#para 008

Dara

Holding two flutes of champagne, Dara approaches Valentina who is standing in yet another small group of people she doesn’t know. In fact, this entire night has been a bit of a blur of faces and the model is doing her best to keep up. There is one thing that the girl does know, though. She has the most successful and attractive women as her date. As her girlfriend. Dara’s insecurities with the relationship she held with Avi are still there, but Valentina isn’t at fault. Something that the blonde often reminds herself of and is reminded of at moments like this.

She silently hands one of the glasses to Val, taking the empty one with a smile. Dara isn’t used to being someone’s date, if she’s honest. She’s used to being the one everyone knows. She takes a shaky deep breath, handing the empty glass off to a waiter before scanning the group surrounding them.

Valentina

Taking the proffered glass, Valentina doesn't miss a beat, maintaining the lively conversation amongst her most cherished executives while wrapping a (read: possessive) arm around her most cherished girlfriend. Dara is an old pro at attending parties such as these; neck deep with multitudes of powerful and influential people. Though tonight, the blonde's nerves are palpable, and Valentina runs the pad of her thumb reassuringly against Dara's side. An attempt to keep her assured and grounded.

Dara's prodigious height (nearly 6'5" in her heels) has Valentina pressing an appreciative kiss to her neck for the prompt champagne delivery. "Thank you, sweetheart." The CEO gestures toward one of her executives, a much older gentleman in a tuxedo with a festive Christmas colored bow tie, "Dara, I'd like you to meet Frank Austin, my Chief HR officer and dearest family friend, someone whose voice you've heard on my speakerphone an inordinate number of times--"

Light laughter burbles amongst the small group.

The aforementioned Frank, extends a hand for Dara to shake. "Dara, it is an absolute pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I've heard so much about you from both Val and my granddaughters--they're big fans of yours." He clarifies with a smile. "And let me just say that you are even more lovely in person."

Meanwhile, Valentina is beaming; happy to see that the party is going without a hitch, and that, so far, Dara has been well received by her employees.

Dara

There is a large piece of Dara that knows she is being watched. She can feel eyes on her from every direction – something she usually thrives off of. There’s something different though, something much more important about these eyes. The blonde is intelligent and holds herself well among most people, but for some reason feels her nerves growing the more she feels judged. Though, it’s likely all internal and she knows this.

Upon feeling Val’s arm around her, Dara feels her heart warm ever so slightly. This won’t ever get old. She will gladly be the older woman’s date to this event every year. Her thoughts are interrupted by said woman introducing her to a man named Frank, whose voice she most definitely does recognize. Not being phased by the laughter, Dara sports a smile, taking the man’s hand in hers before leaning in and kissing his cheek – a classic Klein move.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she coos softly, returning to her upright position, hand still in Frank’s. “Thank you for letting me steal Valentina away from her work more often than usual.” She pauses before pulling her hand back, an eyebrow quirking. “Is that Lanvin?” she asks, noting his bowtie, looking to Valentina with a smile. The girl can’t get out of her fashion world – besides, she’s one of their major faces.

Valentina

Wholly impressed with Dara's keen eye for sartorial artistry, Frank gives Dara an expressive nod. "Why, yes! Yes it is! An early Christmas gift from the Missus as a matter of fact."

Valentina smirks, taking a sip from her champagne while tightening her hold on Dara's hip. "And it makes you look oh so dapper." Pointing toward Frank a second time, Valentina addresses Dara--intent on easing her tightly coiled nerves as much as possible. "Frank was very close to my father and was beyond instrumental in helping me grow as an executive. I can't take all of the credit for what I've achieved since taking up the helm!"

Frank merely ducks his head down shyly, deflecting the praise. "The 'least I could do for Giancarlo's girl." With a sweep of his arm he gestures at the grand ballroom they're currently standing in, breathtaking view of Manhattan through tall pane glass windows. "And look where she's brought us. To the top of the world!" With a bright grin, he holds his glass up, and sounding a loud whistle her grabs the attention of the myriad other sharply dressed guests. "Hey everyone; a toast...to our leader and dear, dear friend, Ms. Valentina Venturi." He begins. "Year after year, those of us who have been with the company for decades always take a moment to remember our former CEO, Giancarlo--a giant of a man in ambition, and heart. I think we can agree that for a some of us old timers, that loss is still felt even 20 years after the fact. But with that said, we can't ignore how far we've come since Valentina stepped up to fill his shoes. Our numbers have been astronomical and the future gets brighter and brighter; and a lot of that is thanks to our hostess and woman of the hour." The glass goes hire. "To Valentina Venturi!"

Cheers erupt and glasses clink as Valentina merely nods her head, grateful for the support.

Dara

“She did well,” Dara winks at the older man, taking a small sip of the bubbling drink in her hand. Something about the ease of conversation diminishes her fears.

A small smirk dances on Dara’s face while her girlfriend comments on the same. When the man begins a toast for Valentina, the blonde listens closely, drinking in the dark haired woman’s features. The woman who she loves so very much… There was a lot that the two hadn’t talked about, her family being a large part of that. So, hearing this man talk about Valentina’s father evoked a slight amount of emotion from the tall blonde. Reaching up with her free hand, she swipes a forming tear away. This man who she would never be able to meet made her girlfriend into the person she was. For an emotional person like Dara, that was a big deal.

Dara clinks her glasses with those around her, noting that Val is being the ever so humble woman she is. She reaches her glass over, clinking Valentina’s softly.

“To Valentina Venturi,” she repeats in a whisper against Val’s ear, pressing a kiss to her cheek before taking another sip.

Valentina

Dara's kiss to her cheek fills Valentina with a giddy warmth. Thus far, outed Dara has been wonderfully bold with her affection, but not overly so. It's a respectable display that Valentina relishes, and she can't help reaching for the models hand and giving it a squeeze; offering a soft "Thank you, dolcezza mia." before nudging Frank playfully, "Now that you're finished making me blush, I think it's time for our annual celebratory libation with the team, yes?"

Frank gives a hearty laugh in return, "I'll go gather the troops. Meet us out on the deck!." He slowly walks off toward the tables, and Valentina turns to face Dara.

"Having fun so far, sweetheart?" She asks; concerned only for her stunning date and her comfort level.

Dara

Watching the interaction between Valentina and Frank makes Dara smile, glad to see the woman in her element. She bites her lip, her eyes following the man as he walked away.

“Fun? Oh yes, of course,” she grins, a laugh leaving her lips. “What are you about to go get your hands into?” She quirks an eyebrow. There was quite a bit of intrigue left behind with the wording that Valentina had used. Again, this was her first experience at a Venturi Holiday Party.

Valentina

"My father had a long tradition of meeting with his inner circle, to share some very pricy and," Valentina leans forward, as though someone might be in earshot, "very gross liquor. But who am I to buck tradition, hm? Some of these people were already working for Venturi Pharma when I was a child, and they have an appreciation for tradition. As well as a deep loyalty to my father. So every year, I join them to share a drink and cigar in his memory."

Knowing she was leaving Dara alone for the first time that evening, Valentina leans in to kiss her neck softly. "It won't take too long, I promise. Go on and mingle, have another drink or something to eat. When I get back I expect a dance!" Releasing Dara's hand, Valentina takes a few steps backward, keeping her eyes locked with her girlfriend before turning on her heel to meet the rest of the executives.

Dara

Dara smiles at Valentina’s words. It was clear that the loyalty she has seen in the woman extends every which way in her life. Adjusting the top of her gold dress, she bites her lip. “For your sake, I hope it’s not Calvados.” She cringes slightly only to follow it with a laugh. Once again the woman’s father had come up - his legacy being left in Valentina’s hands. “Your father would be proud, I think. I didn’t know him, but he’d have to be. Enjoy your time with the boys,” she reaches over and cups the woman’s ass, squeezing ever so slightly, a cheeky grin on her lips.

While Valentina enjoys her time with her executives outside, Dara meanders the room, keeping mostly to herself. This was why people came as dates, because when you were the one invited, no one stopped talking to you. She approaches the bar, downing what is left of her champagne.

“Can I have a vodka soda, please?” she asks, a smile drifting onto her features. As she watches the man make her a drink, she overhears some women behind her. Mentions of Valentina’s name and how she must be dating the younger model for fame and status. Mentions of the CEO’s apparent desperation and desire to climb the ladder. Dara is seething. In fact, if this was any other event, she’d already be over there ripping them a new one. Taking a deep breath, she thanks the bartender for her drink, the glass drawn to her lips almost immediately. Her feet control her movements before she realizes what’s happening.

