Once bitten
Once bitten
We're singin' in the rain!
Whoah-oh
Heart's gonna be mine forever
Gonna be mine forever
Once bitten, yeah
You won't feel no pain, boy
Once bitten
Once bitten...
(Once Bitten-3 Speed)
Regina Mills sighed out loud as she looked over at the wedding cake on the table near her. She really wanted a piece. It was from one of the best pastry kitchen's in the city of Denver. Chocolate marble with a mousse filling and chocolate frosting.
No! No cake. Not today. She had already eaten enough from the incredible gourmet buffet at this reception to feed an army or two. The last thing she needed was a piece of that cake with enough calories to add a little more jiggle to her ass. And she liked her ass the way it was.
Regina had gone into one of the best fields to keep her weight down...as a chef.
Oh, the irony!
She was head chef at a very highly regarded restaurant. Quite an accomplishment for a woman that was only twenty-seven years old. She loved her job. She loved to feed people. There was nothing better than creating a new gastronomical delight.
Regina just pushed her plate away from her. It was completely empty. She sat back in her chair at the bride's table to watch the bride and groom dance.
Mary Margaret was her best friend. She had just gotten married after a whirlwind courtship to David Nolan, a rich, gorgeous and charming man. They looked so incredibly happy. David looked entirely enchanted with his beautiful bride.
Regina let out a long breath and tried not to feel a twinge of envy. She loved Mary Margaret like a sister and wanted her happiness more than anything in the world. Mary Margaret had been suffering from a rare form of leukemia that seemed to be in remission. Regina hoped that it would stay in remission. She still had nightmares about the dark days of Mary Margaret's illness and trying to come to terms with losing the only person she had that was like family to her, even though they weren't blood related.
Being even the slightest bit jealous is just selfish after what Mary Margaret has been through. She deserved this fairy tale wedding and the man of her dreams.
Regina acknowledge that she was a tiny bit selfish. She just couldn't help it. But she was extremely happy to have her best friend happy and healthy, that was the most important thing.
She smoothed down the skirts of her blue maid of honor dress. It was a lovely pale blue with shimmering accents of pink. Mary Margaret had let her pick the style, a fact for which Regina was highly grateful. Regina loved the dress. Too bad she would probably never wear it again.
She frowned at the thought, reaching up to tug at a stray curl of her dark, wayward hair. She had swept it up in a chignon, but it was curly and long. Tendrils escaped and curled around her face. She hadn't looked in the mirror but she was pretty sure her hair was a disaster by now. But at least it had looked good for the wedding pictures.
Regina jumped as a large, dark hand slid a plate across the table that stopped in front of her. She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she hadn't seen the man approach the table.
Her eyes lifted to see Robin Locksley sit down directly across from her, a piece of cake big enough to feed ten people sitting in front of him. He had slid a smaller piece-maybe only big enough to feed five people-in front of her.
"I don't want that, Robin" she told him, irritated now that she had to actually stare at the pasty in front of her now. When she had worked so hard to get her mind off of it.
"Why not?" Robin cocked his head and shot her an I'm-so-confused smile as he started eating his piece with obvious enjoyment. "It's fantastic, delicious."
Regina rolled her eyes, trying not to be charmed by the incredibly gorgeous specimen of manhood that was Robin. For God's sake, did the man have to look so damn perfect? He had eaten more in one evening than any normal man ate in a month and he still didn't look like he held one ounce of fat on his body. It was disgusting. Still...she tried to be polite. He was Mary Margaret's new brother-in-law. "I'm trying not to eat sweets, Robin. I have to watch what I eat."
Robin smirked as he consumed his giant sized piece of cake. "Why watch it when you can eat it?" He paused to shoot her a curious look
Regina searched his face for signs of conceit, but she didn't see anything except raw honesty. As she took in his perfect features and glanced at his hair, with one little stray strand that seemed to separate from the others, she wanted to reach out and brush it back in place.
Come on, Regina. Get real. The guy has to know he's incredibly gorgeous. Don't feel sorry for him.
"Have my cake." She pushed it in front of him.
He pushed it back at her. "I know you want it."
"I don't," she answered firmly.
"You do." He started to smile again.
