"Good evening, Miss Swan. You look very fetching tonight." Emma was wearing jeans and a white top with spaghetti straps so she wasn't wearing a bra. She just hoped the material was thick enough to keep Gold from noticing.

"Good evening, Gold." Emma stared at him. She was so used to seeing him in a suit that she could barely recognize him. He was wearing jeans and a white polo shirt that made him look years younger. She had never seen his arms before and they were firm and well-defined. His jeans were well-fitting. The man was obviously trim and fit. It was disconcerting to see him dressed so casually.

"You like what you see?" Gold's tone was suggestive.

"Don't flatter yourself, Gold." Emma wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of admitting that she did like what she was seeing.

Gold grinned but didn't egg her on. "I'm looking forward to our evening, my dear. I see you brought a book. Does it have something to do with the fairy tales you were asking about?"

"Yes, it belongs to Henry. I thought you'd like to see it."

Gold nodded. "Let's head out to the patio, my dear. We're having a barbecue tonight."

Gold's patio was arranged differently than it had been on the previous Saturday. There was a picnic table set with colorful tableware and checkered linens. Blue and Green cushions covered the sturdy wooden patio furniture. The grill was fired up. "Would you like wine or iced tea, Miss Swan?"

"Iced tea." Emma wanted to be in full control of her faculties tonight.

"Iced tea it is." Gold poured 2 glasses and once again proffered a toast. "To trust and friendship."

Emma looked thoughtfully at him. She didn't want to trust him, but she did. She trusted that he liked her and cared about her and that made her feel vulnerable.

"This is all very lovely, Gold. You've gone out of your way to make these evenings special."

"Let's just say that you inspire me, Miss Swan. I really do enjoy your company."

Emma asked if she could help, but Gold pretty much had everything under control.

Dinner was excellent – barbecued chicken, potato salad (Mary Margaret would die to have the recipe), grilled vegetables, and a tossed salad. As usual, the conversation flowed easily and Emma felt relaxed even without the benefit of wine.

"I have 10 more guesses for your name, Gold." Emma showed him what she had written.

"Rafe, Raj, Randall, Redmund, Ripley, Rubin, Rudolph, Rupert, Romulus, Ringo." Gold laughed when he saw Ringo on the list. "I'm afraid not, Miss Swan. Perhaps you'll do better next time."

"This isn't as easy as I thought it would be." Emma admitted. "It seems as though everything about you is complicated or mysterious."

Gold grinned. "Yes, I suppose that's true. Tell me, does that intrigue you?"

"Maybe a little." It intrigued her a lot, but she wasn't sure if it was just curiosity or the fact that she was starting to like him more than she had ever expected.

Gold held her gaze until Emma had to look away. She always felt as though he was reading her mind, or worse, looking straight through to her soul.

Gold thankfully lightened the mood. "Do you like s 'mores, Miss Swan?"

Was Gold kidding? They were one of her favorites. They had fun making the s 'mores, both of them getting sticky from the marshmallows and chocolate. Emma felt happy. This deal was not playing out as she had expected and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.

When they were done, Gold suggested that they head inside to look at Henry's book. Gold lead them to a sitting room filled with comfortable looking furniture, unlike the antiques in the other rooms she had seen. He directed her to an overstuffed couch seating himself right beside her. His body was touching hers and she felt herself immediately reacting. She forced herself to concentrate on the book. Gold seemed oblivious even as his movements created additional contact between them.

"So, my dear, exactly what is it you'd like to know about fairy tales?"

Emma was relieved to have something to think about other than this thing between her and Gold.

"I'm not even sure where to begin, but Henry is obsessed with this book and actually thinks that everyone in this town is a character from it."

"Indeed?" Gold's eyes were filled with intense interest.

"Anyway, he thinks everyone here is under a curse and that I'm the savior who will break the curse so that everyone can go back to being their fairy tale characters again."

"You have my utmost attention, Miss Swan. Tell me more. Does he have the characters figured out?"