“Don’t you think it’s a little bit trashy to be talking about Ms. Venturi like that?” she asks, though she doesn’t wait for an answer. “Dara Klein, nice to meet you,” she looks at the group, her eyes landing on one woman in particular. “Again,” it’s astonishing to her that these women can even say these things after seeing the blonde and Val together. “It might be in your best interest to keep your opinions to yourself on this matter. I will let you know, however, we’re very much in love and none of it has to do with the fame. I could have little money and this woman would be just as good to me,” she grins, waving as she walks away, drowning her shaky nerves with her drink.

After Dara's retort and sebsequent departure one of the women--a stunning and diminutive brunette in a short cocktail dress and four inch heels--scoffs. "Oh please."

The others in the little gaggle have gotten the memo and remain tight lipped, but that doesn't stop this woman from voicing her thoughts on the matter. Clearly a few deep, alcohol makes fools of us all. "Of course your ​money​ has nothing to do with it. Are you serious?" This garners a few laughs. "Sweetie, look at us." She gestures at herself, and then at Dara. "This is why these old business types want people like us."

Dara

This isn’t new for Dara - not at all. A model since age 16, she is fully aware that her looks have gotten her more attention than what was inside of her brain. The tall woman stops, turning on her heels with her eyebrows raised. She isn’t surprised, but she is shocked about her internal desire to clock this woman right in the face.

“Please,” she pauses. “You shouldn’t lump me into the same category as you…” She knows she might regret what she is about to say, her sweet personality taking a back seat. “I don’t live off of my husband’s brains, love. I make my own money, I live my own, very successful life. One that you all seem to know about, so clearly,” she gestures at herself. “Not a trophy wife.”

By this point the brunette is incensed but her friends have backed away. Not the best idea to fight at a holiday party. Especially not with the guest of honor's significant other.

"You still don't get it." She finishes her drink in a single swig. "They want us for the ego boost. The 'arm candy'. They couldn't get women like us if they weren't who they are." Another scoff. "Valentina's ex-husband was way older than her--looks like she picked up a thing or two from him."

Feeling that a line has been crossed, another young woman steps forward to pull her friend away. "Come on Chloe, there's literally no reason to be this mean to her."

"I'm not though! I'm helping her! This isn't love. It's publicity."

Dara

As a model, this wasn’t nearly as petty and ferocious as her interactions with competitive twigs. She continues reminding herself that she was here for Valentina, not to fuel the fire of these other women. So, she approaches them, taking a couple of steps further.

“I’m still amused that you’re putting me into the same category as you,” she laughs softly. “What do you do for a living? Answer phones? Organize schedules? Nothing? There are thousands of women in this city that the men who brought you here could be with. You may be beautiful, but you’re not very nice.” she stops herself before saying one last thing.

“I could have anyone in the world, Chloe,” she picks up the name for her friend. “So could Valentina.” She excuses herself, walking away from the group of women and attempting not to walk too fast. Walking to the restroom, she freshens up, reapplying both mascara and her lipstick before taking a breath. That was not what she expected to take place tonight.

Valentina

Valentina returns to a Dara-less ballroom, immediately concerned for her girlfriends whereabouts. Out of the corner of her eye she can see a group of women near the side bar and her stomach twists in a knot. As proud as she is of her company, she can't deny that Pharma as an industry has always been a boys club, and this particular group of women tends to change like the seasons. Rolling her shoulders, the CEO approaches them, perfectly composed. In turn, the women go rigid; Chloe especially. "Ladies, happy holidays." She's cordial as they murmur greetings of their own, and her lips pull into a tight smile. "Have any of you seen Dara?"

Dumbly, the point in the direction of the restrooms, and Valentina bows her head before walking off in search of the blonde.

Dara

Dara adjusts her hair in the mirror before turning to leave the restroom. She doesn’t want people to think she was honestly affected by the other girls. She just found that it would be the best place for her to go so a drunken tiny brunette didn’t come screaming after her. As she leaves the bathroom, she sees Valentina walking that direction and beams at the woman. Still so beautiful every time she sees her.

“HI there, my love, you look like you’re on a mission,” she smiled reaching her hand out to take Val’s.

Valentina

Valentina, uncaring of any eyes that happen to be on them, pulls Dara close for a soft kiss. "In a sense I was." Another kiss. "To find you."

Silently, she studies Dara's features. "Did they...say anything to you?" Dara would know exactly who 'they' are.

Dara

Dara closes her eyes for a moment as Val’s lips press against hers. It’s somewhat comforting for her to feel that the woman has been looking for her. Well, that’s until she inquires about the women.

“Oh, those sluts over there?” Dara widens her eyes playfully, winking at her girlfriend. “Of course they did, but I held my own. All is well, Ms. Venturi. We can continue our publicity stunt with no kinks.” her tone is indicative of her joking, but she knows that Valentina will be upset.

Valentina

Valentina's jaw sets. Unamused despite Dara's attempt at levity.

"Oh really." Arms crossed tightly over her chest, she nods her head slowly with her brows knitted. "This," She points between them both, "is a publicity stunt?"

Dara

“So they say,” Dara shrugs a shoulder, a smile still tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Baby…” she slings her hand onto the back of Valentina’s neck, rubbing it gently. “Don’t you know that dating a young, closeted supermodel who gets suddenly outed is great publicity for a CEO? They certainly do.” Dara wants to point out that they’re idiots who know nothing of how to keep a PR nightmare under wraps, but she doesn’t. She figures Valentina understands why she’s being so sarcastic.

Valentina

Valentina rolls her eyes. Dara is joking, that she understands, but what boggles her mind is; "One would think they'd be smart enough not to so blatantly insult their husband's employer when said employer is in attendance."

Dara

“I don’t exactly know what in the world they’re thinking. A lot was said - but I think our dear Chloe was just wasted. She tossed me into the same group as her, saying we’re all just ego boosting arm candy,” she shrugs a shoulder, clearly not concerned.

Valentina

Valentina pinches the bridge of her nose in exasperation, while belies the relief at seeing Dara isn't too affected by their idiotic words. Hands seek Dara's, and their fingers lace. Valentina levels her gaze with the blonde. "You are not my 'ego boosting arm candy'. That might be a thing with some of the attendees here tonight, but it is not the case with us." Leaning closer, Valentina captures Dara's lips in a tender kiss, lingering for several moments. "You are here because I love you."

Dara

Dara smiles genuinely at the woman before her. She's always so apt to take care of Dara. "I never doubted your intentions for a minute," she returns the kiss, a smile on her lips as they pull away. She tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I am here because I love you. Otherwise, is never deal with woman like that!" She laughs, trying to cheer her girlfriend up.

Valentina

Valentina concedes, "I know, I just..." her voice trails for a moment as she looks off in the direction of the party. "Feel compelled to say it out loud." Her eyes lock with the models once more. "I came stag last year. It was mere weeks after the divorce was finalized and eyes were still on me as they are tonight. For a different reason. And I know for a fact that, despite my never hiding the fact that I am bisexual, I don't think any of these people truly believed it. Not until tonight."

Dara

Dara squeezes her counterpart's hands and smiles sweetly. "My love, this isn't news for them. I think that they're happy for you. At least, from what I've seen." She pauses, placing a kiss to the woman's forehead. "Besides, if they weren't sure after the media blasts, then they're kidding themselves, right?" She pulls the woman in for a hug, wrapping her lanky arms around her. "I love you, Valentina. They'll see it eventually."

Valentina

At once Valentina is awed and a bit overwhelmed by Dara's confident composure. It almost leaves her feeling a little foolish to allow such pettiness to grate on her. Dara, for all of her jovialness, is truly wise beyond her years, and perhaps that is one reason the fit so well together. "I love you too, Dara." She responds with a widening smile.

Behind them, the music from band begins a deceleration in tempo and a cursory glance over shoulder reveals couples are starting to fill the dance floor. Taking Dara's hand, Valentina bows her head forward, "Me ferez-vous l'honneur de cette danse ?"

Dara

There’s something about seeing the person you love grow giddy over the words you speak and Dara feels so very warm. The way this Holiday season was panning out was something that the blonde had never imagined. “Good,” she smiles back, pecking a quick kiss to her girlfriend’s lips.

Quinn:

Gabby was great. She held Quinn on the days she felt under the weather, made her soup and put on her favorite television shows. She made sure the blonde didn’t have to get up for anything and could just stay in bed for the two days Quinn had her little illness. What Gabby didn’t know was that the reason Quinn was feeling under the weather was because she missed Rachel.

