Part 3/3 (Rated M)
Nothing Short of Love: Redux
Round 3 is easy
Turning off the lights in the kitchen, he follows the sliver of light emanating from the bedroom. It's brighter than when he left; she must have turned on a lamp. He tries hard not to turn that into something romantically poetic, but he's such a goner that his mind spins regardless. He toes to door open quietly, arms full with the tray he carries.
"Whatcha got there?" She's sitting against the headboard now, white sheet wrapped tightly around her and tucked under her arms.
He grins seeing her there, heartbeat ratcheting up as he moves closer, still working hard to control his disbelief. He sits beside her and rests the tray by his knee curled in front of him. She leans against his back, curling herself against him as she peeks over his shoulder, resting her chin there.
He clears his throat of the awe that has built up there. "Snacks, water, some Advil just in case."
She surprises them both by reaching for the Advil first. He shivers a bit when she leans away from him, using both of her hands to open the bottle and then shaking out a few pills. "These are probably a good idea."
He props the pillow that's behind him against the headboard and slides his body next to where she's returned at the head of the bed. He grabs the water and hands it to her, watching as she pops the pills and washes them down. "You feel okay?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Probably going to be sore in the morning though."
He nods and lifts the tray only long enough to slide his legs in under the covers beside hers, then rests it on his legs. His hand falls on her blanket-covered thigh.
She reaches to him, the sheet dropping between them, and curls her arm around his, holding him tightly to her. Her bare breast warm, pressed tight against his arm. His heart rate quickens at the intimacy. Sexual, but not. Bodies and hearts intertwined, even as they simply sit beside each other.
His free hand pulls the bowl of grapes to his lap and pops one in his mouth. He feels her eyes on him so he takes another, offering it to her. She grabs it with her mouth easily and without provocation, as if he feeds her grapes everyday.
The skin pops and the sweetness explodes in his mouth. He moans. "These grapes are so good."
She smirks. "Um hm, or maybe we're just really hungry."
"Or that." He slides the crackers out of their casing and onto the tray. Peeks at her over his shoulder. "Peanut butter or cheese?"
"Hmm. Cheese."
His hand regretfully leaves her thigh and grabs the knife to prepare the cheese. Her hand sneaks into his lap and grabs a few more grapes from the bowl, popping them in her mouth, jaw working gently against his shoulder.
He prepares a few slices and her hand sweeps in and grabs one.
Her eyes light up when the cheese hits her tongue. "Manchego."
He grins, nodding. "Alexis's favorite. I always have a stockpile in the house."
She burrows closer to him, humming pleasantly as she eats. He slices another piece of the cheese and tops a cracker, popping it in his own mouth.
She watches as he eats. Eyes darting along his jaw and lips. "Try it with a grape on top."
He smiles, mouth and heart full. Swallows, already tasting the appeal of the mingling flavors. "My kind of woman."
She brushes her foot against his leg in response and patiently waits as he prepares another. He pulls a grape from the bowl and slices it quickly, balancing it on top. "Would you like to do the honors?"
She takes the cracker from him and eats, his eyes not leaving her face. Her eyes roll in delight. Swallows. "Yes, perfect combination right now."
He laughs and quickly moves to prepare his own. He nods heartily when the flavors mix in his mouth. "I've had grapes and brie, but this, this is a delicacy."
She hums her agreement as they sit close, reaching for another that he prepares.
The only sounds in the room are the crunching of crackers and occasional knife swipes against the hard cheese. Silently filling themselves with the provisions he'd acquired. Content in the quiet moment together.
The bowl of grapes slowly empties and her reaches for the crackers become less frequent. He feels her leaning harder against him, cheek resting heavily on his shoulder. Fluttering eyelashes slowly tickling his chin he when turns to look at her. "You all done?"
"Yeah. Tired."
His legs stretch out sleepily beside hers. "Me too."
He collects all the snacks back onto the tray and leans over to the bedside table, her arm loosening only slightly in the movement, not breaking the contact. He nudges things around until the tray rests securely on the surface and flips the lamp off, bathing the room in dark once more.
"The cheese'll go bad."
