Chapter 5:
The boardroom was silent save for the obnoxious ticking of the clock on the wall.
Sue Sylvester pursed her lips as she raked her gaze over the document in front of her for what must have been the hundredth time. Santana crossed her fingers under the table.
This was it. Weeks of preparation and years of trying to prove herself had all led to this moment.
Santana had slept fitfully and had woke up feeling nauseous, although she couldn't tell whether that was because of the momentous day ahead or the previous night's encounter with Brittany.
Despite her uneasiness, the second the Latina had set foot into the boardroom, she'd felt her anxiety evaporate. If there was one thing Santana Lopez was good at, it was putting on a show.
She'd spoken eloquently, and she and Brittany had bounced off each other with impressive ease.
Although the pitch had gone well, it was impossible to predict how Sylvester was going to react. If she didn't go for their strategy, it was game over. Not only would Santana have to kiss her promotion goodbye, but she'd also have to carry the burden of having let her colleagues down when they needed her the most. How could she look Finn, Sugar and Artie in the eye knowing that she was the reason they no longer had a job?
"Lopez?" Sue's voice brought the Latina straight back to reality. "You really think that you can win me this case?"
"Absolutely, ma'am."
"Pierce?"
"100%."
"Well then ladies, you have yourself a deal."
There was an excited shriek from behind the meeting room door. Sugar and the gang had definitely been listening in.
"Ms. Sylvester. You will not regret this, I promise." Santana beamed, jumping to her feet eagerly.
"Make sure I don't. Or else it will be your bony ass that I'm suing." Sue snarked. "Oh, and ladies?" Santana and Brittany turned expectantly towards the older woman. "You two work well together. Keep it that way."
The two women looked at each other, barely able to contain their elation, as Sylvester and her posse flounced out of the room.
"Congratulations Pierce." Santana said, extending her hand formally to the blonde. "Maybe you don't totally suck at your job after all."
"Oh, for god's sake Santana, come here." For the second time in twenty-four hours, Brittany pulled the shorter woman into her arms and squeezed her tightly.
Santana felt like all the air had been sucked out of her lungs as she melted into the blonde's embrace.
The brunette looked up into startling blue eyes, feeling her breath hitch at their close proximity, as Brittany whispered. "I guess we make a pretty good team after all."
In a flash, the moment was broken. Santana found herself quite literally swept off her feet as her colleagues came barreling in; Finn spinning the Latina around in the air, as Sugar assaulted Brittany with several kisses on her cheek.
"Way to go, ladies." Will grinned, clapping his hands together delightedly. "I knew that you could do it."
"Is it too early to start drinking?" Artie questioned. "Because I'm pretty sure Carol from HR keeps a bottle of vodka in her purse."
"Screw that!" Finn laughed. "We need to celebrate properly. Puckerman's tonight at 8?"
There was an enthusiastic clamor as Will chuckled. "I think I'm gonna sit this one out – my liver ain't what it used to be. But you guys go have some fun."
"Actually, I think I'll pass too." Brittany mumbled bashfully, causing the rest of the group to erupt in protests. "I, er, have a couple of things I need to do."
Santana saw the conflict in the blonde's face. She could tell that Brittany wanted to go, but she was obviously thinking about Olivia and what had happened the night before.
"You should come Britt." The Latina said with an earnest smile. "You don't have to stay out late, but you've worked so hard on this. You deserve to let your hair down."
For a second, Brittany just looked at Santana; a slightly mystified expression on her face. Santana realized it was the first time she'd used the blonde's nickname and she started to panic that she'd overstepped the mark.
"Sooo, is that a yes?" Sugar questioned impatiently.
Brittany chewed her lip before her face broke out into a wide smile. "Yes."
The excited squeals started up again as the group began heading back to their desks to make plans for the night ahead.
"Santana?" Brittany asked softly, hanging back.
"Mmm?"
"Thank you. For everything. I really mean that."
"N'aw, don't go all soft on me now blondie." Santana laughed, as she felt her cheeks start to heat up.
"Well, maybe you'll let me buy you a drink tonight then? To say thank you."
"I might just take you up on that, Pierce."
As the two women made their way back to their desks, Santana felt a fluttering in the pit of her stomach at the thought of what lay ahead.
She was going to be out, drinking, in a club with Brittany. Shit. It was going to be a long night.
—
"Santana, you look fine." Clucked Kurt as he leafed through a magazine on the Latina's bed. "Honestly, I don't even think Madonna made this much of a fuss when she shot her cover for the January issue."
