A/N: Well, here we are at Chapter 40. Never could I have imagined when I began this story that I would be at this point. I will say that it is starting to wind down, and I have an ending in mind, so I hope you will stick with me for a little bit longer to see this to its conclusion.
Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.
Sunday morning found Olivia and Elliot waking up together. As they had managed to take care of their unpacking after dinner the night before, there wasn't too much that needed to be on the schedule for today. While they still lay nestled in each other's arms, Olivia spoke up, unsure if her suggestion would be accepted or not.
"El? I know you mentioned wanting to take it easy today, save for getting some groceries. But, would you mind if we went to my apartment for a bit? There are some things I'm going to be needing, especially since we start back to work tomorrow."
"Of course, Liv. You don't even need to ask. Did you want to pick up some boxes, or can you make do with a few suitcases for now? I know agreeing to move in with me is a big decision, and I don't want to rush you."
Olivia's expression softened even more, and she moved her hand from where it had been resting on Elliot's chest to curve her palm over his cheek.
"That's not it at all, El, though I love you for being so considerate. It will just take me awhile to sort through all the stuff that I've accumulated over the years, and that's not something I want to try and do in one day. My lease isn't due to be renewed for another few months yet, so I have plenty of time."
She took a breath, kissed him softly, then continued.
"What I need, are clothes for work. If you'll remember, when I first agreed to stay with you, I wasn't exactly dressing professionally. I don't think Cragen would appreciate it if I showed up to the precinct wearing leggings, an oversized tee and one of your hoodies."
"Maybe not, but you have to admit, those leggings make your ass look amazing."
Laughing now, Olivia smacked Elliot lightly on the chest. Then, she offered up what she considered to be a compromise.
"How about this? Once we're at my apartment, I'll let you help me pick which clothes to bring over. That way, you can finally admit which outfits you most like to see me in, and which ones have had you lusting after me all of these years."
Elliot's eyes went wide, a tell-tale sign of his incredulity.
"What? And give away my secrets? How am I supposed to know that this isn't a trap?"
"You don't. That's the whole point. But there is something else -"
With a growl, Elliot rolled their bodies, pinning Olivia beneath him.
"Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"When we get back here, we can always go through your wardrobe, and I'll tell you which of your suits I like you best in. I happen to be a fan of clothes that accentuate your ass as well."
Groaning now, Elliot lowered his head until their foreheads were connected. He was getting carried away, and if they continued along this path, they would never leave the apartment in time to get breakfast anywhere. Fortunately, Olivia had been thinking along the same lines as him, and suggested they head into the shower to get ready for the day.
Pleased that their return from vacation wouldn't alter their morning routine any, Elliot kissed the woman in his arms, the only confirmation she needed. Reluctantly, they disentangled themselves from one another, then padded into the bathroom together. After a not completely rushed, but not exactly leisurely shower, they returned to the bedroom.
Wrapped only in towels, Elliot and Olivia stood side by side in front of the dresser. There, they forced themselves to keep their hands off of one another long enough so that they could dress for the day. They both knew if they got distracted now, it would be too easy to fall back into bed and spend the rest of the morning making love. As tempting as that idea was, they did have some responsibilities to take care of.
Once they were dressed - with Elliot trying not to think too hard about the fact that Olivia was wearing the same jeans that she'd had on as that fateful day weeks earlier – they headed out the door. Had they just been going for breakfast, it would have been so much easier to hail a cab and let someone else take care of the driving, but there were other things on their agenda today. So, they climbed into Elliot's Jeep and set off in the direction of the restaurant they had agreed upon earlier that morning.
True to his word, after breakfast Elliot drove Olivia to her apartment. He did make a slight detour on the way, only so they could pick up a few boxes. Once again, he assured her there was no pressure for her to rush to pack her things, he had just thought it would be good to have a few of the cardboard receptacles handy just in case there were items she wanted to transfer on a moment's notice. This way, a few boxes would always be available should she need them.
Upon entering the lobby of her building, the first thing Olivia did was get her mail. She hadn't been able to check it since before they had left on their vacation the previous week, and the small box was practically overflowing. Fortunately, most of it was junk, and she hadn't missed anything important like bills that had to be paid. It reminded her that she would be needing to file a change of address form sooner rather than later. For a very real moment, anxiety began to well up inside her about how that would be perceived at work, until she remembered that she and Elliot had already discussed with Cragen about the direction their relationship was heading. There was nothing for them worry about, nothing to hide.
