Santana hadn't intended to paint her mother in a bad light, but the words spilled out of her mouth with a raw, unfiltered sincerity. Despite the woman's gentle nature, she often struggled to provide her daughter with the care and emotional support she needed. "I love my mom, and she's amazing, but sentimentality isn't exactly her strong suit," the Latina admitted. In an effort to shield Giselle from her family's constant drama, Santana had carefully limited her interactions with her parents, fearful they might suspect their relationship or, worse, make her girlfriend feel unwelcome. Her own parents could be cold, even towards her, which triggered her protective instincts. In contrast, Giselle's parents embodied a carefree, understanding attitude. Mrs. Clarke, in particular, had become a comforting presence in her life over the past three years. Already anticipating the barrage of questions from her girlfriend's mother, Santana grimaced. "After Easter, I think it's best we avoid your mom at all costs. Now that she knows we're back together, I'm sure she's bursting with questions for us." Given the older woman's enthusiasm, she wouldn't be surprised if her future in-law was already planning their wedding. Not that they were anywhere near that milestone, but at least Santana was convinced she'd never love anyone else. Giselle's admission that she still knew her intimately after all these years coaxed a smirk from the Latina, who fired back with equal confidence. "Is that right? Well, if you're so sure, what am I thinking right now?" As she asked, her hands drifted further below her girlfriend's waistband, while her fantasies about the night ahead intensified. It was a miracle neither of them had caved yet, but it seemed only a matter of time before they would find themselves naked and entwined in a heat of desire. "Mmm, y eres sexy como el diablo," Santana purred, her everyday Spanish occasionally transforming into a form of torture. When used intentionally to seduce the other woman, her words usually yielded splendid results. It worked its magic this time too, as Giselle picked up on the hint, and she didn't even need to mention the strap-on. "That's fine. I hadn't planned on doing much talking anyway," she confessed, her voice filled with promise. "I hope this means we're pulling an all-nighter." At this rate, they would be lucky to make it to nightfall without jumping into bed together. Santana was already boldly testing the limits of her girlfriend's patience, stoking the flames with every sultry word. Sooner or later, Giselle's restraint would snap, and neither of them would be able to resist the temptation.
During the recent years spent apart from her parents, Santana had discovered a new sense of independence and self-expression. The freedom to make her own choices, to dress as she pleased, and to speak her mind had brought her a confidence she never thought possible. Though she still harbored insecurities, the personal growth she'd experienced had made her stronger and less affected by the opinions of others. If she hesitated to open up or reciprocate affection, it was merely a reflex born from habit, rather than a lack of desire. The image of Giselle's beaming face, radiating excitement about the new possibility, warmed her heart, and Santana yearned to seize this opportunity to prove to her that she'd genuinely changed. In the past, her deep-seated insecurities had sparked numerous arguments, and she'd inadvertently hurt Giselle's feelings in the process. However, she was determined to make amends and knew that this weekend would be different. Santana's probing question, "You sure?" was laced with a knowing tone, as she recalled how effortlessly her girlfriend could stir her passions, reducing her to a helpless, trembling mess. It was like unleashing a ravenous animal; once she got a taste, all rational thought flew out the window. "Once I get started, I might not be able to stop," she cautioned, her words a playful warning. "Then you'll have to wait to play with your toys." In her ideal scenario, their exploration would begin and end on the patio, with a slight detour to the plush, king-size bed inside, where they could lose themselves in each other's embrace. Yet, considering it was Giselle's first visit to the lake house, she wanted her to experience the full, unbridled magic of this place. "You really don't want me sleeping tonight, huh? You know how much I hate horror movies, why even suggest that?" She asked, slightly agitated by the lack of consideration for her mental well-being. "Anyway, if I hear a noise at 3 AM, you're the one getting out of bed to check on it. I don't care if your head is between my legs, I refuse to be butchered in the middle of the night." The mere thought of being murdered was enough to distract Santana from her usual focus on sex. It was a clever tactic by Giselle, except the comment about her exposed cleavage, as well as the inclination to strip her naked and fuck her, quickly dispelled any lingering fears. "Just my lower half? We've spent almost every waking hour in my bed the last few weeks. You better have every inch of me memorized, otherwise you'll be sleeping outside with the dog," Santana playfully threatened. While her tone was lighthearted, the idea of her girlfriend paying such close attention to her made the Latina feel cherished in a way that words couldn't fully describe.
