Emma arrived at Gold's shop at exactly 7:00pm on Wednesday evening. He came out from the back of the shop when he heard her enter. "Good evening, Emma." He smiled at her warmly.

"Hi Gold." Emma was trying hard to keep things as casual as possible.

Gold walked over to lock the door and set out the "Closed" sign.

"Come in, my dear. I don't think you've ever seen the back room of my shop." He didn't try to touch her in any way or to kiss her which immediately made her feel more relaxed. Emma followed him to the back room. It was filled with antiques like the front room, only they seemed less organized. There was a table set up with a tablecloth, tableware and a vase of daisies.

"I thought you'd prefer it if we were informal tonight." He looked at her for approval.

"Yes, this is perfect. " Emma felt relieved. She had been very nervous about tonight after her last "dinner" with Gold and had not known what to expect. Thankfully she was beginning to feel comfortable about the evening. He wasn't acting as though he had any expectations and she was grateful for that.

"I hope you don't mind having a salad for dinner. I overheard you ordering a chef's salad for yourself at Granny's a few months ago so I had a couple of them delivered here for us."

"Not at all. Sounds good." Now that she was relaxed Emma realized that she was famished.

"Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Yes, thanks." She had resolved not to drink anything before she arrived, but in retrospect that seemed foolish. After all, she had only had a glass of iced tea on Saturday and look how that night had played out.

"Very Good." Gold poured each of them a glass. "To your happiness, Emma. I only wish the best for you."

"Thank you." Emma felt a lump in her throat. She believed him. She knew he liked her and wanted her, but he wasn't going to force anything that she didn't want. The question was - what did she really want?

She looked into his eyes and felt the urge to kiss him. This was not going as planned. Fortunately Gold seemed to sense her discomfort and began to talk to her about some of the items in his shop. His stories about the items and how he had procured them were very entertaining and carried the conversation through their meal. She asked him a lot of questions and found it particularly interesting that some of his answers were cryptic and mysterious. She almost felt as though they were getting into fairy tale territory again. What was it about this man that intrigued her so much?

When they were done, Gold cleaned up quickly and reached for her hand. "We're going out for ice cream, my dear. I presume that you have no objections?"

"I think you already know my answer, Gold." Emma grinned at him and gave him her hand. She immediately felt that familiar rush of heat pulsing through her body. If he felt it too, he didn't let on. Instead, he simply held her hand until they exited the store and then he released it. Emma was relieved and a little disappointed at the same time. She hated to admit it, but she felt good when he touched her.

The ice cream shop boasted 28 flavors, all of them with cutesy descriptive names.

"Let me guess, Gold. You favorite flavor is Think Pink." Emma was laughing to herself about the strawberry ice cream, all the time picturing Gold's pink house.

Gold looked amused. "Wrong, dearie. It's Perfect Pairing." He pushed back a strand of hair from her face, lightly brushing her cheek with his hand as he said it. Emma felt the jolt again and she knew he did too by the way he was looking at her. "Chocolate and peanut butter – truly a match made in heaven. Wouldn't you agree, my dear?" Somehow Emma felt as though they were no longer talking about ice cream. "They're good together." Emma admitted.

Gold chuckled. "Now let me guess yours." Gold assessed her carefully. "Dark Magic."

Emma was stunned. She loved the dark chocolate/chocolate chip ice cream. "How'd you guess? There are 28 flavors here."

"I've learned quite a bit about what you like, Emma, about what gives you pleasure." Gold's trademark smirk was back and Emma could feel the heat rising to her face. Gold laughed. "Something wrong, my dear? "

Emma glowered at him and then laughed. "No Gold, nothing's wrong."

They sat outside at a small café table off to the side and under a tree. Emma was appalled to find herself thinking about the things Gold had done to her with his tongue the other night as she watched him eat his cone. She could feel another blush coming on and needed to keep it under control.

"Emma!" Henry ran up to them with Graham close behind. "Sheriff Graham is watching me while my mom finishes some work." Emma glanced at Gold noting the briefest dark expression flit across his face.

"Hello Emma, Mr. Gold." Graham looked apologetic. "So sorry to interrupt."

