Elliot followed Olivia up the stairs, but he made sure to keep his distance. He needed to gain some control; keep some perspective. He had promised to take her for a bite to eat. Keeping his promise relied on him not touching her. He knew now that touching her was dangerous. There were only so many times he was going to be able to pull himself away from her.

But God, right now, his eyes were level with her ass as they climbed the stairs to her fourth-floor apartment, and he hoped he could restrain himself long enough to show her that he wasn't a slave to his baser instincts.

He saw Olivia glance back at him and he quickly lifted his head to catch her eyes. He saw a small smile on her face and he knew he'd been busted. So much for letting her know it wasn't all about sex.

How had he managed to keep his desire masked for all these years so successfully?

How had she?

They deserved fucking medals.

They both walked down the short hallway to her apartment and he saw her hesitate for a second after she slid the key into the lock. Was she having second thoughts? He was about to say something…tell her that nothing was going to happen that she didn't want to happen…or give her an out. But she turned her head towards him, her hair falling partially over her face, and gave him an enigmatic smile before she pushed the door open.

Elliot followed her into the apartment and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door and with his hands tucked behind his back, watching as Olivia lay her badge on the kitchen counter, followed by her gun. She turned and opened the refrigerator, pulling out two beers from the fridge.

Olivia looked over at Elliot, and saw he was still standing by the door. "You gonna come in?" She raised one eyebrow, never breaking eye contact as she opened both bottle of beer. She leaned back against the counter, and took a drink from hers. She held her arm out, and Elliot pushed himself off the door and walked towards her until he could reach it. He took the bottle from her and took a sip. He considered her for a second, and then moved around the counter and into her living room.

Olivia followed up and turned on a lamp, which lit the room softly. "Sorry, it's kind of a mess." She set her beer down on one of the end tables and headed for the windows. "My air conditioning sucks." She pushed one of the windows opened, and then another. "I'm not sure that's going to help. It's barely cooling off." Despite her bravado earlier, she felt a little nervous. At this point, she wasn't sure what was coming next and she felt slightly off-kilter. With any other man she brought back to her apartment, it was all about sex…and she was fine with that. Because she knew what to expect. And then they left.

But she knew this was different…and it was uncharted territory for her. And looking at Elliot, she could tell he felt the same. He was standing awkwardly, holding on to his beer.

She brushed her hair off her neck and walked back towards the couch, picking up her beer. "I'm going to go take that shower." She said. Elliot didn't say anything, and she disappeared into her room.

EOEOEOEO

The water was running down her body and she felt the grime of the day disappear. She soaped her body and shampooed her hair, and thought over everything that had happened. When she had invited Elliot up, she had expected some of the same brashness from the locker room this morning, or from the street just a few minutes earlier. She had walked into her apartment, her body tensed in anticipation. But he had hung back; so different from earlier in the day.

She closed her eyes, the images from the locker room this morning running through her mind. The body on that man…the muscles in his arms…his chest…and that glorious erection of his. She had slept with other men, but none of them had ignited that kind of fire in her…especially with just a few kisses. She had never felt weak in the knees…like she just wanted to be taken…as she had when Elliot's hands and mouth had been on her. She wondered if it was the same for him. If she made him feel things he'd never felt before. She couldn't imagine his wife…ex-wife…unleashing the same kind of unchecked passion.

She splashed water on her face, willing the images of his naked body from her mind again. It was obvious he wasn't joining her in the shower. She really hadn't expected he would, when she saw how he was keeping his distance when he walked into her apartment. So, she had to let this play out. He was the one that started this whole thing this morning, so she was going to follow his lead…let him be the one in charge.

Until she couldn't.

EOEOEOEO

Elliot was in the kitchen, looking at take-out menus, when he heard Olivia's bedroom door open. When she walked out of her room, his first thought was that she didn't play fair. He was trying to keep his baser thoughts under control, but she walked towards him wearing a pair of white cotton shorts and a black tank top. He could see the white lace strap of her bra peeking out from under her tank top on one of her shoulders. Her hair had obviously been toweled dry, and she'd made no effort to brush it, giving it a tousled look. She wasn't wearing any make-up and she looked sexy as hell.

"You're wearing shorts." He said as she closed the gap between them.

"Very observant. Now wonder you're such a great detective." Olivia said sarcastically, followed by a sweet smile.

"I just…I've never seen you wear shorts." Elliot knew he sounded like an idiot, but all rational thought had gone out of his mind at the sight of the long legs…

Christ. This woman was really weakening his resolve.

