Back at one. Back to the beginning. A new beginning. The beginning of firsts. The previous night of pleasure consisted of many firsts. Sexy firsts. Orgasmic firsts. Love firsts? Needless to say, their relationship had been changed forever. Everything fell into place beautifully the night they took their relationship to the next level, physically. They'd discussed it a few times before, timidly, after urges started to arise. It was uncharted territory, mixed with the aftermath of going through a trauma. Checking in felt like the right thing to do before moving forward and it was. That was one of many reasons why things had flowed so smoothly. The night as a whole may have started far, far away from perfect but the ending was pretty damn close.
Olivia began to stir as rays of sunlight strained through her bedroom window. A tranquil energy coursed through her body while she enjoyed a morning stretch. The movement made her very aware of the warm, naked body cuddled up closely against hers. A small smile stretched across her face, even though her eyes were still shut and she was half asleep. Images of the previous night flashed through her mind. The way things had transpired felt completely organic. Over the last year their relationship had seen every up, down and in between. From the beginning of not knowing/liking each other, to pretending, to surviving the worst, to realizing they were exactly what the other needed. It felt good to be in the present, no pretenses, with such a promising future on the horizon.
The seasoned detective couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so content. Neither could she have fathomed, 'Rollins' would be responsible for her current state of contentment. It was almost surreal. Almost, because the night before was oh so real. Just the thought alone caused her face to flush. She wasn't sure how the night was going to go, especially considering the earlier drama at the bar with Nick. Regardless of that stumbling block, the night had worked out very well, much better than she could've imagined. The passion was almost overwhelming at times. She closed her eyes and relived some of those moments. The first of many thoughts, drifted to her nervousness about Amanda's initial reaction of seeing 'Untitled' hanging in her room.
Damnit. I hope showing her this is the right call. Olivia's breathing slowed as she awaited the verdict of her gamble. When Amanda's lips suddenly crashed against hers, she knew it was the right decision. But there was something different about the kiss. It was passionate, intense, hot. Dissimilar to the others previously shared. Sure, there'd been several hot and heavy make-out sessions between them. However, this was the first time where the kisses were definitely leading to somewhere beyond second base. To an unexplored area of their relationship that had been lingering for some time. Many factors contributed to their reasoning behind waiting. The main one being fear. The fear of inadequacy. The fear of not being enough. The fear of completely giving themselves over to the other. Or the ultimate fear, of realizing their feelings were solely based on airtight pretending.
All of those pesky uncertainties faded the moment when their lips connected. The shift was instantaneous. There wasn't one shred of doubt left lingering after the kiss. Their silent communication was a work of art. All of the unspoken words were put into physical action. The trust and understanding they'd spent months building, paid off in the end. Their familiarity and ease with one another, led them straight to ecstasy. Blissfully, together for the first time. Olivia's body reacted just thinking of the flashbacks, before a rap at the door, rudely interrupted her daydreaming. Liv gently eased her nude body away from her sleeping partner, slipped on a robe and headed for the door. When she checked the peephole, her eyes rolled involuntarily before unlocking and opening the door.
"Now's really not a good time."
Her state of dress, tousled hair and what could only be described as afterglow didn't go unnoticed by the visitor. "Yeah, it never is with you. Lately that is…" And with that snarky comment she was done with whatever else he had to say. Olivia slammed the door in Nick's face but his quick reflexes caught the door from completely closing on him. "Wait. Look, I'm sorry alright. I-I feel like I can't even talk to you anymore."
Olivia didn't respond right away. She chose her words wisely, "You can always talk to me but not when you're like this."
"Like what? Confused and concerned about my partner who seems to be avoiding me?"
Amanda was beginning to wake. Her bare body stretched against the soft sheets. Normally there would be some type of concern or wonder about the night before after waking up naked in someone else's bed but that wasn't the case. That 'oh my god, what did I do?' feeling wasn't there. Even in her sleepy haze, the blonde knew exactly where she was, what she'd done and who she'd done it with. Her arm reached out in search of that person but emptiness met her instead. She typically preferred last night's mistake to be gone by morning but Olivia definitely wasn't a mistake. Where is she? Instead of panicking she went searching. The detective wrapped herself in one of the bed sheets and headed for the bedroom door, where she was stopped dead in her tracks, at the sound of elevated voices.
"Look Nick, I know you're going through an ugly divorce right now but—"
"That doesn't have anything to do with this!"
"That has everything to do with whatever's been going on with you. You've been off, Nick. And I'm not the only one who's noticed."
He chuckled sarcastically at that statement. "I've been off? Me? And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Well, at least I'm not the one having a mid-life crisis. Involved with some chick that I don't even know. Confusing fantasy with reality…"
Shit. Nick regretted his harsh words immediately. Especially after seeing the look on Liv's face. Contrary to her internal rage, Olivia kept her cool externally. She narrowed her eyes and nodded her head, in that unique way she does. He'd seen her do that exact gesture numerous time. However, it was normally reserved for the moment right before she brought the heat on an unsuspecting perp.
