(A/N-Special thanks to a friend for the art work for this. And to Bekki for beta reading these, thank you so much! Also special thanks to those who read, review, follow and fav this.)
Day 19-Library
(A/U Setting)
Regina was studying late one night in the campus library, she had a very important exam in the morning that would set up how her year future would be. It had been a very tough last year as she had lost her father, and almost had to drop out of college to go and help her family. But now she was finally about to graduate with a degree in business. She had a guaranteed great job on the promise of her graduating. She was nervous about tomorrow's exam as she knew how hard Professor Mal's exams could be. She let out a breath and closed her eyes to try to calm down as she could feel her anxiety starting to build.
"Rough night?" a male voice said as Regina turned around to see Professor Robin Locksley standing there. He was one of the youngest professors on the college's staff.
"Professor Locksley...what are you doing here?" Regina stammered out. He was a professor of art history, a class she had last year.
"I'm doing a little research myself," Robin answered, "May I join you?"
"Sure," Regina answered. He had always affected her, his smile and dimples in the classroom had made her loose her thoughts more than once. He did like to call on her as she was always was well prepared about her classes.
"How is your semester going?" Robin asked.
"It's been a tough year, but after tomorrow the worst will be over," Regina answered.
"Studying for Mal's exam I take it?" Robin asked.
"How...how did you know?" Regina asked.
"This," Robin said as he tapped on the book she was in. She looked down at it, then back at him and laughed softly.
"Of course," Regina said, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"So are you plan on celebrating tomorrow night with friends?" Robin asked.
"I was invited to go to my friend Mary Margaret's party at the Rabbit Hole, but I think I'll just stay in and catch up on some Outlander," Regina answered.
"So I take it you are a Claire and Jamie fan?" Robin asked, smiling at her so much she was taken aback by his white teeth. Plus those dimples of his.
"Yes, I just love the dynamic between these two, how they have fallen completely in love with one another," Regina went on,"how she had to choose between going back to her old life with Frank, or choosing to stay in the past with Jamie."
"Their story is really something," Robin said with a smirk on his face.
"It's inspiring, how she was always fighting for him, and him for her," Regina said. "how lucky they both are to have someone to do that."
Robin was mesmerized just by listening to her. He remembered the first day she had shown up for his class. She had taken tons of notes that day, highlighting line after line as he had lectured. He would often find himself deep into a discussion about a certain piece and could still be informative, but also would find himself just looking at her. There was something about her, something that had almost make him want to take her out for coffee, even knowing the regulations on dating a student.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go on about them like that," Regina said, breaking Robin's thought process.
"No, it's fine, I love to hear your thoughts," Robin said, he saw a faint blush appear on her cheeks and knew that the time was perfect,"Regina, I was wondering if after class tomorrow if you would like to have coffee with me?"
Regina opened her mouth, not knowing what to say, till finally she got out,"Me? But Professor Locksley, I-"
"It's Robin, if you don't mind," Robin answered with a smile and a bite of his lower lip.
Was he nervous around her, Regina asked herself. "But Robin, I'm sure you have a ton of women just throwing themselves at you."
Robin chuckled at that,"Yes, well my harem is getting a little low and I wanted to see if you wouldn't mind helping me fill it?"
Regina burst out laughing at that, and was rewarded with several shhhhs around the library,"But is it acceptable for you do to that?"
"Tomorrow after your exam, you won't technically still be a student here, you'll be a soon to be graduate," Robin answered.
"True," Regina said with a soft smile on her face.
"I don't want to pressure you on this, if you would rather not, I will understand," Robin offered to her.
"No, I do!" Regina answered again more loudly than called for, and looked around and whispered sorry to those near her. She leaned closer to him,"I would like that a lot."
"Great, I thought we could go into the village to Cafe twenty three, say around fourish?" Robin asked.
"That sounds great," Regina said.
"Terrific, I'll see you then," Robin let his fingers graze her hand as he stood up and started to walk away, "good luck on your exam, Regina."
This time Robin was rewarded with the shhhhs of the library, he shrugged his shoulder and smiled as he walked out of the library. Regina turned around and looked down at her book, intent on regaining her focus but all she could think of was how, the hottest professor on campus had just asked her out!
She spent the next few hours, going over all her notes for her exam the next day. But while her mind was on the exam, her heart was on Robin Locksley, who had just asked her out for coffee.
"Relax, it's just coffee," Regina was saying as she walked back to her dorm room.
"It probably doesn't mean anything, he probably just wanted to congratulate me and all," Regina said as she brought her key out to open the door.
