When Meredeth arrived at Esposito's after work, with Arturo in tow, she was ready for a stiff drink and a soft flat surface.
'Now don't get too cozy,' she said to Arturo as he began to sniff around Esposito's living room before parking himself in front of this hideous purple armchair. 'This is temporary, and shoes aren't chew toys.'
'Hey, thought I heard you come in.'
Meredeth looked over, and felt her pulse throb a happy little drumbeat. Esposito stood at the door of his bedroom, dressed only in black sweats and rubbing the towel slung over his shoulders over his crew cut. She swallowed deeply as she stood up. 'Hello handsome.'
'I picked up a few things on the way home for you, figured you might like to make dinner.' He knew that the routine of meal preparation was one of her favourite ways to unwind. Crossing to her, he gave her a kiss that had Arturo growling protectively. 'Oh relax, Artie, I'm not mauling her.'
'You're not the only one who likes to play white knight.'
'Mere, you know I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think it was serious, especially considering Saturday is Hallowe'en and things have been insane this week.'
'I know.' She didn't bother wasting her energy on being angry, as there was no point; he knew she could handle trouble but this was not the regular everyday worries of living in the city. Sleeping with a cop whop kept his sidearm on the nightstand was definitely a good precaution. 'What did you pick up?'
'Um, chicken, tomatoes, onions, parmesan cheese, some bunch of green herbs, white wine and something called stock. Guy at the grocery said it's good for sauces.'
'Alright. I'll see what I can do.' She tugged the heavy sweater over her head, and made Esposito whistle appeciatively as he saw her cleavage so nicely displayed in the black cotton tank top underneath. With a terrifying efficiency, she pulled pots and pans from his cupboards, ingredients from the fridge and began to work her kitchen magic. Within fifteen minutes the scent of simmering tomato broth and pan-seared chicken thickened the air. He'd passed her the occasional knife or spoon, tasted when she demanded it; every little gesture, the careless flick of fingers or purse of her lips reminded him why exactly he wanted her safe and sound. She'd been in his life exactly one month the following Wednesday and he couldn't imagine being without her now. He'd even canceled a quick working lunch that week with Ryan in order to duck over to FAO Schwarz and buy part of her birthday gift.
She wiped her hands on a towel, set the microwave timer. 'Okay, we'll have soup in about an hour ready to eat.'
'But it smells delicious now.'
'Yes and delicious an hour from now will be like heaven on earth.'
Esposito pulled her close, felt how tense her muscles still were. 'I can think of a few other things that are like heaven on earth.'
'Dirty boy.'
'Says you. I was thinking a hot soak in the tub.'
'What?'
'Why don't you have a bath while dinner sets up? I have a couple of files to go over on other cases anyways.'
A little while later, Meredeth had filled his bathtub with clear, hot water and slid in with an appreciative sigh. It was welcoming as a hug, soothing as tea and made her laugh more than a little at the rubber duck sitting beside the can of shaving cream. Only him, she chuckled to herself as she pulled the shower curtain across for a little modesty. She sank under the near-scalding water, blew bubbles out her nose until she ran out of air and came up breathing deeply, letting her thought drift away like the day's dirt into the water. Vaguely, she imagined another voice in the apartment and when she heard approaching footsteps, she sat up like she'd been jabbed with a pin as a knock sounded on the door.
'Mere? Ryan stopped by for a drink, you have a robe or your clothes in there with you?'
'No,' she replied. 'Just a towel.'
Footsteps retreated, the returned with another knock on the door. 'I'm just coming in to give you my bathrobe.'
When he came in, now with the addition of a t-shirt, he saw the shower curtain was drawn across, her face peeking out from the end of the tub flushed from steam. She'd tossed a folded towel on the closed lid of the toilet, which he passed her. At the sound of the plug being pulled, he shook his head. 'You don't have to get out just because he's here. It's your home too for the next few days.'
'I'm done in here anyways.' She stood up, shoved the curtain aside. 'You might want to shut your eyes for this.'
He was about to ask her why when she began dragging the towel over her body, patting wet skin dry. He had to swallow hard when she rubbed the fabric over her breasts, down her legs. She sent him a smirk as she wrapped the towel around her hair, slid the dark green robe on and tied the belt.
'I told you to shut your eyes. You might want to wait here a moment before come out.'
She strolled into the kitchen, saw Ryan sniffing at the pot of soup while scratching Arturo absently behind the ears. 'You're welcome to stay for a bowl.'
The Irishman's blue eyes danced merrily as he glanced over and saw the curvy brunette cosily tucked into his partner's bathrobe. It wasn't a surprise at all to see how well she fit into Esposito's apartment. 'This is quite the soup, and quite the dog.'
'He's my baby.'
'I didn't realize you were already here, I can always take off if-'
'No.' Inspiration striking, Meredeth crossed to shoo Arturo out of the way and give the soup a stir. 'I think he could use a night of boy-bonding. This news...well, it's got him rattled.'
