Fate
Chapter Two
Zachary had sent his brother the 'go' signal two days earlier, via a call made from a public phone, although true to form, the little piss ant had yet to respond. Fully aware of how his sibling liked to play games, this silence hadn't bothered him much, but now it was putting him on edge. Knowing his targets' habits and schedules only paid off if his partner was reliable enough to follow through. And little brother only fit that description when it suited him. Cursing, Zach sat down heavily in front of his laptop, considering other options. He was an hour away from calling off his first move when he finally got a beep on his burn phone..
"All set. Last chance to rethink this. Sure you want to go down this road?"
"Brother, Rick Castle set me on this road before he was even Rick Castle. Now he's got to pay for what he did to our family. And to Mother. Question is, do you have the balls to make it happen, or am I on my own? Pick a fucking lane and stay in it." Zach waited momentarily for the response. When it came, he slid the phone shut, downed the scotch in his glass and stood up, stretching tight muscles. He briefly considered arranging for a woman to be sent up, but decided not to bother. There was enough satisfaction to be had in contemplating tomorrow. Instead, he printed out a photo from his files, from the trial, when she'd been in her prime. Probably nearing 40, an exquisite Martha Rodgers sat behind her teenaged son, both hands gripping his shoulders as he stared stone faced into the camera.
Kate Beckett rolled over in the bed, searching for the big, warm man who'd held her so well, who'd fit against her like a second skin. Sleepily, she realized he wasn't there. "Castle?" She held off a wave of insecurity that her subconscious sent her, an inner voice whispering, 'that didn't take long.' It was merely a fleeting thought, however. Remembering the look in Rick's eyes and the almost reverent way he'd held her, Kate shoved her old worries aside and glanced at the clock. He must be talking to his daughter, since it was after 7:00, the time she had promised to call him from Paris. Rolling over toward his pillow, she snuggled under the softest sheets she'd ever slept in, and considered getting up and dressed. Inhaling the subtle scent of him from the pillow, Kate could hear Castle teasing, "You're on vacation, Detective… Take full advantage. Of… everything." With a small smile, Beckett closed her eyes and decided to sleep in, fantasizing about the ways in which she could take advantage of a certain mystery writer as she drifted off.
"Kate? Ka-ate…" Someone was kissing her lips lightly and saying her name… "What? Castle?"
"Isn't this how you awaken Sleeping Beauty? With a kiss? Well, a kiss and coffee of course." Kate looked up into Rick's freshly shaven and fully alert face, his hand holding a tall mug that smelled heavenly. Glancing further at him, she saw that he was wearing a dark bathrobe, t-shirt and sweat pants. He was sitting on the side of the bed, leaning over her, his thick hair combed neatly and blue eyes looking slightly lustful.
She started to shove herself up to a sitting position, catching the sheet as it fell away from her breasts. "Wow, room service. And from a handsome waiter. I think I could get used to this." Kate took a sip and sighed with pleasure, letting the sheet slip a bit lower.
Distracted by Kate's naked body so close and available, Castle cleared his throat and raised his eyes to meet hers. He'd promised himself that he wouldn't maul her, that he'd be a gentleman, and surely he could keep that promise until she'd at least had breakfast. Of course, that was before he watched her shake her tousled hair off her bare shoulders or took in the soft smile on her face as she looked at him. "Ahem…Umm. I wanted to let you sleep, but I was ravenous, so, I started breakfast downstairs. French toast sound… okay… with… you?"
His last words were spoken hesitantly because Kate's hand had strayed up to play with his hair, and her expression was definitely hungry. Only, in his experience, when a woman looked at him like that, she wasn't after French toast. At least not until waaaay later. Shrugging helplessly, Rick quickly re-evaluated what being a gentleman encompassed. And satisfying a lady's wishes was definitely what a gentleman would do, no matter the sacrifice to his personal integrity. He took the coffee from her hand, setting it aside as he leaned forward to kiss her. Shrugging out of his robe, Rick briefly wondered if the bacon he'd left on the stove would set off the smoke alarm. Whatever.
Kate couldn't take her eyes off Castle, this version of him, so real and vulnerable. Not to mention, adorable. She was melting into his kiss when her stomach growled. Loudly. Twice.
In sync, just like in the bullpen, his own empty belly rumbled a second later. Unable to keep from laughing, Beckett pulled away from his mouth, smiling. "You're right. I'm starving too. I was too wound up last night to have much of an appetite." Seeing his incredulous look, she clarified, "for food. Maybe we should… hold off until after breakfast." Kate gently pushed Rick away and moved to stand up, still clutching the sheet around her.
"But, I thought… I mean, I can be quick." Castle was looking plaintively at her, one hand gripping the other end of her sheet.
He really was too cute and so much fun to play with. "Now why would I want you to be quick, Rick? Ooh, there's a nickname you don't want to encourage. Quick Rick. Not good for your street cred at all." Kate couldn't resist a smirk at that as she tried to pull the sheet free so she could get to the bathroom door. Realizing he wasn't going to let go, she finally dropped it altogether, patted his cheek, then picked up her coffee and walked nude to the bathroom. Peeking her head back through the doorway and observing his mournful expression, Kate grinned. "Oh, Castle?" When he turned toward her with a pouty look, she dangled something short, silky and red from her hands, "I promise to be worth the wait."