She was still reeling from the wedding and Rachel saying she never wanted to speak to her again. It wasn’t like it was the first time she’d heard it, but the time before she had just been equally upset and didn’t particularly want to ever speak to Rachel again either. Back when Rachel was accusing her of having feelings for Gabby, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In those days, Quinn only had eyes for Rachel. Sure Gabby was a little flirty and so was Quinn but that’s just how they were. She never would have even dreamed of leaving Rachel for Gabby. But Quinn hadn’t been able to see through her jealously and they ended up breaking up.

All that time later when she finally got together with Gabby, she’d been over Rachel. At least she thought. She didn’t know that seeing Rachel for the first time in years would resurface all these feelings she’d had for her years ago. Certainly she didn’t think that Rachel would send her into a two day bender where she didn’t even want to get out of bed.

Quinn talked herself out of it though, mostly from the arms of Gabby. It made her realize she didn’t need Rachel. Necessarily. She missed her terribly but didn’t need her. Maybe they could be friends and she could still have Rachel in her life. A win win situation if you will. The further into the week Quinn got, the more she convinced herself that was the solution. Friends. They could do that.

On Friday she started towards the deli down the street for lunch but her feet kept moving. They moved her all the way to the subway and three stops down where she got off. They didn’t stop until she was outside of the class Rachel had a few times a week. Quinn peeked into the window of the door and spotted Rachel in the top row, focused on the lecture and looking absolutely stunning. Her hand closed around the handle of the door briefly but her nerves got the better of her and instead, Quinn began to pace in the hall.

She should leave. This wasn’t the time or the place but-…maybe it was exactly the time and place. Rachel couldn’t ignore her with a whole class of people there. She’d had to at least go outside to talk to Quinn a little bit…

In the back of her mind Quinn knew this was a bad plan. Horrible even. But her heart always spoke louder then her brain and she practically rushed the door to the classroom. As she opened the door her eyes found Rachel’s and stayed there, paying no mind to the professor who stopped the lecture to stare at her or the many amused and confused eyes of the other students staring.

“Rachel,” Quinn said breathlessly her eyes pleading, “We need to talk. Please.”

Rachel:

Rachel was going to get over Quinn, at least that was what she kept telling herself throughout throughout the entire week after the wedding. It helped that Kurt was being more supportive than ever and hadn’t even uttered a single mention of how he’d seen this coming all along. He kept referring to this as a learning moment, a time in which Rachel got to satisfy the curiosity of ‘what if we were together again’ only to see that it wasn’t all that she’d dreamed it would be.

But it was, and that was her biggest problem.

Somewhere beneath the sheer disgust with herself for being involved in an affair of that sort were still the butterflies she’d always felt when she was with Quinn and that was the most confusing part of it all. Rachel knew she just needed to let another week or so go by and she could push Quinn out of her memory to the best of her abilities and move forward with her life. She’d pour herself back into her school and into work and forget that she had ever gotten reacquainted with her ex.

It seemed like such an easy solution.

Most classes were spent focused far more intently on the lecture at hand than usual in an attempt to make sure she could keep focused and not let her thoughts wonder to the blonde. Rachel was half surprised and grateful for the fact that Quinn hadn’t made one attempt at contacting her - it was so unlike her not to try and fully talk things out, but she was glad this seemed to be the exception. Rachel had nothing left to say and she knew that whatever Quinn would have said would have fallen on deaf ears.

The last class of her day was winding to a close, a terribly boring lecture on the importance of connecting with the youth - something she felt as though her outdated professor had no right to be teaching. The brunette tapped the eraser end of the pencil against her notes as he droned on and on directly reading from the powerpoint behind him. Only ten more minutes and she would be free to head back home, grade a few papers, and spend the rest of the night wallowing in her bedroom until Kurt got home and she felt some responsibility to him to at least pretend she was getting better.

Rachel heard the classroom door open, but thought nothing of it. She assumed some student was leaving early and, frankly, she didn’t blame them. She’d given some thought to excusing herself just this once after the end of a long and painful week.

But the overwhelming silence and the silence from the professor made her lift her eyes and she practically fell out of her chair when she saw Quinn looking up at her. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of red, eyes widened in panic at the realization that Quinn was interrupting a lecture hall to come and speak to her. She should’ve known she wouldn’t get away without talking it out.

It was still fine and dandy until Quinn spoke and Rachel just wanted to sink down into her chair until she disappeared. But that didn’t seem like an option. All eyes were on her as she closed her notebook and slipped it into her bag, smiling up at the professor. “I’m so sorry Sir, I had no idea this was going to - I’m sorry.”

Her words were falling off of her nervous tongue as she hurried down the lecture hall stairs and to the front before grabbing Quinn by the arm and tugging her towards the exit.

“Sorry again,” she called out as she flung the door open, pulling the blonde behind her out of the exit.

She thought for a moment about just walking back towards her apartment and ignoring all requests at communication from Quinn, but the last thing she wanted was a repeat of this. So Rachel turned to the blonde with a huff of annoyance and folded her arms over her chest.

“You can’t just come interrupting my class, Quinn,” she said with her brows furrowed.

Quinn:

When Rachel started to walk towards her, Quinn couldn’t help but let her lips curve into even the smallest of smiles. Rachel was here and acknowledging her presence. That was the first step. She didn’t mind when Rachel grabbed her arm and practically pulled her towards the door, not when she was here and touching her.

As soon as they were out in the hall, Rachel turned to her with nothing but annoyance on her face. Quinn was used to that look, especially in the last few months of their relationship. Something about it gave her a feeling of nostalgia. Probably the look and being back on campus with Rachel. Quinn licked her lips, suddenly nervous, and she stuffed her hands in the pockets of her coat.

“I’m sorry I interrupted,” Quinn began softly, “I just…wanted to talk to you. And I couldn’t think of another way to make you listen to me.”

That’s when Quinn realized she hadn’t thought this thorough. She had no idea what to say to Rachel, she’d just wanted to talk to her. The whole week she had missed the brunette. She missed her smile, her laugh, her voice, her touch..everything. Just being around her again made her feel better.

“I missed you,” Quinn blurted out, looking away nervously as she shrugged, “I missed you a lot.”

Quinn could talk about how she had been in bed for two days, but she’d also have to mention how Gabby comforted her. How she was the best girlfriend Quinn could ask for and here she was thinking about another girl and how much she missed her.

“I just want to talk,” Quinn said with a defeated sigh, “I want to tell you everything and answer your questions and-…I need to explain. Please?”

Quinn gave the brunette a pleading look and fiddled with a loose string in her pocket to prevent herself from reaching out to Rachel. She needed to tell her that she didn’t leave her for Gabby or whatever ridiculous thing she thought. She only got with Gabby after they were broken up for a long time and Quinn knew (thought) she was over Rachel. How Gabby didn’t try and get with her as soon as they broke up or didn’t try to be more then a friend. She wanted to tell her how she never meant to hurt Rachel. That was the last thing she ever wanted.

“I’m so sorry I put you in this position. I am,” Quinn said, “I promise it wasn’t my intention. It’s just-…things happened and I didn’t know how to stop them…I didn’t want to stop them. And it was stupid and selfish of me. And I’m so so sorry. You didn’t deserve that. Please just…can we talk?”

Rachel:

Any bandaging of the emotional wound Rachel had done over the past handful of days was unraveling at her finger tips and there was nothing she could do about it. How dare Quinn say she missed her? After being the one to rope her into the whole affair in the first place. Had she known Quinn was seriously involved with someone, she would have never put herself in that position. Not in a million years.

A scoff passed her lips and she shook her head, frustrated that Quinn had come to interrupt her class just to tell Rachel she missed her. It was almost out of a movie it was so ridiculous. Quinn wanted to talk and explain and Rachel wasn’t sure she could handle that. She’d worked so hard over the past few days to really throw herself back into school and work and to forget about the way the blonde made her feel. She was doing so well.

“Quinn…” Rachel started, biting down on her bottom lip as she fought to find the right words to say, “What if I told you that I don’t want to hear your answers?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to ask the questions on her mind - there was no way they wouldn’t hurt. There were so many questions swirling around in her brain about Gabby, about how they got together, about if Quinn had developed feelings while they were still together…the list went on and on and she’d imagined every scenario while laying alone in her bedroom, but she knew she couldn’t hear Quinn confirm her words fears out loud. That would be her breaking point.

