Chapter Three: You've Got Mail
Regina walked home from her yoga class feeling so refreshed. It had been too long since the last time she focused her energy that way and it was revitalizing. She took in the cool spring air, admiring the sounds of the birds in Central Park and the way the setting sun was shining against the leaves of the trees. She liked living near the park for this very reason; it was a glimpse of nature in the overwhelming concrete jungle that is New York City.
"So what ended up happening with Happily Ever After? Did August cave and decide to stay with Fairytale Playhouse?" The woman walking beside her asked, holding her yoga mat close to her side.
Mallory Bolla was a tall, intimidating woman with blonde hair and the fiercest blue eyes Regina had ever seen. She was a divorce attorney at the same law firm, perfect for that specific area of the practice. Her hair was loosely pinned back, her naturally tight curls creating a beautiful texture that most women would die to have. Her jaw always appeared to be clenched, lips pursed tightly together, only making her habitual sharp gaze all the more fearsome. Some of their coworkers often referred to her as "The Dragon Lady" because of her demeanor and overall inability to lose a case.
But for those who knew Mal, she was a wonderful person and one of Regina's closest friends. Also a single mother of a college undergraduate named Lily, the women bonded over the struggles of having to raise their children on their own. They understood one another on a level much deeper than what might appear to others on the surface.
"He did, as it turns out. I negotiated the final details of his contract with them just yesterday. I have to finalize the paperwork on Monday and then it'll all be over," Regina sighed with relief. Just discussing the process of dealing with this case was enough to knock her zen out of balance.
"Or so you hope," Mal said with a chuckle, knowing how unjustifiably difficult August was being. "But I'm glad he finally got some sense knocked into him and decided to listen to you for a change."
"I've only been doing this for 15 years. It's not like I know what I'm talking about or anything," the brunette said in a sarcastic tone, the blonde rolling her eyes with a smirk. "So how's Lily doing?"
"Oh she's just wonderful; adjusting to college life much better than I expected. I can tell she's stressed now with finals coming up. What about Henry? I haven't seen much of him around the office lately."
Henry used to meet Regina at the law firm after school. He'd get a jumpstart on his homework while she finished up for the day and they would either go home together or stop for a bite to eat on their way. Since he started dating Grace, he spends a lot of his time with her and who could blame him? Plus he's in high school. He's perfectly capable of going straight home if he wants to so Regina never tells him otherwise.
"He's loving high school from what I can tell. He has his first girlfriend, which is heartbreaking for me, but exciting for him," she chuckled before continuing, "He started advertising around the apartment building to do little jobs for the tenants. He wants extra money to spoil this girlfriend of his. It's sweet. His first job was today, actually, helping a new tenant move in and unpack."
"Look at Mr. Independent go," Mallory nodded, impressed by what she was hearing. "I wonder where he gets that from."
She playfully nudged the brunette who shrugged in response. They turned onto 81st Street and Regina pulled her keys out of her gym bag.
"Tell Henry to give me a call. I can put him to work dogsitting when I leave to pick up Lily from school in a few weeks."
"Oh that would be great. I'll let him know. Thanks, Mal," she leaned forward and the women pressed their cheeks together making a kissing noise. "Wish Lily good luck on her finals. I'll see you Monday."
The blonde nodded before continuing on her way down 81st Street toward Park Avenue where she lived. It was nice that they lived so close. Mallory was the one who found the yoga studio and introduced Regina to it.
She turned the key and pushed the main door to the building open, then stepped into the revolving doors that revealed the lobby. She took a deep breath in, happy to be home and anxiously anticipating a shower. She decided to stop at the mailbox before taking the elevator to her apartment, realizing it was Saturday and just because she had a day off didn't mean the post office did.
She inserted the smallest key on her keyring into the metal, rectangular door and pulled it open. She stood there for a moment skimming the envelopes when she caught a whiff of forest scent mixed with an unmistakable smell of sweat.
It took her by surprise. It was Manhattan after all. How many people could smell like forest? It wasn't unpleasant, even with the sweat smell, because it wasn't a bad odor; just someone hard at work, covering the smell of their day with a musky cologne.
She turned her head when a broad silhouette appeared in her peripherals. He was sweaty alright, his toned biceps exposed and glistening in his white undershirt. Even standing profile, she could see the outline of his abs through the shirt as it pressed against his wet stomach. Her eyes ventured down to his khaki cargo shorts that were much too baggy for her taste.