"Don't," she insisted.
"Come on, Regina. You were looking at the cake table like a lion looks at raw meat. You wanted it. That's why I brought it."
Oh, shit. She groaned inwardly. Was she really that obvious. "I'm a chef. I was just checking out the competition that's all."
"You wanted to taste the competition. Admit it." He took the plate from her and set it in front of him. He took a clean fork and scooped up a bite of the irresistible confection. He reached over the table and held it to her mouth. She opened automatically and he dropped it in.
Regina closed her eyes as the silky chocolate slid over her taste buds. She nearly groaned out loud before she could help herself. It was near perfection. She opened her eyes to see him holding out another bite. She slid her chair back. "No Robin. I really can't."
He looked perplexed. "Why not?"
Regina was getting pissed. Did she need to spell it out for him? "I just can't!"
Robin sat back in his chair, dropping the fork back onto the plate. "You look fine to me, more than fine."
If I looked so fine, you would be asking me for my phone number. You would ask me to dance. You would ask me out on a date.
It wasn't his fault. He just wasn't into her. Regina couldn't even blame it on the fact that he was attached. Mary Margaret said Robin was single and unattached. He just didn't want her.
She grabbed the plate of cake and pulled it in front of her. What the hell! She would be careful tomorrow. Tonight she would eat cake!
Robin picked up a clean flute glass and filled it with champagne, saluting her before he raised it to his lips. He didn't quite smile but his lips were twitching.
God, he was irresistible. He may not be interested, but he was sweet. Her instincts were telling her he was completely genuine. He was certainly unusual at the slightest. She could see a certain insecurity in him that spoke to her. She knew what that was like. It didn't matter that he was outrageously attractive, charming, genuinely kind. He just didn't believe he was anything special.
"Robin?," she queried softly between her luscious bites of the sweet dessert.
"Yes," he answered in a low voice as he refilled his champagne and topped off hers.
She leaned slightly across the table, as if she were about to give away a huge secret. He leaned in slightly.
"You are the best looking of all the men here," she whispered softly, just loud enough for him to hear.
His smile started with his lips and moved to his eyes. His whole face lit up. His eyes sparkled as he leaned over and she leaned in to hear his secret.
"Regina...you are the most ravishingly beautiful woman here." Still no interest, but his voice was sincere. He might have said it matter-of-factly, but he truly meant it.
She blushed. She tried to look another direction, embarrassed that she was blushing like an adolescent teenager.
When her face cooled down she sneaked a look in his direction. He was watching her. He lifted his champagne flute and she raised her glass to his.
With the clink of the glasses, a tentative friendship was born that night.
Robin Locksley awoke three weeks later from his day sleep in a very good mood. He sat up and stretched.
Although vampires didn't sleep like the dead, it was almost like hibernation in a way. Their breathing and heart rate were almost non-existent and nothing could bring them out of the day sleep except their mate. It was a vulnerable time for any of his brethren and Robin had ultra high security all around his home. He lived outside of the city and owned the four hundred acres of land surrounding the spacious, brick two story home. His land was surrounded by tall metal fences with only one entry gate and he guarded his home with magic. Metal shutters plunged the house into total darkness at daybreak.
He rolled out of bed completely naked, his cock completely soft. He hadn't had to worry about waking up to morning wood for three hundred years. He had lost all sexual function hundreds of years ago after he passed the age of one hundred. He was four hundred now. He didn't even remember what it felt like to have a stiff dick in the morning anymore.
He used his magic to trigger the metal shutters to open, taking in the tranquility of the beauty of the night.
It was a perfect late spring evening, unseasonably warm, and he could smell the profusion of flowers that surrounded his house and garden. The crickets were chirping merrily and loudly.
He was tempted to linger at the large window, but he stepped into the bathroom and flipped on his large walk-in shower. He put his head back, letting the massaging jet flow over his body.
Vampires could clean themselves, but Robin was off and loved the feel of water. As he soaped his muscular body his hand ran over his mating mark. He covered it with magic most of the time and didn't see it very often, but now he stared at it, wondering what had ever become of his fated mate.