Moments later, they were walking through her door together. It struck Olivia, just as it had when she had been here the last time, that this place no longer felt like home. Perhaps it never had. Looking at it now through a different set of eyes, there was nothing about the apartment that truly showed her personality. Yes, there were a few photographs, but that was it. It didn't escape her notice that the majority of those photographs were pictures of her and Elliot. No, 'home' was the sensation she felt whenever she was with him, and by extension, his kids. For the first time in her life, she had a family.
As Elliot sensed that Olivia needed some time to process whatever was going through her mind, he moved toward the bedroom with the boxes in his hands, allowing her some space. Olivia sank into the cushions of the couch, completely blown away as the realization hit her full force. At any other time in her life, with any other man, this would be the moment she would put an end to things and run as fast as she could in the opposite direction. Not now. Granted, it didn't stop her from feeling terrified by the magnitude of all that was happening, but she didn't want to run away.
After taking a moment to gather her composure, Olivia moved to join Elliot in the bedroom. There, she found him already standing in front of her closet, shuffling through the various articles of clothing. As she observed from the doorway, she hid a smile as she watched a man she had known for years select some of her most favorite things, then turn to lay them on the bed. She then noticed as Elliot's fingers closed around a hanger bearing an elegant black dress and add it to the pile. Before she could stop herself, Olivia heard her voice break into the silence.
"As much as I appreciate your good taste, I do think that last one is a bit too formal for me to wear to the precinct."
Elliot's eyes flicked over Olivia's face, studying her features intently. Though she'd spoken in a teasing tone, he wanted to get a better read of her emotions. It had been obvious to tell that coming back here was affecting her more than she was letting on. He wasn't panicking and trying to convince himself that she didn't want to be with him, but he also knew that giving up this apartment represented a lot more to her than just a simple move. Though he would never ask her to sacrifice anything on his behalf, there would be a part of her that might see the loss of this residence as a detriment to her independence – even if he'd never personally or intentionally done anything to make it seem that way. It was just the way that Olivia's mind processed things sometimes. For a woman who'd been alone virtually her entire life, this apartment represented milestones she'd passed and successes she'd achieved along the way.
"Elliot? The dress?"
Elliot felt his face flush as he realized that Olivia was still talking to him – calling him out was more like it. He'd gotten too wrapped up in wayward thoughts and for a very real moment, had almost forgotten what the initial question had been. Thankfully, it resurfaced in his memory before he'd had to ask her to repeat herself.
"Well, Liv, it's like this – I know we'll have plans with the kids this coming weekend, but it's safe to say that I'm going to want to take you out again at some point. As much as I love the dress you wore to Les Mis and while we were in Lake Placid, I want to see you in other things, too."
"I'm not complaining about that, El. Hell, I won't even argue with you about it. What shocks me is the fact that you seem to know my wardrobe better than I do. I don't even remember owning that dress, let alone buying it in the first place."
Abandoning his post by the closet, Elliot crossed the room to where Olivia stood, looping his arms around her waist. He first kissed her forehead, followed by the tip of her nose, before ending his journey by fusing his lips with hers. The kiss seemed to endure for an eternity, but in reality had only been a span of approximately thirty seconds. When he ultimately pulled away, Elliot kept his brow pressed against Olivia's, maintaining their connection as he spoke.
"I've always noticed your wardrobe Liv. For as long as I can remember, I've noticed everything there is about you – even at a time when I probably shouldn't have."
A few heartbeats passed before he asked another question.
"Are you going to give me hell for that?"
Elliot sensed, rather than saw, Olivia smirk as she considered her response.
"If I did that, it would make me the world's biggest hypocrite. I've always been incredibly observant of you, too, El."
The conversation was eerily reminiscent to one that they'd had around the time they had first admitted their feelings to one another, but the fact that it had been repeated didn't negate it's value in the slightest. If anything, it only served to heighten the emotion of just how much history was between them. They had overcome so many obstacles together – both professionally and personally – and had always been able to count on each other.
