In all honesty, it hurt to know that they both could not be with one another because of this one detail. Elliot was a classy guy and would never cheat on his wife or betray her trust. Olivia was also a person who had integrity, and would not be that kind of woman to move onto someone's man, and especially if he was married.
They decided after that little scene that it was time to leave the bar, and head home. While putting their coats back on, it was decided that Elliot would walk Olivia home. Even if they could not be together, it would still be okay to remain close friends. As they walked close to one another there was a comfortable silence. They got to Liv's building when they just stood there looking at each other. El offered to walk her up to her door and she obliged. Olivia really didn't need the escort, but she wasn't ready to let go of the night or tell Elliot bye. The elevator ride was almost too short for their liking and the walk to her door was just the same. Liv reached for her key to unlock the door, and when she turned around to put the key in the door she could feel El's breath on the back of her neck. Elliot knew he should not be this close to her, but he couldn't fight his feelings anymore. Olivia stood frozen almost wishing she did not agree to him coming up, but here he was. He took a chance by putting a hand on her waist waiting to see if she would react to his presence.
Olivia's breath hitched when she felt the placement of his hand on her waist. This was something she knew he shouldn't be doing, but the weight of his hand on her felt right in every sense. She slowly turned around with her head down, and did not dare look up at him. That's when Elliot put his hand to her chin, and lifted her face to him, so that way he could look directly in to her deep brown eyes. She didn't want to look into his eyes, but she knew that she had to. To really see if this is what they wanted, what they were willing to fight for, and if it was worth everything they were about to put at risk.
The love was there, the emotions were there and that's when Elliot leaned down and made the choice to kiss her. The kiss was passionate and sensual. Both pouring out how they felt about one another with just their lips connecting. Olivia could feel that it was getting heated, and she didn't want her neighbors to catch her making out with a man in the middle of the hallway. Not only was it juvenile, but also not very appealing to her. She disconnected from Elliot's embrace, and she knew what he was thinking. She leaned in and pecked his lips.
"I'm just going to unlock the door, so we can continue this inside," reassuring him.
Elliot felt relieved and followed his partner inside. Once inside her apartment, she decided that she needed to get out of her work clothes and into something more comfortable. Liv told El to make himself at home, and if he wanted anything to drink just to grab it out of the fridge. It didn't take her long to change into yoga pants and an old NYPD shirt. When she came out her hair was in a topknot with no trace of make up on her olive skin. Elliot thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
She came to sit on the couch next to him, and he noticed that her demeanor had changed from the time that they were outside her door to now. He had to make sure she was okay with this because he would not push her into anything that she was not ready for. He would wait until she was ready, when his divorce was final, or for whatever it was running through her mind.
"Liv, you know we don't have to do anything that you don't want. I didn't mean to start something that you're not ready for. I know I am still technically married, but something feels so right about this. I'm afraid that if we do wait that we could miss our chance of being together, he reassured her."
She turned to look at him and cupped his cheek, "El, I am ready to be with you. I knew that if I kissed you again that I would not be able to hold back my feelings for you. I understand that you are still married, but it does feel right to be with you. However, I am not comfortable just yet with sleeping with you. I want to get to know you on a deeper level before we take that next step. If you are willing to do that for me than by all means I am ready to be in a relationship with you."
Elliot couldn't hold back his enthusiasm and excitement and kissed her long and hard. Olivia guessed that having make out sessions was still technically okay. She knew though what she had to do the next day, and if that meant her getting hurt in the process…she would do it. She did not want any lies or secrets between anyone because she did not want to start a relationship off like that.
As they continued to kiss, it was getting late, and they both had to be at work the next morning. Olivia pulled away from Elliot, and he took that as her way of letting him know that it was time for him to leave. However, Olivia had different plans for him. Even though she was not ready for that next step just yet, she did want to feel his warmth against her.
"El, I know what I said earlier about us not taking that next step, but will you just stay the night with me. That case hit me hard, and I would really like you to hold me tonight, she asked him."
Without hesitating, and a smile on his face, "Baby, there is no other place I would rather be than to have you in my arms all night."
With that they both stood up from the couch with Elliot taking Olivia's hand, and leading her to her bedroom. Something about that felt so right and sensual for her. Once in her bedroom she went to her dresser to find an old pair of sweats and t-shirt for Elliot to sleep in. Liv walked back to him with the clothes in her hand, and El had a mischievous grin on his face with an eyebrow raised.
"What's that look for?" Olivia started laughing.
"As nice of that was of you, baby. I don't sleep well with a shirt or pants on," he chuckled.
Liv with an eyebrow raised and smirk on her face, "Is that so Stabler? Well if that's how you sleep than who am I to disagree with. I'll let you know though that I also don't sleep well with this much clothing on," she said with a sultry voice walking towards her bathroom.
He watched her walk with a sway to her hips into the bathroom, "this woman is going to drive me crazy."
Elliot pulled down the duvet to her bed, and decided to lie down on the left side because he knew that Olivia slept on the right side. Noticing that her book was on the right end table with her reading glasses.
Liv finally reemerged from the bathroom almost 30 minutes after entering. She was feeling insecure about her body, and wasn't sure if she was ready to be that open with Elliot, so she sat on the edge of the tub playing with her phone thinking about what she should do. Ultimately, she decided that she would stay in her yoga pants and t-shirt. Olivia thought Elliot was asleep when she came out and walked towards the bed, so she slid in quietly and immediately closing her eyes.
Elliot felt the movement of the bed and knew that Liv had just lied down, but he reached for her knowing that she told him earlier that she wanted to be held. She felt his arms wrap around her, and noticed that he kept messing with her shirt.
"What are you doing," she asked?
"I thought you said you didn't sleep comfortable with a lot of clothing on, and it seems to me you have a lot of clothing on," he laughed.
"I know but…I-I just," Elliot stopped her before she could say anything else.
"Liv, you don't have to be embarrassed or insecure about your body because of me. I didn't fall for you because of your body, I fell for you because of who you are, and your heart."
She turned in his arms, looking directly into his eyes, and seeing nothing but the truth from this gorgeous man lying beside her. She moved in his arms so he could loosen the grip he had on her, so she could sit up. She sat up thinking about what he had said and reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled over her head. Then moving downward toward the top of her yoga pants and sliding them down her toned, long legs.
Olivia lied back down, and reached for her once again. This time he felt more connected to her, and he could sense that this was a huge relief for her. Liv could feel his chest against her back, but she needed more of him and she turned around once again in his embrace, and lied her head on his chest intertwining their legs with one another. Elliot wrapping one arm around her, and the other playing with her locks of hair, they both took a deep breath feeling content.
Sleep not taking over just yet, Liv decided it was time she wanted to say something.
"El, you know we can't keep this a secret from anyone. It's too risky, and juvenile if we even attempt to. I don't want to lose you as a partner. It would be too hard not to work with you, so I think the sooner we disclose, the better."
Elliot took a long deep breath, "Liv, as much as I want to, I have a fear that it will just be thrown back in our face. The other thing if we do disclose they could separate us, and how do I explain to Kathy and the kids that we aren't partners?"
This was Olivia's biggest fear of being involved with one another, but if they were going to do this, they had to be in agreement on all things. Especially the disclosing part, so they decided to see where this new relationship would go before they said anything to anyone. With that agreement they both decided to catch some sleep before they had to wake up early in the morning.
However, Olivia had to do one thing tomorrow during her lunch break, and she was scared of what Elliot's reaction would be.
What do y'all think she has to do? And should I continue with this story? Please leave reviews if you like.