Santana bit her tongue, refusing to utter another negative word about their fur baby, even as the little dog shot her dirty looks. As she studied Coco, she didn't see the cute, sweet puppy that her girlfriend did; all she saw was a mischievous ball of energy that would happily destroy her favorite designer shoes the moment her back was turned. "You're hilarious," she stated dryly, clearly unamused. "Please, never call me that again." Santana braced herself for Giselle to continue poking fun at her, but instead, her girlfriend launched into a heartfelt speech about her many endearing qualities. As she listened, her defenses crumbled, leaving her genuinely surprised and touched. While she wasn't entirely convinced she agreed with every sentiment, she had always been overly critical of herself. As a habitual people-pleaser, Santana often stretched herself too thin, acting as a rock for her loved ones, yet rarely receiving the same support in return. For the first time in her life, she had someone who saw beyond her flaws and loved her for who she was, without expecting anything in return. "You might be the only person in the world who thinks that about me, but thank you, baby. I appreciate it," she said, her hand tightening around her girlfriend's in a gentle squeeze. "I know I don't always make it easy for you, and we argue sometimes, but I honestly love you so much. You're my best friend, and I promise to be kinder to myself and to you more often. We both deserve that." For someone who had long wrestled with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, at her core, Santana was a genuine person who had a lot of love to offer. Few people ever got to witness the gentle soul hidden beneath her tough exterior, but Giselle had always seen past the facade. The Latina's lips curled up into a mischievous smile as she added, "This doesn't mean I'm going to start being nice to the dog, though." She couldn't resist getting the last word, a habit that drove her girlfriend crazy but also endeared her to her even more. When Giselle began to explain the reasoning behind carrying such a deadly weapon, Santana's expression transformed into one of amused curiosity. "So you just carry a hunting knife in your bag and go around threatening men with it, but I'm the one who's scary?" She raised an eyebrow, recalling the countless fights she'd been in, yet couldn't remember a single instance where she'd seriously harmed someone. Her fiery temper often got the better of her, but deep down, she was a softie, just as Giselle had said. Santana's gaze locked onto her girlfriend's, and she sensed a flicker of annoyance beneath her playful tone. "We won't have to do any of those things because no one's attacking us, so let's not worry about it," Santana said, her voice laced with reassurance. She could tell their flirtatious banter was beginning to get under the other woman's skin, and she couldn't resist pushing her buttons a little further. "If you change your mind, just let me know, babe. I'm always ready when you are."
Santana didn't need to ask for her girlfriend's feedback to know she had outdone herself in the kitchen. The sounds of pleasure and satisfaction coming from across the table were all the confirmation she needed. As someone who loved to cook and shower her loved ones with thoughtful gestures, she tended to go overboard with the homecooked meals and genuine acts of service. Giselle was undoubtedly the luckiest beneficiary of this attention, often leaving her feeling pampered and adored. "I spoil you in more ways than one," the Latina teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she alluded to the only thing her girlfriend enjoyed indulging in more than her food. Santana's enthusiasm for Giselle to move in was driven, in part, by her own self-interest. She longed to wake up beside her every morning, feeling the warmth of her body, and greet her with a gentle good morning kiss. The late night hours would be reserved for passionate, life-altering sex that left them both breathless and craving more. Beyond their physical connection, she yearned to share a space with her, at least until they graduated and could find a cozy apartment to call their own. "I'll cook for you the first week. After that, no guarantees. But I'm warning you, my breakfasts will be the highlight of your day." Santana's eyes rolled slightly as she reached behind her back to grab her plate and snuck another piece of food to the dog. She took a bite of the kebab, savoring the flavors before speaking in a sweet, seductive tone, "Happy now?" The question was laced with a hint of playful sarcasm. As she expected, Giselle immediately started bombarding her with questions about her upcoming birthday getaway, knowing full well that Santana would keep her plans tightly under wraps. The Lopez family was notorious for going all out on celebrations, where every event had to be a spectacle worthy of admiration. "I'd love to share the specifics with you, but that would ruin the surprise. And let's be real, you weren't exactly thrilled about this trip in the first place, so you don't get to know the juicy details." There was a glint in her eyes as she goaded Giselle, pretending to be offended. "Why, got somewhere better to be?" She was enjoying the verbal sparring match a little too much, but her girlfriend's mention of the concert in Houston hit a raw nerve. "Why are you going to that one?" The Latina's tone came out a shade more judgmental than she'd intended, but it was a valid question in her mind. Her face immediately fell, her body language screaming discomfort as she pushed off the table and retreated to the other side. The mere mention of Houston brought back painful memories of the past three years, and Santana had no desire to relive those experiences. "Sorry... I'm sure you've had this planned for ages. You should go without me, have fun. Meg's always been more your speed anyway. We can catch up after the concert or something." Santana knew she was being unreasonable, but she just couldn't bring herself to say yes.
