Alright. Where were we? Oh yes, Elliot has just given Olivia a small kiss and has retreated into his bedroom quickly after that. Who else was a little miffed about that? I know I was!

...

32. Safe

He releases her suddenly and disappears into his bedroom before Olivia has had a chance to respond. She shivers again and reaches for the handle of her bedroom door blindly, missing it twice before she finds it. She slips into her bedroom and closes the door behind her. She tries to take a deep breath but her chest feels constricted. It's as if all her nerve ends are still focused on Elliot and his touch.

He's done this on purpose, she thinks, leaning her shoulder against the door. He wants her to want him, so he can say it was all her idea. It's exciting to know that he is actually looking for more with her. She knows he wouldn't play games like this if he wasn't serious. He's not that kind of man. He might tease a random person he meets at a bar, but not her. Not his best friend, partner on the job and now even roommate. It looks like he really wants this and it's getting harder for her to keep going slow.

His kids are coming over next weekend. It will be the first time they will have them over, and Dickie will be there too, as ordered by the judge. She had thought she would be able to keep a professional distance until then at least. To see how the kids would interact with both of them and with the fact that they will be living together long term. But right now, her resolve is crumbling and fast. Her body has been longing for release and she knows she has been longing to get it from him - whether she has wanted to admit it to herself or not.

She jumps when she hears Elliot's bedroom door open again. What is he up to now? She hears him walk to the bathroom and realizes he hadn't brushed his teeth yet. Knowing he's out there and remembering how he had waited for her, she is tempted to pull the same stunt with him now. She slips out of her bedroom and closes the door softly, and then waits for him. She folds her arms in front of her chest, hoping it will make her look as confident as he had looked earlier, and waits for him to return. Her heartbeat quickens when she hears the bathroom door open and she stands up a little straighter. She watches Elliot walk towards her and swallows hard when she sees his bare chest. Why did he have to take his t-shirt off before brushing his teeth? Now she's distracted by the way his muscles move. He switches off the light in the living room but she can still see him in the dark. There's some light from outside coming into the living room through tater boy's bedroom. She swears Elliot pulls his stomach in further and makes his chest even broader when he catches her staring. His sweatpants are hanging low on his hips and she thinks it isn't fair that he's still looking this good at his age while she is just becoming more and more bloated. She suddenly feels self-conscious but that is something she will never show. Instead, she gives him a challenging look when he stops in front of her.

"Forget something?" he teases, but despite the cocky grin on his face, she can see a nervous twitch as well. It's enough to give her the confidence to carry out her impromptu plan.

"No. I'm just not satisfied with this arrangement," she says sternly.

Elliot is clearly amused.

"Tell me. What is unsatisfactory for you?" he asks, suppressing a smile.

"Well, as your wife," she explains, emphasizing the word wife, "I thought that goodnight kiss was disappointing."

Elliot's eyes light up with surprise as well as glee.

"You think we can do better?" he challenges.

"Definitely."

He grins but then his face softens and he moves closer to her. Olivia drops her arms, which basically means she's dropping her defenses.

"I accept your challenge," Elliot says softly.

He knows she needs some encouragement. Part of her wants to run away fast once more but when he leans in, her body reminds her why she came back out here in the first place. Elliot moves his mouth impossibly close to hers without touching her with even a finger. He wants her to make a move and although her pride is urging her to stand firm, her body is weak and she gives in. How can she not, when he's standing this close to her, half naked and clearly wanting her?

She almost falls against him and when their lips touch, it's all Elliot needs to respond. Olivia lets her eyes slip closed and lets the feeling of Elliot's mouth on hers wash over her. Her right arms wraps around his neck while her left hand finds the warm skin of his back. She may have been the one to initiate this second kiss of the night, but Elliot is taking over almost instantly, wrapping her up in his arms and kissing her deeply. She opens her mouth to him automatically and when he groans softly, her entire body responds. They are kissing passionately and the tips of their tongues are exploring.

This is it, she realizes. This is what her body has craved all along and it wants more. A lot more. She doesn't want to think of the consequences just yet. She doesn't want to think about tomorrow or next weekend. It's as if the breaks are off now, and she lets go. Elliot's hands drift up and down her back and when he pulls her close to him she wishes her baby bump wasn't in the way. She wants to feel more of him. She wants to know if he is as affected as she is. Her hands are starting to explore his body as well. There is so much skin to explore and she smooths her hands over his pecs and then his biceps while they kiss. By now, she is backed up against her bedroom door. Elliot is a passionate man and she can feel him trembling against her. She's shaking too. Her body is screaming for more and she moans into his mouth.

Elliot breaks off the kiss to look at her, and they're both breathing heavily. Olivia looks up at him with hooded eyes and then looks at his mouth again.

"Liv," he whispers and she forces herself to look into his eyes. "Do you … do you know what you're doing to me?"

She has an idea.

She bites her lip and looks at her hands, that are now resting against his perfect pecs while Elliot is gently caressing her hip bones with his thumbs and is taking a few deep breaths.

"I just need to know that we want the same things Liv," Elliot tries again. "If you're not ready for …"

"I'm pregnant El," Olivia interrupts him, sounding almost annoyed. "I'm ready all the time."

Elliot chuckles and shakes his head.

