Apologies for the long delay. I think the time spent fine tuning this chapter was necessary. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter Nine
As Rick and Kate settled into their chairs witheveryone else, Esposito rapped a fork on his beer bottle. Clink, clink. "Before you start the show, Castle, I just want to say…great party, man." He held up his shot glass and made a sort of toast, gesturing that they should do likewise.
Rick looked down to see several filled shot glasses in front of him, along with a fresh beer. Glancing to Kate's side of the table, he saw the same. He couldn't remember the last time that anyone had tried to get him drunk, and he was fairly sure it had never been a man, but seeing the smirk on his 'other partner's' face made him certain this was the goal. Not one to back off from a challenge, Rick took up his glass and handed one to Kate, smiling coolly back as Esposito said,. "To Castle, and his parties." "Cheers."
Before he could reach for the remote, Ryan chimed in, "And to Firefly, a great show that never got a chance. Cheers."
"Here, here." Everyone did a shot.
Then Lanie came up with one. "Excuse me, people, but I think we should mention the elephant in the room." She looked around for confirmation and received only blank stares.
"Hello? 'Mister Not Yet' and 'Ms. Never'." She motioned with her head to Castle and Beckett. "If you two had any idea how much time has been spent at the precinct analyzing, predicting, conjecturing,…"
Beckett threw in "Betting."
Lanie ignored that and continued, "There are even debates between 'shippers' and 'non-shippers'."
"I'm sorry, what?" Kate was clueless.
Rick handed her a shot and clued her in. "'Ship' is short for relationship. 'Shippers' are people who want a relationship to happen; in fact, they usually want it to happen very, very badly. And by badly, I mean strongly." To the others, "There aren't really cops at the 12th that are shippers?" It took a lot to surprise Castle, but it could be done.
When he saw Lanie, Ryan and Esposito nod, he downed his shot, noting that Kate had already tossed hers back. They both grimaced, more from the knowledge just gained than from the tequila, which was really smooth. Castle was used to the attention, but he was beginning to wonder about workplace gossip. Seeing as he always worked from home, it had never really applied to him before. That made him look at Kate with some belated understanding.
Lanie continued, "Anyway, what I mean to say, is; here's to you two finally seeing the light! The one that's been blinding the rest of us for a long, damn while. Cheers!" This toast was definitely more sincere and a bit louder than the previous ones; heartfelt, because their friends really were happy to see them as a couple. And having some shiny fun watching.
The two 'slow learners' nodded at each of their buddies and turned to look at each other before taking a drink. Rick's expression was pleased, a man finally able to show what he'd been hiding for too long. And to her own surprise, Kate smiled, too. She wasn't hating this; in fact, it was feeling pretty natural. Sure, they were being put in the spotlight, but that was just because it was new. And because Castle was 'Castle'. (And, if she were honest, because she had said so many, many times…Never!) Looking back, she visualized some of the many signs of denial. Times of connection, of pure, intense longing held at bay by pride and fear. When she dialed back to the present, Lanie was saying something and she'd missed the first part.. (The last few shots had made her a bit fuzzy…)
"For the record, Castle, I was on your team from the start. Just never figured on the whole, two year timeline. I told her, combine an eye for detail with creativity and a dirty mind…you have the recipe for some serious…." Lanie's eyes darted for a brief second down to his attractive package area, then looked at Esposito and put her beer bottle to her cheek to cool it. "Well, you can finish that sentence, writer boy." Kate could only hear the last few words, but near the end she thought she saw Lanie smile approvingly at Rick's' crotch for at least the second time tonight.
"Gee, thanks, Lanie While we're at it, anyone want to toast Oprah Winfrey? President Obama? Castle's tight pants?" Kate was only half joking.. What the heck was going on with all these toasts? And what had she just said about Rick's pants? Out loud?
At the same moment that Ryan was jumping in with, "Oh, yeah, Oprah!", Jenny and Lanie high fived, "Castle's pants!" And Esposito considered, "Ooh. Obama…"
As it registered on everyone what everybody else had said aloud, all six reached for a shot and sucked on limes, eyes averted.
Rick shook his head at the direction things were going and grinned . "Per maybe haps, I'm thinking we should shut up and just watch "Our Mrs. Reynolds." He dimmed the lighting once more and then reached over to take Kate's hand. When she squeezed it, he met her gaze and didn't look away again until the gunfire on screen started. Well, he was a guy.
All was fairly quiet, aside from laughs, mostly at the captain's expense, until the seduction scene in Mal's bunk. Then, it got really quiet. Kate wondered what the men were thinking about as opposed to the women. Maybe she'd ask Rick about it on their drive up to the Hamptons, tomorrow.
