Can't remember if I've posted this before but I just found it in my google docs so...

1x07

It's been too long since she's been held like this.

It feels so good.

The warmth of his large palm, spanning across the small of her back, seeps deep into her skin, and hugs her lonely bones, making her desperate for a firmer embrace.

She doesn't want to admit how good it feels to be in someone's arms, but it does. Even if that someone is Rick Castle.

They sway on the dance floor, neither speaking, but she can tell he has no clue what his body is doing to hers. He's keeping his eyes peeled for their killer, what she's supposed to be doing, but she can't focus because of the strong arms she's encased in.

She catches a couple across the room share an intimate kiss, laughing as they part, and she clears her throat, trying to pay attention.

She pretends to raise up on her tiptoes to see over his shoulder, when really, she's just trying to get closer. Her nose is a touch away from the sensitive skin of his neck, and she can smell his cologne now. The subtle, fresh, elegant scent makes her sigh. Her eyes flicker shut, her own arm tightens around his shoulder, slides around his neck. The hand cradling hers slips from his fingers and she twines it with her own around his neck.

He smirks, his free hand now resting against her back too, doubling the heat soaking into her skin.

"I was tired of holding my arm up," she says, but from his expression he doesn't believe her.

His touch is fire.

He ignites residual desires for love she buried deep a long time ago. One hand climbs the ice of her spine, melting her, heating her to a boil, and she gasps, body begging to be closer, to be touched.

Striking blue eyes glance down to mingle with hers, but they're softer here in this light, darker, full of desire.

He holds her gaze, hands gliding around to her waist, pressing his thick fingers into her skin as they ascend her body before slowly drifting back down. He repeats the motion, winding her up, up, up, until she can hardly keep the mewls from rising out her throat.

She swallows, looks away as a blush rises on her cheeks. Too embarrassed to handle his reaction or what he'll see in her eyes.

All he does is pull her into him until there is barely breathing room, and she deflates, succumbs to the lure of his arms.

He leans to the side, his breath washing against her cheek, warm as it kisses her ear, but the throaty whisper of his voice shoots electricity down her spine, and she quakes, wobbly knees giving out.

"We don't ever have to mention this."

Locking eyes, her teeth pierce her lip, trying to keep any control she has left. But she's a puppet in his strings, her body completely attuned to his.

"Okay," she breathes. "After… tonight?"

God, she hopes he understands what she isn't saying.

"After tonight?"

The raise of his brow is slow, but the smirk forming at the corners of his lips lets her know he understands exactly what she's getting at.

She nods, face canting towards his, the thought of his mouth warming hers all too enticing to stay away.

"Then I guess we better solve this case."