Chapter 9:

"Good morning," Peter breathed, dropping the gentlest of kisses to her forehead. He watched her stir as the morning light streamed in through the curtains across the bed. She had fought it for a few minutes but eventually he watched her eyes flutter open.

She gave him a peculiar look, surprised for the kiss and smiled through tired eyes as she rolled onto her side to face him. "How long have you been up?"

"About an hour," Peter confessed, smiling sheepishly as he realized he'd been watching her sleep just as long. "I was going to put on coffee but didn't want to wake you." He moved to sit up in bed, "now that you're awake though."

Olivia reached out for Peter, her hand tugging on the back of his shirt. "It can wait." She yawned pulling him to lie back down with her.

Peter obliged, turning to face her again, this time lying on his side, curling up beside her. "You sleep good last night?" He asked hoping she'd gotten more than the few hours the night before at his place.

"Yeah," she nodded slowly feeling her eyes close again with a soft sigh. "Still waking up."

"Looks like you're going back to sleep to me," Peter smiled. "You rest, I'm going to make coffee and then probably should head back to check on Walter."

Olivia didn't object. She knew he couldn't stay forever and she didn't want to make him uncomfortable in her bed either. "Thanks for staying over, Peter." She yawned, curling further into the blanket, her eyes still closed tight.

Peter took the opportunity to watch her again. He leaned down to kiss her forehead but her eyes were closed and just as his lips came down to her head she shifted on the mattress, her head lifting slightly from the pillow, banging into him hard.

Olivia groaned in protest, her eyes opening as she saw Peter holding his face. "Oww Liv. Remind me never to try and kiss you again."

She felt her heart sink and frowned as she reached out, her thumb stroking his cheek. "Let me see the damage." It wasn't on purpose and he knew she hadn't intentionally hurt him. He held his hand tight to his lips finally backing it away to show her. "You look fine. A little red but you'll live." Olivia gave him a smile. "I'm sorry. If I knew you were going to kiss me…" she didn't finish her sentence as she pushed herself out of bed. "Let me grab you some ice."

Now he was feeling like a baby. "I'll be fine, Livia." This time he reached for her, grabbing her arm as he tugged her back towards the bed. "It doesn't really hurt that bad. Just shocked me. Besides your head has to be hurting?" He knew he'd wacked her pretty good in the forehead and he'd been worried about a possible concussion the night before.

"Surprisingly I'm okay," Olivia smiled feeling his hand brushing against her cheek as he avoided the slight mark on her forehead. His fingers moved into her hair, watching as her eyes grew heavy and they both shifted slightly closer.

Peter leaned in, closing the gap between them. His lips gently brushed hers, one hand in her hair. He felt her pull closer and tighter, deepening the kiss. His hand reached out for her, brushing the side of her breast feeling a slight tremble course through her body. Inwardly he smiled seeing the effect he had on her. "Olivia," he pulled back slightly, wanting to see her reaction and talk to her.

Olivia frowned her hand finding its way onto his chest. She could feel his heart pounding and knew it matched her own. "Why did you stop?"

Peter laughed breathing a sigh of relief as he rested his head on the pillow, staring at her, "I was worried you were going to ask me why I kissed you."

She felt the smile forming on her face as she shuffled back down to the bed, mimicking Peter in resting her head on the pillow. She could still feel her lips tingling from the kiss. "Well in that case, why did you kiss me?" Olivia asked, laughing softly as she awaited his answer.

"You are the most gorgeous, smart, challenging, sexy, and intriguing woman I've ever met." Peter confessed. "I guess being in your bed affected me. I'm love sick." He teased grinning proudly at his answer.

"Love sick?" She laughed running her fingers through his hair. "What can I do to cure your disease?" She teased him right back. Two could play at that game.

Peter gulped nervously giving her a warm and friendly smile. "You could kiss me again?" He didn't think she'd oblige, but she did. He felt her lips brush against his. They were warm and inviting and his hand reached around her lower back, pulling her tighter and firmer to him. He never wanted to let her go.