Chapter 21: In Another Life

June 15, 2012

Oliver left the council meeting as stoically as he'd entered. It had taken great effort to sit quietly and not check his watch every few minutes. Each member had given an update that felt twice as long as usual. It was probably due to the steady progression of the plan, which no one actually knew in full. Everyone had their parts to play, and each facet had to be in place if it was going to succeed. Oliver presented the intel he'd received. As Malcolm had promised, no one knew the source nor felt compelled to ask. All they knew was that Oliver was under special orders from the leader himself.

He'd nearly made it out of the compound when he heard someone call out his name. The sound of her voice made Oliver curse under his breath. He'd expertly managed to dodge Isabel for most of the week that she'd been in town until now. Begrudgingly, Oliver turned to face her. "What do you want?"

"Well, hello to you, too," Isabel drawled in her signature cool voice. She was dressed in a sleek black pantsuit with black heels. Her displeasure with him was evident by her folded arms and the stern expression on her face.

Undeterred, Oliver replied, "I have somewhere to be, Isabel, and I'm running late."

"You've been avoiding me."

"I've been busy."

"In case you've forgotten, you still have responsibilities with the Bratva," Isabel reminded him. "Anatoly tasked me to inspect our current holdings in the various chapters, and he expects you to accompany me."

"Fine," Oliver huffed, impatient. He needed to get on the road now if he was going to meet Felicity on time. "When?"

"I'm visiting our associates in Hub City tomorrow afternoon."

Oliver was on alert at the mention of Hub City. It was the same place Felicity had asked him to meet her. It could be a mere coincidence, but Oliver had learned not to overlook anything over the years. "Why Hub City?"

"Anatoly said it would be the most convenient location for you this weekend," Isabel answered, looking none too pleased that her schedule was being dictated because of him.

"Why would he say that?" Oliver made sure to keep a straight face despite the trepidation he felt. He had never mentioned to Anatoly that he was traveling to Hub City.

Isabel watched him carefully, no doubt looking for any signs of weakness, and said, "Since you're operating under special orders, Anatoly checked with Malcolm. He said you'd be there."

Oliver bit back a curse. He hadn't wanted to tell Malcolm about Hub City in the first place, but he hadn't had a choice. Status reports were mandatory to keep track of his progress. Not providing the information would have dire consequences. "Fine. Where am I meeting you?"

"In your hotel." She smiled like a cat about to capture a mouse. "I'll be staying there, as well."

Well, this situation was progressively getting worse. He couldn't believe that Malcolm would tell Isabel where he was staying, especially since Oliver planned to be with Felicity the entire time. Isabel would most definitely recognize Felicity if she saw her and know that something was up. How could Malcolm put his own stepdaughter in danger like that? They were going to have a serious talk the next time they met, and Oliver was going to try very hard not to put an arrow in the careless bastard's eye.

Isabel leaned in close. Her voice was low and seductive as she looked up at him through her long lashes. "We should do drinks tonight and catch up." Her finger trailed along the open collar of his shirt. "In fact, we should have them in your room and save ourselves a step."

Oliver, just barely hiding his disgust, swiped her hand away and took a step back. "I've already got plans," he informed her evenly. "Besides, this is business, Isabel. Nothing more."

She was quick to mask the anger from his rejection. Her dark eyes smoldered again. "Business and pleasure have always gone hand in hand with us."

Oliver wanted to point out that "pleasure" was a really loose term when it applied to them but knew better than to provoke her. Isabel could get vindictive, and he wouldn't risk any type of retaliation with Felicity so close by. With a resolute shake of his head, Oliver declared. "Not anymore." He turned his back on her and left the compound. Diggle was waiting out front with the car.

Unfortunately, Isabel was hot on his heels. With a glance at who was in the backseat, her eyes narrowed. "Busy, huh?" she reiterated in an acerbic tone. "Is this why you've been ignoring me lately?" She glared at the redhead, who just smiled smugly back at her through the window. "Are you back to fucking Helena now?"

"So what if I am?" Oliver countered. If Isabel believed the lie, then maybe it would get her off of his back. He continued before she could protest further. "Spare me the jilted lover act, Isabel. We both know you wouldn't give a damn if not for my looming ascension to the council." Oliver knew he was nothing more than an opportunity for her to elevate her status in the organization and seize more power.

