The Perfect Storm

(Chapter Two: Rules)

It was just after four o'clock in the morning when Elliot opened his eyes in the dark. The rain on the window pane cast a shadow on the ceiling of her bedroom and he watched as the shadows of raindrops slid down.

There beside him, Olivia lay sleeping like an angel. Her back was against his chest and her head rested against his outstretched arm. Elliot couldn't help but smile as he noticed her long delicate fingers were still laced between his. He moved closer, snaking his free arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss the back of her neck. He drew in a deep breath taking in the sweet and sultry smell of her perfume and that was when he noticed it. The small pink scar, just under the jawline on her right side.

It was tiny really, practically invisible except from this angle, but it was enough to bring tears to his eyes once more. Just a little reminder of exactly how close he had come to losing her forever, never knowing how wonderful it felt to hold her close, never experiencing the taste of her honey sweet kisses. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer thanking God for watching over her that day and for bringing her back into his life. Leaning in ever so gently, he placed a kiss on the mark.

"That tickles," she giggled softly with her eyes still closed.

Elliot watched as she raised her head and rolled in to face him.

"Good morning beautiful," he whispered pressing his mouth softly against hers.

"What time is it?" she whispered as he glanced over his shoulder at the clock on the night stand.

"Eleven after four."

She groaned and buried her head in his chest.

"It's too early to be awake," she said with a yawn.

"So close your pretty eyes and go back to sleep," he whispered kissing the tip of her nose.

Olivia smiled as she nestled herself in against his bare chest. She smoothed her palm over his muscles and watched as it rose and fell with each breath he took. She smiled as Elliot closed his arms to hold her once more and raised up to give him a slow burning kiss.

Elliot smiled as her mouth parted from hers and stared into her eyes for a moment. He caressed the side of her cheek with his fingertip, then traced her strawberry lips with his thumb.

"I love this," he whispered softly before kissing her once more.

"What?" she laughed. "The naked part or the rolling around in bed together part?"

Elliot smiled and she kissed him tenderly.

"The falling asleep with my girl in my arms part. The finally knowing what it feels like to hold you, to kiss you and not having to hold back about our feelings for each other part," he said as she smiled.

"What?" he asked noticing her beginning to blush just a bit.

"You called me your girl," she whispered as he combed his fingers through her locks of dark hair.

Elliot smiled kissed her forehead almost protectively.

"You have always been my girl, Liv. I would have done anything for you. Still would. And broke the face of any guy who dare hurt you."

She smiled and laughed a little.

"But I guess now, being my girl has a whole new meaning."

"I guess it does," she agreed.

"For the record, I really like the rolling around naked in bed together part too."

She laughed and kissed him tenderly, then settled in against his chest as he closed his strong arms around her and in moments they were both asleep once more.

Olivia yawned as her eyes fluttered open to find the other side of her bed empty. She sat up and stretched as she scrunched her toes in the carpet. Scratching her head, she picked up his shirt from the floor beside the bed.

"It smells like him," she whispered to herself with a smile as she buttoned it over her black bra and panties.

"I cannot believe that I just woke up alone," she said stepping from the hallway to see a spotless kitchen and fresh coffee made. "You cleaned up the wine mess," she said softly.

"Yea, I picked up the broken glass and mopped the floor. I was afraid the wine would stain, but it came right up."

"I own a mop?"

"Strangest thing. I found it in that little closet next to the broom."

Olivia smiled and laughed.

"I have lived here for years and never mopped that floor. My cleaning lady has always taken care of that for me."

"Well," he said stealing a kiss, "breakfast is almost ready. Or do you have a personal chef, too?"

She laughed again.

"No, I don't. Thank you, for cleaning that up for me. And for cooking for me, that smells so good."

"There isn't much I wouldn't do for you," he confessed handing her a plate of food. "So I was thinking," he said handing her a cup of coffee as he sat down at the table across from her, "how about I take you out tonight? Dinner, maybe a movie if you'd like."

"Like a real couple?"

"Yes. If we are gonna do this, we are gonna do it right."

Olivia couldn't help but grin when she heard his words.

"Right?" she asked.

"First of all," he began placing his fingers between hers and holding her hand, "if we are going to date each other, then we are in fact a real couple. Second, if I ever found out any guy who hadn't taken you out on at least a few proper dates made his way into your bed half naked the way I did last night, I would kick his ass into next Sunday."

Olivia laughed.

"What exactly was wrong with last night?"

"Last night was….amazing. But I have to get out of the habit of thinking like a horny teenaged boy. You are a lady and you deserve to be treated like one. I think we need to enforce the three date rule."

"I thought that rule stated that if the girl doesn't put out by the third date the guy should kick her to the curb?"

"Well, I kind of made my own adaptation in high school to help me remember to pace myself and be a gentleman. No sexual advances what so ever until at least after the third official date."

"That doesn't sound like much fun. And according to Cosmo, a girl needs five dates, not three. According to the article, a woman needs at least four dates to decide if her potential partner is sex worthy."

"You wanna make it five?"

"No. I don't even know if I can make it to three. Come on, Elliot. Those rules aren't really rules anyway, more like guidelines. And they are for people who are just getting to know each other. You and I know everything about each other. All of the good things and the bad things. I appreciate what you are trying to do, really I do. I think it is really sweet. But we barely made it through last night."

"I just want us to have a chance at a healthy relationship. I am crazy about you, but I want more than just sex with you. I want to start things out right. I don't want us to get all carried away with hormones and sex before we take the time to lay down a sturdy foundation for a future together as a couple. You're not just some girl I want to date, Olivia. You are my best friend. And there is too much at stake here not to be a little cautious entering into this."

"You make it sound like I am diseased and should be quarantined."

"You know that is not what I meant."

"I know," she said with a soft smile.

Olivia took a deep breath and exhaled.

"I'll have to confess, this is not exactly the kind of dating relationship I am used to. When I am dating someone, usually it is me trying to slow him down until I am ready. But this isn't only about me. We have waited a very long time to get to where we are today. If this is something that you really want to do, I'm okay with that."

"Okay, three dates. Now, that isn't necessarily saying that anything has to happen on the fourth date. Just simply agreeing that nothing will before then."

Olivia smiled and kissed him tenderly.

"I understand the general concept."

"So, where do you want to go?"

"What?"

"Our first official date. I'd like it to be something really special. Any suggestions?"

"I don't know. I guess I never really thought about where our first date would take place. Surprise me."

"Surprise you?"

"Yea. The mystery will only make it more romantic. So when are you picking me up?" she asked pressing her full lips together.

"I haven't asked you out yet," Elliot joked.