With how often the Clarkes had interacted with Santana, they were all aware of Santana keeping Giselle at armâs length from her own parents. Sheâd accepted the excuses sheâd been given, which she recognized as the Latinaâs way of shielding her from the dysfunctional dynamic she was always referencing, but it had only piqued her curiosity. After all, her mom did spend time with Mrs. Lopez and thought of her as a friend, so Giselle hadnât understood why her girlfriend thought she needed to limit her encounters with them. âOh, my mom has already questioned me extensively, and both her and my dad said they still remember how clingy we are, so youâre good. She wonât mention Easter unless itâs to ask us to wait until sheâs not hosting a house full of family before weâŠyou know.â She decided to omit the bit about her mother already talking about future plans, from what they would do after college to wedding plans, since she didnât want to scare her girlfriend too much with the excitement. And luckily the Latina was still doing a damn good job of sending her spiraling in another way. âYouâre thinking of every which way to fucking kill me, apparently.â She growled, her resolve even lower now as she was on the cusp of stripping and having her way with Santana right then and there. The Spanish hadnât quite helped matters either, and Giselle groaned in response before remembering that she did have a comeback she had memorized in Spanish. âQue te tome por detrĂĄs es mĂĄs sexy.â She hummed seductively, figuring that should get her girlfriend back. âBut seriously, weâre about to be christening this entire fucking house, patio, and even the goddamn woods if you donât stop challenging me. You wonât be getting any sleep at all while weâre here at this rate.â She warned, and while she could make good on her threat, she knew that wouldnât have been smart considering theyâd have to drive back eventually, but she was still tempted to do so anyways. Not that she had much longer to be baited before she finally broke. After all, she was practically a cat in heat now that Santana had gotten her going, and she had ample reasons to take her girlfriend right out on the patio. âAnd Iâm sure. I wonât pass up a chance to fuck you stupid when youâre begging for it anyways. But the jokeâs on you if you think youâll start anything that I wonât be finishing, with and without the toys. Screw experiencing nature â the only thing weâll be experiencing is back to back orgasms.â She promised, not daring to bite back the smirk on her lips.Â
The other womanâs fear stemming from horror movies was adorable, and Giselle almost felt bad for putting the idea of a masked maniac out there, though it was kind of something to keep in the forefront of their mind when they were in the midst of solitary like this. âI canât help that Iâm obsessed with true crime, or that Iâm prepared. I will make sure the house is locked up tight tonight, and weâll even barricade the door.â She offered, which was normally what didn't happen in those scary movies. âAnd I will protect you, baby girl. You donât have to worry.â That wouldnât quell her worries much, she knew that, but it was a step in the right direction. Hopefully. Yet she still rolled her eyes at the thought of having to stop pleasuring her girlfriend if she heard a noise. âIf my headâs between your legs, itâs staying put. I donât care what you hear. Coco better toughen her ass up and learn to bite people.â She stated as she glanced down at the dog, who seemed less than impressed with this conversation, let alone with the idea of attacking someone in her momsâ honor. Of course someone this small, spoiled, and fluffy wouldnât turn into a guard dog. Much like she also didnât seem interested in Santanaâs threat to make Giselle sleep with her, or them being outside. âFirst of all, my child does not sleep outside, and how dare you imply such? But also, you try to kick me out of your bed and Iâll handcuff you to it. Which yes, I do have my cuffs.â She warned, and she probably shouldnât keep telling her what all she had since she could simply show it to her later. âAnd trust me, I have had every inch of your body engraved in my head since the first time we had sex. Iâll show you soon enough.â She teased with a wink, though she was dead serious. Nobody would ever forget a body like that after seeing it in all its glory, that much she knew.Â