Reluctantly, Olivia disentangled herself from the circle of Elliot's embrace, and moved toward the closet. After finding a garment bag, she began pulling out articles of clothing, which she subsequently passed to Elliot. Passing him the items, she made a remark as she went about her task.
"Now, let's get these clothes packed up and get our shopping done. I want to spend the last day of my vacation actually relaxing."
"You got it."
Olivia was still feeling overwhelmed when they got back to Elliot's apartment after finishing the grocery shopping, but she forced herself to stay in the kitchen and help him put everything away. The last thing she wanted was to worry him, but the truth of the matter was she needed a few minutes to herself to process everything. Between the shared moments at the store, and now here, the domesticity was getting to her in a way she'd never expected. She'd always known that she and Elliot had similarities, but not to this degree. The fact that they hadn't had so much as one disagreement over what to buy, or where to store something was unnerving at best, and Olivia was shaken to her very core.
What Olivia failed to realize was that Elliot was ever observant of her changes in mood and body language, and had already intuited this alteration as well. Wisely, though, he had opted to keep silent, allowing her the space he knew she needed. While he couldn't necessarily fault her for taking a step back, his feelings were somewhat injured. Then again, he was equally shaken by what had transpired, as there was not a single memory he could recall of shopping with Kathy that hadn't resulted in a fight. This morning's events only proved to Elliot how much he and Olivia were equally matched in every way.
After putting the last box away on the top shelf in the cabinet, Elliot gathered up the reusable shopping bags and hung them on the hook in the closet that served as a pantry. Then, he turned to Olivia, who still seemed to be lost in her own world. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he enfolded her into an embrace, and placed a soft kiss against the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Then, he moved his lips to the shell of her ear to whisper softly.
"Why don't you go and put your feet up for a bit, Liv? I can bring you a cup of tea if you want it."
Elliot sensed, rather than saw, when the woman in front of him shook her head to indicate the negative. Taking no offense, he patiently waited for her to respond.
"I think I'm going to go into the bedroom first, hang up my clothes so they don't get wrinkled. The last thing I want to have to worry about taking care of tomorrow morning is ironing something."
Chuckling softly, Elliot murmured his agreement. He offered to help, even though a part of him already knew that Olivia would not accept. She needed this time alone, and he would never fault her for it.
"No thanks, El. But I think I will take you up on that cup of tea when I come back out in a bit."
"Sounds like a plan."
Reluctantly, Elliot released Olivia from his hold. He was pleased, though, when she didn't immediately walk away. Instead, she turned and arched up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. There was so much meaning couched in that kiss, it transcended any words that could have spoken. Even so, Olivia still felt the need to vocalize what was on her mind and she took a step back and lowered her heels back to the tile floor.
"Thank you, El, for being so understanding. You have to understand that I'm not having a single regret, but my mind is trying to take in so much at once right now, and it's a lot. I love you, though. That hasn't changed."
"I love you, too, Liv. Always will. Take as long as you need."
With a smile, Olivia padded toward the bedroom that had been been hers since she first came to stay here nearly a month ago. There, she found the garment bags and suitcases she had brought over this afternoon waiting neatly on the bed. Last night when they had unpacked from their trip, Elliot had taken it upon himself to clear out additional space in not only the closet, but the dresser as well. This provided Olivia with plenty of room to store her things.
Methodically, Olivia went about the task of hanging up the attire she intended to wear to work. She tried not to focus too much on the fact that her blazers, blouses, and slacks were now residing neatly alongside Elliot's pressed suits. Shaking her head, she admonished herself silently. How was it that she had been lovers with the man for as long as she had, and yet it was the act of sharing closet space that her psyche deemed as too intimate?
Sinking down on the mattress, now free of clutter, Olivia buried her face in her hands. Inhaling deeply, she tried to regain her composure. After a few cleansing breaths, she was feeling markedly more at ease, and the majority of the panic had passed. It was only in lifting her head and glancing at the closet interior once more that Olivia realized what had had her so visibly shaken.
It wasn't the fact that she was sharing storage space with Elliot – that was nothing new. Over the years, they've stowed items in each other's lockers or bags as the need called for it. Hell, even before his divorce, Elliot had always kept at least one spare suit at her apartment in case of emergency, in addition to a few pairs of sweats and some tees. As detectives, their schedules were often unpredictable, and there had been the rare occasions when her partner would opt to crash at her place instead of making the long drive home to Queens.