"Maybe so," Isabel admitted. "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm the one you need by your side. Helena may have fire but deep down you know she's nothing more than a wounded little girl seeking her father's approval. You need a grown woman who knows strategy and will show no mercy to your enemies. It's the only way you'll be taken seriously."

"I don't need anyone," Oliver forcefully snapped, even as an image of Felicity flashed into his mind. "We'll meet in the hotel lobby at two. Until then, stay out of my way." He turned his back on Isabel before she could reply and swiftly took his seat next to Helena.

"What was that about?" Helena questioned as Diggle began to drive.

His anger still simmering, Oliver sighed, "Just Isabel being Isabel."

"So a ruthless psychotic bitch then," Helena surmised.

"Pretty much."

Sensing he needed a subject change, the redhead inquired, "Did you learn anything new during the council meeting today?"

"Nothing that can help us pinpoint what exactly we're preparing for, no." Oliver shifted in his seat and flinched. They'd gone on another raid last night. A.R.G.U.S. had been beefing up its security measures even more as of late, and Oliver had the bruises to prove it. He wasn't looking forward to Felicity seeing them, because he hated upsetting her. Although their late-night calls and constant texts had made their separation more bearable, Oliver knew she would never stop worrying about him. "You guys dig up anything with those leads?"

"No," Diggle answered. "Either they don't know or they're too scared, but no one is talking."

"Which isn't all that surprising," Helena grumbled.

"We just have to keep trying." Oliver rubbed his temple. He could feel a headache coming on. "Something has to slip eventually. By the way, Dig, there's been a change of plans. I need you to book a hotel room in Hub City."

Diggle glanced in the rearview mirror at Oliver. "What for?"

"Menage a troi?" said the redhead with a sardonic lift of her brow.

Oliver rolled his eyes. "No. Anatoly wants Isabel and I to meet with our Bratva associates there tomorrow. Malcolm told her the damn hotel, so she'll be staying there, too. I need you to cover for me if Isabel comes looking."

Helena smirked. "Just what your romantic weekend needed. Tough break, Romeo."

Ignoring her teasing, Oliver silently pleaded with his partner. Dig nodded in agreement with an exasperated huff. "You owe me though."

Oliver wasn't totally relieved, but the majority of his worry dissipated. "I know. Thank you."

"Now that that's' settled," Helena instructed, "Dig, drop me off at Giovanni's. I have a dinner date with another one of my father's chauvinistic clients."

It was then that Oliver noticed her fancy dress and accentuated makeup. He'd been so engrossed in the Felicity/Isabel situation that he'd completely overlooked her attire. No wonder Isabel had bristled so visibly. She must've thought he and Helena were going on a date tonight.

"Who's your father trying to swindle now?"

"I don't know. Some construction guys on the big man's orders," Helena muttered. "No getting out of it. I'll be glad when it's over."

Oliver's phone buzzed. Sure enough, it was Felicity saying that she'd arrived at the hotel and inquiring about where he was. He told her to get settled in the room, and he'd be there as soon as he could.

"Let me guess, Juliet is wondering where you are right now," Helena tsked. "You're losing your touch, Romeo."

"I wasn't expecting the meeting to run so long. And I told you to stop calling us that."

Helena shrugged, unfazed. "Star-crossed lovers fighting to be together in spite of their warring agencies? Seems highly appropriate to me. Right, Dig?"

Diggle remained quiet, but Oliver could see his hands tightening on the steering wheel at the comparison. It was yet another misfortune they had in common.

"They also died," Oliver pointed out.

They arrived at the restaurant. Helena glared at the ornate building and played with the silver cross hanging from around her neck. She leveled Oliver with a dark, somber look before getting out. "Some fates are worse than death. Remember that."

Cursing under his breath, Oliver arrived at the Ostrander Hotel over an hour late. He told Diggle to text him his room number after he was checked in. Felicity had already messaged Oliver their room number earlier, and so he had headed straight for the elevators. He'd found room 1141 rather easily, since it wasn't that far down the hall.