After graduating from NYU with a diploma in fashion merchandising, Kurt had scored a position as a stylist for Vogue. He was still only a junior member of the team, but his work brought him into contact with a lot of famous people. Something he liked to drop into the conversation at every available opportunity.
"Yeah, well, Madonna hadn't just landed her firm their biggest client in over ten years, had she Hummel? Santana snapped bitterly.
"Ouch. Someone's touchy. When did you last get laid?"
"Almost six weeks ago." Santana admitted with a sigh.
The stylist looked up at his friend with raised eyebrows. "Wow. For you, that's like an eternity. I would've thought you'd have turned feral by now."
"Trust me. I'm getting there." The Latina huffed. "That's why I've got to look good tonight."
"S, as much as I don't want to feed your already-monstrous ego, you'd look good in a plastic bag. Now, get that fine ass of yours into gear or you're going to be late."
The brunette stuck her tongue out at her friend before having one last look in the mirror. Hummel was right, she thought with a grin. She looked hot.
Her raven hair had been twisted into a high pony, with a few tousles left deliberately loose to frame her exquisitely made up face. Her liquid-dark eyes were accentuated with kohl and her full lips were painted a deep scarlet.
Kurt had borrowed a black, strapless Michael Kors dress from work, and it was molded to Santana's gym-honed figure perfectly.
The dress was so short it was almost indecent, and the Latina had lathered her tanned legs with shea butter so that her skin shone invitingly. She'd completed the look with a pair of red Manolo Blahniks which were already starting to pinch uncomfortably at her toes.
"Right Lopez," The Latina smirked at her reflection. "Let's go kick some ass."
—
As Santana stepped into the club, she felt her stomach churn with nervous anticipation. Puckerman's was owned by Noah Puckerman – or Puck, for short – who was another of the Latina's old high-school acquaintances.
Back at McKinley High, Puck had been a total asshole. He was one of those jocks who walked around like he owned the place; shoving nerds into lockers and flirting with any girl who gave him the time of day. Much to Santana's embarrassment, she had been one of those girls.
She'd never had feelings for him, but he was hot and popular and a surefire way of keeping questions about her sexuality at bay. They'd started hooking up in sophomore year and continued to do so until a few months before graduation, when Puck had got himself arrested for possession of Class A's.
Santana had assumed that he would end up a Lima loser, like most of the guys she'd gone to school with. But, after a short stint in juvie, Puck had moved out to New York, where his uncle owned a bar.
The Latina's former flame had worked hard to turn his life around and, when his uncle passed three years ago, he'd taken over 'Puckerman's' and transformed it into one of the most happening clubs in Manhattan.
Santana spotted his mohawked-head as he leant over a table to chat with Finn and Artie, who were already pounding tequila shots. Sugar was sat in the booth beside them, canoodling with her cute- if slightly dorky- boyfriend, Rory. Completing the group was Quinn and Tina, who had tagged along at the mention of alcohol, and had their heads bent together in conversation.
Puck let out a low whistle. "Damn Lopez, you look smokin'. Are you sure you don't want a ride on Pucksaurus for old time's sake?"
"In your dreams, Puckerman." Santana laughed, sliding into the booth beside Quinn. "I see that the party's already started without me. Where's Brittany?"
The Latina started to worry that the blonde had passed on their night out after all. She cursed herself for the disappointment which rose like bile in her throat.
"Don't worry." Quinn cooed teasingly. "She's coming. She text to say she was going to be a little bit late."
"Speak of the devil." Said Tina, gesturing towards the entrance.
As everyone turned to follow Tina's gaze, Santana thought she felt her heart actually skip a beat. If she'd thought she looked hot tonight, then Brittany was absolutely sizzling.
The blonde was wearing her hair down in loose waves, the way she had been on her first day at the office.
She looked like an old Hollywood movie star; all high-slanted cheekbones and siren-red lips.
The azure blue of her eyes was perfectly accentuated by the sapphire color of her dress. The silken fabric clung to every curve of Brittany's body, the lace hem skimming the top of her toned thighs. The blonde's legs seemed to go on forever, made longer by the fact that the nude heels she was wearing were skyscraper high.
"Well Lopez," Puck grinned, licking his lips as Brittany made her way over to their booth. "Maybe you're not the hottest bitch in this joint after all."
"Fuck off, Puckerman." Santana growled through gritted teeth. She didn't usually mind Puck's banter. In fact, she normally thrived off it. But the thought of him touching Brittany- the thought of anyone touching Brittany- made her feel nauseous. God, she had to snap out of this stupid crush and find some other, unsuspecting girl to take her sexual frustration out on.
