Author's Note: this chapter contains adult situations and content, but nothing too graphic or explicit. 3089 words this chapter. I'm sorry it's so long but it all goes together.

Chapter Seven, The Love Challenge

Killian spent a lonely day on the Jolly. Finally his phone signalled. He read her text, "I'm ready. Knock first."

"Bloody hell!" he cried. "Knock?" He texted the same message to Emma but only received the image of a tiny, smiling, yellow face and the word "Yes." He scowled but got ready.

He dressed in black slacks, a black shirt, and his old, favorite, red sexy vest. He smiled. Emma was partial to this vest. He pulled his favorite black jacket on and set off. He didn't mind the crisp cold air as he walked to his and Emma's home.

He felt silly knocking at his own front door, but he would do anything to accommodate his love. He stood a few moments then the door blew open. He peered inside, no sight of Emma.

"Magically opening the door, Love? One might consider that cheating as I am not currently gifted with that kind of power."

He walked further inside. There was still no sign of Emma. "Love?" he called. He looked around. The house was dark. There were no decorations. The dining room table was not set. Nothing was cooking on the stove and no dishes of food were out.

"I do believe I have entered a land version of a ghost ship."

Soft laughter drifted around Killian. Suddenly the room glowed with warm light as lit candles magically appeared on the mantle, the coffee table, the kitchen counters and on the dining table.

Next, the kitchen table shimmered with white magic. A lacy, red tablecloth appeared with two crystal place settings on top. Between them were several covered dishes and a small bowl filled with white, red, and pink tulips.

Standing beside the table, was Emma.

He looked her over. She wore a white dress, the top was solid but the straight, knee-length skirt was a white, pink and red floral print. Her hair was loose, pulled slightly back by a red hairband. He noticed that she wore the anchor necklace he'd given her the night before.

He smiled and walked forward. "You are a vision, Love."

She smiled back and stepped the last distance. She met his lips and they kissed sweetly. She pulled slightly back to say, "Happy Valentine's Day."

He chuckled. "Happy Valentine's Day, Love."

She took his hand and led him to the table. He held out her chair, then sat across from her. She smiled and took the lid off the large dish.

"Aw, the long noodles, balls of meat and red sauce that Henry is partial to."

She laughed. "It's called spaghetti, but I do enjoy how you refer to it that way, every single time."

He smirked. "I see garlic and a green herb, basil I believe?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So, I discovered in my research that those are two foods of love."

She smiled, blushing. "You don't say."

He smirked, leering slightly.

"Oh, I forgot," she said. She raised her hand and a tiny plate of mints appeared. "Garlic is hard on the breath. We're doing some serious kissing later, so we'll need these."

He laughed. "Very prudent. I concur. We are definitely engaging in the kissing activity, as well as others."

She blushed, gave him a radiant smile and passed him the spaghetti. She then uncovered the other dishes: green salad and fresh breadsticks. As he filled his plate, she waved her hand and a bottle of wine appeared. "Would you do the honors?" she asked. He smiled and opened the bottle. He reached for her glass and filled it, then his.

She smiled smugly and snapped her fingers. A violin, a cello, and a flute appeared. They hung in the air and swayed, playing themselves. A soft, gentle love song serenaded the lovers.

Emma giggled. "I love having magic sometimes."

He laughed. "You use it so well, Swan."

She blushed as he kept his eyes on her. They ate, smirking, giggling, and listening to the music.

"That was delicious, Love," he said at the end of the meal, "and very intimate."

She smiled, her eyes shining. "I really love you, you know?"

He smiled gently. "I do indeed. I love you as well."

A lovely pink glow warmed her face. She waved her hand in front of her and a simple white box with a red ribbon appeared. She handed it to him.

"I am honored, Love." He opened it and gave her a puzzled look. "I am afraid you are confused, Swan. These look like pieces of ladies jewelry."

She giggled. "Well, technically one is," she said. She walked over to him and leaned over, picking up the locket. She squatted down so she was level with him. "It was a tradition in this land," she said, "when a man went off to sea his love would give him something to remember her by."

She opened the locket and revealed the golden hair curl.

He looked up at Emma and instinctively touched her hair. "Oh, Love, this is truly wonderful. I would never forget you though, Emma, not even in hell." He smirked.

She gave a soft, bittersweet laugh. "I'm never letting you out of my sight again, but...well, I want you to carry something of me with you."

"Besides your heart? I speak figuratively of course, since your selfless plan to split yours with me did not work."

She chuckled. "You have my heart anyway, Killian."

"And you have mine, Love."

She nodded. She picked up the other pieces in the box.

"Oh, a time-telling device," said Killian. "You are intent on bringing me into your modern world, Love."

She snorted. "Modern? Killian, this is an old piece, no one uses this kind anymore. It's a pocket watch. Nowadays only refined, classy men wear these."

His eyebrow went up.

She smirked smugly. "On second thought, maybe this isn't right for you."

He took the watch. "Of course it is! I am the epitome of refinement."

She smiled with satisfaction.

"What are the other two circles?"

"Open them."

He did, and instantly his face lit up. He looked at her with a genuine loving face. "Thank you," he said simply.