The mark was an intricate lion, no larger than a half dollar. His half brother had a similar mark as it was their family marking, but they both had some subtle variations, making it unique to the brothers. As he surveyed the mark he was hit by a twinge of loneliness. He wished he knew why his mate had never called him. Had she never needed him? Wanted him?
David had warned him to not give up hope. David suspected that the reason he was so late getting to Mary Margaret was because he was no longer open to listening for her. He had thrown in the towel and become resigned to the fact that his mating possibilities were gone for good.
Robin covered up the marking with his magic, sighing as he rinsed the soap from his body. He didn't want to give up hope. He tried to stay open to all possibilities. But it was highly unlikely that his mate would show up after all of these years.
As he stepped out of the shower and toweled himself off he remembered the agony David had gone through after he had found Mary Margaret. Did he really want to go through that?
Hell yeah...he would. Finding his mate would be extraordinary. The one that was born for him. Just him. The guardian of his soul. What would it feel like to be that connected to a woman?
He was lonely. That was probably why he was so happy to be going to Mary Margaret and David's for dinner tonight. But mainly he would see Regina. David was doing barbecue, but Regina was making all of the side dishes. It was sure to be a good night all around.
Robin really liked Mary Margaret, she made sure to take care of David and himself. Neither brother had had someone look after them in a very long time, not since their parent's deaths over four hundred years ago. Their parents had done the ultimate sacrifice for their boys. David's mother had died two years before their father had met Robin's mother. David had kept his mother's maiden name as a way to always remember her.
The night of the attack on their parent's home, once the Brood had gotten past their parent's magic protection spell over their home, they had transferred their boys away and left them with some old friends to take care of the boys. Granny, one of the elder vampires, had raised Robin and David to the best of her ability.
Robin stopped in the middle of his room, wondering what he was going to wear tonight to the dinner. He frowned, wondering why he was putting so much thought into this. His usual garments was jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. He never gave much thought to it.
But Regina would be there tonight.
He acknowledged that he liked her. Really liked her. He no longer could feel physical desire for any woman, but he wanted to impress her. There was just something about her, something he couldn't put his finger on. They had only seen each other a few times since David's wedding, but they had built a friendship from that day forth. They were like kindred spirits who understood each other, without saying a word. He wanted her to trust him, confide in him.
Regina was the first person to look at him like he was someone special.
He was proud of David. He admired him. They were extremely close because they were brothers. But sometimes...just sometimes...he felt eclipsed by David.
That was why he valued Regina's friendship. She never looked at David the way she looked at him. She didn't talk to anyone else like she did him.
He clothed himself in an expensive suit.
Nope. Looks like he was trying too hard.
He tried casual pants and a silk shirt with a thick gold chain.
Christ! He looked like someone's pimp.
Okay...nice black designer jeans. Armani polo shirt. Italian leather casual shoes. Rolex watch.
Not bad. Better than his usual. He would go with it.
Robin laughed at himself as he grabbed his car keys and let himself into the garage. He could hardly transport himself into David's house with Regina there. Besides, he did like to drive himself. He slid into his loaded Navigator, loving the smell and feel of the custom leather seats. The big four wheel drive was appropriate for winter in the Rocky Mountains and Robin liked the space. He need it to comfortably accommodate his body.
He pulled out of the garage and secured the house as he pulled out of the front gate. As he entered his private road that would take him to the main highway he started whistling a current tune.
Regina's favorite song.
Only You!
He pushed the accelerator. David's home was a twenty five minute drive. Maybe he could make it in fifteen.
Regina had arrived at David and Mary Margaret's ranch home over an hour ago. She had brought some side dishes with her and some she was currently rushing around Mary Margaret's kitchen preparing.
She had made the smores pies in advance and they were currently chilling in the fridge.
Robin's favorite.
Damnit! Could she stop thinking about Robin for more than a few minutes? He was not for her. He was too handsome, too compelling...too everything. He seemed to have no interest in her...but she liked him. And she knew he liked her. They could talk for hours. He had no sexual interest. But there was some sort of connection between the two of them. Whenever they were together, they were like two old friends. He always gave her his undivided attention. He seemed to hang on to everything she said.
But the sexual attraction was just not there. On his side anyway. Personally, she would like to jump his bones and have him in every way that was possible. Unfortunately, the feeling wasn't mutual. She didn't feel that desire on his side, and he seemed oblivious to hers.
