After reentering her apartment, Brittany wandered slowly back to her bedroom in a daze. She internally marveled at the fact that she was slowly starting to learn more and more about the enigma that was her boss: a 27-year old Columbia Law graduate from Chicago. This wonderful, beautiful woman actually wanted to spend her time in Brittany's company. The night had been perfect. Santana Lopez was perfect.
The conclusion of Brittany's non-date with Santana had left her feeling both sexually charged and completely exhausted, but it was the happy kind of sleepy where you know that as soon as your head hits the pillow, you'll be dreaming, and Brittany liked the feeling. Looking at her bed, she felt kind of torn. She didn't know if she wanted to just strip down and crash until morning, or if she wanted to just strip down, pull out her vibrator, and fuck herself into oblivion.
After a few minutes of standing there thinking, she finally decided on sleep. For some reason, the thought of getting off tonight after her time with Santana didn't feel right, like it would cheapen the evening. She made her way into the bathroom where she washed her face and brushed her teeth before crawling into bed. As she was lying there, she looked over to Maggie's journal. That story would have to wait for another day as well; Brittany didn't think she could hold her eyes open much longer. Plus, she was feeling rather content with her own story tonight.
As she was checking her cell phone to make sure her alarm was set for the morning, it buzzed in her hand, and she absolutely knew her new text was from Santana. Just knowing that Santana was thinking about her made her smile. When she opened and read it, her smile grew wider.
Santana: am i what you think about? when you can't sleep?
Brittany contemplated her answer for a few seconds, trying to decide just how honest she wanted to be. She knew Santana wanted to take this slow, but she also knew that a part of Santana wanted her. Deciding to go with the truth, she sent her reply.
Brittany: every time.
The whole truth was that Brittany didn't just think of Santana when she couldn't sleep; she thought of Santana every night, without provocation or motive. But Santana hadn't asked that question, so Brittany didn't give that answer. After only a few seconds of waiting, Santana's reply came through with another buzz from her phone.
Santana: good to know this won't be one-sided then.
That was probably one of the cutest things Brittany had ever read. Her stomach squirmed with happiness, knowing that Santana would be thinking about her tonight—about Brittany. She could get used to that idea.
Brittany: it definitely won't be. good night santana. sleep well.
After another couple seconds, Brittany got Santana's response.
Santana: good night brittany. sweet dreams.
Brittany placed her phone back on the night stand but remained staring at it for a few more seconds. She kind of hoped it would light up again, even though they'd just said good night.
As she sat there staring at it, she thought about how much those little texts meant to her, how much her time with Santana meant to her. Santana might be the most beautiful creature she'd ever seen in her life, but as Brittany lay there staring blankly at her phone, she realized that it was more than that. Without a doubt, Brittany now knew she had real feelings for Santana Lopez.
Letting her revelation wash over her, she turned off the light and succumbed to her exhaustion. She was asleep within minutes.
Thursday morning, Brittany arrived at the office about 15 minutes early. She hadn't meant to be early; it just kind of happened. As was now customary, Brittany entered Santana's office before sitting down at her own desk. Her boss hadn't even finished whatever note she was writing before Brittany started talking.
"Did it work?"
She waited anxiously for Santana to respond. As soon as she'd woken up that morning, she'd felt oddly on edge. What if thinking about Brittany hadn't helped Santana sleep? Brittany knew she'd feel disappointed if that were true. She wanted to be the reason Santana finally got the sleep she needed.
After what seemed like an eternity—which really was probably only a few seconds—Santana set her pen down and looked up at the blonde. Her smile was radiant, and Brittany felt her knees threaten to buckle.
Without a word, Santana got up from her chair, walked around her desk, and came to stand in front of Brittany. She then lifted her arms and snaked them under Brittany's, landing low on the blonde's back and pulling her in for a hug.
After getting over her initial shock, Brittany lifted her own arms and hugged Santana back, encircling her in a tight embrace. It was the first time Santana had ever hugged her, and it felt beyond amazing to stand there in Santana's arms. The brunette's hands remained firmly on her lower back, but Santana lifted her chin to rest it on Brittany's shoulder, and after a few seconds of happy silence, she whispered in the blonde's ear.
"I dreamed last night."
The way she said it, like having a dream was a privilege only reserved for a few, made Brittany think that dreaming was a rare occurrence for Santana—possibly even nonexistent.
Santana sighed happily in Brittany's arms, her breath tickling Brittany's ear and sending a shiver down her spine. Brittany smiled, beyond happy at Santana's own contentment and relieved that her idea had worked. And, if she was being honest with herself, a little giddy that she was the reason for all of it.
She placed her hands on Santana's shoulders and pulled away a few inches so she could look at her. Santana left her hands linked behind Brittany's back, and Brittany found herself loving this position.
"What did you dream about?"
Santana looked down at the ground, and her radiant smile turned into a rather sheepish one. Brittany found herself grinning, wondering what kind of dream could give Santana that expression.
"I—it's fuzzy."
Brittany persisted. She knew Santana must remember something if she was smiling like she was embarrassed.
"Tell me what you remember."
Santana looked up again, and Brittany was reminded of a small child. The way they look when they know they're about to say something silly.
