Again, thank you all for the reviews. I think I responded to everyone of them, but if I missed you, I am sorry.
This is another fluffy chapter, but I hope you like it.
Don't own them and it's a pity, I would have so much fun dressing them up…
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Kate yawned as she and Castle rode the elevator up to their suite, despite the wonderful things his hands and lips were doing to her body. She felt, more than heard Castle chuckle against her neck.
Raising his head to look at her, "Bored with me already Detective?"
"Never, I just realized how exhausted I am. I haven't slept in a few days and I think I just hit a wall." The look in her eyes was apologetic.
The new couple had parted ways with their friends a few floors below. They had planned to meet for breakfast the next day, but soon realized it was now after 2:00 am. With that, the plans changed and they agreed to meet for brunch around 11:00.
"Rick, I had a wonderful time tonight. It was an evening I will never forget." She lazily leaned into his side as the elevator doors opened and they made their way down the hall towards their suite. With his suit jacket folded over his arm, he held the key card in one hand and her shoes in the other. As they approached the door to their suite, Castle suddenly turned her to face him and pushed her back up against the door. His lips met hers with a crushing force that immediately expelled any exhaustion she had previously felt. After a few wonderful moments of exploration she noticed Castle fumbling with the key card. Kate gently forced his face from hers with her hands on each side of his face. Between the kisses and his body crushing her against the door, she was in desperate need of air.
"Down Boy" her voice came out husky and between gasps. "I think we need to move this party inside."
She took the key card from his hand and opened the door. Two seconds later, with his jacket and her shoes at their feet, they were getting just as acquainted with the inside of the door as they had the outside. The need to be as close to him as humanly possible, without actually taking up the same space, overwhelmed Kate and she whimpered in response to that need. The small cry she expelled into his mouth only increased Castle's intensity and he bent down to taste her neck, but he soon missed the taste of her mouth and needed to feel her lips on his again. Their bodies were melded together so closely that his upward movement almost lifted her off the ground.
"Ahem"
They both froze at the sound. Their barely separated mouths blowing air onto the others face caused the sweat already present on their brows to increase tenfold.
The adolescent voice cut into the silence again, "Yet another reason I should have gone home tonight."
Castle could tell Alexis was only half joking as she spoke. Still leaning against Kate and the door, he took a few extra seconds to compose himself before turning to find his daughter. Thankfully she was far enough across the main room of the suite that she may not have seen or heard everything that he and Kate had been doing. She was sitting at the kitchen table studying with her back to them.
As he approached, "Pumpkin, I am so sorry. That was irresponsible of me. I figured you would already be in bed, but I should have considered…
Alexis cut him off midsentence, "It's ok Dad, why do think I'm sitting with my back to the door? That's not a picture I need rattling around in my brain." She laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I just wanted to say goodnight, I didn't get a chance at the party."
Castle felt relieved, he knew his daughter was mature for her age and she had no allusions that he was a saint, but nonetheless she didn't need to see her father practically mauling anyone, especially Kate. Alexis looked up to Kate and he would hate to do anything to alter that dynamic.
"Come on kiddo, let me tuck you in." Castle scooped the redhead up in his arms and carried her toward one of the three bedroom situated off of the main room.
"Goodnight Kate, see you tomorrow, or later today I guess." Alexis waved and smiled at Kate as she and her father passed on the way to the bedroom.
During the whole conversation Kate had remained plastered to the door. At first mortification sat in. How could they have forgotten Alexis was here? But as she watched the interaction between father and daughter the shame dissipated. Their relationship was something to behold. Castle adored his daughter and Alexis returned the adoration tenfold. Kate was also a little surprised that she detected no resentment from Alexis. If Jim Beckett had ever brought a woman home after the death of Johanna, Kate knew she would not have been so accepting. She smiled, realizing for the first time that by accepting Castle into her heart, she received a bonus in the form of a beautiful young teenager. She looked forward to spending time getting to know Alexis; she just hoped the youngster would feel the same way.