As she finished off another dessert, her thoughts were still on Robin. The man didn't have any vanity and she couldn't figure that out. He could act cocky at times, but it was a pretense. She felt the insecurity hiding deep within the man as much as he tried to not let it show. She saw.
Just then Mary Margaret came into the kitchen looking breathless. David had caught her again. She had that glassy eyed, swollen lips look of a woman that had just been kissed senseless. She and David couldn't seem to keep their hands off of each other for more than a second.
"How's it coming?" Mary Margaret asked brightly. Too brightly.
"Fine. David catch you again?" Regina laughed lightly as she watched her friend's face flush.
"He's outrageous at times. But I have to admit I don't try very hard to get away." Mary Margaret winked at her and opened the refrigerator, taking out a pitcher of margaritas. She pulled three glasses from the freezer. "I think it's cocktail time."
"Can I ask you something?" Regina asked hesitantly.
"Of course," Mary Margaret answered as she filled the glasses with frozen margaritas.
"I was wondering...does Robin like...women?"
Mary Margaret was just starting to take a sip of her drink and nearly choked on it. "Robin? Yes, he does. Why do you ask?"
Regina picked up her drink and took a swallow, savoring the fruity taste. "Nothing. I was just wondering."
Scratch that thought. He's perfectly straight and just not into her.
"Regina, are you interested in Robin?" Mary Margaret cocked her head and gave her a funny look.
"No, no. Not at all. I was just curious, that's all. I mean...I like him. He's really nice. But I know he has no interest in me," she answered. She tried to hide her disappointment from her friend.
Mary Margaret looked at Regina for a few seconds before replying cautiously. "Listen Regina...things are...difficult with Robin. It isn't you."
"You don't have to make up excuses. This is me. Your BFF. You don't have to sugar coat the excuses." Regina said
Mary Margaret took her by her shoulders and shook her gently. "You're a beautiful woman, Regina. Anybody would be blessed to have you. I wish you would realize that." Mary Margaret looked her straight in the eye before adding, "I repeat...it is not you. I promise you."
"It doesn't matter. Don't worry about it. It was just me prying." Regina turned from her friend and went back to her vegetables on the stove.
"He does like you, Regina. He asks about you all of the time. It isn't lack of interest...it's just..." Mary Margaret paused as if looking for the right words. "Shit, Regina. It's really complicated," she finished sounding exasperated and frustrated.
Regina was grateful when the conversation was interrupted by a booming voice. "Did you make my pies?"
Robin!
She turned from the stove to watch him enter the kitchen. Oh Gods, he looked good enough to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She'd gladly give up the food if she could have a piece of him. She answered lightly. "Of course. I got your message from Mary Margaret."
He smiled brightly, making her heart flip flop. He grabbed a frozen glass from the freezer and helped himself to the drinks. "How are you, Mary Margaret?" he asked with genuine interest, she went forward and hugged him hard and without hesitation.
"Good. Except I spent the morning in the kitchen making you smores pies from scratch. It's supposed to be my day off," she teased him lightly.
He shrugged and raised his brow, pinning her with his eyes. "It's your fault. You brought them last time and now I'm going through withdrawals."
Mary Margaret moved back to look over Robin. "You look nice tonight, Robin."
Robin blew off the comment by replying. "Not as nice as you both."
Regina had on a red sundress with capped sleeves and a pair of white sandals, however, most of her was currently covered by a full apron that she wore while she was cooking. Her long, thick hair was pulled back with a white hair tie that left the mass of dark brown curls trailing down her neck. She quickly took the apron off. She was almost done and it looked horrible with her sundress. Regina put it gently on the kitchen chair, trying not to be obvious that she wanted to look better.
"Charmer!" Mary Margaret picked up her drink and grabbed up the extra one in her other hand. "I guess I should go give my husband his drink. He's is slaving over the barbecue. Are you coming out to see David," Mary Margaret asked Robin as she made her way across the kitchen.
"I'll be out in a few minutes."
"Okay. Take your time. We'll be on the patio." Mary Margaret's voice trailed off as she exited the kitchen.