"Yes, pretty much. Mary Margaret is Snow White. David Nolan is Prince Charming. Regina is the Evil Queen, Ruby is Red Riding Hood, Leroy is Grumpy, Dr. Hopper is Jiminy Cricket."

"I'm truly fascinated, my dear. What about you?" Gold was relishing this immensely.

"That's the craziest part. He thinks that Mary Margaret and David Nolan, Snow White and Prince Charming, are my parents."

Gold chuckled. "That would make you Princess Emma. I like that. It's fitting."

"The thing is, Gold, that I'm worried about the kid. None of this is real and I'm trying to find a way to make him see that."

"Now, Now, Miss Swan. I'm truly intrigued by Henry's imagination. He's come up with a fascinating theory and I for one believe that fairy tales and myths are meant to tell us something about ourselves. What's really fascinating is that his theories aren't random. Blanchard means "white", Regina means "queen", Ruby means "red", Hopper is a cricket… I like how the boy thinks."

"You're not taking any of this seriously, are you?"

"I never rule out anything, Miss Swan. I've learned that life is filled with surprises. The future is never what it seems."

Emma looked at him somewhat incredulously. "OK, let's say it's true. Tell me, Gold, which character are you?"

Gold laughed. "What does Henry say?"

"That's the thing, Gold. He can't figure out who you are, but he's pretty sure that you're some kind of evil sorcerer or magician."

Gold pretended to look shocked. "So he wouldn't approve of you and me?" Gold took her hand in his as he asked the question.

"Gold, there is no you and me." Emma barely got the words out as her body immediately responded to his touch.

"Are you sure of that, Miss Swan?" He caressed her cheek with his other hand.

When she didn't respond to his question, Gold dipped his head forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Emma whimpered her objection, but kissed him back. Gold deepened the kiss and Emma responded in kind. He removed the book from their laps and broke their kiss to look deeply into her eyes. "Tell me what you want, Emma." He called her Emma. She knew he wanted her and she wanted him, but she couldn't say it. "You're so beautiful, my dear. I want you to feel how beautiful you are." He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. Heat was raging through her body and she wanted to feel his mouth and hands all over her, but she was terrified to let go.

"I'm afraid, Gold." She said it without looking at him.

"Come here, dear." Gold moved to the end of the couch and lay back against the cushions. He urged her to lie back against him so that he could wrap his arms around her. Emma could feel his warm breath on her neck. Her head was resting on his shoulder and she put her hands on his. This felt good. He held her tightly, gently kissing her temple. Emma felt a warmth engulf her, a warmth that made her feel safe and cared for.

"I want you to know that you can trust me, Emma. I'd never do anything to hurt you." Gold's words caressed and reassured her. "I'll tell you a little secret… I'm as shocked as you are by this attraction between us. I understand my attraction to you, of course, but I'm baffled by your attraction to me. I'm sure this would all be much easier for you if I were young and handsome like your sheriff and you didn't distrust me so much. Alas, I am who I am."

Emma was taken aback. It upset her that she had made Gold feel bad about himself. The man was usually so confident and smug. This vulnerable side of him was totally unexpected.

"Listen, Gold. I may have issues, but they have nothing to do with your age or looks. I know I'll regret saying this later, but I actually think you're extremely attractive and sexy." Emma couldn't help blushing as she said it. "And even though I don't trust you when it comes to certain things, I actually feel safe with you. My problem is that these feelings I have for you scare me because they make me want to give up my control in a way I never have before."

There. It was out in the open and Emma felt free from having said the words aloud. She was sure he loved hearing her finally admit how she really felt. Somehow he always got exactly what he wanted.

Gold held her closer as he whispered in her ear. "Sweetheart, stop thinking and just listen to what your body is telling you. It's all about letting yourself succumb to your senses… whatever it is that we have between us, it's something rare and remarkable. I've never felt it before. It's magic."

She knew he was right. She'd never experienced anything like it before. It terrified her and it thrilled her at the same time.

