They'd exchanged a few texts during the day on Thursday and Olivia knew that Barba was working late - but she also knew that he was definitely coming over that evening.

After putting Noah (and Georgie) to bed, she jumped into the shower, shaved her legs, carefully blow-dried her hair into 'natural' waves and applied a little minimal makeup. Yes, Rafael would always be her closest friend - but she was still going to make a little effort.

Olivia slipped on some of her nicer lingerie. Not Saturday night nice…but nice enough that she believed he might be getting a look. Then selected some loose satin pants and a fitted camisole.

As she glanced at the time she heard a light knock at her door - eight-thirty, that could only be him.

Olivia was a little surprised by the nervous flutter in her belly and grazed the corner of her bottom lip lightly with her teeth as she hurried toward the door in her bare feet. She looked through the peephole, then smiled and felt her anxiety dissipate - she didn't need to be nervous, this was Rafael.

"Liv…" Barba muttered roughly when she opened, then glanced up and down her body with desire.

"You're early…" Olivia observed as she leaned against the doorframe with a smile before teasingly wrapping her fingers around his tie and tugging him toward her. She grinned when he dropped his bag just inside the door, kicked it shut and crowded her against the wall.

"Are you actually trying to drive me crazy now?" He asked and ran his fingers slowly under the thin straps of her bra and camisole before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers.

"Not yet, we still have a movie to watch," she teased against his mouth.

"I don't care about the damn movie," Barba assured, then both of his hands stroked down over her ass and drew her against him.

"Teenage Rafael would be appalled by you right now, may the Star Wars Gods strike you down!" She teased.

Barba looked at her with an expression that could only be described as adoration. "Teenage Rafael had no idea that you were even a possibility…" he smirked and then added, "…he'd unquestionably be on my side."

Olivia laughed with amusement. "I'd like to watch the movie with you, Rafa", she assured.

He sighed with feigned reluctance and rolled his eyes, then followed her through to the living area.

They paused in front of the couch and Olivia began to slowly loosen his tie, she threw it to one side, then disposed of his waistcoat and slowly slipped open the top three buttons of his shirt.

"Keep undressing me like this and we definitely won't be seeing this movie," he cautioned her softly.

She rolled her eyes with amusement.

Then Barba kicked off his shoes and rolled up his sleeves. He rented the movie, selected play, then sat back and was surprised when Olivia encouraged him to lay down.

"Comfortable?" She asked as she relaxed into his arms.

"I've literally never been more comfortable in my life," he assured, then kissed her temple. "I love you, Olivia."

Olivia smiled and turned to press a kiss to his chest. "Rafa, shhh….I'm trying to watch the movie," she reprimanded him with a smirk.

Barba chuckled, then attempted to focus on the opening crawl as he reflected on the fact that his teenage self had no idea how good life was going to get. Olivia Benson had definitely been worth the wait.

As the movie finished Olivia lifted her head and rested her chin on her forearm so that she could look at him. "I can see why you liked Han so much," she licked her lips and let her eyes scan over his face with desire, "…but he's definitely no Rafael Barba."

His eyes sparkled with amusement, "Oh no? I think you're a little biased."

"Mmmmm…" she agreed happily. "Please tell me you're not about to leave?" Olivia asked and arched an eyebrow.

Barba suddenly rolled Olivia toward the back of the couch and climbed above her, prompting a little surprised laugh before his lips collided with hers.

"Rafa," Olivia gasped into his mouth after a couple of minutes as his hand came up to cover her breast and his fingers teased one taut nipple. She wrapped a leg around him, hauling him closer and pushing up against his solid length.

He groaned, "I never want to be anywhere but here with you, Livia."

Olivia's hand snaked down in between their bodies and her fingers trailed over his zipper. "We can still wait, just let me touch you?" She urged.

Barba hummed and closed his eyes. "Noah?" He checked.

"Noah is fine. He's sleeping," she assured. "Let me?" Her hand fiddle with his zipper and she felt him smile against her lips.

"Will you let me touch you?" He asked a little breathlessly, his own hand slowly moving down to the crotch of her sheer satin pants.

Olivia gasped when his fingers danced lightly over her and then felt wetness flood her core. "God, yes!" She cried out.

"Shhhhh…" Barba soothed as he brought two fingers up to her lips. He held them there for a second, then watched as she slowly took them into her mouth. Their eyes clashed as she sucked, then he gradually drew them out before reaching down and slipping his hand inside her pants.

"Ahhhh!" Olivia groaned, then muffled the noise against his neck as she felt his fingers slide smoothly into her panties and stroke through her folds.

"God, you're so wet…" Barba moaned against her lips. He stroked gently over her clit and she grazed his jaw with her teeth. "God…" he repeated when she arched up against him urgently.

Olivia quickly reached between them and tugged down his zipper before shoving her hand inside.

Barba breathed heavily against her lips, his fingertips began to circle her clit more firmly and then he moved back to tease her entrance.