"Not exactly appropriate to wear to work." Olivia moved around him in the kitchen. "It's July El. I can't wear shorts?" She had seen the way his eyes had raked up her legs as she walked out of her room. she told herself she wore them because it was hot but maybe subconsciously…she wanted to tempt him …less talk and more action.

Maybe it wasn't her subconscious…

"I thought maybe we'd just stay in." Elliot said.

That caught her attention. That was a step in the right direction.

"Is that OK with you?" He asked, drinking the last of his bottle of beer.

Olivia shrugged. "Sounds good to me."

"Well, why don't you go ahead and order something." He nodded towards two $20 bills lying on the counter. "My treat."

Olivia thought about making a joke about the fact that she wasn't a cheap date…but decided she didn't want to do anything else that was going to make him think twice about being there alone with her. "OK. Any preference?" She grabbed the menus off the counter.

"Nope." He pushed off the counter. "I'm going to go take a shower." He stopped. "If that's still OK."

Olivia pressed her lips together, keeping her attention on the menus. She did not want to look at him and think about his naked body in her shower. "Go right ahead. Clean towels are under the sink."

EOEOEOEO

Elliot walked into the bathroom and closed the door. The room was still warm and a little steamy, and he could smell Olivia's scent…the smell of her shampoo or soap or lotion…or maybe all three. He inhaled deeply, feeling the essence of her soaking into his skin.

He looked around the room and spied the cabinet under the sink. He opened the cabinet and saw a pile of white towels. Next to the towels were some small bins, and he saw make-up and lotions and hair products. It felt strange to him…like he was invading her privacy in some way. He leaned in and grabbed a towel, setting it on the counter. He opened up the medicine cabinet, looking for some toothpaste or mouthwash. He found it easily, but hesitated a moment when he saw a packet of birth control pills sitting on the shelf. He closed the door and stood for a moment, thinking about what that meant.

Of course she dated, but she never talked about it around him anymore. He knew he was an asshole, but he didn't want to know, so he never asked. If she didn't talk about it, he could pretend she spent her free time alone. But reality hit him hard when he saw tangible proof of other men, staring at him in the form of a packet of small pills.

He wondered how many men she had slept with. Not because the number bothered him, but he worried briefly about her experience…her expectations. He hadn't slept with a lot of other women…and it had been one woman for the last 20+ years.

He stripped off his clothes and stepped into the shower, feeling the hot water pounding into his skin. He thought about how his body had reacted to Olivia…the level of pure lust she brought out in him…and any concern he had about satisfying her went away. He had never felt that way with his wife…their love life had been fine…satisfying and perfectly perfunctory in every way. But Olivia made his blood boil…he felt possessive of her with that first kiss. He had wanted to take her…mark her and make her his completely. Wholly.

And he knew, based on her reaction to him, that she felt the same way. He thought back to the other men in her life, and he knew that those relationships could never be anything more than sex. The Olivia he knew would never let anyone in. These nameless, faceless men would never really know her. Those relationships would be about staving off loneliness…about fulfilling a physical need.

Suddenly, he had an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness towards Olivia. She had learned to expect so little for herself. She deserved so much more.

He would make it his life's goal to make her happy.

He climbed into the shower, turning the water on hot. He poured some of her body gel in his hands, and it immediately brought him back to this morning in the locker room. The taste of her skin beneath his lips…

He closed his eyes, picturing her as she tugged her jeans down her hips…the deep V of her cleavage…

Damn.

This shower was doing nothing to tamp down his desire for her.

EOEOEOEOEO

Olivia looked up as Elliot came out of her bedroom. She had been so distracted as she listened to the shower running, that she hadn't ordered anything to eat yet. She was still standing in the kitchen, a million things running through her mind.

She saw he was wearing a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt, and her eyes roamed over his chest and his arms as he walked towards her. She quickly turned her attention back to the menus spread out in front of her, trying not to let on that she was checking him out.

Elliot saw Olivia was still standing at the counter. Her hair had dried a little, and it was wavy around her shoulders. He saw her look up briefly but then avert her eyes. For the first time in a long time, he couldn't tell what she was thinking right now. It threw him a little.

He moved into the kitchen and drew in a deep breath. He moved up behind her, making sure his body didn't touch hers. He stretched his arms out, and placed one on either side of her, bracing his hands against the counter.

"You haven't ordered yet?" He heard her breath hitch slightly, as if she was surprised by his proximity.

She shook her head.

"Still trying to decide." Olivia picked up the menu for a local deli, trying to focus. But Elliot was making it damn hard.

