closed her eyes once more. She had only gotten one look at Emma, but she had seen enough. Emma had been trembling. Her legs had been squeezing together. She had to be on the brink of combusting after having hold back for so long.
Regina wanted to help her. But she wasn't quite sure how, though. She was not ready for 'traditional' sex. Nor could she use her voice to spur Emma on.
She considered it for a moment. Then something occurred to her. She was not yet ready to be touched everywhere by Emma, but that didn't mean that SHE couldn't touch Emma. She could. And what's more, she WANTED to. In her own way. She wasn't about to shove her hands down the front of Emma's underwear. That wasn't how they did things. And when she DID touch Emma there, it wouldn't be like that. She heard rustling nearby and wiggled closer to Emma. She could smell Emma's vanilla shampoo and knew that they had to be lying so close to each other they were almost nose-to-nose. Emma had stopped shifting. She had to have heard Regina move.
Regina knew her girlfriend well. Knew that it would only be a matter of time before Emma 'checked in' with her. Asked her kind, caring questions about how she was feeling without paying much attention to her own needs. Not tonight, Regina decided. She lifted one leg and carefully slipped a thigh in between Emma's legs.
Emma gasped. "Regina, what-"
Regina shushed her be by moving her thigh against Emma's core. For once, she was certain that she was not misinterpreting the situation. This felt like a completely natural thing to do.
"Are you sure?" Emma squeaked.
Completely and absolutely. Regina pecked Emma's jaw gently. Moved her thigh between Emma's legs just a little. A silent invitation to move against it.
And Emma did. The shuddering breath she took as she began grinding her core against her thigh, was music to Regina's ears. Regina could feel Emma's warmth through the thin fabric of her pajama bottoms, and it made her own core grow hot and slippery once more. When she sensed that Emma was scrabbling for something to hold onto, Regina easily caught her hand and held onto it. Exactly like Emma had done when Regina was the one who needed rescuing. She intertwined their fingers and gave a reassuring little squeeze. The roles had been reversed. Now Regina was the one providing relief, and it made for a wonderful change. Emma was perfect in her arms.
Emma moaned and grinded herself faster against Regina's pajama covered leg. "Regina, I…" she gasped.
She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't have to. Regina KNEW. She knew exactly how Emma was feeling, what she was trying to say and what she was thinking at this moment. Right now, there very well could have been a telepathic bond between them. She couldn't say 'I know', so she settled for squeezing Emma's hand in gentle reassurance once more.
Emma responded by grinding her core faster against her leg once more. "Fuck, I love you!" she breathed. Let out a hiss. "Oh god, oh fuck!"
Regina squeezed her hand again. Then she realized that she could do more than just offer a leg to help. She moved her thigh up just a little so she could rub it against Emma's core. Emma's thin pajama shorts were damp and warm, and Regina wasn't the least bit surprised when her own body reacted to it. She was getting aroused all over again. Her hand was being squeezed very tightly, but Regina paid no mind to it. She knew that Emma was not doing it intentionally. She was simply wrapped up in what was happening. Lost in the desire.
Regina still had her eyes closed and therefore could not see what was happening. But she could feel it. Could feel Emma arch her back, could feel how her legs locked around the one Regina had between her thighs. Emma cried out. Her hips shifted. Regina recognized the movement. She had been the one to make it a moment ago. She knew what it meant. She pressed her thigh up against Emma's core once more. Careful not to make the action too hard nor too soft. She didn't want it to hurt, nor did she want it to feel like teasing, and it felt like she had found the perfect balance. Emma certainly was making a lot of delicious noise while grinding down hard to meet Regina's thigh halfway.
"R-Regina!" Emma gasped, voice tight with pleasure and slightly thick as though she was close to tears.
If she was, Regina would be happy to kiss them away in a moment. For now, she settled for shifting her thigh up one more time, upping the pressure on Emma's damp core just a little.
Emma cried out sharply and the grip on Regina's hand grew extremely tight. She was panting, and, Regina realized, so was she. Emma wasn't the only one who was swept away by the sensation.
The second orgasm snuck up on her and took her by surprise. Quicker than the first one, but still every bit as powerful. The thigh trapped between Emma's leg trembled slightly.
Emma let out a sharp gasp. A whoosh of breath as though she had been holding it for a while. Then she went limp. Completely limp. Regina could feel her sagging slightly against her. And plus, Emma's hair was in her face. That was a pretty good indicator too.
Regina's didn't move an inch. Didn't move her thigh either despite Emma's 'leg-grip' around it going slack. She didn't want to move and disturb Emma's post-coital bliss. Right now, moving would be the same as committing a crime.
