Rick held Kate close to his side as they walked down the street. There were no thoughts of crime, no worries about being spotted in such an embrace, both only feeling free. Finally free to talk about their feelings for each other, hold hands, kiss...
They walked to the next street corner and hailed a cab. Rick held the door open and Kate slid inside then she pulled him in, not leaving one inch of space between them. He gave Kates address to the driver and then reached up and softly stroked Kates face. "I don't want to rush this." His thumb traced her bottom lip and he seemed to be looking into her soul as he spoke. She wanted to say something, he sensed it, he nodded to her and held up his index finger as if asking for one minute, then continued. "I don't want you to have any doubts or regrets about this. You are so important to me Kate. You are my muse, my friend, my partner..and I hope to add lover to that list." Kates eyes were filling with unshed tears as she listened to his words "You made me the happiest man in the world tonight when you said you wanted more. I have dreamed about this so many times but I am willing to wait as long as it takes for you to be certain that this is what you want. Never doubt my feelings for you Kate. I'm in this for the long haul. I can't imagine what it would be like to make love to you then have you change your mind and leave me...so I'll wait..as long as it takes..
"I love you." She said as she took both his hand into hers. "I had doubts and fears before. I doubted that you wanted anything more than a one night stand, and at the same time, I feared that you did. I fought my feelings for you for so long. Not anymore. I can't live with regret for the rest of my life that I let you slip through my fingers, tonight we will become lovers."
She pulled his face to hers and kissed him as they pulled up to her loft. Rick opened the taxi door after paying the cabby and the got out. Kate started walking but noticed she wasn't being followed. She spun on her heels and grabbed Rick by his jacket and pulled him to her. "Don't make me shoot you Castle."
"Rick..whats wrong?" The taxi had driven off leaving them standing there, nervously looking at each other. He hadn't said a word since her taxicab confession and it was starting to worry her.
"I'm soo sorry Kate.."
"Don't!" "Don't you dare back out on me now Castle! You just told me how much you care for me and want to be with me, and now you want to what... Take it back?...Is that it?"
"Never." He pulled her closer to his body and hugged her like it would be their last hug. She buried her face into his chest as he rubbed her back, softly speaking to her. "I was going to say..I was sorry for just sitting there while you poured your heart out. You told me you love me and I just sat there saying nothing." He pulled away from her slightly, so they could look into each others eyes as he continued his apology. "I love you too Kate. I'm sorry it took me so long to say it. I have loved you for a long time, but was afraid that if I told you, you would run..you wouldn't feel the same..or
"Proove it!" She cut him off, "Come upstairs with me and let's make love until the sun comes up."
They finally started walking towards her building, hand in hand. When they stepped inside her loft, he scooped her up into his arms and started towards her bedroom. "You do realize that sunrise is only about three hours away don't you Kate?" She nodded and smiled that smile that melts his heart. "That's nowhere near long enough. I plan on making love to you for the rest of my life Detective."
"Bring it on Writer boy."
***I'm not happy with this chapter at all. I just kept wanting to rip their clothes off and get down to business. But, where's the fun it that? Are we ready for smut now?