The ring of the doorbell sounded throughout the apartment. Smiling, Alex thought, She must’ve gotten off early. She stopped unpacking groceries, left the kitchen, and ran to the door.
“Just a sec!” she yelled.
When she looked through the peephole, her stomach sank to see Robert. She quickly turned around and pressed her back against the door. Shit! What should I do? I can’t act like I’m not here because he probably heard me yell! Taking a deep breath, she turned back around and unlocked the door.
“Alex, where have you been?” Robert asked, taking it upon himself to walk in. “I haven’t heard from you since Thursday!”
“I’ve been taking some me time.”
“Me time? I’m your boyfriend for crying out loud and you didn’t even return my calls! I was worried sick about you!”
Alex folded her arms. “Robert, I am fully capable of taking care of myself.”
Robert frowned. “I never said you weren’t. But you couldn’t even spare five minutes to let me know you were ok?”
“I had a lot of other stuff on my mind.”
“Like what?” he demanded. “I never once crossed it?”
“Don’t be selfish,” she retorted.
“You’re accusing me of being selfish when you’re the one who isn’t considering anyone’s feelings but your own?”
Alex stared him down. “If this is all you came over for, there’s the door,” she declared, gesturing at it with one hand.
Robert sighed. “Listen, I don’t want to argue, sweetie. I just thought we could have dinner together.”
“Oh, a couple girlfriends are coming over,” Alex lied. “We’re having dinner.”
Robert glared. “So you can plan dinner with your friends but can’t talk to me for days? Shouldn’t I take precedence in your life?”
Alex rolled her eyes. “I’ve known them for years and you a few months. I just feel like they can understand what I’m going through better.”
“So why don’t you help me understand instead of shutting me out?”
“Because with my friends, I don’t have to explain anything. They already know.”
Robert shook his head. “I can’t believe you.”
“And I can’t believe you wouldn’t respect my wishes to be alone!”
“You’re not alone if you have friends coming over!”
“So I’m supposed to spend all my free time with you?”
“That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. You’re avoiding me.”
“Because I knew you’d put unnecessary pressure on me—just like you’re doing now!”
“So because I’m asking you a simple question, I’m pressuring you?”
“You’re picking a fight and trying to get me to talk about things I don’t feel like discussing!”
“You should be able to discuss these things with your boyfriend!”
“There are some things I don’t want to relive,” she said through gritted teeth.
“I have a right to know!”
Alex’s mouth dropped open. “No, you don’t! Just because we’re living together doesn’t mean I forfeited my right to privacy! I don’t need old wounds reopened.”
“Talking everything out is the only way you’ll get past it.”
Alex threw her hands up exasperatedly. “Oh, so you’re my therapist now? You might want to stick to your day job.”
“I don’t have time for this,” Robert said, heading for the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned back to look at her. “I’ll see you when you get home—perhaps when I move from the bottom of your long list of priorities.”
“Shut up, Robert!” Alex yelled, slamming the door behind him and locking it. What a jerk! she thought.
She walked back to the kitchen and tried to clear her head. She wanted to focus on nothing but Olivia tonight and she didn’t have time to be sidetracked by Robert of all people. She opened the refrigerator and took a long sip of water. She was determined that nothing would ruin her evening.
**************
Elliot was pouring a cup of coffee when Olivia walked in. “Hey, I got it.”
“Thanks,” he responded. “Anything good?”
“Not really. Adam doesn’t come from much,” Olivia replied. “The dad works in a warehouse,” she continued, following Elliot to the observation room, “the mom at a doughnut shop. Adam doesn’t even have a sheet.”
“That’s what I thought,” Elliot said.
“Then why’d you get me in here to check?” Olivia asked, somewhat annoyed.
“I just wanna know who this kid is.”
“Usually we let the defense attorney dig up the sob story.”
Elliot stopped at the one-way mirror and turned around. Trying to give a casual smile, he insisted, “No… Look, the more I know, the easier I can break him.”
“He’s a murderer. He killed Caroline Pereira to erase his debt.”
Shaking his head, he turned away from looking at Adam through the mirror. “There’s more to him than that.” He started to go in the interrogation room.
