Title: Private Reading
Summary: "When you asked for a private reading of my new book, I had no idea this is what you had in mind." Fluff.
Spoilers: Essentially none beyond the 4th Nikki Heat book title.
Disclaimer: I don't own Castle. If I did, the characters would spend a lot more time in less clothing.
A/N: Just a fluffy little scene that entered my head. 47 Seconds, The Limey, and Headhunters do not exist. Reviews always appreciated.
"When you asked for a private reading of my new book, I had no idea this is what you had in mind," Castle whispered in her ear, his breath just enough to disturb a few wisps of hair at the base of her neck.
Kate shivered at the sensation, despite the near-steaming bathwater encasing both of them. "Isn't it?" she teased back, turning her head slightly so she could look at him over her shoulder.
His enticing blue eyes met hers for a moment before he leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her bare shoulder. The sensation of his chest flush against her naked back was almost as intoxicating as the glass of red wine she held in her left hand, her wrist resting gently on the side of the tub. "I thought I told you - this is how I read all your books the first time."
Had his quick intake of breath and the way his body suddenly tensed behind her not said otherwise, she may have believed the calmness of his response. "Then maybe you should be doing the reading."
"Oh, no you don't. We had a deal," Kate pointed out firmly.
For a second, she thought he'd argue with her, perhaps try to renegotiate now that he had gotten his half of the exchange. But after a moment, he agreed, "You're right. We had a deal."
Castle smiled to himself at the way things had turned out. When they had first struck this particular bargain, it began as simple flirtatious banter. They had been chatting at the precinct over cold Chinese leftovers and as she finished up paperwork when she had asked him if he'd ever thought of doing the audio recordings for the books-on-tape versions of his novels. Other authors did it, she pointed out. She even went so far as to say that when he did readings at book signings, he had everyone riveted – especially the women in his audience.
He had deflected the question in true Castle fashion, suggesting that if she wanted a private reading, he'd happily oblige her when he got the advanced copy of his new book, Frozen Heat. Because of how exposed he would feel with only her as an audience for a book only a handful of people in the world had yet read, the only thing he asked in exchange was that she reciprocate his vulnerability. By attending the 'private reading' completely naked.
Having intended the suggestion as mere sexual innuendo, he had almost choked when instead of rolling her eyes or making a return joke, she rewarded him with one of those Mona Lisa Kate Beckett smiles and said simply, "Okay."
His utter shock at her response had given way to a boyish grin, then to a hastily crafted but heartfelt request to take her out to dinner. Her acceptance was immediate and a date and time were mutually agreed upon. It had been so simple, so easy. No murder investigation, no exes, no walls, no snipers or well-intentioned colleagues to interrupt. He just asked... and she accepted.
Of course, as is the way of things, a casual dinner after work led to another light-heared dinner, then a semi-working lunch as they flirted outrageously over Remy's hamburgers and crime scene photos. And finally, another date, this time at an exclusive restaurant with dancing and the flashbulbs of paparazzi as they hailed a cab. Surprisingly, their picture on page six turned out lovely, and they enjoyed passing sections of the paper back and forth over breakfast in bed at the loft the next morning. While the publicity clearly made Kate nervous, it had the added benefit of letting everyone in the city know about the change in their relationship status.
And everyone had been happy for them, including Alexis, despite Kate's worst fears that the girl would resent her. But the youngest member of the Castle clan simply gave them her blessing.
That had been a week ago, and most of their friends had stopped with the ribbing and jokes, only occasionally making cat calls when they entered the precinct together in the morning. But Castle had gotten the first advanced copy of the new book that morning, and Kate had told him in no uncertain terms that she was holding him to her deal.
Not that he minded, of course. Not when he had the entire expanse of her back pressed up against him and his legs and arms wrapped around hers. Not when the locks that had escaped the messy bun she'd pulled her hair into tickled his shoulder and he could smell the cherry scent of her shampoo.
The cast iron tub in her new apartment was not quite as nice as the one in her previous place, but it was easily big enough for two. He held the paperback at arm's length as he flipped to the front cover. "Frozen Heat. By Richard Castle."
Kate giggled at him, stuck by the seriousness of his tone as he read his own name.
"There will be no giggling," he warned with attempted seriousness, fighting back his own mirth.
"I'm sorry," she answered, although her wide smile betrayed her enjoyment. "Please continue."
He flipped a couple of pages. "Chapter one-"
"Wait," she interrupted, "No dedication?"
"We'll come back to it," Castle said decisively. Kate's smile turned to a confused pout, but she did not argue the point.
"As I was saying, chapter one..."
As Castle read his latest adventure for Nikki and Rook, she wondered if their current indulgence would make it into a subsequent novel. Kate let his voice wash over her, allowing her body relax in the warm water as his words painted pictures and spun mysteries to entertain her mind. While she had always found contentment in this particular ritual - a glass of wine, a hot bath, and a good book - adding the element of the sexy, naked writer reading her said book took the experience to an entirely new level.
After finishing the first chapter, Castle plucked the glass of wine from her loose grip and took a sip. "You're not falling asleep, are you?" he inquired, noting her closed eyes and even breathing.
"No," Kate answered. "Just listening. I think I was wrong before."
"How so?"
"About you doing the audio books. I think I'd rather keep listening to you like this all to myself."
He smiled at her in adoration before returning to the book. With the murder plot already established, the next chapter had more action and interactions between the characters. In particular, there were a couple of interchanges between Nikki and Rook which caught Kate's attention.
"Wait," she said, just as he was about to turn the page to the next chapter. "Read that part again?"
"Which part?" he asked, thoroughly amused at the request.
Kate pointed to the portion of the page in which the two characters had been discussing their 'numbers'. Neither Nikki or Rook had actually confessed to a particular digit when it came to past partners, but one point of dialogue stood out.
"Men - you all want to know, but you don't want to now," he re-read for her.
She scoffed at the line, and the water splashed slightly as she turned to look at him, her body suddenly tense. "You totally stole that from me - verbatim."
Castle shrugged slightly, but answered, "I steal stuff from you all the time. Is this the first time you've noticed?"
Her tone was still teasing, but it held an element of genuine question as Kate asked, "And if I'd actually answered you, would you have published that?"
"Well, that would entirely depend on whether your number matched Nikki's number," he said carefully.
"And just what is Nikki's number?" she demanded, lips pursed in something approaching outrage at what he might be implying.
Sensing that he was losing control of the conversation, Castle gestured back at the book. "I don't know. She told Rook exactly what you told me."
But Kate didn't let it drop. "You created her. Of course you know her number."
He shook his head. "I don't know everything about my characters. That's why they're able to still surprise me." Still looking skeptical, she seemed to accept the explanation as she straightened her body against his, turning back to face the book he was holding. As a reward, he dropped a kiss on the side of her neck before adding, "Just like you still surprise me, every day."
That prompted a more genuine smile, and he felt her tensed muscles relax again.
"May I continue?"
"First read that part again," she said, pointing to the opposite page.
"You know the water's going to get cold before we finish, right?" he pointed out in bemusement.
Sighing slightly, Kate explained, "This is part of the ritual. You have to savor before you can continue. Re-read, and savor the best parts."
She spoke so earnestly, Castle wondered if she had momentarily forgotten that he was the author of this particular book she was so intent upon 'savoring.' But as he glanced at her and noted the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, he realized that she had perhaps said more than she'd meant to.
"Savor, huh?" he asked, taking the opportunity to once again breath in the smell of her hair and enjoy the feel of her body against him.
Nodding, Kate repeated, "Savor." She turned her head slightly, just enough put her lips to his as she whispered, "We can always add more hot water."