"It's no problem, sheriff. Would you and Henry like to join us?" Emma was shocked by Gold's offer.

"Please, Graham!" Henry was practically begging.

"I suppose you can stay for a few minutes, if it's OK with Emma. I have some paperwork to finish so I can come back for you."

"Emma? Please?"

"Sure, kid. Just don't let your mother know. She has a thing about how much time we spend together on any given day." Emma was thinking about Regina's "talk" with her about Gold and certainly didn't want to get into any arguments with her about this.

Graham left and Henry turned to Gold, looking at him a bit suspiciously. "Thanks, Mr. Gold. Are you and Emma on a date?"

Emma panicked a bit when she saw the smile on Gold's face. "Your mother and I are friends, Henry. We're just having some ice cream together. You know she loves ice cream, don't you?"

Henry smiled. "Go buy yourself whatever you want." Gold gave Henry a $10 bill. "We'll save a seat for you." Henry didn't need a second invitation. Emma smiled at Gold. "That was nice of you, Gold. I didn't think you'd want any company."

Gold smiled back and placed his hand over hers. "I'm quite fond of Henry, Emma. Plus I'm very fond of his mother and would do anything to make her happy." Emma felt that warmth again that she had felt on Saturday night, the warmth that made her feel safe and cared for.

Henry returned with a huge sundae covered with M&Ms and sprinkles. He barely sat down before he started to ask Gold questions.

"Do you like my mom?" Henry was watching Gold with a look of distinct mistrust in his eyes, but Gold didn't seem to notice or mind.

"Indeed I do. Your mother is a remarkable woman, one I greatly admire." Emma could feel herself blushing at his words.

"Will you be asking her out on more dates?" "Henry..." Emma tried to interrupt but Gold stopped her and then laughed.

"Well, my boy, this isn't a date, appearances aside. Your mother and I are meeting as part of a business deal. I'm afraid I'm not the type of man she'd choose to date if given the chance."

Henry wasn't having any of it. "Would you go out on a date with Mr. Gold if he asked you?" Emma was not prepared for this question. Gold was watching her with amused but intent interest. He knew she wouldn't lie to Henry. "I don't know, Henry. It would depend on a lot of things. Now enough questions, you're putting me and poor Mr. Gold on the spot."

Gold chuckled. "Your mother's right, my boy. She doesn't want to say anything to hurt my feelings so let's give her a pass this time."

Henry seemed satisfied for the moment.

"Emma, have you told Henry about our little game?" Emma was grateful for this diversion from the present conversation.

"No, but I have my newest list." Emma took out the list of names explaining to Henry how she was trying to guess Gold's first name. Henry was fascinated by this and watched Gold intently as he reviewed the list. "Raphael, Ralph, Randolph, Russell, Reinhard, Roderick, Raoul, Rutherford, Raleigh, Ridley", Gold read the names aloud. "I'm afraid not, my dear. Better luck next time."

Henry wanted to know more. "Can I see the other lists? Can I help you guess?"

"Be my guest. Why don't you come up with some names and I'll use them next time."

Henry was elated. He was all up for this challenge.

Graham arrived a minute later to collect Henry. He looked at Emma, Gold and Henry together and noted a general air of happiness about them. Henry was all smiles. He hugged Emma and shook Gold's hand thanking him for the ice cream and vowing to guess his name. Gold seemed genuinely delighted by this twist to their guessing game and that intrigued Emma.

"Thanks, Gold. You know that with Henry on board with this game you just may lose."

Gold smiled at her. "I'm well aware of that possibility. You have a remarkable young man there. You should be proud."

"I am, Gold. I am."

Gold caressed her cheek with his hand. When she didn't pull away, he leaned forward and gently kissed her. Emma could feel herself losing her resolve. This felt so right and so good.

"It's all up to you, my dear. " Gold's voice was soft and reassuring.

Emma stood up and gave Gold her hand. He put his arm around her waist and she leaned into him as they walked back to his shop together.

By the time they reached the shop, Emma's body was raging with desire. Gold lead her to his back room where he proceeded to remove his jacket and tie. Emma removed her jacket. She could feel her breasts straining against her blouse and she felt Gold's eyes on her. He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, tilted her head towards him and gently kissed her lips. She reciprocated, putting her hands in his hair, drawing him closer to her. His kisses became more passionate and demanding as he opened her mouth with his tongue and began devouring her. Emma responded kiss for kiss.

