PROPINQUITY (noun):
affinity of nature; similarity
CHAPTER ONE
TROUBLE IN PARADISE?
Earlier today in New York City, mystery author Richard Castle was arrested and charged with public intoxication, indecent exposure, and theft of police property, when he stole a police horse and rode it around Central Park while drunk and in the nude. He's being held overnight and will be arraigned in the morning. Reports state that he used his phone call to contact his publisher, Gina Cowell from Black Pawn Publishing, but she refused to bail him out. If convicted of all charges, he could be facing up to 30 days in jail and a sizable fine. While money is not an issue for Mr. Castle, his reputation, and growing police record, does seem to be.
Could Black Pawn's refusal to grant Mr. Castle bail be an indicator of things to come? Are they finally fed up with his antics? Is there any hope for this bad boy after yet another embarrassing incident?
"I mean it, Rick. We've been patient, we've been generous. We've given you access to some of the best lawyers money can buy. Your advance for the next two books was one of the highest advances in history. History, Rick. But we're fed up. You're an embarrassment to your family, to yourself, and to Black Pawn."
Rick Castle groaned behind his sunglasses when his publisher threw the New York Ledger's Page Six onto the table in front of him. In addition to the article, a not-so-flattering mug shot accompanied another photo of him clumsily dismounting from the police horse. His crotch still ached from riding the damn animal.
Maybe being naked wasn't the best idea. Next time he should use some…padding.
Still, bruised ego – and testicles – aside, that had sure been a damn great bender. He'd definitely be seeing those ladies again. (Who knew accountants could have so much damn fun?)
"Gina—" he started, tried to take off his sunglasses, but swore and slipped them back over his eyes when the light hit him. It was too damn bright and his head hurt too damn much for this conversation.
"Five thousand dollars, Rick," Gina Cowell snapped, a perfectly manicured finger stabbing the paper. "Five thousand fucking dollars, and now the lawyers have to figure out a way to plead out. You better hope they can still keep you out of jail."
"Help me out here, Paula." Castle shifted his attention to his publicist. "You can spin it, right? Make up some story that I was rejected, maybe I got dumped—"
"Not gonna happen," Paula Haas interrupted sharply. "I can't spin this. You're being absolutely killed in the press. They're comparing you to Robert Downey Jr. back in the day, and this mug shot isn't helping."
"You're my publicist—"
"And I've used up all your good will with the public."
"We're done, Rick," Gina chimed in again with authority. "I'm sure you don't remember this, but your contract has a behavioral clause. I've spoken to Black Pawn's lawyers, as well as the CEO. You're an embarrassment to the company, and we're not about to let you drag our name through the mud alongside your own."
Castle managed to take his sunglasses all the way off this time, fixing his stare on his ex-wife-slash-publisher. "What are you saying, Gina?"
"We've hired someone to get you in line."
"You tried that once already," he argued.
"Yeah, and it was going well until you fucked her."
"Paula." Gina shot a look at the publicist before turning her attention back to Castle. "Black Pawn is a well-respected establishment. We've hired a PR consultant who will work with Paula to clean up your act. I want to be very clear that I don't give a shit what you do in the comfort of your own home. But your public persona will improve before Storm's Last Stand is released, or you're gone, and you'll repay your advance for your next book."
Castle could only stare. "You can't do that."
Gina slid a short document across the table with a pen. "We can, and we did. If you refuse to sign this statement, we will fire you now, book or no book." She leaned closer and waited for Castle to lift his head, and she fixed her gaze on his. "Please sign it, Rick." Her voice was softer, almost pleading.
"Fine." He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page and set the pen down with a sigh. "So, when does the unlucky person start?"
Gina nodded her head towards the door behind Castle. "Right now."
Castle turned his head - slowly - and froze when he saw the woman who had apparently snuck up behind him. She was tall, even taller with the high stilettos she was wearing, dressed impeccably in a fitted pencil skirt and blazer that accentuated her curves. He felt his mouth water; already he was imagining what it would be like to peel her clothes off, to trail his mouth down her slim figure, the calves he just knew would be smooth and strong under his touch…
"Mr. Castle, I presume," she said sharply, interrupting his thoughts.
He moved to stand, but the sudden movement had him groaning and clutching at his head. Maybe he should have taken that Aspirin after all. He didn't have to move, though, because the woman was taking a seat between Gina and Paula within moments. "I'm sorry, I seem to be at a disadvantage," he said after a moment, uncomfortable with the stare she'd fixed on him.
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted at his words. "You seem to be at a lot of disadvantages, Mr. Castle."
Oh, that's how we're going to play it. Castle smirked. "You seem to know my name, but I don't know yours."
"Would you even remember if I told you? Because by the looks of your eyes, you're going to have a hard time remembering this whole meeting."
Castle leaned back in his seat and regarded her. No, he was definitely not going to forget her any time soon. "Try me," he answered, a challenge.
This time, both eyebrows lifted. "My name is Kate Beckett, Mr. Castle. I've been hired by Black Pawn to improve your image. I am very good at what I do, and I never fail." She leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table in front of her. "I want to be very clear that this relationship will never move past being professional."
"Wait-"
"I know what happened with the last person they hired. That will never happen. You will do what I say, when I say it, no questions asked."
Castle leaned forward himself, mirroring her pose. "Oh yeah? What makes you think I'll listen? I do whatever the hell I want."
The woman - Kate Beckett, he reminded himself - smirked. "We'll see about that."
Many thanks to Callie (whatifellinlovewith) for her beta work/brainstorming/encouragement with this fic.