14. Relax

They wake up again a few hours later and Gene tells Olivia that there is a breakfast buffet downstairs that should be open by now. They both slip into a robe and Olivia finds her suitcase neatly put away in the walk-in closet. She is surprised to find her own clothes already hanging in 'her' section of the closet, and her shoes neatly arranged underneath. The smaller items in her luggage like underwear and toiletry have remained untouched and are still in her suitcase. Gene's things are unpacked too.

"There is more to choose from if you wish," Gene tells her proudly, gesturing at another section with women's clothes, shoes and other accessories, including an opened box with jewelry.

When he sees Olivia hesitate, he quickly explains.

"These are all brand new, Olivia. They're not someone else's if that's what you're wondering. And whatever you choose to wear, you can take home with you after the weekend."

He takes her hand and pulls her towards him until she is standing in front of the section of women's clothing. He squeezes her shoulders gently from behind and tells her,

"These should all fit you perfectly. I know your measurements, remember?"

He kisses her cheek and Olivia smiles.

"You ordered these for me?"

"Hm hmm."

Gene wraps his arms around her from behind and Olivia puts her hands over his across her chest. She wonders if he does this for every woman he brings here but she doesn't want to ask. They're good now and she has slept off her earlier confusion. She has to admit the outfits look amazing, much nicer than the two dresses she's brought along, but she still wants to be in her own clothes for breakfast. Gene understands and he smiles when she turns around in his arms to kiss his chin.

"Thank you, Gene. I'll definitely change into one of these for dinner."

"Shower?" he asks her, changing the subject.

"Your bathroom is unreal," Olivia says with a grin.

"The water is very real. Join me?"

She bites her lip. Another round before breakfast?

"Count me in."

They're happy and playful, chasing each other from the closet to the shower and making out a little against the bathroom wall inside the double shower. Gene accidentally touches a sensor and the shower starts running, cold water hitting their heads and Gene's back, making them both jump out quickly to shed their robes before they are soaked. They slow down then and once the water is warm, they continue kissing and touching each other under the warm spray. They wash their hair and then wash each other and Olivia moans when Gene lets his soapy hand linger in one place for a while. He's so good with his fingers.

Olivia returns the favor and he pushes his cock into her hands eagerly while licking drops of water off her lips. They're getting each other excited very quickly and they have to be careful not to slip and fall. When Gene sinks down on his knees, Olivia's breath hitches.

"Allow me," he says huskily and all she can do is nod.

She holds on to his shoulders for dear life while he pleasures her with his mouth and tongue. She climaxes fast and hard, the water cascading down her body only enhancing the experience. Gene quickly stands up to kiss her and she tastes herself on his tongue. She needs a moment to get some strength back in her legs and Gene holds her, caressing her back lovingly while she calms down. Then she whispers huskily in his ear,

"My turn."

He releases her and then Olivia sits on her knees for him, her hand wrapping around his hard-on and licking her own lips. There is a sultry smile on her lips and she looks up at him when she takes his tip in her mouth. Gene slams his hands against the wall of the shower, needing the support while watching Olivia go down on him like a pro. He tries not to thrust into her mouth too hard but she spurs him on, making excited sounds herself while she almost devours him. He can't help it that his hips begin to move but Olivia isn't deterred. She takes him in even deeper and sucks him with a passion.

"Liv …" he warns her but she doesn't stop.

He feels the first wave approach and he calls out to her once more. Just when he begins to pump his seed out, panting and hissing as his body begins to shake, Olivia releases his cock with a plop and continues pumping him with her hand, making his cum squirt all over her chest. Gene looks down at the sexy sight beneath him, his forehead against his arms for extra support and he moans again when Olivia licks his tip slowly, creating small aftershocks in his body.

"So good. Fuck baby," he pants.

Olivia stands up and he pushes himself off the wall to take her in his arms. They look down at her chest together and grin before kissing each other deeply.

"Now we need to wash up again," Olivia mumbles against his lips.

"Your fault," Gene tells her and they both chuckle. "You're just too damned sexy."

They wash up once more and finally get dressed to go down to breakfast.

…

"Well well, look who's finally up!"

"Good morning to you too, Blake. Lindsey."