"Eh, I have more. Too cozy to move." He grabs the water and takes a long swig then offers it to her. She does the same.
"Thanks, Castle. Tonight's been good."
He grins, lifting his eyebrows suggestively. "Very good."
She smiles. "I wasn't just talking about the sex stuff."
"Ah yes, of course. Me either. I would've definitely chosen different adjectives for the sex stuff."
She grins and slides herself down on the bed, him following. "Oh yeah?"
"Well honestly, the sex stuff with you is something I'm still wrapping my head around. Still processing its multiple layers of incredibility. I'll have to give you a full adjective-laced report in the morning." She leans over and gives him a soft kiss before curling on her side. He follows, spooning her and sliding his arm gently in the gap left by her pillow and shoulder, effectively wrapping her in a hug. He leans his head between hers and her shoulder, brushing her cheek with his. "Which is really just a fancy way of saying mind-blowing."
She hums. "Yeah."
"So you agree?"
"Let's just say I'll have to give you my adjective-laced report in the morning too."
He grins and slides his head down to the pillow behind her. Her hand crawls up and laces her fingers through his. He drops a kiss to the back of her neck and he pulls her snug against him as they settle.
He closes his eyes, smile firmly in place as her legs slightly part letting one of his slide through. Thoroughly intertwined and so very cozy. He rests content, focusing on the woman in his arms, waiting for her breath to even out as sleep overtakes her.
Minutes tick by and her thumb continues brushing against his knuckle. He gently raises up to sneak a glance at her face over her shoulder. Her eyes are wide.
"You alright?"
She huffs a little. "I'm so tired but can't sleep, you know?"
His interest piquing as he responds. "Oh?" He's probably reading it all wrong so he starts to shift away from her. "Too cuddly?"
Her hand darts out snagging his that is slowly creeping its way away from her. She grabs it, pulling it back completely around her and squeezing his leg tight between hers. Keeping him close. "No."
"Oh. Okay."
A mantra of she needs sleep steadily fills his mind for the next few silent minutes. The notion is dislodged entirely when she shifts slowly; her butt gently, and undoubtedly purposefully, pushing back into him. He smirks, holding his body firm against hers. "You know, I have it on good authority that I am a master at getting you to fall asleep."
She laughs, louder than his words and it makes him grin proudly. "Never gonna live that one down, am I?"
He presses his grin against the back of her head. "Ah, I guess, given the circumstances, your reaction could be forgiven. I know I'm very overwhelming."
He can hear her eye roll when she responds. "In so, so many ways." It's definitely a familiar tease but he's far from affronted as her fingers play gently on his arm and her body tilts further into his. Yes, far, far from affronted.
He huffs against the back of her neck and pushes back against her. His body readily responding to her teases and answering the unasked question her body had posed.
She subtly pulls her knee up towards her, parting as he drifts closer. His fingers trail a barely there path along the long plane of her torso. Drifting up between her breasts and back down the slope, dancing at it's peak. A slow dance as their minds drift farther and farther away from sleep.
Her hand reaches behind her finding his clothed hip, grabbing a handful of fabric and using it to drag him closer.
When his hand slowly opens, closing in and around her breast, her fingers slide up the the band of his boxers and tug them down over his hipbone, hand immediately, blindly, moving over the soft skin revealed, dipping into the valley of his hip.
He hums appreciatively as she pushes back against him again, rotating, a small whine in her throat. He squeezes his hand lightly, as his thumb brushes along the incredibly soft skin. A slow play of caresses between them, punctuated by twirling hips below. Fingers dancing up and over the rise of her breast, pulling gently at her perked nipple, and then straying momentarily to her side.
She startles with a small twitch and laugh. Goosebumps in the wake of his hand.
He grins. "Oh, ticklish." His hand curves away from her side and then slowly turns back as if to return.
"Don't you dare, Castle."
His hand once more makes a u-turn, returning back to her breast, encasing it fully in his grasp, his warm hand holding there, kneading with a light touch that she feels in the lowest part of her stomach. He smiles against her ear as she tilts her head allowing his lips to make their way down to her neck.
