A/N: So sorry for the late update! School has been kicking my butt lately. But I can promise some more frequent updates now that things are about to calm down. The next chapter should come pretty soon since I have most of it written. Anyway, reviews make my day and definitely give me motivation (; So don't be shy! Enjoy
Liv was beginning to grow tired. Unpacking and blushing can take a lot out of a woman. Nick had gone out to get something for dinner later, so she had laid down on the bed and closed her eyes, hoping to catch a cat nap.
Just as Nick got out of the car, his phone rang, seeing the caller ID as Luke Hoglund. The phones that the department gave them already had all of their numbers programmed into them.
"Martin" He answered. He shut the door and locked the car.
"Hello Christian, Luke here." His voice was really deep.
"What's up Luke? How did you get my number?" Nick asked walking through the lobby doors, carrying a bag of steaks, potatoes, green beans, and a two bottles of red wine.
"Oh I went through the newbie files today." He laughed. "And I was wondering if you would want to go out with us tonight, sort of break you in." Luke said then leaned back in his office chair.
"Of course. My wife, Rachel, and I would love to come out and join you guys, just tell me when and where." Nick smiled fakely as he walked into the elevator.
"Good, can't wait to meet your wife… We're going to a club called Liefde, Lust, en Dancing. That's Love, Lust and Dancing in Dutch. It's still pretty new, but thought we'd give it a try. Be there at eight o'clock tonight. It's on the corner of 134th and Broadway... Bye Christian." Luke hung up the phone and so did Nick. He rode the elevator the rest of the way up to the apartment and walked in, setting the groceries down on the table.
He looked around the apartment and saw no trace of his partner. "Liv," he called out, wondering if she had slipped out earlier. With no answer, he slipped into their bedroom only to see the beautiful Olivia Benson asleep peacefully and fully clothed on their bed. He couldn't help but grin at the sight. She was absolutely exhausted. Without realizing it, he was already at her side, leaning over her sleeping figure. What he would do to get a taste of those full, pink lips.
He'd get a swift kick to the groin, that's what. He would have to settle for a tap on the shoulder…for now.
"Liv… Liv, wake up. I'm back," Nick gently rubbed Olivia's shoulder, feeling her stir beneath his touch. Her skin was so warm and so smooth…
"Mmm, five more minutes…" she moaned before turning over on her side, Nick's hand almost coming in direct contact with her breast. He almost gasped and felt himself begin to grow hard.
"Shit," he muttered, attempting to calm himself down.
"Uh Liv," he cleared his throat. "I bought us dinner. You should eat a little something before we go out tonight."
She waved her hand in an attempt to shoo him off, kicking the covers off. "Alright, alright. I'll grab a shower first and be right there."
He gulped, then nodded. Shower. Thoughts began to flood his mind and he couldn't refrain from thinking about his partner naked…in the shower.
Olivia was already up and examining her partner's facial expression thoroughly. "What in the world is goin' on up there?" She asked, tapping him on the head, laughing.
"Uh, nothing at all, just thinking about tonight," he lied, getting a roll of the eyes response from Liv.
"Yeah, ok, sure you are," she joked as she headed towards the bathroom.
"This is going to be a long night," he muttered.
She emerged moments later in some loose sweats and a towel wrapped around her head.
"Have a nice shower?" Nick asked with a smile setting forks on the table.
Olivia smiled and sat down at the bar across from him. "It was wonderful. I can definitely get used to that."
The table was set with a candle lit and the food was already on the plates.
"Ni—uh, Christian, did you do all this?" She asked in disbelief as she took a look around the place. The food looked incredible.
"Is that doubt I hear in your voice?" Nick asked, grinning from ear to ear.
"I just had no idea you cooked, that's all," she smiled, and took a sip of the wine, avoiding his scrutinizing gaze. She was already feeling giddy. What was going on with her?
"Yes, I hope you don't mind. I wanted to have a nice quiet dinner before we go to the club tonight" Nick smiled then sat beside Olivia.
"Wait, club?" Liv shot a look at Nick.