No, what had shaken her to the core wasn't the fact that her clothes were now sharing real estate with Elliot's, but the concept of just how natural their garments looked hanging together. There was nothing about this that seemed surreal or out of place, and that in itself was frightening.
Emotionally drained, Olivia swung her legs up on the bed as she reclined back against the pillow. Turning her on her side, she nuzzled her nose into the fabric of the sheets, inhaling Elliot's scent. As always, it grounded and calmed her. Before she realized it, she had dozed off, completely at peace.
When more than an hour had passed without Olivia returning to join him, Elliot began to grow concerned. While the last thing he wanted to do was intrude on her space while she was seeking some time to herself, he felt like he should check on her. Making his way down the hall, he rapped softly on the bedroom door with his knuckles. Receiving no response, he tentatively turned the knob to peer inside, ready to back away should his presence be unwelcome. What he saw when he had a clear view of the room made his heart melt.
Lying curled up on the mattress, fast asleep, was Olivia. She had her arms wrapped around the pillow he normally slept on, and her lashes fluttered against her cheek as she dreamed. Though he was loathe to wake her, the last thing Elliot wanted was for Olivia to be unable to sleep tonight, when the following morning would see them back in the precinct together for the first time since her injuries weeks before. Stepping closer to the bed he'd come to think of as 'theirs', Elliot reached out a hand and threaded his fingers through the hair of the sleeping woman before bending at the waist to kiss her temple. Murmuring in her ear, he gently coaxed her toward consciousness, not wanting her to be startled.
Stirring, Olivia stretched languidly, then turned toward the source of the sound that had reached her even through sleep. It was a voice she knew well. Blinking awake, she opened her eyes fully to find Elliot smiling down at her.
"Welcome back, beautiful. I'm sorry for waking you, but I didn't want to leave you nap for too long. Not when we have to get up so early tomorrow morning."
Shaking her head dismissively, Olivia let Elliot know without words that she wasn't angry with him. Then, she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, pulling his mouth to hers for another kiss. Any anxieties she was feeling previously had all evaporated, and she was content in this moment to envelop herself in the love she felt for this man, and accept his love for her in return. When they broke apart from the kiss out of a need for air, Olivia managed to speak.
"I'm actually glad you woke me. I never intended to fall asleep in the first place."
Elliot took a step back, giving Olivia the space she needed to sit up and swing her legs over the edge of the mattress. Placing another kiss on the crown of her head, he excused himself from the room, with an assurance that he was off to the kitchen to make her the previously promised cup of tea.
When Olivia padded out to the living room a few minutes later, she could hear the kettle just starting to whistle. With a smile playing at her lips, she curled up on the couch, tucking her legs up to the one side. She had just gotten comfortable when Elliot appeared, a steaming mug in his hand. He passed it off carefully, then asked a teasing question.
"Is there still room for me beside you?"
"Always."
Grabbing the remote, Elliot situated himself next to the woman who had come to mean everything to him. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer until she was leaning against his chest. Olivia relaxed into the embrace, taking special care not to spill her tea. It was still too hot to drink at this point, but to put it down would mean to move from the comforting circle of Elliot's arms, and she didn't want to do that.
"Did you want to watch anything special, Liv?"
Elliot asked the question as he mindlessly surfed through the channels at a rate of speed that was making Olivia feel dizzy. She resisted the urge to laugh at his impatience and concentrated instead on simply enjoying their last few hours of quiet before the chaos of work would consume their lives once more the following morning. Granted, she was looking forward to getting back to work – she loved her job – but she wasn't trying to kid or delude herself. The first day back was going to be pure hell. After the reprieve they had both been given from the worst society had to offer, it would be like experiencing a baptism of fire all over again. Then again, maybe the time off would end up having served as a benefit rather than a detriment – they would be refreshed, looking at each case with a renewed focus, their motivation stronger than ever before. Not that Olivia would ever recommend anyone taking a bullet in order to obtain some well deserved time off, but she would advocate for using vacation days more often in the future.