Regina thought it was her heart fluttering at the sight of him, but realized it was coming from somewhere else; somewhere much lower. Her cheeks were a light shade of pink; she could feel it as her face grew hotter with embarrassment. This man was sexy and she knew it without even looking at his face. What made it worse was that she stood beside him with sweat of her own from her class and the walk back to the building, not a stitch of makeup on her face and her hair pulled up in a way she'd normally never be caught dead wearing it in public.
The man must have noticed her as well as he peered out the corner of his eyes in her direction. Regina straightened her posture when she realized he was turning his body toward her. She looked up then, still facing the mailboxes, but only twisting her neck to finally catch a glimpse of his face.
Of course, Regina thought. Even his face is gorgeous.
His eyes were an ocean blue color, a captivating sight. Regina would have allowed her brown eyes to swim in them if she wasn't so distracted by the dimples coming out from their hiding place beneath his scruffy, light brown beard that matched his perfect, luscious head of hair.
"Hello neighbor," he spoke with a British accent, his voice low and resonating from his chest which was also toned and clearly visible through his shirt. Why wouldn't it be? "I just moved in and I was hoping you could help me."
This is Robin Locksley? The Ivy League professor? Regina was dumbfounded. Truthfully, she expected him to be skinnier, borderline frail, with glasses. She imagined he was rather distinguished and good-looking in his own way, but this?! She never would have pegged the rugged man in front of her to be an English professor at Columbia; not in a million years.
"Of course," she said, in a friendly tone, but not allowing herself to soften. If there was one thing about Regina it was the way she could be exploding with emotions in her head, but not reveal a single one in her demeanor.
"Excellent, thank you," his smile grew, deepening those charming dimples. "It seems Mr. Gold provided me with a key so I can retrieve the post, but neglected to inform me which box was mine."
Impressive vocabulary, she thought. Well, he is an English professor.
"Gold isn't much help, unfortunately. He provides the bare minimum I'm afraid," she said, now turning her body to face him. "The mailboxes should have been renumbered years ago, if you ask me."
The man nodded with a chuckle, the sound hitting Regina's ear drum in the most pleasant way. She noticed his gaze fall, observing her in a similar fashion to the way she was eyeing him up just moments ago. He was checking her out, yoga pants and all.
"Like what you see?" Regina smirked as his eyes shot up, his cheeks a soft pink.
"I apologize," he shook his head trying to clear it of his embarrassment and over-sexualized thoughts of her, no doubt. "Perhaps I'm being straightforward, but I've never had the honor of being in the presence of a woman quite as breathtaking as you."
I'm going to fuck this man, her core tightened with built up heat as she bit her lower lip, smiling coyly at him.
"Then by all means, enjoy the view," she chuckled, reaching forward and taking his mailbox key from his big, strong hands. Regina looked at them briefly, imagining how they would feel against her bare skin.
She cleared her throat and took a step forward, inserting the key to mailbox 8C. It opened with ease, a single piece of mail resting neatly inside.
"Thank you-" he paused, realizing how impolite it was to have been so obviously admiring her without even asking her name.
"Regina. Regina Mills," she took the hand he held out for her and shook it firmly. His tight grip on her hand was soft. Comforting. He went to introduce himself when she released his hand and continued, "Robin Locksley, professor of English at Columbia University."
His eyes widened in surprise, immediately changing to confusion with the clear furrowing of his brow. She couldn't help, but laugh and shake her head.
"Henry Trotter is my son," she said, continuing when she recognized his look of understanding, "He spoke very highly of you this afternoon."
"Of me," Robin shook his head. "I should be praising him. His hard work today put us ahead of schedule. Not to mention, my son adores him."
"Thank you for giving him a chance," she said with a genuine smile.
"No. Thank you for raising such an incredible young man," he said, the same genuine tone in his voice. Regina held her head high, never feeling as proud of Henry as she did in that moment.
"I remember Henry mentioning you have a son as well."
"Yes, Roland is seven. A smart boy, but easily distracted," Robin admitted with a chuckle.
"What seven year old boys aren't?" She assured him with a smile.
"Your boy seems to have a special connection with my son. Something I'm quite envious of, if I must be honest," his chuckle suppressing to a smirk as he continued, "But putting all hindrances upon my ego aside, I've hired Henry five days a week starting on Monday."
"To babysit?" She asked, finally closing the door to her mailbox, watching Robin do the same before he responded.
"In a sense. My hours at the university make it impossible to see Roland to and from school each day. I need someone whose company he enjoys and who is responsible enough to ensure his safety in his travels."
"I'm sure Henry was happy to accept," she smiled, looking toward the elevator.