Quinn started to apologize and Rachel stood there, unable to force herself to move and to make her way back to her apartment to start the process of forgetting Quinn all over again. She should say no - no they couldn’t talk. Quinn didn’t deserve to get to talk things out on her terms or at all. Rachel didn’t want to hear how Quinn was really happy with Gabby and that she was sorry and regretted messing things up by letting things go too far. She didn’t want to hear about how Quinn loved being with Rachel again but that they just couldn’t be together. She didn’t want to hear any of it. And she opened her mouth to say just that, only completely different words came out.

“You have thirty minutes of my time and that’s it,” she said tersely, slinging her bag completely over her shoulder and gesturing to the sidewalk in front of them before starting to walk the familiar path to a quieter area on campus where her professor wouldn’t be walking out into the hallway near them any minute, “Say what you need to say.”

Quinn:

You have thirty minutes of my time and that’s it.

Quinn couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on her face at Rachel’s words. She wanted to reach out and kiss her, but thankfully the other woman started walking down a path and away from her. Quinn followed behind her, all thoughts of whatever she had left to do at work today completely out the window. None of that mattered right now when Rachel was giving her a chance to talk.

She licked her lips nervously as she fell into stride besides Rachel and searched for where to start. Again, not thinking this out completely didn’t really do her much good. She should have at least thought about what she could say.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated for the hundredth time. But it was a safe start. “I just have…so much to say.”

Where should she start? On missing Rachel? She already told her that. It was really all she thought about the past few days. She thought back to what Rachel had said during the wedding and it clicked. Gabby. Rachel thought that she had feelings for Gabby the whole time.

“I know I already said it but I want to reiterate that I didn’t get with Gabby right after the breakup, I promise,” Quinn began nervously, “We had been broken up at least a year when Gabby and I started dating. I mean, we had hooked up once before then but-”

Quinn cut herself off and stuffed her hands even further into her pockets. “I know I shouldn’t have led you on like that. But I just…got so caught up in my feelings for you and I know that’s not an excuse but it’s the truth. It’s like when we were together, just us, I forgot about Gabby. Which is an awful thing to say, but all I could focus on was you and being with you again which was…amazing. I didn’t realize it could be like that.”

Her mind was all a mess. She wanted to grab Rachel and just kiss her but she knew that would only earn her a slap in the face. She just wanted to show her that she still had feelings for her that were legitimate, not just some lust filled fantasy of a cheating woman.

The path they were on had seemed to get less populated, thankfully, and Quinn drifted a little closer to Rachel.

“I never intended to-…cheat,” the words hurt just coming out of her mouth, “I really didn’t. I never intended to drag you into anything or deceive you in anyway I just…It feels like everything happened at once. You know? We kissed and I told myself that’s all that would ever happen and then we went to Atlantic City and…I just couldn’t stay away from you. I missed you Rachel and I never really realized it. And then you were here in front of me and had forgiven me for everything we broke up for and I-…I couldn’t walk away. It was dumb and selfish. I can never apologize enough for it.”

Tears were forming at the corners of her eyes but Quinn did her best to keep them at bay. She didn’t want to cry or show her weakness in that way. It was the last thing she wanted. She had come down here to apologize and hopefully make things right, not pile all her own emotions on Rachel.

“Do you…have any questions or comments? Concerns?” Quinn forced a small laugh, trying to lighten the situation.

Rachel:

They came to a stop a little ways across campus, a familiar path the two of them had walked many times before, but not in many years. It was weird to be on campus with her after everything that had happened in their years apart and in the past week alone.

Rachel felt Quinn’s presence a little closer and instead of feeling comforting, it felt suffocating. She shouldn’t have said yes to talk to the blonde. She should’ve just shot her down and went home and saved herself from hearing anything more than she’d already heard at the wedding. What could change between them? As far as Rachel could see, nothing. Quinn was with Gabby, Quinn had cheated, Rachel was heartbroken. That was it.

I never intended to cheat.

Hearing the word from Quinn’s lips struck a chord with Rachel and she clenched her jaw to keep from snapping back with some snarky retort. But Quinn had a point even if Rachel didn’t want to admit it. It was all a blur, they were just on two separate pages of that blur. Rachel knew that alcohol had lowered their inhibitions in Atlantic City and let them ignore the rational that they needed to save their friendship first. But there was no excuse for the dates after their Atlantic city trip. Quinn had many chances to stop it in its tracks.

Seeing the tears pool in Quinn’s eyes made Rachel uneasy. She wanted to reach forward and comfort the person she’d spent so many years caring for and had recently acknowledged she was falling in love with, but the betrayal was too much so she kept to herself instead, arms folded over her chest.

Rachel knew she’d probably regret asking questions later, but she had always had an issue with letting her curiosity get the best of her and now was no different.

“I…” she started, leaning against the wall of the building next to them, “how long would you have let it go on?” Rachel paused for a moment, lips pressed together before shaking her head, “I mean…if I hadn’t said anything…would you have continued to cheat on her?”

She paused to give Quinn a chance to answer but as soon as the blonde opened her mouth, she started speaking again, the flood gates of her thoughts opening dangerously quickly.

“I mean…did you just leave my apartment and go back home to her like nothing happened?” She probably didn’t want to know the answer to that. “Is that why you didn’t want Santana to know what was going on? Because you were worried she’d rat you out?”

She wanted to ask about their college relationship. She wanted to know what Quinn meant when she said that she and Gabby had hooked up before they’d gotten together. Did she mean while the two of them were together? Europe? That was the one question Rachel knew she didn’t need to know. If she found out that Quinn had immediately jumped into bed with someone else either at the end of their relationship or shortly after…she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.

Quinn:

Quinn opened her mouth to answer Rachel’s first question but she continued and the blonde’s mouth snapped shut. She let Rachel continued, physically flinching at the anger in her voice. Every bard in Rachel’s words was deserved, she could never deny that. But it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Quickly she wiped away a tear that had fallen down her cheek and waited a moment to see if Rachel would continue. When she didn’t, Quinn took a deep breath and tried to answer carefully.

“I don’t know how long I would have let it go on,” Quinn said carefully, “I thought about breaking it off, especially before the wedding. I was determined to tell you everything but then I saw you and I just…it was like I couldn’t think, Rachel. Not rationally anyways. You’re just so…my feelings for you cloud my mind. You’ve always had that effect on me, that’s never changed.”

She sniffled for a moment and shrugged as she thought about her second question. “Kind of,” she admitted quietly, “I felt guilty all the way home. I always thought of just calling you and telling you everything. I always thought about how much this would hurt you and it was part of the reason I dragged my feet about admitting everything. I would go home and feel awful. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Or anyone. And I’m so sorry. I know I sound like a broken record. And yeah, I didn’t want Santana finding out because I knew she would…complicate things.”

Shifting uncomfortably on her feet, Quinn looked around and immediately recognized where they were. The memories of the place brought a small smile to her face. The nostalgia swept over her and for a moment she could pretend they were back in college and completely in love.

“I’m pretty sure this is where I took you for a walk after our first date,” Quinn said softly, looking at Rachel, “I was so nervous, my palms were sweating so badly I didn’t know what to do. I really wanted to kiss you but I was convinced I was going to trip and knock you down if I tried.”

Quinn looked back down at her feet and kicked at the ground for a moment. “Mostly I just want you to know that I never did’t love you,” she said softly, “I always loved you. When we were together I was so in love, I never even thought of anyone else. I promise you. I thought I was going to marry you. You were everything to me, Rachel.”

She swallowed thickly and licked her lips nervously. It felt like she’d said too much. She rubbed the back of her neck and ran a hand through her hair quickly. Tucking blonde hair behind her ear she looked at Rachel, really looked at her and tried to read her face. She had always been so good at it. Rachel always great. Even now when she was angry as hell and slightly windblown Quinn wanted to sweep her up and kiss her. That was part of the problem. She couldn’t shake the feeling of needing to be closer to Rachel always.

Rachel:

Rachel had expected an answer similar. They probably would have gotten to the truth eventually and, deep down, she knew Quinn was a good person with a relatively good conscience. It all made sense in the grand scheme of things that things played out the way they did. Even she couldn’t deny the magnetism that had always existed between them and Rachel knew if she had been in Quinn’s position it would be hard to deny the chemistry.

It didn’t make it alright, but it made it make sense.

Saying that Santana would complicate things was an understatement. Knowing what was truly going on in Quinn’s personal life made everything make sense. It explained Santana’s cryptic behavior and watchful eye and the hesitance to let them be alone for too long. The puzzle was all piecing together right in front of her.

There was nothing more she wanted to say. She didn’t want to keep hashing out the same hurt and betrayal with each and every question that popped into her mind. She wanted to walk away from this conversation completely unscathed and it seemed she’d be able to.