Oliver took a moment to calm himself before knocking. He didn't want Felicity to pick up on any tension. She deserved to have his full attention. Letting go of his earlier frustrations from the council meeting and Isabel, Oliver was surprised by the small strand of nervousness he felt. It could've been from the knowledge that Isabel and some of her Bratva goons were in the same hotel as Felicity, but he quickly dismissed it. His nerves had nothing to do with Isabel and everything to do with Felicity herself. Despite being in constant contact, it had been a few weeks since they'd actually seen each other and had that talk about their relationship. Being officially together again made this latest rendezvous somehow feel different and more significant.

Taking off his baseball cap and tucking it in his overnight bag, Oliver knocked on the door. His nervous energy spiked at the sound of her approaching footsteps. After fiddling with the lock, the door opened. A beaming smile greeted him from the inside, which Oliver felt compelled to match.

"Hi," she said, managing to sound both eager and breathless.

"Hi," Oliver replied, taking her in. Felicity stood barefoot in the doorway wearing a pale pink silk bathrobe. Her glasses were off and her blond hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders. She had on minimal makeup, though her lips were tinged an enticing berry pink. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"It's okay." She stepped aside to let him in, and Oliver paused. The hotel room she'd booked wasn't a room at all. It was an actual suite with ornate paneling and wallpaper. They stood in the foyer that branched off into two separate rooms. Oliver saw a couch and coffee table in the living room to the left. To the right, he could just barely make out the edge of a bed and French doors that led to a balcony overlooking the city.

"I planned to leave earlier, but I got held up." He leaned down to kiss her cheek once the door was closed.

"Really, it's fine," Felicity reassured him. "It gave me a chance to settle in."

His gaze couldn't help but linger on her bathrobe. He could see the outline of her breasts and pert nipples through the thin fabric. The opening at the chest dipped low and showed more exposed skin. Oliver swallowed hard, his body immediately reacting to the realization that Felicity probably had nothing on underneath. "I can see that."

She flushed at his comment before sidling up to him. Her smile was a mixture of confidence and coyness. "Do you want the grand tour?"

With his free hand, Oliver gripped the lapels of her bathrobe and drew her forward. His fingers were already itching to touch her. Oliver left a lingering peck on her lips. "Sure."

Felicity took his hand and quickly showed him the living room. They then made their way into the master bedroom. The plush, king-sized bed faced the balcony doors. A chaise lounge and small Victorian-style table were next to it. There was a large closet on the left side of the room and a fancy dresser by the bathroom to the right. Oliver thought he heard the faint sound of music emanating from somewhere and scrutinized the space further.

"So, what do you think?"

Oliver dropped his travel bag by the closet. "It's great. I wasn't expecting anything so elaborate. Don't take this the wrong way, but how'd you manage to afford this?" While he appreciated the gesture, Oliver didn't want Felicity wasting her hard-earned money on him—especially when he was perfectly fine with the simpler things in life.

"Actually, it's free. My agency keeps a standing reservation at this hotel for very important assets." She caressed his chest and looked up at him through her long lashes. "It wasn't being used this weekend, and so I booked it for us," she explained. "And before you get all growly and panicked, I've already hacked into the security cameras in this place. My facial recognition software is scrubbing anyone in the video feed that looks remotely like us. It'll look like a glitch in the system if anyone ever reviews the footage."

Oliver slid his fingers along her back. Feeling no ridges underneath, Oliver knew for sure that Felicity was naked beneath that robe. His girl didn't waste any time, and it served to turn him on even more. "Did I ever tell you how sexy you are when you're being a rebel hacker?"

"Not recently," she teased back, glowing at the compliment. "Come on, I'll show you the bathroom."

He traced the delicate curve of her spine and huskily replied, "I'm good in here." Felicity was so small compared to him and yet she thrummed with more live energy than he probably experienced in years. Whenever Oliver was with her, it was like a switch inside him had been flipped. She was a shock to his system, and his worries minutes before were cast aside. All he could see, all he wanted, was her.

Felicity gave him a puckish grin before tugging him towards the bathroom anyway. "I really think you'll want to see this."

The soft music he'd heard got louder as they entered the dimly lit bathroom. Like the rest of the suite, it was lavish and spacious. The sink counters were marble, and the tiles along the floor and walls had fancy gold patterns. There was a large glass shower that could easily fit more than two people, but it was the giant tub where Oliver's eyes lingered.

