For the many people who have pm'd expressing their worry that Emma isn't spending enough time at her job, you're probably right. But what fun would that be? In this chapter, once again, you'll find more sexiness in the bedroom than the kitchen, but I hope that doesn't impact your enjoyment of the story. ;) Thanks for all the amazing feedback. I love hearing from you.
While Regina worked on the homemade marinara sauce, Emma prepared the chorizo for her "Spicy Latina Lasagna," a name the brunette warned would bring painful retribution if she ever let slip. Emma had solemnly pledged her secrecy, trying to keep a straight face with Henry making faces at her from behind Regina's back.
"You know I have brought down a chef or two for less treasonous offenses, Miss Swan. Don't be fooled by my sweetness toward you. I can be quite ruthless."
Emma grew momentarily serious.
"I know. And I will never betray your trust," she said softly, sealing her promise with a tiny kiss.
So Emma rolled up her sleeves and pulled her hair into a ponytail, and the three of them got to work in the kitchen—Henry mostly in charge of manning the music and setting the table. But Regina and Emma worked together, passing ingredients and offering their own touches on the other's technique that reminded Emma of cooking with just one other person—David. He was the only chef she'd ever shared a kitchen with who could finish her culinary thought without words, orbiting around each other with wordless fluidity as they cooked and plated, perfected and prepared.
And although they were only making lasagna, a simple mixed green salad, and rustic garlic bread, Emma felt as in sync with Regina in the kitchen as she had in the bedroom. Every so often, as they crossed each other's path, their hands would graze or their eyes would meet, and Emma's heart would flutter. While Emma washed a few dishes as they waited for the lasagna to bake, Regina dropped a tiny kiss at the exposed skin behind her ear and whispered a tiny thank you—for the washing dishes, for being there with them, or for agreeing to be her girlfriend, Emma wasn't sure.
They sat in the dining room to eat, Regina wordlessly pouring Emma a glass of a red wine she knew she'd like and Henry telling her more about the girl from school. After shooting his mom fireballs from his eyes when she asked him about it, he grudgingly told them about Violet, the sweet brunette who he insisted wasn't like the other girls at his school who he thought were "kinda lame."
"I hear you, kid, high school girls can be pretty terrible, so if you found a good one, run right on through those goalposts for her. Totally worth it," she said, offering him a warm smile.
They talked with ease through dinner, Henry asking Emma for the inside scoop on being a head chef. She shared a few horror stories of lighting food on fire and nearly cutting off a finger with a boning knife, but mostly she told them about how much excitement she felt in the kitchen, how it was the only thing she'd ever done or experienced that made her feel completely alive. At that, Regina look up, catching Emma's eyes and blushed. Till now.
When they finished eating, Henry cleared the plates and excused himself to finish up some homework, and when they heard his door shut, Emma felt a hand on her waist.
"Hi," Emma said, meeting Regina's warm brown eyes.
"Hi there," Regina said. "I"m so glad you're here."
"Me too. Plus, that was without a doubt the best, spicy Latina, um, lasagna, I've ever put in my mouth," she said, waggling her eyebrows at Regina, making her laugh.
"Better not be," Regina said.
"Mmm, might need to test the theory, though, just to be sure," Emma said with a crooked smile.
Regina jumped slightly, her phone buzzing her pocket. She slid it out and looked at the screen, scowling and offering Emma an apologetic glance.
"It's work. There must be an issue with a story. I'm sorry. I have to take this," Regina said.
"Take your time. I'm good," Emma tossed back lightly.
"Regina Mills. Oh, good evening, Robin. What can I do for you? Ok, can you hold on a moment while I get to my computer?"
Regina gave Emma a small wave and hustled into her study. Emma finished cleaning up the kitchen, wiping down the counters and the stove and putting all the dishes away. She took a deep breath, desperately trying not to get ahead of herself. She had to admit she was afraid of how much she wanted this. Like, all of it. The domesticity of the evening. The feeling of having a family. The woman. God, she wanted this woman.
Other than the restaurant, she hadn't ever really let herself want anything. And when it came to personal relationships, investing herself in her friends was the closest she'd ever come to really putting herself out there. She suddenly had the sinking feeling that she was unwrapping the careful packaging she'd sealed her heart in so long ago, and a wave of nausea washed over her.
She leaned over the sink, turned on the faucet, and splashed a little water on her face. She took a few deep breaths, and just stood there for a moment, turning the water off and trying to settle her mind.
"She's different, you know?" Henry said, his sudden presence in the room making her jump.
Emma whipped around, trying to hide the surprise and bewilderment she was feeling. She raised her eyebrows at him in question.
"What? Who is different?" Emma said, confused.
Henry took a few steps toward her and came to a stop at the island, bending his lanky body over the counter, planting an elbow, and propping his head on his hand. He placed an empty water bottle next to him on a stool and looked at Emma with purpose.
"Mom. She's different with you. Different than I've ever seen her," he said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean? How is she different? I think you're burying the lead here, kid."
He chuckled lightly.
