A/N: Well, this story was a one shot. Then again, they all are until they're not. Regina is a lioness. Picking up where we left off…
Regina pulled back slightly; she took a deep breath and sniffled once before regaining her composure.
"This doesn't change anything between us, right?" Regina raised her watery eyes to meet Emma's clear blue-green, placing her hands on Emma's hips.
"Absolutely not…No," Emma agreed rather quickly, running her hands up and down Regina's arms. Both women feared a shift in the dynamics of their relationship.
"Except…it kind of does change things…in a good way," Emma tried to explain as she placed her palm on Regina's collar bone.
Regina thought for a moment, and then broke the silence by softly asking, "Stay tonight?"
Emma's eyes widened in surprise and she fumbled to make sense of Regina's request, "like stay, stay?"
"It's late and I don't want you to leave," Regina looked down in apparent embarrassment at her personal confession. She had never asked Emma to stay over even when it had gotten later than it was now.
The idea had sparked Emma's ever present curiosity and her eyes wandered over Regina's cleavage on their own accord. Emma swallowed audibly unsure how to go about asking for clarification. She cleared her throat trying to find her words. They had just kissed and Emma wanted to do it again and go far beyond. When she did speak it came out more caveman than Romeo.
"Touch you? Um…I mean are we going to be touching each other?" Emma cringed inwardly, wishing she had the wherewithal to ask for sex outright.
Regina's eyes gleamed wickedly; Emma's voice was so hopeful and sweet. She felt a strong pang of desire shudder through her body, stemming from the warm soft hand still resting on her chest.
"We touch all of the time. We're touching right now," Regina punctuated her declaration by stepping closer and squeezing Emma's hips.
"I mean touching…in your bed."
Regina raised her eyebrows and shook her head pretending she didn't know what Emma meant, loving the way Emma blushed and flustered.
"Touching resulting in orgasms….God, Regina you know what I'm asking," Emma swatted at her playfully when she saw the happy/guilty look Regina wore.
"Mmm," Regina then leaned close, pulling Emma's hips flush against her own. Emma swooned at the sensation of Regina's hot breath against her ear, "It's late and you have to be up very early to finish Henry's costume."
"So no touching?" Emma whined in disappointment. She shook her head to clear it, and her mind wandered briefly to Henry, "Oh, Henry. What do we tell him about why I'm staying over?"
"He'll never know because you'll be up and decorating his shield long before he wakes. Just tell him you stayed up all night to finish it," Regina took Emma's hand and led her toward the stairs.
"Huh, lay on the guilt trip a bit. You are evil."
A low chuckle escaped Regina's throat as they navigated the large dark house going up to Regina's bedroom, "Make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to wear to bed?"
Regina shuffled through her dresser drawers while Emma stared at the perfectly made bed. It looked so inviting and cozy. Many nights previous to this one Emma had fantasized about this exact situation. Now it was coming true, and she didn't know what to do with herself.
"No, I'm okay."
Emma debated exactly how comfortable she should make herself. She went so far as unbuttoning her jeans, but then buttoned them back up when she changed her mind.
Regina disappeared into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Emma heard shuffling, and imagined it was the sound of Regina taking off her witch costume.
"Need help wrestling off those leather pants? Unlacing that bodice?" Emma asked hopefully, always ready to help.
"No, dear. I'll manage," Regina called back over the din of the shower.
Deciding to be bold, Emma made her final decision and pulled off her jeans, slipping under the covers in her tank and panties. She waited, nervous, throat and mouth dry, as she thought about Regina just on the other side of the door in the shower. She seemed to be taking forever.
After an eternity, Regina emerged, the fresh scent of steam and a sweet citrus lotion encompassing her as she made her way to the bed. She wore a thin silky nighty, and even in the dim lamplight Emma could see the smooth outline of her breasts under the clingy material.
"I thought you'd have fallen asleep already," Regina stated kindly. She got beneath the sheets, her bare supple thigh brushing against Emma's and sending a jolt of pleasure through her even at the slight contact. Regina reached over to the nightstand, fiddled with the clock and turned off the lamp.
Emma licked her lips; after months of unresolved sexual tension, her body was wound up so tightly sleep was the last thing on her mind.
"I've set the alarm for 5am. 4 hours from now. Thanks for staying," Regina settled back in, scooting down and leaning over Emma. She stroked her face with the pad of her thumb, cupping her jaw and kissing her: sweet and simple. Her lips felt so full and plump against Emma's and heat radiated from her body.
Regina lay back down, her breath becoming even and steady. Emma risked moving closer, letting her hand carefully glide up Regina's bare thigh, slipping under the hem of her nightgown and bunching up the material. Regina's hand swiftly came down to cover Emma's, effectually stilling her progress, removing it from her leg.
Regina twisted, pushing Emma's hand above her head, and pinning her body under her own. Emma lay back, startled by the quickness at which Regina moved. It was thrilling having Regina's weight pressing into her, their faces close, breath mingling. Emma writhed ineffectually under her.
"It's late. Sleep," Regina whispered.
Emma gulped, her senses on fire, sleep an impossibility, "maybe just… a little touching?"
Regina thought about giving in for just a moment. She had laid in bed many nights making up a list of all the things she'd like to do with Emma given the chance. She brushed her finger over Emma's bottom lip, her own pulse quickening.
"We haven't time tonight. I'm certain that once I start touching you I won't be able to stop," Regina's voice came out low and seductive, and Emma paled and flushed simultaneously at the confession. Regina reluctantly returned to her former position on the bed.
A beat passed as they lay in silence, lost in their own thoughts.
Emma spoke, "Can I say it again?"
Regina smiled in the darkness, "yes."
Emma rolled over, wrapping her arms around Regina's body and placing her lips next to her ear. She joyfully proclaimed, "I love you."