To the reader that asked what a punter is, yes, it's a client. Sorry I couldn't reply to you any sooner.
The knock at the door sent tingles down the blondes spine and turned her stomach into knots, she was excited but nervous. She was sure that Regina wouldn't be pissed at her, because obviously she had agreed to come after all. Taking a deep breath she opened the door to a smiling Regina.
"Hi Regina, come in." She internally slapped herself after hearing the excitement in her own voice, she had to remind herself to play it cool.
"Hello, Emma." The brunette made sure to control her voice and not let any of the effects of the last few days show in any way. Slowly but steadily she walked through the doorway, trying not to give anything away with her movements either. She walked with her usual poise, the pain she was feeling wasn't evident at all, unless you knew what had happened to her.
"Are you okay?" The blondes smile changes into a look of concern, it was evident to her.
"Of course I am now that I'm here." Her hands make their way around the blondes neck in an attempt to pull her in for a kiss, and a distraction from Emma asking any other questions.
The athlete allows a small kiss before pulling back when Regina attempts to deepen it. She searches Regina's eyes but the brown depths give nothing away. "It's just you walked differently." Saying it out loud the blonde thought it sounded stupid and a bit creepy that she had noticed.
"I wore some new heels last night, left my feet a bit sore I guess." It was the most believable lie she could concoct on the spot because she really didn't think the few steps she took would give any indication of the pain she felt in her feet. She wished Emma hadn't been so observant but at the same time it felt nice that Emma had noticed something so small.
Emma didn't really believe it but she wasn't going to push the brunette. "Well, why don't you take your shoes off?" She suggests as she steps behind the escort to remove her jacket, not in the usually way she does when she's trying to get her naked, but just as she would treat a lady on a date, not that she'd had one of those in a long time.
"I suppose everything does need to come off." She seductively winks as she turns to face Emma.
"Actually," the blonde anxiously rubs at the back of her neck. Regina's mind begins running a million miles at minute at what the blonde may say next, she's never known the woman to be this reluctant when it comes to sex. "I was kind of hoping we could maybe take things slow tonight and I would really like to explore the whole girlfriend experience thing with you, if you'd be willing?"
The brunettes heart slows down when she realises Emma wasn't about to say anything bad. "Sure, you're paying, so it's whatever you want." Her smile is genuine because she hopes this means they get to cuddle and maybe watch some TV. She knows they are still going to fuck, no one is going to pay for her, let alone pay triple the amount, not to fuck her. She really hopes this means it will be a bit slower and perhaps gentler than usual, her body had been put through more than it was use to in the last few days. A very optimistic part of her hope that maybe the blonde would offer her food like she sometimes did, the meal she had last night and her lunch earlier were not enough to make up for the lack of food she'd had all week.
"How about we get these boots off you and I'll show you what I want?" The blonde smiles but does nothing else until Regina nods her agreement. The blonde moves to her knees in front of the brunette, she reaches out to the top the boot at her right knee, and slowly peels the zipper down. She wants to pull her stocking down with it so she can kiss and lick every inch of Regina's beautiful tanned skin, but that's not what this it about. This is about them creating their own little world for one night a week where Emma can pretend she means more than a cheque to the brunette. She helps Regina step out of the boot before doing the same to the other one, unaware of the shock on Regina's face at the care and tenderness she is being shown.
When both of the brunettes feet are free, the blonde stands back up and has to look down slightly at the now even shorter woman. "There, I hope your feet feel a bit better now."
By God they did, she had never before paid much attention to the thick carpet of the hallway that her feet now sank into, but she was so grateful for it in the moment. Her feet hadn't felt so good in days, the ache was still there but the pain she felt when wearing shoes was gone.
She was almost lost for words at the treatment she was receiving, she can't remember anyone but Kathryn ever being concerned for her physical wellbeing. "Yes, thank you." She just about manages to get out.
"Good," the blonde smiles and holds out her hand, "can I show you what I thought we could do tonight?"
"Of course." Regina takes her hand, now knowing the blonde will reveal her true intentions.
Emma leads her slowly, mindful of the brunettes sore feet, down the hallway and past the staircase, through to the lounge and towards the kitchen.
