CHAPTER 8

Regina sat in her car outside her store and sent Robin a text message "Can I come over?"

She waited and about three minutes later he simply replied "Yes."

She answered back and said "I'll be there in five minutes." She parked the car and walked up the stairs and he opened the door before she reached the top "Is Roland asleep?"

"Yes, I just put him down. Are you alright? I thought you were going home?" She took off her shoes and took in his appearance; he was dressed in gray sweat pants and wearing a white tank top. His hair was still wet from the shower he must have taken not that long ago. God, he looked delicious "Regina is anything wrong?"

She looked up into his eyes and smiled "No, nothing's wrong." She grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him against her. Their mouths met and it felt like coming home "I missed you," she whispered against his lips. He groaned and wrapped his arms around her body. His hands coasted down her back and he squeezed her ass. She moaned as their kisses became more heated. He roughly pulled his lips away and attacked her neck. He sucked hard and she moaned "Robin, we can't . . . Roland." He took a step back from her and turned around. He ran his fingers through his hair and she watched as he composed himself "I'm sorry I shouldn't have come but I wanted to see you too. After all the nice things you did."

He sat on the sofa and motioned for her to join him; he wrapped his arms around her and she leaned against him "How was work?"

She smiled "Busy, but we surpassed the goal so I'm pleased. How was your evening with your son?"

"It was fine. He kept asking if you were coming over and I told him we might see you tomorrow but I wasn't sure."

"I don't want to disappoint him but I have to go to the store tomorrow for a little while."

"I understand."

She kissed him quickly "Okay I better go then."

"What the hell? You just got here," he said laughing as he tugged her back down to the couch.

"I know but I really just came for a kiss . . ."

"Stay here with me tonight," he said as he ran his fingers through her hair.

"Robin, no we shouldn't."

"So, you came here for what . . . one kiss and then you're plan was to go home? You're a bloody tease woman."

"Now, wait just a damn minute . . ." He didn't let her finish – he pulled her against him and found her mouth quickly. He kissed her hard and she reciprocated. He stood and pulled her up with him and picked her up into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he walked to his bedroom. He opened the door and then closed it softly behind him. He placed her down on her feet and she took a step back "We can't. Not with Roland in the next room."

He stripped off his shirt "We're going to sleep." He took a shirt out of his closet and tossed it to her. She unbuttoned her pants and began changing "We have spent many nights together just sleeping; what's one more?"

"Does that mean that after you drop Roland off tomorrow you're going to come over and ravish me," she teased as she climbed into bed.

"Milady, all you have to do is say the word and I will do whatever you want."

She laughed "Well, we'll see." Robin turned the light off and Regina scooted into his arms "I'm glad I decided to come over."

"You have no idea how happy I am," he said.

"Goodnight Robin."

"Goodnight Regina."

She left before Roland woke up. She kissed Robin and whispered that she didn't want to give the boy the wrong idea. He walked her out and said he would see her later after he drove Roland home. That gave her several hours to prepare for him. Regina went home, showered and changed her clothes and decided she needed to go shopping. Tink sent her a text and asked if she could open the store for a few hours with Ashley and Regina was fine with that. She decided she'd take the day off. She sent Emma a message and asked if she could pick her up; that she needed help with something important. Emma arrived at ten and Regina informed her they were going to the mall which was – yes two towns away but she had to buy something that no one in Storybrooke had "What are you looking to buy?"

Regina smiled "Something that's going to knock Robin's socks off."

"Jesus, are you talking about a nightie?"

"If that's what you call it – yes."

"Awesome, I want to buy one too. I have a date with Killian later on this week."

"I could use a few new bras and things as well. So, we might as well get it all at the same time."

Emma laughed "This is going to be fun. Can we have lunch too?"

"What are you five? Of course and coffee because I think I'll need it."

"Excellent," Emma said as they headed out of Storybrooke in her yellow bug.

Regina glanced at all her purchases which were now laid out on her bed. She'd bought several different colors, and styles. She couldn't decide what to get so she bought the ones that she thought looked the best. There was a long red nightgown and one in dark blue, a bra and panties set in hunter green and a black, see through nightie that she was pretty sure she was going to wear under her dress for when Robin arrived. When she was sure about the black, she changed into one of her favorite dresses that was casual but pretty and headed down to the kitchen to prepare something for them to eat. He'd text her at six and said he'd just arrived home but that he was packing a bag so he could go straight to work from her house in the morning. Regina had begged Emma to stop at the supermarket so she could get the makings for tacos. She knew Robin loved them and she was decent at making them so even though it was Valentine's Day she thought she'd make something easy so they could not focus on cooking so much. She had bought mini short cakes for desert and planned on topping them with strawberries, blueberries and cream. It was easy, simple and she was sure he would love it. She had the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and guacamole all on the counter in bowls and she was browning the meat when he rang the doorbell. She ran out barefoot in her little black dress to answer the door and was stunned when he pushed her inside; slammed it behind him and kissed her – hard. She pulled back quickly "Wait, I'm cooking and I don't want to burn the house down," she said as he tossed his bag on the floor and pulled her against him once again. Their mouths danced and she laughed as he backed her up toward the kitchen.