Robin picked up his drink again and came to lean against the counter that was only a few feet from Regina. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
You can go down on me! She wanted to scream it. But instead she said, "Nope, everything is under control. If David doesn't burn the steaks, everything will be perfect."
"Everything will be perfect regardless. You're here. I've really missed talking to you." His voice was casual but genuine.
Damn it. I hate it when he says things like that. Oh God. She could smell him. He smelled so...male. She wasn't sure what scent he used, but it drove her crazy. She tried to keep her distance as much as possible.
"So did you want a kiss?" Robin asked
Surprised, Regina dropped the spoon into the pan of sauce and went to retrieve it without thinking. She hissed as the hot sauce burned her hand. She quickly pulled the sauce off of the heat and went around Robin to get to the sink. She turned on the cold water and let it run over her fingers. It burned, but she was used to worse. It was a just a tiny minor burn to her two fingers.
"Regina, are you okay. Did you burn yourself?" Robin's voice was full of concern.
"I'm fine. It was a stupid thing to do. It's just a tiny burn. It happens a lot in my profession." She left the water running over her fingers, the burn already easing.
Robin came to the sink, his eyes full of concern as she looked up at him.
And then it happened.
He reached out his hand to bring her hand out of the water to look at it, lifting her it out of the water gently...and all hell broke loose.
Robin never knew what hit him. One moment he was reaching for Regina's hand and the next thing he knew his whole body was on fire.
His mating mark burned as he held Regina's small hand in his larger one. He looked at her and saw his destiny. His mate. His woman. His body burned and his cock was rock hard, ready to claim her...now!
She was stunning. So...his.
He pulled her into his arms and brought her warm, feminine body into him. He claimed her mouth, swooping down, needing to brand her, needing to possess every inch of her.
Her mouth was warm and opened under his persistent embrace. His primitive instincts rejoiced in her surrender. He put his hand behind her head and pulled her mouth tighter against his. He captured her tongue and started a slide in and out of her mouth as he wanted to do with his cock inside her.
He didn't know how long he kissed her. Nor did he care. He kept moving positions, conquering her mouth from every angle that he could. His hands moved dominating over her body, grasping her rear and pulling it hard against his hot, throbbing member.
He needed to be inside of her. She was destined to be his. His mate! He wanted to make her moan with pleasure. He wanted her to need him, desire him, want only him.
His thoughts were fractured, his actions instinctive. He pulled up her light sundress, needing to feel her moist core. She felt so perfect, so warm, so female. So his!
His hands slid over her panties, cupping her ass. He lifted her and sat her on the kitchen table, his mouth never stopping his persistent assault.
Regina was moaning into his mouth, her arms wrapped around his neck. He demanded and she responded to his every move.
Robin could sense her desire, her need. He needed to satiate her.
His need. Her need. They both pounded into him hard. He ran one of his hands along her thighs, stroking her soft skin. His other hand went to her generous, perfect breasts. He needed to feel every inch of her. He grabbed the neck of the dress and pulled. The buttons gave way and the dress opened down the front. He didn't bother to look for a clasp for her bra. It wasn't that tight so he yanked it up to free her breasts, careful not to hurt her soft skin.
His hand roamed over both breasts, touching every inch of the soft flesh. His fingers pinched and caressed her nipples.
His other hand slid to her hot core, delving under her panties.
She was hot and wet. Ready to be taken.
He pulled his mouth from hers. "Open," he demanded, needing to touch her. She responded by spreading her legs. His fingers immediately dipped into her soft, dewey center.
He laid her back on the table and brought his mouth to her breasts.
"Robin." She groaned his name with passion and it sent him into a fever. He needed to satisfy her needs. He wanted to watch her cum. For him. Only for him.
He yanked her panties down her legs and they fell to her ankles, till they fell to the floor. He lifted her dress to her waist, baring her to his gaze. He spread her legs open and buried his fingers into her slick, wet heat. He continued to lave and nip her breasts as his fingers worked her core. He slipped two fingers into her needy channel, filling her. He used his other hand to roughly slide along her clit.
He knew he was sweating. The droplets were pouring from his face and dropping onto her breasts. He didn't care. All he wanted was to watch her cum. She was groaning, her head thrashing back and forth, because of him!