Regina thought that maybe Emma wanted her to cook or maybe to some chores, that would encompass the 'girlfriend experience' and she didn't mind. Those activities would be a pleasure after the week she'd had. When they enter the kitchen and turn a corner to face the dining table, Regina is stunned. There is food and wine there and a huge vase of roses. She doesn't think she's ever seen such a huge bouquet.
Emma notices the look on the beautiful woman's face and starts to panic when she sees brown eyes start to glisten. "I hope you don't mind, I just thought that we could maybe have a date. We obviously can't go out in public because I'd get into a load of shit with my agent and Secret Escorts is well… secret. So I thought we could have it here." She waits for Regina to say something, anything, but she just stands there like a rabbit caught in headlights. "I'm sorry, it's stupid isn't it? I don't really know what the girlfriend experience really entailed so I just guessed."
"No, Emma, it's wonderful." She realises that sounds a bit too enthusiastic towards a client so she clears her throat and tries to be more professional. "The girlfriend experience is about anything you, so this is absolutely fine." She wanted to say 'perfect' but stopped herself, clinginess would not do.
"Okay. Great. I was worrying all day that you wouldn't like it." She said shyly before offering Regina a smile.
The brunette couldn't believe that Emma had been worrying about her opinion, no one cared what she thought. The last time she had received flowers was from her father on her eighteenth birthday but they weren't as grand or beautiful as the vase of what must have been two dozen roses. Then there was all the food laid out, it wasn't masses but anything was better than nothing. There was even wine. She'd had wine with Emma before on the odd occasion but she could really do with a few glasses this week. She didn't think she had ever felt giddy before, this is what kids must have felt like on Christmas morning. Her mother had never allowed them to waste money on such frivolous things as presents at Christmas so Regina really had no idea how that felt.
Emma goes to pull a chair out for her and Regina daintily sits down pulling at the hem of her dress to keep things modest. Would you like some of this wine, or I have some white in the fridge. Or would you prefer something non-alcoholic?"
"Red is great. Thank you." She can't stop smiling until her stomach rumbles at the sight of all the food on display. "Sorry." Her eyes widen as if she had just broken some unwritten rule.
Emma laughs a little as she pours her a glass of wine. "I'm glad you're hungry. I'll just go turn the oven on, the lasagne should be done by the time we've finished this."
Regina thought she was going to cry with happiness, there was even more food to come! She takes a gulp of wine as Emma goes to turn on the oven. When Emma takes her seat she follows Regina's line of sight to the roses.
"I urm didn't know which flowers were your favourite. I hope you like them." She bashfully explains.
"I do like them, they are absolutely beautiful." Her gaze now on Emma.
"I'm glad," she genuinely states. "Please, tuck in."
Regina doesn't need telling twice, her mouth watering at the selection of crackers and cheeses, not to mention the dips and selections of various antipasti. She makes sure to eat slowly and savour the wonderful tastes that she's not had in a very long time or even at all.
"So, what are your favourite flowers?" The blonde queries.
Regina swallows down the small bite of cream cheese and cracker before answering. "Bluebells. My father always gave me bluebells, so they bring back happy memories for me."
Emma nods, storing that information for future reference. Regina took another bite of her cheese smothered cracker and Emma watched how her eyes closed momentarily as the flavours danced on her tongue. She'd never seen someone take such please from something so simple before.
The one subject she needed to approach was swirling around on her mind. She was desperate to clear the air, but at the same time she was scared of digging something up that Regina may have wanted to keep buried.
Her mouth ran away with her before she'd even managed to engage her brain. "I'm sorry about last week." She blurted out. Regina ceased her chewing and didn't know what to say or do. "I should have woken you, I wasn't trying to keep you here. It's just that you looked so peaceful and I didn't want to disturb you. I'm really glad you let me make another appointment with you." The blonde reaches for her wine and takes a hearty swig, glad to get it off her chest but worried about Regina's silence.
Regina doesn't say anything as she allows all that information sink in. She feels like laughing because the blonde thought she had a choice in the matter, and crying at the horrendous last few days she'd had over nothing, but there was one question on her mind.
"Why did you cancel our appointment?" She looks at the blonde who is fidgeting with her unused dessert spoon.