But then Quinn opened her mouth and her dreamy tone filled the air, voice slightly raspy from unshed tears and Rachel felt the butterflies involuntarily swirl in the pit of her stomach. This was where they’d walked after their first date. They were heading back to the dorm area after a nice evening and, as they both found out later, they were both more nervous than they’d ever been.

She glanced around them, refusing to meet Quinn’s gaze as she spoke about their past, and could practically picture a younger version of themselves walking next to one another, hands so close that their fingers were almost brushing as they talked about their classes, back home, and whether or not the other was free for lunch the following afternoon. It was the start to a beautiful relationship and now here they were.

You were everything to me, Rachel.

Rachel slammed her eyes shut, the corners welling with tears that she wasn’t willing to let slip. The entire affair hurt so much worse when she thought about what they could’ve been. She had been the one to end things, but they’d both set it up for failure. The understanding that Quinn’s words meant that Gabby had happened after everything was said and done between the swirled up a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

She was relieved and angry and hurt and confused all while desperately fighting off the way Quinn’s words made her heart swell with joy at just the thought of the two of them making things work between them. She’d fallen so much harder and faster than she could have ever anticipated and, apparently, it hadn’t stopped during the past few days.

“I think I need to go,” she said, her voice cracking as she spoke. She wanted to reach out and wrap her arms around the blonde, seeking comfort in the one person who had caused all of this hurt and disappointment, but that was the last thing she could do. Rachel needed to go and put all of this behind her for her own sake. There was no denying that the two of them would never be able to shed the intensity of their relationship and she needed to try and separate herself from it all.

Rachel met Quinn’s eyes and she pushed off of the wall, slipping past the blonde before she did something stupid and stepped closer into her bubble. “I think its time we put our past behind us.” It was a simple enough statement, but the weight of the notion of finally moving past the relationship it was clear neither of them had ever gotten fully over was heavy on the brunette’s shoulders. Maybe it was for the best. Her heart ached in her chest at the thought of walking away with feelings still on the table and her own anger still unresolved but they needed this. It was the right and the smart thing to do. You didn’t mess with another couple and you didn’t try to work things out with an ex. Those were the two cardinal rules of dating.

Jackie ran her tongue over her bottom lip and closed her computer. She’d lost the game of Cards Against Humanity, but she felt like she’d definitely won something else because Santana was sitting there topless. Reaching her hand out, Jackie went to pinch Santana’s nipple again, a game she’d started during their game online. Santana said she couldn’t touch, but Jackie wasn’t much for rules. “Maybe we shoulda cheated so I could have gotten more points in that game.” She laughed a little and shrugged before trying to pinch Santana’s nipple for the second time in the last two minutes.

Santana slapped at Jackie’s hands playfully hard as she turned to look at her. She closed her own laptop and set it off to the side. “You’re the worst,” she said with a shake of the head. She should’ve known that they wouldn’t make it through a game without Jackie’s getting handsy, not that she’d minded. She liked Jackie’s hands on her, and they had been a lot in the last week and a half. Things had been very different since they’d come back from Chicago. Mostly, they’d spent nearly everyday together since then. There was probably two or three nights that they hadn’t, but Santana was really starting to like having someone to come home to, and it wasn’t just because Jackie did her laundry and cleaned on occasion. Her crush had definitely morphed into real affection, and it was becoming harder and harder to ignore that that “something real” she wanted was with Jackie. “I think you should still be on time out.”

“What? Why? I don’t even know why I’m on time out in the first place. I’ve been nothing but an angel all night.” Jackie smirked and moved closer to Santana on the couch, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her in. For some reason, she hadn’t been able to keep her hands off of Santana even more than usual. On top of that, Jackie had pretty much lost all desire to sleep with other people. She pretended she still had it though because she hadn’t been able to admit it until now. She really liked Santana and they amount of time they’d been spending together had done nothing but make her feelings stronger. “So I’ve been meaning to ask you something. How do you feel about us sleeping with each other exclusively for a while?” Jackie squinted at Santana and scrunched her face before breaking into a wide grin.

“That’s the opposite of true,” Santana replied as long, spidery arms wrapped around her. She shifted a little, not at all stopping Jackie from pulling her closer. She liked being close to her, and it didn’t always have to be sexual. She felt herself tense a little when Jackie’d said she wanted to ask her something. It was hard not to because she had no idea what Jackie was thinking. She took a deep breath then grinned back. “I thought we were already doing that…” She leaned up and kissed the other woman. She had to because right now, even with her heart hammering in her chest, she was happy.

Jackie raised her eyebrows at Santana’s response. It seemed like a yes. She also prepped herself to make a smart ass comment, but was caught off guard by the kiss. Damn, she loved kissing Santana, so Jackie let herself get lost in it a little while before pulling away to look down at Santana with her grin renewed. “So you know that means no more dressing all hot and going out for drinks with dusty ass randos, right? Just saying. Unless they’re super rich, then I get it. I can’t really hold that against you…”

Santana’s head tilted back as she laughed, shaking her head. “Damn, I guess I have to cancel my plans next weekend,” she joked, but she hadn’t gone out with anyone that wasn’t a coworker since their fight before. And the night before she’d just come home and dragged Jackie out with them. She was actually kind of fucked because she was pretty sure she was going to fall super hard. “I think you’re the one that needs that particular talk. I haven’t been out in forever without you, but I can’t do anything about my hotness. I was just born this way.” She gave Jackie a huge grin and kissed her again.

“Damn right you can’t do anything about your hotness.” Jackie kissed along Santana’s jaw and down to the base of her neck, suckling lightly at it and leaving a mark. Nothing too dark or crazy, but something that would be there for at least the next couple of hours. “I don’t need any talk. I spend all my time with you. I don’t have the time or energy for other women. I have the one I’m into.” Jackie shrugged a little and sat up straight again, trying to tweak Santana’s nipple since she was distracted.

Santana tilted her head back and let Jackie do what she wanted. She was just really happy, and hearing that Jackie was into her made every night she spent listening to her on the radio, lusting after her voice and wishing she could hang with her because she thought she was funny and hot worth it. She was just better than Santana ever thought she would be. She gasped a little when Jackie succeeded in getting her nipple, causing lava hot arousal to shoot through her.

Jackie cheesed at her success in getting Santana’s nipple finally. She took it as the official end to her completely unfair and unnecessary time out from before. Jackie was mostly just excited that Santana agreed. Everything had been smooth sailing for them recently and she couldn’t be more content. “So. Since we’re only going to be sleeping with each other, I would very much like to make sex with you.” Jackie wiggled her eyebrows and pinched at Santana’s nipple again, clearly abusing her power.

Hissing out a breath when Jackie’s fingers pinched her nipple again, Santana groaned. “We can definitely ‘make sex,’ but...I want to try something new tonight,” she said with a mysterious grin. She turned in Jackie’s arms and pushed her back onto the couch before climbing over top of her. She leaned in and kissed her deeply, letting her hand slip beneath her shirt and up to her bare breast, palming it roughly.

“Something new? Is it a surprise?” Jackie’s eyebrows raised a little as she and Santana shifted into their new positions on the couch. She closed her eyes and kissed Santana back passionately, both excited and curious to know what she’d had in mind for them to get into tonight. The arm that was around Santana’s waist pretty much stayed in the same spot, but it made it easier to Jackie’s to mirror the way Santana was handling her breast on the other woman’s ass.

Santana shook her head. “I mean...it’s probably a surprise, but I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.” She moaned softly when Jackie’s hand slipped down to her ass, palming it. “I wanna fuck you with a toy...I mean I really want to fuck you with a strapon, but I’m also good with fucking you with a dildo or vibrator…lady’s choice,” she finished with a smirk as she tweaked Jackie’s nipple.

Jackie’s hand paused as she thought about Santana’s proposition. In all honestly, Jackie wasn’t usually the recipient of the strap. She loved using it every chance she got, but there was only one or two times she’d let someone use it on her and the same went for vibrators and dildos. Those were usually for self-stimulation. Jackie wasn’t necessarily opposed to the idea, but her inexperience with it made it kind of intimidating. Then, she imagined how sexy Santana would be wearing the toy and decided that it was definitely something she wanted to do. She snapped back to reality when Santana tweaked her nipple and smiled. “I’m game. I’m always down for you to have your way with me any way you want.”

When Jackie’d hesitated and the silence stretched between them, Santana had started to worry that she’d pushed too far. She’d been with plenty of girls that weren’t fans of it, but she was relieved when Jackie agreed. All of their sex had been pretty amazing, but there were so many things that she still wanted to try. It would kind of suck if they couldn’t go any further than they already had. She wouldn’t hold it against Jackie or anything, but it would be a little of a disappointment. “Good...we should go to my room.”

