The days went by in relaxation and contentment. Of course, Castle and Beckett still fought over little things, but it would always be resolved – in intimate ways more often than not. Castle had been through enough relationships to know that arguing, like any kind of communication, was vital for it to thrive. And he knew in the depth of his heart that this was a relationship he did not ever wish to lose. He hoped that Kate felt the same way—and if their last couple of days together was any kind of indicator of her feelings, then Richard had no doubt. But Kate had always been difficult to decipher, hiding behind the mask of a cop before revealing the woman beneath it all. The woman that had such incredible strength and kindness, who had (because of the circumstances of her life) been forced to hide it and act coldly. It had taken them so long to get to this point, and Castle would do everything in his power to keep it intact. Everything.
Recently, though, Castle had taken a misstep and mentioned something he shouldn't have. Even though he was a best-selling author, he still had difficulty with his word choice. It's Kate, he thought. She does this to me. She made him lose his words with her beauty, but also her tenacity. There were so many qualities that made up this amazing woman, that he often found it difficult to wrap his mind around the concept of her. But when he held her in his arms, there wasn't much contemplating to be done; just feeling, and existing harmoniously with her.
Kate sat listening to music in the dining room. Despite her silence, Castle could tell something was bothering her other than their little fight. She had a look of deep concern on her face, and he couldn't help but become worried. She only tended to act distant like this when she was plotting something...and it was usually something he wouldn't like. Tentatively, he approached her and sat down next to her at the table. She perked up in surprise, as though she had not heard him coming.
"Rick! Sorry, my mind seems to be really out there since I got the phone call." Castle frowned sympathetically and placed his hand on hers.
"I know, Kate. And I know you'd rather keep it to yourself, but maybe we could talk it over?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he could sense her discomfort. She slipped her hand away from his and pursed her lips.
"I...I don't know, Castle. I don't think it is news that you would like to hear."
"But it's news that bothers you," he replied, softly. "And I care, Kate. I want to know what is on your mind."
Beckett closed her eyes and pressed the palms of her hands to her forehead, as if to ease her thoughts. When she looked up, there were tears in her eyes. Castle knew he shouldn't push it any further.
"It's ok, darling. Come here." He drew her into his arms, and rubbed her back while she hid her face into his shoulder. Things were difficult for Kate, especially considering all she had been through. His family might try to tell him that he had been through too much as well, and while that may be true, Castle felt Kate always had the hardest parts to deal with. But every time she came out stronger. And he admired that about her. However he knew she couldn't always keep up the strong act. Kate was only human, and right now she needed time to relax.
"How about I get a bath ready for you?" Castle asked. "I brought your favourite bubbles for the bath. I know how much you like them."
Kate removed herself from his arms, wiping at her face and coughing, trying to pretend she hadn't been crying at all.
"Yeah," she replied. "Definitely. That would be nice." Then she met his gaze with her wide, beautiful eyes. "Thanks Castle."
Castle returned her smile, and couldn't help but feel himself begin to melt. If he could have any goal for the rest of his life, it would be to see her look at him adoringly and smile every day. Just once. That would be enough for him.
The bath was ready quickly, and the mirror steamed up. Castle's eyes drifted over to the shower, remembering their first night at the cottage. He had yearned for her so deeply, and it had been so excellent to see his feelings returned. But now he needed to give her space. She was distressed, and needed to have silence and peace to regain her proper mood. Kate popped her head in through the door and her facial expression seemed to ask "Is it ready yet?".
"Yes, yes, come in, before it gets cold!" Castle knew for a fact that it wouldn't—the water was steaming hot, just as she liked it—but he enjoyed teasing her nonetheless. A small smile slipped across her face and disappeared nearly as fast, but he didn't mind. It would take time to recover from whatever the phone call. Castle remained in the bathroom while she undressed, his eyes covering ever inch of her incredibly sexy body. Kate tied her long brown locks up tightly to her head, to avoid getting it wet. When she was ready to go in, she gave him a quiet look, and he got the message. Slowly retreating, wondered what he would do while she bathed. Probably imagine her in there, naked, he thought. The water covering her body, the bubbles rising up over her...But before his fantasies could go any further, he heard Kate call his name. He froze, wondering if his mind had conjured up her voice, but then she called again.
"Castle."
It wasn't a loud call, not one of desperation—but soft, and almost pleading. He turned on his heels, back to the bathroom. And there she was, lying there expectantly, her lips forming a true smile. She waved him over to her.
"Come in with me," she requested. Castle felt his body tense at her words, wanting to do so more than anything right now, but he reminded himself it would be better for her to have time alone.
"Wouldn't it be best for you to relax a little?" he asked. Kate shook her head.
"I think the best relaxation would be with you. Now come in here."
Castle didn't think twice. He would have preferred to have been able to rip off his clothing and jump in there with her, but he knew that keeping the peaceful atmosphere was absolutely key to Kate's well-being right now. So instead, he tried to keep the pace slow, unbuttoning his shirt calming and folding it neatly on the ground. Kate's eyes were on her feet as she moved them playfully in the water. Castle became hard at the thought of the body hidden under the bubbles, but tried not to draw attention to his desire. Once undressed, he slipped into the tub discreetly, but by the look in Kate's eyes, he knew that she had noticed. She remained quiet, though, which made him confused. He decided to close his eyes and try and rest with her. His try was hindered, though, by Kate blowing bubbles at his face. Castle laughed in surprise and wiped them off.
"Really, Kate?" he asked good-naturedly.
"Mmm," she replied in the form of a moan, tracing the outline of her nipples, covered in suds, with her fingers. Castle's erection grew stronger now, and if she were to reach out with her foot, there would be no hiding his arousal. Kate let the water drip down her neck and massage her shoulders, then the length of her arms. Castle swallowed, hard.