Emma glanced at her face and Henry's looking up at them. "I want you to have your family with you always."

He smiled. "I do Emma, in here," he said, patting his heart. "I vow never to be separated from you or Henry ever again. I thank you, though, Love, these mean a great deal to me."

She leaned forward and they rubbed foreheads.

"You know me well, Love, these are truly inspired gifts."

She laughed, standing up and going back to her chair. "It's like you said to Henry, I tried to suit my gifts to you."

"You accomplished that feat admirably."

She beamed with pride. They took a few moments to simply stare at each other. Emma fingered her necklace as Killian held the locket with her hair.

After a few moments, Emma asked. "Would you care for dessert?"

He leaned back in his chair, scratching his ear. He looked her up and down. "Are you on the menu?"

She blushed and giggled. "Not yet."

"Ooh, I like that response."

She chuckled. She waved her hand and the dirty dishes disappeared along with the leftovers. A cheesecake, topped with fresh strawberries appeared along with two clean dessert plates and a pot of coffee and mugs.

"I cheated with this," she said. "It's not homemade."

"I forgive you, Love."

She laughed as she cut him a slice, then a larger one for herself.

"I do remember your fondness for this dessert," he said with a smirk. At that moment, her eyes rolled back as the cheesecake hit her taste buds. "And I love watching you eat it," he said as she blushed and chuckled.

After their meal, she moved him to the couch. He tried several times to kiss her or push her backward into it, but she resisted. "We have to let the meal settle, Killian."

He sighed and pouted. "I can do much on a full stomach, Love. Remember last night?"

She laughed but held firm. She had moved the musical trio into the living room with them and they were listening and watching. Emma was, Killian sulked.

"I'm sorry, Love, but I must say that so far, the entertainment part of your Valentine's offering is lacking."

She giggled, biting her lip. "I'm so sorry."

After a few more minutes, she stood.

He licked his lips. "Finally. Shall we retire upstairs?"

She looked at him and smiled sweetly. "No."

"No?" He looked dumbfounded. "Emma…"

She laughed. "Trust me." She walked to the stairs and turned. "Stay."

"Alone?"

"For a moment, Killian."

She walked upstairs, hearing him grumble. "At least turn the bloody instruments off!"

She giggled but left them playing.

After another few minutes, the instruments vanished. The candles dimmed and the room darkened. KIllian looked up the stairs. No Emma.

Then a strong, sultry tune cascaded down the stairs. The top of the stairs shone with light and Emma appeared.

Killian caught his breath.

She walked slowly down, shaking to the music. She stopped on each step along with the beats of the song. Her hair was slightly messy, like she'd ran her fingers through her hair. Her lips were bright red. She wore bright red high heels peeking out from a floor-length, black, silky robe.

It floated around her as she stepped. She caught his eyes and didn't let them go. She licked her lips, opening her mouth slightly, giving him one hell of a lustful look.

Killian was spellbound. HIs every cell was aware of her presence. His pulse raced and his eyes took in each tiny movement.

She slowly made her way down the stairs, her hips rocking to the beat of the music. She reached her hand through her long loose hair, and gave it a slow, sultry sweep back.

Killian's tongue rolled onto his lower lip.

On one saucy beat she dipped slightly forward, displaying a peek of her lovely cleavage. She bent her head and dipped her whole body backwards, sweeping one leg up, revealing a long, high slit in the robe.

Killian growled.

On the last step, as the music swelled, she swayed to the left, then to the right, twirling her hair. She licked her lips and gazed at him with a tempting look. She slowly glided towards him, shaking her hips in time with the music.

"Emma," he whispered. She smiled ever so slightly, staring at him with desire, but said nothing as she drew closer. She slowly caressed his face from his forehead down to his chin. "You are a temptress, Love."

At this, she smiled with satisfaction. She bent forward, allowing him to put his hands on her shoulders. She hovered over him, moving her lips to his. They were just about to touch when she pulled back and stepped away.

"No bloody fair!"

She laughed with a light, playful tone. She smiled, then dropped it, looking at him passionately, lust in her eyes. The music changed to a spicy samba song. She shook her hips and danced.

Hook's eyes grew wide as he watched. Her hair moved with her as she dipped and bent and swayed. She danced in front of him, tantalizingly close, then pulled away.

"Oh...love," he said, his mouth watering. "I do like this."

The music turned a bit harder, like metal. She began to unbutton the robe.

"Oh…" he moaned. "Emma…"

She giggled and let the robe shimmy down her chest and shoulders. She turned, her back to him. She shot him a wicked, lusty grin over her shoulder. She then shimmied all the way to floor. When she came back up, she turned around and the robe fell open.

She wore a short, cherry red, sleeveless nightgown that hit at her thighs. She stepped out of the black robe, catching the edge with one foot and kicked it to him with a smirk.

He caught it on his hook with a grin. "You're fighting dirty, Swan."

She smiled, moving toward him. She turned so her back was to him, moving like she was going to sit on his lap, but she didn't. She hovered just above him.

"You're killing me, Love."

She laughed as she shook her butt and hips over him. She moved her head in a circle. He caressed her back, but she pulled away, like his touch burned her.