"That's something Mom would say," he muttered. "We've been happy, Mom and I. I mean she loves me and she's been such a great mom, and we've done so many cool things together, just her and I. But I could always feel her sadness—it was, like, right there, you know? But I don't feel it now. It's gone. Not since… you. She's different."
Emma tried to keep her face open, trying not to look as shocked by his admission as she felt. She studied him, and suddenly the weight of what he was saying to her—what he was asking of her—registered fully, and she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Henry, you're worried I'm going to hurt her? I understand that. You're mom is a pretty incredible lady," Emma said, her throat tight. "But just know that I've had a lot of sadness in my life too—a lot of hurt—and if I was lucky enough to have a son like you, I think he would say that I'm different, too… with her. She means a lot to me, Henry, and I'm going to do everything I can to protect that—and her."
She meant every word, she realized, and so it was too late to guard her heart. She was in it now.
Henry's face broke into a close-lipped smile, his eyes twinkling. He was looking at her with such warmth and affection that Emma reached up and smoothed his bangs to the side, letting her hand linger a moment before bashfully pulling it back and stuffing it in her pocket.
"Man, you're gonna kill me, kid."
Henry laughed and twirled a pretend mustache.
"Mah ha ha. That's my evil plan."
Emma let out a bubbly laugh and punched Henry squarely in the shoulder.
"Ow!" Henry yelped, rubbing his shoulder.
"Wimp."
"Hey there, you two," Regina said from the doorway.
Emma's eyes shot up, wondering how much she had seen of their interaction. Regina looked bemused but curious, her eyes darting back and forth from Henry to Emma.
"What did I just walk into?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing," Henry said casually. "I was just getting some water, and now I'm going back to bury myself in the history of Mesopotamia and the Parthian Empire."
"What was the name of the battle in which the Parthians defeated Marcus Licinius Crassus?" Regina volleyed.
"Battle of Carrhae—53 BC," Henry shot back.
"Who led the counterattack?"
"Mark Antony."
"Common art mediums?"
"Rock reliefs and frescos."
"Currency?"
"Greek drachma."
"Good, Henry. Now go write your paper. Eight hundred words doesn't mean Mesopotamia written 800 times."
Henry bounded out the door, brushing Regina's check with a kiss as he passed.
Emma held her ground, suddenly unsure. She hoped she hadn't overstepped her bounds and once again wondered what was happening in the brunette's head. But Regina strode over to her in fluid motions until she had her pinned a hand planted at her sides on the counter. She moved all the way into her, invading her space deliciously. She looked directly into Emma's eyes and brought her lips and nose just a hair's breath away from the blonde's.
"Is everything ok with work?" Emma asked.
"Yes, everything is fine. Just an issue with a previous column. Nothing to worry about."
Emma narrowed her eyes at Regina, but she could tell the topic wasn't up for discussion.
"You two are amazing—you and Henry. I'm not like that with anyone. The way you talk. You guys practically share a brain," Emma said reverently.
"It's been the two of us for a long time. Seems like you and he have taken to each other. I'm not sure what was happening when I walked in, but it was adorable. Henry likes you. What were the two of you talking about?" Regina asked in a more playful tone.
"It's confidential. I could tell you, but then… Well, it wouldn't end well. Empires would fall. Dynasties would crumble," Emma said.
Regina smiled, bemused, raising a sculpted eyebrow.
"Is that so, Chef Swan? What if I could offer you something very valuable in exchange for this top secret information?" Regina said, leaning down to perch her lips at Emma's pulse point and dip a tongue out to wet her skin.
"Mmm? What could you possibly have to offer me that would be valuable enough to commit treason against your son?"
Regina reached around Emma, grabbing the ends of her blonde curls and pulling down gently so her head tipped back, exposing her long, slender neck so Regina could consume it more fully. She began to suck and nip at the spot under her ear, slinking down along her throat and across her collar bone. Then she brought her head up, once again poised just a centimeter from Emma's face.
"What if I promise to kiss you here?" she said, dusting her lips against her left cheek.
"I'm not sure. It's a secret," Emma said, closing her eyes.
"What if I said I would kiss you here," Regina whispered, sucking gently on her earlobe and licking at the shell of her ear.
"I mean, that's fairly convincing actually."
"Or I could kiss you here," the brunette said as she dove in, letting their mouths meet in a luxurious kiss.
"Mmm, I might be tempted to confess," Emma mumbled against her lips.
"I have one final offer, but this is your last chance. I promise to make love to you all night, to touch you everywhere until you beg me to stop," Regina said, running her hands down Emma's sides with intention.
"Oh god. You've broken my will. I'll tell. I'll tell," Emma breathed.
She looked at Regina with sincerity, trying to change the mood from teasing and seductive to earnest.
"I think he's worried about you. He doesn't want you to get hurt. He just… he wants you to be happy," Emma said, tenderly brushing a loose strand of hair out of Regina's eyes.
"Oh my. He went mama bear on you, Emma? What did he say?"
Emma hesitated, wanting to choose her words carefully to avoid betraying Henry's trust while still being honest with her girlfriend.