“Okay we can go just.. Give me a sec.” Jackie brought her other arm around and got a second handful of Santana’s ass before sighing contently. “Now I’m ready… But I can’t move until you do.” What she hadn’t acknowledged was that she was still practically holding Santana in place. Her grip wasn’t tight or anything, but it was still there. Jackie just liked the closeness.

Santana chuckled when Jackie grabbed her ass, shaking her head. She moved back a little, noting how Jackie held her closer for a moment. “Well I can't get up if you're holding me down. Not that I mind being on top of you. I'm just trying to be on top of you in my bedroom.”

Jackie laughed out loud and relented, letting her arms fall limp. “You got like.. 5 seconds before my overwhelming desire to get my hands all over you kicks back in.” Once Santana was up and a safe distance away, Jackie climbed off of the couch and stretched her long arms above her head before heading to Santana’s bedroom.

“You should be naked when I get in there,” Santana called behind Jackie as she walked towards her room. She walked into the bathroom and washed her hands before she headed into her room, looking at Jackie expectantly. Her toys were in her walk-in closet in a specific drawer, and she pulled out her strap on and her favorite vibrator. She stepped into the strap on, pulling it up and securing it around her hips before she reemerged from the closet.

Running her tongue over her bottom lip, Jackie nodded at Santana’s instruction. It was insanely hot and Jackie was even more curious about what she signing herself up to get into tonight. The first time Santana came into the room, Jackie had only managed to get out of her top. When she came back in with the strap on, Jackie was completely nude. She furrowed her eyebrows at Santana’s 7 inch purple penis. It was both really funny and super sexy at the same time. “That’s a good look on you.”

Santana's eyes narrowed for a moment as she walked towards the bed, trying to determine if Jackie was teasing her or not. “If you're gonna be sarcastic...I can just get myself off and go to sleep.” They both knew it was an idle threat because Santana had almost as much of an issue keeping her hands to herself as Jackie did, especially when she was within arms’ reach and naked with her legs slightly spread as Santana climbed onto her bed and set the vibrator out of the way for the time being.

“No! I’m being serious. It’s sexy. Purple is your color.” Jackie climbed into Santana’s bed as well, before turning to look at her. She ran her hand over the strap on, just to get a feel for what would be going on down below any moment now. Jackie couldn’t contain her nervous excitement. “I mean, if you wanna get yourself off and go to sleep and miss the chance to use this on me, that’s totally up to you.”  She knew Santana was full of it, but she gave her the option anyway. This was about to go down for sure.

Something about watching Jackie's hand on the toy made her throb. She ran her tongue over her lips and shifted to her knees to move over top of Jackie. “Oh I'm definitely not going to miss the chance to be inside of you like this. Just wait until your on your knees, and I'm fucking you into the mattress from behind…” She replied as she pushed Jackie's legs apart.

Jackie moaned at the thought. It sounded to hot and thinking about the possibility made her even wetter than she already was. Her legs parted easily with minimal effort on Santana’s part. She brought her hand up to palm her own breast as she looked at Santana kneeling over her. Her legs slipped apart even more, giving Santana all the room she needed to work.

Sex between them grew better the more they learned about each other's bodies.  She knew it would happen, but sometimes it still floored her how sexually compatible they were. The only person she'd ever been this compatible with was Brittany. She watched as Jackie's hands moved to massage her breasts, her legs spreading wider of their own volition. She settled between them, making sure that the toy pressed against Jackie's center enough to provide a little friction, then kissed her slowly. Her tongue eagerly sliding past her full lips.

Feeling the toy press against her startled Jackie a bit. It just wasn't a feeling that she was used to. Santana's slow kiss made it all better though, as it did with most things. Jackie loved kissing Santana. She could feel the emotional evolution from the first time they kissed until now. Jackie wasn't even certain that any of this was real sometimes. It all just seemed too perfect. Her tongue found Santana's and gently worked against it as Jackie tried to get out of her head. She was about to get fucked by the hottest woman she'd ever seen. That was where her head should be.

Jackie’s tongue moving against hers never failed to send a tingle up Santana’s spine. She whimpered and pressed her hips against the other woman’s center, rubbing the toy over her slit as she moved. She braced her weight on her hands and pushed up so that she could look down at Jackie’s face as she moved.

Moaning through a bitten bottom lip, Jackie worked her hips to move against the toy. She needed more friction and rubbing herself against the veiny ridges of the toy provided at little relief. Jackie did everything she could to watch Santana’s face. The intense look she was giving just turned Jackie on more. She held the gaze right up until the pleasure got to be too much and she had to close them.

Sliding down Jackie's body just a little, Santana licked a path down between her breasts before sucking a nipple into her mouth. She reached down between them and guide the toy to Jackie's entrance, canted her hips forward, and slid inside of her slowly. The insert inside of the toy pressed against her clit, and she swore In Spanish under her breath. She didn't do it often, but every once in awhile, when something was a huge turn on, like fucking Jackie with a strap on, it just slipped out. She held still for a moment, pulling away from the younger woman’s breast. “You good?” she asked, making sure the toy wasn't too thick or something since Jackie was rarely on the receiving end of anything larger than fingers.

Jackie gasped softly and her back arched as Santana pressed the toy into her. It was thicker than she'd expected. She just didn't expect to feel so… full. The focus on her breasts didn't distract her at all, but Santana's soft exclamation did. She'd only heard that from Santana a couple of times, and usually it meant they were going to kick it up to the next level. Knowing that made Jackie gush around the toy a little. She was snapped back into reality when Santana spoke. “Okay? I'm great!” There was not a hint of sarcasm in her voice because she was being honest.

“Good,” Santana said in a thick voice as she fought her own arousal to focus on Jackie's. She rolled her hips, keeping her thrusts short and deep, bucking them every fourth stroke or so to press against Jackie's spot.

Jackie moaned as Santana worked the toy inside of her. She'd forgotten how good it felt for someone to get that deep inside of her. Usually, because her fingers were so damn long, Jackie was the one getting deep and it was rarely done to her. She gripped the sheets on either side of her for leverage as she started to ride the toy as much as she could in response. “Fuck, that feels so good.”

Santana worked her hips as her mouth descended on one of Jackie's nipples once again. She bit down gently just as she forced the toy to hit the other woman's spot again. God, she loved fucking Jackie. It was insane how good it felt. Even right now, with nothing providing her any relief, Santana could feel herself starting to teeter on the edge. Hearing the little sounds Jackie made had her clenching hard in sympathy.

The mixture of the toy rubbing against her inner walls and Santana biting down on her nipple drove Jackie crazy. Her head fell back as she cried out Santana’s name, tangling her fingers in the other woman’s hair. Her orgasm came quickly. Santana hit her spot once and Jackie felt the familiar sensation starting to bubble under the surface. With a couple more thrusts, Jackie was hitting her peak, clenching around the toy as she soaked it with her juices. The rest of her body seized gently as the climax coursed through her.

It took a second for Santana to realize Jackie was cumming, but when she did, she doubled her efforts, fucking her through it. She was so wet that she was dripping around the toy, and a part of her kind of wanted Jackie to return the favor, but she wasn't quite done. “Fuck...you are so hot when you scream my name like that,” she mumbled into Jackie's skin as she kissed her neck.

Jackie leaned her head to the side to give Santana more access to her neck. She opened her mouth to speak, but Santana’s skills with the toy clouded her thoughts. Out of all the few times that Jackie had done this, she’d liked it okay. This time, however, she absolutely loved it. Was it just because it was Santana on the other end of it. Jackie lightly pulled her fingertips up Santana’s back and kept riding the toy as best she could.

When Jackie didn’t stop moving, Santana’s hips picked up their pace again. “Mmm...fuck, and I thought I couldn’t get enough of fucking you before,” she mumbled as she circled her hips pushing the toy even deeper once again. Her hand moved down to Jackie’s thigh and pushed it down against the bed so that she could fuck her at an angle. “I really want you to to ride it…”

“O-Okay.” Jackie wasn’t sure if she’d be able to cum again, but she didn’t want Santana to stop. She had a sneaking suspicion she’d be sore the next day. But, she’s also never ridden a toy before so she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Jackie had seen enough porn though to she could probably figure it out. The new angle caused by Santana pressing on her thigh had her moaning in pure ecstasy. This woman was truly amazing.