"That he was," Robin stated, gesturing for her to walk ahead of him as he pressed the up button. "I would also need him on Monday evenings during my lecture, but he seemed to oblige without hesitation."
"He's trying to save his money to take his girlfriend on more romantic dates," Regina laughed. She knew she probably shouldn't be exposing her son in this way, but she found it terribly adorable and by Robin's reaction, he seemed to agree.
"The perfect gentleman," he laughed softly as the elevator arrived. He held his hand out in front of himself and said, "After you."
The elevator doors closed once they stepped inside, Regina leaning against one corner and Robin against the other, a safe distance from one another as their hands rest on the rails. Silence filled the small space, neither one choosing to break it with more conversation. Regina stared at the emergency stop button, fantasizing about kicking it and letting Robin have his way with her.
She found herself looking in his direction just in time to catch him staring at her. They both looked away quickly, hearts racing in their chests. Regina was suddenly looking forward to that shower a lot more than she was before.
A cold shower, she told herself with a sigh of relief when they arrived on the third floor. She quickly stepped out and started heading down the hall to her door when she was interrupted by that husky British accent that sets her groin aflame.
"Would you like to come in?" He asked, the knob already turned and door ajar. "Henry was helping Roland unpack his room. He should only be another minute or so."
"Oh," Regina said, casually placing her fingers over the scar just above her lip, inconspicuously wiping the sweat that she didn't realize had formed there. "Sure. Thank you."
She stepped through the door of the apartment, Robin following closely behind. Too close for comfort, but she tried to ignore that feeling in her lower abdomen when his breath kissed the back of her exposed neck as he spoke, "It's coming along: slowly, but surely."
Regina nodded, releasing a pleasant huff of air through her nose accompanied with a vocalized hum as she looked around. Boxes lined the walls in a surprisingly organized manner as furniture already appeared to be in place and pieced together. He wasn't kidding, they really did do a lot for just one day of work.
"Hey mom," she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding in and smiled at her ever-growing son. "Is your zen realigned?"
Regina laughed a genuine laugh, something only Henry had ever been able to get her to do. He knew what hit her funny bone and never hesitated to use his wit around her.
"Positively," she answered, her laugh fading into a pleasant smile. She caught Robin looking at her again and she tried her best not to think too much about it. "Ready to get going?"
"Yeah. I'm so looking forward to dinner," he said, rubbing his hands over his stomach.
"Roland, Henry is leaving," Robin called down the hall. The boy came sprinting out of his room, jumping straight into her son's arms with a giggle.
"I'll see you bright and early Monday morning, okay kid?"
"Yes sir," he lifted his hand into a salute when Henry put him down; her son doing the same before they released it and Roland dismissed himself back into his room.
"Seven AM Monday, right?" Henry turned his attention to Robin who quickly snapped his head toward the boy and away from his very attractive mother.
"That's right. Thank you, Henry," he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, handing him 200 dollars. The boy looked down and shook his head.
"Thank you, Robin, but I can't accept this. It's way more than we discussed," he tried handing the money back, but Robin took a step back with his hands in surrender.
"What we discussed is not nearly as much as you deserve for all your hard work today," he said, matter-of-factly. "I insist."
"I appreciate it," Henry said humbly and Regina smiled with pride during their exchange, a gentle hand resting on her son's shoulder.
"I'll see you Monday," Robin opened the door and held it as the mother and son began to exit. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Regina. I hope we run into one another again soon."
"Yes," she smiled and pushed a loose strand of hair behind her elastic headband. "I'm sure we'll catch an elevator ride together one of these days."
She noticed how that comment caused his face to turn a deep shade of red and her smile grew; he'd been thinking about stopping that elevator just like she was. If she didn't think so before, she certainly knew now; this man was smitten. And she was making it relatively clear that she was as well.
"Take care," she said softly and made her way down the hall to cook dinner for her son, listening for the click of the door closing to Apartment 8.
Henry commandeered the shower first, but Regina would have insisted it regardless; the smell of overexerted teenage boy was not something she wished to have lingering in her home. It was already getting late and she had yet to shower or look over paperwork. The paperwork could wait until Monday morning on her subway ride to the office. What couldn't wait, was that long anticipated shower.
While her little Prince was in the bathroom, singing along to the radio he insisted on blasting every time he showered, she got started on dinner. It wasn't anything as exceptional as empanadas, but considering they'd both had a long day, she didn't feel like cooking anything extravagant. Henry would just have to deal with it.
