Alex finally, FINALLY, walked into the apartment at 7PM on Friday night. She re-locked the door and tossed her keys onto the hall table, sighing.
Emerging from the kitchen, Olivia leaned against the doorjamb in a black tank top and NYPD sweats, arms crossed.
"Hey you."
Alex sighed something incomprehensible and Olivia smiled.
"Tough week?"
Alex groaned.
"I figured," Olivia pushed herself off the doorframe and headed for Alex. She grabbed the attaché from her hand and wrapped her in a hug. Alex placed her hands lightly on Olivia's upper arms, stroking the muscles with her fingertips. She took a deep breath, inhaling the detective's scent. Olivia smiled at the gesture, glad to provide some relief and comfort. She pulled back and took both of Alex's hands in her own, shifting the attaché to under her arm. She led her to the livingroom in front of the couch.
Alex plunked down onto the couch and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Olivia placed the attaché in its Alex-designated spot before kneeling in front of Alex and kissing her knee. Reached forward, Alex tousled Olivia's hair playfully and smiled faintly. Olivia reached down and slipped off her shoe, massaging her foot working her way down her heel, Achilles tendon and calf.
"Breathe, baby," Olivia coaxed, smiling gently.
Alex sat up straight, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Olivia smiled and slipped her other shoe off. Alex smiled down at her.
"Thank you," Alex said.
"No worries," Olivia smiled, "dinner's all set, you have nothing to do. It's a no stress Friday night."
"You are incredible."
Olivia smiled and ran her hands up Alex's right leg, hands sliding under her skirt to grab the top of her stocking. Alex's breath caught as Olivia slowly slid her stocking down her leg.
"Oh god," Alex groaned.
Olivia just smiled and repeated the process equally slowly with the other leg.
"I love it when you wear these," she smiled, playfully.
Alex shifted closer to Olivia and placed her hands on her shoulders, leaning forward for a kiss. Olivia reached up to cup the sides of her face as Alex kissed her softly. Alex's fingers wound around the straps of Olivia's tank top as she pulled herself closer. Olivia pulled back gently.
"Not yet, sweetheart."
Alex frowned.
Olivia grinned, "You have to eat, is all." Alex looked her up and down and began to comment.
"Not that kind of eating," Olivia interrupted, "food. You need food. I made food."
Alex smiled, "What's for dinner?"
"Pasta, garlic bread, salad. Good, simple, hearty food because I'll bet you anything that you skipped lunch today."
"You know me too well."
Olivia grinned and jumped up, running to the kitchen. Alex shrugged off her jacket and tossed it on the couch. Olivia re-entered the room with a piece of garlic bread, offering it to Alex.
"Here. Go shower, but eat this to tide you over. I'll put the pasta in when I hear the water stop."
Alex chewed on the garlic bread and smiled, nodding complacently.
Olivia grinned and gathered Alex's discarded shoes, stockings, jacket and attaché to put away as the blonde trotted off to the bathroom.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Olivia was draining the spaghetti when Alex reemerged in sweats and an oversized T-shirt, towelling off her hair.
"Smells great, Liv," she said, tossing the towel onto a chair and pulling her hair back with the elastic around her wrist.
"Sit down," Olivia grinned.
Alex obeyed with a huge grin, grabbing another piece of garlic bread, "Everything smells fantastic."
Olivia placed the pasta on the table, "I hope so, dig in. I'll get the salad."
Conversation was sparse as they both began to tuck in. Olivia came up for air first, watching Alex with amusement as she ate messily. Alex caught her watching and made a face.
"Why did you make spaghetti?" she fake-whined, "I don't have the coordination to eat this at the end of the week."
Olivia laughed and reached across to wipe a drop of sauce off her cheek with the pad of her thumb.
"Because you're adorable when you make a mess," she smiled.
