That awkward moment when you forget your rating and have to edit the ending... my bad!

Anyway,

Enjoy : )

Home Early

Her apartment was dark - the only light coming from the street lights outside - but she made no attempt to remedy that. Her building, for the second time this summer, had no power. She could have pulled out some candles... but the extra heat of several small flames filling her apartment did not appeal to her whatsoever.

She practically ripped off her shirt, tossing it in the small pile of laundry to be done, soon to be joined by her jeans. It was far too hot for clothes - even at this late hour. She grabbed a hair tie and did her best to comb her fingers through her hair before tying it. Strands stuck to the back of her neck, as if glued by her sweat. She silently cursed Castle's book tour. She missed him most nights, of course, but she knew for a fact that his building still had power. And power meant air conditioning... an escape from this heat wave. She half considered going over anyway - Alexis spent weeknights in her dorm, and Martha had a healthy social life - but on the off chance either one of them was home... she didn't know how she would explain her presence... or why she had a key.

She headed to the bedroom, opening her window. She hoped it would allow some sort of breeze, but only street noise flowed through. She pulled a tank top from her dresser, deciding that even though it covered more skin, the looser material would be much more comfortable than her bra. She placed it - and clean underwear - on the end of her bed and headed to the shower.

she could hear the faint knock on her door over the streaming water. Rolling her eyes, she shut it down. All she wanted was to escape the heat, to immerse herself and allow the coolness to run over her body. Of course someone would try to interrupt that. It was probably her neighbour, Mrs. Rowland, checking in on her. The elderly lady was lovely... but just a little too friendly for her liking. When she came home from a long day at work, she didn't particularly want to engage in small talk with the neighbours - but Mrs. Rowland was a lonely widow... how could she say 'no' to that? She grabbed her robe, reluctantly putting it on as she plodded through her apartment. She groaned at the feel of the cotton clinging to her skin... but all discomfort seemingly vanished when she peeped through the small hole in her front door. She opened the door, with a smile on her face.

"You have no power?" he asked, in the dark.

"Keen observation skills. You should become a detective." she laughed, stepping aside to invite him in.

"I think I'll stick to writing." he waited - giving her time to close the door - before wrapping his arms around her, snaking his arms under her robe. "Isn't it a little hot for this?" he asked, pushing the material back.

"Well, I wasn't expecting you and I didn't want to give poor Mrs. Rowland a heart attack by answering the door in my underwear." she bit her lip as his hands made their way across her bare skin. His body heat felt like fire against her, but she didn't mind. She had missed him... so much. His touch made all her stresses melt away... none of them matter anymore. Not when she was in his arms. She took his shirt in her fists, slowly pulling him closer to her. Their lips brushed and a million butterflies took flight within her. Four weeks without him was four weeks too long. He deepened the kiss and she welcomed it, tracing her tongue along his lip until he followed suit. They parted for air, resting their foreheads against one another.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere along the West Coast right now?" she asked when curiosity became too much. He wasn't due home for another few weeks - not that she was complaining.

"Yeah... I've been in California for a few days. Headed to Washington next. But I don't have anything scheduled until Monday and I figured I could either spend the next three days doing the touristy thing in Seattle..." he pulled his head away from hers and pulled a face, indicating his aversion to that idea, "or I could fly home and spend time with you." he flashed her that winning grin - the one that reminded her of an over-excited golden retriever - but it faded quickly. "Although... my suite would have had electricity. And a ceiling fan, at the very least."

She playfully slapped his shoulder, rolling her eyes. "You could always go home, Castle." she pulled herself from his arms, walking toward her kitchen.

"My mother has... company." He grimaced.

She grabbed two bottles of water - quickly, careful not to let too much cool air escape - and passed one back to him, knowing all too well he had followed her. He had missed her, too. That is, after all, why he was here. He needed to be with her... close to her... touching her. She leaned against her kitchen counter and he took his place beside her, shoulders brushing together as they sipped from their bottles. Anyone else and she would be irritated, inching away from the unnecessary touch. But even in near 100 degree heat, she leant into the warmth of his body. He placed his bottle on the island counter before leaning back again.

"As appealing as air conditioning is, right now. I would much rather... sweat it out with you." he wriggled his eyebrows, suggestively, reaching across her and into her robe. With his hand on the small of her back, he turned her and pulled her closer to him and she could feel the atmosphere around her thicken with tension. "I missed you." the uncontrolled desire in his whisper mixed with the hot breath against her neck made her quiver. Her heart raced and she was amazed... amazed by the authority he held over her body... amazed by how a small touch and three simple words whispered in her ear could have her absolutely soaring.

She wrapped her palm around the back of his neck, pulling him in and kissing him without hesitation. She fumbled with her water bottle, trying to discard of it but in her rush she accidentally knocked it and cold water spilled out, drenching Castle's pants. He yelped, taken by surprise, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry, Castle." she finally managed to get out, in between spurts of laughter.

He stared at her for a moment, taking in the sight in front of him. He cherished her moments of pure joy - and this was definitely one to remember. "Admit it... you just wanted me to take off my pants." he joked.

She pulled herself together, stifling the laughter that remained. "I don't have to spill water on you to get you out of your pants." she said confidently, hooking two fingers under the front of his belt and tugging on it. After briefly reflecting on how long he wanted to draw this out, he decided on 'not at all'. His mouth crashed against hers with a level of need that couldn't be mistaken. He moved both hands up to cup her face as her hands began to unbuckle his belt.

She pushed his pants down his thighs until the material was loose enough to slide down his legs without assistance. She smiled against his mouth as he stepped from foot to foot, dancing his legs free. Her fingers moved to his shirt, making quick work of the buttons.

With his hands now on her waist, he guided her backward until she stood between him and the counter. She freed the last button from its hole and ran her fingertips up his chest and over his shoulders, slipping the soft cotton off. Her nails grazed his back gently, following the path of the material as it slipped to the floor, sending shivers down his spine.

His fingertips gripped her hips as he pressed himself against her. He could never get enough of the way her skin felt against his; so soft, so warm. He smoothed his hands over her hips and thighs before grabbing her and lifting her onto the counter.

"I want you." She panted heavily against his lips.

He traced kisses along her collarbone as he grabbed her hips again, sliding her toward the very edge of the counter so that he could feel her against him. She rested her head back against the overhead cabinets, savouring the feel of his lips against her skin as she caught her breath. "I need you, Castle." The rasp in her voice stirred inside him.

He grabbed the back of her neck - a little rougher than intended but judging from the fire in her eyes, she didn't mind. His eyes dropped to her lips, then back to her deep brown irises. She smiled, leaning forward to brush her lips against his.

"I love you." She said, before kissing him tenderly.

He didn't wants to waste any more time. He pulled her hips against him and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her off the counter and carrying her into her bedroom. As tempting as it was to get caught up in the moment - to get hot and heavy right there where they stood - he wants to show her how much he has missed her... how much he loves her by making sweet, sensual love to her in the comfort and privacy of her bed. He wants to spend the night worshipping her, memorising her every curve until each minute detail is ingrained in his brain. He wants to wake up a sweaty, tangled mess of limbs.

He never wants to leave her again... not for an extended amount of time... not for any amount of time. But he knows that - between his commitments and her job - that's simply not possible. So he'll take the three days he's been given, and he will make the most of them before he has to say goodbye again.