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Chapter Two, The Love Challenge
"I must insist Emma!"
"No! You planned our first date! I plan our first Valentine's Day!"
They glared at each other from across their kitchen. Killian cursed. "It is not fair. It's my first Valentine's Day ever, Emma!"
"Mine too! I mean, maybe this one won't actually suck," she said, her voice dropping. She looked at him, sadness in her eyes.
His anger melted. He walked to her and took her hand. "I vow to you, this Valentine's Day will most assuredly not 'suck."
She laughed. "I'm sorry. I just really want to spend a nice, romantic day with you."
"I wish that as well, my love."
"I want to make the plans, to show you…how I feel." She blushed.
He smiled and took her in his arms. "I desire the same thing." He kissed her slowly.
"So...I can plan the evening?" she asked.
"It would be the gentlemanly thing to concede," he said, stroking her cheek.
She looked up with a soft smile. "Yes, it would."
"Unfortunately, I am feeling rather ungentlemanly about the whole affair."
"Killian!" she cried, jabbing him in the ribs and pulling away. "I thought you wanted an education, you know," she said, her face pink, "about bedroom activities: edible body paint, couple's wax, edible underwear…"
"You have manufactured that last item in your mind."
She slinked back to him, shaking her hips. "Nope."
His tongue rolled out and he drooled. "I...um...have lost all train of thought suddenly."
She laughed. "So it's settled, I have to plan our Valentine's."
He chuckled. "That was a very good effort Swan, but no." She sighed. "However, I propose a challenge."
She tilted her head to the side. "I'm listening."
"We both make plans."
"Two Valentine's celebrations?"
"Why not? I have never had one and you sound as if yours have been lacking."
She thought about it. "We could have one the day before and one on Valentine's Day."
He nodded. "I warn you, though, yours, however well meaning and well planned will pale in comparison to mine." He smirked that damn smug smile.
"We'll see sailor boy, we'll just see."
"Challenge accepted then, Swan?"
She walked back into his arms and kissed him with a deep, needy kiss. "You better believe it, Pirate. I warn you," she said, caressing his cheek, "my plans will make you cry."
"Oh, I'm sure they will be inferior to mine, Love, but I would never show you my disappointment."
"Disappointment? I'm the one bringing the naughty edibles, remember?"
He grinned. "I cannot and shall not forget. However, you are up against centuries of romancing knowledge."
They smirked in unison. "You talk big, Killian."
"I do indeed, Love."
She laughed and kissed him. "Well, whatever we do, I think it's safe to say, this year will be memorable."
He hugged her to his chest and chuckled. "It will be indeed."
Emma was in the lingerie shop, browsing the frilly red Valentine section. There seemed to be two distinct styles: the cute 'sweetheart' kind and the more scandalous, raunchy style. She wanted aspects of them both. Normally she liked to be more alluring, with a hint of sexiness. She didn't want to be too sweet though.
She smiled and blushed. Killian was bringing the wickedness out in her. Since he challenged her for Valentine's Day, she felt like she was on the attack. She needed to kick his butt.
She sighed. She simply wasn't finding the right thing. Her eyes fell on a black teddy that was all sheer. It had red beaded accents in the private areas. She wasn't sure. It was far more daring than anything she'd ever worn.
"This does say,'take no prisoners," she said softly to herself. She held it up to get a better look. She decided to go over to the mirrors and see it in front of her body.
As she got closer she heard a very familiar voice. She cautiously moved forward and sighed. "Great," she mumbled.
There, in front of the mirrors, stood her pirate.
Emma growled at the scene. A pretty, young brunette woman stood in front of Killian. All his attention was on her as she held up a piece of lingerie to her own body. It wasn't just any piece either, but the same scandalous black teddy Emma had in her hand. The whole thing made Emma's blood boil.
Emma calmed though as she noticed Killian's attention wasn't on the lady at all, but on the lingerie. And he didn't seem pleased.
"No," he said, shaking his head. ""It is too crude for my Emma. She is more elegant and sophisticated."
Emma smiled. She sighed with relief and chuckled. Bless her pirate.
"In the bedroom her attire is more...teasing."
"Hmm, teasing, huh?" asked the lady, taking the teddy down. "Like she wears more fabric, but in a daring way, kind of like a strip tease?"
"What the devil is that?"
The lady laughed, her long brown locks moving with her. "It was a style of art or dancing," she said. "Ladies were clothed and then they slowly and seductively removed pieces, one at a time."
Emma saw a slow smile spread across his face. "I love this realm more each day."
The sales lady laughed. "The thing is they never removed it all, not in a true strip tease. They left more to the audience's imagination."
"Yes, that is what Emma does,' he said, tugging his ear. "She allows me to picture her inner temptress, so to speak." He smiled as he thought of her.
Emma felt a warm buzz spread through her body.
"Then this teddy is too brazen," the sales lady said. "How about something with a robe? She can open it..."
"And reveal the temptress hiding beneath," said Killian. "Oh, that is inspirational, Love."
The lady laughed. "We could do a nice but short babydoll nightie under it or a tasteful two piece."
Killian nodded and followed the lady across the store.
Emma looked at the teddy in her hands. She had felt it wasn't right and Killian came to the same conclusion. It made her tingle with emotion to know that her boyfriend understood her so well.
It presented a problem though. They could very well buy the same things.
Part of her wanted to leave the store right then and let him have his fun. The competitive part however wanted to confront him or even spy.
Her indecision ended up making the choice for her.
"Bloody hell, Emma! What are doing here?"
She looked up at him. She held up the black teddy. "Guess."
"That garment does not suit you, Love."
"I know," she said, tossing it aside. "I like the idea of the robe though." She grinned.
"You vixen! You have been committing espionage against me!"
