Authors note: The song is How Do You Talk To An Angel by The Heights.
Chapter 4: How Do You Talk To an Angel
Barba franticly paced his apartment. Tonight was the night. They had talked last night and she was planning on coming over at seven. He had cleaned his entire apartment, down to the smallest detail. Everything had to go perfect.
He glanced at the clock it was five to seven she would be here any minute. He felt silly being this nervous. They'd had plenty of meals together before this one. All be it not quite like this one. There meals usually came out of some sort of wrapper or box. And they were eaten around one or the others desk while discussing a case.
Tonight would be different. He remembered Olivia talking about how much she loved Italian food so that's what he had made; nothing fancy. He had grilled some chicken and made noodles and Alfaro sauce as well as some garlic toast and a light salad. He had also picked out a nice wine to go with their dinner.
He glanced in the mirror again. He ruffled his hair slightly giving it some volume. It looked to formal and to glued down. He straightened his tie and his shirt. Then turned to triple check his apartment. The kitchen table was set and all the cooking dishes had already been washed. The serving dishes sat on the table which had candle light and some roses on it. He hoped he hadn't gone too overboard with the mood setting. But he wanted to come off as romantic.
He hoped she had dressed up. Although he had never specified. He didn't really care. She could have shown up in a brown paper bag and looked beautiful to him. He only hoped that she enjoyed tonight. Enjoyed being with him. He wanted to tell her how he felt. He hoped she would not reject him but it was always a possibility. He ran a dangerous line right now. She was his closest friend. She was also a coworker and if tonight went poorly things could go very sour in the rest of his life.
A quick rapping on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He sucked in a deep breath and walked to the door. He opened it slowly and there she stood.
Olivia was wearing a long black coat open in the front over a tight fitting black dress. Her hair was down and slightly wavy. She wore black high heels and her gold necklace. The word on it defined her.
Her dress was short but not to short and it was low cut yet still classy. He just stood there staring at her. She was beautiful. He looked at her beautiful face. It was a face he saw in his mind every day. He knew every detail of it; Every freckle every laugh line.
"Are you going to invite me in?" Olivia finally spoke after standing in the open door for a while Barba just stared.
Barba's face blushing bright red and he stepped aside.
"I'm so sorry…I…I Just…You look beautiful Olivia." He said to her as she walked by and he closed the door.
" Thank you" Olivia said.
He turned his attention back to her. Her back was too him and she looked around the apartment.
"You've got a nice place." She said with a smile as she turned back to face him.
"Thank you." He choked out still trying to recover.
Olivia shrugged off her coat and Barba took it from her and hung it in the closet.
"Are you ready for dinner?" he asked
"Yes" She responded
Barba walked closer to her and reached out for her hand. She allowed him to take it and lead her into the dimly lit kitchen. He led her to her seat and then took her seat across from her.
She smiled across the table at him. He knew he had down this right.
They each dished up their food and ate. They sipped their wine and had light conversation about the day, nothing heavy or to deep. When the meal was done Barba cleared the table. When he was done he walked back to Olivia once again holding out his hand. It was a romantic gesture but at the same time had become familiar. He knew what her hand would feel like in his. And he cherished every moment that their hands touched.
They walked into the living room with their wine in hand and sat on the couch. Not to close together but also not very far apart.
"Thank you for the meal. It was delicious." Olivia said with smile.
"Your welcome." Barba replied.
"Would you like to listen to some music?" he offered.
She nodded. He grabbed a remote from the coffee table and aimed it at a box on the wall next to an electric 'fire place' and soft music slowly filled the room.
Barba turned back to Oliva. She was stunning. Barba set down his glace of wine on the coffee table next to Olivia's and shifted slightly so he was facing her. He reached out and took her hands and stood up pulling her along with him.
They walked to a fairly empty corner of the room.
"What are we doing?" Olivia asked with a slight laugh.
Barba kept his left hand around her right hand and swiftly slid his right around her back. He didn't hold her to close. But she quickly understood and allowed her hand to rest on his shoulder.
Barba slowly lead them in a swaying dance in the small space. They danced to a few songs and Olivia and Barba kept eye contact the whole time. Not a word spoken between them their eyes and there bodies were doing the talking tonight.
As the next song started Barba felt Olivia's hand move to the back of his neck. She lightly ran her fingers through the short hair at the back of his head. A slight thrill ran through Barba. He smiled a little brighter. And she returned the smile.
He pulled her closer little by little until their bodies where touching. Olivia leaned her head against Barba shoulder as they kept dancing. Barba's heart was leaping for joy. He had never been happier in his life.
He pulled away from her slightly and their eyes met again. This time he did not keep the eye contact. His eyes bounced between her eyes and her lips; Soft sweet inviting lips. He tilted his head slightly and moved, closing the distance between them and planting a small kiss on her lips.
He was thrilled when he felt her kiss him back. They broke apart a moment later. They looked into each other eyes. She leaned in a kissed him again; A short a sweet kiss.
When she pulled away they were both smiling.
"Let's sit down; I'm starting to feel the wine." He said motioning for the couch.
Olivia giggled lightly and they walked back to the couch. This time when they sat down they were sitting close together. Barba's arm was wrapped around her should her. Her fingers played with the hem of her dress.
Barba looked her over. She was nervous. She was bushing and she was looking away from him slightly biting her lip.
"Liv?" he said a slight crack in his voice
She didn't look at him.
"Olivia?" He tried again. His fingers tracing small circles on the top of her exposed arm.
He reached his other hand out catching her chin with his index finger and tilting her head up and towards him.
She looked into his eyes. He felt his heart melt.
"I love you Olivia." He said using all of his strength to keep his voice from shaking.
She just looked at him. A flash of joy and one of deep sorrow flashed in her eyes. Barba held his breath he didn't know what to do. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. Moving the fingers from her chin to lightly cup her cheek.
"I want you to know that. " He said in a slight whisper.
He held his breath again waiting for a response. His heart was pounding in his chest so loud he was certain she must be able to hear it.
She pulled away brown eyes meeting green. She just looked at him for a moment.
"I love you too Rafael." She smiled lightly leaned back in and kissed him again.
Barba's heart was soaring.
Her lips were soft on his and he felt her tongue run along the seam of his lips. It was driving him crazy. His lips parted slightly allowing her tongue to slip into his mouth. His hand remained on her check while his other hand slid down her back slightly.
Barba pulled her forward and on top him his back now on his couch and Olivia half laying on him half laying on the couch.
She smiled up at him kissing him again and then resting her head on his chest.
"I don't want to leave." Her voice was quiet and slightly sad.
His arm still lay on her back. He slowly rubbed it. Then he took the hand resting on his chest in his hand. He brought it to his lips and lightly kissed each finger.
"Then don't leave." Barba said. He looked down at the beautiful woman lying on his chest. She simply smiled and nuzzled his chest slightly.
Barba watched as her eyes closed and her breathing became steady. He lay there watching her sleep for a while. He then smiled to himself. This moment was perfect. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted to sleep.
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