12. Couch Confessional
A few weeks after their talk in the kitchen Elliot and Olivia sat comfortably on her couch. Elliot sat at the end of the couch, one arm on the arm rest, the other draped over Olivia's shoulders with his legs crossed on the ottoman in front of them. Liv sat cross-legged, head leaning on his shoulder with a bowl of popcorn in her lap. They found themselves in this weird ambiguous relationship for weeks now. A relationship where spending time together, and with Noah was okay and a benign level of physical touch was tolerable, desirable even.
Elliot tried to focus on the movie, but found himself distracted by the beautiful woman next to him. He wished she knew how absolutely perfect she was. He heard her when she told him she wasn't ready, but it didn't quench the outright love and desire for her. For the past few weeks he had carefully toed the boundaries she set, allowing her to dictate their pace. His patience seemed to be paying off as her comfort level continued to increase. Tonight she sat comfortably against him, make-up free and hair haphazardly clipped back exposing the back of her neck. It took all his self control to not kiss the bare skin there. He toyed with a section of hair that had broken free of the clip. She was just so damn beautiful.
"What?" She asked once she caught him looking at her. Those dark brown eyes destroyed him every time.
"You're beautiful," he answered. A blush rose up her cheeks, and she turned away looking embarrassed. "You don't believe me?"
She let out a self-deprecating laugh. "If you said that twenty years ago I probably would have believed you. But thank you for saying it anyway."
How could she not see it? Sure, she aged, but they both have, but she was still the most beautiful woman in the room no matter where they went. How could she not see her turn every head as she walked down the street. He shifted his weight so he could see her face better. "Liv, I'm serious." He cupped her cheek with one hand. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met, then and now." She turned away from him, avoiding eye contact, pretending to watch the movie.
He clicked the TV off. They were having this conversation because she needed to know he wanted her, all of her, in every way. "Liv, look at me." She brought her eyes tentatively to his. He held her gaze, "I want you. All of you." He heard her breath catch. He slid his hand from her shoulder the entire length of her arm until he laced his fingers through hers. He kept his eyes on hers, "I love you." He pulled her closer, pressing his forehead against hers, trying desperately to communicate what she meant to him. "You're absolutely everything to me." He breathed her in, "You are beautiful in every possible way, and time or age will never change that." His voice now came in a husky desire filled whisper, "One day I hope you will let me show you how beautiful I think you are." He felt her shudder and knew she wanted him just as badly.
Her eyes closed and her breath quickened. His stomach leaped in anticipation before she gently kissed him. He didn't dare move, fearing he would scare her off, trying to wait for her next move. He was not disappointed when she kissed him again, and he kissed her back, communicating how much he wanted her. Her hands grasped at his shirt pulling him towards her as she laid into the cushions underneath her. Her mouth became more insistent, opening, allowing him to kiss her deeper. His heart pounded, wondering how far she was going to let this go. He left a trail of kisses down her neck stopping at her collarbone. She pulled his face to hers again, kissing him hard before slowly pulling back, catching her breath. Her lips ghosted his and in a breathy whisper she said, "I love you too."