Hey, guys! This is my first Caskett fic. I heard the song "If I'm not in love with you" by Faith Hill and the idea for this story just popped up. I have written only the first chapter, but I guess the fic will go on for at least 4 or 5 chapters, and I hope you like it! Review, please, so that I know whether I should keep writing or not :)

I don't own any of the characters mentioned.

Kate Beckett is 19, she studies pre-law at Stanford, her mom is still alive, she had just broken up with her boyfriend who just couldn't keep his hands off other girls and the last thing she needed right now was falling for a playboy writer.

Richard Castle is a writer, he is 27 and lives his life to the full and is not really a one-woman man until he meets a certain young stubborn student who steals his heart. But he is Richard Castle after all so he cannot but screw everything up.

Here it goes...

"No, Linda, I don't wanna go to this party, I'm serious! I'm tired of always being responsible for you and your doing crazy things while drunk! Moreover, I don't even know the host, neither do you, the only thing you said was that he is some famous writer, that's it. I'm not going!"

"Kaaaaaate, pleeeeease! Our friends are going and I promise I won't drink. Much."

"Heard that before and each time I have to drag you back to our apartment half-conscious."

This conversation went on for a few more minutes and finally Kate gave in. She couldn't stand Linda's whining anymore and she knew that if she didn't go she would have to listen for a whole week to accusations like "You ruined my life! That was one heck of a party! But you know what? I didn't go! Because of you!". Kate huffed and went to her room to straighten up.

Later that night…

The party was off the hook, even Kate admitted it but still she was bored and tired. She had her share of "go-to-all-the-parties-get-drunk-and-dance-on-the-bar-counter" as a freshman, now she was more mature, more serious, and didn't get excited about doing stupid things while drunk. This particular party was extremely lavish, everything about the house, the food and drinks just screamed "I'm loaded!" Some of her friends were there too, but only few of them, and there were so many people she didn't know, and she could tell they were also too rich, too egocentric, just like the owner of the house.

Surprisingly, Linda seemed to be keeping her word and really tried to stay away from the spirits, so Kate relaxed but she was still bored. Some lushy guys tried hitting on her, but were only met by an icy glare shot by Kate and immediately backed off. Even under the influence of alcohol the guys sensed the strength and strong will of the girl and realized she was not to be messed up with. Kate just stood there leaning against the wall, watching the guests and lost in her thoughts about the upcoming exams when another guy approached her with a dashing smile on his face.

"Hey!"

Kate rolled her eyes and turned to face the guy and was stunned, and had to do her best trying not to show it. He was taller than her even given that she wore high heels and he was really handsome, especially his baby blue eyes that seemed to captivate and warm you. Kate kept all these thought out of her mind and just studied him for a few moments and there was something about this guy that didn't let her treat him like other guys tonight so she flashed him a faint smile.

"Hey."

"I'm Rick." He seemed pleased that she decided to talk to him, because he saw her turn down a bunch of guys before him.

"Kate."

"So, Kate, do you like the party?" He emphasized her name and she couldn't help but notice how soft it sounded when pronounced by him.

"Umm, yeah, it's cool."

"You don't sound convincing. You look bored."

"You're observant. Yeah, ok, I'm bored. A little. It's just…" She paused.

"What?"

"It's just that parties are not really my thing…anymore. And here are so many, you know, rich people who enjoy showing off their money, like the host of the party, and I don't feel comfortable around them."

"Do you know the host?"

"No, I only know that he's some famous writer, but I haven't met him. And I don't really want to. But I don't need to know him personally to say that he must have come into a snag of money after writing probably one novel and the way he flashes the cash proves that it didn't take him much to get the money so he is throwing it away on such meaningless stuff like these parties, big lavish mansions, sports cars and so on."

"Hm…and what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. I just don't get this kind of attitude. There are much more important things in life than spending it like this and I'm sure he throws parties every week if not every couple of days. But I guess he's just a really lonely person, you know, like most rich people, you have money, yeah, but you cannot buy friendship, love, and truth with it. So he just tries to fill that hole surrounding himself by all these people he doesn't even care about, tries to feel himself the centre of attention so as not to be so lonely."

"Wow. A great insight into my life." Rick chuckled.

"Wh..What?! YOUR life?" Kate was dumbfounded. "You are…"

"Richard Castle, mystery novelist and the host of the party, nice to meet you."

"Oh…well, this is awkward. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said what I said."

"No, don't be! It's nice to hear the opinion of someone who doesn't want anything from you - money, a role in the film, stuff like that. And I'm not offended. Well, just a little." Rick smiled at blushing Kate.

"Anyway, I had no right. Again, I'm sorry."

"Oh, forget it. Besides, you were mostly right. But…I am still a bit hurt, and I will only forgive you if you agree to go to dinner with me. Now." He beamed at Kate and she pursed her lips though everything inside her fluttered at the proposal.

"Oh, so that's your way of picking up a girl. This really works?"

"Yeah, it usually does. Will it work now?"

"Well…ok, I will go out with you, BUT only because I feel guilty and I'll go crazy if I stay here for another half an hour."

"Yeah, riiiight." Castle winked at her and tried to grab her hand but she jerked it back and headed for the front door without looking at him. He smirked and followed Kate.

When they came to the garage, Kate was not really surprised to see expensive sports cars there – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and a BMW.

"Of course…" She mumbled.

"So, what car do you choose?"

"I don't know. BMW? At least it's not that flaunty."

"Ok. That's my favorite by the way. Get in. I know a nice place, you gonna like it."

"I doubt it."

"Hey! Have a little faith in me."

20 minutes later they stopped by a little restaurant. Unlike what Kate had thought, it was not one of the places where you have to book a table 4 months in advance. Rick was pleased to see her reaction when they entered, it was definitely not what she expected.