After a few moments of reflection, Kate made her way across the luxurious hotel suite and peered into the other two adjacent rooms. She saw Castle's suitcase on the bed in one room, so she made her way to the last of the three rooms. Upon entering, she just shook her head, there were a few things spread out on the bed. She ran her fingers along the sleeve of a beautiful pale yellow silk robe. Inside the robe was a knee length spaghetti strapped nightgown. It perfectly mirrored the yellow of the robe it was enveloped in. Next to them laid a stack of what appeared to be a few casual outfits. For a moment she thought she might be angry at Castle's obvious assumption, but quickly realized the hypocrisy. She was after all here, wasn't she? Feeling the need to get more comfortable, she picked up the nightclothes and took them into the adjoining bathroom. Of course more surprises awaited her there. A large basket was on the sink. It was overflowing with everything she might need for a long weekend away from home. Cherry scented shampoo and conditioner, it wasn't her brand, but after opening it and breathing in the fragrance, she quickly admitted that it was better than her brand. Body wash, lotion, hair products and deodorant of the same line were also tucked in the bottom of the enormous cavity of the basket. He had even thought about makeup. It looked like he had picked out one of everything at the Sephora counter. Kate sampled a few items before changing her clothes and then stopped to look at herself in the mirror. She looked tired, but not wiped out like she did most nights after a tough day on the job. Like most of her days, today had been a long and emotional one, but in all the best ways possible.
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In the other room Castle tossed Alexis on the bed. "So did you and Ashley have a good time this evening?"
"Yes we did. I think he was a little less intimidated by your subtle threats of police action after meeting Kate. Of course that was until he met Detectives Ryan and Esposito. They were anything but subtle. How much did you have to pay them? Or did they take it out in trade in the form of a free week in the Hamptons?" Alexis's pout was stern yet playful.
Castle looked at her with feigned astonishment, "Seriously, I had nothing to do with it."
"Yeah right!"
"Anyway, again I'm sorry about the PDA a few minutes ago." Castle nodded his head towards the door. "I hope it wasn't too embarrassing for you."
Alexis tilted her head with a smirk, "Well, I have been waiting for sixteen years to see you act like an adult. This is a perfect example of be careful what you wish for."
"Touché Pumpkin" Castle's apology was genuine despite the levity. "I promise we will be more considerate in the future."
Turning serious, Alexis said, "Dad?"
"Yep?"
"I know you have wanted this, a relationship with Kate for a long time." She paused while deciding how to say it best, and her father just waited, always the patient parent. "And I know you love her more than anyone you have ever loved in your whole life."
"Except for you," he interjected, beginning to worry that Alexis would feel pushed aside. "You always come first, if you don't want…"
Knowing where he was going, Alexis cut him off midsentence. "No Dad, I'm not worried about that. I could never ask more from anyone than what I have in you."
"Then what?" They had always been honest with each other and he didn't expect anything less now. He could tell she needed to say something.
Alexis sighed and decided it had to be said, even if the prospect of it actually crossing her lips made her cringe a bit. "It's just; don't you think she deserves more than to have you do her up against the door of a hotel room? Actually, don't you think you both deserve more?"
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After taking her time changing and reliving the moments of the day Kate went back out into the main room of the suite. It was a very nice suite with a sunken living room area complete with sofas, coffee and end tables, a big screen TV and a full bar. Next to that was a dining room and small kitchen area. Of course, every detail was high end. In fact, the whole thing put Kate's tiny apartment to shame. Castle was nowhere to be seen, but the door to his room was now shut and she could hear muffled movements from the other side of the wall. She sat down on the loveseat with her back against the arm. She pulled her knees up close to her chest and hugged them with her arms. She waited.
Castle changed into some PJ pants and a t-shirt then exited the bedroom. He saw Kate sitting on the loveseat. He crossed the room to her and as he did, he couldn't help but to run his fingers along her shoulders. He delighted in the shiver his touch elicited in her. He circled around and sat facing her. The loveseat was small enough that with his back against the opposite arm, his leg came in contact with Kate's toes. She lifted them and rested her feet on his shin. Even that simple touch exhilarated his senses. He was glad to see she had changed into the nightgown and robe he had bought for her. Castle reached his hands towards hers, but did not take them into his. Instead he ran the pads of his thumbs deliberately down each of her fingers. He wanted to commit every part of her to memory, both visually and tactilely, and decided her fingers were a good place to start. Plus, his shame prevented him from meeting her eyes.
