Hey guys! This chapter is for my friend, Evi, whom's bday is today. Yup, same day as Nathan Fillion. And she's a huge fan :D
xx OneWriterGirlOfficial
Dreamworld
Chapter 7 "Dinner & Dancing"
Rick stood in front of a floor-length mirror and looked at himself, holding up ties in different colors. He couldn't decide whether it should be the red one or the blue one. And he also had a purple one. He knew she liked the color. He sighed and held up the red one again. No, he thought. He had worn this tie for a date with his publisher half a year ago. She was still after him. He had broken up with her after he had realized she only wanted his fame and money. And she didn't like Alexis. He sighed again and decided to go with the blue tie and also lay the red one aside to give to charity.
He bound the tie around his neck and buttoned up his jacket. He looked good. The tie brought out his eyes as they had the same color. With a satisfied smile he left the walk-in closet. And came back in running just seconds later, the tie in his hands and not around his neck anymore. He grabbed the purple one and held it up.
"Oh Richard... "
Rick turned around to his mother. "What?"
"I thought you had left a couple of minutes ago."
"No. That were the flowers for Kate."
Martha nodded.
"Are they okay? I mean, do you think she's going to like them?"
His mother shook her head and came closer. "She's going to love them." She picked up the purple tie and gave it to her son. "Take the purple one. They match the flowers and I think, if I remember right, that she likes the color."
Rick nodded. "Okay." He took a deep breath and his mother helped him to tie it around his neck.
"She's going to like it, Richard."
He nodded again. "I hope so. I want to impress her, that's all."
Martha laughed and patted his shoulder lightly. "I know. And you're doing just great. You got a table in one of New York's best restaurants and you have got a wonderful evening planned out. She's going to love it," she assured him.
"Thank you, mother."
"That's what I'm here for. Don't mess this up, okay? I really like her and I've only met her once."
He smiled. "I won't. She means too much to me. And I think... No, I know I mean a lot to her, too."
"How so?"
"She said it."
"She told you?"
"She told her mother and I came to hear it."
"Mmhh. Give her space to get used to this new situation. She's young, she's probably scared. Don't scare her away by telling her how you feel just yet."
"I know."
"Good. And now, I think you should get going or you'll be late."
"Oh god! How late is it?"
"You've still got plenty of time, Richard. It's half past five."
Rick's eyes widened. "I really have to get going."
"Car service?"
He nodded.
"Okay."
"They'll be here any second anyway. I'll just grab the flowers and the pralines for her parents." He hugged his mother. "I'll be home around eleven latest."
"Take your time, Richard. It's not a problem. I'll sleep in the guest room."
"What about Charles?"
"He's not home tonight anyway."
"Fine. I'll try and call in two hours to say goodnight to Alexis."
"Do that, and now go."
Rick turned around and walked out of his walk-in closet again, not coming back this time, and went to grab the flowers which lay on the kitchen table along with the pralines for her parents. He collected everything and left the loft.
Fifteen minutes later he reached Kate's home. He took a deep breath when the car stopped and grabbed the flowers and pralines. Slowly he got out of the car and walked towards the building. He entered it, greeted the doorman and went up to the apartment.
Once standing in front of her door he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Shortly after, the door was opened and a man was standing in front of him. He gulped. Her father, probably. "Hello, I'm Rick."
Jim eyed him for a moment. "Hello Rick."
"Mr Beckett," he said.
"Oh Rick! You look good. Come on in," Johanna said and stepped next to her husband. "Jim, please, let him inside."
Jim moved aside while eyeing Rick.
"Hello Johanna," Rick said with a smile and held out the pralines to her. "For you and your husband. I thought when I'm already stealing Kate from you for one evening, the least I could do is bring you something nice."
Johanna took the pralines with a smile. "Thank you, Rick. Kate's still in her room, I'm sure she'll be with us in a minute. Please, take a seat in the living room with us."
"Of course."
Johanna and her husband sat on the couch while Rick sat in the armchair opposite of them.
"So, you're taking my daughter out for dinner tonight?"
"Yes, Mr Beckett."
Jim nodded. "It's a good restaurant, I suppose?"
"One of the best."
He nodded again. "And you're taking her dancing later?"
"Yes. She asked if we could go dancing and I think it's a great idea."
"Mmhh. And then?"
"I'll bring her back home by ten thirty. Or whenever she wants to go home."
"So you're not planning on having her stay over?"
Rick eyes widened. "Are you asking if I plan on sleeping with her?"
Jim just looked at him.
"I... No. I mean, yes, one day, but not tonight. That... No. That would be just wrong. I mean I've only met her two weeks ago."
Johanna held up her hand. "I think it's enough, Jim. I think we pried enough into Katie's love life for tonight. How about we just have a nice talk until Katie is ready and they leave."
Jim looked from his wife to Rick and back to his wife. "I just want to know about his intentions, Jo."
"Mr Beckett, I like your daughter a lot. An awful lot. I know that you're protective of her and I think that's great, I'll do the same thing for Alexis one day. Maybe even with Kate's help. I don't want to hurt her in any way, I'm just glad I finally found a girl that could be my one."