"Brittany, you look amazing!" Squealed Sugar. "Have you met Rory?"
The table erupted in conversation as people complimented Brittany's outfit and Puck headed outside to deal with an incident in the smoking area.
I really need a drink, Santana thought, her gaze drifting towards the bar.
"Hey." Chimed a soft voice, cutting through her thoughts.
The Latina looked up and felt her mouth go dry as she saw Brittany looking down at her, smiling shyly.
"I thought you'd bailed." Santana grinned.
"I almost did." The blonde admitted with a shrug. "But Liv told me that she'd kill me if I didn't come. And I also remembered that I promised you a drink."
"I was hoping you'd remember that. Wanna go the bar?"
Brittany nodded and Santana stood up, ignoring the knowing look that Quinn shot in her direction. The bar was packed, but the Latina elbowed her way to the front, smiling sweetly at the floppy-haired bartender who instantly came over to take her order.
"You're used to people falling at your feet, aren't you?" Brittany smirked, after Santana had ordered two rum and cokes.
"What can I say Pierce?" The brunette quipped. "I'm pretty damn hard to resist."
The blonde laughed. "That may be true. Although I seem you remember you falling at my feet the first day we met. Literally."
"Hey! You caught me at bad time." Santana protested playfully. She turned to the blonde with a more serious expression. "Brittany, I want to apologise for how I behaved that day. I was a bitch. And I ruined your fancy shirt."
"I got it dry-cleaned." Brittany smiled. "And I wasn't exactly the definition of friendliness either. You think we can start fresh?" The blonde cleared her throat and held out her hand. "Brittany Pierce. Pleasure to meet you."
The Latina rolled her eyes but grudgingly took the other woman's hand. "Santana Lopez. I hope that we can become firm friends Brittany."
"Me too." The blonde whispered sincerely. Santana was suddenly very aware that she was still holding Brittany's hand and she felt her fingers began to tingle.
"Santana! Brittany!" Finn had suddenly appeared behind them. "We're about to play Ring of Fire, you guys coming?"
"On our way." Brittany said. With that, the blonde threw a quick wink at Santana before picking up her drink and heading back to their table.
Santana felt a jolt between her legs as the blonde brushed past her. This was going to be a long night.
—
"The guy isn't even attractive." Santana whined. "He looks like Michael Jackson, post skin-bleaching."
The Latina drained her drink and pouted as she watched Brittany throw her head back in laughter at the guy stood next to her. He'd offered to by the blonde a drink half-an-hour ago and was getting progressively more handsy. The worse part was Brittany was flirting back.
"I thought she wasn't into guys?" Tina queried.
"Maybe she's just being friendly." Quinn offered diplomatically.
"Well, good luck to her." Santana scoffed. "I'm getting another drink."
The Latina stood up and staggered slightly, feeling the five rum and coke's she'd consumed so far start to kick in.
"I'm fine." She said, holding her hands up at her concerned friends before tottering towards the bar.
Santana had been waiting for ten minutes for the bartender to come over, and she was starting to get impatient, when she felt someone sidle up next to her.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing here all by yourself?"
The brunette was about to roll her eyes at the corny line until she realized that the voice belonged to a cute redhead, who was looking at her with a flirtatious glint in her eye.
The girl, who introduced herself as Becca, bought Santana a Jager bomb, before leading the Latina over towards the packed dance floor.
For a while, Santana let Becca grind against her, enjoying the feeling of a warm body against hers. But when the redhead started biting her lip and moaning breathily in her ear, the brunette felt an overwhelming desire to get out of there.
"I'm just gonna get some fresh air." Santana said, desperately trying to pull away from Becca's firm grasp.
The other woman kept tightly hold of Santana's wrists and brought her closer, grinning wolfishly as she pouted "But we're having so much fun."
Santana was just about to go all Lima Heights on the redhead's ass when she felt a strong pair of arms encircling her from behind.
"Everything okay baby?" husked a familiar voice.
The Latina almost came on the spot when she realized that the voice belonged to Brittany. She looked at the blonde confusedly for a second before it dawned on her what she was doing.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine babe. I missed you. Becca here was just leaving."
The redhead scowled at the two women before her lips curved into a suggestive smile. "Fine. I get it. But if you two ever want to spice your relationship up a bit…" Becca pulled out a piece of paper with a number scrawled on it and leaned forward to tuck it into Santana's cleavage. "You know where to find me."
Santana gaped as the woman winked at her and turned back towards the bar. "Can you fucking believe her?"