"You didn't take the money I left for you so I thought you were upset with me because I didn't wake you." She avoids all eye contact with the escort.
"You left me money?" She couldn't believe this. All the self-doubt and insecurities she had been feeling was for nothing.
Emma now looks up at the brunette, her brow scrunched in confusion. "You know I always give you a bit extra. I left it on the cupboard in the hall, I thought you'd take it when you left."
"I was in a rush when I left, I didn't see it." Even Emma making appointments with Kathryn and Milah started to make sense now, the blonde was trying other options because she thought Regina would refuse her an appointment. "If you thought I wouldn't want to see you again, why did you reinstate this appointment?" She wasn't going to let on that she knew Emma had paid three times the normal price.
"When I called up," she hoped Regina didn't know she's called up a couple of times to try other women, "Gold never said anything about you being pissed at me so I knew I had to try, even if it was just to get the opportunity to explain myself to you."
Regina shuddered at the mention of Gold then relaxed when Emma said she wanted to explain herself to her. Again, she wasn't use to anyone caring about what she thought of them.
"So, this was all just a big misunderstanding?"
"I guess so." The blonde chuckles. When Regina doesn't join in with her laughter she reaches for a tanned hand on the table. "Hey." She calls for the brunettes attention and when Regina looks at her she can see a sadness in her eyes that sobers up her jovial attitude. "I'm sorry. It was my fault and I feel stupid about it but I'm going to make it up to you."
Regina doesn't ask how, nothing can erase what she's been put through but she knows Emma doesn't have a clue about any of it, the blonde even thinks she has a choice of who she will accept as a client. Gold is just that good at what he does, no one ever suspects anything, that's why she never has any hope of escape.
She pins those thoughts back, this isn't the time or place for the mental acrobatics she would have to do to really understand the past week. She puts a smile on her face and it stays there without effort. At least now she knows that Emma does want her and Gold will be pleased not to lose her business, her life is no longer under immediate threat of torture of death. Also, Emma is treating her like no one else ever has, and she has that to look forward to each week.
The timer on the oven goes off, pulling them both out from the weight of the conversation they had just finished having. Emma doesn't move but squeezes the smaller hand in her own, loving how it fits just right. "You hungry enough for some lasagne?"
It smells absolutely divine, nothing like the slop they get fed at Gold's. "Absolutely."
Emma smiles back at her and after she gets up from her seat, she leans back down to give Regina a small peck on the cheek. The brunette puts her fingertips to the now tingling skin of her cheek. It was a chaste, almost platonic kiss and yet she knew it meant something. She quickly pulls her hand away as Emma comes back to the table and sets the lasagne down.
"Are you expecting more guests?" The brunette chuckles at the size of the lasagne Emma had made.
"You'll thank me in the morning when you're eating it for breakfast. I don't know if fairies come in and do something magical to it in the fridge overnight, but it tastes even better in the morning." The blonde nips to the fridge to grab the bowl of salad she had prepared earlier before setting it next to the tray of lasagne.
All previous worries and concerns have totally vanished as Regina enjoys Emma's silly side but also the promise of more food in the morning. She knew the worst of the punishments were over from Gold but she wouldn't put it past him to deny her food for a bit longer, just to satisfy his need for utter power and brutality.
The sports star serves up a generous slice of lasagne each before finishing the bottle of wine between their glasses. Regina piles the rest of her plate with the salad, not used to have fresh foods very often. She finished every morsel on her plate, she had considered leaving some as she didn't want to feel bloated for any activities Emma may want to partake it later, but the food was just too good to resist.
Emma was surprised but ultimately happy when Regina cleared her entire plate, thankful that the brunette was fine with her setting up the evening as a date and enjoying her cooking.
"That was incredible, Emma. I didn't know you could cook."
"There's a lot you don't know about me but you could find out, if you'd like?" Emma wasn't sure where her confidence came from in that moment. Maybe it was the wine of maybe it was from the comfortable, relaxed atmosphere the two women had created together.
"I'd like that." The brunette genuinely beamed. They both knew that getting to know each other was constrained to their make believe bubble one night a week, but if that was all they could have then that was good enough for them.
