Sticky Situation

Lets Ride.

"Regina? Regina, dear?" A light and happy voice called her out of sleep. "Hmm..." She hummed slowly sitting up. It was Mary, the maid. "Oh...morning." Regina smiled and wiped the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning! I've set out your outfit for the day..when you're ready the King has requested you for breakfast."

"Alright...thank you." Regina looked down and bit her lip, sighing. She moved off the bed and looked down at the outfit. Of course..a tight confining corset. She slipped into it and peaked her head outside the door seeing Mary roaming this wing of the castle. "Mary? May you help me with my corset?" Regina asked kindly. "Of course madam!" She walked into Regina's bedroom chamber, closing the door behind them. Regina leaned against the bed post holding on as Mary began to tighten the draw strings on her corset. Regina groaned softly and let out a breath. "You okay?"
"Yeah..."

Mary nodded and tightened the corset more, slowly moving back. "There you are."
"Thank you." Mary left the room, closing the door behind her. Regina's outfit for the day was gorgeous and flowed beautifully. It had a white beaded top and the bottom was blue, like a crystal blue, it looked like the ocean and the sand. Regina slipped into it and made her way down to the dinning hall.

Robin was sitting at the head of the table waiting for Regina to join him. "Ah! You came! I was beginning to think you wouldn't." Regina smiled politely and shook her head. "And why would you think that...?"

"Cause you're chicken.." Robin joked starting to cluck like a chicken.

"I am not!" Regina laughed, reaching over and slapping robins arm. She gasped and recoiled fast. "Oh I'm sorry. That was..that was over the line." She bowed her head. In the enchanted forest the men ruled over the women. The women did what the men said and peace was kept. It had always been that way.

Robin broke out into laughter. "what's funny?" Regina whispered. "We were playing! Joking around! You're not doing anything wrong Regina. Relax." He smiled popping a piece of fruit into his mouth.

Regina nodded and laughed nervously. "Well..breakfast looks great." Robin smiled. "It is indeed! Eat up because we've got quite an afternoon ahead of us."

"Huh?"

"You love to ride horses I hear. Correct?"

Regina's eyes lit up and she nodded frantically. "More than anything." She took a bite of her fruit and payed attention as Robin spoke.

"We're going riding. I've gotten two horses and I want to take you riding."

Regina smiled brightly and nodded. "Sounds excellent! Well..I should probably change then!" Robin smiled and nodded. "Although you do look lovely."

Regina blushed and bowed her head, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "Thank you..."

She slowly walked back to her bedroom chambers and changed into riding clothes. She braided her hair down the back of her head and sighed, going off to find Robin. He was already outside with the horses ready.

"Oh they're beautiful...which is mine?"

Robin smiled and pointed to the white one on his left. "She's perfect for you I thought." Robin smiled. "Oh she's gorgeous."

Regina moved toward the horse and ran her fingers down the back of his mane, smiling as the horse nudged her gently. "Oh wow..he already likes you." Regina smiled and nodded. "I guess so..."

Robin got on the back of his black stead and offered Regina a hand to help her on to her horse. Regina declined and put one foot in the stirrups, straddling the horses back. "Let's ride!" She kicked the side of the horse gently and he took off. Robin stayed back and watched in amazement for a moment before following close behind. Regina had a way with horses that was beautiful. She showed purpose and poise.

Robin smiled and raced up beside her. "Let's race!"

"What! Are you crazy!? This trail is way to narrow!"

"What..you chicken?" He started making clucking noises and laughed.

Regina growled and took off into the forest, her horse galloping.

"Alright then!" Robin yelled chasing after her. He took a separate path down the forest, cutting through tree, jumping over fallen ones and over large branches. Regina's path was more clear. She looked over and saw Robin getting a lead on her. She smirked and reared off to his trail.

"You're crazy!" Robin laughed.

Regina smirked and tugged on her reins, her horse bucked robins causing robin to fall off the back end of his horse.

"Oh no! Robin!? Robin I'm sorry! I didn't mean that!" Regina stopped her horse and jumped down, running to robins side. He wasn't moving. "Robin? Robin!"

Suddenly an arm reached out pulling her to the forest floor. "Woah!" She gasped and Robin laughed out loud. "Don't laugh!" Regina couldn't help but form a small smile. "You scared me half to death! I thought I'd hurt you!"

Robin smiled and moved closer to her, hovering over her gently. "And if you had..?"

Regina blushed brightly. She was stunned. She stuttered slightly, "uh--id..I'd feel terrible.." She croaked. "I seriously didn't mean to buck you off like that."

Robin smirked softly and ran his fingers through some hair that was hanging down around Regina's face, having fallen out of her braid. Regina blushed and bit her lip. "It didn't bother me." He finally whispered. "I had fun."

Regina smiled and bit her lip, "as did I.."

Robin looked down at Regina's lips and back into her eyes. "Regina...may I kiss you?" He whispered softly, cupping one of her cheeks in his soft hand.

Regina gasped but found herself leaning into his touch. She didn't speak for a moment, lost in thought. She finally let out a quiet one word answer. "No..."

"What..?" Robin asked softly.

"I...I don't mean to..to be rude my king-"

"Robin!"

"Right...Robin..I'm just..I'm just not ready for you to kiss me. Mother tells me in time I will be but..I can't." She slowly, gently moved Robin off her and stood up, brushing the leaves off of her clothing. Robin was speechless...he was so sure it was what she wanted but..he wasn't going to push her to do anything she didn't want to.

"I understand..." Robin sighed and stood up, fixing his jacket.

Regina felt badly..she did like Robin...she wanted to let him kiss her but..she wasn't prepared to experiment with these feelings, these emotions just yet.

"Race back to the castle?" Robin offered with a smile.

"I thought you'd never ask!" Regina giggled, jumping back on to her horse and racing off.

"Damn it.." Robin laughed with a smile and got on his horse taking off after Regina.
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A/N- so sorry i haven't updated in a while! I've been busy! Hope this chapter makes up for it! Slow burning but things are about to heat up in the upcoming chapters. GIVE FEEDBACK!!