"I...I think I was on an adventure. There was a bad guy...I don't remember his name. I'm pretty sure I had a wand..."
Santana looked down again, obviously embarrassed at her dream. Brittany just kept grinning. Santana got more and more adorable by the day.
"So...a nameless bad guy and some wand-waving...so basically you dreamed you were Harry Potter."
Santana chuckled at Brittany's assessment, looking up into Brittany's beaming face.
"Those damn movies are on TV way too much."
It was Brittany's turn to laugh. She loved the way Santana said it, like it was the movies' fault she was having nerdy dreams.
"Thank you," Santana said seriously. She looked like she very much meant it.
Brittany just smiled and nodded. They were still standing very close; Santana still had her arms linked behind Brittany's back. The blonde was starting to hope that maybe they could just do their work like this today.
"So you slept all night?"
At these words, Santana unlinked her hands and removed herself from Brittany's contact.
"Um, well, not all night."
Seeing the frown on Brittany's face made her immediately continue her thought.
"But I got a solid couple hours...which is more than I've had in a long time."
Santana lifted her hand and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind Brittany's ear. Brittany fought the urge to lean into her touch.
"And I have you to thank for that," Santana finished quietly, letting her fingers graze Brittany's neck as she lowered her hand. Another chill ran down Brittany's spine, and the skin Santana had touched felt both chilly and on fire.
"You know...it makes it harder for me to control myself when you're like this," Brittany whispered back, fighting hard not to take a step closer. Santana smiled.
"Would you rather I didn't?" she asked back.
Brittany clenched her jaw. This woman was so frustratingly sexy.
"No. I always want your hands on me. It just...makes it harder..." She lowered her eyes to very full, parted lips.
"You know what they say," Santana said softly, trailing a finger down Brittany's arm. "Practice makes perfect."
Brittany stood there, trying to just let herself enjoy the feeling of Santana's fingers grazing her skin. It was a fine line to walk—enjoying the feeling while fighting the urge to rip Santana's clothes off.
"See?" Santana whispered. "You're getting better already."
Brittany gulped. She was fast approaching her limit and she knew it.
Taking a step back, she took in a deep breath and was grateful it didn't smell like Santana's perfume.
"We'd better not push our luck," she said, looking down at the ground. Her voice sounded rough.
Looking up, Santana was smiling innocently at her. Brittany knew if ever one person could make someone actually explode, it would be Santana...and Brittany would explode, because it's just impossible for one person to handle all the sexiness that was the woman standing in front of her.
"I'll be right back with your schedule," Brittany said after clearing her throat to get that "I want to fuck you" sound out of it. Santana nodded, and Brittany made her way out of the office and over to her desk.
Several minutes later, she was feeling a bit more poised, but she knew it'd all fall apart again if Santana so much as chose to look at her in that way she does.
Reentering her boss's office, she was a little relieved—but also a little disappointed—when Santana just let her go through today's schedule and then let her leave again. She'd gladly sit through more internal struggle just to feel Santana's hands on her again.
The rest of the day passed without much interaction. The longer she worked at the firm, the busier Santana got. Mr. Taylor had been right about hiring her; having a young, fresh attorney in a firm full of old men was doing good things. She was bringing in all sorts of new clients.
At the end of the day, when Santana was finally done with her slew of new appointments, she left her office to stand in front of Brittany's desk.
"Hi," she said, smiling happily.
Brittany just looked up at her in awe. Her shirt buttons were undone at the top, exposing the top part of her chest. Her sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, and her caramel skin looked perfect against the light color of the shirt. How could anyone come in to talk about their legal problems with her and still remember what they were?
"Hey you," Brittany said lowly, looking up at her with a smile. She kind of liked that Santana was standing over her for once.
"I'm assuming you were about to leave?" she asked as she looked down at the watch on her tiny wrist.
Brittany looked at the time on her phone; it was exactly 5 o'clock.
"I was. Unless you need me to stay?" She wouldn't mind staying. Maybe she kind of wanted to, now that all the clients were gone.
"No, I don't need you to. But...well, I—I was just wondering...what you're doing tomorrow night?"
Brittany smiled up at her. She found it endearing that Santana could show such prowess when it came to flirting and teasing the crap out of Brittany but got so nervous when it came to real interaction...whereas she, Brittany, could shamelessly ask Santana to spend time with her, but turned into mush when Santana barely touched her.
Replaying in her mind what Santana had just said, Brittany also felt her heart threaten to start beating strangely; Santana had just asked what she was doing on a Friday night.
"I hadn't planned anything yet. Is there a particular reason you're asking?" she inquired innocently.
"Well—it's just...I moved into this new condo a couple months ago, and I—I haven't had anyone over to come see it yet, and I thought...maybe it'd be nice to have company. And then I thought—well, if you want to, of course... it'd be nice if that company was you."
Brittany beamed up at her. This was the Santana she knew she had feelings for.
"I'd love to be your company, Santana."
The woman in front of her seemingly let out a huge breath, like she'd been holding it in.
"Okay...well...good. You can just ride back with me when it's time to leave if you want."
"I'm looking forward to it," Brittany said with a sincere smile. Santana made her way back to her office but, at the last second, turned around at the door. "Me too," she said timidly.
She said it just softly enough to make Brittany's butterflies come back.