As though just remembering that she were supposed to answer a question, Olivia shifted so she could look Elliot in the eye. Flushing slightly, she hoped that he would attribute the color in her cheeks to the steam from her mug of tea, and not to the embarrassment she was currently feeling for having ignored him by being so lost in her own thoughts.
"It's all right El. I chose something last night. You pick."
Not fooled for a second by her methods of deflection, Elliot set the remote down his lap so he could cup his palm around Olivia's head, pulling her closer.
"Remember who you're talking to, Benson. When it comes to deciphering each other, we're human polygraphs. I don't want to say you're lying – because technically, you're not. However, you are omitting a few details. Tell me what's going on in that mind of yours."
Sighing, Olivia acquiesced to his request. He'd made a valid point, so she supposed it was only fair he was calling her out on her bullshit. Plus, she knew if it were something she truly weren't comfortable discussing right now, he'd back off immediately. That was one of the many reasons why she loved him.
"It's not what you think, El. I was just lost in thought. Finally coming to terms with the fact that it took me getting shot to realize that the job isn't the only thing I have in life. The 1-6 isn't going to fall apart if I take a day off or a vacation every now and then in the future."
Taking Olivia's mug of tea in his hands, Elliot set it on the end table by his side. Then pivoting her, he pulled her into his lap until she was straddling him, and kissed her breathless. Her words had evoked memories in him that may fade in time, but he could ultimately never forget. The image of her lying unresponsive with a bullet hole in her shirt was permanently seared in his brain. It was ameliorating to those visuals, though, to hear Olivia talk of wanting to take more time off in the future – more vacations. Though she hadn't explicitly said so, he knew those trips were meant to be with him.
When the intensity became too much for either to withstand, they separated from the kiss, but not their embrace. Trying to deflect the emotions they were both feeling by injecting a bit of humor, Olivia attempted to crack a joke.
"I was going to drink that tea, you know."
Not to be outdone, Elliot immediately countered with his own rejoinder.
"I'll make you another cup. Right now, I just need you in my arms. Yours isn't the only mind that goes to dark places when you think of that day. I'm not asking for an apology – just let me hold you."
The tea now forgotten, they nestled together. Behind them, the television droned on aimlessly, stuck on some mundane channel that neither could care about. All that mattered is that this was them now. When reality came crashing in, they would freely cling to one another for comfort. All the past years of denial were over.
How long they remained tangled up in each other, lost in an endless embrace, Olivia didn't know. All she knew for certain was by the time they separated, her tea had grown cold and she'd lost interest in even having any. What they could not ignore, however, was their need for food. Since they had skipped lunch, it was obvious that an early dinner would be necessary.
Knowing Olivia's general dislike for cooking, it was Elliot who suggested he be the one to prepare the meal. He was genuinely surprised when the woman by his side not only offered to keep him company in the kitchen, but expressed an interest in assisting him with his duties. It was then that he remembered the meal she had cooked the night before they left for Lake Placid the week before. While not an experienced chef by any means, it was clear that Olivia wasn't exactly the novice he imagined her to be, either.
Together, they went into the kitchen. While Olivia put a pot of salted water on to boil, Elliot began digging ingredients out of the refrigerator. In an attempt to keep things simple, he had opted to prepare a basic dish with penne pasta tossed with burst cherry tomatoes coated in olive oil, some minced garlic, and a block of feta cheese that would be melted in the oven.
While Elliot was seeing to the main course, Olivia concentrated on assembling a salad to accompany their meal. After chopping some romaine lettuce, she used a vegetable peeler to shave some parmesan cheese directly from the block onto the greens. As a final touch, she topped the salad with some croutons, then carried it over to the table along with a bottled Caesar dressing – a necessary shortcut, as neither were skilled enough to attempt making one from scratch.
"Do you need any help with anything else, El?"
"Actually, if you could add the penne to the water, that would be great. I'm going to put this pan in the oven. That way, they should both be finished at about the same time."
Olivia did as Elliot asked, then watched as he moved on to his next task – pouring them each a glass of wine. Keeping an eye on the clock, she sliced some bread from a crusty baguette loaf they had purchased earlier today and arranged the pieces in a basket. Just as she'd finished, the timer went off, indicating that the pasta was ready to be drained and added to the tomato and feta mixture.