The sales lady giggled behind him.
"I was innocently in here on my own business," Emma said. "I can't help if your voice carries."
"Well, this will not do," he said. "We cannot both be buying you things to wear in the bedroom."
"It's my body, I should be buying them."
He smirked and walked forward. "Oh, but I so love to dress that body of yours."
The saleswoman stifled a laugh and looked away.
Emma held his gaze. "Not this time."
"Bloody hell, Emma, that's not fair! Besides, what about the challenge? I know, in that spirit, let us have a duel of competing naughty wear."
"I love how he talks,"' said the saleslady.
Emma smirked at Killian. "What if we buy the same thing?"
He frowned. "I will not surrender, Love. I enjoy this part of pampering you...and myself," he said with a wink, "far too much."
"If I may," said the sales lady. She blushed. "We do have a selection of men's wear."
Emma burst out with a radiant, teasing smile. "Men?"
Killian had gone pale. Emma was surprised. She thought he'd jump at the chance to scandalize her in the bedroom.
"This way," the lady said. She led them to a far corner. Emma blushed crimson red as she stood in front of the teeny tiny bikini men's underwear.
"Where are they, Love?" asked Killian, looking around.
Emma laughed. "In front of us."
His eyes narrowed. The saleslady had walked to the rack and pulled out a couple. Killian's mouth dropped open. "I am speechless."
Emma chuckled. "That doesn't happen very often."
"I have given the men of this realm far too little credit," he said, looking at one tiger striped pair. "They have much courage." He took one of the bikinis from the sales lady. "I fear that I would not fit," he said, shooting a devilish smirk at Emma who blushed and turned away.
The sales lady laughed. "We have larger sizes as well as more modest styles. I am sure we could find something to accommodate you."
"I admire your optimism, Love, but do not..short change me," he said with bravado. Emma turned red and put her head in her hands.
The sales lady smiled. "I love when you come into the store, Captain," she said. "I know it's going to be an interesting day."
Killian smiled. "I brighten up many a mundane activity. Do I not, Swan?"
She was trying to cope with shopping for teeny men's underwear with her super hot boyfriend. "Yeah," she said, trying to relax. She looked away. "How about you buy yours, and I'll buy mine?"
Killian pouted. "Buying the spicy sleepwear for you, Love, is one of my great joys."
She laughed and walked to him. He looked so dopey. She gave him a short kiss. "Alright," she said. "I'll let you."
His face shone with joy. "Thank you, my love."
"But I'm still treating myself," she said.
He smirked. "It will be a substantial treat for me as well."
Emma shook her head, with a blushing chuckle. "We can always return any duplicates," she said. The saleslady nodded.
"Or we can keep them as a backup should one become...injured...in our excitement," he said with a lusty smile and twitch of his eyebrow.
Emma turned red. "Oh, Lord."
The saleslady laughed. "Don't worry, Miss Swan," she said, "I do work in a lingerie store. I've heard worse."
"Have you indeed, Love?" asked the pirate. "Perhaps I should inquire about a position of employment here. It sounds like my cup of rum." He winked at Emma.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said. She looked at her watch. "I've wasted my lunch hour. I just have time to grab a grilled cheese before I head back. You shop now, I'll do mine later."
She began to head toward the front of the store.
"Swan!" he called. When she turned he tapped his cheek.
She chuckled, rolled her eyes, but came back to give him a sweet but quick goodbye peck. "Behave."
"I shall endeavor to accomplish that request, Love," he said with a bow.
"Right."
As Emma left, Hook turned to the sales lady. "Now, let us get to the dirty, lusty shopping."
She laughed. "Of course. Should we start with hers or yours?"
He looked over the bikini briefs. "Well, when in a strange land, one must make certain attempts to conform." He walked to the rack and looked through. He pulled out a pair with a skull and crossbones and gave a hearty laugh.
"I think not. Perhaps later, for everyday," he said, putting them back.
"By all means, you must come back," she said, her mood light and happy. "Many times."
"That shall not be a problem, Love," he said with a smile. He pulled out another pair. It was black with red and orange flames. "No, it harkens back to the Underworld." He shuddered.
"How about these?" she asked, pulling out a white pair with little red lips all over.
He smiled. "Hmm, not bad, but not special enough. These I shall also remember for later."
He went through the whole rack. He shot down chili peppers, billiard balls, playing card faces, and even little anchors, but that one was put on the 'later' list.
Finally he smiled. "Now, this is unexpected."
Immediately the sales lady laughed. "I think we have a winner."
"Oh, indeed we have," he said, smiling at a light blue pair. Floating ethereally across the front, was a large, airy drawing of a white swan. He smiled even wider. "This is the one."
"I think it's perfect, Captain," he nodded. "Shall we begin the search for hers now, or do you wish to look more for you?"
"No, my attire is complete," he said. "It is time we turn our attention to my love."
"Very well, let's head back to the women's' section."
He nodded, still looking at the white swan. "I don't suppose any styles for the lasses are adorned with anchors, pirate ships or hooks?"
She giggled. "For Valentine's Day? I don't think so, but by all means, let's check."
"Let us indeed."
Emma walked to Granny's with a spring in her step. The thought of Killian in those barely there bikinis excited her. She would definitely be stopping back by that rack. She felt happy about Valentine's Day. She still didn't know exactly what she'd buy for herself but the surprise meeting with Killian had given her a great idea.
She now knew the entertainment part of her Valentine's plan. He'd been so intrigued by the strip tease. She chuckled. She was going to knock that pirate right off his feet. All she needed was a sinful outfit, some music, and a little wiggling.
She grinned wickedly as she ordered her grilled cheese. The first shot of the Valentine challenge had been fired.
End of Chapter Two