"Better," she smirks as his thumb brushes across her nipple and lips continue their assault.
He lifts his head, smiling at her. "Ticklish anywhere else I should know about?"
She hums, moving her hand to slide just below his boxers, nails grazing between his hip and thigh, mimicking his motions. "You tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."
"Getting warmer," he lets out on a heavy breath as her nails trip down further, slipping out of the fabric, sliding along his thigh and then back into the warmth again.
She smirks as he grins against her shoulder, mouth trailing to the tendon where neck and shoulder meet, open mouth lavishing kisses there. His hand lazily travels down her torso, drawing a smile from hip to hip with light touches. Her leg straightens again, encouraging his destination. Anticipation rising in her as they continue their journey, tripping over her all-too briefly, a tease and a glance against her, before rounding up to her hip and sneaking back up to her side with fingers moving quietly towards an inevitable assault.
Her hand slides quickly then, finds him with deft fingers reaching him through his boxers. She squeezes her hand just enough to get his attention. He squeaks. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Castle. I may not be able to control my reaction and neither of us would want that, now would we?"
He laughs, his chest gently shaking against her back. "Merciless, Beckett. I just want to see you squirm a little bit."
"Well given the recent developments in our relationship, I can think of better ways to do that." Her hand slides against him then, an apology and encouragement in one, her thumb tracking around the tip of him sending a rumble through him that vibrates her back. Her wandering hand retreats to his back, encouraging him closer still.
"Ah, yes." He smiles and can't help but follow the instructions of her hand, pushing himself closer against the back of her, his hardness seeking the skin of her through the cumbersome fabric still covering him.
Her leg lifts up and toes curl around the back of his calf. His breath stutters a bit as he's drawn in again, feels the heat of her radiating like a beacon. He leans into her ear with a heavy breath, "Like this?" Then moves his body again as if in demonstration.
She feels the soft material and the firmness it covers sliding across her, her mind tripping momentarily. She arcs her back, pushing down onto him further, against him. Her left hand curls up and grasps onto his wrist. Breathes heavily. "Yeah. Lose the pants."
She feels his hip lift off the bed and her hand glances his as he pushes them down, kicking them off the foot of the bed.
She murmurs softly, a sound that could be read as Good or Yes, but the message is clear.
He holds her tight, arm bands firmly around leg, nudges towards her, and leans his face to her ear. He inhales deeply and where she expects there to be words, a sharp, quick, long wind assaults her softened senses.
Moment broken, she laughs and feels him grinning too. "Did you just blow in my ear?"
"Um hm. Not working for you or something?
"Depends on what you were going for." She manages another laugh through the tightly coiled anticipation thrumming through her body as he rests so close behind her.
He's a little quiet behind her and she almost thinks she somehow insulted him, but the hand wrapped around and under her slides to her stomach, pressing her with a wide palm. His body wide and warm, engulfing her from side to side. His face comes to rest tightly beside hers, the rest of his motions halted. She pushes back against him, his jaw tightening as bare skin meets softly, his mind tripping as he presses against her. He pushes on, holding back, grasping at this moment before it's gone. "You'll tell me if you're uncomfortable? Where you're sore?"
She turns her head surprised at the change of demeanor, soft eyes meeting his. Warmth blooms in her body, comprehension dawning that he's using the short reprieve for an honest answer. Her eyes roam his face, her heart squeezing almost painfully. Her hand reaches up, slides along his cheek, to his ear and she pulls him closer, kissing him on the mouth. "I'll tell you."
He grins and nips at her lips before his head and body slightly slide down, open lips falling onto her shoulder. His fingers wander down the inside of her thigh knocking the smile from her face as he touches her, dips briefly into her and pulling wetness up to her center, moving gently and repeating. With each dip, his body mimics the motion and she nearly snatches his hand away for his own sake if not hers. But oh, she's selfish at the moment and her head bows, mouth dropping open as his attention lingers there.
His mouth moves up to her ear, a smirk on his face. "Okay, so far?"
She huffs and pulls her hand back, grasping his ass making his motions falter. "Could be better," she lets out on a broken breath.
