Chapter 6
Regina awoke to a screeching phone, vibrating itself dangerously close off the edge of the nightstand. She shut off the persistent alarm, lifting slowly from the cocoon of blankets and pillows that engulfed her. She swallowed hard as a shiver slithered down her naked spine. Emma wasn't there. Looking around, she noticed her clothes were folded neatly on the edge of the glass desk across from her. She scrambled off the bed and upon reaching the desk, she saw a hand (horribly)written note.
Hey gorgeous,
Went out to get breakfast. I'll be back in a jiffy.
ES
P.S. - You snore. :) But in a very adorable way… Please don't run.
She stood, staring blankly at the piece of paper in her hand, mind rewinding to the night before. She dressed quickly, choosing to skip the shower altogether. She grabbed her things and stepped out of the bedroom, moving cautiously and quietly, trying not to-
"Sneaking out so soon, love?" Crap! Regina turned. Killian lounged lazily on the sofa, shirtless, remote in one hand and a beer in the other (yes, at 9:15 AM). "The walk of shame isn't successful if no one is there to witness it, although in your case…" He smirked at her, eyebrows rising in a silent tease, "I'd say you passed with flying colors."
"I, um, have to go." She muttered. "Tell Emma thanks for letting me stay. I'll find somewhere else to crash tonight." She avoided his gaze and turned to leave again.
"Whoa- wait!" He jumped to his feet, quickly reaching her before she had a chance to slip past the cracked door. "Love, don't leave like this. Wait until she returns. She left to get you breakfast." He implored, placing a gentle hand on hers. "Look… I-" He paused, rubbing his neck, contemplating his next words carefully before deciding it to be a necessary revelation. "I don't want to pressure you or anything but…I have never seen Emma so excited about a chick before. She's my best mate, and I don't want to see her upset when she finds you've gone. Just, please, wait five minutes."
Regina studied the sincere look on his face, the way the creases on his forehead deepened with every lift of his brow. She wanted to stay. She wanted to see the woman that claimed her deliciously the night before. The woman who spent many minutes after caressing her back and placing loving kisses on her head and forehead, whispering to her while she succumbed to sleep. Yet her mind was yelling, urging her to run.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I have to be at the library in fifteen minutes or I'll be late for my shift." She dodged his pleading eyes, clearly upset at her hasty response. "Besides, this never should have happened. It was a mistake, on my part. I'll bring her jacket by sometime next week, if you can please let her know." She responded, eyes dropping to the floor, ignoring that inner scald as the lie fled her lips.
"Don't do this…It's really not necessary. She-"
"I'm sorry but I really have to go." She turned, reopening the door and stepping through, whispering a shameful sorry as she left.
She walked the few miles to the library in a hypnotic haze, reevaluating every step that led her to surrender herself last night. She wasn't sure how to feel. In reality she was torn. She expected many things from her 'first' time, but never this. No…never to feel so utterly vulnerable and owned by someone she barely even knew. Someone that was never even a candidate in her extensive list of suitors; someone her Mother and many of her overly-religious "friends" would surely scold and disapprove of.
Yet she also never expected to feel so loved and safe. Being tangled in Emma's embrace had been the most comforting, most 'just right' experience she never knew she wanted. She craved sex, for as long as she was mature enough to desire it, but she never anticipated this other side to it. And she sure as hell wasn't prepared to deal with it now, as it crashed over her, cornering her into a decision she wanted to take no role in. What was even more bizarre, Regina thought, is how quickly this…thing, whatever it was, was unfolding between them two. Well, at least speaking from her end of it.
The library provided her with some much needed relief and a welcoming distraction. She loved children, and reading to them was just as entertaining for her as it was for them. After finishing her latest tale (Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs), she was bombarded with questions and comments from her tiny audience.
"Miss Mills!" Ruby raised an eager hand, eyes wide in anticipation, speaking before being called on, "how did he know? Prince Charming, how did he know to kiss her?"
"Um, well dear, I guess he just did." Her small face twisted in confusion and disappointment at Regina's bullshit response. Regina chuckled softly at the adorable reaction. "See, I'm not entirely sure, but…I think that since they were so in love and so connected, he knew that something as simple as a kiss would bring her back." She offered the young girl her gentlest smile. "That's the whole point darling, true love always wins."
