A/N: Happy New Year! I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to have a new chapter for you, but work has kept me pretty busy. Thank you for all of the follows and alerts. I am surprised and humbled by the response for this story. I have enjoyed reading all of my reviews and I thank all of you for taking the time to give me feedback. I still don't own anything except the Netflix and Hulu accounts where I watch old Glee episodes. Enjoy! I have never been to New York, so please forgive any inaccuracies in that regard.
Chapter 15
Quinn was as excited as a child in a candy store. She and Rachel had been at the Museum of Modern Art for several hours. They had paused at every painting and exhibit so she could soak in the art and the culture. Great museums and art houses were the only things missing in New Haven, so Rachel's offer to visit one of the world's greatest collections of art was too good to pass up. Even better was the fact that Quinn could discuss these things with the little diva. They had argued goodnaturedly about the driving force behind O'Keefe's art and the ideals of feminism as well as the merits of Classicism and Impressionism.
After the tension from the morning, the blonde had made every effort to be the perfect companion for Rachel. The morning had been a little awkward in the beginning. After their heated wake-up call, the brunette had withdrawn into herself to process things and Quinn was doing her utmost to respect that. Rachel needed time to grieve and get accustomed to her as a suitor before anything real could happen. She just hoped she wouldn't die from sexual frustration first.
When they finally left MoMA it was mid-afternoon. They decided to have a light lunch at a small cafe and take a walk through Central Park. Luckily, it wasn't far from the museum. They found a bench and settled down with soup and bread from a nearby deli and prepared themselves to eat and people watch in order to recharge their batteries.
Quinn was all set to dig into her vegetable stew but she almost dropped her spoon when her eyes settled on the brunette. There was a cool breeze and the afternoon sun was streaming through the trees which caused a glowing halo to surround the tiny brunette. The blonde couldn't tear her eyes away. Rachel looked up and the words just seemed to fall out of Quinn's mouth before she could stop herself. "Go on a date with me, please?"
It was Rachel's turn to fumble with her plastic-ware. There was so much emotion in Quinn's hazel eyes that it took her breath away. The day had been perfect, from the visit to the world's best art exhibits to the impromptu picnic in the park. Quinn cleared her throat and Rachel shook herself out of her reverie. She could only shyly reply, "I thought we were already on a date."
Quinn's eyes were hooded as she huskily responded, "I could make it even better, if you let me."
"I'd like that. What and when did you have in mind?" Rachel flirted.
"Tonight and you'll have to wait and see." Quinn's voice dropped even lower and Rachel shivered in response to the blonde's smoky voice.
"It's a date and you'd better bring it, Fabray," she challenged.
Quinn quickly leaned forward into Rachel's personal space and husked, "You have no idea what I can do, but I hope you're prepared to find out."
Rachel sat on the bench in stunned silence as the blonde stood to toss their now cold and uneaten food. She was dazed by the rush of arousal at the wicked promise in Quinn's smooth voice. She looked up to see a smirk on the blonde's lips and stamped down her desire. She stood and loftily breezed past Quinn as she smiled a challenge, "I guess we'll see, won't we?"
A few hours later had Rachel frantically getting ready for her first official date with Quinn Fabray. Kurt had kindly helped her with her outfit. Although he tended to be a little outlandish with his own wardrobe, he showed restraint and helped her create a soft, simple look that would fit in anywhere. He had dressed her in a form-hugging blue dress with a modestly plunging neckline and a skirt that kissed the middle of her thighs. Her hair was in loose waves and her makeup was light. A simple white cardigan and red flats completed the look. She smiled a little at the hint of high school Rachel that was present in her attire. She stared at her reflection and tried to will away the butterflies in her stomach. She had no idea what Quinn had planned and she was on edge with nervous anticipation. The only thing she knew was that they would go to dinner first. At the sound of knocking, the diva rushed to get to the door before Kurt or Santana. She beat Kurt, but Santana was faster. The snarky brunette smirked at Rachel before opening the door to reveal her date.
Once Santana opened the door, the breath was stolen from Rachel's lungs. Quinn's look was a bit edgier than Rachel's. The blonde had opted for black leggings paired with knee-high black boots and a shimmery silver top with a dark green scarf accenting her eyes. Her silky blonde hair was curled and framed her face perfectly. Rachel felt her brain short circuit as her eyes traveled up the former Cheerios's body only to reach warm hazel eyes that were rapidly turning a dark green. A bright smile beamed at her as their eyes met. The only thing the diva could see, at that moment, was Quinn. Rachel felt, more than saw, Santana and Kurt retire to their rooms to give them privacy and she made a mental note to thank them later.
"You look beautiful, Rachel." Quinn's voice flowed over her like honey as the blonde extended her arm. "Shall we?"
Quinn was a nervous wreck. As soon as they had left Central Park she had been on the phone making reservations. She had put everything into planning this date but all her trepidations washed away when she saw Rachel. They had snapped a few pictures before the blonde whisked her out the door. "This feels a little bit like prom," Rachel smirked a little. It faded when she stopped short at the limo parked outside the entrance to her apartment. The blonde smirked at the surprise on the brunette's face. Rachel recovered quickly before muttering, "Not bad, Fabray."
As they settled into the plush seats, Quinn picked up a silver vase filled with pink stargazer lilies. "I wanted to get you flowers, but roses were too obvious. You are too original to get the same flowers as everyone else and I once heard you say that lilies are your favorite flower."
"They're beautiful. Thank you."