Emma smiled back at her. "Do you want some dessert? I made chocolate mousse."
Regina would love chocolate mousse. Gold never allowed them anything sweet, he didn't want them to ruin their figures. A balanced diet with the occasional treat wouldn't be a problem but seen as the slop that got served in his kitchen had very little nutritional value, they probably would gain weight if they were served desserts too. "I would love too but I am much too full."
"Okay, maybe later? I was thinking we could watch a movie or something, if you want?" The blonde sets about putting the uneaten food in the fridge and stacking the used dishes next to the sink to be dealt with in the morning. When Regina offers to help her the blonde simply grabs another bottle of red wine off the counter and asks her to pour them both another glass, Regina happily obliges.
"Yeah, maybe later. A movie sounds great." She cuts back to Emma's questions. Watching a movie would give her a chance to digest everything she'd eaten before they inevitably made their way to Emma's bed.
"Awesome." The blonde offers Regina her hand and pulls her from the chair, when she accepts her hand. She walks silently behind the blonde, bemused that she's being led out of the lounge that contains a very big TV and instead being guided upstairs, slowly, because Emma remembers the brunettes discomfort in her feet. When they reach the blondes bedroom Regina is definitely confused because she doesn't ever remember seeing a TV in there.
Emma notices the confusion on her face as she opens the doors to her walk-in closet. "Regina, that is a pretty dress and you look absolutely incredible but I think if we are going to watch a movie we definitely need to wear something more comfortable." She didn't mention that she thought the brunette had look a little uncomfortable in the wonderfully tight dress, this was her way of getting Regina to relax and be more snug.
The escort didn't say anything but nodded her head, a slight relief washing over her that she would finally be able to remove the too tight dress that had seemed to get tighter as the night wore on, that may have been more to do with the food she'd eaten that the actual dress though. Emma pointed out where she kept the pyjamas and 'lounging' clothes, leaving Regina to pick out what she wanted when she went to the bathroom.
Regina thought she should probably pick the skimpiest clothes she could find, not that Emma seemed to own anything skimpy, it was her job to arouse her clients after all. Instead she settled on a pair of small sleep shorts and an old soccer jersey of Emma's, she wanted so much to just be warm and comfortable and she had a feeling Emma wouldn't have a problem with that. She opened a few drawers until she found a pair of ankle socks, making sure to cover her feet.
She turned around at the sound of the door to the en suite opening. "Wow." Emma all but whispered. "My soccer jersey looks incredible on you." Regina filled it out much better than Emma ever could. Something about Regina wearing her clothes aroused her and made her possessive side rear its head.
She blushed a little, finding it hard to believe that Emma could find her attractive in old sportswear. Those doubts were cleared from her mind when the blonde wrapped her arms around her small waist and pressed their lips together. "So beautiful." She breathed out against soft, plump lips.
Those pesky butterflies that only Emma Swan could conjure, were back in her stomach.
Emma had to step back and take a deep breath when she could feel her dick start to harden. She would love to pick Regina up and fuck her against the nearest wall but that's not what this night was about. She'd promised herself that her time with Regina would be about more than just sex, so that's what she was going to do.
She grabbed herself a pair of sweatpants and a vest to change into, Regina watching her appreciatively as she did. When she was done she took Regina's hand again, unwilling to not be in physical contact with the brunette when she could help it. "Let's go to the TV room." She guided her guest to the hallway and a few doors down to the intended room.
"This is a freaking cinema." The brunette blurted out in a less than ladylike fashion when she stepped into the room. Emma just smiled at her. On the wall there was the biggest TV screen she had ever seen outside of an actual movie theatre and several huge, leather armchairs lined up alongside each other, and a small table in front of the middle chair.
"I can't really go to watch a movie in peace, so I had this built instead. What are you in the mood for?"
The only time Regina had ever gotten to choose what to watch was when the dayroom at Gold's was quiet, and then she only ever really watched Emma's soccer games. She had no idea what were popular or relevant movies. "A comedy?" She suggests, she could do with something funny and light.
"Sounds good," the blonde nods, "let's have a look at what's on there." She sits in the seat at the centre, her eyes pleading with Regina to come and share the chair with her rather than take a different seat.
