"Castle" Beckett was obviously surprised when she opened the door of her apartment.

"Hey." He said uncertainly as he stepped over the threshold. "You busy?"

"Not really. Just catching up on some reading." She said as she walked to the couch and picked up the book, trying to slip it onto the bookcase without him seeing the cover.

Castle smiled as he realized she was reading Heat Wave. "I'm glad you're taking some time for yourself. I know how trying things have been." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Are you OK?"

"Thanks to you." She smiled, breaking the eye contact and walking away. "Do you want some coffee? I have an everything bagel from Stein's."

"Very tempting." He admitted, then he thought of the onion and garlic that would be on his breath. "I think I'm good. Alexis and I had pancakes this morning."

"Oh." She came back over and sat next on him on the couch. "Why are you here, Castle?"

"Your directness is one of the things I love" he cringed inwardly; way to be smooth. "about you."

Her face changed visibly. "It makes a lot of people uncomfortable."

"I'm not most people." He leaned in a little closer. Their shoulders were just touching.

Beckett's pulse quickened but she tried to maintain her cool exterior. "I'll give you that." She smiled.

For a long time they said nothing and Beckett tried to avoid eye contact.

"You didn't answer my question." She said finally, risking a glimpse into his stormy eyes.

"I know." He shifted so he as facing her. "I'm not sure how to answer it."

"It isn't a hard question." Her voice was soft and less confident than normal.

"It's harder than you might think." He said in a whisper. He leaned in until his mouth was so close to hers that their lips were nearly touching. "I'm here because I had to see you." His lips brushed hers with nearly every word. He could feel her breath quickening against his mouth. "I'm here because I need to be close to you." This time he barely pressed his lips to hers. It was just for an instant, but in that brief intimate contact, the electricity was undeniable. He could feel it coursing through him, warming him from head to toe. Beckett tried to back away, but at her first sign of motion, Castle whispered, "Please…" her rapid, gasping breaths matched his own. "Kate, don't back away from me."

"Castle…" she shook her head and stood. He caught her hand gently, his thumb caressing her palm.

He stood and turned her so they were again face to face. "Tell me you didn't feel it."

"It was a diversion. It was… We had to get inside."

Castle's eyes were pleading. "Kate." He took both of her hands in his and pressed them to his lips. Kate closed her eyes and took a shuddering breath. She reached her hand slowly and stroked the hair at the back of his neck. He turned his head, kissed her palm and pressed his cheek where his lips had so recently been. He snaked his arms around her and pulled her against him. He thrilled as she seemed to melt against him. Her face was buried against his neck.

Castle kissed her neck, her cheek and finally her lips. She responded gently, allowing herself to enjoy the feel of him, the taste. This time her moan was unmistakable as the tip of her tongue touched his. "Castle." She gasped as his hands grasped handfuls of her sweater.

"I haven't been able to get you out of my mind." He said breathlessly as she kissed his neck.

"Me too." She whispered against his skin, her hands caressing his back.

Castle moaned and kissed her passionately, allowing his hands to stray to her hips. He pulled her closer to him, loving how she felt pressed against him. They maneuvered to the couch and just as he pushed her back against the cushions, his mouth on hers, her phone rang.

"No…" he groaned. Kate rested her forehead against his shoulder for a moment before reaching for the phone.

"Oh, hi, Dad." She said into the receiver. Castle got off of her immediately, as thought Jim Beckett could see him. Beckett smiled at him. "I did forget. I'm glad you called. I'll be there in an hour." They said their good byes and hung up.

"Everything OK?" Castle asked as she rested her head on his chest.

"Yeah." She traced lazy circles on his chest. "Dad and I have lunch on my off Saturdays. I have been so distracted I forgot to call him."

"Distracted by what?" He winked at her.

"Shut up castle." She smiled.

He kissed her.