This one's short, but you'll like it, I promise. Thanks to everyone who has posted reviews! Happy Valentine's Day!

"Hey, you."

David turned from the sheep to find Regina leaning against the fence that held the sheep. A smile crossed his face involuntarily. "Hey, stranger," he said.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around very much this week," she said. "I had to go off to Daniel's kingdom. Meet the family and such."

His heart ached at the idea that she could possibly marry this man and be taken away from him forever, but he had gotten used to hiding his feelings during her courtship with the prince. Cora would never approve of Regina marrying a shepherd. And despite the many occasions upon which she rebelled, Regina desperately wanted her mother's approval.

"So I assume things are going well," he said, forcing the smile to remain on his face.

"Fast," she said brusquely. At his confused look, she elaborated. "Things are moving very fast with Daniel. It's only been five weeks." She fiddled with her fingers.

David furrowed his brow. "Regina, what's wrong?"

"He says he loves me…" She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. "But I don't love him," she said, the tears falling from her eyes as she stumbled toward him, seeking comfort in his strong arms.

"You said that Daniel is an unselfish person. I'm sure he'll understand. Certainly he doesn't want to marry someone who doesn't love him."

"But if I end things now, Cora will be furious! And even if I tell her Daniel ended it, she'll be disappointed. It will be my fault for not being good enough for a prince."

"Regina, listen to me," he said into her hair. "You are a strong woman. And you are going to get through this." He hugged her a little tighter, trying to calm the sobbing woman.

Regina cried into his chest, reveling in the warmth his body offered in the coldness of her life. They stayed there for a moment as he stroked her hair, trying to calm her sobbing. She eventually stopped shaking and pulled away just enough to look up at him.

David gazed into her eyes, and then he knew he couldn't hold it in anymore. He gently took her face in his hands, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip. Then he placed a light kiss on her mouth. It took a second, but after getting past the initial surprise, she moved her mouth slowly against his, melting into him.

After a moment, she abruptly pulled away from him, her eyes wide. "I-I have to go," she said quickly. She ran off, leaving him frozen, his arms empty but a smile on his face.

Regina sat on her bed, her legs tucked up at her chest, reliving the events of the previous day.

David kissed me.

Finally, after all this time, he'd made his move. She never expected him to work up the courage. But he did… and it was wonderful. Just the thought of the kiss they shared set her heart aflutter.

But I'm supposed to be with Daniel. Daniel was a wonderful man, too. He was strong, kind, and unselfish. And her mother completely approved.

But he didn't make her tremble when he kissed her. His gaze didn't make her weak in the knees. His touch didn't send shivers down her spine.

Her mind went back to that night at the palace…

David pulled Regina with him as they both laughed, knowing that Cora would never dare make a scene in the middle of the ballroom. He put a hand on her back and held her hand with his other.

As they spun around the dance floor, Regina laughed with him. It was the first time she'd had fun at one of these events. She was so grateful for his company. Her mother had never understood that Regina just wanted to be free. She wanted to run around and ride horses. She wanted to be free to do as she pleased. She wanted to fall in love someday. Cora couldn't fathom the idea of marrying for love instead of status, but it didn't stop Regina from dreaming about it from time to time. She imagined that someday a man would fly her off her feet and take her away where they could be free to love each other for the rest of their lives.

When the music slowed, she moved to pull away, but he brought her back, placing his hand on the small of her back. Regina looked up into his sparkling blue eyes before she leaned her head on his shoulder as they continued to sway.

She felt safe.

Regina's mind returned to her current situation. She had to see David.

Regina quickly made her way to the neighboring house. The shepherd stood by the gate where he'd kissed her just the day before. He looked up to the blue sky and closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air. That was when she knew. She could feel her heart start to race as she watched him. Her mouth was dry and her palms sweaty. She stepped toward him.

Her shoulder grazed against his, making her heart flutter even more. "It's a beautiful day."

"Yes, it is," he replied. "Regina, I'm really sorry about yesterday."

"David—"

"I was a jerk." She stopped speaking. "You were hurting. You wanted someone to comfort you and I—"

He was silenced when her lips met his. The familiar blend of apples and sugar flooded his senses as their mouths moved together. He closed his arms around her, pulling her flush to him.

They say that when you look forward to something so much, the actual event can never measure up to your expectations. But as David stood there, holding her while her hands pulled him by the shirt to deepen the kiss, he realized the feeling of her body pressed against his surpassed any fantasy he could have ever created.