CHAPTER 22
Regina and Emma slept late. She felt bad Emma got suspended on her behalf so she cooked a huge breakfast for her best friend. While they were eating their pancakes Robin had sent her a text "On my way home."
She replied "Be careful. I love you," but he didn't respond.
Emma washed the dishes while Regina attempted to eat the rest of her pancakes but she wasn't very hungry "What are you making Robin for dinner?"
Regina smiled "I doubt it will make up for it but tacos are one of his favorites and I'm baking an apple pie."
"Oh' please save me a piece. I got suspended for you," Emma teased.
"I will and Emma I really am sorry."
"It's not your fault. The whole thing was my idea. You really should blame it on me. Maybe, Robin won't be as angry."
"No, I agreed to the plan. I hope David doesn't let him listen to the wire. I was openly flirting with Graham. Shit, he's going to be mad."
"He'll probably listen to it so prepare for that. I should get going actually." Regina watched Emma leave and then began her chores. She had a few loads of laundry to do; she organized the fridge, washed the floors and then made the apple pie. She was upstairs putting clothes away when she heard a car pull up. She heard the beep, beep, beep of the alarm and then it immediately shut off. Robin was home. She was in the closet hanging up a shirt and when she came out he was standing in the doorway. He dropped his bags on the floor and then put his hands in his pockets.
Regina bit her lip and said "Hi."
They were staring at one another and Robin finally said "I'm mad at you."
She looked down at the floor "I know. I'm sorry."
"I smell apple pie."
"I made one. I'm making tacos for dinner."
"All my favorites," he said as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Do, I at least get a hug," she asked.
He let out a breath and shook his head "I just came from David's – we listened to the wire you wore."
"Oh' I see," she replied.
"You wouldn't have realized this but Graham said something incriminating and he threatened me again."
"Robin, I didn't mean the things I said . . ."
"I know but I'm not going to lie to you – it hurt. Hearing the things you said to him hurt me. Regina, he asked you if you loved me and you hesitated."
"I only did that to try and sound convincing," she explained.
"Well, you did. David says you did so well that he might be able to bust him but if not – he'll need you to talk to him again."
"I don't want to," she replied.
"You must. It's the only way. I'll get over it. Besides, Emma sent me a text and told me she basically forced you to do it."
"She didn't force me. I agreed and I felt I could get through to him."
"I'm sorry but I need time to deal with this. The things you said really bothered me."
Regina let out a breath "I understand. I think I'll start dinner soon."
"I'm going to take a shower," he said.
"Alright, I'll be downstairs." She walked past him and didn't wait for his response. She closed the door and then practically ran down to the kitchen. She was shaking. She knew he would be angry but she hated seeing him so hurt over the things she'd said to Graham. Regina grabbed two glasses out of the cabinet and poured herself a glass of wine. She downed one right away hoping it would help her nerves. She set the island for their dinner and took out everything they would need. She leaned against the counter for a few minutes and her stomach growled. She decided she was hungry and if he didn't eat – oh well. Her phone was blinking it was a text from Emma "Sending you a hug. I hope Robin isn't too hard on you. XO."
Regina replied "He's pretty angry but I'll keep you posted. XO." She put the phone down and began to prepare the tacos. She took out all the condiments and put them in the little bowls and then began to brown the meat. She was standing at the stove and she couldn't help it – tears began to fall down her face. She wiped them with the back of her hand and let out a breath. She took a sip of her wine but she couldn't stop shaking. After a minute or two she composed herself but then jumped when she felt Robin's arms around her waist pulling her back against his chest.
She closed her eyes as he whispered in her ear "I could eat."
She cleared her throat "Good, because I'm hungry. I didn't eat much today."
"I don't want you to cry. I won't be mad forever," he said as he took a step back and ran his fingers through her hair.
"I'm not crying."
"You were Regina. I saw you," he said.
"Do you want guacamole," she asked.
"I want you to look at me," he replied. He took a step back to give her room and she turned around and looked up at him. He kissed her forehead and pulled her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and he held her for a minute or two and said "Of course I want guacamole."
"I thought so," she said. He poured himself a glass of wine and topped hers off as she continued to cook "How is Roland?"
"He misses you and he asked if I could bring you next time," Robin said.
"Oh' what did you say?"
"I told him maybe."
"I miss him," she said as she drained the meat and added the sauce to the skillet.
"I had to try and explain why he couldn't come here. It was difficult," Robin admitted.
"Something else that's my fault," she mumbled.
"I heard that," he said. She plated the food and when she walked past his stool he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her between his legs "Regina, it's not your fault."
"If you weren't with me you could be with your son," she said angrily.
"Stop. I hate when you say things like that. I'm with you because I want to be and I love you. Even when you do stupid, crazy things I still love you." Robin leaned slowly toward her and their lips met. She opened her mouth and he glided his tongue against hers. She moaned and he deepened the kiss pulling her closer against his chest. He pulled away after a few seconds "I hate being mad at you," he said softly.
"I know," she replied. They sat down to eat and Robin was still very quiet. Regina wasn't sure what to say "So, you're helping David?"
