Requested by seilleanmor
She can tell herself all she wants that she doesn't know why she's here but it's a lie. She knows exactly why.
She needs him tonight.
Needs his touch, his strong arms around her, his broad hands holding her. After the day they've had, she thinks he might not mind the reminder that she's still here, too. She's grateful that she's on his approved list of guests and they didn't call ahead to alert him of her arrival. She's glad that he won't be mulling over the reason for her visit as she ascends in the elevator, doesn't have time to plaster pity on his features.
She knocks, fingers crossed that he'll be the only occupant still downstairs; she's not sure that she could handle the gauntlet of redheads tonight. The handle turns and she holds her breath, releases it when the door swings open to reveal Castle.
"Beckett," he says her name softly on an exhale, his voice filled with wonder. "What are you-"
His sentence is cut off as her body collides with his, her arms wrapped around his neck, the momentum causing one of her legs to snake around his thigh. He clutches at her, rocking back from the impact, takes a step to steady himself and then his arms are around her, warm bands across her back, his hands curled around her ribs.
She's not sure how long they stay like that but he waits her out, his embrace never wavering. She finally relaxes, her arms loosening from his neck with a long sigh. She drops from her tiptoes slowly, her hiked leg sliding down his inch by inch, the unprecedented intimacy causing her heart to thrash wildly in her chest. She takes a step back and looks up at him, her lips pressed into a curve. He's smiles back at her and she can see the questions and concern for her in his eyes yet he says nothing.
She takes another step back, notes the sway of his body towards hers but his feet stay fast in place. He's being so patient with her, so much more than she thought him capable of and it reminds her of why she's here in the first place. She needed this reminder of what she's working towards, what she's trying to be worthy of.
"Night, Castle."
She turns to leave and is halfway towards the elevator when his voice floats down the hallway.
"Goodnight. Sleep well."
She will now.