As the limo wound through the streets of New York, the two girls chatted easily and laughed at old jokes and new stories. Finally the driver pulled up beside one of New York's newest restaurant trends, Blossom.
Rachel lit up when she saw Quinn's choice of restaurant. Blossom had a completely vegan menu that favored using organic ingredients. It was also one of the most romantic places in the city to have dinner. Quinn gave her name to the hosting staff, who immediately led them to a secluded table, where a bottle of wine was already waiting.
Rachel sipped wine as she watched Quinn give their orders to the server. The blonde had been the perfect date all night. From the flowers and limo to the choice of restaurant, Quinn was proving to be a romantic and attentive suitor. When Kurt was helping her get ready they had discussed Finn and he had urged her to give Quinn a chance, but to move at her own pace. No one could tell her when it was okay to move on, not even him.
The brunette could not deny that she and Quinn had something between them. The explosive chemistry of their morning make-out session was proof. The past was difficult to leave behind, but she desperately wanted to move on from Finn. Rachel was still reeling from Finn's death, but she was also slowly realizing that she had also always harbored some feelings for her former tormentor. Quinn's hazel eyes met hers across the table and she felt her melancholy slip away.
Conversation flowed easily between them and Rachel found herself laughing far more then she usually did on dates. They revived old jokes and stories and shared new ones. Rachel was pleasantly surprised to find that she and Quinn had quite a lot in common. She happily relaxed as they drank wine and talked over appetizers and their entrees. Finally, their dessert arrived, along with coffee. The dessert was the house specialty, a vegan cheesecake with mixed berry reduction. Rachel watched, mesmerized as Quinn gathered some of the cheesecake on her fork and lifted it to Rachel's lips. Rachel held the blonde's gaze and flushed as she gripped Quinn's hand to guide the fork and slowly took a bite. Everything but Quinn faded into the background. Hungry hazel eyes held her own captive and the diva couldn't look away.
The world started again when their server appeared and placed the check on the table. Quinn handed him her credit card and he quickly left the table. Disappointment pooled in Rachel's belly when the blonde began eating dessert instead of resuming their flirtations, so she quickly did the same. The server returned with Quinn's card and she signed the receipt and left a generous tip. Rachel finished her coffee while racking her brain for the right way to move past the sudden awkwardness. Most of the tension drained out of her body when slender fingers laced with her own. Quinn was looking at her affectionately and Rachel could do nothing but smile in response. Without missing a beat or letting go of Rachel's hand, Quinn smoothly got to her feet and leaned over to deliver a quick kiss to the brunette's lips.
Quinn smiled a little at Rachel's gobsmacked expression and tugged the little diva to her feet. "Come on, Berry, the night's still young and we've got somewhere to be." The blonde gently guided the slightly dazed brunette back to the limo. It wasn't until the limo pulled into traffic that Rachel found her voice again.
"So where are we off to now?"
Quinn smothered a grin at the diva's husky delivery and at her surprise. "We're going to see an off-Broadway play. I managed to get us tickets to Handle With Care, I hope that's okay."
She had barely finished speaking before her arms were filled with an excited Rachel Berry. "Oh my God! I've wanted to see this play since I read about it. It's such a romantic story!" Rachel enthused.
The blonde stiffened when her body registered the brunette's close proximity. Rachel was practically straddling her lap and their faces were mere centimeters apart. Quinn was about to gently push Rachel away until the diva pressed her lips against hers. Desire sparked and immediately set Quinn ablaze. The flames licked at her resolve which crumbled to ashes as she thrust her tongue into Rachel's mouth and deepened the kiss. The brunette whimpered and slanted her head to give better access as Quinn's tongue stoked the white-hot embers of arousal within the diva.
Quinn had one hand tangled in Rachel's soft brown hair and the other was gently stroking the girl's breast. Her thumb was moving back and forth over the area, teasing and arousing. She broke the kiss only to run her lips slowly down the brunette's jaw. Rachel had begun to rock against Quinn and the friction between their bodies was quickly making the blonde lose control.
It was the blaring horn of a taxi that kept them from going too far. Rachel was still in Quinn's arms, but their foreheads were pressed together as they each fought to get their libidos and their breathing under control. Rachel finally eased away from Quinn, who was struggling to suppress the urge to return to their previous activities. The diva's voice, laced with arousal, did little to cool her overheated body.
"I'm sorry, Quinn. I got carried away. This has never happened to me before and I'm afraid. I lose control when I'm with you and it scares me."
Quinn took a deep breath, "I know, Rach. It's okay. I can wait until you're ready. This date is about romancing you, not seducing you. I don't want you to be afraid of me because I want to take care of your heart the same way you've always taken care of mine."
Rachel's voice was small when she replied, "I just don't want you to think that I'm too much trouble."
"You are worth the effort and more. Before I met you I was unable to see any hope in the world. You've always shown me that I was worth it and now it's my turn. Besides, fairy tale romances are never easy. The great love stories always have obstacles." Quinn smiled before softly quoting, "The course of true love never did run smooth."1
Her heart turned over in her chest when the diva smiled at her and replied quietly, "Her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love."2
It was at that moment that Quinn knew that Rachel would be hers. It would just take time.
A/N2: Quinn is such a stud. Screw the play, I would've found a room, but alas, Rachel wasn't quite ready. Perhaps next time. This chapter was getting to be too long, so I split it into two chapters. The date continues in the next installment. Rate and review please; it keeps me motivated.
1 Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act I, scene ii.
2 Shakespeare. Antony and Cleopatra, Act III, scene v.