"Well, I know what I want." He said in a deep voice, dipping his mouth close to her ear.

Olivia couldn't help it…a small laugh escaped. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"That sounded better in my mind then it did when I said it." Elliot said, grinning himself.

"Yeah, I don't think a line like that's going to work on many women." She leaned back into him slightly, humor still evident in her voice.

Elliot wrapped his arms around her waist. "It only has to work on one woman." He rocked them gently in place, and Olivia placed her hands on top of his.

"You have someone in mind?" Olivia asked, her tone light and flirty. She looked up at him sideways, and lay her head back against his shoulder.

Elliot pressed his lips to her temple and kept them there lightly. "I've had my eye on someone for years."

"Hmmm." Olivia said, trying to mask her surprise at Elliot's confession, but nervous to make her own. "Do you think she feels the same way?"

"I'm pretty sure she does." Elliot said, placing another kiss on her temple.

"How do you know?" Olivia asked, happy that she didn't have to look at Elliot during this exchange. It was much easier to navigate their feelings…to figure out where they stood…couched in teasing and humor.

"Well, she seemed to respond pretty positively when I kissed her. But I guess I don't know for sure."

"Maybe you should kiss her again…just to be sure."

"I'd like to…" Elliot flattened his hands against her abdomen. "But I promised her I'd buy her dinner. And if I kiss her…" He ended his sentence there, sliding his hands more tightly around her and dropping his head to her neck. He pressed his lips against the skin there…right in the spot where her shoulder started. "I'm not going to be able to stop." He whispered.

Olivia's breathing had quickened. "I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want you to stop…" she whispered, closing her eyes as Elliot peppered her shoulder with kisses.

"But dinner." Elliot said between kisses.

"Is overrated." She pulled at Elliot's arms and he released her. She turned around to face him and he surprised her by picking her up and placing her on the counter. He pressed forward and she spread her legs to accommodate him. It was seconds later when he cupped her head with his hand and pressed his lips against hers. Elliot was quick to open her mouth with his and he was kissing her with such intensity that it stole her breath away. He placed his left hand on her thigh…his large hand spread against her skin as he slid it underneath the hem of her shorts.

Elliot growled into her mouth as Olivia raked her nails across the back of his neck. He had barely kissed her and already he was getting impatient. He wanted her clothes off…wanted to explore every inch of her body with his hands and his mouth. Despite his best intentions, he knew it was unlikely that he was going to be able to take thing slowly.

Elliot let his hand slide down her back until he reached the bottom of her tank top. He slid his hand beneath the fabric, and spread his hand against her lower back. Her skin was heated and he slid his hand up her spine. He felt her shiver as he ran his hand back down, tucking his fingers under the waistband of her shorts.

Olivia slid her hands around Elliot's waist and under his t-shirt, raking her nails up his back. Elliot jumped at the contact…the bite of her nails in his skin. He released her mouth then as they both took in much needed oxygen.

"I think you drew blood." He said in between breaths. He saw the mischief in her eyes and the small smile on her face and he growled at her. "You're going to pay for that."

"God, I hope so." Olivia said, running her hands back down his spine.

Olivia's tone was deep and seductive, and it hit him squarely between his legs. Elliot wrapped his arms around her waist and then slid them down, pulling her forward and off the counter. He captured her mouth with his as she wrapped her legs around him, and he headed out of the kitchen.

Tonight…he wanted the comfort of a bed as he pressed his body against hers.

He pushed open her bedroom door with his foot as Olivia peppered his face with kisses. He lay her down gently on the edge of the bed, and he took a step back. His shirt was the first thing to go. He watched as Olivia's eyes trailed down his chest and back up again. A small smile played across her lips as he reached for his belt buckle and watched Olivia as she pulled herself back on the bed.

Olivia propped herself up on her elbows, her legs stretched out in front of her. She couldn't take her eyes of Elliot's chest and arms. The man was pure muscle. She had known he was fit…that he worked out. But she hadn't been able to appreciate just how damned hard he was until this morning. When she had been able to spread her hands against the planes of his chest…when he pressed his firm body against hers.

Elliot saw she was watching him, and she still had that small, enigmatic smile on her face. That smile was driving him crazy. It looked like she knew a secret. He felt like he was only seeing a small glimpse of the seductress that was Olivia Benson, and he wasn't going to waste one more second wondering what he would unleash in her. Because right now, looking at those long legs stretched out on the bed, the single raised eyebrow, and that damn smile, he was eager to find out. His jeans hit the ground and he kicked them off, moving quickly until he was climbing on the bed…climbing over her body. He spread her legs with his knees and Olivia dropped back on the bed. His mouth was on hers in seconds…hot and demanding. He ran his left hand down the bare skin of her shoulder and her chest and over her shirt until he was grasping her breast in his hand.

