Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Ruby was going to pay for this.

The red wearing girl had let Belle borrow one of her books in exchange for one of hers as always. This time, however, the book Ruby lent Belle was not what she expected. She'd started reading just after she got to work at the local library, and since it was a slow Friday, there was nothing to make her put it down. So there she sat, blushing like mad behind her desk and unable to will herself to stop reading. Finally, the door opened, and she looked up, grateful for a distraction. Through the door came the best distraction she could ask for, her husband.

"Afternoon, dearie. I figured I'd be nice for a change and bring you lunch."

She smiled at him and leaned across the desk to kiss him."You're being nice? Be careful, love, someone might find out. Your reputation would be ruined."

Mr. Gold returned the kiss happily."You act as if I care what they think. Everyone in town already knows that you have me on short leash, anyhow."

Belle kissed his cheek before opening the bag he'd brought. Inside was a ham and cheese panini and a cherry Dr. Pepper, her favorites."Are you complaining?"

"Never," he replied without missing a beat."New book?"

Belle nearly choked on her sandwich."Um.. Yes. R-Ruby let me borrow it."

"Ah. What's this one about then?"

Her skin turned as red as her dress, and Belle finally noticed what he was wearing. Mr. Gold was in his usual dark suit, a gray shirt, and, Heaven help her, a silver silk tie. Come to think of it, he had dozens of silk ties. He had more than enough to... No. She wasn't going there.

"Nothing interesting. I'm not sure if I'm even going to finish it."

Though the hated lying to her husband, Belle was well aware of what would happen if she told him the truth. He'd never let her live it down. Hell, it might even give him ideas. Part of her wondered if that was really a bad thing, making her blush even harder.

"You don't look like you have very much left to read."Before she could stop him, he grabbed the book and began reading where she left off."It can't be that-Wow."

Belle's face reddened once more. She tried to snatch it back, but Gold used his cane to hold her at bay.

"My, my, dearie. I never knew that you were into this sort of thing,"he said smugly

"I'm not! Ruby let me borrow it like I said, and once I started, I didn't have the heart to stop. Give it back!"

Gold used his cane to hold back with one hand and held the book even farther out of her reach with the other."If you wanted this sort of thing, all you had to do was ask, dearie. Why waste your time reading about it when you can experience it first hand?"

He looked at her and saw that her face was bright red, but her eyes were another story. He could tell she was honestly considering his idea and smiled. His sweet Belle wasn't as innocent Storybrooke believed.

"How about me make a deal?"

"Oh?"Now, he was really interested and lowered his cane.

"Yes,"she said, reaching over the desk to grab his tie an pull him closer."We use a few ideas from the book but on one condition."

There now nose to nose, and he could see the mischievous glint in her eyes. She was definitely up to something."And just what would that be?"

"I'm Christian, and you're Anastasia."

His smile evaporated while hers got wider."That means that I-"

"Yes. Whenever do this, you have to become my bitch."

Gold glared at her. Of course she would name that as her price. He then went silent as he thought about the pros and cons of agreeing to her terms. As he thought, Belle snatched to book from his hand and began reading aloud from it. Hearing what she planned to do to him from her lips finally crumbled his resolve.

"Fine!"

Belle stopped reading and looked up at him. He was pouting because of his loss, so she pulled him in for a long hard kiss. She heard his cane clatter when it hit the floor and smiled when she pulled away.

"That was just a taste of what's to come," She whispered. She heard the door open and saw a young couple enter."Go back to work. We'll be home before you know it."

He let out a small whine at the idea of having to wait, and Belle gave him a quick kiss to console him. With a heavy sigh, Gold grabbed his cane and tried to compose himself. He managed to straighten his suit and tie and calm down his racing heart a bit before walking out of the library. He did not trust himself enough to look back. He was sure he'd end up turning around and ravishing her on her desk if he did. Belle could tell he was thinking this by his walk and grinned. This was too perfect.

"And don't forget the ties, love!"

At this, he sped up and was soon out the door. With him gone and couple still browsing, Belle laughed and decided to finish the book after all.

TBC

One week left! In honor of season 2, I am going to post a new chapter every day this week until next Sunday.

Free roses and hugs from Rumpelstiltskin to anyone who can figure out the book Belle's reading.