Laws of Attraction - Outlawqueen

The magic of dinner

When Henry left, a feeling of discomfort overwhelmed Regina. She was sitting on the couch, trying to calm her nerves down. For the first time in years she was afraid. Afraid that it was more than just a harmless meeting. Afraid that Robin Locksley managed to trick her concerning the case. Some glasses of alcohol, a charming smile and it was not unrealistic that she would come out with some answers.
Alright, memo to myself: Don't drink too much.
She could not deny that the opposing counsel was quite handsome. Angular face, three-day beard and dimples. Besides there were these big blue eyes.
Regina looked at the novel in her hands. Normally it was easy for her to become engrossed in the story. But for now she was too nervous. The uncertainly how this evening would turn out fretted her.
When the doorbell rang, she winced. With shaking hands she deposited the novel on the coffee table and got up from her seat.
"Third floor" she said through the intercommunication system and pushed the button to let the lawyer in.
All of a sudden the claret blouse and the tight black jeans she was wearing seemed to be too simple. Also the black heels did not make her outfit more glamorous.
Why do you even care?
A knock on the door told her that he arrived at her apartment.
She opened and Robin smiled cordially at her.
"Good evening, Mills" he saluted her.
"Good evening" she replied. "Just come in. I only need to get my purse."
She went apart to make way for him.
"Thank you."
He winked at her and his eyes captured her imagination. Dark lashes highlighted the light iris. They radiated a certain warmth, which made her feel like she was born to just gaze into them.
Are you serious? You definitely have a nut loose, darling.
"Nice apartment" he perceived. "It's quite homey. I like that."
"Yes" she replied. "It's not like I'm not able to afford a larger one. But Henry and I feel comfortable in here."
"I think it's quite large considering that only two people live in here. Are you ready?"
She grabbed her pocket out of the cabinet and slipped into her jacket.

---

Regina looked out of the window and took a sip of her red wine. The streets were full of cars and traffic lights.
"A penny for your thoughts, Mills" Robin broke the silence and smiled slightly at her.
"My thoughts are not as interesting as they might seem" she replied and leaned back on the seat with her legs crossed.
"I doubt that. Why don't you tell me about your son?" he requested.
"My son?" she asked. "Why would you know something about him?"
"You don't have to be that mistrustful" he answered politely. "I don't intend to stalk you or tickle some facts about the case out of you."
She laughed at his explanation. To be honest that was exactly what she had expected. That he had the intention to fool her.
"Alright" she agreed after a little pause. "Henry is fifteen. He's good at school and doesn't raise trouble."
"You must be proud of him."
She nodded. "Which mother isn't proud of her child?"
He shrugged and brought his glass to his mouth. Although he focused on smiling again, she saw that something was wrong. That something seemed to bother him.
"Does he know what he wants to do after school already?"
He was not going to tell her what made the glow in his eyes fade. Therefore she decided to leave it at that and keep the conversation up.
"He talks about being a writer and I think that's the right job for him. He loves to read and to tell stories" she explained.
"Excuse me" the waiter interrupted them. "Have you chosen your meal?"
"Yes" Robin answered and pointed at Regina. "Ladies first."
"I'll have the roast beef with apple-curry sauce" she ordered.
"And you, Signore?"
"The cutlet with chasseur sauce, please."
Nodding he noted their orders and disappeared in the kitchen.
Silence filled the air.
"May I ask you something?"
"You ask lots of questions" she remarked smiling. But surprisingly she did not feel uncomfortable. Quite the contrary. His company was bracing. She liked to talk to him.
"I'm sorry" he grinned. "One more question and then it's your turn."
"Deal."
"What about Henry's father? I don't want to disgruntle you, but I got curious about that."
"It didn't work out. Henry doesn't know him and it's better that way. Eventually Graham didn't make any attempts to get to know his son, so..."
She did not even know why she told Robin about that. It was private. She tried to keep the story short but she also felt like she told him too much about her past.
"That's awful. I'm sorry..."
"It's okay. Henry's better off without him" she replied.
"Obviously."
"Okay, enough about me, now it's my turn to give you the third degree."
He laughed. "Go ahead, Mills."
"Do you have children? Are you married?"
"I have a son. He's five and his name is Roland."
Roland... She knew that name from a fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers. It was called Sweetheart Roland. Regina wondered if Robin knew this fairytale. It was not as famous as Snow White or Cinderella.
"He also hadn't the pleasure of meeting the other parent."
"What happened?" Maybe they had more in common than she thought at first.
"I'm widower. Marian died months before his second birthday. He can't remember her."
"Oh" was all she was able to say. She knew how it felt when a loved one died. It was terrible. More painful than just being replaced or realizing that the relationship did not work out anymore. It was the worst to know that somebody left involuntary.
"She was sick" he continued.
"You don't have to-"
"I want you to know that. It's good to talk about it with somebody who didn't know her."
She nodded and reached out her hand for his. It was cold as ice. Nevertheless she could not ignore the fast beating of her heart. Shivers ran down her back and a certain prickle heated her fingertips.
The air between them seemed to be electrically charged. It was like magic. Like an invisible power dragged her closer to him, letting his kindness warm up her heart.
"Besides you're a good listener."
She smiled and squeezed his hand. Somehow she felt a connection between them which terrified and pleased her at the same time.
The man in front of her opened his mouth but before he could speak, the waiter gave them their food.
"Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you" they answered without looking at him. It was impossible for Regina to tear her eyes away from him. She already got completely lost in his blue eyes.
Reluctantly she released his hand and attended to the food.
The roast beef was delicious. And the sauce was a dream. The curry matched perfectly to the apple flavor.
"You really like apples" Robin said after a while of silence.
She frowned and look at him with confusion.
"I mean, the first time we met you ate apples and now you ordered it again. Never mind, I just noticed."
While they ate, none of them said a word. Regina was curious about his story but she did not want to ruin the harmony between them. She would ask him about his wife when the evening was over. Right now she just wanted to enjoy his near, the ambience and her food.

---

Robin paid the bill and held the door open for Regina.
He really loved this evening. He did not know why but he felt like he could entrust his life to her. Like he knew this woman for years and not for four days. And yet he wanted to really know her. Wanted to know her fears and her desires. Wanted to know her favorite movie and her favorite song. He wanted to know if she was the kind of person who sang under the shower. All these little things, these small details, he wanted to discover.
A cold wind touched his face. The smell of fries and sausages from some fries stands and fumes from the cars and busses reached his nostrils.
It was ten o'clock. He would have spend more time with the woman walking next to her. But she insisted on being home before her son would come back from some event.
"Do you have time for a coffee or something else?" she asked as they stood in front of her apartment door.
"Something else?" he teased her and leant down until their noses almost touched. "As much as I want to end up in you bed-"
"Shut up" she demanded. "You know exactly that I didn't mean sex."
"Yes, but you're too cute when you get upset" he grinned.
"Goodnight, Locksley" she muttered and turned around to open the door.
"Wait! I'm sorry" he apologized and grabbed her wrist. "I didn't mean to offend you."
She sighed. "Fine. So, do you want a drink or not?"
"I'd love to. But I have to go home. One of my friends is taking care of Roland and I don't want them to wait too long."
She nodded. "I understand. I'll see you in court then."
"Yes" he replied but did not release her arm. All of a sudden he felt this incredible need to kiss her. To taste the fading aroma of wine and apple-curry on her lips and feeling her body against his. Touching her smooth skin and... Stop it, Robin. Or do you want to risk getting an erection in front of her?
"Goodnight" he added and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "See you in court, Mills."
"I will destroy you, Locksley" she responded with a stunning smile.