Gold loosened his hold on Emma, bringing his hands up to her bare shoulders. She leaned back and he kissed her nose, lips and neck while he ran his hands from her shoulders down her arms.

The warmth that had engulfed her now turned again to heat. Emma took his hands and brought them to her lips and lightly kissed them. She found his pulse on his wrist and kissed it with her open mouth savoring the salty taste of his skin. She then took his hands and placed them on her breasts gasping when he immediately began to caress her nipples through the fabric of her shirt. Her nipples hardened as he expertly teased them with his thumb and fingers. Gold groaned as he shifted under her.

She desperately needed to feel his hands on her bare skin, and as though reading her mind, he moved his hands under her top to touch her breasts. He was surprised to find bare skin. "No bra, Emma. I like that." She felt his arousal pressing against her back as he rubbed her nipples between his thumbs and fingers drawing them into hard peaks. Emma moaned in response as the throbbing between her legs increased.

Her need for skin on skin was overpowering her. She pulled her top over her head exposing herself completely. She wanted to face Gold now, wanted him to look at her, to put his mouth on her body. She got up to change positions. His eyes were completely dark as he looked at her, his eyes filled with undisguised lust.

At that moment she wanted him to see her completely naked so she removed her jeans and her underwear while Gold watched her, drinking in every detail of her body. "Let me look at you, Emma. You're so incredibly beautiful." His voice was husky and raw and it sent tingles down her spine.

Her desire to see him took control of her. She unbuckled his belt and then unzipped his pants. Gold was watching her every move, letting her take control. He removed his shirt as she pulled off his jeans and boxers. When he was completely naked she stared at him hungrily and caressed his engorged member with her hand kissing the tip with her lips. Gold groaned and strained against her which encouraged her to continue stroking him. "Emma." Gold's tone was pleading. "Come here, darling. "

She knew he was on the edge so she straddled him without making any contact, leaning forward so that he could take her nipples in his mouth. He sucked her and teased her with his tongue causing her to whimper with desire.

He moved his right hand between her legs and stroked the folds of her skin, his thumb finding her clit immediately. She was so excited that his touch almost brought her over the edge. "Please, Gold. " She begged. He wasn't ready to give her release so quickly so he stopped and cupped her in his hand.

"Lie down, Emma. I want to look at you". She obeyed him and changed places with him allowing him now to kneel between her legs. He pushed her legs open so that he could see her every inch of her. He lightly caressed her with his fingers and once again found her clit and teased it gently. Emma moaned and bucked her hips against him. She was so close to the verge. She lifted her hips up again to meet his touch trying to force additional contact, but Gold stopped again, moving his attention to her thighs instead. He started just above her knees planting soft wet kisses on her skin as he torturously moved up closer to her center.

Emma opened her legs wider in anticipation of his mouth and tongue. He finally reached her. Emma was writhing and moaning as he covered her with his mouth and then pushed his tongue deep inside her. Emma gasped as he left his tongue there and used the rest of his mouth to suck her. Emma was straining against him begging him to give her release. He stopped sucking her and now began to lick every fold with his tongue, grazing her clit with it now and then. Emma couldn't take it any longer. She put her hands on his head holding him down and opened her legs as wide as she could. Gold finally took pity on her and began licking her clit with his tongue, applying the perfect amount of pressure.

"Don't stop!" Emma was desperate. Gold continued to use his tongue on the one spot that was bringing her over the edge. His hands were under her buttocks as he pulled her closer to him and tortured her with his tongue, coaxing and teasing her until she climaxed into his mouth. Her whole body shuddered at the release as her body collapsed beneath him. Gold lightly kissed her before moving up to lie by her side. He was beyond aroused, but held her as she came down from her arousal.