“So what?” Olivia demanded, hands on her hips. Elliot turned back to look at her. She narrowed her eyes at him. She wanted him to admit that he was sympathizing with him because of their similar working class backgrounds.
Elliot said nothing. He went inside and shut the door.
Sighing, she turned around and left. When she got back to her desk, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Alex.
Alex smiled to see her name on the display. “Hey, Liv.”
“Hey. Are you at your place?”
“Yep,” Alex answered. “You still at the station?”
“Yeah. I had to look up something for Elliot. I should be done here soon, though.”
“Good,” Alex responded. “I’ll be waiting.” When they hung up, she went upstairs to change out of her jeans and sweater into something more comfortable.
**************
An hour later, Alex’s doorbell rang again. She had just finished lighting the last of the candles. Blowing out the match, she went to the door. She was glad to look through the peephole and see Olivia.
“Hey, beautiful,” she said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips as soon as the door closed.
“Hey, yourself,” Olivia answered. She smiled when she saw that Alex was wearing nothing but a short lavender silk robe. “Perhaps I’m not appropriately dressed.”
Alex grinned and ran a hand down her arm. “You look great.”
Olivia followed her through the foyer and looked around the living room. The aroma of the candles floated lightly to her nostrils. “What’s the special occasion?”
“You,” Alex replied, pulling her to her for another kiss. She then took her hand and led her to the kitchen.
Olivia sat down at the island. “So what culinary delights will I get to enjoy tonight?”
Alex gave her a sly smile. “You sure you want the full list?”
Olivia smirked. “Maybe keep that last one to yourself.”
“Who said it would be last?” Alex teased.
Olivia chuckled. “You have a dirty mind.”
“Which you love.” Alex poured a glass of Prosecco and handed it to her. “To wash away a stressful day.”
The crisp, delicate sparkling wine awakened her palate as it flowed down her throat. “This is great, Alex.”
“Thanks,” she responded. She began finely chopping a couple sprigs of rosemary.
“What are we having?” Olivia asked.
“You’ll see soon enough,” Alex responded. She pushed the small pile to the side and chopped some shallots.
“Nice to watch the chef in action,” Olivia said, taking another sip of wine.
“I’m much better at um, other types of action,” Alex replied, grinning deviously.
Olivia laughed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t I know.”
Alex took a package out of the refrigerator. She opened the butcher paper to reveal lamb chops.
“Ooh, lamb!” Olivia said excitedly.
Alex grinned and seasoned them with salt and pepper. “Glad you like.” She pulled out a pan and set it on the stove. After pouring some olive oil into it, she added the rosemary and lamb chops.
“That rosemary smells really good,” Olivia said, getting off the stool and walking over to her.
“And it’s perfect with lamb,” Alex replied. After searing the chops on each side, she put them in a baking dish, covered them with foil, and placed them in the oven to stay warm.
Olivia hopped up on the counter. “So what’s the next step, chef?”
“Making the sauce,” Alex said, grinning and taking ingredients out of her cabinets. She unscrewed the cap of the honey. Olivia dipped a finger in and sucked it off.
“You like honey?” Alex asked.
“I love it,” Olivia answered.
“You know…there are a lot of uses for it,” Alex replied. She pushed all the ingredients to the side except the honey.
Olivia noticed the feral look in her eyes and felt herself getting wet. Locking eyes with her, Alex pulled the sash of her robe and it easily fell open. She slid it back off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Tucking a hand in Olivia’s jeans, she quickly pulled her forward. After unbuckling her belt, she pulled it through the loops and discarded it on the floor. She then unzipped her jeans and motioned for her to lift her hips. When she’d obliged, she pulled her pants and underwear down her legs.
She captured her mouth in a warm, sensuous kiss as she reached down to dip her fingers in the jar. Without breaking contact with her mouth, she spread a generous amount of honey all over her center. Olivia gave a long, loud moan at how good and smooth the sweet coating felt. Alex lifted up her sweater and bra. With the honey left on her fingers, she rubbed it on her taut nipples.
As Alex hungrily sucked her nipples, Olivia closed her eyes and reached forward to knead her breasts. Each time she pulled or squeezed her nipples, Alex sucked harder.