The brunette slips in besides her as Emma switches on the TV and scrolls through the comedy options. The blonde wraps an arm around the beautiful woman and whispers, "is this okay?"
"Indeed," Regina answers as she places her left hand over Emma's matching hand on her stomach, and entwines their fingers together. She agrees to Emma's first movie suggestion, not really caring what it was because she was just so happy to feel safe and not hungry or scared.
Halfway through the movie Emma pauses it and declares herself to be hungry. "I'm going to get my chocolate mousse, do you want yours?"
"No, thank you." She really didn't think she could eat anything else.
"Okay, I'll be right back."
Regina sits in the chair, wishing this was her life, she gets lost in the fantasy of it until Emma comes back in. Not only with a bowl of chocolate mousse but also the rest of the second bottle of wine and two clean glasses. "I didn't know if you wanted a drink but I brought you a glass just in case.
"I'll have a small glass, please."
Emma places all the items on the table in front of the chair and pours Regina a small glass before pouring herself a full one. Once she is back in the seat, her arm once again holding the brunette, their fingers entwined, she reaches for her mousse. Regina feels a bit of regret for saying she didn't want hers because it looks delicious and she's sure she can smell the rich, chocolate.
Emma can see from the corner of her eyes that Regina is looking at her dessert so she takes a mouthful before loudly moaning. "Mmm, this is soooo good. You're really missing out on this, Regina." She teases the woman next to her.
Regina wasn't about to admit her mistake in declining the offer of dessert. "I'm quite full." She says as she takes a small sip of wine.
Emma wonders for a moment why Regina hides behind her pride instead of simply asking for some of the dessert. She can't understand why Regina would do that but she doesn't want the brunette not to have something she wants so she takes a spoonful and holds it in front of plump lips. "Try it, for me? I'd like to know if you think it's any good." This was Emma's way of getting around her pride.
"For you." The brunette relents before opening her lips to accept the spoon into her mouth. When her lips seal around it, her eyes closing, she let's out a small moan. The blonde has incredibly inappropriate flashbacks of the times the escort had done exactly that to her cock, which is twitching at the reminder. She pulls the spoon back and tries to ignore the stirring of her phallus.
"That is really good, Emma." Regina was too absorbed in the taste of the most wonderful treat she had ever eaten to notice Emma's pink cheeks and blown pupils.
"Why don't you finish it? I gobbled down a few bits in the fridge when I went to get it, I don't think I can eat anymore." The blonde offers with a small lie, just to make sure Regina accepts it.
"Only if you're sure?" All of a sudden she's sure she has room in her stomach for the tasty treat.
"Absolutely." She passes the bowl to the brunette who takes her time with it, savouring every mouthful as if it was her last meal.
The blonde reaches for her wine and restarts the film, smiling every time Regina accidentally lets a small moan of pleasure escape her lips.
After Regina had finished the mousse and her wine, she curled into Emma's side with the blondes encouragement, laying her head on a strong shoulder.
The next thing the older woman is aware of is strong arms laying her in bed. She startles awake. "I'm so sorry, Emma. Did I fall asleep?" Panic and worry evident in her voice as she sits up, ramrod straight.
"It's okay, we both did." That was another lie, Emma had watched her sleep for the last fifteen minutes of the film and then for another thirty after that until she thought maybe that was a slightly creepy thing to do, so she carried her to bed.
"I'm awake now, let's do what I'm here for." She has to please Emma, that's her job. She can't risk losing her because now she's aware of the consequences more than ever.
Emma wants to, her dick even more so, but she won't take advantage of her like that. When she thought she'd lost Regina for her life, even just as her escort, she knew she had to change the ways things were between them, no more just using her to empty her balls. "You're here for the girlfriend experience right? Well, as your honorary girlfriend for the night I'd like to fall asleep with you. I'm knackered and could really do with the sleep."
"Are you sure?" She was somewhat relieved, she loved fucking Emma but her body was still recuperating.