"Its your own fault for being so damn hard to resist." Brittany teased, as the brunette turned to face her.
"You know its true Pierce." Santana bantered. "Thanks for bailing me out. But hadn't you better get back to your little gentleman friend."
Brittany laughed at the barely concealed resentment in the shorter woman's voice. "My, my, Lopez. You're hot when you get jealous."
"Pfft, I'm not jealous blondie. Like I said, you're really not my type."
"Oh really?" Brittany challenged. "Maybe I'll just let you get back to your redhead then."
"No!" Santana protested, pulling on Brittany's hand as she moved to walk away. "Dance with me for a second? I mean, just in case Becca comes back."
The blonde arched an amused eyebrow, but she nodded as the Latina wound her arms around her neck. "Okay."
The song changed and Rihanna's S&M came blasting through the speakers. All of a sudden, Santana felt herself getting very hot as Brittany's blue eyes bore into hers.
The Latina swallowed and turned around, so that her back was flush against the taller woman's front. She knew that she should stop. She knew that she should walk away from the dancefloor and find her friends. But then Brittany rolled her hips slowly against her ass and all rational thought went out the window.
The Latina felt the bass pounding in her chest as Brittany's hands squeezed at her hips. She leant her head back on to the blonde's shoulder, biting back a moan as scorching lips grazed against her hammering pulse point.
Santana didn't think that she'd ever been so turned on in her life. She felt heat pooling at the juncture between her thighs, which only intensified as the blonde scratched her fingernails teasingly up tanned arms.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me Santana?" Brittany whispered hotly, tracing her tongue along the shell of the Latina's ear before sucking the lobe into her mouth. "Do you have any idea about all the things I want to do to you?"
The brunette gave an almost primal groan as Brittany's mouth found her collarbone and bit down hard.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Brittany whispered through a dangerous smile. "After that first day in the elevator, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I went home that night and fucked myself, imagining what it would have been like to take you right then and there. Would you have liked that, Santana?"
Santana grunted something unintelligible as she rocked backwards, feeling the blonde's nipples pebbling against her bare back. She felt like she was going to pass out.
"I know you want me too Santana. I can tell how much you want me." As she spoke, Brittany traced her hand up the Latina's thigh and under her dress, pressing down firmly on her soaking center.
Something in Santana snapped as she whirled around to face the blonde. As much as she wanted Brittany to take her right there on the dancefloor, she wanted to regain a little bit of control.
The blonde's darkened eyes widened at Santana's sudden movement, and the brunette took her opportunity to seize Brittany's wrists and pin them behind her back.
Santana licked a hot stripe up the column of Brittany's neck and smirked against her slick skin as the blonde let out a feral moan. "Not so cocky now, are we Pierce?"
The Latina felt her way up Brittany's body, clawing at the taller woman's ass before grazing a thumb over her nipple, which was protruding beneath the silken fabric of her dress.
Santana tangled her fingers in blonde locks and tugged her closer as Britany's slipped a thigh in between the brunette's legs.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the two women looked into each other's lust-filled eyes, breathing raggedly. Santana ran her tongue across her lips and she saw Brittany almost subconsciously look down at her mouth. This was it.
Brittany closed her eyes and leant forward. Just as Santana was about to close the gap, she looked up to see Finn and Artie heading in their direction.
Sensing that something was wrong, Brittany opened her eyes and fixed Santana with a puzzled look. The Latina swallowed and nodded towards their colleagues, who were now stood awkwardly behind the blonde.
"Um, we're thinking of heading somewhere else. Are you guys coming?" Finn asked, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
Brittany was the first to compose herself. She stood up straight and smoothed out her dress. "Yeah, we're coming. San?"
The Latina was still rooted to the spot. She was a fucking idiot. What had she been thinking, grinding on Brittany like a horny teenage boy? What if Finn and Artie had caught them kissing? Or worse. Santana wasn't sure she'd have been able to control herself once she had tasted the blonde.
"I, er, actually think I'm gonna head home. I'm not feeling great."
"Are you okay? Brittany questioned worriedly. "Do you need me to come with you? Or I can get Quinn?"
"No, no don't be silly. I'll be fine once I've had a lie down. You guys go ahead, have fun."
Finn and Artie nodded and made to leave the dancefloor.
"If you're sure-'
"Honestly Brittany I'm fine." Santana plastered on a fake smile. "Enjoy your night. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
With one last concerned glance at the Latina, Brittany turned and followed the two guys towards the exit.
Santana sighed as she watched them go. Fuck. She was in so much trouble.