Gold lead her to a couch where he laid back against a stack of pillows and Emma straddled him knowing that he would have easy access to every part of her body. He removed her blouse and unhooked her bra from the front and pushed it aside. "You're so beautiful, Emma." His voice was husky and raw and it sent shivers down her spine. Gold continued to look at her as he used his thumbs to gently caress her nipples watching them harden into little peaks before his eyes. He then pulled her toward him so that he could take each peak into his mouth, expertly swirling his tongue around them and then sucking them with a hunger that made the throbbing between her legs increase unbearably. Emma dug her fingers into his shoulders as she moaned in response.

As he continued to suck on her nipples, Gold trailed his hands down her body to her waist and began unzipping her pants. Emma moved away from him to help him remove her pants and underwear and then straddled him again, this time making contact with his bulging arousal. He groaned at the sensation and she teased him further by cupping him with her hand through the fabric of his pants. She was anxious to see him naked so she shifted back to undo his belt buckle and zipper. Gold watched her as she removed his pants and then planted herself between his legs. Before he could say a word, she was sliding her tongue over the full length of his shaft and then licking the tip with her very talented tongue. He groaned and bucked his hips and she grasped him in her hand and took the full head in her mouth and sucked on it several times. Gold thought he was going to lose it right there.

"Emma... I'm not going to last. Come here, darling." Emma reluctantly stopped. It excited her to no end to give him pleasure, but she did as he wished. He pulled her back up to straddle him, this time directing her to position herself above his mouth. Emma hesitated a bit, feeling extremely vulnerable in this position. "Let me take care of you Emma. This way you can show me exactly what you like." He pulled her forward and down to him using his fingers to open her up to his mouth and tongue. Emma gasped and opened her legs wider to give him better access. His tongue slid over her folds and then found her clit and began to tease it steadily. Emma moved her body to urge him to increase the pressure, but he moved his tongue away and started applying open-mouthed kisses to her. Emma opened her legs further as he used his whole mouth to suck her clit. The end of the couch was against a wall and Emma leaned forward to steady herself. "Don't stop Gold, don't stop." He continued sucking her clit and torturing her with his tongue using both in a way that she had never experienced before. She was teetering on the edge of release as he continued to lavish his attentions on her. Emma was moaning, almost sobbing at the overwhelming sensations that were wracking her body. She cried out as the throbbing and pressure built to a shattering climax and waves of release rocked her body. He had literally brought her to tears from the intensity of the orgasm.

Emma slowly moved herself down to lie on top of Gold, resting her head on his chest. He put his arm around her and stroked her back until she gradually came down. Emma knew how aroused Gold was. His very engorged member was pressing against her begging for attention. She pulled herself up and straddled him, lowering herself to rub directly against him. Gold groaned as she wrapped her hand around him guiding him into her. She lowered herself on his full length and the sensation of him inside her was intense and satisfying. Gold placed his hands on her hips as she began to ride him, raising and lowering herself in a slow and steady pace. Gold met her every movement and began to urge her to increase the pace. He suddenly flipped them over so he was now in control. He stopped for a moment to look in her eyes and she saw a passion there that excited and unnerved her. "I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you, Emma. Come with me." With that, he pulled almost all the way out of her and then thrust himself back in to her very center. He continued to thrust forcefully and fully into her, each time creating a friction against her clit and within her center that made her beg him for more. He happily obliged her, increasing his pace until they were both on the very brink. Gold pushed in several more times, grinding himself against her clit. She cried out as her body spasmed around him. The contractions were too much for him, and Gold let himself go, thrusting closely into her as he emptied his seed into her body.

After, they lay in each other's arms spent and exhausted. She pulled his hand up to her lips and kissed it. He smiled at her and held her closer. Emma felt incredibly content lying next to this man. It all just felt right. She was once again exhausted and just wanted to sleep. She leaned into Gold and nodded off. He pulled down a blanket that was lying over the top of the couch and covered them the best he could..