There were a couple of small steps that led up to the marble tub built into the wall. It was already filled and full of bubbles. The space around it was set up with small lit candles. There was also a couple of glasses of wine and a fruit and cheese plate off to the side. The music seemed to be coming from some control on the wall above it.

"So what do you think?" Felicity cuddled up against his arm and leaned her chin on his shoulder, looking up at him.

"I think this is the best room yet," he quipped. "But you didn't need to do all of this for me."

"Nonsense. I wanted to," the blonde asserted. Felicity had gotten to the room a little earlier than she'd told Oliver to meet her so that she could set up. She was actually relieved when he'd told her he was running late. It was important that everything was perfect. In a way, meeting at the hotel felt like their first reunion all over again. Except this time there was no uncertainty plaguing them. It felt like a fresh start. They could finally just be them. "You're always spoiling me. I think my boyfriend deserves a little surprise in return."

Oliver slid his arm around her waist and turned into her. "You have no idea how good it is to hear you say that."

"What? Boyfriend?" Her hand caressed his cheek while the other rested over his heart. Standing on her tiptoes, Felicity pressed a whisper of a kiss against his lips. "Not as good as actually saying it." She motioned to the tub and tugged on his jacket. "Let's test out those jets. You look like you've had a long day."

That was an understatement, and so Oliver followed her cue. He started to get undressed. As he'd predicted, Felicity immediately noticed the bruises on his torso and gasped. "Oliver—"

"It looks a lot worse than it is," he interjected and gave her an encouraging squeeze. "I promise."

Knowing Felicity, she was probably bursting with questions about how exactly he'd gotten those bruises. She stayed silent, though, and nodded in response. They'd agreed to overlook that part of their lives when they were together, but Oliver didn't miss the way she worriedly gnawed on her bottom lip. He reached out to remove it and smooth it over with his thumb. Felicity's eyes darkened from the intimate gesture. Not stopping, he reached lower to the knot at her waist. Without looking away, Oliver pulled until it came undone. Oliver took another step forward, invading what was left of Felicity's personal space, and slid the silky material apart and down her body.

Felicity couldn't seem to catch her breath as she stood open and bare before Oliver. He hungrily took her in before leaning down to claim her mouth. Instinctively, her body melted into him. A wanton moan, deep in her throat, escaped when his muscular arms enveloped her. Oliver's skin was already hot and a little sweaty from the steam in the bathroom, and she clung to him in an effort to feed her own fire burning inside of her.

His lips ventured to her neck, and she gave a little mewl of protest when his hands left her. Felicity quickly realized it was to undo his jeans. Her fingers dug into his shoulders when he found that spot along her pulse point. Oliver had barely gotten his jeans unzipped and pulled down before she was rubbing herself up against him like one of those feral cats.

Oliver groaned into her skin as his hand possessively cupped her backside. He yanked her up into his arms and flush against his growing erection. Felicity panted his name against his ear and shifted so that her center was rubbing along his shaft. Nothing but the thin fabric of his boxers separated them, and already they were soaked from her. She kissed him fervently, and Oliver's tongue delved seductively inside—a preview of what was to come.

"Oliver, honey, if we don't stop," Felicity muttered absently, still grinding on top of him, "we're never going to make it in that bath."

Oliver bobbed his head in agreement and sucked on the tip of her tongue that had slid into his mouth. "Once I'm inside you, I'm not going to stop for the rest of the night."

Oh the promises, she mused and had to forcibly yank herself away from him. As badly as Felicity wanted Oliver to take her right now, she really had put a lot of effort into making this romantic moment for them. With one last chaste kiss, Felicity wiggled out of his embrace and quickly headed for the tub. If he got his hands on her again before she hit the water, it'd be all over.

Felicity grabbed the hair tie by her glass of wine and proceeded to put her hair up in a bun. She then sunk into the hot water and soothing bubbles, for which her aroused body was grateful. "You coming?"

"Not yet," she heard him grumble and bit back a giggle. Oliver looked like a petulant child who'd been about to devour his favorite cookie before it was swiped out of his hand. He tossed his boxers aside and joined Felicity in the bath. The hot water instantly eased his sore muscles as he fought to get his body back under control.