The succulent honey dripped from her sex onto the counter. Dipping her fingers between her warm folds, Alex picked up some of her honey-soaked wetness and traced the very tips of her fingers across Olivia’s lips. She enveloped her mouth again before licking a sticky-sweet trail all the way to her sex.
Alex swirled her tongue over her folds to lap up some of the thick, gooey liquid. She then licked all around her clit. When she took her hardened nub into her mouth and sucked hard, Olivia threw her head back against the cabinets.
“You ok, sweetie?” Alex asked, pulling back and looking up at her.
“Never better,” Olivia mumbled, pushing her face back between her legs.
Alex ravished her sex like there was no tomorrow. Then she thrust her tongue deep inside her opening, which was begging to be fucked. Tangling a hand in her hair, Olivia pressed her thighs against her cheeks and shouted in pleasure. She didn’t even bother trying to contain herself because she knew she couldn’t. Alex grabbed her ass and drove her sex on her tongue.
For a brief moment, Olivia wondered if Alex was going to get too carried away and her ass would fly straight off the counter. However, this thought quickly vanished as Alex’s tongue delved deeper inside her tunnel.
Olivia’s legs soon began trembling and Alex could feel the vibrations against her face. She let out a final scream and tightened her grip on her cheeks as her orgasm tore through her. Alex made sure not to miss a single drop of her delicious nectar as it rushed forward.
After licking her center clean, she stood up straight and kissed her intensely. Olivia sucked her tongue into her mouth, tasting the remnants of sweet honey mixed with her own juices.
“I think that’s the most creative way I’ve ever used honey,” Alex said with a grin.
“You sure know how to work up an appetite in a girl. I can’t wait to eat.”
“I can’t either. But I just had the best appetizer in the world. I think the entrée will be hard to top that. By the way, I think you almost crushed my skull.”
Olivia laughed and jumped down off the counter. “Sorry about that.” She pulled up her jeans and underwear and pushed down her bra and sweater. She looked Alex up and down. “You’re not gonna put back on your robe?”
Alex shrugged. “Why bother? It’ll just come off again soon anyway.”
“I don’t think I’d be able to concentrate on eating if you’re sitting in front of me in your birthday suit.”
“Well, I’ll put my robe back on when we start eating,” Alex said, smiling and washing her hands. She then turned the burner back on, added the shallots to the pan, and sautéed them. “Baby, can you get the Shiraz?”
“Where is it?”
“It’s in that wine rack in the middle of the island,” Alex said, glancing over her shoulder. “Second to last bottle.”
Olivia went over to the rack and pulled out the bottle of Shiraz. Before bringing it over to Alex, she took a moment to admire the shape of her perfect ass.
Alex could feel her eyes on her. Without turning around, she chuckled softly and said, “If you keep staring at my ass all night, I’ll never get this sauce made.”
Olivia laughed and brought the wine to her. “Good call, Cabot.” Alex poured the wine in the pan, causing the contents to sizzle. “Careful. Remember, you don’t have any protection for your skin.”
Smiling, Alex added broth, balsamic vinegar, honey, and pomegranate molasses. Then she went to the refrigerator and cut off some butter to add to it all.
While she waited for the sauce to thicken, she chopped up some oregano, chard leaves, cauliflower, and a clove of garlic. Then she pulled out another pan and began sautéing them in a little olive oil.
“Need some help?” Olivia asked.
Alex shook her head. “I think I got it.”
“Good to know you can multitask,” Olivia joked, tasting the sauce. “Ooh, that pomegranate is really good.”
Alex swatted her hand away. “Hey! No tasting before your meal!”
Olivia grinned. “What are the veggies for?”
“The couscous,” Alex said simply. “That reminds me…” She grabbed a pot and quickly poured some broth in it to boil. Then she stirred the sauce.
“Sweetie, why don’t you let me finish sautéing? Promise I won’t eat anything.”
Smirking, Alex said, “Ok, I trust you.”
Olivia sautéed while Alex continued to stir the sauce. Even though she tried to concentrate on the contents of the pan, her eyes kept drifting to Alex’s breasts, the nipples perky and tight. She involuntarily licked her lips. The spoon dropping to the floor snapped her out of reverie.