The music now turned into a jazzy song. She faced him, slowly teasing the red nightgown down, revealing yet another outfit.

Hook actually drooled as he saw the hot pink lace bra that accented her soft, pink flesh. She smiled, gently tugging the nightgown down, over her tummy, and her hips. She was wearing a matching pink lace bikini bottom.

Hook whistled.

She coaxed the nightgown over her legs and kicked it up so she caught it. The song was interrupted by a rap. As the singer rapped Emma danced, using the nightgown like a strap that she held over her head.

The rap ended with heavy drums and Emma skidded on her knees in front of Hook.. She bent and shook her head, just inches from his lap. She slowly moved up, as Hook tried to touch her.

Emma pulled Killian up as the music switched again, this time to a soft, gentle love song. Emma smiled and put her arms around his neck. "Dance with me," she said.

"With pleasure, Love. That was a truly...amazing performance."

She smiled, and blushed lightly. "I thought you might like to see a strip tease."

"Oh, I did indeed, Love," he said as he held her tight and they danced slowly and sensually. "You are a marvel."

She smiled and put her head on his shoulder. "Happy Valentine's Day."

He grinned. "It is, my darling."

"Shall we take this upstairs?" she asked. He nodded his approval. Her magic enveloped them and they reappeared in their bedroom. It was lit up with candles. A tray of strawberries sat on the bedside table, next to a bucket of ice and champagne.

The bed was strewn with red rose petals. Sitting atop them was a large black and red basket, tied up with a huge red bow.

Killian looked at the box, then back to Emma. He smiled wickedly. "For me?"

She smiled bashfully. "For us," she said, "but it's something you asked for."

Killian picked the basket up. The label said "Spicy Couple's Night Basket."

He looked back to her and smiled. He reached out and took her hand. She smiled back. "Thank you, Love. I did wish for an education."

She chuckled. "It's an education for me too I'm new to this kind of stuff."

She sat beside him and they looked through the basket. There was a red velvet mask, a pair of red furry handcuffs, several red and black scarves, bottles of oils and lotions, a romantic music CD, a large feather tickler, a brown jar that said 'dark chocolate body paint,' a pink jar that said 'strawberry flavored body paint,' a book titled 'Sensual Massage,' and another that said 'Kama Sutra.'

Killian smiled at her. "Thank you, Emma."

She nodded.

"We shall take our time and we will not do anything that makes either of us uncomfortable."

With that she smiled wider. "I trust you, Killian, but thank you." She leaned over and kissed him slowly.

He growled lowly in his throat. "Perhaps we shall save this for another time. I do not feel the need to spice up anything tonight."

She laughed as she gently pushed him onto the bed. "Me either. So...my part of this Valentine challenge," she said, sitting on his lap, "The entertainment, I mean, did you like it?"

"That is I'm afraid, a ridiculous question," he said.

She grinned proudly. "Do you surrender then? I won the challenge."

He smiled, tracing his fingers along her cheek. "For the moment, Love, you have me at a considerable disadvantage. I did have lobster though."

She laughed. "Yes, you did, but I had...grinding."

"I am a fan of the grinding," he said, his tongue hanging out. "Let us agree to a draw."

"A draw it is." She bent over him, kissing down his neck.

"Oh, Love, we are both winners," he whispered as he ran his hand over her back. "These garments feel a bit strange. I'm not complaining. They look incredible."

She smirked. "Good enough to eat?" she asked.

His head pulled slightly back to look at her. "Eat?"

"You may remember I promised you edible undergarments."

He simply stared for a few moments, then said, "I concede defeat."

She laughed and kissed him, long and passionately. He rubbed along her thigh. She pulled at his shirt and rolled them over so she could take it completely off. "You might also be interested to know what flavor they are."

"Indeed? Then, you must enlighten me," he said as he coaxed his leather pants down. She gasped with delight as was she now facing a swan looking at her from his tiny underwear. He laughed. "For you."

"I like," she said with a growl. She caressed down his chest. "You know, the body paint may not mix well with this chest hair."

"Some pain is well worth enduring," he said, "but later, I am most content to grapple with this fascinating invention you wear." She laughed.

They lay, Emma on the bottom, each just staring at the other. "I love you," she said.

"I love you," he whispered. He bent his head down and kissed down her chest. "What flavor?"

"Take a lick and see."

He did just that, making her quiver as she felt his tongue through the edible lace. "Ooh, rum flavored, that's my girl."

She giggled. "You're tickling me."

"Some discomfort is also worth enduring," he said, chewing carefully through. "Eureka! I see free flesh! Oh, I love this realm, so much." She laughed.

She lay mostly still, occasionally shaking as she giggled from the sensation as he ate his way to her. Finally, she was completely bare. "That was delightful," he said, crawling back up to look her in the eyes.

"We'll have to try all the flavors," she said.

"There are more?"

She smiled beneath him. "Many."

He smiled back. "Indeed, I cannot wait. Now, however…"

"Now," she said, love in her eyes as she pulled his swan bikini off. "Make love to me, my Valentine."

He smiled "As you wish."

End of Chapter Seven