Felicity started to move to the opposite end of the tub when Oliver tugged her toward him. She let out a mild protest, not wanting to lean on his bruises. Oliver assured her that it was fine as he positioned her between his legs. Felicity leaned back to rest against his chest with her head tucked into the crook of his neck. Despite the unfulfilled sexual energy still coursing between them, not touching each other at all would be worse. His presence made her feel protected but free.

With a clink of their glasses, they sipped their wine and settled comfortably into each other. Oliver nearly groaned out loud when Felicity turned on the jets. His muscles had felt taut for days, and the force of the bubbles unwound the knots nicely. Of course, having Felicity back in his arms was also a relief. He wound his arms around her torso, pressed a kiss to her temple, and closed his eyes. Finally, he could relax.

It was minutes later that she eventually broke the silence. "God, I love cheese."

Oliver's eyes snapped open. "What?" he chuckled at her random outburst.

"Cheese. I love it," Felicity declared while reaching for a few more squares and some grapes. She was a lot hungrier than she'd initially thought, and she loved the taste of them with the wine. Popping a piece of cheddar into her mouth, Felicity continued, "Did you know that it's actually physically addictive? There's this protein called casein that it's made with and it acts like an opiate when you digest…"

Grinning, Oliver listened to her ramble about the addictive power of cheese. Felicity was so adorable when she was being a total geek. "Do I get any cheese?" he interrupted. The plate was more near her than him.

"Well, I suppose I could share," she teased with a dramatic sigh. "You know, since I love you and all."

"That's very generous of you," Oliver agreed and leaned forward to eat the square she held out for him. He took the opportunity to playfully nibble on her finger, eliciting a delighted shriek.

"Oliver!"

"What? I couldn't resist. I have a smoaked cheese addiction."

She laughed. "Clever. Look at you cracking a joke."

"It has been known to happen from time to time."

They were quiet for a moment, and Felicity sighed in contentment. "This is nice, isn't it? Being together and happy."

"Yeah," Oliver agreed. "I'd almost forgotten what it's like."

Felicity ran her fingers along his forearm and tentatively replied, "You haven't exactly been bursting with happy stories." Oliver's various scars and his lack of a permanent home were evidence enough.

"Not since before the Gambit…when I was with you." Oliver pressed his lips to her shoulder. "Despite everything that went on back then, I was the happiest I'd ever been."

"Me, too." Felicity noticed his hand on the edge of the tub. Oliver was rubbing his fingers together in that pensive way of his. Reaching out, she took hold of them. "I know we can't go back, but do you ever think about where we'd be if you hadn't gone on the Gambit?"

"Yes. Probably more than I should've."

"So where would we be right now?" she asked curiously while playing with his fingers and tracing a pattern in the palm of his hand.

Oliver was hesitant to speak at first. Just like with telling Felicity he loved her, Oliver had never voiced what he'd once wanted out of their future in fear of losing it. Then again, that part of their lives was already lost. "I think we'd be right where we are now. Same hotel. Same setup. Same cheese addiction," he lightly joked, making her laugh softly. "But we wouldn't have just snuck off because of work. We'd probably be celebrating."

"Celebrating what?"

"An anniversary."

"But our anniversary of when we got together isn't in June," Felicity absently pointed out. She stared at their flirting hands. Oliver's was so much bigger and rougher against hers. Felicity loved the contrast and how they were a perfect fit regardless.

His voice lowered. "It wouldn't be when we first got together."

Her hand paused in its ministrations. "What do you mean? If it wasn't that, then what else would we be…?" Felicity's mind worked overtime to translate what he was saying. Her eyes widened and she shifted a bit to the side to look up at him. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Looking at her intently, Oliver nodded. "You seem surprised. It's not like we'd never talked about it."

"I know we talked about a future together but…wait, what are we talking about? Because I've got about five different scenarios in my head, and the one I'm jumping to might not be it and I don't want to assume something that's not—"

Oliver intertwined their left hands and held them up. He couldn't believe they were talking about this. Now that he'd started, he couldn't stop. There wasn't much he could give her in this life, but he could at least give her the dream of what could've been. "If I'd never gone on the Gambit and things had progressed between us like I thought they might, then there most definitely would be a ring on your finger right now."

Felicity felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Her head spun as she stared at their hands and tried to imagine what it would look like. "Holy frack," she whispered. Despite the utter shock she was experiencing, she was desperate to hear more. "When would you have…?" She was having an extremely hard time forming coherent sentences.

