Hello guys and thank you so much for the feedbacks. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy your reading! :)

...

CHAPTER 3

It was almost twilight and the temperatures were getting cooler as the rays of sun were starting to fade. It was around 6 p.m and the guests were about to arrive at the manor of the Hamptons to celebrate the famous writer's birthday.

Lanie was gazing at the view from the terrace, her sunglasses on top of her head. She thought how amazing the landscape was as she stared at the woods surrounding the property. Damn, Rick Castle was a lucky guy.

"A penny for your thoughts, Doctor Parish", said a voice just behind her, snapping her out of her reverie.

Lanie turned back and saw a grinning Castle who was offering her a glass of cocktail. She nodded slightly and grabbed the glass before sniffing it delicately to guess what it was.

"Thank you…what is it?"

"Just a drink. Oh, and I put some drugs in it of course", he replied playfully. Lanie gave him the eye and Castle cleared his throat. "Okay, right. It's a homemade cocktail. One of my specialties. I haven't named it yet but, try it, I'm sure you'll love it."

Lanie took a sip and her eyes widened.

"Yum! Delicious", she said in a surprised tone.

"Yes, that's what they all say," he teased again.

Lanie was about to take another sip when she stopped herself one moment. She raised her eyes towards Rick.

"Wait…shouldn't we wait for the other guests?"

"Come on, it's just one drink. And why the wait?" he shrugged. "There will be enough drinks tonight for everyone, don't worry about it!"

"I guess so…you're a rich man", she said as she looked around.

"And my greatest pleasure is to take care of my loved ones," he added as he clinked glasses with the M.E.

"Oh, Rick Castle, are you trying to seduce me?" Lanie asked, faking an offended look.

"Always, you know well!" he winked.

Lanie smiled at him, entering his game.

"Watch out, I'm not an easy prey, you know."

"I know…but it's only your first drink. And the party hasn't begun yet", he whispered as he raised his eyebrows seductively.

Amused, Lanie let out a laugh and raised her glass again.

"Well, we'll see! Cheers!"

Her laugh…every time he heard it, his heart started to pound faster in his chest. She always had that special laugh that brightened her face and made her eyes shine. She was so beautiful…

"Esposito", a voice said suddenly to the ears of the detective, bringing him back to reality. He almost jumped off the sofa.

Det. Esposito quickly turned back to face Kate Beckett, who was the one who had just whispered to scare him. And she seemed pretty proud of it.

"Beckett? What the hell? You scared me," he said, frowning.

"Oh come on. You're overreacting. I barely whispered to your ear," she said as she shrugged and sat next to him on the sofa.

"Nope you didn't. And it's rude."

"Sorry, but I just couldn't help it. You looked so frozen that I had to check you didn't turn into a statue or something."

Esposito shook his head.

"Bullshit."

"Anyway, I had to do something, otherwise somebody else would have caught you eyeing Lanie. You're not very discreet, you know…" Kate added as she grabbed a green olive and stuffed it in her mouth.

"Wh…? I wasn't!" he protested as he looked back at her. "Besides…it's none of your business!"

"I know, but I love teasing you about our favorite medical examiner. It's so funny how you get easily riled all the time," she said as she her tilted her head towards Esposito. "You get so nervous and irritated. It's cute."

"It's cute", he repeated ironically. "First, what are you doing on MY sofa? Don't you have a writer to bother instead?"

"Ha ha. I thought it would be funnier to bother you. And the writer as you said, is in good company. But you already know that, since you've been eyeing her for almost fifteen minutes now", Kate said as she took another olive.

"Where are my crackers? You didn't even bring me some?" Esposito asked, raising his eyes to hers.

Kate shook her head no, her mouth full.

"I am confused", interrupted Martha Rodgers, holding a tray in her hands as she approached them. "I am a terrible hostess, please", she apologized as she held it towards Javier and Kate. "Please try this, this is homemade fish canapé. Delicious."

Javier Esposito sat up on the sofa, a little bit embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to sound rude. I could have got them myself."

"Don't be ridiculous, detective, help yourself," Martha said as she looked at Javier impatiently, waiting for him to taste and say a comment.

"How is it?"

His mouth full, the detective replied with a nod, raising his thumb up. Martha smiled victoriously and turned to Kate who shook her head politely.

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm saving for later."

"Oh, come on, just one! it doesn't hurt. Don't tell me you're on diet!"

Kate smiled softly. "I'm not. But really, thanks. Later, I promise!"

