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He’s surprised when she kisses him on the couch in his office.
He’s even more surprised with himself when he kisses back.
Aaron has enjoyed being around Kate since the moment they met. As soon as she sat down for an interview, he knew she was what the team needed. For a group that never worked well with change, the loss of Blake had shook them a little harder than anticipated.
Kate fit herself into the group with no trouble, not giving them the chance to decide if they wanted her there or not.
So when she leans across the pile of case reports and kisses him softly on the mouth, Hotch isn’t upset he’s just….confused.
She pulls back quickly, hand tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
“Wow I- I’m so sorry that was completely unprofessional and I-“
Hotch takes a breath, reaching instinctively to smooth his tie against his stomach in an act of comfort, but suddenly remembers he took it off hours ago.
“It’s okay, I’m just. I’m a little taken aback.” He glances over at her, while her gaze is stuck to the wall across the room. “I thought you and Chris-“
She cuts him off, shaking her head. “We’re not together. We stay in the same house for Meg, to give her structure, something. But Chris and I haven’t been in love in a long time.”
That’s news to him. She had mentioned Chris in passing when she talked about Meg, and he assumed the lack of wearing a wedding ring was just because of the job.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He licks his lips, and he feels like he might be crazy but he swears his tongue catches a taste of her that still lingers. They sit in silence for a moment, Kate picking at the skin under her nails.
Aaron won’t pretend he isn’t attracted to Kate. He won’t pretend they haven’t bonded on the jet over the struggles of parenting, of team leadership, of navigating a job where every day is another horror and having to go back home with a smile on your face for your kid.
He won’t pretend his gaze has never lingered on the soft curves of her hips, the fullness of her lips, her delicate and graceful hands.
He won’t pretend that he doesn’t know the rules, doesn’t know the risk of becoming involved with someone who is technically your subordinate.
“Kate-“ he starts.
“Listen, I’m sorry and we can forget this ever happened. It was a moment of lapse in judgement and it’s very late and we’re very close to one another.”
Hotch raises an eyebrow, an almost unidentifiable feeling creeping into his chest. He thinks its dissapointment.
“Is that the only reason you did it?”
Kate laughs, and while Hotch can tell it’s mostly from nerves, it’s still as sweet as ever. “No, that’s not the only reason. I really like you Aaron.”
She say’s it like its the most obvious thing in the world.
“You are kind, hard working, hard-headed, you’re funny, you remember the little things about people that remind them they matter, and all those things and so many more are why I kissed you.”
“Will you do it again?”
Kate flushes. “Do what?”
“Kiss me.”
Aaron also won’t pretend that he doesn’t want this.
He can’t remember the last time he let himself have what he wanted, just because.
Beth is long gone, he’s tired, he’s lonely and he thinks the world of Kate, and her she is in front of him and he just wants.
Her lips are soft against his, and he almost smirks at her hands that fist into his dress shirt to tug him closer.
Of course he fell for her, of course he would. He’s always had a thing for woman who took initiative.
Her hands drift to the back of his neck, and Aaron realizes he should be doing something with his, so he places a palm on the small of her back and brings her in closer, folders crashing to the floor as she hooks a leg over his knee.
“Sorry-“ Kate mumbles against his lips, and Aaron would respond except he’s too caught up in feeling the heat of her body pressed into his and how in the world is he supposed to focus on files and forms when this is happening?
Kate’s head tilts slightly and her lips part, and Aaron takes his opportunity to deepen the kiss, makes her breath hitch with a precisely timed swipe of his tongue against her bottom lip.
He’s unsure how long they makeout for before Kate pulls back, resting a gentle hand on Aaron’s chest. Her lips are red and there’s a faint sweat at her temples. It’s a look he could get used to.
“I’d say the same thing about you Hotchner.”
Well, he supposes there are worst things he could accidentally say out loud.
He laughs, and it makes Kate smile, rubbing her thumb gently over his chin.
“Hmm, a smiling, laughing Aaron Hotchner. Now that’s another thing I could get used to, especially if I’m the one to do it.”
Aaron reachs an arm down to lean over Kate, a grin on his face. “Oh, could you now?”
“Yes,” Kate replies. She reaches for Aaron’s shirt again, pulling him down closer as she lies back on the couch. “I really think I could.”