She threw together a vegetable stir fry; broccoli, peppers, onions, carrots, and zucchini squash all simmering in a pan on the stove. Instead of putting them over rice, she prepared a hearty portion of quinoa flavored with fresh garlic and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The addition of the vegetables was the finishing touch to a simple yet satisfyingly healthy meal.
She placed the bowls in front of the bar stools at the island as Henry came walking lazily down the hallway; his cell phone held firmly in his hands, fingers typing away at the keys. She wiped her hands on the dish towel and placed two glasses of water with the bowls before taking her seat.
"Phone away, Henry," she said flatly, eyes scolding him. He looked up and caught her gaze, putting his phone immediately into his pocket. He took his seat and a deep breath in, admiring the scent of his mother's always magnificent cooking.
"Smells awesome," he said, not hesitating to dig right in while Regina was still blowing the steam off her forkful of food. He swallowed before continuing, "Yep. Tastes awesome, too" to which she smiled with gratitude.
"So tell me about your day?"
Henry went on and on about Robin's massive collection of books sorted into boxes by genre. He talked briefly about their pizza picnic, assuring her that it was gluten-free and veggie and that his sandwich didn't go to waste. He told her about Roland and what a cool little kid he is, how they have a lot in common and he reminds him of himself when he was that age.
"That's great since you'll be spending a lot of time together now," she stated after swallowing a piece of broccoli with some quinoa. "I'm glad things are working out for you, sweetheart."
"Thanks, mom," Henry put his fork in the empty bowl and then continued, "May I be excused? I want to call Grace before bed."
"Sure," Regina smiled as he stood and walked to the sink. "Don't worry about the dishes. I'll take care of them."
"Are you sure? I don't mind," he placed his bowl under the faucet and turned the hot water on.
"You worked hard today. Go call your girlfriend," she replied, happy to see her son's thankful reaction to her kindness when he walked over to her and gave her a big hug.
"Goodnight, mom," he said when she hugged him back. "I love you."
"Goodnight, my Prince," a nickname she was only allowed to use when they were alone in the apartment. "I love you too."
Their embrace ended and he made his way down the hall to his bedroom, phone already pressed to his ear before he shut the door. She sighed and stood up when she was finished eating, rinsing her bowl in the sink with the dirty pans before placing all the dishes in the machine. She wouldn't start it until after their breakfast the next morning when there were enough dishes loaded into it.
After she wiped off the countertops with a rag, she carried it to the laundry basket in her bedroom and threw it into it before closing the door behind her. She removed her exercise clothes with a sigh, happy to be free of the dirty, sweaty garments. She walked into her closet and wrapped her robe around herself before making her way into the bathroom.
She locked the door behind her and hung the robe on the hook hanging on the wall beside the tub. She took a towel from the pile of clean ones in a basket near the window and hung it on the hook adjacent to her robe on the opposite side of the tub. She reached in and started the water before closing the shower curtain. Once it was warm enough, she stepped inside.
There was nothing more relaxing than the sensation of the warm water against her flesh in that moment. The liquid beads pressing against her aching muscles were like heaven. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to live in bliss, a serene silence filling the room that made the experience just that much better.
Her thoughts wandered to a certain English professor who lived down the hall. She wondered what it would be like to share a steamy shower with him; imagined her hands on his wet pecks, water dripping down his face and along every muscle of his incredibly toned body, his strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist holding her tightly to him. What would it be like to feel his lips against hers? Where would his tongue roam? Her neck? Her ear? Her breasts? Her- "mmmmm, yeah," Regina hummed softly when her own fingers teased her clit.
She thought about the sounds he'd make, the vibrations of his moans left against her naked flesh as he kissed his way down her body. She imagined his hands gripping her breasts, her waist, her hips, her ass; pulling her hair, biting her neck.
The pressure in her core grew more intense as she inserted a finger into her entrance and thought about what it would feel like to touch him, the thought of his muscles tightening and, one in particular, hardening. The look on his face the first time he pushes himself inside her, the sound of his voice moaning her name. Oh the things she would do to that man: bite, lick, kiss, scratch, slap, grab, pull, grind, thrust, clench!
Regina let out a soft cry; eyes wide, mouth open into a pleasured smirk, head back. With her unoccupied hand against the wall of the shower holding up her weight, she allowed herself to ride out her orgasm. When she was finished, she pressed her forehead against the wall to catch her breath. She pulled her hand away from her sex and let it fall limply to her side.
Little did she know, just a few apartments away, Robin stood in his shower pleasuring himself as well; his mind and body consumed with thoughts of Regina Mills.