The only little thing she did, was using her free hand to gently move Emma's hair out of her face because it was tickling her. Emma didn't react to it at all. She was still. So very still. The only part of her that still worked seemed to be her hand which was still clinging onto Regina's. Was it possibly to squeeze somebody's hand while sleeping? And had Emma really fallen asleep?
If that was the case, Regina figured that she quietly would slip into the bathroom to clean herself a bit before going to sleep. And possibly open the window too. They certainly had worked up a sweat in here. The room was hotter than a sauna.
"God!" Emma suddenly moaned. So not asleep after all.
Regina felt the tight grip on her hand loosen. Now that she was sure that Emma was awake, she gently withdrew her leg from between Emma's thighs.
Emma moaned again. "Can I…" her voice broke and she cleared her throat before trying again: "is it okay if I open my eyes now?"
Regina weakly tapped her fist against the mattress twice. Yes, now Emma could open her eyes.
In hindsight, she wouldn't have minded if Emma had opened her eyes sooner. In fact the idea of looking Emma in the eyes while doing what she had just done sent a new round of shivers down her spine.
Emma made another slight puffing sound, and Regina deemed that it was okay for her to open her eyes too. She couldn't see much. Mostly blonde hair and Emma's silhouette close to her own. Emma's shadowy hand coming up and rubbing her eyes. Regina couldn't blame her. Her eyes were watering too. Having her eyes closed for so long came with a price. She blinked. Discovered that she was able to focus. And saw Emma's face. With details and everything. Not just a shadowy figure anymore.
"Hi," Emma mumbled hoarsely.
Regina answered the greeting by lifting their intertwined hands and placing a soft kiss on Emma's knuckles.
"That was..." Emma shook her head, clearly unable to finish the sentence.
My, my. Emma was speechless. Regina smiled. She felt…. She felt smug. In bed. After having given her partner pleasure. Regina could not remember the last time THAT had happened. But she was more than willing to just 'roll with it'. It was quite the good feeling, knowing that she had just made Emma very happy. She was allowed to feel satisfied.
"You didn't have to do t-that," Emma croaked.
Regina raised an eyebrow and tried to focus on what Emma had just said rather than feeling smug about how her voice had broken. Emma was right. She didn't *have* to do it. But she had WANTED to. And that made the whole difference. There had been no expectation. Regina had acted on an impulse. While in bed with her girlfriend. Only a few months ago, she would have thought that scenario to be impossible.
"I mean, it was amazing," Emma said, lifting her free hand and cupping Regina's cheek. "It was absolutely mind blowing, but you didn't do it because you felt as though you had to, right?"
Absolutely fucking not. Regina shook her head firmly. She did it because she wanted to. Simple as that.
Emma flashed her the most beautiful smile. "Good. God, that was... That was really, really amazing! You're incredible."
Regina automatically shook her head. But honestly, she DID feel a little bit amazing right now. Amazingly smug. She had just made Emma come. Physically. Forget about taking off her scarf and showing her throat. This was THE milestone.
Emma wiggled closer to her. "Can I kiss you?"
Always! Regina nodded, and Emma immediately slotted their lips together in a soft kiss. A different kiss from the ones they had shared before things heated up. This was not needy or desperate. Just the softest tenderness. Almost as though they were thanking each other. Were they? Perhaps. And perhaps thanking each other for this beautiful experience was exactly the right thing to do.
"I am so lucky," Emma murmured against her lips. She pecked her quickly. Then continuing: "so, so fucking lucky!"
That had Regina rumbling in silent amusement. She did not protest, though. In her eyes, they were BOTH 'so fucking lucky'. She broke the kiss. Not because she wanted to, but because she had to hide a yawn. She didn't quite succeed in putting up her hand in time, though.
Emma snickered, a soft little sound in the quiet bedroom. "Been a pretty long day, hasn't it?"
Yes. Yes, it had. Regina nodded and forced back another nod. Going to sleep immediately after sex was such a cliché, but she suddenly was feeling so fatigued.
Emma clearly felt the same. She grabbed a fistful of the duvet and pulled it up so it could cover them both. Sliding closer, she asked: "you like spooning?"
Regina nodded again. She did in fact like spooning, but….
"Yeah?" Emma interrupted the half-suggestion brewing in her mind. "You wanna be the big or the little spoon?"
Under normal circumstances, Regina would immediately have volunteered to be the little spoon. That would have made the most sense seeing that she was the smallest one of them. But tonight she didn't quite feel like spooning. She felt like having Emma close in another way. She lifted her hand and pointed lightly to Emma and then back to herself.
Emma swiftly caught her drift. "You want me on top of you?"
Regina nodded sleepily.
"You're sure?"
Regina nodded again. Still sleepy, but nonetheless determined.
