This chapter fits Prompt N° 21: A day at the beach ends with Regina getting sun poisoning
They survived their first night together. Yes, they made it through the night. It was weird, but both of them overcame the oddness that was to share a bed with their best friend and secret crush.
Regina got over the mortification of having to ask Robin for a t-shirt to wear for the first night until she could buy something more appropriate the next day, and Robin had happily agreed. Yet, he had been surprised.
Robin knows Regina is an organized woman; he is well aware of how she thinks of everything in advance and leaves very little or almost nothing to chance. Thus, the fact that she forgot to bring her sleepwear with her, is completely out of character and makes him wonder if this has something to do with those gift boxes they received.
And Robin confirms his suspicions when he implied he would gladly lend her something for the night and that he understood that trying to leave things organized at home had possibly made her forget her pajamas. It was the way in which she rolled her eyes and the lack of an answer what gave away that had not been the case.
Ironically, Regina's intentions to avoid showing too much skin or look too sexy in that pearl negligee had been useless because wearing that loose men t-shirt, she looked sexy as hell, and Robin had struggled to take his eyes away from her that night.
They went to bed at different moments.
Robin had been the first one to get in bed. He benefited from the time Regina took as she went through her beauty routine in the bathroom, behind closed doors. When she came out, Robin was already in bed, tucked below the sheets. She had no other choice than to do the same, quickly, almost as if trying not to overthink.
There wasn't even a TV in the bedroom nor internet signal, so they didn't have the slightest chance to pretend they were watching a movie or checking emails on their phones.
At least, both thanked God that the bed was a king size, so there was plenty of room between the two of them.
Silence. Tension. Uneasiness.
Robin was the one that broke the silence, with a shy, "Have a good night, Regina."
Her only answer was, "You too, Robin."
With her words, they both turned off the lights. Though, neither of them went to sleep. The darkness of the bedroom made them go through the events of that day, over and over …and wondered about what was inside the other one's gift box.
However one thing was clear for both of them, six people would pay for making them go through this.
Days pass by. Three days and three nights, to be accurate.
Three fucking days full of relaxing, sun, beach, swimming, diving, exposed bodies and long chats with the ocean and sand as the only witnesses of their silent love. And three fucking nights of walks in the moonlight, romantic dinners, alcohol, dancing and sharing the same bed.
Yet, their feelings remain secret; and Robin, who has been the most determined of the two of them to take a step further, hasn't found any opportunity (or courage enough) to confess to Regina and it's becoming extremely difficult to hide with each passing day.
During those days (and nights) both of them have endured stoically each test they've been submitted to, and they've done pretty well.
However, they don't know yet that they're about to be tested in a different way and both will need all their self-control to get out of that situation … if they get out, at all.
These past three days have been a torture for both of them.
Although, Regina has always been confident with her body (she is aware of her attributes, she likes to show them when the opportunity comes, to whom she chooses), knowing Robin would see her in a bikini, had arisen in her feelings of insecurity that she thought she'd overcome years ago. She knew this was because things with Robin are different, so she had been kind of anxious about wearing a bikini in front of him, maybe for the first time since high school, so she had spent hours at the mirror, checking every angle the mirror allowed, so that everything fitted in place.
At least she succeeded. She definitely made quite the impression.
Due to years of discipline, healthy food choices and daily workouts, her curves and toned muscles were showed off spectacularly in those minuscule bikinis she bought especially for this occasion. And, thanks to Emma (she has to give this to her!) she even got time for a mani/pedi and wax session. By that time, Emma's no-show at the spa to an appointment, the same one Emma had booked for the both of them the day before their trip, didn't make Regina suspect that her friend had zero intentions to go on vacation as planned. And that day Regina had taken advantage of a whole afternoon of pampering and getting rid of all those undesired pesky little hairs. She needed to feel comfortable so she had her legs and bikini line waxed, just in case, she decided to practice any nautic sport ...or any other activity.
During those three days, Regina needed all her willpower not to fall right into Robin's arms each time he gestured towards her or displayed all his good manners and chivalry. He had always been a gentleman, but these past days he had exceeded her expectations.
He made sure to hold the door for her each time they entered a place, leading her inside with a slight touch on her lower back; he was the one that poured the wine, champagne or any drink into her glass. He took care to be on her right side when they walked on the sidewalk ...and there were many other demonstrations of his chivalry over the course of the trip….Who said a woman of the 21st century doesn't like to be treated in such a way? She definitely loves it!
Robin, on his side, has been tortured not only every day but every single night. He has shared a bed with the woman he loves without being able to cuddle or touch her. He has become an expert at hiding the visible evidence of his sexual desire and could write a manual about the many ways in which that problem can be hidden. He pretended not to stare at her when she appeared for the first time in a tiny bikini that barely covered her breasts and ass and has been able to cover up how he ogled at her ass each time she bent down extending her towel for a sunbath. He has been a perfect gentleman when she has requested to apply sunscreen and has limited his hands to her perfect, toned back.
However, on the morning of their fourth day, they have a situation. It appears Robin hasn't succeeded at all performing the last task, and Regina has paid the price of his distraction.
The day before, Regina had asked Robin to spread some sunscreen on her back, and he had been so distracted with the view of her back, ass, and legs, that it seems he didn't check if he was applying the lotion evenly.
And, after waking up and when she is about to take a shower, she screams at the sight of her back.
Shit.
Regina has sun poisoning, and Robin is the one to blame for it.
But, the worst thing is she can't wear anything that would brush the skin on her back. No shirt, no dress, no tank top, no bra.
Fuck.
To be continued ...
In the next chapter the perfect opportunity for Robin to act on his feelings towards Regina comes in an unexpected way.