"Definitely after you graduated from MIT. I probably would've waited a year or two for us to get settled somewhere first."

"We'd be in Starling," Felicity said with surety, finally finding her voice and joining in on the game of "what if." "I never told you this, but I kinda loved the idea of working at QC with you. Of course if you didn't want to work for your family's company, I would've supported that, too. I know how much the expectation of that bothered you."

"It did bother me—until you. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but you made me feel like I could. It was strange because I was with Laurel for two years and every time she mentioned our future and me as CEO, I panicked. Actually, I didn't just panic. I acted out and became the worst version of myself. Then I met you. You definitely weren't part of the plan, and yet I could see a future with you so clearly. Even better, you didn't try to make me into something I wasn't. There was a freedom with you I never had before. It was one of the many reasons I fell in love with you."

"So we'd be engaged," Felicity murmured almost wistfully as he placed a few affectionate kisses along her neck. After everything that had happened with her father and Cooper, her younger self hadn't been sure if she ever wanted to get married. There was no doubt in her mind that, over time, Oliver would've changed that. Unfortunately, it took years of being without him for her to reach the same conclusion.

Oliver smiled against her skin. "Actually, if we followed the current timeline, we'd already be married."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really? So a short engagement?"

"Mm hmm," he confidently confirmed. Oliver wrapped his other arm around her and brought her more firmly against him while kissing a trail back up her neck. Felicity shifted to give him better access, which he took full advantage of. "I wouldn't have been able to wait that long."

"Why do I get the feeling you've already picked out a theme and venue?" she joked, though it came out breathy from all his kisses.

"That would be all you. You'd have whatever you want. Although I'm sure our moms and Thea would've had plenty of ideas."

Felicity groaned at that, which also could've been a result of the way Oliver was sucking on the spot behind her ear. "Oh no, mister, you would not get to just show up. If I had to suffer our mothers, so would you."

He chuckled, "Fair enough."

"So working together at QC, then engaged, and married…sounds like the perfect life," she hummed and turned her face so their lips grazed.

"Almost perfect," Oliver quietly replied and fixed her with another intense look. At her inquisitive stare, he elaborated, "It would probably be a few more years before we had kids."

Felicity nearly choked on her response. "Kids? Nuh uh, no way. I'm way too young to have kids." She loved children but the thought of being a mom so young hadn't crossed her mind—then or now. The fact that this was something Oliver had actually thought about melted her heart and terrified her all at the same time.

He grinned in amusement at her flabbergasted reaction. "Like I said, it'd be a few years. Plenty of time to convince you for a little girl," he jested and pecked her lips.

She was even more shocked. Seriously, how much wine had she drank tonight? She had to be imagining this. "A girl?"

"Yup. A girl with your curly blond hair and smile."

"Well, hypothetically—because I am totally not saying I'm going along with this—maybe I want a boy with your eyes and dimples."

"You also have dimples," he was quick to point out.

"But I like yours better."

Oliver laughed out loud and shook his head. "Whatever you want."

"I think it's what Mother Nature wants, Oliver, and we should really stop talking about this," Felicity warned. "No need to give her any ideas."

"Then I guess it's a good thing this is all hypothetical," he told her. "You didn't technically say yes to my proposal anyway."

Joking aside, there was something in Oliver's voice that gave her pause. They'd been wistfully dreaming and teasing each other over what could've been. It had been reassuring of the depth of their feelings for each other—until now. Glancing up at him, the somber, uncertain look in Oliver's eyes had returned. There was an underlying truth to everything they'd shared, and she wondered if her last objection had unsettled him.

Felicity flipped over so that she could look directly at him. Gripping his shoulders, she pulled herself up so they were more level. "I love you." Leaving no room for doubts, she sealed it with a kiss and said, "If you asked me, I would say yes."

Not missing how she'd actually phrased it in the present tense, Oliver felt the depth of Felicity's declaration all the way down to his bones. It wasn't good for either of them to dwell too long on what might've been; those memories were for another lifetime. Nevertheless, hearing from Felicity that there was still a chance that they could get even a piece of that happiness was enough to give him hope.

"I think we should dry off," Oliver huskily replied. Felicity was pressed so tightly against him that she no doubt felt his growing arousal. He didn't think there'd be any stopping this time. It wasn't just want. It was a fierce need that left his body throbbing.