Martha sighed as she took the tray back and was about to go back to kitchen when she stopped herself. "Well, there won't be anything left later especially if the young girl out there doesn't stop feeding that golden retriever" she said as she put her hand on her hips before heading to the kitchen. "Alexis Castle! Will you stop? I can see you!"

The young redhead girl raised her eyes to her grandma, busted.

"I gave him only one!" she claimed.

"Yes, that's it, only one, just like the one you gave him five minutes ago!" Martha replied as she put the set on the counter.

"No, that one was the ham stuffed one," she replied with humor.

Martha looked at her, eyes widened, before shaking her head.

"You… You're definitely your father's daughter!"

"Who's talking about me?" Rick asked as he came into the room, Lanie following his steps.

"I am. Your daughter has decided to waste our delicious canapé, and give them to Royal", Martha replied.

Rick glanced at her daughter before commenting:

"Well, that dog is a bourgeois. He just has expensive taste. Besides mother, you should be flattered he appreciates your cooking."

"I give up," Martha sighed.

The conversation stopped as they heard footsteps coming downstairs. It was Kevin Ryan, a jacket on top of his shoulder, who was coming down in a hurry.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. I have to pick up Jen at the station."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Rick offered.

Ryan hesitated a second before shaking his head.

"Nah, please don't bother. I won't be long."

"You won't be long? With your sense of direction?" Esposito interrupted as he got up from the sofa. "I wouldn't bet on it, man."

His colleague smirked. "Ha ha. Look who's talking. Let me remind you that thanks to my sense of direction as you say, we arrived here safe."

"You mean, thanks to the map."

"Map that I can read, and thank God, because if we had to rely on you…" Ryan said as he put his jacket on.

"All right, children. Time's up. I'm going with you Ryan, what about a ride in Ferrari?" Rick interrupted as he patted the Irish's shoulder. Ryan grinned.

"Wh…Are you serious?" he asked.

"Well, if you prefer Esposito's small car…"

"No, I don't!" Ryan replied quickly as he tossed Esposito's keys to his buddy. Irked, Javier caught his car keys and gave him the eye.

"Nobody ever drives on these country roads. We're going to make that baby roar. You wanna drive?" Rick offered as he pulled down his sunglasses.

"I…it's just.." Ryan didn't know what to say.

"Trust me, I know what it's like when Rick takes his big red toy for a ride…" Martha sighed. "Please, don't be late, the guests will arrive soon, and nothing's ready yet", she added.

"I'll be good, mother, I promise", Rick said as he lead Ryan to the door. The Irish looked back at Esposito who was still speachless. He smiled victoriously and then exited the house, following the writer's steps.

"He…Castle's gonna let him drive?" the latino hardly managed to say.

Then he looked at Kate, trying to search for comfort but she just shrugged and ate another olive proudly.

"Don't look at me Espo, I can't even say I feel sorry for you, I've already driven his car too", she admitted with a playful smile.

He gave her the eye before sighing heavily. Then he turned to Lanie who tried hard not to laugh.

"I forgot two cool boxes in the car. Lend me some help?" he asked, slightly tilting his head.

"All right," she replied softly. It was hard to resist to his puppy eyes.

Javier opened the door and lead her out. She appreciated the gesture and smiled back at him.

He watched her go down the stairs and followed her closely, gazing at her luscious body that was moving graciously at each step. Suddenly she snapped him out of his reverie.

"Javi!"

"Hmm…what?"

"Open the trunk!" she said impatiently.

Esposito nodded and unlocked it with the remote. Lanie opened the trunk and grabbed one of the boxes.

"Is it okay?" Javier asked as he moved closer to her.

"I'm used to that kind of boxes, you know," she replied simply.

"Yeah, right", he said with a smile as he grabbed the other one. "So…you came here alone?"

Lanie frowned and waited a moment. She looked around them before replying.

"Hmm…No I don't see anyone around. Guess it means I came here alone indeed", she said, rolling her eyes. "What about you? No girl at your arm tonight?"

"Well…as you can see… Castle didn't tell us we were allowed to bring a +1 to his party, anyway…"

"Oh I see. You mean it's Castle's fault if you're alone tonight, then…" Lanie said matter-of-factly.

"No, I mean…well, it doesn't mean I would have brought someone if I could…"

"Whatever Javi," Lanie cut him off, shrugging. "You're a big boy, you do what you want!"

Javier stared at her and was about to say something but Lanie had already grabbed the box and walked away. He watched her go back the house and shook his head, before he shut the car's trunk with a heavy sigh.

...to be continued