"Why don't you take the bread over to the table and have a seat, Liv? I'll finish up here and bring dinner over in a minute."
Though part of her wanted to argue, Olivia knew the last thing she wanted tonight was to get into a fight with Elliot for any reason. So, she made herself comfortable at the table, just as he'd requested. While she waited for him to join her, memories flashed in her mind. They mostly consisted of the first few meals she had shared with him here in this place, including the first time he had ever cooked for her, and the first time he had made waffles for her. The emotion welled up inside, and Olivia had to draw in a shaky breath to try and compose herself. So much of her life with Elliot revolved around the times they had spent together with food. What had started all those years ago as splitting some Chinese while on a break during an all night case had evolved into a relationship beyond her wildest dreams. Now, they were not only sharing food, but their entire lives.
Following an intimate dinner, the pair found themselves cleaning up the kitchen together before returning to the living room. There, they curled back up on the couch and decided to watch a movie. It was at this point that a playful debate ensued, as each wanted to be the one to make the executive decision over what to watch, and not defer to the other. After several moments of bargaining, some of which Elliot argued with a laugh that her methods were unfair, he ultimately acquiesced to Olivia and let her have her way.
As a consolation, when the movie ended and neither were tired yet, Olivia conceded to Elliot and suggested they screen his choice, too. There was still enough time to watch something else, and get to bed reasonably early for their day tomorrow. This was the point when Elliot curiously questioned the woman by his side.
"You were planning to let me have my way all along, weren't you?"
"Essentially, yes. I just wanted to be first."
No matter how hard she tried, it was impossible for Olivia to conceal the smirk on her face. Even if it technically hadn't been a contest, she knew she'd won yet again. In the back of her mind, she made a promise to herself to make it up to the man who had given her so much these past few weeks before they fell asleep tonight. Not because she felt she owed him anything, but because she wanted nothing more than to express her love in a physical way.
When the second movie ended two hours later, and Elliot reached for Olivia's hand after ensuring the apartment was locked up for the night, she allowed him to lead her into the bedroom. However, once they were beyond the threshold of the door, she took control.
With all of her strength, Olivia pushed Elliot toward the bed, not stopping until he was sitting on the mattress and their height was more equally matched. If anything, this position gave her even more of an advantage. He'd kept silent during this, but regarded her with an amused expression and an arched eyebrow. After a few moments, he leaned back, resting his body weight against his palms, clearly waiting for her next move.
Moving with catlike grace, Olivia sidled up to Elliot, running her palms over his still clothed chest, bringing the hem of his shirt with her traveling fingers. Though she hadn't spoken a word, one look was all it took to get him to comply with her unspoken command, and he lifted first one arm then the other to assist her in divesting him of the garment. When her lips grazed his bare breastbone a few heartbeats later, Elliot could withhold his curiosity no longer, and as he entangled his fingers in Olivia's chestnut tresses, his voice rasped the question at the forefront of his mind.
"What's gotten into you tonight?"
Before the enchanting seductress in his midst had a chance to reply, Elliot was quick to amend his words – worried that she would misinterpret them entirely.
"Not that I'm complaining, mind you, it's just that I wasn't expecting this tonight at at all."
Pulling back to make eye contact, Olivia grinned coquettishly before responding.
"We go back to work tomorrow, El. After being out for several weeks. Do you honestly believe they're not going to stick us with every case imaginable to make up for the time we've missed? If not now, I don't know when we'll have a chance for this again."
She kissed him on the mouth then – softly at first, then teasing the seam of his lips with her tongue to deepen the connection and make it more intimate than before. When they eventually had to separate out of mutual need for oxygen, she continued with her previous thought.
"As for what's gotten into me tonight, the answer is nothing. Not yet anyway."
To punctuate her last statement, Olivia's hand drifted lower to cover the bulge in his sweatpants. Squeezing gently, she emphasized her meaning without speaking another word. Helpless to her touch, Elliot groaned reflexively and arched his hips in her direction. He encircled her wrist with his own fingers – not to stop her entirely, but only so he could speak before he was rendered completely speechless.
"You're wrong on one account, Liv. No matter what is thrown at us at work, I'll always find the time to make love to you."