Felicity, feeling her own desire spark to life, eagerly agreed and shut off the jets. She grabbed a set of towels for them as they got out of the tub. They'd barely used them before their damp bodies collided. Felicity moaned loudly as Oliver ravaged her mouth. His hard muscles were rubbing deliciously against her pebbled breasts as the unsated passion from earlier exploded between them.

Oliver reached for Felicity's hair tie, and the golden locks fell in delicate waves around her face and over her shoulders. They reminded Oliver of sunshine and his fingertips yearned to bury themselves in the silky strands. Secure in his grip, Oliver walked Felicity back until they'd reached his pile of clothes on the bathroom floor. She let out a hushed whimper in protest when he broke away to grab his jeans. He dug into his pocket in search of his wallet. All the while, Felicity was grinding up against him enticingly and leaving open-mouthed kisses along his chest.

More than a little distracted, Oliver finally managed to get his hands on the small square foil inside. "Got it." He then leaned down, placing his arm under her knees, and swept her up in his arms. Felicity clung to him, smiling against his lips.

Oliver walked her over to the large king-sized bed and gently placed her down in the center. Her hold on him tightened for a moment as her lips moved fervently against his. It was like she couldn't get enough of him, and it was a struggle he knew all too well himself. Felicity moved with him as he pulled back until finally her hold was broken. He chuckled low in his throat at her eagerness. "One sec, baby. Then I'm all yours." He went to tear the foil when he felt her small, soft hand halting him.

Felicity was up on her knees at the edge of the bed in an effort to meet his eyes, though he still had a few inches over her. Oliver stared curiously back at her, and her body was screaming at the pause. Clenching her thighs together to alleviate some of the ache, Felicity took a steadying breath. It was one thing to indulge a thought in her head and a complete other to actually say it out loud. A small tremor ran through her body as her nerves kicked in. She wasn't entirely sure what Oliver's response would be.

"What is it?" Oliver questioned. Felicity was back to biting her lip, but something was different. He could sense that she was nervous, but it wasn't an anxious nervous. To his surprise, Felicity actually looked somewhat shy. "Are you okay?" He put his free hand in the curve of her waist.

"I'm fine," she was quick to answer. "I just…um…" Felicity let out another exhale before glancing up at him. "You know how the last time I said I wanted us to be close." She eyed their naked bodies and actually blushed. "Well, obviously we're already close. I meant the other close—like emotionally."

"Yeah," he responded, at a total loss for where she was taking this.

"Okay, so I've been thinking about it a lot and—well, the thing is—" she stuttered. Felicity ordered herself to get it together before he started looking at her like she was insane. "I've only ever slept with you and we were always so careful, which was definitely a good thing, and I know you haven't only slept with me so maybe this isn't new for you but I just thought that maybe we could try it but if you—"

He cupped her cheek to calm her. "Felicity, sweetheart, just tell me what you want," he tenderly yet firmly interjected.

"I don't want to use this," the blonde said and shook his hand with the condom in it. Felicity wanted to kick herself. Why the hell couldn't she say it outright? She was a grown woman. There was no need to be embarrassed to say it—although if he rejected her then she'd admittedly feel downright mortified.

"The condom?"

Felicity nodded. "I'm not saying no protection, because that would be totally insane. I'm on birth control, too, because we sure as hell don't need any more surprises in our lives. But I love you, and I feel like I'm ready for that kind of intimacy with you. We already have to keep secrets, and I don't want anything else between us. Does that sound crazy?" Oliver's eyebrows were nearly to his hairline. "Oh my God, you do think I'm crazy. Forget it. It was stupid. I don't know what I was—"

She didn't get a chance to finish her anxious rant. Oliver leaned down to seize her lips in a tender, earth-shattering kiss that actually made her weak in the knees. "Nothing about you is stupid, Felicity," Oliver murmured once they broke apart. "And I might be more"—he searched for the right word—"experienced but I've never done that either. I've always been thoroughly cautious, and I've gotten tested just in case and I'm fine. The only person I would want to be with like that is you. I only trust you."

Relief flooded her. "Really?"

"Yes, of course. I love you." He grazed her lips, all the while looking at her with those sultry, piercing blue eyes. "Which selfishly makes me want all of you."