Giselle snickered at Santanaâs reaction to being dubbed the same thing she called their dog, and she would have continued to poke at her if not for the mini rant sheâd given having turned that frown upside down. As anticipated. She was rusty at that part about expressing how she truly felt and being affectionate, since sheâd turned it all off after their break up, but evidently it was still there â she just had to dig deep for it until it flowed more naturally. She knew that convincing the Latina to see herself the way she saw her was an uphill battle, but sheâd spent years fighting that before and this was no different. Smiling at the squeeze to her hand, she nodded. âYouâre welcome, beautiful.â She spoke, giving her a wide grin. Taking in Santanaâs words next, she nodded along, seeing that they were both truly determined to put in the work right from the jump. This seemed to be starting off better than it had the first go round, but Giselle also knew they had other hurdles to get through too. âI make this just as hard for you as you do for me, but weâre in this together. I love you too, beautiful.â She had adjusted to her girlfriend being the way that she was, and she had accepted that most people might not ever get to witness the version of her that she was privy to, but she was fine with that. She didnât want anyone else to see the Latina the way that she did. âWaitâŠI can think of one other person that thinks just as highly of you as I do. I mean, it might have changed now since you rejected her, but she was all âyou deserve to be loved, Santanaâ so she obviously saw how amazing you are too.â Giselle hummed, rolling her eyes at the mention of their friend who had been obsessed in love with Santana too. "You'll start being nice to her one of these days." Maybe it would happen, but maybe not? "As for the hunting knife...men in Houston were assholes, and had no problem trying to hey physical if you turned down their catcalling, so I kept it on me to be safe. But if something pops off here, I'm prepared."
Giselle almost choked on the food in her mouth when she followed Santanaâs brown eyes as they directed their attention to one of her favorite parts of her girlfriendâs body. âRight in front of my kabobs?â She whined. âBut yeah, I know you do, and I appreciate it very much. Iâll appreciate it even more after we finish eating.â She promised, giving her girl a wink. Honestly she didnât foresee Coco getting that walk through the woods at this rate, and she wasnât too upset over it now. She also didnât know how they would ever make it to their first classes of the day once she moved in, but that was also a concern forâŠwell, never. She wouldnât complain about how Santana wanted to be woken up, nor would she ever deny her of anything at all, so consequences and classes be damned. As risky of a move as it was, they were both generally busy throughout most days, so any chance to get at least a little bit of time with the Latina was more than enough for her. She has also gotten used to waking up in Santanaâs bed post-spring break, so why wouldnât she make it a permanent thing? âI can live with that, and now I canât wait to experience these life altering breakfasts.â Giselle teased. Watching her girlfriend hand Coco her own food this time, she nodded as she took another bite of her own. âMhm, very.â She sassed playfully. With as long as sheâd known the Lopez family, and given how many of their celebrations sheâd been invited to, she did in fact know that it was just tradition for them to go over the top for certain things, like a birthday. It wasnât a regular indulgence for someone like her, so she never anticipated that sort of thing for her own birthday. Listening to the Latinaâs lighthearted jab at her lack of enthusiasm over the trip, she sighed. âItâs not that I wasnât thrilled, but you know Iâm not with you for the money. Iâd be just as content staying right here in Lima, and I donât think I deserve some extravagant trip, but Iâll accept it either way.â She reassured her. Fighting the Latina on what she wanted to do would have been a fruitless task, so she wasnât going to try it. While she did have her reasons for choosing to go to Meganâs Houston show, she hadnât envisioned that choice getting her girlfriend all riled up over it. Furrowing her brows as she finished the kabob in her hand, she watched Santana rise from her chair and recoil away from her, signaling that she was unmistakably upset over this. Giselle sighed as she stood up and apprehensively started to approach her girlfriend. âI chose Houston because I still have friends there, and because itâs Meganâs hometown. They always go big for the hometown shows, hence Beyonce bringing Meg out for her Houston show. Itâs guaranteed to be her best one yet, and I donât have to worry about getting a hotel room there, so thatâs why Iâm going to that one.â She explained as she wrapped her arms around Santana from behind. âI know we havenât talked in depth about what happened those three years we were apart, and we do need to at some point, but Iâm not going back for any of those women. You never have to worry about them, baby. Iâm right where I want to be.â
