"One hundred per cent." She answers as she gets into bed besides her pretend girlfriend before giving her a very really kiss and spooning her from behind. Emma could honestly say she had never felt so satisfied from a night with a woman. They hadn't had sex but she was so happy that they had cleared up their misunderstanding and the conversation had flowed easily after that. She felt like she could be herself which was a beautiful freedom to have in the company of another. That night they both slept better than they had all week.
XXXXXXXX
Emma rises with the sun, excited with her surprise for Regina. She quietly goes to the bathroom to brush her teeth before making her way downstairs. Ten minutes later she's carrying their breakfast on a tray, Regina's surprise also on it. She places it down on the bedside cabinet on Regina's side before sitting on the edge and gently stroking the brunettes cheek to rouse her from her slumber.
"Morning, beautiful." She greets the woman who she thinks should wake up in her bed every morning.
"Good morning." She tiredly replies. "What time is it?"
"Seven fifteen. I've brought breakfast."
The brunette sits up and daintily rubs at her eyes before noticing the tray on the bedside cabinet. "You weren't joking about the lasag…" She stops when she notices the small vase of bluebells.
Emma smiles with pride at Regina's look of wonderment when she sees the flowers.
"Bluebells, how did you get bluebells? I only told you last night."
"I have my ways." She winks before admitting she called her florist from the bathroom the previous night.
The stunned woman reaches for the vase and takes a deep breath, the smell bringing back the few happy memories she had in her childhood. "Thank you," she whispers as she tries to keep the emotion in her chest at bay.
"You're welcome." Once again Emma is left baffled by how such a small thing could elicit such a reaction. Surely Regina had men and women constantly fawning over her and offering all sorts of romantic gestures in order to woo her. To change the subject she grabs a plate of warmed lasagne and offers it to the brunette in exchange for the bluebells that she sets back on the tray. "Right, let's see what magic those fairies used last night." She jovially announces as she grabs her plate of lasagne before taking a hearty bite. Regina joins her and the both moan in satisfaction. "See, I told you."
"Indeed you did. I didn't think it could taste any better than last nights but it really does."
They chat between mouthfuls of lasagne and swigs of coffee until everything is finished and Regina asks to use the shower, Emma never refuses her. Regina would love to take a bath but she really didn't have time and she'd never ask for that, she saw it as too much of an imposition on the blonde.
Whilst Regina was showering the blonde was thinking about the next few days in front of her, for which she had no plans. She could call around her teammates and see who was free but that seemed a bit desperate to her and her insecurities always made an appearance, if they wanted to hang out with her they would contact her. Sighing she wished Regina could just stay until she had to start back at training on Tuesday morning.
That wasn't possible though, Regina probably had loads of clients lines up. Her stomached rolled at the thought of anyone else touching her. She began rationalising with herself, yesterday Gold had negotiated with her to cancel with other clients, maybe he would again. Even if she had to pay the same inflated price, that would only be $120K for four days with the brunette. With all the sponsorship deals she was getting that was spare change to her. She was about to call Gold when she thought better of it. She would wait until Regina was finished showering then she would ask her if it was what she wanted. Emma didn't want to make the deal without Regina's permission, maybe the brunette wouldn't want to stay. Up rose those insecurities again only to be quashed when the brunette entered the room with a towel around her as she used a smaller one to dry her hair.
"Hey, Regina, I have a question for you." The blonde shyly puts forward.
Regina sits next to Emma on the bed. "What's the question?"
Emma was about to ask but instead she gets side-tracked by the small cut below the brunettes eye, not having noticed it before the escort had washed her make-up off in the shower. "How did you do that?" She points at the small healing cut.
Regina freezes for a moment before trying to brush it off. "I scratched myself in my sleep. That was your question?"
Again the blonde has trouble believing the reason and again, she lets it go. "Urm no, that wasn't my question." She pulls the brunette onto her lap and takes her hands. "I have a very selfish request to make. Would you like to stay with me for the weekend? I'm off until Tuesday and I thought it might be fun to hang out here, we could use the pool and jacuzzi." She knew she was trying to bargain with the brunette and she hoped it worked.
"I'd love to but urm… you'd have to check my schedule with Gold." She wanted to scream out 'yes,' but Gold may not be keen to let her out of his sight for so long. She smiled at the blonde as Emma picked up her phone and dialled Gold.