AN: Thank you to those who left reviews. Thanks so much to Sandra for beta'ing. Here's the third chapter! ~Kate
What in the hell was she thinking? What in the hell was she thinking by doing exactly the thing she promised herself she wouldn't do?
She not only accepted a job from somebody she'd slept with – which is quite honestly asking for trouble – but then she agreed to go on a date with that same man.
Which led her to this moment, trying to figure out what the hell she's going to wear.
Emma is yanking every clothing item she has from her closet and throwing it onto her mattress that doesn't meet her Date Night requirements. Some are too professional, two are too…Ruby (she borrowed a skirt or two for clubbing a couple of years ago and Ruby insisted she keep them), a few are too Neal's Emma (she doesn't even know that Emma any more, even though she disappeared only weeks prior), and the rest just aren't cutting it. She's ignoring the sound of her best friend's laughter, though it's getting harder the louder it grows.
"Will you shut the hell up?" she glares at Ruby.
Her friend slaps a hand over her mouth but a few annoying, albeit well-meaning giggles slip through her fingers. "Sorry." She steps into the bedroom while eyeing the pile of clothes. "I just saw flashes of color and figured either someone's got another interview, or a hot date tonight. My money's on the latter. It would explain the nerves."
Emma rolls her eyes and turns back to her closet. "You're not shutting up."
"Nope," Ruby answers, sliding her curious eyes to Emma. "Why are you nervous? You're never nervous."
She's aware. "You're still talking."
"Jesus, you're really nervous!" Ruby gasps and claps excitedly. "Okay! Come on," she tugs on Emma's wrist and pulls her out into the hall and then into her room. "You're wearing something of mine!"
"If by 'something of yours' you mean, something so short my ass cheeks will hang out, I'll pass."
Ruby shoots her a mock-glare. "Now whose turn is it to shut up?"
Touché, best friend. Touché.
After five minutes of ruffling through Ruby's closet, they find the perfect outfit. Emma stands in front of the mirror and the two women stare appreciatively: Emma, at how she looks and Ruby, at her brilliant sense of style being proven. Ruby put her in a classic, little black dress with a hem that lies just above the knee with a neckline that dives to just the beginning of her cleavage. It isn't too revealing but she likes to think it'll peak his curiosity, and even though he's already seen what's underneath, it's still fun to play.
She wonders and doubts he's torturing himself with how he's going to look for her.
"You look hot!"
Emma's lower lip slips in between her teeth and she does a little twirl, actually feeling feminine and actually surprising herself by liking it. She doubts this feeling will last more than the night but she won't try to suppress it. She feels good, and even she has to admit…she looks good too.
"You think?"
"Hell yes!" Ruby squeals. "He's going to have trouble making it through dinner without wanting to tear your clothes off is what I think."
Emma nearly blushes at the compliment and then moves for her makeup bag as her best friend continues to speak but her words drown out. She always used to wear heavy eye shadow and eyeliner for Neal (he always loved it and she could never understand why – she always hated it). For some reason though something's telling her it's okay to hold back on the colors that make her feel like she's wearing clown makeup tonight. Instead she reaches for her makeup bag and instead of the dark, smoky look she decides on colors that will make the green in her eyes stand out.
She needs all the help with standing out against the mass volume of women out for the mayor's affections that she can get.
"EMMA!"
She jumps and whirls around. "What?"
"Have you heard anything I've said?"
"Clearly not if I'm asking."
"Well, I was saying that Mayor Jones is going to want to have his way with you and if he does, and trust me with what you've got on, he will…are you going to want to?"
"I don't think it's a matter of wanting to, it'll be a matter of if we actually will." She doesn't tell her they've already done the deed. When she asked for a pregnancy test, she let Ruby think it might have been Neal's instead of Killian's. Her thoughts begin to drift to the possibility of having a child with him but then she forces herself back to the conversation at hand. "Besides," she adds, "I slept with Neal on the first date and look where that got me."
"Well, not every guy is the same," Ruby says quietly. "I know I'm not the poster child for steady dating, but I do hope I find Mr. Right someday. I think if the Big Guy upstairs is presenting you with a seemingly decent one so soon after what a shitty one did to you… I think you should go for it. Don't close off your heart because one sleaze ball didn't know how to treat it."
And that, Emma thinks, is why Ruby Redding is her best friend.