Sensing his hesitancy, Kate broke the silence, "What?" He looked up at her with confusion but she continued. "Don't go all quiet on me now Castle."
Castle's tone was serious. A tone she didn't hear from him that often before today. "I'm sorry Kate."
Kate's heart tugged in her chest. She couldn't pinpoint that exact moment Castle had gone from pulling her pigtails to pulling her heartstrings, but nonetheless he now had a firm grip. She moved forward, nudging for him to move his right leg between her left hip and the back of the couch. She placed her feet behind him, essentially straddling his body. Castle grabbed the underside of her soft bare thighs offering enough counter pressure to allow her to scoot her body flush with his. It was not a sexual overture. It was about her need to be close to him. To feel his heartbeat against her chest. To breathe in his scent. To shudder as his breath passed from his lips to hers. To feel the warmth of his embrace. He understood her intentions and relayed his understanding. His hands lifted from beneath her legs as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and across her back. Despite the obvious strength he had seen her display many times on the job; her frame was small, almost dainty. His upper body almost completely enveloped hers.
After a few minutes of stillness, Kate raised her head from his chest and looked into his eyes. She saw the shame and knew that his apology stemmed from the rough make-out session that began in the hall. "What are you sorry for Castle? It takes two to Tango and I was on the dance floor with you. Willingly I might add."
Appreciating the light tone in her voice some of Castle's guilt subsided. "Kate, I have wanted this, no dreamed of this, of us, for so long. I can't mess this up, I won't. I don't want us to take any missteps. And, although I know we would be great at the Tango, you deserve the Waltz." Then dropping the metaphor he continued to spill his heart to her. "You deserve to be cherished not just lusted over. You're more than the just sum of your physical attributes, albeit they are some pretty spectacular attributes. Ouch!"
Kate laughed as she pinched Castle's arm, but quickly responded to his honesty in turn. "I want to do this, us, just as right as you do. Even though we have shared allot today, and the last two years for that matter, there is still so much to be learned about each other. I want to know every part of you and I want you to know every part of me. So, why don't we just take it one day at a time and enjoy the journey." She continued only after he nodded in agreement. "You know I'm not really good at sharing or letting people in, so promise me you will be patient and help me open up to you."
"I can do that." He agreed. "But, I know you don't like to be smothered so if I get too clingy, you need to tell me to back off."
She played with the front of his t-shirt as she spoke, "Now that we have the ground rules settled, I have one more request."
"Name it"
"Can you at least pretend to lust after me once in a while?" A huge smile crossed her face.
"Oh Katherine Beckett, there will be no pretending needed."
Their lips found each other's again, but this time there was no rush and their movements were not feverish. Kate sucked on Castle's upper lip while he returned the favor to her lower. Each drank the other in, the taste, the scent and the quiet needful sounds. And while their mouths were completely R rated they were careful to keep their hands PG. Making sure to only caress one another's face shoulders or back. The physical attraction was strong, but for now it was the emotional bond they sought to strengthen. He was determined to be the one-and-done she deserved. In return she was determined to be the destination he had been sailing toward his entire life, thought at times he may have hit rough seas.
Finally parting only because of the need for oxygen, they just held each other, laughed and talked all the while never moving from the united position they held on the small sofa. Somewhere in the early morning hours they decided that sleep was calling them. They made their way across the suite hand in hand. Castle kissed her goodnight at the door to her bedroom.
"Goodnight Kate"
"Until tomorrow Rick, or is it later today?"
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I feel the need to tell you that I am a very visual person. I look back on my life and view it as a serious of snapshots. Even in school, I didn't memorize the facts as much as I memorized where the words were on the page. With that being said, as I write a chapter I close my eyes and picture the scene. I only hope I am able to portray that picture in words.