"Emma." Gold was nudging her, trying to wake her from a deep sleep. "I think it's time for you to get up." Emma looked up to see Gold smiling and staring at her with lust in his eyes. She could feel his arousal against her and she turned over to look at him. She wanted to finish what she had started the night before so she lowered her hand onto his member and started stroking him slowly and firmly. He moaned and his body arched at her touch. Emma continued stroking him and he moved under her hand urging her on. She then moved down between his legs and once again took the head into her mouth and started teasing it with her tongue. Gold was moaning and straining. Emma took his whole shaft in her mouth and started sucking and licking him deftly, building him to a climax. Gold was arching under her, meeting her every move. He was now holding her head with his hand controlling the speed of her motions until he strained forward and released his seed into her mouth. Emma kept her mouth on him as she sucked him dry.

"Emma." Gold' s eyes were black as coal as he pulled her up next to him and held her and kissed her. He then lowered himself onto the floor kneeling closer to her center and moved his hand between her legs and started stroking her very gently. She was so aroused that each stroke caused her to arch to meet his hand as her desire built and built. She had opened her legs wide for him and he now pushed two fingers deep inside her and used the flat of his tongue to lick her clit. The combined sensation of the licking and his thrusting fingers caused her to gasp and writhe under him. She was crying out at the intensity of the sensations she was feeling. Gold increased the pressure of his tongue, but still used the flat of it and brought her to a convulsive climax. "Gold..." That's all she could say as she lay back. He removed his fingers from her, moved up beside her and then put his whole hand possessively over her as she closed her legs to hold his hand in place.

Emma realized that she was running late, but couldn't force herself up. Gold still had his hand on her and it felt as if he was claiming a stake to her, a claim that she was perfectly willing to give up to him. The man possessed her body in a way that she could not understand. She would never willingly give herself so completely to someone, but she wanted to give herself to him.

Gold kissed her forehead and caressed her cheek. The tenderness he showed her made her feel something for him that she was trying hard to deny. She looked up at him and kissed his lips slowly and passionately trying to convey what she was feeling without saying it. When she pulled away he looked at her with a question in his eyes.

"I have to get going." She needed to get some air and clear her head before heading off to work.

"I know, sweetheart. Me too."

Mary Margaret was sitting at the kitchen counter when Emma walked in. She eyed her friend with interest. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Emma poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down. "I'm in way over my head." She needed to talk to someone. "It's as though he's cast a spell over me that I can't break."

"You're really falling for him, aren't you?" Mary Margaret got right to the point.

"Yes." Emma sighed and then smiled conspiratorially. "You know what the craziest thing is about it?"

Mary Margaret was looking at her expectantly waiting for an answer.

"Best sex I ever had." She laughed a bit when she said it remembering how Gold seemed to know exactly how to make her body respond to him.

"No!" Mary Margaret giggled. "Gold?"

"Yes. I've never experienced anything like it. He seems to know what I want more than I do. Nothing before even begins to compare."

"Maybe you shouldn't have told me. Now I'm not sure if I can ever look at him the same way again."

Emma laughed. The thought of Mary Margaret being perturbed by thoughts of Gold amused her. "Sorry, but I had to share with someone."

"I understand. I just want you to be happy."

Emma smiled to herself. She really was happy. She just had to try to stop herself from thinking about this too much.

Emma saw the gold envelope as soon as she entered the station. Damn that man. For someone with a limp he sure got around quickly.

"Good morning, Emma." Graham seemed happy to see her.

"Morning, Graham. Thanks for letting Henry spend some time with me last night."

"No problem. The kid was ecstatic when we left. Something about guessing Gold's first name? "

"Oh, that. Gold doesn't use his real first name so he has me and Henry trying to guess it. The kid's determined to find the answer. Thing is it's nothing obvious."

Graham looked at her. "You all looked like you were having a good time together."

"I guess we were." Emma hesitated. "But it wasn't a date, Graham. It was part of a deal that has become very complicated."

"I can see that." Graham glanced in the direction of the envelope.

Emma picked it up and slowly opened it.

You've bewitched me, Emma.

I can't stop thinking about you.

I'll pick you up at 7:30 on Saturday evening.

Surprise me.