"Are you teasing me?" he asked. "I didn't expect this kind of behaviour from you."
"Then you clearly don't know me well enough," she shot back teasingly. He took her hand in his once again, but unlike earlier, she did not pull back from him. Slowly, Castle began massaging her hand, pressing deeply on her palms and moving to her fingers. Her lips parted gently, and he knew she enjoyed it.
"It would be nice to get to know you better, Kate," he replied, and instantly regretted his words. No sex, he reprimanded himself. You're supposed to let her find comfort here! But Kate's reaction proved to be anything but scorn.
"I would like that too, Rick," she replied without hesitation. He felt his breath catch in his throat, and his needs began taking over his will to let her be in peace. Castle froze, uncertain of how to proceed, but Kate knew exactly what she wanted. Her arm dove down under the water, and though he couldn't see what she was doing, he could definitely tell by the change in her facial expression. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she arched her neck back, biting her bottom lip. Castle's mind exploded in a frenzy of need as he watched her please herself, watching her chest rise and fall in the water, and he couldn't control himself any longer. Reaching down, he grabbed his own member and began pulsing his hand up and down along the shaft. Feeling the movement of the water, Kate opened her eyes and looked over to him. His own masturbation seemed to increase her need, and she moaned loudly and openly. Castle replied in kind, and felt shocks of joy rip through him. Kate was frowning now, her face desperate in lust.
"Kate," Castle gasped. She stopped touching herself momentarily, slipping her legs out of the water. Slowly, she gently massaged his inner leg, causing him to pump himself faster, little whimpers escaping his mouth. Spreading her legs, she put them steadily on either side of the bath, and shot Castle one of her most seductive looks ever, stroking her inner thigh. He could feel himself ready to come already, but he resisted, and rose slightly from the water, soap dripping down his naked form. Gripping his erection in his hand, he gently stroked her bundle of nerves with it, causing her entire body to tremble. Now the noises coming from her were even higher in pitch, and Castle felt the jolts of pleasure strike through him once more.
"I really want to shove into you right now, Kate," Castle said between breaths. "Tell me if I can. Kate, please, tell me!"
"Yes, Castle," she replied, nearly in a cry. "Fuck me right now!"
Lifting up her hips, he angled her in front of him and tore into her, thrusting into her briskly. Castle loved how she cried out in pleasure, how her body shook as he drove into her over and over again, and the intensity of his impatient longing. Her hair had long since lost its tie, and was splayed out behind her and the tips dripping into the water. Reaching over past her long smooth hair, she began rubbing her clit, twisting and writhing in the water. Castle loved feeling her move beneath him, when his dick was still deep in her.
"Yes, baby, keep doing that," he instructed her, and she continued obediently, trembling and even yelling with the overwhelming sensations.
"Castle," she spoke through hurried breaths, but he could not reply to her now; his desire had taken over and all he could do was listen. "Castle, I want your cock in my mouth!" Pulling out of her, he reached down and slid her legs over to his thighs, her head resting on the headrest of the path. She took him into her mouth then and continued masturbating, her cries now muffled by his boner. Castle didn't even need to move now; Kate did an excellent job, sucking him and moving her elegantly soft lips over his erection. He could feel her touch lightly brush his tip and he moaned, reaching down to her hair and pulling gently, until he could feel himself become so stiff, coming was inevitable.
"Kate," he whispered. "I'm going to come." Releasing him from her mouth, she looked up at him with her beautiful brown eyes and took his hand into her own. Placing it gently on his penis, she indicated for him to finish the job.
"Please Castle," she said. "I want to see you touch yourself. I'm so close, baby. Do this for me."
Once more, it took little effort to convince him. His hand moved so fast it seemed to be only a blur to Kate, who writhed now more than ever in the water. The splashing noises caused by their movements were loud, but not as loud as their heaving breaths. Kate reached up with her left hand, squeezing her breath tightly and arching her back as her right hand rubbed her clit furiously. She closed her eyes tightly, crying out, and Castle knew her queues well enough to know she was coming. The beauty and splendour of her orgasm rocked through him, and he angled his cock to let the cream spill onto her chest and neck and let out one ripping cry.
"Ohhhhh, Kate!"
And then he felt himself collapse onto her, their skin still tinged with soap. Kate's face was the epitome of peacefulness, and she drew her fingers through his hair. Castle could do nothing more than bask in the splendour of her soft touches, her hands cupping his face lovingly.
"Thank you," she mouthed silently. Castle replied by kissing her, deeply.
They remained in the bath for nearly an hour later, washing each other and keeping their hands entwined. Castle congratulated himself for choosing the cottage with the widest and most comfortable bath they had. It had certainly served its use. He also couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in knowing that he had managed to bring Kate to such a joyful state. She loves me as much as I love her, he thought in wonder.
"Castle..." she began, and he looked up to her face from where he had been resting his head, on her chest.
"Yes?"
"The call I got earlier..." it was clear she was struggling with her words, frowning ever so slightly. Castle remained silent, waiting for her to continue. "It was the precinct. They have word of a man involved in my mother's shooting. In Oslo."
"That's not too far from here," Castle commented, and instantly regretted it. He couldn't have Kate going off on an insane suicidal mission again. He couldn't bare watching her go through that again. He couldn't bare to lose her.
"Please Kate," Castle spoke now, without thinking. "Don't go. I couldn't...I couldn't lose you like that. I couldn't dream of it."
"Don't worry, Rick," she hushed him, bringing his head back to her chest and kissing his forehead. "I wouldn't dream of it either."
Sorry for the long hiatus for this story! Please favourite and review if you enjoyed it :) I'd love to hear what you think!