He pulled away "Are you making tacos?"

"Yes, I know you like them. Is that alright?"

"Jesus, you're amazing," he said as he kissed her again.

She laughed and shoved him "Seriously, I don't want to mess up the meat that's cooking."

She went back over to the stove and he leaned against the counter "God, you're gorgeous. You shouldn't walk around with that little black thing on. I mean, you're barefoot, cooking and you're mouth just called to me when you opened that door," he teased.

She smirked and sent a wink toward him "Sorry is it too much?"

"No, plus it is Valentine's Day. So, it's allowed. This assembly line you built looks delicious. Are we eating in here?"

"Sure, that's fine;" she said as she drained the meat and then put it back in the pan and added sauce and spices and a little bit of water "This is almost done. How was the drive," she asked.

"It was alright. What did you do today?"

"Oh' I actually went to the mall with Emma and did a little bit of shopping."

"Oh' that's nice. Did you buy anything good?"

"Actually, I bought several things – for you," she teased.

"Oh' now I'm intrigued. What exactly did you buy?"

"You'll find out later. Maybe, if you behave I'll give you a fashion show."

Robin's eyes grew wide "Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't joke about that," she replied.

"Are you wearing it now? Is this dress new?"

"Nope, it's what's underneath it."

"Oh' bloody hell," he said. She put the meat in the bowl and heated up a few soft shells. He preferred those and she remembered that. She poured them water and they started assembling their tacos. Robin groaned as he took his first bite "God, this is good. I'm so happy right now."

She laughed "I'm glad." They talked about work, Roland and the drive and eventually Robin stood and did the dishes. Regina took the mini cakes out and began assembling them with the strawberries and blueberries "Can you eat this now? Or, should we wait."

"I'm thinking put them together and then we'll eat them later? Is that alright?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"I have a present for you," Robin admitted.

"Robin, you bought me flowers yesterday and you sent that Edible Arrangement that was more than enough."

"I know but I couldn't help myself." She put the cakes away and they headed back into the foyer "Can I put my bag upstairs in your room?"

"Sure, c'mon," she said as she took his hand.

They walked into the Master Suite and she sat on the bed as Robin unzipped his bag "Please don't think this is stupid but I did buy you something from your own store. I was told that you have been eyeing this for a very long time." He handed her the box and Regina's mouth went dry. There is no way he bought her that bracelet. There was only one thing in her store that she was tempted to buy for herself and it was a diamond tennis bracelet. The only reason she didn't buy it was because even she didn't want to spend that much money. She prayed it wasn't the bracelet "Regina, open the box." She let out a breath and opened the lid – her heart nearly stopped. It was the bracelet. She felt her eyes begin to water and Robin sat next to her "I know what you're going to say. I shouldn't have but I was told you really wanted this." He took it out of the box and grabbed her hand. He placed it on her wrist and tears were running down her face. "It looks beautiful on you."

She shook her head and glanced up into his face "How, the hell did you buy this?

He smiled "I've been saving and working extra hours for the past few weeks. All my tips from the bar and the overtime at Granny's it was all because I wanted to do something extravagant for you – I'm not normally that kind of guy. But, I can't explain it. I just wanted you to have what you wanted. Does that make sense?"

"Robin, this is . . ."

"Did you notice that it was gone?"

"No, I've been so busy."

"Good, I was hoping. Tink said you wouldn't notice."

"Did she tell you that I've been eyeing this?"

"Yes, I went in when you were home sick and I asked her to put it aside for me. I didn't have all the money yet but I worked extra nights at the bar and I was able to make the rest to pay for it. I went to pay for it a few days ago and it actually went on sale. So, that's how I was able to send the Edible Arrangements and get you the flowers as well. The bloody bracelet went on sale!"

She laughed "This is unbelievable."

"I hope you don't think it's too over the top. I mean we haven't been dating that long . . ." She cut him off with her mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck.

She placed her forehead against his "You are wonderful and I have no idea how I got so lucky."

"I could say the same about you," he whispered as he ran his hands down her back.

"I'm sorry with being sick and working so much I didn't buy you anything," she admitted.

"Regina, you just told me downstairs that you went shopping today."

"Yes, but . . ."

"Hush," he leaned back against the headboard and placed his hands behind his head "Show me," he said seriously.

She blushed "I'll show you all of them," she said as she stood from the bed.

"Good. I want you to," he replied. She nodded and then unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. She watched Robin's face as he sat up straighter "Oh . . . Bloody . . . Hell," he whispered.

She laughed "Shut up."

"That's see through and it's very short and . . ."

"Do you like it?"

"Hell yes. Jesus, am I drooling? I can see . . . everything. Is there anything that you bought that's better than this?"

"Well, I don't think so but I'd like to show you."

"Yes, please show me," he said. She laughed and headed to the bathroom. Robin stripped off his shirt and tossed it to the floor. He took a deep breath and tried to gain his composure. He was pretty sure this was going to be one of the greatest nights of his life and he'd make sure it would be for Regina as well.