A/N: Chapter 2 fits Pompt 39: What are you doing in my hotel room?
Charlie had been damn right.
This place was the best choice for honeymooners and lovers. The only thing wrong is that Robin and Regina are neither of those. They feel awkward and out of place.
As soon as they arrive, they head to the front desk to complete some forms and register. The guy at the front desk gives them the key card to their room, or more accurately, to their cabin.
They don't even have to look at the other one's key card to know they will share the same cabin for the next ten days (why would it be any different in a place exclusive for couples?), and each of them needs to process this fact in their own way.
Regina smiles nervously and follows the bellboy to their cabin. She needs some space away from Robin. She has to pull herself together, take a deep breath and think how she will handle the following days.
Robin, on his side, demands a different approach with something stronger, so he goes to the bar for a drink and some time for himself.
...
Robin needs to study this situation and figure out how he will get through these ten days by her side without touching or kissing her. He has realized after boarding that plane that being subtle when she's around or controlling himself has become terribly difficult.
For years, as the man in love with his best friend, he had been capable of controlling it because they were rarely alone. They were always with one or both of their sons. It was complicated to find time alone, moreover, because he never looked for a chance to be with her in a different way. He had never asked her out or shared his feelings, and it has been a comfortable situation for him or, at least, one he had been able to handle properly.
But since he realized he would be spending his vacation with no other company than Regina, things changed. The interaction as best friends is no longer there. They have no kids that somehow manage to focus the attention on them, their needs, and Robin and Regina's concerns as parents. No other people are involved in their dynamic, and no work issues, distract their attention.
For ten days (and their nights ….shit, the nights! he forgot about them) there will be only the two of them, focusing on each other, listening to each other, no distractions other than themselves …and he doesn't know if he'll get through this.
After two whiskeys on the rocks, he has accepted he is no longer in his comfort zone. He has already stepped onto an unknown field. One in which he doesn't know what his best friend expects from him: A company? Someone fun to share her vacation with? Someone who could give her advice when needed? Or maybe he could lead things towards a different direction: some flirting, make her feel loved, show her that he is attracted to her, try to read if she might feel the same.
At least, he has figured out what he doesn't want. A fuck buddy is out of the question; a forced relationship because they kissed or fucked, the same. He wants something real but needs to be certain Regina is on the same page as he.
So, he decides he will take a different approach: the old-fashioned one. Date her, know her in a completely different way, try to read her the best way he can and talk to her, tell her how he feels.
He has always been a spontaneous man. He never liked following a script, but this time it is different. He needs to know in advance each step he will be taking because any misstep on the way could cost him her friendship and the worst ten days of his life.
If Regina had had any doubts before about the existence of paradise, she doesn't have any now, and she is certain how it looks like.
Their cabin is located on the farthest side of the resort and has no other cabin next to it. It has a rustic style and even constructed entirely in wood, is splendid.
Charlie had been right again. The cabin, oceanfront, has a terrace surrounding it, that's wide enough in its front part that reaches the ocean, so if someone sat on the floor of the terrace, their feet would be completely inside the water. The terrace has plenty of room and there is a table with a nice parasol and chairs, two chaise lounges and a jacuzzi for two people.
The cabin has one main chamber: the bedroom, with a king size bed, two nightstands, one on each side of it, a wardrobe on a corner of the room and a little coffee table with two armchairs, all in wicker. The high ceiling in the shape of an inverted V has an indirect illumination that gives a feeling of coziness and warmth and adds a perfect touch for romance. From the ceiling and above the bed hangs a rectangular structure that has attached to it a semi-transparent white fabric, that seems to be useful if someone wants to sleep with the doors opened because it would maintain the privacy of those in bed.
On each side of the bedroom and on its front, there are huge doors that can be opened wide enough to allow someone lying down in bed, enjoying the astonishing view just from looking in any direction.
She imagines being in bed with Robin watching the sunset as they enjoy a glass of champagne. She should not be thinking like that, he isn't taking this very well, he couldn't even come with her to their room and instead had to go to the bar to get a drink because of how uneasy this makes him feel. Shit.
Although, she is grateful Robin is not with her because only at the sight of the bedroom she blushes thinking this is meant for lovers, for people that would be sharing every inch of space.
As soon as the bellboy leaves, Regina goes to check the bathroom and her jaw drops.
At the simple sight of the bedroom, it's difficult to find the bathroom. The doors that lead to it are so well integrated to one of the walls of the bedroom, specifically to the one that's behind the bed, that it seems to be just a wooden wall since both doors are the same wooden color with identical wooden horizontal strips as the ones in the wall.
Each door to access the bathroom area is located in one extreme of the wall and leads to an independent bathroom with a toilet, a nice shower and a large sink with enough room for their toiletries and the ones the resort gives them.
It appears the only thing they won't be sharing is the bathroom, after all!
Both bathrooms include an internal door that leads to a spacious area which connects both spaces and that has in the middle a huge bathtub, a dresser with a chair and a bench by the bathtub. The ceiling in this space has a rectangular opening in the center, wide enough to allow someone inside the bathtub to enjoy the sight of the sky, the top of the palm trees and even the peaks of the green mountains that surround the place, if they take a look upwards.
Oh, God! This place is to die for, thinks Regina. And still angry with their friends for how they tricked her, she can't help but be grateful for their excellent taste!
She thinks she needs to shower and have a complete change of clothing, to get rid of the airport feeling.
She relaxes in the warm water, washes her hair and knows it will get all curly. However, it doesn't matter to her; sometimes she wants her natural self, and for a more sophisticated look, she brought her hair straightener and she's skilled with it.
She gets out of the bathroom half an hour later, only to find Robin lying down on one of the chaise lounges at the terrace. He seems to be sleeping, but he's not because when he hears her approaching he turns around to look at her.
His heart stops at the sight of her.
Robin looks at her, from head to toes, tries to be subtle, but fails very much so. She is a very beautiful woman, but at that moment she is like an angel that fell from heaven. He doesn't know if it's the outfit that leaves most part of her legs exposed, her wet hair that gives her a natural and carefree look, the fact that she's barefoot, or that she has no makeup on.
She smiles at him, and maybe this is the first time she realizes the effect she has on him, so she decides to taunt him "Hey, what are you doing in my hotel room?"
Robin gets up from where he is, walks towards her, and hands her a glass of champagne she hadn't notice he had, and gazing at her says, "I think you mean our room, Regina. This place is awesome!"
"Wait until you see our bathroom, well technically our bathrooms," she answers smiling as she bites her lower lip, and he thinks how it is possible that each second that passes she looks more beautiful than the one before.
He adds an "Oh!" that attempts to be an exclamation, but ends up being something closer to a moan.
He lifts his glass and toasts "To ten days in the best company. To us."
He is looking at her with care, admiration, and love in his eyes ...and she notices it.
Something just changed.
To be continued ...
In the next chapter Robin tries to find an opportunity to tell Regina about his feelings. Will he finally open up? ...and Robin and Regina receive some unexpected gifts that might bring some complications.