"Liv, I—"
"So that's what this is about," her tone was cool and calculated. "Our age difference? Because we work together? Maybe it's the fact that she's a she. No, not it huh? Ah, I've got it," both of them knew she'd already had it long before she went in for the kill. "Or it may just be the fact that it's her and not you."
Bingo. Their eyes locked. Her gaze was steely and unwavering. That wasn't how she wanted to approach the delicate topic but he'd pushed her too far. His jawline twitched with tension. His brain couldn't even form a response. There really wasn't a need to say anything because both knew she was right with her accusation. Amanda was still standing at the bedroom door. Listening intently and hanging on to every word. Nick literally could not speak. He felt vulnerable and exposed. Olivia took some pity on him and finally broke the seemingly infinite silence.
"Nick," her voice softened. "Look at me." He slowly obliged. "You promised me…"
His eyes fell to the floor. "I know."
"I believed you."
"I know, I know," he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"If you can't let it go, we can't move forward as partners." Amaro's head shot up after that statement. He definitely didn't expect her to say that. She could tell that he was caught off guard. A part of her felt guilty for kicking a man while he's down but it needed to be addressed. "Look, I told you this wasn't a good time. I've got to go."
Olivia closed the door and rested her forehead on it. Not a good way to start the morning after such an incredible night. She snapped out of it, remembering that Amanda was still there, asleep in her bed. That thought helped her shake off the foul mood as she went to go check in on her. When she entered her room, the bed was empty but steam was billowing from underneath the bathroom door. She smiled, then turned to go make coffee, when another thought crossed her mind. Even though the desire to join her in the shower was strong, she didn't want to intrude. Just in case there was a chance that the night hadn't been as amazing to her partner, as it had been to her.
On the other side of the bathroom wall was a baffled blonde, standing underneath the steaming faucet. Wondering what the hell did she just overhear. She felt bad for eavesdropping on what was clearly a private, personal conversation. Then again, her curiosity outweighed her desire to do the right thing. Amanda's internal voices were battling. One wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. The other believed something may have happened between Olivia and Nick. No. Even thinking that felt wrong and dirty. Whatever it was, she was sure it wasn't that. Enough. Instead of giving into the what-ifs she decided to forget it. She trusted Olivia and if there was something to know it would come out eventually. One way or another. The detective turned off the water, feeling resolve and refreshed.
When she exited the bathroom, Olivia was standing in the bedroom's doorway holding two mugs. Their eyes locked for the first time, since the first time. Blush spread across the cheeks of the pleasantly surprised blonde, accompanied with a coy little smile. Their bodies gravitated to the other like magnets. Olivia placed the mugs on the mantle, as they quickly kissed then embraced. They held each other as if they hadn't just spent the entire night together.
"Good morning," said Amanda when they finally separated.
"It is now. How'd you sleep?"
"The best I have since before Law—" she stopped herself. No way in hell was she going to utter that bastard's name, especially not now. "I slept great."
"Good…"
"Last night was—"
"Last night was—"
They laughed as both of them began to speak about the exact same thing at the exact same time.
Amanda took Olivia's hands in hers. "Last night was amazing."
"Yes, it was."
Relief washed over Olivia. A small part of her feared that the morning after would bring some sort of trouble. History was hard to erase. She was looking deep into bright blue eyes and guilt filled her gut. She needed to tell Amanda about what was going on with Nick. "Not to change the subject, trust me I would much rather discuss how we should have a repeat of last night," a sultry tone and smile accompanied the words.
"That can be arranged."
"I'm holding you to that. But uh," Olivia was stuttering over her words a bit. "I'm uh, not sure if you were awake earlier but Nick stopped by."
Amanda feigned ignorance, "Oh."
"Yeah, he stopped by," the brunette cleared her throat. "I set him straight about how he treated you last night and I'm sure he got the message."
"Oh…I appreciate that but you didn't have to."
"Yes, I did. He needed to hear it from me. He needed to know that if he has a problem with you then he also has one with me. I won't stand for him disrespecting you. We're a package deal…"
A smile spread across the blonde's face. The last person to defend her honor was six feet under. But now she had someone who cared for her and was willing to protect her at all costs. She felt genuinely cared for and respected. Liv was still talking, explaining why Nick was acting like an asshole but the detective wasn't listening anymore. Amanda kissed away whatever was going to come out of Olivia's mouth next. It didn't matter. Nothing before their current moment mattered. After she'd successfully silenced the brunette, their eyes met. Like they had many times before but a freeing feeling washed over the blonde. Amanda placed her hand upon her partner's cheek, never breaking eye contact. "I love you."
Olivia's mega-watt smile was on full display before she kissed the blonde deeply. "I love you, Amanda."