Summary: Kate has something she wants to share with Castle – but are they ready, and can she overcome the mistakes of her past? Warning: Adult themes.
Author's note: While not explicit, this story contains adult themes that warrant an M rating. Everything is derived from comments and events in the show, but the resulting story is still thematically provocative.
I own nothing.
The following episodes and scenes informed and inspired this story:
The Mistress Always Spanks Twice: Remember how badly Castle wanted to know how Beckett knew so much about custom bondage gear?
Secret's Safe With Me: Remember when Kate assures Castle she still has the box of stuff from her "kinky past"?
Time Will Tell: When Castle tells Beckett that Alexis is moving out, she reveals that she had lived with a boyfriend in her youth, against her father's wishes.
Little Girl Lost: Beckett tells Castle she and Sorenson had been together for six months. What if it had been exactly six months?
Plausible Deniability: Castle tries to joke that being handcuffed at the precinct isn't as much fun as the other night at Kate's place. But what if that wasn't the first time? Vague allusion.
Murder, He Wrote: Seems like the most likely time and location for the main setting of the plot.
And of course … Cuffed: "But next time, let's do it without the tiger." 'Nuff said.
September 2012
Kate bustled about her apartment, throwing various items into her small suitcase. From the bathroom, she grabbed lotion, hair products, and make-up, and from the bedroom, she piled clothes and shoes onto the bed as she carefully selected what would make the final cut: her new sundress, white capris, jean shorts, swimsuit, tank top, two cammies, yoga pants, running shorts ... her new black nightie ...
And the pile kept growing. She had to remind herself several times that they were only going to be in the Hamptons for three days; she didn't need to pack for a month.
Still, she wanted to have options. What if they went out to dinner? What if they never left the beach? She wanted to be able to dress for any contingency.
Finally, the bag was packed, and there was nothing left to do except make the one decision she had been debating all morning. She had been toying with the idea ever since Castle had made the suggestion they go away for the weekend. Was she ready to take this step with him? It had been so, so long since she'd trusted anyone enough to even consider it, because the other times hadn't gone so well. But, oh, it was so tempting. She knew how good it could be. But was it too soon?
The box sat in the back of her closet, practically taunting her with its presence. She retrieved it hesitantly, so very tempted, but so very reluctant.
Her mind drifted back ...