"Please..." Olivia gasped and started to slowly yet firmly stroke his cock. He felt wonderful in her hand - broad, long and deliciously hard. Her grip only paused around him when she was suddenly overwhelmed by the feeling of two fingers slowly push inside and then curve against her g-spot. "Rafa, perfect," she breathed out and closed her eyes, "...more."

He lifted his head now and their eyes linked, his fingers inside her, her hand still wrapped around his length - their gaze seemed to only heighten their connection and physical response.

"Goooooooood..." Olivia breathed and stretched up to breathlessly brush her lips over his.

He stroked inside her, watching and taking his cue from her reactions until she had no choice but to drop her face against his shoulder. After a loud gasp, Olivia bit down on his shirt and came so hard that her whole body shook as she began to recover from the high. Olivia still held his solid length in her hand...then she finally turned her head to taste his lips.

"Rafa..." She breathed out after a few moments.

He hummed, then moved up a little to kiss across her forehead and then down her hairline.

"I'm so fucking glad you love me," she finally sighed happily, "...because I'm definitely keeping you."

Barba kissed her lips again, this time driving inside and exploring her mouth possessively, then he gasped when he felt her hand move and her fingers begin to lightly play with his balls.

"Livia," he groaned.

Olivia pushed at his pants and then slithered almost bonelessly down his body to kneel on the floor in front of the couch.

"No, Liv…" he gasped when he realised what she was doing.

Olivia smiled up at him, her eyes heavy and dark with arousal. "I want you in my mouth…" she assured simply. This was rarely an activity she'd really enjoyed, but right now something primal in her wanted to taste him, to take him inside her. She slipped his solid and leaking cock out of his pants and quickly took him into her mouth.

"Liv!" He gasped, then watched wide-eyed as she licked up his length before circling him with her lips. Her fingers danced over his balls before her hand came up to wrap around the base. The visual and physical sensations overwhelmed him and he quickly felt his climax build. "Liv..." he tried to warn her but she simply gave him a firm stroke and then sucked harder until he came with a shuddering groan.

Olivia swallowed eagerly and licked him clean. Before tucking him away gently and moving slowly back up his body.

"Rafa…" She whispered against his lips and then kissed him.

"Wow…" Barba finally experimented with speech.

"I love you," She said softly in-between gentle kisses.

A tear escaped Barba's eyes and he ran his fingers into her hair. "God, I love you, I love you…" he repeated as they held onto each other tightly, both quietly wishing that they had taken the time to remove each other's clothes.

They lay together for several moments until Olivia climbed to her feet and reluctantly stood. "I won't be a minute," she assured, then leaned to kiss him before walking to the bathroom. She felt a little light-headed, giddy…and almost overwhelmingly happy.

After about five minutes, Olivia returned to find Barba sitting up on the couch and bending over as though about to slip on his shoes.

"Stay?" She asked quietly. "Please don't leave now…" She walked around and sat next to him, taking his hand and linking their fingers. "At least lay with me for a while?"

He looked into her eyes and smiled. "I'm not going anywhere, Livia" he assured. Then he held out the small box he had just retrieved from his jacket.

"You can't keep buying me gifts," Olivia smiled and leaned against him with relief that he clearly intended on staying with her.

"I didn't," he assured as she opened the box and found a stunningly simple antique gold bracelet with small emerald stones, "…it was my grandmother's and…well...I'd like you to have it."

"Rafa, no…" Olivia looked at him with astonishment. "I can't, I know how much your grandmother meant to you."

"Which is why I want you to have it. It would mean so much to me, Livia, to know that you have it, to see you wearing it…" he paused and then added, "…more than I can even begin to tell you." He suddenly looked a little hesitant, "But if you don't like it, or if it's too soon-"

She leaned in quickly and kissed him, bringing her hand to the back of his neck and holding him close. "It's so beautiful, Rafa. I can't even, I…" Olvia trailed off to silence, she was uncharacteristically speechless.

"My abuelita told me to give it to you," he smiled when Olivia looked confused, "...to the person I would choose to spend my life with...then she would always be with us."

"Rafa..." Olivia whispered emotionally.

"I've had this for twenty years and I've never even considered giving this to anyone else," he assured, "...but I have no doubts at all about giving it to you. However, if you need time..."

"Can you help me?" Olivia asked decisively and saw his eyes well with tears again.

Barba quickly helped her fasten the bracelet around her wrist, then she lay back into his arms. "I love you," she whispered after a couple of minutes when he tightened his arms around her.

They fell asleep on the couch again that night. The following morning Barba woke up, bribed Georgie with food in return for not waking Olivia and then slipped out of her apartment at a little after 5 am without disturbing her.

When Olivia woke at 6 she found Barba had gone, she stroked the little ball of fur laying with her in his place, then sat up and saw a text on her phone.

- I adore you x

Olivia smiled, then relaxed back on the couch and traced her fingers over her bracelet. So this is what this feels like, she thought with a smile.

TBC…