Santana took another moment to enjoy the feel of Jackie beneath her, her thigh trembling ever so slightly before she pulled free and swapped their positions. She wasn't even sure which was hotter as she gazed up at the gorgeous woman on top of her, the way Jackie looked towering over her or how it looked to have her writhing beneath her, knowing she was the reason for it.

The brief moment where Santana wasn’t inside of her gave Jackie just enough time to breathe and pull herself together. She needed a quick cool down if she was going to survive this at all. Once she was on top of Santana though, she suddenly realized all the power she held. Jackie eased herself back onto the toy with a grin. “I can’t wait until I get to return this favor.” She palmed Santana’s full breasts as she started. There was just something about the little bounce they did as she bounced on the toy. Jackie knew the insert was in there, so she angled herself back a little to have it rub against Santana’s clit as much as possible.

“I can't wait either,” Santana said before gasping at the feel of Jackie's hands on her breasts. She hadn't really considered the all access pass she'd be providing her, but she was so wet and so turned that a part of her wanted Jackie's mouth in them because she was dying to cum. The toy rubbed against her clit, and she whimpered. “Mmm…”

Jackie slowed down her pace on the toy a little. She was in no rush. Putting her hands on either side of Santana, she leaned in and kissed her passionately. Jackie then slowly kissed down her neck before jumping right to Santana’s nipple, flicking it with her tongue, grateful that she knew the cheat code to Santana’s body. She vacuumed it between her lips and suckled softly, moaning as she did so.

Sometimes she thought Jackie could read her mind. They kissed for a long moment before her lips were wrapping around Santana's nipple, sending a pulsing shock of arousal straight to her clit. “Fuck...me…” she mumbled as her back arched, pressing more of herself into Jackie's mouth.

Pulling away, Jackie licked her lips and looked down at Santana in thought. A million things were running through her mind at once. Abruptly, she hopped off of the strap on, deciding that she was more eager to get Santana off than anything. Plus, she wanted a crack at the toys too. “Where’s the vibrator and dildo? I wanna test them out real fast.”

Jackie's abrupt movements were kind of jarring, and Santana could only point to where she'd set them as she looked at the other woman in confused. Did Jackie think she needed more stimulation because that was kind of impressive. It had been a while since Santana had gotten Jackie to squirt. She was definitely sure she could do it with the vibrator.

Jackie nodded and grabbed the additional toys before taking a moment to look at Santana on the bed. She’d never been more beautiful than right now, especially because Jackie got to have her all to herself. It’s not like that probably wasn’t the case before, but now they’d said the words. “We need to get you out of that harness because… I really really wanna make you cum harder than you ever have. Not like.. The Hamptons though. That was too much. Less than that, but still a lot.”

Letting out a slow breath, Santana laughed before loosening the strap on the harness. She bent her knee and lifted her ass to wiggle out of the toy. She set it aside and looked Jackie in the eye as she spread her legs wide enough to expose her wet core to the other woman's gaze. “So do it…”

Running her tongue over her bottom lip, Jackie watched quietly as Santana slipped out of the harness. Jackie was a voyeur and her desire to always watch could be detrimental in situations like this, so she snapped back to reality. She grinned at Santana’s challenge. “Okay. Okay. Impatient. First things first.” Jackie leaned in and took a long lap of Santana’s wetness, getting all the taste she needed before teasing the head of the dildo against her slit.

Santana let out a garbled moan as her body reacted to the feel of Jackie's tongue. She kind of just wanted the other woman to eat her out, but the anticipation of the toys made her less impatient.  She gripped the sheets below her and ground herself against the toy.

Jackie slowly pressed the dildo inside of Santana and watched her reaction. After she was sure they were situated, she started to work the toy in and out with one hand and rubbed at Santana’s clit with the other hand. “Mine kind of looks like this.. But it’s big and black.. Well, mostly just black. You should meet her someday.”

Her back arched as the toy slid deep, stretching her wider than she had been in over a month. She hissed at the the feeling, swearing in Spanish again under her breath. As Jackie moved the toy in and out of her, she moaned every time it moved back in, rubbing against her spot. “Yeah? Does that mean you're going to fuck me with it like this?”

“I’ll fuck you with it every day if you want me to. Especially if that sexy ass Spanish keeps slipping out.” Jackie grinned and kept up her work with the dildo, now twisting it slightly every time she moved it in. She leaned over and sucked Santana’s nipple into her mouth before releasing it with a pop, mostly out of habit. Sitting up, Jackie chuckled. “I’m deciding if using the vibrator too is too much. Should I?”

Jackie seemed to have no idea how overwhelmed with pleasure Santana was at the moment given how she was talking to her as if they were having any ol’ conversation and not like she was fucking Santana so good that she was pretty sure she was going to combust any second. It would definitely be too much for Jackie to use the vibrator in addition to the dildo, especially if she kept putting her mouth on her breasts, but Santana didn't care. She wanted it. “Yeah…do it.” She licked at her lips and circled her hips, causing the toy to grind against her spot.

When Santana started to move her hips against the toy, Jackie was temporarily mesmerized by it. She did, however, keep her hand going as she reached for the vibrator. Part of her wanted to crank it up to max, but she wasn’t trying to kill Santana, so she put it on medium vibration and placed it against the other woman’s clit gently. “How’s that?”

Santana nearly shot off the bed when she felt the vibrations against her clit. She cried out and kind of spasmed before calming again. “‘s good,” she mumbled, the feeling so intense on her clit she was worried she was going to pee. “Keep going.”

Jackie took note of Santana’s reaction with much interest. She was actually a little worried until she calmed again. So, Jackie put in extra effort with the dildo and paused for half of a second to crank the vibration up a little more. “Fuck, you are so hot like this.. Tell me if it gets to be too much though. You’re allowed to tap out.”

“‘m fine. Just keep going,” Santana promised even as her body kind of rejected the claim. She could feel a pressure she only vaguely remembered feeling only one other time, but at the same time, she didn’t want Jackie to stop. Her head pressed back against the pillow and her whole body practically vibrated as pleasure moved through her.

“As you wish.” Jackie kept up her dildo work and the vibrator as she watched Santana tremble from her actions. She was getting wet all over again. This was probably hands down one of Jackie’s favorite things to do and, for her, it further highlighted how compatible they were. The interesting thing was that Jackie was finding more and more compatibility outside of the bedroom, which was something she didn’t expect. She really liked Santana.

Santana’s orgasm hit her like a tornado. Her body kind of froze then shook with the force. Her mouth fell open, but she couldn’t cry out. It was more like an exhalation for air before she pushed Jackie from her forcibly, her body on sensory overload. “Stop...wait…” she panted.

Jackie pulled the toys out of Santana when she told her to stop. Watching her whole orgasm was intriguing, but Jackie really loved seeing her climax. She turned off the vibrator and gave Santana a few moments to recover before speaking. “You okay?”

“Mhm,” Santana said with a nod of her head. She just laid still for a moment, staring at the ceiling as she willed her body to calm down. “I’m good…” she promised, licking at her lips. She turned her head just a little to look at Jackie. “I’m going to need like three hours to recover from that.”

Chuckling a little, Jackie moved up the bed to press her lips to Santana’s softly. “Three hours? I can do that. I’mma set a timer.” She laughed a little and sat up, pulling her hair into a sloppy bun. Looking back at Santana, she just shook her head to herself. “I just cannot believe how great this is. My life is awesome.”

Santana’s face scrunched a little in confusion. She couldn’t be blamed for not comprehending when she felt like she’d been fucked to within an inch of her life. “What’s great? What are you talking about?” she asked, managing to push up onto her elbow so she could look at the other woman.

Jackie shrugged, not really ready to be put on the spot by the follow up questions. “I don’t know. Just our whole… thing. It’s great. You’re great. I don’t really know how else to explain it. I’m just enjoying how my life is going right now.”

That made Santana smile softly. Sometimes Jackie just said things that made her feel amazing about herself. “I think it’s pretty amazing too, actually. So...good we’re on the same page and all that,” she said easily, not wanting to put too much pressure on the situation.

“I agree.” Jackie stretched out on the bed and looked at Santana with a smile. She really had developed some strong feelings and she didn’t mind it one bit. She never thought she’d get to this point. “So what are we gonna do for the next three hours?”

“I don’t know. We could talk or watch Netflix. I’m good with either right now,” Santana said easily. Despite what felt like an endless stream of sex, they did talk a lot, always about random shit, but that totally counted.

Jackie nodded, liking that idea. “Or we can do both. Both works. What are we gonna talk about?” She propped herself up on her elbow to mirror Santana’s current position. Her other hand went to her nonexistent hip.