There's a knock on her door at 7 o'clock on the dot and Emma's eyes snap to Ruby's.
Of course, her friend laughs and Emma merely glares at her. "Don't be nervous, you're fine."
"Says the girl not going on a date with her boss." Emma stands from the couch and works out the kinks in her dress. "What if this is a big mistake? How do I know I'm not totally stepping in it by doing this?"
"You don't," Ruby smiles. "Life is all about risks. If you don't take any, what fun is –"
"My job is on the line. He promised he'd never do anything to hurt me, but I don't entirely know him well enough to know that he won't change his mind should this be a disaster and it doesn't work out."
"Well, it doesn't seem like you have any more time to think about it." Ruby walks to the door. "He's waiting." She opens it and there stands the mayor of New York City. Letting out a low whistle, she turns to look over her shoulder at Emma and says, "Are you sure you want him? I'd be happy to take him off your hands."
"Ah, but I like the hands I'm in, and these hands can't wait to wrap around Emma's waist tonight." Killian murmurs, and it's then that Emma loses control over her eyes as they snap to his. She feels her heart kick into overdrive, and she has to take a deep breath before she allows Ruby to let him inside their home.
"Holy shit," Ruby breathes and Emma feels her cheeks burn like they always seem to whenever he's around.
"Killian Jones," he tells Ruby, holding out his hand but never taking his sights off of Emma. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Ruby," she answers, watching his hand wrap around hers and then adds quickly, "Em, are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Emma whispers, taking a small step forward, grimacing at the way her ankle is still sore, though it quickly morphs into a smile that he pulls from her with one of his own.
Ruby heads into her room with a shake of her head and a breathy laugh, and once they're alone Killian closes the distance between them. "7 o'clock, you said."
"Yes, I did. You're right on time."
"I don't ever come a second sooner." His smile turns sideways, losing a bit of its boyishness and twisting into something wolfish and causing Emma's heart to nearly stop at the double meaning. He holds out his arm and says, "Ready, milady?"
"What did you mean when you said that you can't wait to wrap your hands around my waist?"
"What do you think I meant?"
"I think you're not going to get what I think you're looking for tonight," she answers sharply, dropping her hand from his bicep. "I might have that first night, but it isn't going to happen a second time. This is…was supposed to be a date, though I don't even know why I agreed to it seeing how – "
"We both know why you agreed to it, Swan."
"No. I thought I agreed to it because I thought you were a good man, the fact that you are my boss aside, but apparently I was wrong. You're just like every other man, looking for an easy lay with pretty, empty words and promises." She goes to push him out, out of her apartment and her heart, when he grips the hand on his chest and curls his fingers around it and she'll be damned if it doesn't practically send her into cardiac arrest. "Let me go."
"Never," he says and she knows in that moment she's never heard a stronger promise in her life. Killian is the one to pull away from her, though his gaze drops to her lips before meeting her eyes and he says softly. "I was planning on taking you for a walk after dinner, Emma, nothing more," and because he just can't help himself, he adds with a small smile "at least, not tonight."
When their food arrives, Emma looks up from her dish at the feeling of Killian's eyes on her for what feels like the thousandth time that evening. They'd exchanged pleasant conversation, none of it including work – for obvious reasons – and are now discussing ideal vacation spots.
"I'm not entirely sure," he tells her, looking down at his food when she looks up, "I'd like to think the first place I would go is home, but then again, home isn't the same as it was when I was a young lad."
"Because of what happened with your father?"
He simply nods, and then says, "I'd much rather go to Barcelona, or Florence. Both are supposed to be stunning in the spring and summer months."
"Florence," Emma agrees, her tone light and she again smiles when he shoots her one. "I've never been to Italy."
"You'll have to make sure you go then."
"Guess I will."
"How's your meal, darling?" he asks her, his voice concerned though his eyes are twinkling, and Emma realizes she hasn't touched her food, that she's only really picked at it.
"It's fine," she shoots back with a small laugh, turning her focus to her still-full plate. "Honestly, it's kind of hard to eat right now."
"Why's that?" He asks that question with a knowing, sideways grin and she laughs again. "I'm curious."
"I'll bet you are." She takes a sip of her wine and grimaces. "I'm not much of a wine-and-dine girl, mind if I get a beer?"
"Of course." It's Killian's turn to frown. "You can have whatever you'd like, Emma. Don't make your choices based on what you think I would or wouldn't approve of."