Gene doesn't mind the teasing and claps his youngest brother on the shoulder, winking at Lindsey before leading Olivia to the buffet, that has been set up along one wall of the indoor veranda at the back of the house.

"So, did you two manage to 'relax'?" they hear a voice ask, and Olivia turns around to see Frank standing there.

"Oh yes, we did," Gene answers, wrapping his arm around Olivia's waist. "Slept like a baby, right Olivia?"

"Absolutely," Olivia confirms without missing a beat. "Like two babies. Out like a light until morning."

Frank smiles and nods.

"Great. That's great."

It's clear from the tone of his voice that he doesn't quite believe that all they've done is sleep but he knows better than to ask anything else. It's none of his business what she does and doesn't do with Gene, Olivia thinks. Why would he care anyway?

"How 'bout you, Frankie?" Gene asks his brother. "Meet anyone interesting last night?"

"As a matter of fact I did," Frank tells his older brother and when Olivia's eyes meet Frank's, he doesn't look away.

"Really? Well, that's great news!" Gene says happily, unaware of the wordless interaction between his brother and his lover. "Is she staying the whole weekend? You've got to introduce us, Frankie. It'll be good for you to be back in the game."

Gene's innocence is a little endearing and Olivia turns away from Frank to focus on Gene again. Gene can't help but be happy for his brother and insists again that he introduce them soon. Olivia distracts him by pointing out a few things in the buffet and asking him about them, and without checking, she can sense Frank moving away from them. Once they both have enough food on their plates, they choose a small table at the window. The entire space has been transformed into a restaurant for the occasion and Olivia is impressed, again. When Hank and Anne Butler arrive, the three brothers all stand up to greet their parents with a hug. Such a harmonious family, Olivia can't help thinking. It has to be great to be a part of such a close-knit group of people. Lindsey follows Blake's lead and hugs the parents too, and now Olivia feels awkward. She isn't a part of this family and never will be. She has stood up of course, just like everyone else, but isn't sure if she should approach the hosts.

Gene sees the insecurity in Olivia's features and he wishes she didn't feel left out like this. He knows why, but he thought they were in agreement about their arrangement. He doesn't want her to feel uncomfortable about it and so he slips his hand around hers and squeezes it, making her smile just as Hank Butler looks at her.

"And did you sleep well, Olivia? You had a nice evening I think?"

"Yes sir, very nice. This place is incredible."

The older man smiles and takes his wife's hand in his, exactly like Gene is holding hers.

"This house is just a building. It's the people that make it a home, Olivia. Just know that you are most welcome here. And please, enjoy the food."

Anne Butler also sends her a warm smile and Olivia wishes that she didn't feel so out of place, because what Mr. Butler says is so very true. They have made this castle of a place a home because they are such kind, warm people. Without them, it would just be a pile of stone, marble and glass.

They all sit down again to eat, other guests filling the other tables. Gene points out a few of his friends, a few from college and even one from high school, and there are a few of the brothers' cousins as well.

A blonde young woman stops at their table to greet Gene, and hugs him excitedly as soon as he stands up.

"I got here so late last night and they said you'd already gone to bed. I couldn't believe it!" the woman rattles on, her arms still around Gene's neck and Olivia doesn't know what to think.

Gene creates a little distance between him and the woman and then turns to Olivia.

"Olivia, this is Melanie, my cousin on my mother's side. Melanie, this is Olivia Benson."

Olivia nods at the blonde and smiles, feeling way too relieved to learn that the woman isn't one of Gene's many conquests, but family.

"Oh, it's so nice to meet you," Melanie says, still sounding very excited. She shakes Olivia's hand firmly and then turns back to Gene, to asks him,

"Does this mean you're finally settling down?"

Gene wiggles his head, suddenly feeling very awkward. He has no idea what to tell his cousin. He doesn't want to put Olivia on the spot but he does want her to feel like she belongs here.

Olivia sees the look in Gene's eyes and she recognizes it. She decides to step in and tells the young woman,

"It's all still a little fresh. Let's not overwhelm him, shall we?"