Santana shrugged, her dark eyes taking in Jackie's naked flesh. They'd been doing this about two months now, and sometimes she still couldn't believe her life. “I didn't have anything special I wanted to talk about. I just like when you talk to me. Those moments in between orgasms are nice,” she joked.

“Well, that’s good because I like talking to you. The moments in between orgasms are definitely nice.” Jackie rolled over onto her back and looked over with a smile. “So what’s new on the work front? How’s my favorite Tina? I haven’t randomly asked you about work in a while.”

“She’s Tina. She asks about you all of the time. I think she likes you more than I do,” Santana teased, nudging Jackie with her foot. Mostly Tina was happy Santana seemed so happy, but she was trying to keep it under wraps. It was just hard when she enjoyed her time with Jackie so much no matter what they were doing. “Work’s work. I appreciate that you don’t bug me about work after I’m there for ten or eleven hours.”

Jackie laughed and shrugged. “Maybe. At least she started off by being nice to me. You tried to roast my entire existence. You didn’t like my joke. You didn’t like my clothes. You were nooot feeling me that day.”  She remembered it like it was yesterday, even though it already felt like ages ago. “Of course not. I would hate for somebody to bug me about radio stuff after sitting at those dials. But, I do have occasionally ask because I’m interested.”

Santana laughed. “That’s the thing though...I was interested. I’d been interested for like five months at that point. I just couldn’t seem like I was thirsty. Then you wouldn’t have interested,” she half-joked. “I thought you were kind of sexy dressed like a baby stud.” She reached out and ran her fingers down Jackie’s arm.

“Maaan. You shoulda told me! You’re right though. I don’t think I would have been as interested if I thought you were a thirst bucket. I still woulda hit it, don’t get me wrong, but I was intrigued.” Jackie ran her tongue over her bottom lip at the feeling of Santana’s digits on her arm. Her hand was so soft. “Kind of sexy? I was killing it that night. I will not settle for kind of sexy. I’m glad I didn’t blow it though.”

“There's no way I would've told you. I was too busy trying to figure out how the universe had made our paths perpendicular. Like you rarely meet a celebrity crush. You definitely don't meet one and have them hit on you and propose to marry you. My life, that day, was kind flipped upside down.” Santana shifted closer and pressed a soft kiss to Jackie’s lips. “You were trying a little too hard that day, but you know I love you...your abs.” Fuck that slip of the tongue. She hadn't even been thinking the words as she said it. She wasn't sure it was true, but she was also crazy positive that it was.

“I didn't know you thought I was a celebrity. I don't feel famous at all. I just knew that you were stunning, amazing in the kitchen, and wouldn't give me the time of day. I had to get in there!” Jackie chuckled a little and returned Santana's soft kiss before pulling back with raised eyebrows. Santana had dropped the L bomb almost as casually as Jackie had done in the Hamptons. Even though she tried to clean it up, Jackie knew what she meant. “Well, my abs feel the same. They also don't think I was trying too hard. They think my outfit was on fleek.”

Santana shrugged. “Well, local celebrity since I listened to your show. You were just a voice for a long time, then I followed your Instagram...which is just continuous lip porn.”  She was happy when Jackie didn’t mention her slip, but at the same time, she was disappointed. Then she silently berated herself for caring. She pushed her thoughts aside and laughed. “Yeah, if you wanted to look like Da Brat from the late nineties.”

Jackie laughed as well in response. “Da Brat was sexy. I don’t know why you’re hating. And, again, my instagram features my whole face. You focus on my lips because you’re obsessed with them. Not that I blame you. They’re sexy lips.” She leaned in and kissed Santana softly, unable to help herself. Tossing the idea back and forth, Jackie debated mentioning Santana’s previous statement as it kept playing in her head, but she put it into her back pocket for later since the moment had passed.

“I disagree, but you’re sexy so that’s all I care about. Your face is mostly lips…” Santana teased, smiling against Jackie’s lips as they kissed. She bit down and tugged it with her teeth before pulling back. “I like your baby stud ways.”

Gasping, Jackie pretended to be offended by Santana’s statements. “While I agree that I am sexy and you love me, my face is not mostly lips and I’m not a baby stud. I think the politically correct way to refer to me is as a ‘stem’, okay?” Not too long after, Jackie broke into a wide grin and draped her arm over Santana’s waist. “And I think you’re sexy too. Very very sexy. I just felt like I needed to say it out loud.”

“Yeah, I do…” Santana said before she could stop herself. She paused for a moment then chuckled. “Stem is the most accurate term ever.” She moved a little closer to Jackie. “You can feel free to say it whenever you want.”

“You’re very very sexy… and I love you too.” Jackie leaned in for a quick peck between kisses, but her stomach was doing flips. She felt vaguely nauseous, but not in a bad way. This suddenly felt very serious, but for the first time, Jackie wasn’t killing herself trying to run away. It was an odd feeling and Jackie didn’t quite know what to make of it yet. “Wait. You’re not like.. joking right? This isn’t a gotcha moment? No Punk’d cameras?”

In all honesty, Santana hadn't expected Jackie to say it, and she had a moment of sheer panic because things had definitely gotten really serious all of a sudden, but at the same time it wasn't. It was just the way things clicked for them, that being with Jackie didn't make her feel smothered. She missed her when she wasn't around but at the same time, she liked that Jackie gave her space. There was no jealousy or clinginess. It was just really relaxed, and she could be herself with someone who wasn't Brittany or her mother.  “Am I being serious about what? That I love you or...what?”

“Yeah, that.” Jackie ran her tongue over her bottom lip to hold back her grin. All of her feelings of apprehension and anxiety started to turn into this inexplicable giddiness, which she kept under wraps pretty well. “The only people to ever tell me they love me are like… my mom, my grandma, and Quinn. And they all have to say it because it’s literally their jobs.”

“Well, it's not my job, and I'm hoping I love you in a different way than all three of those people.” Santana reached out and pulled Jackie to her so that their bodies were touching. “I love you for so many reasons…”

“I’m hoping you’re loving me in a different way than them because… that would be so unfortunate for me. So so unfortunate.” At that moment, Jackie’s arm decided it couldn’t hold her head up anymore, so she dropped it on the pillow and slid her now freed other arm under Santana to keep her close. “I want to know why, but I also want to keep it a mystery and guess… That’s not weird right? My first guess is my ability for amazing puns.”

Santana had only ever said these words to one other person, and she'd been hurt in the end. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but she also felt good. It wasn't scary. Jackie made her feel safe enough to say it, and that was a lot. “It's not weird. There are a lot of reasons. It would take a while to tell you all of them, but I'm not so sure that puns are on the list.”

Jackie nodded, not feeling so silly about wanting to know anymore. Part of her wondered how long this would last. Nothing good in Jackie’s life ever seemed to stay that way for long. Santana loved her now, but how long would it be before Santana was tired of her? How long would it be before something messed up happened? She pushed the thought out of her head and snuggled into Santana, just enjoying how she smelled even after all the sex. “You should write them down and give them to me when I’m sad. I’ll write mine too, but I’ll need one of those old school scrolls that like… roll out.”

Laughing lightly, Santana let fingers trail up and down the soft skin of Jackie's back. “First, when are you ever sad? I can't say I've ever seen it. You're like the one person in the world outside of Brittany who's always just enjoying your life. So...I guess that'd count as reason number one. Second, that whole scroll thing was like cute as fuck while being smooth and very sweet. That's basically you all of the time. So that'd be like reason number two.”

Jackie smiled against Santana’s skin. It was weird to be thought of that way when she didn’t think of herself that way in the slightest. “You’re… cute as fuck while being smooth and very sweet. So there! I get sad though. I don’t think you’ve ever seen it because you make me happy. If I was sad before I talked to you, I’m cool after. Same with my temper. So that’s on my list for sure. And I love that you don’t try to fix me or change me… at least not like… obviously. You were slick with that vegetable thing…”

“You're the one that said you were thinking of being a vegetarian. I was just trying to be a pal and help you out,” Santana replied with a laugh. “But I'm glad I can make you feel better even if I didn't know that I was doing it. You make me happy too. I haven't felt this way in a very long time, and even then it wasn't like this...this is so much better. You are so much better.”

“I did say that and I was wrong. Who wants to eat vegetables all day? What do I look like?” Jackie laughed and shook her head. “I’m glad I make you happy and I’m glad I’m better. I can straight up promise I’ll never do anything intentionally hurtful, but if I do something accidentally hurtful, you gotta tell me.” After letting a moment pass, Jackie pulled back and looked at Santana with a grin. “Has it been three hours yet?”