He panted as one hand worked her channel, the other working her clit. She was so slick that his fingers glided easily and he picked up the pace, her need becoming his. His fingers were coordinated, slamming into her aching opening and working her sensitive bud in sync.
She was going to cum. He could feel how close she was. He lifted his mouth from her breasts as he watched her.
Christ...she was beautiful. Some of her hair had worked itself free and silky strands tangled around her face. She was biting her lip, her eyes closed. She was laid out on the table, open for him to satisfy her every need. She looked like the finest feast he had ever seen.
He felt her climax start. It pulsed over his fingers, clenching the two in her channel hard. She arched her back as she moaned his name over and over. He was tempted to cover her and fuck her just like this, but he was mesmerized in watching and feeling her find her release.
He didn't stop his persistent fingers from their assault and she continued to climax, helpless to stop it. As he felt the contractions subside he pulled her up and into his arms. Her arms clasp around him like a vice. She panted, "Robin, Oh God. That's never happened before. Not like that." He held her tightly, fighting with his instincts.
His!
He continued to hold her trembling body. He could feel her hot breath against his neck as she recovered. He fought his instincts to take her. He needed her. He wanted her soft and warm beneath him. He wanted that channel accepting his hard cock. This woman was his. His mate.
"Robin, what just happened?," she asked him softly, her voice shaky as she pulled away from him.
He knew his eyes were burning with desire and longing. He let her see it, become aware of it. When she pulled away he nearly growled.
She slid off of the table and pulled her panties back up. She smoothed down her dress. She pulled her bra down, frowning at the ripped buttons of her dress. She held the top together with one hand.
She was afraid. Robin could feel it all over her, sense it and he could see the fear in her eyes.
Her eyes raked over him. He knew he looked wild. He struggled for control, barely able to keep from reaching for again and taking her.
But he didn't like seeing her afraid.
Don't be scared. Please don't be scared. He reached for her with his mind. He knew she could hear him. They had already touched. The mental intimacy would be there.
She didn't answer. Her hands shook as her eyes landed on his mating mark on his forearm. As soon as he had touched her the mark had been revealed. His magic could no longer cover it.
She stared at it, terror in her eyes.
She took one last look at him and fled, grabbing her purse and her keys and started running for the door as if the hounds of hell were after her.
"No! Regina!," his voice was loud and desperate.
She was running from him. He couldn't ever let her get away.
He sprinted after her. He nearly caught her at the door. He would have caught her...if he hadn't been restrained by a set of strong hands holding him back.
David tugged at him. He snarled at him, but he held him fast. He struggled to get away. He needed to get to Regina. He didn't want her to be afraid of him.
Regina was already out the door like her ass was on fire, leaving the door wide open. She ran to her car, never looking back.
Robin struggled to get out of his sibling's hold as he watched her drive away.
"Regina!. Come back!" His voice was anguished and he almost broke away from the restraining hands, so desperate was his need for her.
He dropped to his knees but his brother retained his hold on him. Everything inside of him needed to find her. Needed to possess her. His brother dragged him to the couch bodily, dropping him, but never releasing his hold.
"Robin," David barked sharply. "You can't chase the woman down like a hound after a rabbit. What the hell happened?"
He sat on the couch, his breath still coming hard and fast. "Mine. My mate."
"Oh, shit. Regina?" David frowned as he loosened his hold and looked up at Mary Margaret who had just entered the room with a concerned look on her face.
Robin knew that David and Mary Margaret were conversing silently...but he didn't care.
"Calm down, Robin. We need to talk about this. If you flee...I'll catch you," David threatened.
Robin knew David could and he would catch him. He was two hundred years older and more powerful. Robin took some deep breaths, feeling his brother release him. He still wanted to go after Regina, but he was regaining some common sense. David was right. She was already scared. He couldn't go after her like a maniac stalker.
"Robin, you found your mate." Mary Margaret spoke, her voice full of joy and awe.
As he calmed down, Robin was rather in awe himself. Regina was his destiny.
Mary Margaret came to sit beside him on the couch, nudging her husband out of her way. David moved so that his wife could sit between them.