Honestly she hadn't thought about it until he brought it up. And now that he has, she realizes that's exactly what she did when she ordered her drink. They get their waiter to come to them again and she orders what she really wants and when it comes, she instantly relaxes. Wheat ale is her favorite, and it's not the most expensive on the list, and she's pleased when he seems to relax to. Apparently her comfort results in his comfort, and now they can have a normal date.
"You know," Killian says as they walk through Central Park, "I've told you my story, but I don't recall you ever sharing yours."
"There's not much to tell." Emma shrugs and then feels her cheeks warm when Killian offers his arm. This time, she takes it. "Besides, I thought I was an open book?"
"You are, but I was hoping you could just explain yourself."
"Want me to skim?"
"No, I want you to read me each and every word."
Emma considers him for a moment, and knows he's telling her the truth. "I'm from a small town in Maine, I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but I was orphaned when I was three." She plows on, though she appreciates the brief glimpse of sadness in his eyes and loves that there isn't a trace of pity to be found. "I bounced around from foster home to foster home, and then when I was eleven, I was finally dealt a winning hand and found a family who seemed capable of putting up with me…until they found out they had their own baby on the way, and then off I went.
"I went to another foster home, but that only lasted a couple of weeks when I ended up in the hospital. Before I was admitted, I'd always be made to feel worthless, like shit and the scum of the earth. They used their kids for punching bags – myself included – and one night my foster dad broke my arm, but not before I was lucky enough to score this permanent reminder." She pulls her arm from his and points to the circular scar on the inside of her elbow.
"What the bloody hell is that?" Killian asks sharply, and gingerly takes hold of her elbow to examine the scar closer.
"That is what happens when you forget to unload the dishwasher because you were trying to finish a science project." She stares at it and instantly the memory makes her eyes water. "I promised myself right then that I would get away from them, and I did. One of their sons tried to come with me, and he…"
"Easy, darling," Killian pulls her against his chest when she can't continue. One of his arms are stroking her back, and the thumb of his other is rubbing soothing circles over what is left from the cigar burn. "You don't have to tell me anymore."
"You didn't want the Cliff's notes version so there you go," she laughs shakily. "I'm okay now, he can't hurt me anymore."
"No, he can't," he says adamantly. "If I have my way, nothing will ever again."
She's about to ask how Killian can possibly promise that when a movement behind him catches her eye. "Who is that?"
Killian looks over his shoulder and as soon as he sees the woman mentioned, she watches his jaw tick and everything they'd just talked about is forgotten. She's tall, dark haired, and looking at them – well, more like at Emma -– as though she can't stand the very sight of her. "Someone who doesn't look too thrilled to see me."
"She's staring at me."
He shakes his head, "Maybe, but I don't want you to worry about her."
"Well, the fact that she's staring at us tells me otherwise. Do you know her?"
Instead of answering her, Killian merely tells her he'll be right back and walks away from her.
"I see you're having a nice time with that blonde, Killian," she hears the woman say, her voice a sneer, and watches as Killian pauses and then turns back around until he's facing Emma. He smiles encouragingly at her.
"Aye, I am."
"And have you forgotten about Milah so soon?"
"I've done nothing wrong. I'm single and permitted to see whomever I like." His gaze locks on hers and without waiting for her response, Killian walks away from Cora and returns to Emma's side, curling an arm around her waist and propelling them to the street to hail a taxi. He opens the door for her when it arrives and when she climbs in, he follows suit. The ride to her apartment is a quick one, thankfully.
"What was that about?" she asks him, though she already knows, she'd like him to feel comfortable to confide in her.
He smiles down at her and waves her off, helping her up the stairs so that she can't put her full weight on her ankle. "Just a nasty blast from my past, nothing you need worry about." It's the second time he's told her that and she can't help but feel a knot in her stomach and her sense of unease sky-rockets when he quietly adds, "I'll protect you from her."
"The fact that I need protection from an old woman is ridiculous," she scoffs, looking down at her hands and wondering if he's bought her bluff. "What could she possibly do to me?"
"Cora has her ways, Emma, and if you ever see her near your home, at work, or anywhere else, I need you to call me."
She looks up at him and sees that concerned gaze again, and it both melts her heart and frustrates her because she can take care of herself. She's always been self-reliant and that isn't about to change just because some good-looking, smooth-talking albeit kind and protective Fairytale-come-true guy promises her his vigilance.