"He said he thought you were sad for a long time after losing Daniel, but he noticed a change recently. And he hopes I won't do anything to betray that."
"Emma? Betray that? You're the reason for the change in me. You know that, right?" she said, peering intently into emerald eyes. Her voice became gravelly and hushed, making the tiny white hairs at the back of Emma's neck stand up. "You are making me want to trust, want to care. You are waking me from a very long sleep."
"Me too," Emma said, tenting their heads together. "I didn't even know that I was asleep. All this time."
Regina framed Emma's face with her hands, leaning into her body.
"Are you still afraid, Emma?"
Emma nodded but hugged Regina tighter to her.
"Yes, but it's worth it. Because I have never wanted anything this much," Emma said, her voice shaking.
Regina didn't speak, but she laced her fingers with Emma's and guided her down the hall, up the stairs, and into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her and leaning her weight against it. Emma moved to embrace her, but Regina put her arm out, signaling for the blonde to hold her ground.
Regina stepped out of her shoes and discarded her sweater and camisole, letting them gather in a heap on the floor. Then she unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down her body, adding them to the pile. She stood there, just adorned in lacy lavender underwear, never taking her eyes off Emma, who stood four feet away. Every cell in Emma's body was buzzing with desire, and her core began to feel tight and tingly, her fingers tickling to touch. But she waited, rooted to the floor, for Regina's next move. For a moment, she thought Regina might approach her, finally, but she took just one step closer and stopped once again. She reached around her body and unsnapped her bra, letting it drop down her arms and fall to the floor.
A low growl escaped Emma's throat, but still she didn't dare move. But then Regina, still locked on emerald eyes, shimmied out of her underwear, just the moonlight lighting her silhouette.
"Now you," Regina said roughly, the air so heavy between them.
Emma began removing her own clothes, mimicking her actions until she stood in her bra and underwear, watching as Regina's eyes caressed her toned torso and laved her body with attention.
"Everything. I want to see all of you," Regina said thickly.
Emma removed her bra and underwear and the two of them stood there, utterly fixated on each other, letting the tension build to a crescendo. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest, the endorphins of arousal scurrying through her at a dizzying pace. The want was overwhelming, and yet Regina's eyes told her to stay put.
Finally, finally, Regina moved, walking around Emma's naked body until her breasts and stomach were flush against Emma's back. She could feel Regina's own heartbeat pounding against the skin of her back. She felt on fire, and she let out a needy whimper.
Then she felt Regina's breath against her ear and her hands creeping up her torso until they reached her breasts. She grasped each one in her hands and held them possessively as Emma's chest heaved. She pinched hardened nipples, rolling them between her fingers, and Emma moaned, letting her head dip back, resting back on Regina's shoulder. And the brunette attacked the open skin, sucking and nipping at the exposed flesh of her throat.
Emma's core was throbbing, her mind scattershot, overloaded with sensations. Regina squeezed her nipples harder, and Emma thought she could actually cum without being touched below the waist.
Without warning, Regina released her and prowled around her to the front, continuing her catlike bewitching of Emma's mind and body. Regina looked into her eyes, her pupils blown wide with desire, and reached for Emma's hand.
"I want you, too. More than I've ever wanted anything. Feel."
She corralled two fingers, dragged them down her pubic bone, and dipped them inside her. And when the wetness coated her hand, Emma groaned, impossibly turned on even more.
And that was it. Emma couldn't take it anymore. She pounced, pushing Regina to the bed roughly and climbing on top of her. She began to devour her body in the places the brunette needed her, sucking on nipples, biting them, and nibbling sensitive skin of her neck. Regina hooked her leg around Emma's hip and flipped them over, so the blonde was on her back. Then she began to crawl up her body until she was perched over Emma's chest, her body leaving a trail of wetness there.
"Make me yours, Emma," she said.
Emma pulled her up over her face and hooked her arms around her thighs. Regina grabbed the headboard for balance and began to ride her, slowly at first. Emma sucked and licked, burying her face in Regina, forgoing air for how much she wanted to be inside her, to make her cum. Emma moaned into her, the vibration causing Regina to buck harder, and Emma sucked her clit fully into her mouth, dragging her teeth along it.
"Oh god, Emma. Don't stop. I'm so close," Regina said breathlessly.
Then Regina's body began to shake and tremble, and Emma gripped her hips more firmly in place over her, the brunette's body muffling the sound, drowning out the world. Regina's wetness coated her lips and chin as her orgasm took her, and Emma just watched her, looking up at her taut muscles and soft curves in a stranglehold of perfect pleasure, and it was utterly enchanting.
Finally, Regina climbed back down and let her body flop on top of Emma's, kissing her languidly. Emma turned them so they were on their sides, facing each other, one of Regina's legs flopped over the blondes' hip lazily.
"Hmm," Emma said. "Lasagna was better, but it was close."
Regina leapt on top of her, pinning her hands up above her head.
"Oh, Emma Swan. You are so dead."
Emma smiled.
"I hope so."