Love and Litigation - An Alex Cabot/Law and Order SVU fanfiction

Chapter 20

Later that night: 
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After a lengthy day at work, Alex was finally home and ready to unwind. She poured herself a glass of Rosé, swirling it around before taking a sip. Before she could sit down, there was a knock at the door. The thought of ignoring it crossed her mind, but she wasn't wired that way. Just the idea drove her crazy. Setting her glass down, she walked barefoot to the front door and opened it. The smell of chinese food smacked her in the face before she even saw who was standing there. 

"Luke?" 

He held up two large brown bags full of food. 

"Have you eaten? I think I ordered too much." 

He grinned, and she couldn't help but return his energy. After motioning for him to come in, she poured him a glass of wine and they sat together on her couch. Through bites of lo mein and egg rolls, they chatted about the arraignment tomorrow. 

"I feel confident we'll get remand without bail," Alex said assuredly, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "He beat a veteran officer." 

Luke swallowed and held his chopsticks at half-mast. 

"Well, I wouldn't want anybody else prosecuting this case." 

She cut her eyes up at him and smiled. 

"When are you supposed to get that cast off?" 

"Not soon enough," he breathed. "I think that's what's driven me crazy the most." 

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as he set his takeout box on the table and came to his feet. 

"Do you have a radio in here?" 

She pointed to the table behind him, and he made his way around. To her surprise, the sound of soft jazz filled the room. The same type of music they'd danced to nearly a couple of weeks ago. 

"What are you doing?" She laughed, his hand extended towards her. 

"My doctor said I should engage in some light exercise. You don't want me to have a set-back, do you?" 

He gave her a wry smile as she put her food to the side and took his hand. Moving to the center of the living room, they began to slow dance. She could feel her heart rate increase as his casted hand cradled the small of her back. 

"So, I may have enjoyed that dance the other night a little more than I originally let on." 

She leaned back slightly and looked up into his sensous green eyes. 

"And to think, I had to talk you into it." 

"Yeah, well you're pretty convincing."

Growing increasingly aroused, she quickly diverted her gaze and moved her head back into its original position. They swayed for awhile longer, equally enjoying the comfort of the other's presence. As the following song began to play, he filled the void of silence. 

"Alex?" He whispered, again cueing her to look at him. The air left her lungs as he gently brushed a stray hair from her eyes. And then it happened. He leaned in for the kiss, his lips gently colliding with hers. She flew sky high, wave after wave of dopamine coursing through her brain. As he released her, her eyelids fluttered open and she struggled to catch her breath.

"I've been wanting to do that ever since you got back." 

He was near breathlessness, indicating that he was riding the same high as she was. 

Her mind wanted to tell him to stop. That they could never be together because of work circumstances. Something would always threaten to stand in their way. 

But her heart? Her heart told her to jump his bones. She wanted all of him, right there and now, and she wasn't sure she could resist. Or if she even wanted to. 

But lawyers, in all their infinite wisdom, are known for their brains. And Alex could count on one hand the amount of times she had followed her heart. 

"We can't." She whispered, placing her hands firmly on his chest. He didn't protest, didn't say a word. She knew he understood even if it came at the expense of both of their desires. He silently collected his things, giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek before he walked out.

"Goodnight, Alex."