He stood to clear the dishes "Yes," he admitted.
"So, you kept that from me and you're not going to talk about it?"
"No, I can't."
"Okay. That's fine. If you're going to wash up; I'm going to take a shower," she said. Regina was angry. Robin and David were keeping secrets. Didn't she have a right to know what was going on? She took a shower and then came out to the bedroom wearing a black nightgown. She was brushing her hair and when she looked up Robin was sitting on the edge of the bed. She put her brush down on the dresser and turned to face him "For the record now I'm mad at you," she said.
"Regina . . ."
"No, I need to get this out. I'm the one in danger here. I mean I know you're building was burned down but I'm basically being stalked and my car and my house were bugged. You and David are keeping secrets from me and I have a right to know what's going on," she yelled.
He stood "Are you finished?"
"Well, yes I guess so," she said softly.
He came toward her "David thinks he found a woman that was stalked a few years ago by Graham. She left town after her apartment building was burned to the ground and no one has heard from her since. She's been difficult to track but he's very close. That's why we didn't tell you. Regina, I don't want anything else to happen – we've been through enough already. If something were to happen to you . . ."
"Oh' my God," she whispered.
"David wants to keep this investigation as quiet as possible but I had a few contacts that helped try to find the girl," he said.
"What's her name," Regina asked.
"Anastasia but she could be going by something different now," he said.
"I understand," she replied. She pulled the blankets down and Robin undressed "We didn't have pie."
He smiled "We could have pie in bed," he suggested. "Should I go get us each a piece?"
Regina snuggled under the covers "Yes, please." He leaned down and kissed her forehead and left the room. She felt awful. Graham had done this to someone else? What was wrong with him? It seemed Robin didn't seem as angry. Now that she knew what was going on she felt a little bit more comfortable about the situation. A few minutes later; he came back in the bedroom carrying two pieces of pie on a tray and a large glass of milk. They were obviously sharing which was fine with her. They'd never eaten in bed before – so this was a first for them. He scooted close to her and handed her a plate and then he placed the milk on the nightstand "This is a first for us – eating in bed," she said.
"It's even better since it's your pie."
"I promised to save Emma a piece since she got suspended."
"How long," Robin asked.
"Two days but originally it was three," she said.
"I see."
"Does it taste okay," she asked.
"Of course," he replied. Robin smiled "You have something on the side of your face actually," he said laughing. "I forgot napkins but I'll get it." He leaned toward her and kissed the side of her cheek; he sucked lightly and Regina closed her eyes. He pulled back and put his plate on the nightstand and then she did the same. She was still chewing but he didn't care. He grabbed the side of her head and kissed her – hard. She moaned and he opened her mouth with his tongue and was startled when a piece of apple that was in the side of her cheek swept into his mouth. He didn't care. He swallowed it and then kept kissing her – she was definitely responding. He pulled back and stared into her face "I don't want to be mad at you anymore."
She was breathing heavily "Then, don't be. Please Robin; don't be mad at me anymore." He pulled her onto his lap and their mouths met again in a heated kiss. She was straddling him and his hands were moving up and down her legs. She didn't waste any time – she ripped the nightgown over her head and tossed it to the floor. She was naked underneath and Robin's eyes moved over her body. He swept his lips over each breast and she threw her head back and moaned as he devoured her "Yes, don't stop," she begged. He did as she asked and he could feel his cock growing harder with each passing second. His mouth moved up to her neck and he sucked so hard she cried out – he left a mark. It was almost as if he wanted to brand her as his. He was getting that sick feeling in his stomach again and roughly pulled away from her "What is it," she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.
He was gasping for air and then looked at her neck – it was already bruising "I'm sorry I left a mark," he said.
She bit her lip "I don't care. Robin, I'm yours. I'll always be yours," she said as she kissed the side of his face. "I don't care what you do to me. I love you – so much."
He flipped her over onto her back and gripped her wrists "Say it again," he said. "Tell me you love me – only me," he begged.
A tear ran down her face and he kissed it away "I love you. I love you so much and I'm sorry if I . . ."
He cut her off "No, no more words," he growled and then he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wiggled out of his boxers. He kicked them to the floor and she moaned as he quickly pushed himself inside her. His forearms hit the bed and he began to move. Regina cried out and was moaning for him to go faster. He picked up speed immediately and knew neither of them would last long but he didn't care. He missed her. Despite being angry with her – he missed her body against his and her mouth on his lips. God, he was so in love with her. She was chanting his name over and over and he could feel the sweat beading on his forehead. She was a goddess underneath him and at times he thought he was not worthy of her. He hit the right spot and she screamed that she was coming so he moved even faster if that was possible and a few seconds later he was right there with her.
He groaned so loud it echoed off the walls and when he looked down at her she was smiling at him and breathing heavily.
He placed his forehead against hers and whispered "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied. He rolled off her and she immediately scooted into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and she pulled the blanket over them. It didn't take long; Regina fell asleep in Robin's arms and in those moments of afterglow he had a revelation – he'd found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He was home and he was never leaving again.