He bites her ear, gently tugging. "Noted."
When his hand sinks down again, it's joined by the tip of him and he pulls himself to her, sliding along her. She feels the damp evidence of his work as he slides back down, her stomach turning pleasantly at the revelation. He slows and rests gently at her opening, his breath warm and heavy against her ear. She grumbles at both the loss and the gain, pushes back, giving him space. His other hand splays wide against her, fingers dipping in slightly and palm pressing tightly against her, causing her body to move, searching for renewed friction. His burdened breaths at her ear.
The hand curled under her slides up and presses tightly against her stomach fingers replacing his palm, and he pushes gently, too gently, sending a breath tumbling from her. Excruciating as he holds himself there, barely at the brink of her, resting so close that he can feel her insides tugging at him. He sits on the moment, letting it build, and closes his eyes against the raw, hormonal impulse to thrust wild, deep inside of her.
She pulls at his hip, words escaping on a desperate breath. "Move, Castle."
When he feels her shaky exhale, his hold tightens on her body, stilling her encouraging motions, and slowly begins to push into her with a deep groan that ripples against her back. It's different this time, tighter for both of them at this angle. He moves slow and her leg immediately arches back and tangles a little desperately with his as she tries to lift it higher as he inches in. He rests and then barely retreats before impulse wins out and he pushes forward again quick, sinking a little further, grazing tight against the wall of her. He repeats the motion with measured breaths, her neurons firing blissfully with each shift. She knows he has more to give, but their hips are caught against each other where they are now and each slow thrust gives her a little more of him as their bodies fight for position.
His mouth drops and sucks hard on her shoulder and her own heavy breaths fill her ears. His hand slowly rotates at her center and they both know this angle is working a little too well both of them when she shudders and tightens around him briefly with a pant.
When he pushes again against the wall of her, she gasps and her body fires familiar signals of impending release. He must realize because he pauses and meets her halfway when she leans back to find his mouth. Tongues delving deep and messy as she tries to press further back against the pillows, craning her neck and humming into his mouth. He pushes forward again, breath quickly escaping from her body and into his as her insides flutter around him. Her mouth loses rhythm and she turns her head down, his mouth spurting breaths below her ear.
"Castle. I need- Can I-?" She struggles. Breathes, sighs heavily, body pushing against his hopelessly.
He thrusts again and holds tight against her. Takes a calming breath. Fights to let the words out. "If you want, I can hold on."
She can't even question it. "Yes. Try, please. This is really…"
Her words trail off but he doesn't need them. "Yeah," he agrees on a heavy breath against her cheek. Their movements below continue, an achingly slow push and pull.
She momentarily worries they've set their expectations too high when his wet mouth trails lazily against her cheek. The cool air of the room illuminating the path of his mouth. But his fingers at her center speed and she mews.
Her muscles tighten around him and he groans a bit as he pulls back and pushes against the tightening walls with a heavy breath.
She clenches herself, holding off her release, even as he fights against her to retreat slightly and thrust again. Noises pushing blindly from her mouth. Words following shortly after on a heavy pant. "You - okay?"
His hand around her tightens and she feels then tension in his body. "Just go. Now." His words are tight and demanding, stern from him, but it's all she needs. She feels the warmth spread across her body and involuntarily squeezes tightly against him with a gasp. Her chin violently knocks to her chest as her body wracks itself in wave after wave of release. Bucking against the hand holding her tight against him. Barely registering whispered words with no comprehensible meaning fluttering against her. It's quick and has only lightly softened the edges of her desire.
Her body slowly stills as her muscles pulse on the descent.
"Better?" It's a pant in her ear and she moves her hips searching for him. Her insides pulse against the space he's left, grasping for part of him that's not there.
"Couldn't stay." With his words, she registers the hand sliding away from her center and a light graze of the back of his hand stroking against her thigh. Feels the hard tip of him against her again. "Too good."
"You did good." She'd laugh at her breathless praise if she wasn't so focused on his motions below. "Cas-" He pushes back into her without warning, an intruder fighting his way through, breaking her words and breaths into thousands of pieces. Desire pulsing steadily again. "God."