Olivia arched her back, pressing her breast into his hand and she moaned into his mouth. She wanted her shirt off…her bra off. Elliot must have read her mind and he ran his hand down her side until he could get beneath her tank top, sliding his hands over her skin until he hit lace. He ran his thumb over her nipple and Olivia silently urged him on. She tore her mouth from his. "Elliot." She rasped out his name and then he was pulling her tank top up her body and she lifted her back so he could get it over her head.

Elliot pulled back and sat back on his knees, still perched between her legs. He was breathing as hard as she was but he had to take a moment to look at her lying there in front of him. He trailed his fingers across her abdomen and she jumped…her muscles contracting at his touch. He leaned over and placed a kiss near her belly button, and he ran his hands back up her side as he kissed his way up to her breasts. He ghosted his mouth over her left breast and he could feel Olivia lift her body, wanting contact. He denied her as he kissed the swell of her breast. He ran his right hand up her arm until he reached her bra strap. He slipped his fingers beneath it and started to drag it down her arm, trailing his tongue down her breast as it was exposed to him…until he saw the darkness of her nipple. He slid his hand over her skin and pulled her breast free from the lace, taking her in his mouth.

Olivia moaned as she felt Elliot's mouth against hers. She pushed her hips up and Elliot slid one leg over hers, trapping her leg between his. She could feel the length of him through the thing fabric of her shorts, and she gasped as he pressed his knee up between her legs. She could feel how wet she was…and she just wanted the barriers between them gone. She was torn between the pleasure cascading through her body right now and the need to get Elliot inside of her.

Elliot slid his left hand beneath her, not relenting as his mouth continued to tease her breast with his tongue. He found the clasp to her bra and Olivia lifted her back as he fumbled with the clasp. He mumbled an expletive against her skin when he couldn't get it undone and Olivia pushed against his shoulders, forcing his mouth from her breast.

She pushed up with her body and Elliot pulled back. He laughed as Olivia pushed him back on the bed…seeing a side of her he knew. Confident and in charge. She straddled his thighs with hers and he saw her reach behind her, unclasping her bra and slipping it off in seconds.

Sweet Jesus. Elliot took in the sight of her. slid his hands back up her stomach until he took her breasts in his hands.

Olivia closed her eyes and tipped her head back as he squeezed her breasts and teased her nipples. She could feel pleasure coursing through her body and she wondered briefly if she would come just from this. She pushed her hips down, grinding herself against Elliot's erection. She felt another wave of pleasure and she spread her legs wider, sliding herself along the length of him.

Elliot slid his hands from her breasts and down her sides, grabbing her around her hips. He pushed her hips down against him as he thrust up against her. They both moaned at the same time and Elliot lost his last bit of patience. He was still holding on to her hips as he rolled them over. He knelt with one leg on either side of her thighs, focused on unbuttoning and unzipping her shorts. He pulled them down to her knees and Olivia kicked them off. He pushed one knee between her legs and then the other, and he trailed his hands up the inside of her thighs until he reached her white lace panties.

Olivia's body tensed in anticipation, and then he was cupping her as he stretched his body along the length of hers. He lay with his body half on, half off hers as he slid his hand up to her abdomen. He kissed her as he slid his hand beneath the lace, and she moaned into his mouth and arched her back as he slid his fingers between her slick folds. He didn't hesitate…didn't slow down…and his fingers were teasing her entrance. He penetrated her slightly and then slid his fingers back up…knocking her clit as he slid his fingers back and forth.

Olivia was moaning and he slid his fingers back down, sliding one finger inside of her. She thrust her hips up against his hand and he teased her clit with his thumb. She broke the kiss, tipping her head back as her body continued to thrust against his hand. A string of unintelligible words was coming from her mouth. He looked at her…her tousled hair…her eyes closed…and trailed his eyes down her body. Her skin was flush and her nipples peaked…the muscles in her abdomen were taut and he saw the white lace of her panties and his hand between her legs.

He wanted to make her come…but he had waited too long for this. He pulled his fingers from inside of her and started tugging at her panties.

"Fuck El." Olivia rasped. She had been so close and she was aching…her body was on fire.