"You don't have to do that."
"Do what?" Confusion flashes over his face and it seemingly clicks with him. "You're in my life now, Swan. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe."
"I can fend for myself."
"Aye, and I'm not denying your capabilities, but it would make me feel better to know for sure."
"Why?" she asks exasperatedly. "You don't owe me anything."
Dammit, she's hurt him and she can tell by the way his face falls when she utters those words. "This isn't about payback, Emma. This is about me wanting to take care of someone I care about."
"You don't know me, how can you care for someone you don't know?"
"I know you a little better after tonight."
She can't argue with that so instead, when they reach her door, she thanks him for dinner and goes to unlock her front door when his soft voice calls her name. Emma turns around and Killian takes a small step forward.
"I never took you dancing," he tells her with a smile. "Will you grant me another night to do so? This weekend would be nice. I know a place with great music."
"You want to sweep me off my feet, don't you, Mayor?" His eyes light up and he nods, causing her to laugh. "No drama?"
"No drama. Not a fan of the stuff, to be honest."
A few seconds pass before she gives her answer. "Well, if I'm being honest, I'm not a fan of dancing considering that I can't, but –"
"Nonsense, everyone can dance they just need a good partner. And you were far from terrible, Emma." His eyebrows wiggle and she laughs, having to turn her eyes away because she has to be beet red with his suggestion. The only dance she likes to think she's good at is the horizontal tango, and his comment tells her he remembers perfectly.
"Well, anyway, I should probably go inside…"
"Aye, you and I both have to be up early for work tomorrow."
"About that," she says, and he steps closer to her, stealing her breath when he brings a hand to the side of her face and ghosting his thumb over her skin. "What are we going to do about work?" she asks breathlessly.
"We're going to be careful. I won't let you fight what we both want."
His gaze falls to her mouth and mindlessly her tongue slips out to run across her lower lip. Killian lowers his head to hers, slowly, as if testing the waters to see if she'll dive in. Without waiting for him to close the distance, Emma rises on her toes and meets him halfway, gently brushing her lips over his and gasping when his hand presses to the back of her head while the other wraps around her waist to pull her closer to him.
He presses her against the door and she wonders if Ruby is still home or if she's at the club or…or…god his mouth feels good. She stumbles to locate her key and finally manages to slip it through the lock. They stumble through the doorway and the next thing she knows the door's being slammed shut, she's untucking and unbuttoning his shirt and he's pulling off his jacket, the two of them unconsciously gravitating toward her bedroom.
His lips seal over hers again and he lifts Emma, wrapping her legs around his waist, knocking into the cherrywood table and they accidentally fall onto the mattress. Killian moves on top of her, never removing his mouth from hers while she goes to unzip his pants when he stills.
"Swan," he breathes against her lips, shimmying out of his clothes. "Emma."
"What?" she asks, reaching for the hem of her dress to slip out of it, when he grabs her wrist. "Something wrong?"
"You're not on the pill."
"Is that a problem? Don't you have a condom?"
"Aye. Please believe me when I say I wasn't planning on this happening," he chuckles, giving her another kiss that threatens to drown her in bliss. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping though…" he pulls away only to grab his pants and digs into the back pocket. "I wanted to be prepared. I hope you aren't angry with me."
"Hell no, I'm not angry." She crushes her mouth to his and this time he's the one to reach for the hem of her dress.
"You looked beautiful tonight," he pants, "but I'm more than thrilled to get to see all of you for a second time."
Killian begins to delight in her, settling in between her legs and he slips his hand in between the two of them. Emma shudders and he grins, working her a little more and when she's shaking under his touch, it's then that he sinks into her. "You feel bloody wonderful," he gasps when they connect and he starts to move.
"Ditto." Their fingers tangle together and he lifts them until they're at either side of Emma's head.
"Bloody wonderful..."
"Killian," she whispers, "stop talking." She leans forward and captures his kisses again, and he takes her to infinity, again and again until the first light of day begins to spill into the room.
For the last ten minutes, Emma and Killian are simply together, her legs tangled with his, her head resting on his chest while he strokes his fingers through her soft blonde locks, listening to the sounds of each other's breathing.
"That, love, was…"
"Bloody wonderful?" Emma asks, tilting her head up to look at him and when she sees his scowl she laughs.