He stills on a pant. "Sorry."
Her body catches up. "No, go."
His mouth finds hers then and she feels the desperation on his tongue. "Too good," he repeats, pushing the words into her mouth as his hand slides back up her leg and holds it a little higher. He sinks further, and a small moan from both of them collide in her mouth. His noises just ratcheting her up again so, so quick. She blindly grabs the sheet anchoring herself as he pulls himself almost completely out before sheathing himself again quickly, pleased with the new depth. He holds himself there when he feels her eyes fluttering, pulling back from the kiss and watching with heavy-lidded eyes as he pushes gently against the wall of her with small, measured motions. Mesmerized, his body falls back only to quickly slide long again, repeating the small thrusts. Her eyes shutting with a gasp as his attention doesn't stray. "Sometimes." He retreats and returns again and again against the flutters that remain. "I do follow instructions."
"I have - no idea what we were even talking about." She folds on her words, pushing them out quicker as he continues gently.
His hand curls around the front of her, low on her stomach, pushing lightly from both inside and out as if playing off of himself. She moans and tries to curl her body down and into herself but his mouth demands her close. Frustrated groans rumbling against him.
"More."
He smiles and wants to laugh but feels himself unraveling and fights to keep control. Her head falls forward and he latches on to the back of her neck, putting his wild attention there resisting his baser instincts, extending, reaching for more, longer pleasure for them both.
The air is electric with it. A longing and desperation from the beautiful restrictions their position has placed on them.
Her back arches, pushing herself hard into him, the motion making him slide further inside her welcoming body. His mouth falls open against her, knocking thoughts of his previous teases out of his head. Body thrumming again with short, lingering thrusts, searching for more depth.
She's pulled in two directions wanting to lean forward and give him space and pull back closer against him. His fingers slip down and tease the center of her again, sending a light aftershock through her that quickly is pushed aside for a rapid return of desire.
He's slipping and they both know it. His thrusts becoming less measured than before, hitching breaths, and the rhythm of his fingers slipping.
She barely registers the Harder that slips through her lips but is almost certain he doesn't as he plants his foot and lifts both his knee and hers, giving more to each thrust. Pushing both of their bodies further up the bed as her hand clenching the sheets fights to hang on. His arm darts out from under her and slaps hard against the headboard, muscles quivering as he fights to keep them steady. Accelerating slowly as she moans at the new contact, something animalistic taking over as he quickens his motions, encouraged by the melody of pleasured sounds coming from her.
She throws her head back searching for closeness as he pushes forward. She reaches back and grabs his head, open mouth grazing his cheek before he finds her. He slows down only slightly, muscles in his bicep loosening against her when their mouths connect. Open mouths pushing noises back and forth between them. Calms them both momentarily as he struggles to find a little more control.
Her mouth is messy against him and she moves her body hard onto him, signaling her growing displeasure at the new slower pace, determined to set her own. He growls into her mouth, too much and not enough, responding by surging harder again, a call easily answered, the noise from their striking bodies drowned out by heavy breaths on grazing lips. She tightens around him causing his mouth to slip to her cheek.
His hand grabs her hips and tilts her back away and her hips down as he fights to push further into her, fully into her, spurred on by the gasp in his ear, choppy and breathy and perfect. She pulls her leg up again and he uses the moment to return to a long thrust, a low moan from both of them harmonizing in the air. He sucks hard below her hairline, anywhere his mouth lands, and she keens when he pushes back and pulls her to him again. Every motion of his hips retreating causing a war in her body, fighting against the desire to follow.
Her leg loops over both of his fighting to find hold, sliding against his, hopelessly looking for leverage.
His hand slips back down against her in tight circles, wordlessly encouraging her along as he feels himself almost too far gone to hold on any longer.
With the very last fight his body has, he pulls back once more, too much loss of the inside of her almost causing pricks of tears in his eyes, fights on as he adjusts his hold, aiming shallow, then pushes himself up, a final offering for her. He slides forward and up the wall of her, pushing forward and out, keeping himself tight against the front of her. Gliding up and up as raw noises fall from her lips and her head falls back hard against his shoulder. Nails pricking his wrist where she's grabbed him.