She shared a room with her friend Mary Margaret, who was currently laying in her bed with her boyfriend, David. That was why she had gone down to the library, they were well known for their escapades, tonight being in their dorm room. Once she had walked in on them in the small kitchen on their floor, they swore they were just making tacos.
Regina looked at them, and wondered how it would feel to have someone care about you. To share that with someone who you also cared about. Regina had never dated much, well none really. She had always been known to be a nerd, always in the books. Never dressing up, or making herself available for the male attention. She had always put so much pressure on herself about being the best in school, and it had continued in college as well.
But that all was about to come to an end, as tomorrow she would finish all her schooling and be on her way to getting a well paying job and being able to support her family as they had also supported her. She got ready for bed, and moments later was laying in her bed.
Thinking of her exam tomorrow, how her entire future would depend on it.
Thinking of her coffee date with Robin...
The next day was a very intense day for Regina, she was almost finished with her business communication exam. She finished her last question, and looked over it and closed her eyes and said a quick prayer.
As the hour ended, everyone stood up and handed in their exams as they left the room. Regina went to her dorm room to just relax and let the day's stress settle. She laid down on her bed, and closed her eyes.
And quickly re-opened them...her coffee date!
Regina quickly got up and tore through her closet, not finding anything that she liked. Or what would make her stand out to Robin.
"Stop being silly, Regina, he's not into you," Regina said to herself, as just then there was a knock on her door. She went to go open it.
"Ruby," Regina said as Ruby stood there.
"Hey Regina, is Mary Margaret here?" Ruby asked.
"No, she must be with David somewhere," Regina said.
"Yeah, I can imagine," Ruby said with a smile,"Are you alright, you look flushed."
"Just in a small panic is all," Regina said.
"Well this is new, I've never seen you in one," Ruby said as she looked over her,"Wait! Does this involve a guy?"
Regina avoided Ruby's eyes, for all of two seconds, then a small smile started to form.
"Well its about damn time!" Ruby said as she pushed Regina into the room, and sat down on the bed with her. "Tell me all about it, who is he?"
"It's difficult to explain," Regina said, not wanting to do anything to say anything that might harm Robin's career.
"Why would it be hard..."Ruby was saying then opened her mouth wide and her eyes grew big like a wolf's,"No! It's a professor, isn't it?"
"Ruby, you can't say anything!" Regina said.
"Why, you little ho!" Ruby said laughing,"So let me narrow it down, it's not old Professor Leopold, he's a total creep...oh my god, I know exactly who it is. It's Professor Locksley, isn't it?"
Regina's smile was Ruby's answer,"Ruby, it's just coffee, he's probably just going to wish me luck with my future is all."
"Coffee, my ass. No professor asks you for just coffee," Ruby said smiling,"And that Professor is one fine piece of real estate."
"Ruby," Regina said cautiously.
"So what are you going to wear?" Ruby asked.
"That's the problem, I have no idea," Regina said.
"Then, let's go to my closet now," Ruby all but dragged Regina there.
Robin was just arriving to the cafe, he had been in a pleasant mood all day, well since last night when he asked one Regina Mills to coffee. He had on a pair of jeans and a short button up navy blue shirt, which brought out his eyes as well.
He was nervous as he walked in and got a table for them, he hoped she would show up for their coffee date. He wanted things to go well between them, with the intention of their being future dates between them. Ones where he could get to know her, and her him of course. He thought she would be going home after this week, and he knew he could wait no longer.
He fiddled with his phone as he kept thinking of her. She was always a challenge, always so guarded even in the classroom. He had been fascinated with her since last year. He hated when the year was over and she was no longer in his class. He saw her only a few times on campus, always heading towards her next class. Always keeping to herself.
He hoped to change that.
Robin smiled as he saw her come towards the door, her hair was down and she didn't have her glasses on. But what a certain part of his body almost stand to attention was the red dress she was wearing, it was hugging those curves he knew was always under those more mature clothes she always wore around campus.
He smiled as she walked in, and he stood up to get her attention. She turned his way and smiled as she walked up to him,"Hi, thank you for joining me," he said as he moved to pull out her chair for her.
"Thank you for inviting me," Regina said as she pushed back a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
"It was my pleasure," Robin said, as the waiter came to get their order,they both ordered cafe latte.
"You look stunning," Robin said.
"Thank you, so do you," Regina said as her eyes went wild at her admission, she lowered her head as Robin smiled at her.
"And thank you," Robin said,"You know, I've been wanting to ask you to have coffee with me for a very long time."