"Richard! Long time no see! How are you?" A manager approached them.

"Hey, Dan! Yeah, long time. How's Meggy?"

"She's doing fine, and I'm going to be a Daddy soon."

"Wow, congratulations! Boy or girl?"

"Girl. How's Alexis by the way?"

"Growing up, you know. She's almost 4."

"Time flies. Oh, how rude of me! Who is that beautiful lady with you?"

"It's Kate…"

"Beckett."Kate added.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Beckett. I'm Dan, an old friend of Rick."

"You too."

"I will show you to your table and be back in 5 minutes." Rick and Kate sat down and Dan brought them the menu. When they ordered, Kate couldn't help asking.

"Rick, who's Alexis?"

"She's my daughter, my little princess." Kate was in awe. Rick was a father?

"And her mother…?" Why would she ask that? She was not interested in him and in his relationships, was she?

"Well…she's with Alexis now, in Barcelona, but she doesn't live with us, she just comes by a few times a year to take Alexis on vacation."

"Oh…it must be hard on Alexis."

"Not really, she loves that Meredith never says "no" to her, she's little now and can be easily bribed. But I think when she grows up she will understand that this is not what mothers are supposed to do."

"And how are you coping with all that?"

"At first the thought of becoming a father scared the hell out of me, but now I cannot imagine my life without Alexis. You know, it's extraordinary how someone can love you this much unconditionally, inexplicably. You come home after a hard day, all stressed out, depressed and this little creature runs to you crying out "Daddy!" and all the troubles fade away. I think no woman will ever love me as much as my daughter does."

"That's different. The way a kid loves and the way a woman does."

"I know, but I haven't met a woman who could just love me and not Richard Castle."

"Maybe you just haven't met the right woman." Where did that come from? Do I mean myself by "the right woman"? Kate thought and blushed slightly catching Rick's enquiring gaze.

"Maybe…" He trailed off without taking his eyes off her. "Did anyone tell you that you have wonderful eyes?"

"Yes, I've been told so. But thank you." What? He's flirting with me?

"So, tell me something about yourself."

Three hours later they were still sitting in the restaurant having completely lost track of time. For the first time in his life Castle was talking to a girl without thinking about getting her into bed. She fascinated him, she was different from all the women he knew in so many ways, he felt like he has known her for years and yet didn't know her at all. She was a mystery – although she told him a lot about herself, about her studies, parents and past, these were simply facts, while she artfully dodged questions about her dreams, her feelings, her thoughts. With every passing minute he felt more and more drawn to this girl, not in the physical way, well, partly in physical way, but he also wanted to spend more time with her, get to know her, open up to her and get through her walls.

Suddenly Kate stopped talking and listened to the radio playing in the restaurant. A song started playing – "Hello" by Lionel Richie.

"I love that song!" Kate exclaimed. Castle watched her getting lost in the music of one of the greatest love songs ever.

"Do you want to dance?" He asked a few moments later. Kate looked at him in surprise and gave a glance around the room.

"But no one is dancing."

"So what? Actually as far as I see there is nobody else in here."

"Oh…it's almost 4 a.m…"

"Really? Well then, how about one dance and then I'll drive you home?" He stood up and held his hand out to her.

"Ok, why not."

She took his hand and immediately felt his other hand on her waist pulling her close, way too close to him. Kate softly placed her hand on his shoulder and they started swaying to the rhythm of the music. She stared into his eyes and couldn't look away, he mesmerized her, and all of a sudden she felt an urge to kiss him. She leaned in but just an inch away from his lips she shifted her head so that she was no longer facing him and gave a sigh of relief. But now she could feel his breath on her ear and it was even worse. Even in her wildest dreams she had never thought that just a touch, just a look could make her knees go weak and her head spin. "What the hell is wrong with me? I've only known him for a few hours, then why does he have such an effect on me? He is a playboy, he is rich, he is a father, for heaven's sake! Guys like him go out with models, actresses, someone from his social circle, and not girls like me. It's so unreal. It's wrong to fall for him. But then why does it feel so right to be in his arms now? Damn, what have I got myself into?"

Soon they heard the last words of the song "Tell me how to win your heart, for I haven't got a clue. But let me start by saying...I love you..." and Kate unwillingly pulled away.

"We should get going." She said, trying not to look him in the eyes.

"Yeah, let's go." Rick settled the bill and apologized to Dan for keeping him up for so long.

The drive to Kate's apartment was mostly silent, because both Kate and Rick were carried away by their thoughts, which revolved around each other. Upon arriving to the building, Kate was about to get out of the car, but Rick stopped her.

"Kate, wait. Look, I had a great time tonight and I don't know what is happening or what can come out of it, but I DO know that I really want to see you again." Kate's breath hitched. Oh, no.

"What…are you saying?" She asked in a faltering voice.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" All this time he was looking at her with his eyes filled with hope and something tender and this was too much for Kate, she couldn't resist such a look and gave in.

"Um…yeah, I'd love to."

"Great! I'll pick you up at 5 p.m., is that OK for you?"

"Perfect."

"Okay, then, see you tomorrow." Castle leaned in and kissed her cheek, letting his lips linger on her soft skin longer than necessary, and even though it was only a brush of his lips, it sent a jolt of electricity through her body.

"See you tomorrow."

Kate finally left the car and held her breath until she was in her room. Only then was she able to start breathing normally again. She could still feel his lips on her cheek, his hands on her waist, his breath on her ear and neck. "Oh my gosh, what is this man doing to me?" was the thought running through her head when she fell asleep. Little did she know that Richard was falling asleep with a similar thought on his mind.

What do you think? Love it or hate it? Should I continue? Let me know! :) :) :)