His control loses him then and he feels all of her turning over and pulsating inside, his arm holds on tight again as his quick, sharp motions return to him. Hard pushes into her as her body and words urge him on. Her body tries to grab at him and frustration rises when she's not able to fully grasp him, pulsing at him pointedly. Her back arches sharply off of him and he lets her go. Wide hand splayed against her, fingers sloppily working her, knocking against himself as he pushes and pulls shallow thrusts against her and the soft skin enveloping ever-tighter around him. Gasps, sharp and pitchy, coming from her as her body rolls in on itself, riding out a lengthy release. The pull of her bringing him tighter until he can't retreat anymore, pulled in too tight, he moves ever forward, hip rising higher from the bed heeding the siren songs of her body, pushing once-twice-three times against her, gaining small breaths of space each time, until his body breaks.
He swells inside of her, body thoroughly through fighting, heart throbbing hard in his chest at the feeling of touching every part of her. Finally warmth blooms around him, sounds escaping him that sound foreign to his own ears. He rides his release with tiny hard pushes searching for more and more. Pulsing and mewing, the both of them in near harmony. His hand keeps her close, palm riding out the best of them. Keeping her high, high, higher, dangling in midair. A final pulse rippling through him until he's empty and spent, his body unclenching and worthless.
Her insides gently caress him in her aftershocks until he's sinking back to rest on his hip and then falling to his back the bed behind her.
A small whine escapes from her lips at the uncoupling and her leg lazily falls back down with him, unable to hold any part of herself up. Spent breaths between them heavy, as they gasp for new air.
"Need more adjectives."
She's reduced to noises and let's out a sated hum.
Her body lies still beside him and he fights his hand to move to her side, lightly pressing, encouraging. She rolls easily over and twists, flipping herself partially on him. She throws her leg over his and buries her face into his side as he fixes the covers around them.
She snuggles into him like she can't get close enough, her face pressed firmly against him, nose smashed against his skin. Tries, squirms a little closer even as he laughs a little. His arm falls heavy to her back, circling mindless motions against her.
Their bodies rest against each other, breaths calming, heartbeats slowing. Eventually he moves, his other hand gently brushing the hair from her face, clearing all the loose strands and curling his palm over her head, brushing it back.
Her eyes are closed and he grins, stage whispers. "Psst, Kate. Still with me?"
Her voice rises from his chest, one eye peeking open attempting a playful glare. Far less intimidating than she probably intended. "Well, I'm glad to know there's at least one thing that won't change."
"What's that?"
She grins. "You still annoying me."
"Oh, Kate, if you thought a little sex would distract me from my favorite past time, then I'm sorry to inform you but that is so not the case."
"Really? And here I thought you had found a new favorite past time."
He growls a bit. "I stand corrected. Annoying you has most definitely been relegated to my second favorite past time."
She laughs, warm air against his side.
He grins, fingers trailing along her side, dancing in the divots of her ribs. His smile retreats slightly under his examination of her stillness beside him. "You alright?"
She sighs pleasantly against him. "Yeah," she returns with a scratchy voice.
"That was okay?"
She manages a laugh against him. "Yeah. It was okay, Castle."
He tucks the blanket tight around her back. His flat hand pushing it gently between her body and the bed. Then curls his hand onto her back. "Feel okay?"
"I feel very light."
He nods, only slightly relieved. "Okay."
"Stop fretting."
"You're just very quiet and that wasn't exactly as gentle as it probably should have been given-"
She cuts him off. "I assure you I wasn't complaining, Castle. And there are other reasons for my quiet." She smirks, feels his smile without seeing it. "Stop gloating."
"Not gloating. Just happy. Just really, really happy."
"Me too."
"Think you can sleep now?"
"Halfway there already."
"Till tomorrow, Beckett."
She grins with the realization that tomorrow seems much more hopeful than it has in a long while. "Till tomorrow, Castle."
There you have it. Complete, albeit three years later. It's been a fun, adventurous, anxiety ridden ride. Thanks for having me here!