Alex looked her in the eye and swallowed. Olivia left her hand on the blonde's cheek, stroking lightly and looking into her eyes. Alex tilted her head, leaning into Olivia's touch. Her eyes flicked down to Olivia's lips and back up. Taking the hint, Olivia gently drew Alex's face towards hers and leaned in, touching their lips together. Alex dropped her fork and brought her hand around to the back of Olivia's neck. Her other hand slid down Olivia's shoulder to trace her collarbone slowly. Olivia was caught off guard by the sensation of the slim fingers and Alex took advantage of her shock by slipping her tongue into Olivia's mouth. Olivia groaned and allowed Alex to take charge, varying pressure and angle. Olivia finally pulled back, taking a gulp of air.
"Dinner's getting cold," she protested, panting slightly.
"And you're getting hot," Alex grinned, resting her forehead against Olivia's, gently stroking her thigh.
Olivia blushed and inhaled sharply.
Alex kissed Olivia's cheek one more time before pulling back.
"Everything's fabulous, thank you Liv."
Olivia beamed and took another bite before pouring two glasses of red wine.
"Trying to get me drunk?" Alex joked.
Olivia raised an eyebrow, "Do I need to?"
"No," Alex took a sip, "you could have had me in the hall when I walked in."
Olivia choked on the bread she was chewing and Alex passed her the water.
"Good to know," she sputtered.
Alex grinned and reached over to take her hand, "But I'm glad that you set it up this way."
Olivia smiled, "You're going to kill me."
"Then you're going out with a smile on your face."
"Don't I know it."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After dinner, Olivia had insisted on clearing the dishes, banishing Alex from the kitchen. Alex had pretended to watch TV while waiting for Olivia and now was lying on the couch, content, her head pillowed in Olivia's lap.
Olivia gently stroked Alex's hair and smiled down, "Comfy?"
Alex smiled and crooked her finger in a 'come hither' gesture. Olivia grinned and leaned down. Alex tilted her head and Olivia kissed her softly. Alex whimpered and opened her mouth allowing Olivia's tongue to snake in. With Alex's fingers lightly wound into her hair, Olivia pulled back and slowly kissed Alex's chin, cheeks and forehead.
"I like the slow burn," Alex mumbled, stroking Olivia's cheek with one hand and kissing her lightly.
"Mhmmm," Olivia agreed, taking Alex's hand and lacing their fingers together.
Alex turned back to the TV, spacing out in front of a sitcom re-run. While Alex watched TV, Olivia watched Alex, sneaking glances at her girlfriend's face. Despite the dark circles under her eyes, she was beginning to look peaceful for the first time in weeks. The light from the TV played across her face and Olivia looked down everytime she felt her laugh to see the features soften into a smile. Alex's eyes started to close and Olivia felt her body sinking further into the couch. When the show concluded, Olivia smiled and traced Alex's lips.
"Can I take you to bed?"
Alex yawned and nodded as Olivia gently helped her into a sitting position. Alex stretched and led the way down the hall, Olivia trailing and watching her stumble slightly. Alex veered right at the bathroom to brush her teeth and Olivia continued to the bedroom to pull on a pair of boxers.
She was already in bed when Alex re-entered the room. Alex stopped in the doorway, yawned and flicked off the light. She continued towards the bed, pulling off her sweatpants. She climbed under the covers with Olivia in her T-shirt and underwear. Alex settled on top with another yawn and Olivia smiled, sliding her hands up to Alex's hips. They spent several minutes together, just occupying the same few feet of space, moving with and around each other. Soon, however, Alex was weighed down by sleep and settled in under Olivia's arm.
"I love this," Olivia whispered, "I love holding you, feeling you breathe. Feeling you fall asleep."
Alex smiled and Olivia ran her fingers up her spine, "Thank you for this," she whispered, tearing up, "I love you Alex."
Alex felt her lover choke and gently nuzzled the underside of her breast and squeezed her ribs, "I love you, Liv," she mumbled, "sorry, drifting off..."
Olivia smiled, "That was the goal," she yawned.
"Thank you for this," Alex whispered.
"You're very welcome."
There was a moment of silence when Liv thought Alex had fallen asleep when she suddenly spoke again.
"Liv?"
"Mhmm?"
"Wake me when you shower in the morning."