"Okay then." Emma shifted. Came to her hands and knees and crawled forward. Hovered for a moment just above Regina's body. Looked her in the eyes for a moment before lowering herself down. Shifted her weight and angled her face away from Regina's throat. "Spoons in a drawer," she quipped.
Indeed. Regina gave a sleepy, soft sight. And realized that A: she still wasn't wearing any underwear, and B: her pajama bottoms were pretty thin. But what the hell. She couldn't bring herself to care about it. Not now. It didn't matter whether Emma could feel it or not. She was too much of a 'gentlewoman' to ever bring it up, Regina knew that. She lifted her hands to Emma's back and began gliding her fingers up and down. First drawing random patterns but then writing with determination.
"I love you too," Emma said, easily deducing what Regina had just written.
Hearing those words would never fail to make Regina feel all kinds of giddy. Perhaps that was why she ended up drawing something incredibly silly on Emma's back.
Something that didn't stay a secret for very long. "Did you just draw a smiley face on my back?" Emma asked her and her green eyes sparkled with amusement.
Nu-uh. Definitely not. Regina shook her head firmly.
"I think you did though," Emma said stubbornly and lifted her head a bit more to get a closer look at Regina. "Didn't you?"
Regina didn't deny it this time. Just offered a raised eyebrow and a playful smile in response.
"Urgh," Emma mock-complained. "You're soooo frustrating!"
That had Regina rumbling in amusement once more. She gently draped her arms around Emma's waist and held her close as she closed her eyes. She literally could not keep them open for a moment longer. She was exhausted. Worn out. In the best way possible….
She was the first one awake the next one. Emma had curled into a little ball sometimes during the night. Regina didn't wake her. But she did take advantage of being awake. She quietly slipped out of bed and bent to find her underwear. She retrieved them and just as quietly found a new pair in her suitcase. Then she went into the hallway, into the bathroom where she looked at herself in the mirror. Pink cheeks. Large eyes. And a general giddy expression. So she had apparently transformed into a teenager overnight. Alright then.
Well. Being giddy over sex wasn't the worst thing to be giddy about, Regina decided as she brushed her teeth to get rid of the foul taste in her mouth. She saw no reason to brush her hair. Why should she? There was nothing wrong with 'morning after hair'. Once done and dressed in her blue bathrobe over her pajamas (and wearing underwear), she could have chosen to go back to bed. It was tempting, but she had other things in mind. She was about to tick off another thing on her list over 'sweet things to do for your girlfriend'. Breakfast. In bed. The morning after. Incredibly cliché. Incredibly perfect.
Regina quickly went downstairs. And noted that there was a certain spring in her steps. But she was not going to think further about that. It was what it was and there was nothing she could do about that.
Instead she concentrated on making breakfast for Emma. First coffee. Two cups of coffee. She was thirsty too. Two plates. A little bowl of sugar. A jug of cream. Two spoons, two knives and two forks. Now there was only one thing left.
She quickly got the stove going. Discovered that she was out of eggs and silently cursed a little bit about it before finding a box of pancake mix in the cupboard and poured it onto the warm frying pan. It was incredibly satisfying to watch the pancake form on the pan. If she could hum, she certainly would have. Now she would have to settle for being stuck with a silly little tune in her mind.
One pancake became two. Two became three. Three became four. And not too long after, Regina had made a good little pile of golden pancakes. Delicious. She had a feeling that Emma would love it.
"Regina? Are you- Blah! Idiot!"
The half-loud exclamation from upstairs had Regina turning her head. Tilting it slightly. Then putting two and two together. Emma had momentarily forgotten that she couldn't answer and was now scolding herself for it.
Regina shook her head and smiled a little. Dear Emma. There was absolutely no reason for her to scold herself. It was such an easy, honest mistake to make. Zelena had made it a few times. Henry too. And they too had been upset at themselves afterwards. Regina didn't want Emma to join that club. Hell, sometimes she forgot that she couldn't ANSWER and opened her mouth to say something.
But Emma was awake. That was the jest of it. Meaning that it was time to get a move on before she ventured downstairs and ruined the surprise. Regina quickly loaded the pancakes onto the chosen plate. Put the plate onto the tray and lifted the whole thing. It was a bit heavy. For whatever reason, her arms were a bit heavy this morning. Strange. Regina would have thought that her legs would have been the most affected. Apparently not.
She braved the stairs without dropping the tray and patted down the hallway. There was no sounds coming from the bathroom. Emma was still in bed. Good.
Using her hip, she pushed the door to 'their' bedroom open and stepped over the threshold. Emma was sitting up in bed. Her hair was tousled and her cheeks pink. She looked absolutely wonderful.