His expression disappears, and morphs into a heartbreaking smile at the sound and he dips his head to press a kiss to her damp temple. "Such sass."
"For now," she mutters, "I'm going to need eight cups of coffee to survive work today." With barely any sleep, she's either going to chew someone's head off or pass out on her desk. "I should have thought this through a little more."
"Next time, I'll make sure to ravish you on a weekend." The promise makes her feel giddy, and then those feelings fade at the thought of how they're going to act at City Hall. "Don't worry, Emma, we'll make this fun."
"Make what fun?"
He gives her a quick kiss and then leans up on his elbow. "Pretending that we didn't just have a mind-blowing experience when we walk into work in a couple of hours."
When he gives her an I-told-you-so look, she rolls her eyes, grabs her pillow, and throws it over her face.
Whether or not it's only to Killian, she really is an open book.
Thirty minutes after the two of them split ways, Killian having intentionally entered City Hall ten minutes after Emma, she knows she can't postpone her coffee necessity any longer. She moves for the break room and as soon as she enters, she sees Jefferson and Graham each enjoying a cup of Joe.
Jefferson catches sight of her first and instantly a mischievous look sparks in his gaze. "Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in."
"Good morning, Emma," Graham waves.
"Morning." Emma pours a steaming cup of coffee into a Styrofoam cup.
"Someone looks exhausted." Jefferson.
"Yes, having little to no sleep usually results in looking like crap." She reaches for a small packet of sugar and stirs it in, not wanting to grab the plain cream and deciding on French Vanilla. As she rips open the sugar and it falls into the coffee, she feels someone step right alongside her.
"I didn't say you look like crap. I said you look exhausted." He smirks at her. "And I have a feeling I know why."
"Why?" she sighs heavily, doubting he could possibly know the reason for her lack of sleep….
Or maybe he can. He seems like the type to be an expert on running on fumes. Jefferson Davis seems like a ladies' man, going long nights on little sleep, but not having any regrets about it and surviving long hours exactly as she is: on a shit ton of coffee.
"You got it on last night." He nudges her playfully and she can see Graham sigh and shake his head at his friend out of the corner of her eye and Jefferson waves him off. "You've got that essence about you, and you still have a little bit of smeared lipstick right…" he reaches up and swipes his thumb over the corner of her mouth to remove it, "here."
Someone clears their throat, loudly, and all heads snap toward the direction it came from.
"Good morning, Mayor Jones," Jefferson smiles, looking completely unaffected by what has just happened.
"What, may I ask, is going on in here?" Killian asks, looking from Emma, to Jefferson and right back to Emma.
"Nothing, just being friendly." Her co-worker beams and Graham politely excuses himself from the situation.
Smart man.
"By placing your hands on my secretary's mouth?" She chews on her lip to keep from smiling at the possessive way he says the word my, but when she fails, she continues fixing her coffee the way she likes it.
"Sir, she had something on it. I was merely helping a friend out."
"Then you give her a napkin," he snaps. "Need I remind you of the fraternizing rule?"
"No, Mayor. I know the rule well."
She knows Killian is pissed, but she sees his blue eyes lighten a bit, and only enough for her to be able to tell. "Good. Davis, you're a good man and I don't want to lose you because of hobnobbing."
"No, sir." He smiles. "You won't."
"I better not. Carry on." Killian turns to exit but not before giving Emma a lingering look that lasts just a moment longer than necessary. When he's gone, the surrounding area feels empty, even though there are still two people occupying the small room.
Emma spins around to keep herself busy, hoping to erase the blush that heats her cheeks before Jefferson can see it.
"Holy shit." His smile turns audible as his lips spread wider and a laugh pours from them.
"What?" she asks, hoping to sound indifferent, but worrying he's seen the look Killian gave her and the blush that's still burning her face.
"I knew you got laid last night, but don't think I didn't catch the way he pressed the word 'my,' or the look he gave you."
Shit, she thinks. This is not good.
"Looks like our proper Mayor is a world-class hypocrite."
AN: Holy hell, Jefferson knows! This chapter was SO. MUCH. FUN. to write and I'm thrilled to have been able to post it before OUAT comes back THIS SUNDAY! Who's excited to see Killian win Emma over all over again? We all know she can't resist that accent or those pretty blue eyes, or that charm (the list goes on and on, and we all know it). Thanks for reading & please review! They make my CaptainSwan-shipping heart happy! ~Kate