Chapter 2

As they entered the elevator, Kate started to speak, but found she needed to clear her throat. She was still a bit in shock that she had done it. Finally telling Rick how she really felt was like stepping onto a bridge, hoping that happiness was waiting for her on the other side.

She tried again…"Um so what now, how do we do this? When do we leave?"

Rick appraised her with one raised eyebrow and a sly grin. "Well, we could leave immediately, if you are game for a clothing optional weekend…OW oww Apples Apples!" he yelped as she reached for the pinky finger of the hand she was clasping and bent it backward.

She let go and he pretended to pout, just for a second. "That's police brutality, but I could get used to it. Tell you what, my bags are packed and in the rental car, I was going to leave right from my little send-off party, do you need a ride to your apartment or shall I follow you? I am not letting you out of my sight and risk your changing your mind." he said with a wink.

"You will just have to follow me , but only as far as my embarrassing car. My, um , bags are actually packed, too, I was expecting to leave with Tom today…" she said, and looked away. Was she right to do this? This morning she was set to spend a weekend with Demming, and now here she was about to be taken to Castle's 'Sand Castle' where she would be…what.. a conquest?

She looked up again and found he was staring at her, worried, no, scared that she was having second thoughts, and her mind played back all of the other emotions she had seen written in those eyes, his pain when she was with Demming, his amusement when she told him she had become used to him yanking her pigtails, and that almost indescribable look he gave her as he told her he had heard "everything" her schoolmate had said during the interrogation, including how she, Becket was "hot for Castle". She reminded herself of how she felt when he said he was going away to write, how much she would miss him.

She took a deep breath and smiled, and he smiled back, looking relieved. "You know what, I need to make one quick call, then let's grab your bags and go" he said.

They went to her car and grabbed her bags, then headed for his rental. Instead of heading for the Long Island Expressway, however, he headed to the airport, and led her to a charter plane. "I decided I didn't want to waste one minute of our precious weekend together sitting in traffic. We can be sipping daiquiris on the patio in half an hour."

She rolled her eyes. It was so typical of him, there was that 12 year old wanting instant gratification. On the other hand, being with a guy who could snap his fingers and have a jet ready and waiting was pretty cool. "I guess membership DOES have its privileges…" she said.

"Speaking of memberships…"he said, with a gleam in his eye.

"Do NOT mention the mile high club, remember, I still carry a gun"

She had barely unclenched her jaw from takeoff when the pilot signaled that they were ready to land. Rick had not yet let go of her hand, but with his other hand he was fiddling and texting on his phone. She assumed he was trying to wave off his editor , publisher, manager, whoever might disturb them.

As they descended the staircase of the plane a white limousine was waiting on the tarmac. The driver opened the door and Rick gestured "Ladies first."

Kate slid into the car . On the long seat was a multi-color bouquet of roses wrapped in cellophane. She picked up the delicate blossoms and inhaled their scent. It was then that she noticed the small envelope. The card read "For the woman who Heats up my life. Love, Rick"

She turned to look at him, amazed. "You arranged all this, right under my nose?"

"Just think what I am capable of when I have some time to plan it out. You, my dear Detective, are in for one hell of a courtship." He stretched his arm along the back of the seat and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. It had been a long day, and she closed her eyes to rest for a moment, when she felt the car slowing down. She opened her eyes and gasped.

They had pulled into the circular driveway of an enormous house. The façade was covered in pale gray stone and there were huge bay windows everywhere. Looking past the house into the yard, Kate could see sand, then…ocean. He wasn't exaggerating.

By the time she was finished taking in the view, the driver had unloaded all of the luggage in the front hallway. Rick held out his hand to her and said "Come on, let me give you the 5 cent tour." He led her through room after incredible room, living room/theater, indoor pool, huge kitchen, and upstairs, there were 4 bedrooms.

The earth tone one was his, pink for Alexis, green for Martha, naturally. Then he circled back to his room and passed it. "The guest room for you, to prove my intentions are honorable". He led her inside the room and pointed out the closet, the bathroom, and one additional door. He opened that one and she glimpsed earth tones on the other side. He pointed out that the connector door had locks on her side, but not his. "If you should get lonely in here, I welcome the company" He cocked an eyebrow at her.