Elliot didn't say a word as he climbed off the bed. He dug his finger into the waistband of his briefs and pulled them down, kicking them to the side. He stopped for a second, his eyes trailing up her body one more time…all that dark skin…her long legs…her full breasts…that sexy mouth and eyes that you could lose yourself in.

Olivia was watching him…and then she gave him that same small, come hither smile. In the next two seconds, he was pulling her panties down her legs and crawling up her body again. He spread her legs with his until his lips grasped hers and his erection was pressed against her.

Olivia gasped into his mouth and she pushed her hips up again…just there was any question in his mind that she wanted this to happen. He started to push inside of her then and she let out a small sound as her body tried to accommodate him. Elliot had his hand on the inside of her right thigh and he pulled her leg to the side, opening her up. He pulled out slightly and then pushed back into her again…and did that a few more times until he was buried deep inside of her.

Elliot moaned as he pulled his mouth from hers, and he dropped his forehead to hers. "Fuck." He groaned out. She was so fucking tight and her walls were gripping at him. He had to take a moment to get control.

Olivia had never felt like this. Elliot was filling her completely…stretching her…and she felt his hips nestled against her…a perfect fit. She lifted her hips slightly, and Elliot seemed to get the hint. He pulled out, almost completely, and then slammed back inside of her. He seemed to find a rhythm then, and he fucked into her, each thrust harder than the last.

Olivia thrust against him, keeping up with him as he pounded into her. She ran her nails back down his back, and then she ran her hands over his ass. Feeling his muscles contract as he thrust into her over and over. Elliot dropped his head and was breathing hard against her cheek. He braced his other arm as he fucked into her, never faltering, and she couldn't stop the small moans and words of encouragement as she continued to run her hands in patterns across his back.

He pushed her leg out and up and lifted himself up slightly, looking down at where their bodies connected, watching ass he disappeared inside of her. The sight was so erotic and he reached down, teasing her clit with his fingers.

"Fuck!" Olivia yelled and he could feel her entire body trembling. He was going to drive her over the edge and she didn't think she could hold on any longer.

Elliot moved his hand, let go of her leg, and dropped back down over her, his hand beside her head. His mouth ghosted over hers as he slowed down his pace slightly. "Let go Liv." He whispered. Then he kissed her hard, possessively…intensely… and thrust into her again and again…harder and harder…until she felt her orgasm wash over her. Her body tightened around his…her walls clutched at him and he was locked in a vise as she wrapped her legs around him.

Elliot could feel his body losing control…he was going to come. He tore his mouth from hers. "Liv." He rasped out. "I need to…"

"Come inside me." Olivia moaned. "I want to feel you."

Elliot had a fleeting thought that he had never asked her about protection…about birth control. But the thought flew out of his head as he felt himself go over the edge. Olivia tightened her legs around him, and he grunted as he released inside of her.

His arms buckled slightly and Olivia pulled him down on top of her, finding his mouth. She kissed him deeply, sliding her tongue into his mouth. Elliot ran his hand back up her body until he could tangle his fingers in her hair. They were both breathing heavily, taking small gasps of breath as they kissed. It was heaven being nestled against her body…buried deep inside of her…and the never wanted this to end.

He shifted slightly and Olivia broke the kiss, making a small sound. Her body was so sensitive…every nerve ending was still on fire. She almost couldn't believe she was lying here with Elliot pressed so intimately inside of her…she hoped this wasn't a dream.

Elliot trailed a finger down the side of her face and stared down into her eyes. "Olivia…" He didn't know what to say to her. So many emotions were brimming just below the surface, but this was all so new. He didn't want to scare her with the intensity of his feelings for her; ever since this morning, they had kept things light. And maybe that was how they needed to navigate this.

Olivia pressed two fingers against his mouth. She didn't want to hear any deep declarations from him…not like this. They were both too vulnerable right now. "I know." He smiled at her before pressing his lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, happy that he seemed to understand what she was telling him.

Elliot pulled his mouth from hers and braced himself on his forearms, staring down into her dark eyes. "Can I tell you something?"

Olivia tensed…maybe he hadn't understood her after all.

He smiled. "Relax." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I was just going to tell you that it was hard as hell not to follow you into the shower earlier tonight."

Olivia raised one eyebrow, giving him a small smile. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." He ghosted his mouth over hers. "So…I was thinking."

"You could use a shower?" Olivia said, a slight tease in her tone. "Go ahead." She pushed back playfully on his shoulders, and then gasped slightly as her action caused Elliot to shift his hips.

Elliot bit down lightly on her earlobe before he whispered in her ear. "Only if you promise to invade my privacy."

AN: More?