Felicity met his smoldering stare with one of her own. "It's not selfish if you're taking what's always been yours." She swallowed his deep groan with another string of enticing kisses. Reaching for the square foil in his hand, Felicity tossed it aside and began to guide him down on the bed with her. The need to feel connected to Oliver in every way possible had become a physical longing.

Their frenzied kisses from moments ago became languid but no less intense. To say Oliver was shocked by her request would be an understatement. It wasn't because he hadn't thought about it himself. He loved Felicity and he would never pressure her into something, but there was also an instinctive, possessive part of him that wanted to claim her on a carnal level. That wanted to feel what she was really like, because no one else had. That wanted to leave a piece of himself inside of her even after they had to go their separate ways. Knowing that Felicity felt that same desperate need for him was sexy as hell and almost made him lose it right then and there.

Wrapped in each other's arms, they stayed kneeling on the bed kissing for long minutes. Every inch of Felicity was on fire, but they took their time to savor the moment and each other. The feeling of his erection pressed against her stomach and what was to come increased her own arousal. Her walls naturally contracted in anticipation as his hands roamed her body. Hers did the same while her mind spun. Oliver drove her absolutely crazy, and it was the only time in her life Felicity relished not being in control.

Slowly and without breaking their kiss, Oliver eased Felicity into the mattress and tugged her beneath him. He settled on top of her, feeling an incredible sense of contentment mixed with restlessness. Being with Felicity was like coming home, but he wasn't quite there yet. Only when he made love to her, joining them completely, would he be at peace.

Both their lips were red and swollen when they finally took a breath. Their desperate pants mingled, and their bodies trembled. They'd held off long enough. Foreheads touching, eyes locked, Oliver positioned himself at her entrance. Felicity pressed a delicate hand to his cheek and nodded, spurring him on with an alluring smile. It was all the assent Oliver needed to take that next, final step between them.

Their sharp, heady moans echoed in the room as Oliver filled her inch by inch. The hot slickness of her walls pulling him in and tightening, as always fitting him perfectly, had him burying his face in her neck. This was it. Them. Just them. The new sensation already had his spine tingling as he began to move.

Felicity met his every thrust. The bare, skin on skin, connection was reinforced everywhere they touched. Oliver throbbed like a livewire inside of her, his imposing size and sheer force of movement all the more enhanced. Their kisses were passionate and visceral but remained unhurried. Felicity gripped his shoulders, lifting her hips, surrendering her body, her heart, her soul, her everything to him all the while claiming his in return.

Oliver groaned as she arched more fully into him, and he pressed back harder. There were a lot things he wished he could change. A lot of things he'd done wrong in his life and would probably end up paying for. But Felicity wasn't one of them. He didn't know how he'd managed to get such a smart, kind, and beautiful woman like her to love him. He would probably never know. But if he even had a chance at glimpsing heaven, she was it.

"I love you, Felicity. I've always loved you," he murmured against her lips. It was the first time he'd ever said that to her while in the throes of passion, and it wouldn't be the last. She deserved more. So much more than what he'd been giving her.

The buildup of heightened pleasure and emotion swirled inside of her, taking Felicity to the edge. "I love you, too, Oliver." She broke the kiss to look up at him. His crystal blue eyes were dark with a love and desire she didn't think she could even describe. "You're it for me."

"No matter what happens, I'm no one's but yours," Oliver grunted, quickening their pace. "Do you understand?" Felicity nodded absently, but he didn't think she had fully grasped the meaning or urgency behind his words. He didn't care. More than anything, he just needed to say it. Her head was thrown back against the pillows as she sought the release only he could give her.

Several more deep, powerful thrusts later and they both cried out. Their bodies hitched in climax as his essence spilled inside of her. Oliver's hold on her was like a vice grip, and Felicity gripped him just as tightly. They writhed together until there was nothing left, and they were both spent.

"Was that enough of a yes for you?" Felicity huffed teasingly, referencing their earlier conversation. Oliver was still on top of her with his weight a little more than she was used to bearing. And yet, she felt absolutely no urge to move. She'd stay like that forever with him if she could.

Oliver choked out a laugh—only she could turn such an intense moment into something amusing—and leaned down to kiss her. "It's a start."