"Yuck!" She stuck out her tongue and cringed at the idea of a kiss. "He should have tried using chocolate instead. Who wouldn't wake up to chocolate!" Ruby responded, grinning widely on the thought.
"Well, that's all for today, kiddos!" She concluded by standing and ushering the children to follow. "I'll see everyone next Saturday. We will be reading Sleeping Beauty, so don't miss it!"
After finally shaking off a persistent, still confused Ruby (who had latched onto her leg and refused to let go until Regina further clarified why a kiss instead of chocolate), she returned to the book cart and began to thoughtlessly place the scattered books in their designated spot. Transfixed by her own movements, she missed the dark figure that blurred down the corridor at the end of the alley, paused, and tracked back, leaning casually against a bookcase.
"Never pegged you for a runner, kid." Regina's head snapped up at the familiar voice, feet suddenly anchored to the ground. The tone held no menace nor hurt, it was teasing at most. Emma smirked and held both hands up in surrender upon seeing her bewildered glare. "Hey, I get it. I'm that good. I'd run too if I were you."
"How did you find me? I-I… did you follow me!?" Regina responded, tone bordering anger and suspicion; a hardcover book now a victim in her firm grip.
"You sorta gave your location away to K… right before bolting, remember?" Emma tried comforting her, an attempt to calm the already agitated woman. "I just wanted to check on ya… make sure you're ok." She stepped closer, hands reaching towards the rigid figure in front of her. "We never talked after-"
"I'm fine." Regina coldly assured, cutting her off. Eyes dropping to her hand as she placed another book on the shelf.
"I, um, well, I was hoping we could talk… about last night and about- I don't know, anything." She rubbed her arm nervously, foot tracing circles on the carpet beneath. "I-er, had a great time." She was semi-glad Regina kept her eyes focused on the books she was still placing on the bookcase because she was sure her pale face was quickly turning multiple shades of red.
"I'm busy." She dismissed the notion quickly, still not looking at the awkward blonde. She sighed a moment later. "Listen, Emma, I think it-"
"How about tonight? Over dinner?" Emma jumped in the moment she heard the remorse in Regina's voice. She knew what was about to come and she did not want to give her space to admit it. "I'm going to make reservations tonight at the Jolly Roger, for seven o'clock. And… you don't have to but… I really hope you come." Emma confessed, eyes hiding the fear she was feeling gnawing at her. "If you don't, I swear we can just pin whatever happened to momentary insanity and forget about it, and I promise to never bother you again." She smiled faintly. "Just… think about it." She nodded and left. She could feel her heart jumping forcefully against her ribs as she exited.
Regina paused, eyes never meeting Emma's during their encounter yet she could feel the passion laced in her words. She wanted to move on and forget. Let this be a one-time occurrence and pretend it was never meaningful. Just sex. But it wasn't just sex. Covering up the truth, as tempting as it may be, would not change that.
So, after many hours spent in self-debate, and many more trying to decipher her own coded thoughts and feelings, Regina relented. Sneaking home while her mother was away (hosting Storybrooke's annual fundraising event at the town square), she showered and dressed. She chose a simple, snug red dress that ended mid-way down toned thighs and modestly revealed cleavage, complete with delicate, silver jewelry and a pair of black, stiletto heels. The Jolly Roger was an establishment to be taken seriously. Name chosen after an infamous ship, which suited the restaurant since it was perched at the edge of Storybrooke, where land and ocean collided in an infinite tango. Not only was it the fanciest, most elegant fine-dining restaurant in town, it was well known beyond Storybrooke's borders to serve the most magical meals; no plate identical to the next. Regina concealed her surprise when she heard Emma pick the location, knowing perfectly well that it was a place that required notification days, sometimes weeks, in advance for a reservation. It was certainly no place for commoners of their social and financial status to be lurking in, even more so two teenage girls. She styled her lengthy, silky hair in loose curls and after applying her makeup, she glided a smooth, crimson lipstick across plump lips as a finishing touch.
She grabbed her silver clutch and threw whatever cash she had and her Mother's credit card into it. She hastily packed a duffel bag with items she'd need for the night and tomorrow, delaying her inevitable face-off with her Mother for as long as possible. At 6:15 PM, she was ready to go, and headed down to the foyer, clutch and duffel bag in each hand, and was ready to dial for a cab when the doorbell rang. She hesitated a moment, confused why anyone with a functional brain would be coming to the house, the Mayor's house, when her mother was knowingly absent. With a shrug, she dropped the bags and pulled open the door, and became instantly very, very perplexed.
