It's only fair, given that he's just witnessed her at one of her lowest moments, to knock him down a peg or two in terms of the level of confidence he's projecting.

It's all part of the back-and-forth, this dance they do, like the one men and women have done since the beginning of time, but theirs is unique to them alone, a different kind of wrestling for control. Up until now, it's only manifested itself in wit, the way they snark at one another. But here, it's physical, who can literally wind up on top.

She is surprised by the sudden move he makes to yank her up over the length of his body, hers pressing flush against him when he tugs her down and kisses her hard, hard enough to muffle the moan that rises in her throat while she tangles their legs together. It's a balance now, between protection and playfulness, and she retaliates by rocking her hips against his, the evidence of his arousal hard against the inside of her thigh.

Beckett pulls back with a gentle nibble on his lower lip, turning the kiss into a light and teasing one while she undulates, purely to get a rise out of him.