Wow. Tomorrow, she was going to spend the week, day and night with Castle. In fact, tomorrow night at about this time… No, no, no.
She needed to concentrate on the present, which was enough of a challenge. Between the sexual references in the show, the large amount of alcohol she'd consumed and the masculine physical presence of the man she was rubbing shoulders with, Kate was having a hard time sitting still. She looked around and tried to focus on small details.
Detail: Lanie and Esposito were leaning closely together and she saw her friend's wicked grin flash as Mal said, "Hey, flesh!"
Detail: on Rick's other side, Jenny snuggled Ryan's arm when Saffron gave her "had I the dare to choose, I'd choose you" speech. That led Kate to look at Castle.
Detail: dear gods, he really was ruggedly handsome! She looked down to where his large hand held hers, his thumb stroking her wrist where it rested on his thigh. His tightly clad, muscular thigh. This was not helping.
She took a deep breath and looked at the screen. It was then that she realized what line of dialogue was about to be spoken. A sexy line that had been on her mind in very recent days (and nights).
So, as Saffron said her next words, Kate squeezed Rick's hand, appreciative that he looked to her instantly. Slowly he moved their adjoined hands up to kiss her wrist. He gave her a mysterious smile, holding her eyes for a few seconds before bringing her hand back to his lap. Kate's eyes widened and then closed when she felt her fingers briefly pressed against something hot and rigid.
Rick watched Kate's mouth open and a soft, "Oh," pop out. Fortunately, everyone else was absorbed by the Captain's collapse and Saffron's "Night, Sweetie." Not wanting to be crude, he moved their hands away from his erection, which brought Kate's eyes open again. He opened his palm, so that she was free to move away, expecting her to retrieve her hand. Her eyes checked to see if anyone was watching, then she leaned to his ear to whisper, "I want you to bed me."
With a triumphant grin, he murmured back, "I guess I mean to, and gorram soon."
While the other four had been watching the show, as well as having their own romantic exchanges, they weren't so unobservant as to miss the whispering. Lanie grabbed the remote, pausing the show to ask, " Ahem, something you want to share with the class?" She turned arched eyebrows to Kate and Rick, the others smiling broadly at the pair caught trying to have a secret moment.
To no one's surprise, Castle looked smug. However, when Beckett wrapped both arms around Rick's bicep and leaned her head against his shoulder, several (male) mouths dropped open. "Big Rick here, was just assuring me that he would definitely have gone to the special hell for me, not that I ever doubted it.."
Castle covered a bit more, "Actually, guys, I think I've already been there. Anyone want to see my water bill for this month?" Kate elbowed Castle smoothly, nonchalant as she nodded to Lanie.
"Shall we continue? I love the scene where Mal says, 'But she was naked and all… articulate'." Kate flashed Rick a look that made Esposito pull his collar away from his neck for air, and Ryan rolled his eyes at Jenny in a 'see, I told you,' way. Seemed like the tequila strategy was working.
The final scene, where Mal totally misreads Inara and thus loses his chance to hear her admit that she kissed him had everyone groaning and chortling. Applause.
At the end of the episode, Rick stood and adjusted the lights, leaving Inara's dumbfounded expression paused on the screen. The women couldn't help but shake their heads in sympathy, laughing at how clueless men were in general. Lanie said, "Javi told me that sorry kiss is all the characters ever get through the whole series, and I know they don't kiss in the movie. Pretty sad how oblivious people can be to what is staring them in the face. Almost reminds me of someone…" She rolled her eyes at Kate, who madea face back at her.
Jenny asked, "So what do you think is the sexiest line in the show? I like, "You're pleasing, hell, you're all kinds of pleasing."
"I've made myself ready for you," from Ryan.
Esposito, "the 'whoa, good Bible', stuff."
"Looks like you'll get that wedding night after all." That was Lanie.
Then she looked to the host and hostess, and remarked, "You're both being awfully quiet."
"Yeah, afraid you'll disagree?" Esposito had to stir the pot. "Not simpatico?"
"Oh, it's like the Newlywed Game. How well do you know each other?" Ryan nudged Jenny. Everyone looked to Beckett and Castle, waiting.
The two not- yet -lovers glanced briefly at one another and smilingly said in unison, "I swell to think of you in me, and I see that you do, too." Then they tried not to flash back to ten minutes ago, when they were actually physically feeling that sentiment. Epic fail.
"It's so cute how you two do that." Lanie looked shrewdly at her friend and decided to drop the subject, considering how true that line probably was.