Killian stood a few inches before her, dressed to the nines in a freshly pressed tux, hair slicked back in perfect precision. He was graceful, with both arms resting behind his back as he tilted his head towards her in acknowledgement.
"Miss Mills," He greeted her with a polite smile and a small bow, "your carriage awaits, your Majesty." He then spun expertly, extending a hand in the direction of the car parked beyond her yard – a four-passenger Lincoln Town Car. "Miss Swan requested that I fetch you for dinner. So, if I may…" He pointed a gloved hand towards the bag carelessly sprawled on the floor. She nodded, too stunned by the unexpected surprised to conjure proper human speech.
Killian smirked and waltzed in, retrieved the bag, and walked towards the vehicle, placing it in the trunk. He then walked around to the passenger side, and placing his left hand behind his back once again, he pulled open the rear passenger door and stepped aside. Regina understood, and after finally regaining command of her limbs and motor system, she reached for her clutch and stepped out, already baffled by the incredible weirdness unfolding. She slid across the leather seat and immediately noticed a bouquet of recently plucked red roses that was placed strategically at the far end of the seat. There was a note positioned carefully on top of its plastic bindings.
Regina,
I hope you like the flowers JIt was meant for this morning but someone sorta messed with my plans…
Anyways…See you soon!
ES
P.S. If you're reading this, it means you're in the car….and I told K to lock the doors. You know…for safety reasons.
The sound of four doors simultaneously locking elicited her attention. Bitch. But the thought held no scorn. She was secretly beaming inside. The extent to which Emma dove into to make this happen, the amount of detail, and the effort clearly demonstrated was not lost on Regina. She allowed her head to drop, chin resting softly against her bared chest, pretending to analyze the roses and note as a smile tugged at her lips. She was impressed, yes, but she withheld the urge to display it. She was not about to allow the likes of Killian Jones to feel entitled to boast.
"You look beautiful, love." Killian admired, eyes flicking from the road to the rearview mirror as he spoke. "Red certainly suits you."
"Flattery doesn't suit you, K." Regina smiled shrewdly and straightened her posture. "But I must say…bold move. Showing up, uninvited to the Mayor's house. If Mother was home, you'd probably be lounging in a jail cell right now."
"Aye, indeed that was a very probable scenario. But all of Storybrooke is currently keeping our faithful Mayor occupied." He smiled arrogantly. "And I must say, smart move. To be frank, I had no notion of knowing whether or not you'd accept Emma's invitation." He lifted a brow, an infuriating glint reflected in his eyes. "Yet here you are."
She ignored him for the rest of the drive. The entrance to the restaurant was magnificent. Regina had been here once before as a small child with her parents, when her father was still alive, but memories have an incredible way of altering over the years and what her eyes frantically scanned as Killian pulled past the open, metal gates left her in awe. They drove past neatly styled shrubs and trees that ran parallel to the lane leading to the restaurants front steps. The stunning, historic building blossomed into her line of sight as Killian slowly trailed the col-de-sac. A colossal fountain sat at its center, the mid-piece a statue of a mermaid with a bronze, scaled tail arching off the stone she was perched on. Her hair pressed damply against her chest, concealing the otherwise exposed mounds of her breasts. Her jaw was open and a trickle of water spurted out. It was absolutely mesmerizing.
"Love?" Killian stood, door wide open and hand stretched in offering in her direction. She took the hand and stepped out, eyes focused on her feet as she tentatively took a few steps forward on uneven, cobbled terrain. As soon as her head lifted towards the building, her knees weakened and her jaw slacked, suddenly grateful Killian still held her in his grasp. Emma stood a few paces in front of her, on the lowest footstep of the stone staircase leading to the oversized, double wooden doors. She wore an outfit similar to Killian's- a perfectly fitted black tux with a white dress shirt underneath buttoned up to the base of her slim neck. A thin, black tie was tucked neatly under the closed jacket, shimmering faintly in the fading sun light along with her polished black loafers. She had both hands stuffed into her front pockets and her grin was raw and genuine, stretching fully across her subtly powdered face the moment their eyes found each other. She stepped down and approached a clearly speechless Regina, who gawped at how stunning and striking and… at ease Emma looked. Emma's hair held a small braid on one side of her head that was pulled back with the rest of her blonde tresses into a ponytail. Regina couldn't understand exactly how, but at that moment Emma was Hermaphroditus in the flesh; a perfect balance of masculinity and femininity embedded in a toned, slender frame.