Jim raised his eyebrows. "Your one?"
"Yes, my one."
"Okay. But I promise you, if you hurt her, you're dead."
"Duly noted, sir."
Jim nodded. "Since we talked about this, please, call me Jim."
"It's a pleasure, Jim."
"Take care of her."
"Always."
Kate walked into the room and everybody turned to look at her.
Rick gulped. She looked beautiful. Her long, brown hair was cascading down her shoulders in soft curls, some framing her face. She was wearing a green dress, which ended just above her knees, along with a pair of brown leather high heels which made her nearly as tall as him. "Wow."
She smiled at him. "Hey."
"Hey," he replied and stood up, holding out the flowers to her. "For you."
"Thank you. They're beautiful."
He smiled. "I saw the smile on your face when you saw the purple tulips on the dinner table last time and figured you liked purple. And tulips?"
"I do. It's my favorite color and flower."
"Good to know," he smiled.
She nodded. "I'll put these into a vase, okay? Will be right back." She turned around and left the room with her purple flowers in hand.
Her parents watched him with a smile.
An hour later...
They were sitting at their table, facing each other while reading through their menus.
"Found something yet?" he asked.
She dropped her menu on the table. "No. You?"
"Yeah, I think so."
Kate smiled. "You know what? How about I just take whatever you're having."
"You don't even know what I'm having yet."
"I know. Surprise me, Castle," she said and flirted openly with him.
He leaned over the table. "Okay," he whispered and made her shiver.
Kate bit her lip smiling. "Good."
Their waiter came over and took their order from Rick. "We have an extraordinary red wine that would go perfectly with your food, sir."
Rick looked to Kate whom shrugged with her shoulders. "I'm fine with that. Just order some water, too."
"Okay. Two glasses of the extraordinary red wine and a bottle of sparkling water, please."
"A wonderful choice, sir," their waiter said and collected their menus.
Once the waiter was gone, Rick took Kate's hands and caressed them softly.
She smiled at him and squeezed his hands lightly. "It's a nice restaurant, Castle."
"It's the Le Cirque. Do you like it?"
She nodded. "You didn't have to book such an expensive restaurant. Remy's would have been fine, too."
"Nah, only the best for you."
She looked right into his eyes and lifted her left hand to cup his cheek softly. She caressed it. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"No, you are beautiful."
She blushed. "Rick... "
"What? It's true. Every men in this restaurant looked at you tonight. And women, too. You're stunning."
She smiled sheepishly. "They probably looked at you."
"Possible, but unlikely. They looked at you like a dog looks at a steak."
She lifted her eyebrows. "Did you just compare me to a steak?"
Rick thought about it for a second. Damn it, yes he did, he thought. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
She chuckled. "I know what you meant. Don't worry."
He smiled at her in relief. "Okay."
They were disturbed by a young waiter who brought them their pumpkin soup with cream and saffron. Another waiter delivered some bread and their water at the same time.
Rick looked at Kate whom smiled. "I hope you'll like it."
Kate took her spoon and tasted some of the food. "Oh my! Rick, that's amazing!"
"I know, right?" He took his own spoon and began to eat his soup, watching Kate closely as she enjoyed her soup. What would she say to the fish later?
"You know, this was the second best pumpkin soup I ever ate," Kate said after a sip of water when she had finished her soup.
"Only second best?"
"Well, yeah. My mom's soup is better," she said and stuck out the tip of her tongue to him.
"Guess the Le Cirque can't compete with that."
"Mmhh, no, it can't." She smiled and took his hand. She entwined their fingers and caressed his knuckles with the tips of her fingers.
He smiled at her. "I hope you like fish."
"I... I eat it."
"You don't like fish?"
She bit her lip when she saw his face fall. "You ordered fish for the main course, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"It's fine."
"I don't like fish that much either."
She chuckled. "We could still change our main course."
He smiled. "You decide."
"They have crisp chicken breast?"
"Great choice, Madame." He waved for their waiter and changed their main course.
"Does dessert stay the same, sir?"
"Yes, please."
"Alright." He excused himself from their table and left the couple alone again.
Kate looked out of the window and down at the busy streets of New York. "It's a beautiful evening, Castle."
"Not as beautiful as you," he mumbled.
Her head whipped around to him, her soft curls cascading down her shoulders, jumping up and down a little bit. "Castle... " she breathed.
He squeezed her hand softly.
She bit her lip. "Thank you."
"Always."
She smiled took her wine glass to take a sip. It was the second time during dinner that he had told her she was beautiful. She put the wine glass down. "You know, you don't look so bad yourself."
"Why, thank you, Kate," he replied with a cocky grin.
"You're like a twelve year old on a sugar rush sometimes, do you know that?"
"My daughter keeps me young."
"Oh, does she? I think it's the other way round. I bet she's more mature than you were her age."
"But she's only five!"
"I know," Kate giggled.