Alex looked over at her and grinned. “Technical difficulties, Liv?”
Olivia bent down to pick up the spoon and then threw it in the sink. She got a fresh one and pushed the vegetables around. “Oh, um, sorry. Kinda checked out for a sec.”
Alex’s grin spread. “Well, since I’m being too distracting, I’ll put my robe back on,” she responded, picking it up off the floor and slipping her arms into the sleeves.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Oh yeah!”
When the sauce reached the consistency she wanted, Alex turned off the burner and poured the couscous in the pot.
“Mmm…my mouth is watering so much right now,” Olivia said.
“I’m taking that as a good sign.”
“Very.”
After the couscous had cooked, Alex poured it into the pan of vegetables and stirred everything together.
“Is it ready?” Olivia asked.
“Will be soon. Just a few more minutes.” She turned down the heat a little.
“I’ll get plates and silverware,” Olivia said. “Want me to take the lamb out of the oven?”
“Sure,” she replied, flashing a smile.
In a few minutes, the meal was complete. Alex scooped some couscous on each plate and placed a lamb chop next to it. She poured the sauce over the lamb and garnished the plates with a spring of rosemary. “Bon appétit, sweetie,” she said, handing her a plate.
“Thank you,” Olivia replied, heading for the dining room.
“Oh, Liv. Let’s eat by the fireplace.”
Olivia smiled. “All right.” She followed Alex to the living room and they sat down in front of the fireplace.
Alex suddenly snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot the wine!” She ran out of the room.
Olivia looked around and breathed in the cozy, romantic ambiance. The soft glow of the candles and flames leaping behind the glass doors of the fireplace provided all the warmth and light they needed. The air was filled with a sense of peace and comfort.
Alex returned with two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot. Pouring a little in each, she handed one to Olivia and held hers up in a toast. “To the sexiest, most magnificent woman on Earth.”
“Thank you,” Olivia said, clinking her glass against Alex’s and drinking a sip. She cut into her lamb chop and took a bite. “Oh my god,” she complimented, closing her eyes and savoring the taste. “Are you trying to give me another orgasm? This sauce is amazing!”
Alex grinned. “Not yet.”
Olivia scooped some couscous up with her fork. “And this is really good, too. The chard adds great flavor. Not to mention that it makes it pretty.”
Alex tasted a piece of her chop. “I must say these came out perfectly.”
“Oh, yes! They are really tender and juicy.”
“Thanks,” Alex responded, eating some couscous. She washed it down with a swallow of wine.
“You’re very welcome.”
They ate silently for a few minutes and were content to just bask in each other’s company. The mood was perfect and lighthearted.
“Would you like some more wine?” Alex asked, holding up the bottle.
“Just a little bit,” Olivia replied.
When they had finished eating, she picked up their dishes and said, “Since you made such a wonderful meal, I’ll go load these in the dishwasher.”
“Oh Liv, you don’t have to.”
“But I want to,” Olivia insisted. “Just sit tight.” Upon her return, she asked, “So what do you want to do now?”
“How about just holding each other?” Alex said, moving over beside her and wrapping her arms around her waist. She laid her head on her shoulder.
Olivia sighed and stroked her hair. They stayed like that for the longest time. The only sounds other than those of the city were their soft breathing and the fire crackling.
Olivia eventually lifted Alex’s head off her shoulder and stood up. “Just need to stretch my legs a bit,” she explained.
Alex nodded and stood up, too. She followed Olivia over to the vast windows.
“I’ve always loved your view here,” Olivia said. “You can see the entire city. It would be nice to have a place with floor-to-ceiling windows.”
Alex slipped her hand under her sweater and caressed the small of her back. “Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to move in together?”
Olivia turned to her. At first she didn’t anything. Alex noticed that a bit of sadness had glossed over her eyes. “Yeah,” she finally answered.
“I do, too,” Alex admitted. Hopefully one day we can, she thought. Not wanting to dampen the mood, she went over to her CD changer and put on Vanessa Williams. She turned the volume down so that it was just loud enough for them to hear but not high enough to distract them from focusing on each other. Walking back over to Olivia, she took her hand and linked their fingers together. “Come on,” she said softly, jerking her head in the direction of the fireplace.