Still not fully grasping reality, she hardly registered the moment Killian relinquished her hand and passed it to Emma, her touch soft and warm, lifting it to her lips and placing a tender kiss on it.
"She's all yours, Swan." K said winking at Emma before sauntering back to the limo.
"You look…. Wow!" Was all Emma could muster while absorbing Regina's curvaceous form, sheathed tautly in red, feeling her breath quicken at the delicious sight. "Our table is ready. May I?" She held out an arm for Regina to latch on to and escorted her inside, walking slowly to allow Regina time to properly absorb every detail of the building's lavish interior.
The appetizers and entrees were marvelous. Regina feasted and indulged freely, under Emma's encouragement to order anything she desired. Emma appeared to be relaxed and cheerful, unhindered by the pending conversation both knew needed to happen, yet neither really wanted to breach the subject. After concluding their main course, they stared shyly at each other, suddenly succumbing to the weight of the past 24 hours. Emma steered the conversation; starting with a lighter topic before diving into impending doom.
"So, locked out of the house? Is that really the best you can do?" She chuckled after studying Regina's Yea, you got me reaction, cheeks suddenly matching her dress. "If you wanted a banging, all you had to do was ask!" She winked playfully at Regina, who could only offer a weak smile in return. "So, why did you run? Issues with your mom?"
"Something like that, yea." Regina glanced down, suddenly ashamed at the thought. "We just got into a heated argument and I left. Didn't really want to be home but didn't have anywhere to go." She shrugged.
"Well, you're always welcome to stay with me, whenever and for as long as you'd like. No strings attached." Emma smiled and placed a gentle hand on top of Regina's to further cement her sincerity. "And er-, I hope you don't think that last night was that. Me taking advantage of you or somethin'." Now blushing, both women averting gazes. "Because it wasn't. That was never my intention, I promise you."
"If I recall correctly, Emma, it was I who made the first move…not you." Regina replied, feeling slightly offended at the credit Emma was trying to assume. "It was what I wanted, and well… I took it. So no need to blame yourself. Unless, of course, you regret it-."
"No!" Emma replied a little too quickly, urging an eyebrow raise from a now smirking Regina. "I mean… you know, it was your first time and I-, er, well, wanted it to be perfect. For you. Cuz' you deserve it… I guess." Foot in mouth disease, Swan! She reached for her soda and took a long gulp. "I mean…" sigh, "what I mean to say, Regina is… that if things could have happened differently, I would have done this first..." she waved her arms above her head, "you know, a date. Taken you out properly, before… umm, well, you know- "
"Fucking me?" Regina completed her sentence. Smirking even harder at the alarming shade of red Emma was turning.
"Er- yes… yea." Emma agreed, suddenly feeling hot under her collar. "I just didn't want you getting spooked and fleeing… which is exactly what you did." Emma was searching now, inquiring. "Can I ask why? Why you left?"
"It was a lot to handle at once, I guess." Regina replied honestly, eyes shifting downwards. "You sort of – I don't know, caught me off guard. Not in a bad way, just… an unexpected way. I never imagined my first time to be like that… never expected it to be with another girl." She blushed, not ashamed but feeling suddenly very exposed to the blonde. "Scary thing is… I liked it." She smiled at Emma, who in turn flashed Regina a dazzling one of her own. "Oh stop, don't get cocky." Regina rolled her eyes at the blonde.
"What- No! Not at all what I was thinking!" Emma assured, sounding very apologetic. "But yea, I did too." Emma smiled, and reached for Regina's hand a second time. She held it in hers for a while, thumb running circles against the smooth beneath her finger. The check arrived and without any hesitation Emma collected it, surrendering her card without once breaking eye contact with the beautiful brunette.
"I hope you don't think you're getting lucky tonight just because you impressed me with a fancy dinner, Swan." Regina eyed her firmly, a single brow arched as she spoke. "Because opposite what you may think, I am not some easy lay."
Emma chuckled, head rolling back. "I wouldn't dare think that, babe."
And Regina spoke too soon, because some hours later she found herself writhing in pleasure beneath the blonde, completely surrendered to her mercy, begging and screaming her name for more.