Beckett stared out the window, not knowing what do to. The way he just looked at her has got her all hot and bothered. There was a glint in his eyes, but then he snatched his hand back and wouldn't look at her. She was embarrassed. Usually she could play everything off, acting like he had no effect on her, but tonight he caught her off guard. He saw it in her, she knows he did. But the lingering question was, what was he going to do with that knowledge? Finally they pulled up to her apartment and she finally relaxed a little knowing it would all be over soon. She would go to bed, and tomorrow they would act as if nothing happened.
Castle finally broke the silence, "do you want me to walk you to your door?" he asked already knowing the answer. But he wouldn't let her turn him down, so before she could even answer, he was at her door helping her out. The elevator ride to her apartment was a little awkward, both standing on opposite sides of the small space, not wanting a repeat of the car. Castle concentrated on the titles of the floor, disabling him to make eye contact with her. Finally they got to her floor and walked to her door. He still wanted to talk about what happened in the car before, not wanting to let go that moment. "Want to have a cup of coffee, before I bid you goodnight?" he asked, hopeful that she wouldn't turn him down
She finally made eye contact with him. She wanted to say that she would rather just go to bed, and go in alone. Mentally she was fighting whether or not to let him in, knowing that she might regret it. But once she looked into his blue eyes, all logic flew out the window. It was hard to say no to him, it was Richard Castle for heaven's sake, charming, devilish smile, and handsome Richard Castle. How was she supposed to say no to that? "I guess that could be okay." She said a little nervously, hoping her conscience wasn't right about how bad of an idea this was. With that, she opened the door and walked into her apartment. "Why don't you make some coffee while I change out of my work clothes" she said walking towards her bedroom. But before she could change, she had to take a detour to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face to calm her down. It was just Castle. Her partner. He had been in her apartment many times before, there was no reason to get worked up. So she dried off her face and went to her room to change.
Castle made his way to the kitchen and started to make some coffee. Once she was completely out of his sight, he took a long deep breath and leaned back against the counter. Why was he so worked up? He had been over her apartment many times before. But then he imagined what she was doing right now. She was changing. In just two rooms over, Kate Beckett was taking off all her clothes. He pictured her in a black lace bra with matching panties. Nothing too fancy, but just enough to make him drool a little. He knew that she wasn't the type to go for anything too sexy, but she didn't need to. Anything that she wore always looked good on her. To him, she was perfect. His mind wondered on, thinking about walking over to her bedroom and helping her change, or more like helping her get out of her clothes. He chuckled at the thought of her face if he did walk into her bedroom. He was forced out of his happy day dream by the sound of Kate walking out of her bedroom. Man she really did look good in anything. She had pulled her hair back, which was now in a messy bun that fell loosely over her face. She was wearing a lavender colored t-shirt and a pair of old sweatpants that looked like she had been painting in. Seeing her like this, comfortable and free made him smile. He loved to see her out of work, not having to worry about finding the next murderer or the next lead, it was refreshing. She started walking into the kitchen when Castle started, "uh uh. I don't think so. I know exactly how you like your coffee. Just get comfortable and I'll make it." and with that he turned his attention to the coffee machine.
"Thanks" she said without even protesting. She knew there was no point, he was going to make it for her either way. So she just went and sat on her couch waiting for him to join her in the living room. Finally he returned with two cups in his hand. He handed her one and sat in the chair to her left. "Mmm smells delicious, thank you Castle"
"Anytime detective." He watched her and she took a sip. She slightly titled the cup back and closed her eyes, almost as if it was too good to look. He enjoyed how content she looked. They stayed in silence for a couple minutes before he choked on his coffee a little at the sight of Kate taking her hair out of her bun and running her fingers through it. The way her curls feel over her shoulders was breath taking.
"Drink much?" she asked as she laughed at the sight of Castle trying to recover.
He laughed, a little at himself, but mostly out of joy from Kate laughing at him. He wanted to bring up what happened in the car, but he didn't know how. With her, he had to be extra careful. Anything too over the top and she would push him back further, something he didn't want. As he thought of ways to bring it up in conversation, he forgot the fact that he was in her living room, with her watching him. She cleared her throat and he looked up to find her looking directly at him.
"I can hear you thinking from here Castle, what's going on in your mind?" she asked, not completely sure she wanted to answer.
He pondered a little to find a way to be subtle with it, but gave up and finally spilled, "I can't stop thinking about what happened in the car, on the way here." He looked up searching her eyes for any hint of what she was thinking. She just kept looking at him, stunned, not knowing what to say.
"Castle, there is nothing to think about. You offered me a ride home and I took it." she had to play it off.
"Kate, I'm not buying that. When I was rubbing your leg, I saw the look in your eyes. I have never seen that look in your eyes before. Once I started touching you, something changed. I felt in, not only in you but in myself, in the atmosphere. Just talk to me" at this point, it had turned into a plea.
She just sat there. She wanted to tell him how she felt. She wanted him to pick her up and carry her off to her bedroom. She wanted to call Josh right then and there and break up with him. But she couldn't. This was Castle. He is a charmer, and she was just another girl to fall for it. No, she takes that back. She wasn't just another girl to him. She knew that, right? "Castle, I think you need to leave. Its late and I don't think you are thinking straight". She stood up and started to walk towards the door. But he did her one better.
He stood up, right in front of her. Blocking her way to door. He needed to prove to himself, and to her that there was something more. There always was. He reached up and ran his fingers over her jaw line. He felt her shiver, hoping that it was from his touch.
She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, longing for more. He played with her loose curls, wrapping then around his finger and slowly letting them go. She needed to stop this, it had to end. "Castle" she breathed out
"Hmmm?" he mumbled, caught up in playing with her hair and running his hand along her cheeks and jaw line.
"Castle, you have to stop. This can't happen. You know the rule, you are my partner. It won't work" she didn't even believe those words herself, she knew for sure Castle wouldn't.
He continued his assault with his hands. Her smell hypnotizing him, there was no going back now. Slowly he leaned in a little getting so close, he could her breath on his lips. It made him tingle a little. "Kate, let it happen. Please." He needed it. Being this close, feeling her touch, he couldn't hold out any longer, he needed to kiss her.
"Okay" she let out. And leaned in. In her mind she was screaming. It was finally going to happen. Maybe after this, she wouldn't get so worked up every time he talked, just by the movement of his lips. Then just as his lips brushed hers. There was a knock at her door. She jolted back, and realized what just almost happened. Stunned, she stood there. Finally she came back to the real world and rushed to get the door. THIS BETTER BE GOOD, she thought as she opened the door. She then locked eyes with no other than Josh. "Josh, what are you doing here?" she asked a little shaken up, knowing that Castle was standing in her living room. Shit.
He was so furious when someone knocked. Whoever it was, had the worst timing ever. He sat back down hoping her little visitor would leave quickly. But then he saw Josh walk past her and came right in. Shit. How could he have been so stupid? She had a boyfriend and here he was trying to kiss her, in her living room!
"Oh Castle, what are you doing here?" Joshed asked, a little suspicious due to the look on Castle face. He then turned to Kate and continued, "When you didn't call me back, I thought I would stop by on my way home from work to make sure you were okay. But I didn't know you were having company over." He then looked back at Castle.
"Actually Josh, we were just going over a case from today, but we can always talk about it at work. Right Kate? So I guess I'll just be on my way out. I don't want to interrupt anything. Always a pleasure seeing you Josh. Kate, I'll see you tomorrow." And with that Castle got up and walked out the door. Pissed at himself for letting it get out of hand.