Emma's jaw dropped and her eyes widened slightly as she looked at Regina. And the tray. "Are you…. Are you serious?" she asked. And sounded like she didn't believe her eyes.
Regina raised an eyebrow. Was this… the first time someone had made breakfast in bed for Emma Swan? She didn't want it to be. She wanted Emma to have been with someone who had done this for her.
But she had a nasty feeling that Emma looked disbelieving because nobody had made her breakfast in bed. Her nostrils flared. She was starting to get angry at all the people who had failed to appreciate Emma Swan.
"I mean... holy crap, that looks amazing!" Emma quickly corrected herself. She had clearly misunderstood Regina's expression and taken it for insecurity. Which it just as easily could have been.
Regina told herself that now was not the time to get angry at Emma's past. She smiled as she crossed the room and elegantly placed the tray on Emma's thighs.
"You didn't make all of that for me, did you?" Emma asked. She still looked slightly disbelieving.
Admittedly? No. Regina shook her head and rubbed her belly. She was absolutely famished. As she always was after sex.
"Thank god," Emma licked her lips. "Man, those pancakes looks good!"
Regina perched herself on the edge of the bed. Reached within the pocket of her dressing gown and found her phone. She tapped on it for a moment as she wrote a message. 'I'm afraid it's just from a box. I didn't have any eggs.' She turned the screen towards Emma. Seriously, there was always a reason to apologize for box pancakes.
"But there's chocolate in them!" Emma exclaimed. Clearly not caring whether the pancakes was from a box or not.
Indeed there was. Regina suddenly felt humorous as she wrote: 'sweet for my sweet', and turned the screen towards Emma.
Emma chuckled. Nearly giggled. "That was smooth, babe. Real smooth."
Regina smiled and bowed her head to acknowledge the praise. Then she motioned for Emma to start eating.
"Only if you start eating too," Emma said sweetly and a bit teasingly.
In response, Regina grabbed one of the plates, speared a bite of one of the pancakes and stuffed it inside her mouth. Hmm. For a box that wasn't bad.
Emma copied the motion and stuffed a slightly larger bite of pancake inside her mouth. Her eyes bulged slightly. Then she moaned. Loudly.
Regina cleared her throat discreetly and felt her cheeks heating up. That reminded her a little too much of-
"I probably made that sound last night too, didn't I?" Emma asked and snickered.
Yes. Most certainly. Regina nodded vaguely and was sure she was blushing like a fool.
Emma laughed. Reached out and gave her free hand a light brush with her fingertips. "Can't help it. Pancakes and you. That's the two things that drives me wild."
Regina looked up and quirked an eyebrow in an 'is that so manner'. If Emma stop this talk, she would have PLENTY of suggestions for what they could do after they had finished breakfast…
Emma laughed and took a sip of the coffee. Then said: "you know, you didn't have to do this."
Regina retrieved her phone from the dressing gown pocket again. Wrote a new message: 'I know. I did it because I wanted to. Exactly like last night.' She turned the screen towards Emma so she could read it.
"That was fucking amazing," Emma said as soon as she had taken a look at the screen.
Regina scowled slightly. That little word reminded her a little too much of last night too.
"I mean, really amazing," Emma corrected. "It was wonderful. Mind blowing. Out of this world!"
Pff. Hardly. Regina clicked her tongue and shook her head. She wasn't as smug this morning.
"It was. Don't try to change my mind about it, 'cause that's impossible," Emma said stubbornly and grabbed her phone from the bedside table. "Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll snap a picture of this epic breakfast and send it to Henry to make him jealous."
Regina rumbled in amusement. Then discreetly moved slightly to the left as Emma held up the phone to take the picture. She didn't want to accidentally end up in the picture. She knew that Henry most definitely would be showing his aunt the picture, and she also knew that if Zelena caught a glimpse of her bathrobe and messy hair, she would never stop asking questions. She wouldn't be able to help it. And Regina didn't feel like answering her sister's questions.
She scratched her throat slightly. Remembered that it wasn't covered by a collar or scarf or anything this morning. It felt good. But she needed a little time to adjust to it.
Emma took the picture, sent it off to Henry and then they dug into the breakfast again. But she doubted that Emma had gotten more than three mouthfuls of pancake before her phone chimed. Emma put her fork down and grabbed her phone. Laughed loudly and asked Regina to come closer.
Regina shuffled closer and completely shared Emma's amusement when she read the message from Henry. 'You guys are evil! '
Well… she supposed it was a bit evil to wave chocolate chip pancakes in Henry's face, but… she didn't feel sorry for him. Not really. She was far too happy.
She was having breakfast in bed with her girlfriend the morning after an incredible night spent together. What could possibly be better?
To Be Continued…