It’s just the way that you love
You know you drive me crazy
It’s just the way that you love
You know you drive me crazy
As the singer’s smooth, strong voice floated throughout the room, Alex pulled Olivia to her in a deep kiss. She tenderly held her face in her hands as Olivia rubbed her hands over her back. The silk of her robe felt sensual and exquisite beneath her fingertips.
I’ve been waiting for this moment secretly
Counting every minute, every hour, ’til you’re with me
’Cause I know just what’s in store
And now I’m in your arms, so baby close the door
Why waste another minute
Ooh, let’s get right to it
Baby, turn the lights down
We don’t have to say a word
Unspoken pleasure, there’s no way to measure
How you make me feel when you’re near me
Whisper softly…
Their lips temporarily parted so they could remove the other’s clothing. Then they were soon once again lost in their kiss. Alex caressed Olivia’s breasts and pushed her tongue deeper down her throat.
Without breaking their connection, Olivia placed her hands on Alex’s shoulders and lowered them to their knees. She lay down in front of the fireplace and pulled her on top of her. Their bodies merged perfectly together, as if they were each other’s missing piece.
And it seems time flies whenever I’m in your arms
I like to savor every second you thrill me with your charms
Now I’m lost in the magic that we share
When I look into your eyes, I know how much you care
Don’t wanna rush the feeling, ’cause loving you’s so real and
Feel the satisfaction, you got me callin’ out your name
More than emotion, let’s keep this fire going
Now we’re lost inside our love
Sweet surrender, so tender…
Alex placed light kisses all over her face while leaving feathery touches up and down her arms. She licked the spot behind her ear, causing her to moan louder. Her nipples brushed hers, sending shivers through both of them and making their wetness spread.
She started slowly grinding her center into Olivia’s, using her tongue to make the same motions inside her mouth that her hips were making below. They easily fell into each other’s rhythm. Breasts caressed breasts, stomach caressed stomach, clit caressed clit.
Ooh, you know me oh so well
You always take your time, you always get it right
You set my soul on fire
And I know you’ve got my rhythm ’cause you take me higher
Olivia rolled them over so that she was on top. Alex wrapped her arms around her and held on tight; she never wanted to let go. Olivia broke their kiss to allow them both air and then brushed her lips over her neck. Coming back up, she nipped her earlobe. Alex moaned in pleasure and pressed their breasts tighter together to magnify the sensations. As Olivia continued to slide her center into hers, she stared into her blue eyes and saw nothing but pure love. Alex saw the same emotion reflected back.
It’s just the way that you love
Don’t you stop
You know you drive me crazy
Don’t waste time, baby
Don’t stop…
Don’t you stop, don’t you stop
You know you’ve got the rhythm
You’ve got the rhythm, baby
You’ve got the rhythm, baby
Olivia smiled down at her and their lips joined again. She would move her hips faster to increase the friction and then slower, driving them to the precipice of orgasm and taking them back just before they flew over. She gasped each time she felt Alex’s inner folds squeeze her slick, engorged clit. They could each feel white hot energy pulsing and radiating inside them, threatening to consume them. When it had risen to the brim, Olivia left her mouth and looked into her eyes again.
With that silent communication they came together, screaming and surrendering their pleasure to each other. Once their bodies had stopped shuddering, Alex pressed her lips hard against Olivia’s in a smothering kiss.
Olivia scooted down her body a little and laid her head on her chest. She didn’t know what the future held, but she did wish that they could stay in that moment forever.
Alex kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. Even though she knew they weren’t a couple, she knew their hearts had never left each other and she felt an indescribable closeness that could not be surpassed by any other human being. But she was tired of not being in a relationship with her anymore, tired of denying both of them what they wanted, no, needed. She made up her mind. She was going to leave Robert. She thought about telling her right then and there, but she didn’t want her to think that she was making a rash decision or one that was a result of post-coital bliss. Besides, she decided that it would be good for her to take a couple days to sort things out to make sure she didn’t falter. She only hoped that Olivia would agree to take her back…