Gold then pulled her up and asked her to lean over the back of the couch. He dipped his finger into her. "Ah, my dear, still so wet and ready ." Gold entered her from behind, slowly, allowing her body to accept his full width and length. He wasn't sure how long he could last. She was so tight and warm and he was feeling way out of control. After several seconds he began to slowly push in and out biting his lip in an effort to hold back. As he rocked against her Emma met his movements with her hips, whimpering at the sensations that were beginning to ravage her body again. He growled and began increasing his speed as he pushed further into her. Emma gasped as her body responded to each thrust and began rising to another climax. Gold had his hands on her hips and was groaning and close to coming. He thrust harder and faster into her feeling himself lose control and he came as her body contracted and spasmed around him. He thrust into her a few more times and collapsed over her kissing the back of her neck. After a minute or so he pulled out of her and drew her up to him. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

Emma didn't know why but she began to cry.

"What's wrong, Emma?" Gold was alarmed. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, No." Emma was mortified with herself. "I don't know why I'm crying. I'm just a mess of emotions right now."

Gold moved the hair back from her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I understand, sweetheart. Cry all you want."

Emma hugged him tighter.

"Let's go lie on my bed. It's much more comfortable." Gold took her hand and lead her upstairs. Emma felt spent and tired and just wanted to lie down. Within minutes she was sound asleep. Gold hadn't felt this content and dare he say it, happy, in a very long time. He draped the sheets over them and fell asleep with Emma pressed against him.

"Gold, wake up." Gold opened his eyes. Emma was standing over the bed, dressed and disheveled. "I have to go. I want to get home before Mary Margaret wakes up. Don't get up. I can let myself out."

Gold took her hand and kissed it. "I truly enjoyed our evening… Thank you, Emma."

"Me too, Gold. Me too." She wanted to say more but couldn't find the words so she leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Then she whispered in his ear. "Thank you." And she meant it. He had given her something special.

Emma was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee when Mary Margaret finally got up.

"You're up early?" It was almost a question. "I didn't hear you come in last night."

Emma squirmed a little. "I didn't get home until very late."

"Oh?" Mary Margaret couldn't hide her interest.

"I slept at Gold's last night and came home at 5:00 this morning."

"Ooh! You slept over?"

"Yes… " Emma hesitated. "It's so complicated. I don't know what he's doing to me - I don't want to like him, but I really do… a lot." There, it was out in the open.

Mary Margaret put her hand over her friend's. "You know he really likes you, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know. He's made it pretty clear to me. I just don't know where this is all leading. I have to keep reminding myself that this is Gold and I'm only spending time with him because I made a deal with him."

"Oh please! You don't really think you're going to stop seeing him when the deal is done, do you?"

"No?"

"Sorry, but no. It won't be ending unless you two decide it's ending. Gold rigged this deal so that he could get you to go out with him. He knew you'd never agree to a regular date. I'm positive that Gold would do anything to keep this going. By the way, do you know that he always gets what he wants? He wanted you and he got you. It's as simple as that."

Emma couldn't deny it.

"You just missed your boyfriend." Graham's words surprised Emma and made her blush.

Emma saw the gold envelope on her desk, now a familiar sight to her. "If you're referring to Gold, he's not my boyfriend, Graham. Why would you even think that?"

"Sorry, my mistake. It's just that I saw you car parked in front of his house at 4:30 this morning. I guess I jumped to conclusions." Graham sounded accusatory and apologetic at the same time.

Emma was completely taken aback. She was mortified that Graham knew that she had spent the night at Gold's… she was still trying to come to grips with her own feelings about him and was uncomfortable discussing him with anyone, let alone Graham of all people.

"Yes, you're mistaken." Emma left it at that and opened the gold envelope.

You're truly beautiful in every way, Emma.

Thank you for sharing that with me.

Please come to my shop at 7:00pm on Wednesday evening.

Don't think too much in the meantime.

How did he always know the right thing to say? He did care about her, of that she was certain. And he seemed to know that she was struggling with everything that had happened between them. His shop was a neutral spot. Nobody would be there to stare at them like at Granny's and they wouldn't be in his house. He was right. She had to stop thinking too much. She'd let things take their course.