As intended, Rick's eyes lit up as he tried to get a better look at what she held. He was about to make a lunge for it when a shrill beeping sound came from downstairs. "Damn, the bacon." Giving Kate a rueful smile, he headed for the door, saying, "Take your time, breakfast just had a small setback." She was closing the door when she heard him call back, "But not too much time."
About fifteen minutes later, Kate descended the steps to the open living area to find the windows and French doors open and the slight trace of burned bacon barely noticeable under the stronger scent of ocean air. Castle had his back to her, alternately watching more bacon frying and popping chunks of melon into his mouth. He had that striped bathrobe on again, and seemed to be doing some little dance move that made her wish she had her camera. Next time, she resolved. "Starting without me?"
Rick jumped, nearly choking on a piece of melon as he turned to Kate. "Whoa, Detective. Is that how you dress for breakfast? I've never been a morning person, but you might just convert me." His eyes drank her in, looking freshly scrubbed, hair curling damply about her shoulders and a short red satin robe tied around her waist.
"Well, it is the most important meal of the day." Walking up to him, she reached a hand behind his neck, pulling him down for a sweet kiss. It took some getting used to, how tall he was when she was barefoot. "Good morning. Somehow, I neglected to say that earlier." Reluctantly, Kate let Rick go, stepping back. Good Lord, he was like some drug that you get hooked on after the first try. All she could think of was wanting more. Of everything. Which was why she continued, "Anyway, you did say that it was a 'clothing optional vacation'. So, I'm wondering why you are wearing so many clothes?" Rick looked down in surprise as Kate undid the tie on his robe and tossed it on the table. "Are the neighbors coming over for brunch?"
Castle seemed confused as he answered, "What? No. I just didn't think you'd want to have breakfast across from a naked man. Plus, I was frying bacon and it spatters, so…"
Kate smiled up at him, "Two things, Rick. First; no one fries bacon in a skillet anymore, you bake it in the oven, no muss, no fuss. Second; I didn't say naked, but I like your chest just as much as you seem to like mine. If I'm wearing something skimpy, then so should you. Fair's fair." So saying, she pushed the bathrobe off his shoulders and reached for the hem of his t-shirt.
"Whoa, Kate, Kate. A, that's not possible. The chest thing, I mean. And B, I thought," he stopped for a second as she dragged his shirt over his head, "you were starving." Rick stood stock still for several moments as Kate licked and nibbled his neck and then kissed the skin around his collarbone. His voice an octave lower at this point, "And if you don't stop what you're doing right now? I'll be having you for breakfast, probably on that very table and, damn the French toast."
Her fingernails were raking lightly over his shoulders while she continued to kiss his chest. "Oh. Is that a threat, Castle?" Now she was plain, out and out taunting him, definitely at her own risk.
"Actually, Detective, it's more of a prediction." The tone of his voice, low and certain, sent tremors through her; just like his hands that stroked up from her belly, his thumbs tweaking her nipples.
When she followed his eyes down to the considerable bulge in his sweat pants, Kate forgot she was starving for food. Untying the belt on her own robe, she slipped out of it as she reached on her tip toes to kiss his mouth. "Gosh, Rick. You read my mind," she whispered, then began kissing down his chest while her hands pushed his pants off his hips. Then she followed that line of fine, tawny hair that began above his navel and led her further south, until he was naked and at her mercy. She felt him shudder as she began kissing him, encouraging her to try whatever she wanted, quickly learning what made Castle groan. At some point Kate felt him lean away to turn off the stove and then his hands gripped her arms to haul her up, crushing her to him.
Against her lips, Rick warned, "You make me crazy, Kate." Kissing her hard enough to elicit a groan, he backed her to the kitchen table, shoving the two place settings out of the way. and lifting her onto it. He leaned over her as he snagged his fingers into the elastic of her panties and pulled them off, "Now; I'm gonna make you crazy." So saying, Rick Castle knelt down and had Kate for breakfast, and then he stood up and had her again, allowing some relief for himself.
Somewhat later, the two finally sat down to breakfast. By unspoken agreement, they ate outside on the patio, the kitchen table just holding too much imagery at the moment. Beyond famished, they ate in silence for some time, Kate doing her best to ignore the pleased, happy smile that overtook Rick' face every time he looked across at her. Of course, she failed utterly, feeling a matching grin spread across her own face, doubtless looking just as foolish as his. Eventually, they gave up the pretense and just stared at each other vacuously for the remainder of the meal. Hoping that this particular phase of their relationship hadn't turned her brain to mush, Kate attempted to start a conversation. Her eyes lighting on Rick's phone, she suddenly realized, "I haven't asked about Alexis! How is she? What did she say? Where's she going today?"
With a proud smile, Castle picked up his phone to show Kate the pictures of his not-so- little girl in Paris.
Kate had insisted on clearing the dishes and making some early preparations for a late lunch, so Rick took the time to make a few phone calls, including arranging for flowers and a spa package for Dr. Lanie Parish. Thinking back, he realized that the M.E. had been one of his greatest advocates, for which he was sincerely grateful, and not just about the wardrobe interventions. Although, that green bikini… Castle's thoughts were drifting away, when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, "Hello, Mother. Checking to see if Beckett's shot me yet?"