A/N: So I know a lot of you didn't like the cliffhanger last chapter, but I wasn't sure where I was going with it, I wasn't trying to be mean! Anyway, a few things- all the stuff about the New York library is from Wikipedia, so may not be the most accurate, but I tried. Also, I TRULY TRULY appreciate everyone's reviews, story alerts, favorites, and just ANYONE who is reading. Anyways, enjoy...
When Kate felt the hand on her waist, her upper body immediately tensed, assuming it was Josh. But when she heard Castle's voice, felt his warm breath caressing her neck, she discovered her lower body tensing in ways that forced her eyes shut and made her bite down on her lower lip to stifle a low moan. Her torso unconsciously started to drift back towards him, wanting to feel her bare back against his body, but then she felt Castle's touch move off her waist, his finger tips grazing her lower back, before removing them completely.
Kate opened her eyes and smiled, savoring the feelings that his touch had elicited.
What the holy hell was that? Yea, I'm officially in trouble.
She turned her body slowly towards the bar, peaked over her shoulder and said with a coy smile, "You better be careful, sneaking up behind people like that, especially cops. You might get yourself shot."
"Beckett, come on. You and I both know that there is nowhere to hide a gun in that dress," he said, his eyes taking in her body again.
"Who said it's hidden in my dress?" she said mischievously, pulling up slightly on the side slit of her dress, exposing her lower thigh to reveal a flash of metal, and flesh, that made Castle's eyes practically pop out of his head. "Never know when you might need some protection."
"So, how were the final days of the book tour?" she asked, letting the dress fall and slowly sipping her martini. She found herself studying Castle out of the corner of her eye.
God, he looks really, really good in a tux.
He had his hair combed back with a touch of gel and together with the classic black tuxedo, it made him look rather dashing in Kate's eyes.
"You know, same old same old- books, photos, lines of people. . ." His eyes drifted over her face and neck. "So may I just say that you look devastatingly beautiful tonight?" Castle said, catching her gaze for a second before reaching and taking the stem of the martini glass from her hand, his fingers delicately brushing hers. He took a sip of her drink.
Kate found herself holding in a smile as she turned her body to fully face Castle. She shifted her weight, resting one forearm on the bar, and placing her other hand on the opposite hip that now stuck out slightly. She leaned in towards him ever so slowly. She had to give it to the man; he had a way with words.
"Devastatingly, huh?" she said with a sultry grin.
Castle almost choked on the martini as he thought he caught a glint of seduction in her green eyes.
Is she flirting with me? Not like teasing flirting, but flirting flirting?
Castle's head was spinning. He knew he had missed her, but now, seeing her like this. . . let's just say the Y chromosomes in every cell of his body were screaming for release.
"What'll you have, sir?" the bartender said, snapping Kate out of their flirt-a-thon.
"Uh, I'll have what she's having, except no twist, olives, please," Castle ordered without shifting his eyes from Kate's face.
Kate pulled back slightly from Castle, leaning against a stool.
Okay, whoa. I have got to slow down. I haven't even talked to Josh yet, and what about Gina? Change of subject.
"Isn't this venue amazing? Did you see all the trees over there?" she said nodding in the opposite direction of the bar.
"Yea, it's great, I guess," Castle said half-heartedly, seeing her shift away from him.
"You 'guess'? Wow, it must take a lot to impress you then," she said with a smirk.
"No, I mean of course the decorations are great, beautiful even. But you should see some of the other parts of this building, like where they keep the books," he said raising his eyebrows, suddenly animated. "In fact, this room was actually the central circulation room until about 25 years ago when they renovated it for an event space," his eyes studied the room, lost for a second in a memory. He then turned back to Kate who was listening intently.
"Did you know that the whole New York library system is 3rd in total volumes, only behind the Library of Congress and the British Library? This branch alone has almost 1 million books and just under 100 miles of shelving. Now that is amazing to me," he said lifting his martini glass as if toasting the building, his eyes lit with a sparkle that only Castle could achieve from talking about a library.
"How do you know all of this?" Kate asked, finishing the last of her drink, and scooting her stool closer to him.
"Well, as you know I spent a lot of my childhood here, kind of like a second home really. So I just picked up tidbits through the years and researched some on my own when I was older. I dunno, I just love this place. Think of all the knowledge that's contained in these walls, the history. How could you not love it?" he said focusing on his drink as he swirled the olives at the bottom of the glass.
Kate smiled at him. It was a pure smile with no hidden meaning, just happiness to hear him reminisce and to have him back by her side.
Castle looked up from his drink and saw her expression.
Now that's a Kate Beckett smile I could get used to.
He felt a dull ache in his chest as he looked into her eyes.
She is so beautiful. I really want to touch her again.
As if reading his mind, Kate inched her hand that had been resting on the bar towards him, and placed it on top of his. Her thumb slowly traced its way back and forth over the back of his hand. Castle swallowed, his mouth feeling like cotton.
Kate's smile slowly faded from her face and was replaced by a look of longing. They sat in silence for a few seconds, the music of the band humming in the background.
God, I think I'm in love with him.
"Kate!" It was Josh's voice. He was weaving through the couples on the dance floor, making his way to the bar.
Shit.
Kate started to stand, but she felt Castle's hand shift from under hers so it now firmly gripped her forearm that rested on the bar.
"Kate, don't go. Please," Castle whispered.
Kate's eyes snapped up to meet his.
Kate. He called me Kate.
"Castle. . . I've got to. . ." she stammered.
"Hey, guys," Josh said as he finally arrived at the bar. Castle quickly removed his hand from Kate's forearm, but not before Josh saw. Josh shot a glance at Kate whose eyes were focused on the ground.
"Josh. Good to see you again," Castle said with a false smile, but lying as best he could.
"Hi there, Rick. When did you get back? Kate had mentioned you were out of town or something?" Josh said sliding closer to Kate, clasping her hand and giving it a squeeze.
Kate took a breath and stole a glance at Castle. She caught his line of vision focusing for a split second on her hand in Josh's grasp before he looked back at Josh. She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.
Shit, shit, shit. How did this get so complicated?
"Just got back tonight actually. Wouldn't want to have missed this," Castle said, deliberately looking at Kate and Josh with a hint of annoyance to his tone. Kate gave him a questioning look.
Why is he acting like I did something wrong? He knew I came with Josh!
"Yeah, so remind me again. Why are you here exactly? I don't recall you being part of the medical profession. But then again, you're also not a cop. But I guess that hasn't stopped you from crashing the party over at homicide for the last couple of years either?" Josh said smugly.
"Josh!" Kate said disgusted, taking a step away from him and pulling her hand from his.
Castle's mind sizzled as he seriously considered punching Josh's perfect smile into next Monday, but instead he grinned, shaking his head slowly. The pen, or in this case Castle's word, was mightier.
"Why am I here? I'll tell you why I'm here," Castle said taking a step closer to Josh and looking him directly in the eye. "I'm here to add a little bit of class to this party. Oh yea, and to help raise money for charity too," Castle started to move past him, but then paused, stepping back and added, "And by the way, just so you know, your bedside manner kind of sucks."
Bam said the lady!
Castle started to walk between Josh and Kate, unable to hide the grin on his face.
Kate bit her lip to keep from laughing. She grabbed Castle's tuxedo sleeve as he passed her, causing him to pause and she said, "Don't go too far, okay?"
Castle answered her with the slightest of winks, turned and made his way away from the bar, disappearing into the crowd.
A/N: Castle FTW (for the win)! Did you like Castle's response to Josh? Next chapter is outlined... Kate and Castle will be coming a little "closer"... Again thanks for reviewing!