Prompt: Johanna Beckett managed to score an invitation for Richard Castle's newest book release party. But because Jim had to work, she took her daughter with her. In the middle of all the glitz and glamour, the author is surprised to find a beautiful young woman half-hidden in a quiet corner, nursing a rum and coke with her nose buried in his latest book.

Kate had not wanted to be here tonight. She should have been home, studying for her upcoming bar exams, but her Dad had gotten an unexpected call from the office, one he couldn't postpone until the next morning. And so her she was, at one of Richard Castle's infamous book launch parties.

Kate just couldn't fathom letting her mom down, especially knowing how many hours Johanna had put into snagging an invite and how much this meant to her. She knew how her mom was absolutely over the moon where this author was concerned. Personally, Kate had never read any of his works. She had however, seen page 6 of the New York Ledger enough times to know that he was nothing but a notorious playboy.

"Oh, Katie, you'd love him. He has such a way with words, a way with the details of death. You get swept away. For a few hours you can escape whatever it is life has thrown at you. No one does it better than him."

Kate just didn't see the appeal. Sure, she'd seen the back of one of his book jackets and she couldn't deny he was handsome, in a rugged kind of way. But any man willing to use his fame and fortune to get into a woman's pants was off the radar for Kate.

This just wasn't her kind of crowd. Young women in short dresses that barely covered anything all but fawning over this author who had yet to make an appearance. Johanna had gone to get them drinks from the bar and Kate stood waiting for her mother behind one of the book stands. Looking for something to occupy her hands, she reached for one of the books sitting on the top shelf.

Unholy Storm, read the title. Kate turned the book over and quickly read the synopsis. This actually didn't sound so bad. Maybe she'd have something to occupy her time with this evening after all. Flipping it over again, she opened past the cover and read the dedication.

For Alexis, you never cease to amaze me.

It almost sounded like a love note. Those were definitely not the first words she had expected to read from America's favourite playboy author. She wondered if she'd been too quick to judge, but before she had time to ponder the idea of an approachable Richard Castle, she heard her mother's voice approaching.

"I got you a rum and coke, I know you aren't a big fan of the fruity drinks and I didn't know if you'd be in the mood for wine so-"

"Mom, you're rambling," Kate said, laughing a little at how nervous Johanna seemed to be.

"I know, honey, I'm sorry. This is just so exciting!" This time Kate couldn't hold back her laughter. She'd never seen her mother so… giddy. It was the only word for it and it was certainly not one she'd ever associate with Johanna Beckett, the fun yet serious workaholic. Kate felt her mother grab her hand and look her in the eyes with a sincerity that stunned her. "Thank you for coming tonight, Katie. I know you probably had other plans but stepping in to be with me tonight when your Dad couldn't make it truly means alot to me." Kate squeezed her moms hand and smiled at her, knowing she had made the right decision to accompany her.

"Any time, mom."

Her attention was ripped away by the high-pitched squealing that erupted within the room, the sound causing Kate's shoulders to tense at first. Until she remembered the famous author which had yet to arrive. It looked like Richard Castle was finally making an entrance, fashionably late to his own party.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of women checking their makeup last minute in their small handbag mirrors and others adjusting their dresses so as to accentuate their… assets. She truly hoped this Richard Castle was something other than what page 6 had made him out to be, but seeing the women's reactions in the room, she highly doubted it.

"Oh, there he is," she heard her mom say close to her ear in order to be heard above the ruckus.

He appeared through the double doors, unaccompanied, and Kate barely got a good look at him before he was swarmed by the masses, books and pens shoved his way for him to sign. There were chests too, lots of women asking him to sign their chests. And he seemed all too happy to oblige, a cocky smile adorning his features and sunglasses shielding his eyes from the incessant flashes of the cameras.

Kate decided she'd seen enough for now and turned back to her mom.

"Are you planning on getting your chest signed or just one of your books?" Kate asked her mom jokingly, both of them grinning at the absurdity of it all. Johanna laughed and shook her head at Kate.

"I brought along one of his older books actually. It's called Flowers for you Grave. It was the first book of his I've ever read." Kate nodded, knowing his books held sentimental value for her mom.

Kate looked back towards the entrance where the author hadn't budged and the pool of people around him only seemed to grow. You would think people at a book party would be more civilized and go up to him one at a time? Apparently not, Kate surmised.

"Johanna Beckett, is that you?" Kate heard someone call over to her mom and apparently the recognition was mutual.

"Oh, Katie, let me just go say hi, I'll be right back" her mom told her, already moving towards the woman of a similar age.

Kate laughed, "It's fine mom, I'm not ten, go mingle."

Johanna smiled at her and Kate took the opportunity to turn her attention back to the book she was still holding in the hand opposite her rum and coke. Putting her drink down on the table displaying the many copies of Unholy Storm, Kate opened the cover once more and began the first chapter.

"So how is it?"

It took Kate a couple of seconds to register the unfamiliar voice coming from beside her, let alone gather that the question was addressed to her.

"Hmm?" She let the noise out before her head looked up from the pages she'd been glued to for the better part of the night. Only to realize it was Richard Castle himself standing next to her. He looked at her, one eyebrow arched and his lips slightly turned up in that handsome grin. Apparently he was waiting for some sort of response from her and - damn it, what had been his question?

Schooling her features and masking the surprise that was probably painted on her face, Kate stood up straighter and looked him in the eye.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" she asked. Very smooth Kate.

"Oh, well I was just wondering if you thought the book was any good, seeing as you've been hiding away in this corner and barely touching your rum and coke for the better part of the evening." He stated the observations with a smile and Kate couldn't deny he was handsome. Especially with his glasses off, the deep blue of his eyes setting something in her chest aflame. His lips weren't bad either.