After that exchange, no other words were uttered between them, save for murmured encouragements and declarations of love. After divesting Elliot of his sweatpants, Olivia seductively shed her own clothing. She had instinctively known that even though the act of love she was about to give Elliot was primarily for his pleasure, he would want to see her, be able to touch her.
When they were both naked, Elliot subtly shifted his position on the bed, sliding up so that he was leaning against the headboard. Olivia knelt between his legs, resting her palms on his muscular thighs. He cupped her face in his hands, brushing his thumbs over her cheekbones, coaxing her to meet his gaze.
"Liv, you don't have to do this. Let me take care of you."
Sitting back on her heels, Olivia raised her arms so that her fingers covered Elliot's where they rested on her cheeks. She loved him so much in that moment for his care and attentiveness, but wanted to reassure him that in no way was she feeling pressured to do this.
"It's okay, El, I want to. In fact, I've been thinking about this all day. I want to make you feel good."
No sooner had the words been spoken, than Olivia let her hands drop. As she began kissing her way down Elliot's body, her fingers wrapped around his length and began to stroke him in a rhythm that nearly took his breath away. He gasped audibly when her thumb swiped over his tip, and had to use all of his willpower to keep from closing his eyes as the sensations began to consume him. When he felt her hand drift lower and the warmth of her mouth envelop him, all was lost. Elliot tossed his head back against the headboard of the bed, and even though he'd promised himself that he wouldn't be demanding, he was vaguely aware of the moment when his fingers threaded through Olivia's hair, clinging for purchase.
While Olivia continued her ministrations with lips and teeth and tongue, her hands danced over the other sensitive parts of Elliot's body. Despite her earlier comments, she gave no thought to her own needs. Elliot on the other hand, hadn't forgotten. As much as he was enjoying Olivia's attentions, he wanted the experience between them to be a mutual one. Tugging gently on the strands of hair still wrapped around his fingers, he coaxed Olivia to raise her head.
"I need you to stop, Liv. Not because I'm not enjoying every moment of this – what you are doing feels amazing – but because I want to be with you when we fall over that edge together."
Olivia's expression softened even more, her brown eyes a deep shade of chocolate that reflected equally both the love in her heart and the desire in her soul. Crawling her way back up Elliot's body, she kissed him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. They moaned simultaneously as the kiss deepened, their tongues stroking one another in an intricate dance. Without letting go of their embrace, Elliot managed to maneuver their bodies until they were not only lying flat on the surface of the mattress against the pillows, but so his form now securely blanketed the woman beneath him.
"Now, it's my turn to take care of you."
The words were whispered huskily in her ear, and in response, Olivia felt a rush of heat to her already stimulated core. Even though she had yet to be touched intimately in any way, she was so turned on simply by her attentions to Elliot that she knew it wouldn't take much to send her tumbling into the abyss. That wasn't what she wanted, though. If she was going to fall, she wanted it to be with him. Understanding his earlier reasoning more than ever, Olivia clung even more tightly to Elliot's shoulders, holding him against her.
"I don't need you to 'take care of me', I just need you."
Despite Olivia's assurances, Elliot wanted to be certain, as the last thing he ever wanted to do was cause her pain for any reason. With two fingers, he gently stroked her sensitive folds. Olivia's answering gasp of pleasure along with the ample moisture he found there were all the evidence he needed to know that her body was ready to accept his. With a purposeful thrust of his hips, he slowly began to fill her, blue eyes boring into brown, fingers entwined together on either side of Olivia's head. When their bodies were completely joined together as one, and his hipbone connected with hers, Elliot kissed Olivia again, reaffirming the shared intimacy between them. Only when the kiss was broken did he begin to move.
As always, they moved in perfect sync. Their lovemaking seemed to go on endlessly, yet at the same time, never seemed to last long enough. Just as they'd predicted earlier, the two lovers tumbled over the edge together, calling out one another's names. In the aftermath of it all, they lay breathless and entwined together, their sweat-slicked bodies rapidly cooling until Elliot had the presence of mind to reach down and pull up the comforter to cover them. With a last coherent thought, he set an alarm for the following morning. Then, pulling Olivia close against his chest, he kissed her forehead and murmured words of love, followed by a goodnight. Though already halfway to dreamland, she whispered a response, an arm reflexively tightening around him as they drifted off into a sated sleep.