'Yeah, I know. What'd you say man? Am I crashing a party for two if I hang for soup and X-box?' Ryan said, seeing Esposito walk out of the bathroom, put his hands on Meredeth's shoulders in a subtle show of unity.
'Not at all.'
Later, after Ryan had gone home, Meredeth stretched onto her side in Esposito's comfy bed. She was pleased when his arm came around her and he kissed the back of her neck. The feel of his hands against her freshly bathed skin made her feel just as sexy as being dolled up in black lace lingerie. The night had been one of complete kick-back, the three of them spending a couple of hours playing X-box, and yet she could feel the tension radiating from him like solar rays. Knowing he would probably get about as much sleep as when she had one of her night terrors, she had an idea of how to help him get some rest.
She rolled over to face him, kissed him sweetly. 'That was a good ending to a rather rough day. Ryan's a nice guy.'
'He's one of the best. Thanks, too, for being cool with him spending a few hours here. Watching us act like little boys over video games couldn't have been much fun for you.'
'Well I figured if I tried to take Arturo for a walk or go to a movie you'd have me fitted with a homing bracelet first.'
'Oh that's comes on Monday.'
'You're awful.' She punched him lightly in the chest. 'I appreciate you looking out for me like this. Most guys, well, they'd hide it or they'd downplay it.'
'I'm not most guys.'
'Don't I know it.' She pulled him in for a kiss, twisted so she rolled to her stomach, he to his back. The kiss deepened and she heard him give a little sigh of enjoyment. She moved her mouth over his jaw, whispered in his ear, 'I can think of a way you might sleep better tonight.'
Esposito felt a small smile creep onto his face; it was the first one of the day. 'Yeah?'
'Yeah.' Turning her face into his neck, she ran a hand over his stomach, over his boxers and let her palm rest against him. 'I really think I do,' she told him, tracing her tongue up his neck in a move she knew would send his blood pressure through the roof. Sure enough she felt him shift and come to life beneath her hand; keeping her movements deliberately slow, she traced her fingertips up to the edge of his boxers, then slid them underneath to find the length of him solid as granite.
Esposito tensed at her butterfly-light touch. Those clever fingers knew just was to do to have his breath catching in his chest, wiping his mind clean of all thought except her as she worked him. When he felt something inside shift, as his breath changed its pattern, he lifted his hips from the bed to shed his boxers like a snake losing its skin; naked he groped at Meredeth's body, that soft creamy skin heated and dewing with sweat.
'Mere,' he managed to get out, his words muffled by her temple, 'I'm-'
'No you're not.' Knowing she had the element of surprise on her side, Meredeth promptly released him, scooted down his body, placing hot, lingering open mouthed kisses on his chest as she worked her way south.
'Mere-' It was as far as he got before she took him into her mouth, making his eyes roll back in his head. Everything in the universe had disintegrated except the sensation he felt, blinding white and unspeakably decadent. He brushed his hands through her hair, nearly losing his mind when she sighed and moaned. His hands found purchase in the bedsheets while hers rested on the outside of his thighs as the pressure built until the orgasm rocked through his body like a maelstrom. She never moved until he'd drained himself and he was certain he'd maintained consciousness, when she sat up on her knees beside him and delicately pressed a hand to her mouth.
'Bet that took the edge off,' she all but purred, laying her head against her man's chest so she could feel his heart thundering away.
'And then some.' He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissed her forehead. 'Why didn't I think of that?'
'Because you're too busy worrying about me. Aside from the fact that making your brain melt is so much fun, sex is a great stress release. I'll be right back.'
She scooted out of bed, to where he didn't know; he could barely turn his neck to stare at the bedside clock. Instead helay staring at his ceiling, unable to stop a smug, satisfied grin from creeping over his face. His Meredeth never failed to surprise him but he should have known that someone who made her living like Castle, detailing human behaviour, would be able to see through him like glass. More that she not only saw his fear for her safety but wanted to reassure him that she would be fine, which only served to motivate him even more on finding this bodega stalker asshole.
When she came back, she gave him a kiss full on the mouth and he realized she'd gone to brush her teeth so he wouldn't taste himself on her mouth. The simple consideration of it made his already fraying nerves blister away. He pulled her close, squeezing her tightly.
'Javi-'
'Just let me hold on to you.'
More than stressed, she realized; he was scared to death. For her. 'Javi, you're going to get this guy, and when you do, we will celebrate with ice cold champagne and very hot dirty sex. Okay?'
'I know.'
'Try to sleep.'
He eased his grip on her only slightly, so she could turn onto her side and spoon up against his body. Within a few minutes, she was sound asleep with no sign of her night terrors on the horizon. Because he was certain she couldn't hear him, he pressed a small kiss behind her ear and murmured three little words to her before sinking into the welcoming black void of post-sex sleep.
R&R&Enjoy.