Focus, Kate.

"I'm surprised you had time to notice me reading, with the flocks of women thrusting their chests your way," she volleyed back. There was no way she was giving this man the satisfaction of telling him how amazing she thought his book was. The characters were rich, their personalities intriguing, the plot meticulously detailed yet devastatingly suspenseful. It was a great read.

But he absolutely did not need the ego boost.

He laughed at that. "It's just a little harmless signing," he winked at her and that should not have made her insides melt at the thought of his hands so close to her chest if he were to sign- no. Just, no.

"But really, you like it, right?" he asked again, sincerity in his voice, as though he really cared what she genuinely thought of the novel.

"Obviously, it was published, so someone thought it was good," she evaded the question once more, but let her lips curl up in what could almost be called a smile.

He looked at her, eyes wide and his mouth agape in mock horror, though she could see the beginnings of a smile at the corner of his mouth. She should not be looking at his mouth. "You wound me, miss…?" he left the sentence hanging, clearly expecting her to fill in the blank. She considered not answering him but, what was the harm, really?

"Beckett. Kate Beckett," she told him.

She saw his hand as he held it out for her. "It's lovely to meet you, Kate Beckett."

She looked down at his hands and couldn't help but grin. She reached out and shook his hand, his skin feeling warm on hers and she felt her arm charge with something like nervous energy. She wasn't sure whether or not he felt it too but she noticed a hitch in his breathing, a stutter in the movement of his chest as he inhaled.

"So," Kate started, bring her hand back to her side, her body oddly craving the loss of warmth, "not so be rude but this is kind of your party. Any reason you're here talking to me?"

"Blunt. I like it."

She hitched an eyebrow at him, not satisfied with his quip and urging him to answer the question. He was clearly stalling. He wasn't looking at her when he answered, instead he looked at the crowd, the people all gathered here to see him.

"Because when I look out at the sea of people, you're the only one here with a story worth telling."

Kate had not expected that the words he'd utter would knock the breath right out of her. She'd known him all but two minutes and she didn't think she'd ever heard anyone say anything as equally sweet as intriguing. To be fair, the man was a millionaire for his way with words. But she needed more.

"A story?"

"Yeah. You have a story. It took one look at you and the itch was there," she said, looking at her with a look she'd call sheepish.

"The itch?"

"Yeah," he paused and tried to explain what seemed to be a familiar feeling to him alone. "The itch to write. It's like the words were vibrating within me, begging to be released on paper. It was there the second I laid eyes on you. And I'm sorry. I realize this may come off as creepy or some sort of weird come-on, I can leave you, if-"

"No," Kate interrupted, the thought of him walking away somehow causing her stomach to tangle in knots. "No, it's actually kind of sweet."

Kate looked up at him shyly, a small smile claiming her lips. She had questions now. This was not the Richard Castle she had anticipated, not at all the public figure he was made out to be. She wanted to know about Alexis, wanted to ask about his writing process. If anything, he seemed approachable, someone with whom she could share a genuine conversation. Kate couldn't help it, she had to ask about the dedication.

"So who-"

"Ricky!" a young female voice drawled and he looked at Kate apologetically. She shrugged and gave him a small smile, it was his party after all. Kate turned away, choosing to cherish the moment they'd shared rather and overstay her welcome. She walked away, his book in one hand and grabbed what little was left of her rum and coke in the other. She saw him turn towards her, his posture almost seeming as though he wanted to stop her. Kate smiled and gave him a small wave before eclipsing herself within the masses.

She needed to find her mom and tell her all about this side of Richard Castle. Who would have thought he was nothing like the tabloids had made him out to be?

After another hour, Johanna was ready to head home and so was Kate. She was mildly disappointed she hadn't gotten another opportunity to speak with him but at least they'd shared something. A moment. It was enough. Deciding it was better to use the restroom before leaving, Kate left the copy of Unholy Storm she had picked up at the stand with her mother.

She didn't regret coming at all. Smiling back at herself in the bathroom mirror, Kate shook her head. Tonight had been nothing like she had expected but she was glad she had accompanied her mother in lieu of another painful night of studying.

Exiting the restroom, she met up with her mother who had a knowing smile on her face as she handed Kate back her book.

"What?" Kate asked.

"Nothing, I'm just really glad you were here tonight," Johanna told her, her smile widening.

Kate smiled back, feeling the butterflies in her stomach flutter. "Me too, mom."

Back at her apartment, Kate settled in for bed, his book in hand. She hadn't gotten the chance to finish it at the party, partly due to his interruption, but she wouldn't change a thing. Despite the late hour, his book called to her, the plot was thickening and she needed an ending, needed the closure she knew his words would provide. Settling back against the pillows piled up on her headboard, she pulled up the covers until they reached her thighs and opened the novel. She started flipping through to find the place where she'd left off, but a dark mark caught her eye in what seemed to be the first few pages. Had he signed the books on the stand?

Dear Kate,

Should you ever want to share your story with me over a coffee, give me a call. In any case, it was lovely to meet you.

Ps. You were a sight for sore eyes in that dress.

Richard Castle

Kate felt her heart beating erratically in her chest, his words flowing through her like adrenaline. No one could see her in the privacy of her bedroom but she hid her smile behind the back of her hand. She had a feeling she'd cave and find herself calling the number scribbled at the end of the page some time in the near future.

A/N: Thank you for reading, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated! And thank you to the very talented NellieRai for her input on this! Prompt from Castlefanficprompts on tumblr, hope you like this anon