The women share a knowing smile and Gene doesn't know what to think. It looks like Olivia just saved him while he was looking for a way not to embarrass her. Melanie smiles at Olivia once more, offers her a 'we'll talk some more later', then winks at Gene before dashing off to greet Frank. Gene looks at Olivia, his eyebrows raised and she just chuckles and tells him to sit down so they can finish their breakfast. Gene watches Olivia take a bite of the fresh fruit on her plate and shakes his head a little. This woman is truly amazing and he wishes they could stay here for a while. No work, no gruelling cases for her to work on; just them, relaxed like this, having fun like they did in the bathroom earlier and hanging out together. Olivia makes him feel good. Maybe it's because he's home now, but he feels more grounded with her than he has in a very long time.

But he shouldn't. She doesn't want to stay here with him. It's just for a weekend and then she goes back home and back to work. And he will go back to seeing his other friends and enjoying the freedom of being unattached. It's the life he has chosen for himself and it's his way of making sure nobody ever tramples on his heart again.

…

After breakfast, Anne suggests a tour of the gardens with the family and a group of other friends and associates. Aside from the family, there must be at least two dozen people who have spent the night in the guest quarters of the estate and there will be a lot of guests coming over later in the day to join the festivities. Two elderly couples remain behind but the rest all join them for a walk around the estate.

Olivia loves the gardens. They remind her of pictures she's seen of the gardens at Versailles in France. She's never been there of course, but she loves reading tourist guides and other books about Europe, and about France and Italy in particular.

Gene tells her he's been to France a few times and when she falls silent, he wonders if he could suggest taking her there some time. Before he can decide one way or the other, they are interrupted by Blake and Lindsey, who sidle up next to them to chat a little. The men have done this tour dozens of times before and Blake suggests ditching the group to explore a little on their own. Lindsey giggles, knowing her boyfriend probably wants to make out with her under a tree. Olivia smiles at Gene and they decide to let the young couple do some exploring without them.

Olivia is wearing a thin white blouse over a tight-fitting white top, and black slacks. Gene rubs her back as they continue walking, and he wonders out loud if it's not too chilly for her to be out without a jacket. The sun hasn't had enough time yet to warm up the spring air after all.

"I am getting a little cold," Olivia admits.

Gene shrugs off his jacket immediately and drapes it around her shoulders. All three brothers are dressed slightly less formally today compared to the day before, still in suits but without a tie. Frank even wears black jeans, she's noticed. Gene kisses her nose after making sure the jacket covers her shoulders and she smiles at him.

"Come on, lovebirds. Sacred temple coming up," they hear Frank call out to them, since they've fallen behind a bit.

Gene grins at his brother and they follow the group dutifully so he can admire his mother's little Asian project once again.

"I wonder where this woman is he was talking about," Gene muses. "It really would be great if he found someone again. Frank's a good guy, Olivia. Dependable and committed. Any woman would be lucky to catch him."

Olivia nods, looking at Frank's back. She hopes he's found someone too, although she had the distinct feeling he was referring to her when he said earlier that he'd met someone interesting. She doesn't really know what to make of that. Frank knows she's with Gene and he doesn't strike her as a man who would go after someone else's woman. But he also knows she's not really 'with' Gene and he's told her what he thinks of that, too.

Gene watches Olivia's profile and can tell that she's deep in though, her eyes still trained on Frank's back. He frowns, his own words from a few seconds ago echoing in his mind. Could Olivia possibly think he's pushing her in Frank's direction?

Anne Butler speaks up, urging all of them to gather around so she can share the history of the Asian statuettes that are assembled in the temple-like gazebo they have just reached.

Frank moves aside and gestures at Olivia to step forward, since this is her first time to hear the stories and see their mother's little shrine. Olivia smiles up at Frank as she stands next to him and Gene feels a pang of possessiveness in his gut. He's felt it a few times before when it comes to Olivia and it makes him restless. When he sees his brother guide Olivia forward by putting his hand on her back, he has to keep himself from saying something or even stepping between them. He shakes his head at himself. He needs to get a grip fast and realize that him being a possessive jerk is not what Olivia signed up for.

…

A/N: I decided to cut the story off here since the chapter is getting a bit long. But it's obvious that this day is far from over … dun dun.

PS. Only one reviewer has asked about the source of Gene's insecurity so far ... We know Olivia but why is he so determined not to give his heart to anyone? To be continued ...