He looked at her in surprise. He hadn't heard her giggle before. It was one of the most wonderful sounds he had ever heard.
Their main course arrived a short time later. The waiter sat their plates down in front of them and told them to enjoy their meal.
Kate cut a piece of her crisp chicken breast along with some spinach gnocchi and roasted tomatoes. She moaned silently and closed her eyes. "This is wonderful Rick."
"It is," he said and took another bite of his delicious chicken breast. "I can't believe I've never tasted this before."
"You didn't?"
"No."
She smiled. "I'm glad I could be of service."
He shook his head smiling. "You made an amazing choice of dinner."
"Thanks. It's just one of my favorites."
"So, you've been here before?"
"Only with my parents."
"And you liked it."
"I did, yes."
"I've been thinking about taking Alexis here. Maybe the three of us could go together?"
Kate coughed. "What? I... You, Alexis and me?"
He looked at her apologizing. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"I... No, it's... It just was a little bit overwhelming. I think I would like to do that. Not yet though. Later, maybe?"
"Sounds good to me. I didn't want to overwhelm you like that."
She smiled reassuring. "It's okay."
"No, it's not. You're my girlfriend, we've been together for not even a month and I'm already asking you to have dinner at a restaurant with me and my daughter. I'm sorry. This is all going so fast and I can't stop it because it just feels right. Somehow."
"I know. And I'm actually glad we're talking about this, Rick. This is all going really fast. I'm more the type to take things slow, but with you it's like I want it all at once." She smiled. "And I really, really like Alexis, Rick. She's a great kid. I don't think you could ask for a better daughter."
"Thank you for telling me, Kate. Whenever you think we're going too fast, please tell me, okay? Whatever it is, you can tell me."
She nodded. "I know."
"Good."
They enjoyed the rest of their main course in silence, stealing glances at the other from time to time and smiling at each other whenever their eyes met and locked.
He was holding her close as they danced together. They moved in perfect sync with each other and to the music, her head resting on his shoulder. Rick closed his eyes and swayed to the music with her in his arms. They'd had been dancing like this for a good couple of minutes already. Three or four songs maybe. And god, he enjoyed it.
Kate swayed to the music with him, enjoying their time together as well. She had wrapped her arms around his neck. When the song changed to another slow song she lifted her head from his shoulder, caressed the nape of his hair with her thumb and looked him straight into the eyes.
He smiled down at her and stroked her back softly. He felt that she pressed herself up again his body and tightened his grip around her, which made her snuggle into him even more. If that was even possible, that was.
She looked him straight into they eyes again, locking her golden eyes with his dark blue eyes and leaned into him slowly.
His heart missed a beat when he realized that she was on her way to kiss him. He forgot to breath and just leaned down to her. His lips were hovering just above hers and he was looking into her eyes, which signaled him that she wanted this. He took a last breath before he pressed his lips on hers and kissed her.
Kate felt like she had been strung by a flash. It was like he was sending electric shocks through her body with this kiss. She felt her knees weaken and was glad she had wrapped her arms around his neck for support. She moaned softly. She closed her eyes and parted her lips as his tongue was seeking for entrance softly. Their tongues fought a battle of dominance, which neither of them won. When he broke away from her in the need of oxygen, she looked into his eyes and saw that he felt just like her. She smiled at him while she was trying her best to catch her breath and to calm down her fast beating heart.
"Wow," he said.
"Mmhh, that was pretty great, wasn't it?"
He grinned and leaned down to kiss her again.
She felt like she had been strung by a flash again. She shivered under his grip and pressed herself against him, deepening their kiss. Her knees turned into jelly again and they were sunken into their own little world, neither of them noticing the other people watching them. They had just experienced their first kiss. And were enjoying the second one. Neither of them could care less about the people around them.
When they broke apart again she rested her head on his shoulder with her eyes closed. She breathed in and out, breathing in his scent.
"Follow me," he whispered and tugged on her hand softly.
She followed him without asking questions. They left the dance area and found themselves outside of the club in an alley quickly.
He pressed her against the wall and kissed her hungrily. "Why haven't we done this earlier?" he mumbled. "This is the best thing I've ever done."
She moaned softly when his lips wandered down to her neck. "I don't know Rick. We were kept being interrupted."
"Not anymore," he said and sucked on her neck, softly biting the soft flesh.
"Oh go-od," she moaned. She wasn't sure she would be able to stop herself if he continued with this sweet torture. "Rick?" He held kissing her. "Rick? Please." He stopped immediately and looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "It's amazing Rick." She big her lip. "I just don't know if I'm able to stop myself if you keep kissing me like this. I don't want us, you know, to have sex in an alley. Not yet at least."
He nodded. "Me neither. And to be honest, I want our first time to be special. Really special and romantic. I don't want to fuck you, Kate, okay? Never. I care way too much about you just to fuck you."
She caressed his neck with her thumb again. "I know, me too." She leaned in to him again and claimed his lips back.
Their first kiss. Finally, eh? I hope you liked the chapter. Leaveme a review, please!
xx OneWriterGirlOfficial