"Regina looked upset. What happened, Robin?" Mary Margaret's soft voice calmed him. She brushed back a stray lock of his hair.
He had lost control and attacked her best friend. He could hardly tell her that and he felt ashamed. Not only was Regina his mate but he respected her. He answered cautiously, "She burned herself. I took her hand to look at it and I...lost it." His voice was hoarse. "I've never touched her before. I didn't realize."
Mary Margaret sighed. "She'll understand, Robin...eventually. But Regina lives in the real world. It won't be easy for her to accept that there is another world apart from the one she lives in. She's had a hard life."
"What do you mean?" Robin was curious now. He pushed his mating instincts down, interested in knowing everything about Regina.
Mary Margaret looked hesitant, meeting her husband's eyes. After a moment she replied, "It really isn't my place to tell you much about Regina. But there are a few things you should know. She'll have to tell you the details herself once she trusts you. Her childhood and teen years were tough. Her parents both died when she was young. She was transferred from foster home to foster home. She wants security. She needs security."
"I'll give her security. I'll give her a home that she can be in forever. Anything she needs or wants is hers." Robin answered firmly. He would wrap her in security. Security in his home, his arms, his bed.
"She has other needs other than just financial security, Robin. She needs people around her that care about her. She thinks nobody wants her. She doesn't feel desirable or attractive. She blames herself for the fact that she was never adopted after her parents' deaths." Mary Margaret finished, obviously done revealing all of the information she felt comfortable disclosing about her best friend.
Robin stared in disbelief at Mary Margaret as she finished. His sweet, adorable Regina. How could she think that nobody wanted her? He had wanted to be around her even before he had found out she was his mate. It wasn't that he doubted what Mary Margaret said was true. She had been friends with Regina since childhood.
His heart ached for her. He knew what it was like to want to be special. It was hard knowing that his mate had suffered so much, had her confidence eroded by years of rejection.
"You need to be careful, Robin. She's vulnerable. She may not act like it. She's become a master at hiding her emotions," Mary Margaret warned him with a frown. "I know your mating instincts are strong but you are going to have to go slow. She's not going to believe you at first."
Robin nodded his head, "I know."
"But you need to convince her, Robin. I can't see her go through what I did. I love her. She's like the sister I never had," Mary Margaret's voice choked with tears. David reached over for his wife's hand, comforting her silently.
"You don't have to worry about him pushing things too far. It won't happen unless she calls him to her." David's baritone cut through the silence, powerful and filled with a slight bit of amusement at his brother's expense.
"What are you talking about?" Robin demanded, irritated at his brother's amusement.
"I mean little brother, that you can touch her as long as she is enjoying it, but you can't have intercourse unless she calls you to her." David answered, talking in a clinical voice.
Robin gave him a look of not believing him.
"It's true. The woman has the ultimate choice. She has to ask you to come. Literally." David choked back a laugh as he answered. Mary Margaret smacked David on the arm with a frown. She obviously hadn't appreciated his joke.
"But we almost did. I almost did." Robin answered, confused.
"If you had come close enough to initiating it..." David held his index finger straight up and let it droop down with an evil smile.
Damn. He had been clueless to that mating fact.
David finally took pity on him. Probably because he had been through it himself. „Before the act can be completed, she has to call you to her. She will call with her subconscious mind while she is asleep." David grinned wickedly. "In the meantime...you'll think you're in hell. You won't want any other men around her, talking to her, touching her."
Okay...maybe David wasn't that sympathetic. Robin cursed himself for the way he had pulled David's chain with Mary Margaret when David had been ruled by mating instincts.
"What should I do now." Robin was talking to himself but spoke out loud.
Mary Margaret put a hand on his shoulder and suggested softly. "Go home, Robin. There's nothing more you can do tonight. I'll talk to her. Just don't push too hard."
He got up from the couch and pulled his keys from his pocket. His body burned and his cock was still hard. Every instinct he had was commanding him to go to Regina, but he didn't. He wanted more than to fuck her. He wanted her as a real mate.
He left without a word. He swung into the seat of his SUV with only one subject on his mind.
Driving home was one of the hardest things he had ever done.
His thoughts the whole way home were on his woman.
His fate.
His mate.
Forever!