Woman to Woman – Chapter 2
Author's Note: I own nothing, but do enjoy borrowing characters every once in a while. Thanks so much for all the reviews and story alerts! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Last time:
"You got it, kid. Like I said, whatever and whenever you need, okay?"
"Thanks, Kate! I really appreciate it. I'm going to head out, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye, Alexis," Kate called out, but once the door was shut, let her forehead fall to the back of the door.
A pair of warm lips nipped at her neck and whispered, "You're going to have to tell her, you know."
And now on with the next chapter…
Kate carried her gym bag and followed her escort to the physical education area at Alexis' school though her mind was completely engaged on the events of the last week. Rows of lockers and students passing by giving her curious looks were not enough to distract her from the thoughts that wouldn't stop circling in her mind. What was she doing? Was this all an enormous mistake?
Over the years that she and Castle had worked together, they had become closer. They flirted and bantered constantly which is why, she reasoned, everyone around them thought they were in a relationship, or should be.
But early last week, Castle had come to her with an idea. She could recall how excited he looked about whatever he wanted to talk to her about, so she followed him to one of the interrogation rooms.
"I'm having a little trouble with one of my characters, I need your help."
"With Nikki?"
"Yes, exactly. You see, I get to witness your professional life on a regular basis, which has been invaluable, of course."
"But…?"
"Well, this next book focuses a lot more on the personal side of Nikki Heat."
"Meaning…?"
"I want to take a break from watching you here at the station and learn the other side of Kate Beckett."
"And how would you do that exactly?"
"I would need to come live with you."
"No!" Kate stood and walked toward the door.
"Kate, wait! Just listen, please. I don't want to make your life uncomfortable. I would tell Mother and Alexis and the gang here that I was going out on a book tour. No one would know what I was doing or that I was even in town. Please, Kate, I could really use your help. For the character? I'll sleep on the couch and be on my best behavior."
Kate thought back to his pleading tone of voice and how even though she showed the strong no nonsense cop on the outside most of the time, she was still that star struck fan every once in a while deep down. So, she'd said yes.
Yes to the complete takeover of her life by one very persuasive best selling writer.
It had started with home cooked meals. I'm here, shouldn't I make myself useful?
Then, within a day or two, moved on to personal contact. I've seen you run in those heels, if I asked your feet I bet they would love a massage.
By day three, which happened to be a Saturday, they crossed the line. Rick had suggested a run in the park, which surprised her initially because she didn't know he ran. Not only could he run, but he actually had pretty good endurance. They were both hot and sweaty as they returned to her apartment. The elevator ride up was filled with silence but her body was screaming for a whole other kind of endorphin release.
She struggled internally with what to do and put her plan into action while he stopped in the kitchen for a bottle of water. Kate headed upstairs and toward the large glass door shower in the bathroom off her bedroom, but left breadcrumbs of removed clothing and open doors behind her. If he was interested in her physically, which she was pretty sure he was, it was a pretty clear invitation. If he wasn't interested, she would just take her shower, pick up her clothes and pretend nothing had happened.
Kate knew she had a decent body. She stayed very physically active, a benefit of her job, but when she noticed Castle leaning on the doorframe at her bathroom door, she felt like the most desired woman in the world.
"Admiring the view?" she called out.
"You're even more beautiful than I had imagined."
Kate blushed, "you've imagined me naked?"
His eyes crinkled and sparkled, but his look clearly said, 'you know I have.'
"Do you want to join me?"
"Yes, but…."
"But, what?" she asked, immediately feeling vulnerable.
"If I come in there, we're going to make love, Kate."
"Ok," she responded, slightly relieved, "Is that a problem?"
"No, I really, really, really want that to happen, but if it does, I'm done."
"Done with our partnership?" she assumed, trying to ignore the sensation of dread that was building once again.
Rick opened the shower door and touched her face, "No, no, of course not. I mean I want you and only you for the rest of my life. I've had other relationships but I really want to be your…"
"One and done," she finished, remembering the words she had shared with him early in their partnership. "You're getting your shoes wet."
"Kate?"
She met his eyes, "I can't promise that we won't have issues, but I'm willing to try."
And with those words spoken out loud, the line was crossed. The other side of that proverbial line had been filled with powerful lovemaking, silly mornings in bed, quiet times reading in each other's arms. A dream come true. But that's what it was, she had to remind herself. An idyllic period of time where the real world was ignored. They didn't talk about the reality this change in their relationship would affect. What about their work partnership, but even more importantly, what about Alexis?
Had Alexis known that her dad was upstairs in her bed when she had come to ask Kate for help, what would her reaction have been? If Alexis wasn't happy with their relationship, wouldn't Rick need to end it? She hadn't mentioned her concerns to him yet, but in the back of her mind, she tried not to dwell on the fact that there was a very real chance this relationship was doomed for failure.
"Detective Beckett?"
"Hmm, oh, sorry!" she answered, embarrassed to have been caught deep in thought.
"No problem," the student aide responded. "Here's the gym, Coach Reynolds is expecting you."
"Thanks," Kate responded and headed in to the gym. Regardless how fancy the school, the gym still smelled like a gym, and the rows of mats laid out helped her to focus on why she was here. When Alexis had called to invite her to teach her class some self-defense strategies, she was happy to help.
"Kate!" Alexis Castle ran up and hugged her around the waist.
"Hey Alexis! You guys ready to learn how to defend yourselves?"
"Yes, come meet everyone!" With Alexis' natural exuberance, Kate quickly forgot her concerns regarding the girl's father and focused on self-defense. For now.
To be continued….
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