"With me?" Regina asked, surprised.
"Yes, but I knew it would be frowned upon if I had when you were my student," Robin said.
"But, I'm not your student," Regina said, lost in those eyes of his.
"No, you most certainly are not," Robin said as the waiter sat their drinks down,"and for that I am extremely grateful for."
Regina blushed as she grabbed her latte,"To new friends," Robin said as they clinked their cups lightly. They both took a sip of their drink as both would look at the other, Regina at his eyes, and Robin at her lips.
"I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable," Robin said.
"No, I'm perfectly comfortable," Regina said a little too quickly as Robin chuckled.
"It's okay to be a little nervous," Robin said,"I have to admit, I am as well."
"You are?" Regina asked relieved that he was.
"Of course," Robin said,"It's been awhile since I've been on any sort of a date."
"But...why?" Regina asked,"I mean any woman must want to die to go out on a date with you. You have a successful career, you're intelligent, you're handsome," again a blush grew on her cheeks.
Robin's dimples were clearly evident as he took that compliment,"Thank you, that means a lot coming from you, especially the last part."
"So tell me about yourself," Robin said as he took a sip of his latte, watching her the whole time.
"There's not much to tell, I grew up in a small town, went to school then off to college," Regina said.
"And your family?" Robin asked, frowning when he saw a look of pain pass over her, he grabbed one of her hands in his to offer encouragement.
"My mother lives back at our home, my father died last year," Regina admitted, hating when her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm so sorry Regina," Robin said, wishing he had known then. He would have at least offered his condolences then.
"He was such a good man, he always had a good heart," Regina said as one lone tear escaped her eye and went down her cheek, to be wiped away with Robin's thumb gently.
"I'm sure you take after him as well," Robin said.
"What about you? Your family?" Regina asked.
"My folks are living happily together, my mum tends to rule the household though," Robin said, and smiled as Regina chuckled. Gods! He loved her laugh.
"No one special in your life?" Regina asked, and kicked herself as she did so.
"No, but I'm hoping that changes very soon," Robin admitted and saw her smile at him with his answer. "And you? Anyone in your life?"
"No," Regina answered and felt her heart leap as he smiled and bit his bottom lip.
They spent the next few hours at the cafe, getting to know one another. They ordered more lattes, and some snacks as well. Robin told her some of his antics growing up, while Regina spoke of her room mate and her boyfriend's antics, leaving their names out of course.
"It's getting late," Regina said.
"Let me pay for this, and I'll walk you back," Robin said as he stood and went to pay for their orders. Regina had seen, but put out of her mind some of the students that had walked in and seen them together, but she reasoned, she was no longer a student.
"Ready?" Robin asked as they made their way out of the cafe and were heading back, Robin offered his arm as they walked and her arm slipped in it. It felt natural to Regina. But before too long they were standing outside her door.
"Thank you for tonight, I really enjoyed it," Regina said
"Thank you, for coming with me," Robin said,"I would like to see you again, if that is agreeable to you."
"Yes, I would like that," Regina said.
"Can I have your number?" Robin asked as he pulled out his cell phone, she took it and put her information in it, while he did hers as well. Once finished, she looked up to find him staring at her.
Surely he wasn't...was he?
Robin moved closer to her, he brought up one hand to touch her mouth with his fingertips. The sensuality in even that light contact was like a lightning bolt, but it was his gaze that had the greater impact. She stared into his eyes and felt herself being drawn in.
Next his arms were around her, and his mouth came down on hers, hard! He was rewarded with a moan of surprise from her. His kiss was hungry, lusty, raw and devouring. She returned his passion measure for measure. The heat between them only intensified, stirring the wildness that clamored in her blood. As if he shared her same fever, he kissed her more fiercely, like he was starving for the taste of her mouth.
She never knew how he managed to break it. Robin held himself a little away from her, his face hard and taut, his breathing heavy. Panting herself, she gazed up into his searing blue eyes. Deep in them an unmistakable emotion burned, raw need and naked desire.
Neither she had ever experienced...until now.
"You keep looking at me like that, and I will wind up ravishing you, here and now," Robin groaned out as Regina realized her gaze much mimic his.
"Then I better go," Regina whispered as she turned to open her door.
"Wait," Robin grabbed the sides of her face, and this time kissed her gently, once...twice. He leaned his forehead against hers and then looked into her eyes.
"Good night," Robin said as Regina smiled and walked into her room, shutting the door behind her. He smiled as he turned and walked away.
He knew, he would have another date soon...
with the shower...