"I guess that's what I mean. I don't want you to do something you'll regret in the morning."

She drops her head back against the door and sighs. Why does he have to be so sensible at a time like this? Her lips are still tingling from kissing him. She's actually kissed her partner and best friend and she doesn't regret it at all. Not yet anyway.

"I've got needs El," she tries again.

"I can help you with those," he says huskily, moving his mouth close to her right ear. "But only if you're absolutely sure."

"Always the gentleman," she murmurs, already tilting her head to find his lips again with her own. She ghosts her lips over his while whispering, "Drop the act, Stabler."

"It's not an act," he replies, nipping at her lower lip and sending a shiver down her spine.

She knows it isn't an act. He is really like that and it's why she knows she is safe with him. Her breath hitches when Elliot suddenly moves his right hand up from her hip underneath her sweatshirt and brushes the side of her left breast. He presses his lips to hers again and simultaneously moves his thumb until he finds her nipple. She hadn't bothered with a bra after her shower earlier in the day and her nipple is already poking through her thin shirt. A wave of excitement hits her when he touches her there. His kiss smothers her low moan and he is pressing her against the door once more. Part of her wants to just kick the door open and drag him into her bedroom but she can't move. Her body is calling the shots now, and she's clinging to Elliot while he kisses her slowly, still rubbing her overly-sensitive nipple.

She tries to move her hips closer to him but to no avail. Her belly is in the way. Then Elliot shifts slightly until he can press his thigh against her body, exactly where it is craving some friction. Olivia moans again and kisses him harder, grasping at his shoulders to keep him close while she basically starts riding his thigh.

Elliot breaks off the kiss to take a much needed breath and nuzzles his nose in her hair.

"That's it baby," he whispers encouragingly and then he kisses the soft skin of her neck.

She's too far gone to respond to his words or his use of the word baby. Her hormonal body is screaming for a release and his muscular thigh is just what the Doctor ordered. She is moaning again and at this point, she is beyond caring. Elliot is giving her what she so desperately needs and he knows exactly what he's doing to her. His thumb has now been replaced with his entire hand and he's kneading her breast over her shirt while pushing his thigh up rhythmically, matching her pace. His lips find a sensitive patch of skin below her ear and Olivia gasps before attaching her mouth to his neck as well.

"Ah … yes," she groans and Elliot moves his left hand to her butt to support her.

She knows she should be embarrassed about what she's doing but she can't stop now. It feels too good. She's been deprived of sex for too long. And maybe this doesn't qualify as sex but it feels pretty awesome. She knows it won't be long now and Elliot keeps encouraging her to continue.

"Go on baby," he whispers. "I've got you."

It doesn't take long after that and her body shakes as she gasps, trying not to cry out when her body finds release at last. Elliot holds her close to him, both arms wrapped around her.

They are both breathing heavily and cling to each other until they've caught their breaths. Olivia drops her head back and looks up at her partner.

"That was …" she sighs, and Elliot grins.

"You're welcome," he says and then he leans in to kiss her forehead.

Olivia slowly returns to earth and blinks a few times before asking Elliot,

"But what about you?"

Elliot takes another deep breath and she suddenly feels a little guilty.

"I'll take care of it," he says without looking at her.

"I can do that," she offers, and she really means it.

"You don't have to."

"It's the least I can do after …"

Elliot chuckles.

"It was my pleasure Liv. Truly. Literally."

Olivia finally feels some embarrassment creep in and she feels her face flush. Very gentlemanly, Elliot takes away her embarrassment by kissing her again, very sweetly this time.

"Get some sleep," he whispers against her lips.

She wants to object but her son chooses this moment to distract both of them by giving her a firm kick that Elliot feels as well, since he's still leaning against her.

"Your son agrees with me," Elliot says and the tenderness in his eyes takes her breath away. "He's trying to get rid of me."

"No, he's not," Olivia tries but she's smiling now too.

Leave it to tater boy to break any tension before it can develop between them.

"Get some sleep, Liv," Elliot says again. "I'll be fine, on one condition."

"What's that?"

"That I can kiss you again tomorrow."

Her stomach clenches suddenly, the realization dawning on her that this thing between her and Elliot is becoming real. But how can she refuse him after tonight? She's never been kissed like that before and she wants more of it. A lot more. The way he's made her body climax tonight without even touching her skin makes her wonder what else he can do to her, and she feels herself already looking forward to exploring the possibilities with him …

"You can," she says quietly.

"Can I kiss you now?"

"You can."

Her eyes slip closed when he kisses her softly once more and she suddenly knows why it feels so different with Elliot than with the other men she's kissed. She feels safe with him. If she hadn't felt safe with him, she would never have agreed to rent an apartment with him and what had just happened, wouldn't have happened either. She has always felt safe with Elliot, right from the start of their partnership. Maybe that's why it's always been him and only him, whether she would admit it to herself or not.

She smiles when Elliot tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and caresses her cheek with the backs of his fingers before releasing her.

"Goodnight Liv."

"Goodnight El."

"I hope this was more satisfactory for my wife."

"It definitely was. Thank you."

"Anytime Liv. Anytime."

...

A/N: And he really means that! I hope this made up for the frustrating end of the previous chapter as well as the long wait. Please review!