"Yes, Rachel, we are going to a club tonight to get to know our friends" He smiled sarcastically then put his hand in Olivia's. Liv's breathing became shallow and slow.
"Save it for the club, Christian." Liv smiled devilishly. Nick swallowed hard and put his hand back on his knee. The both dug into their food in silence.
After dinner the two of them got ready. Nick decided on a clean white button down and a pair of nice jeans with black dress shoes. Olivia was dressed in a little black dress with a strip of lace across the top and a pair of black heels. She looked beautiful. Her hair was wavy and she went for a hint of smoky eyes. A diamond necklace completed the look, drawing attention to the generous amount of cleavage the dress revealed.
She emerged from the master bath an hour later, spraying on some perfume as she briskly walked into the kitchen area past Nick.
Nick, of course, was already dressed and watching basketball on the huge flat screen.
Nick gulped audibly and his attention was no longer attached to the television in front of him. Her back was facing him now, thank God. He almost felt like a perv looking her up and down the way he was, but really, it was only expected when a beautiful woman put on a dress like that.
Fuck. His feelings for his partner were becoming blatantly clear, and he seriously hoped it wouldn't screw up their assignment…or better yet, their partnership.
"You look great, Nick" Liv smiled softly as she walked towards him. He was still in a daze until she was breathtakingly close to him.
"Your tie is a little crooked," she said, reaching for the knot at the collar. Her gentle yet strong hands swiftly made some adjustments before a smile appeared back on her face. "Perfect," she almost whispered, looking up into his brown eyes.
He was already staring into hers, though. "Liv, you look absolutely gorgeous…You are stunning."
She blushed and nervously placed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, Nick," she said almost shyly. "You don't look too bad yourself." She grinned before straightening the collar to his oxford. He took ahold of her hands and held them at their sides. Her heart nearly stopped.
"I mean it. You're easily the most beautiful woman in a room full of people."
Her cheeks instantly heated, so she squeezed his hands in a way to distract him.
It was always hard for her to accept compliments. Especially ones coming from him; her partner… Her recently separated partner.
She bit her lip before loosening her grip on his hands, failing to make eye-contact with him. But he wasn't about to let her walk away.
He instantly tightened his grip, pulling her closer. "Liv," He said, his voice sounding rough with masculinity. It made her insides churn.
"Look at me," he said before tucking his finger beneath her chin, tipping her head up to meet his gaze. "I meant what I said. You're an incredible woman, Olivia." He wanted her to know how amazing she was to him…to everyone. She couldn't seem to wrap that around that pretty little head of hers.
God, where did this emotion come from? She immediately shut her eyes when she felt tears brimming the surface. She was not about to cry in front of him. She couldn't. For one, it would mess up her eye makeup. And two, Nick did not need to see her emotional side.
He was a cop, though; obviously he knew something was up. "Liv, what's goin' on?" He soothingly ran his hands up and down her bare back. The warmth from his fingertips gave her goosebumps and caused her body to lean into his chest for support. Much needed support.
"Nothing's going on. I'm just not one for receiving compliments," she whispered and laughed softly, letting her head fall to his shoulder as he continued to rub the tension away.
His hand traveled up the expanse of her back towards her neck, gently stroking her long, dark hair. There had to be more to what was really going on, but he wouldn't press. Not right before they went out with complete strangers.
"Well hey, at least trust me when I say you're absolutely breathtaking. What can I do to make you believe it?"
He knew exactly how. But what he didn't know is how she'd react.
She slowly lifted her head off of his shoulder, searching his eyes for an answer. Her gaze slipped down to his lips, unable to draw her attention anywhere else.
He was way ahead of her. His hands buried in her thick hair at the base of her skull, drawing her face towards his. His lips were millimeters away until the shrill ring of his cell brought them both back to reality.
Sighing, he let his forehead drop to hers, reaching for his phone in his pocket. "I need to take this…" She nodded as he answered. It was their driver.
She slowly eased out of their close proximity to grab her wrap and purse.
He ended the call and smiled softly at her, holding out his arm for her to take.
"It's showtime," he said as he lead her out of the apartment.
A/N: Next, things start to heat up between Nick and Olivia at the club