Kate had to ask, "Lanie, I thought you'd never seen Firefly? How come you're so familiar now? Espositoshow you all the good parts?" The ladies began a conversation, not noticing that Ryan and Esposito cornered Rick in another part of the room.
"So, Castle. You're finally taking our Beckett away, gonna romance her, the whole nine? You 'd better be totally on the level," Ryan looked somewhat more menacing than usual in his Jayne get-up, (sans hat).
Esposito leaned forward, a dead serious look on his face. "Yeah, bro. What about that? You may be our 'boy', but that doesn't mean we won't hurt you if you don't treat her right. None of this 'Mal' stupidity, or even male stupidity, comes to that. No excuses, man. She deserves the best. We only let it go this far 'cause we think your heart's in the right place. But we'd kinda like to hear it from you."
If Rick was surprised, it was only that this conversation hadn't taken place a while back. He was well aware that the relationship between Kate and her partners was a protective, got-your-back one that went as deep as family. So, it was well that he could say gruffly, but with clear eyes, heart and conscience, "Kate means the world to me. You should know that by now. I'd no sooner hurt her, than I would Alexis. And I'd rather cut off my own arm than do that." Holding their eyes for a moment, seeing them nod in satisfaction, he drained his beer and looked to the women. The picture on screen was now paused on the infamous scene from "Trash" of Mal's naked body from behind. "Honestly, guys, it's more likely that she'll hurt me; probably shoot me from sheer annoyance."
This had the guys nodding in agreement, until Castle continued, "Or throws my back out from sheer exuberance."
"Whoa."
"Dude! T M I!"
Esposito shook his head, but continued after watching Rick look longingly at Beckett, "You might be right. Try practicing your 'captainy' badass moves. Watching you two tonight, I'd say she likes that crossover between Castle and Captain." Castle was somewhat surprised to get approval from the detectives, but he was wise enough to leave it alone.
Everyone mingled for a bit, and although Rick had a few ideas for party games, (the strawberry eating contest earning a groan from the ladies), the party seemed to be winding down. Probably a mix of the amount of liquor consumed, together with the racy nature of the last episode and the sexy costumes had the couples ready to split off for the rest of their evening.
After Rick gathered everyone to stand beside the photo of Montgomery as Book to take a group picture, the party officially ended. While Castle called his car service, everyone made their goodbyes. Jenny wished Kate happiness and a great week, observing that from what she'd seen tonight, their chemistry was off the charts. She kissed Rick goodnight and gifted him with the laurel wedding wreath she'd brought as part of her costume. Ryan hugged Kate and shook hands with Castle, trying to give him a last threatening gaze as his host stuffed some Firefly t-shirts into his hands.
After a hug, Lanie mouthed, "Don't forget," nodding toward the study to Castle and took Kate aside for some advice. "Go for your happiness, girlfriend. ' Life's too short for if's and maybe's.' Let the writer boy loose to do what he's been imagining all this time; he's a lot like that cocky space cowboy withthe big gun. Close as we get to it in real life, anyway." She turned to slip under Javier's arm.
Esposito wrapped a muscular arm Lanie's bare waist and grinned fiercely at Castle, "Just remember, bro, I can kill you, and it won't be with my brain. Beckett, enjoy your vacation. We'll see you soon, hopefully, witha tan and no murder charges pending."
Kate watched, smiling, as the elevator doors closed on her friends; showing no doubts that they approved of Castle as her lover. When had that occurred?
"And then there were two," Rick whispered huskily into her ear, from right behind her. The low, sexy vibe of his voice made her shiver , and before she realized his intent, he pulled Zoe's pistol from her holster as smoothly as though he'd practiced the move. At the same time, Kate heard the now familiar snick of Mal's pistol being cocked. She allowed herself a small smile and an eye roll as she shook her head slightly. She should have seen this coming; with that whole 'new scene that needs enacting' threat Rick had made earlier.
" I conjure you won't be needing this; leastwise, I'm not giving you the option." Rick put Zoe's fake gun on a table and gently pulled Kate back into the loft by her belt. Shoved the door closed.
"Captain?" Kate put her hands up and spoke over her shoulder. "I think you may have a problem with your brain being missing.."
"Could be that's so. If the Doc were here, he'd likely say I've gone crazy withwanting you. Prolonged periods without adequate oxygen to the brain. due to the blood flow being di-verted southerly."
"And you look to cure that ailment tonight?" Kate wasn't quite sure how she felt, asking that. On the one hand, she was sooo ready; but on the other, she wanted their first time to be as romantic as Castle had planned it. Fortunately, Rick answered her question pretty clearly..
"Nope. Expect to accomplish the opposite, in fact. I may not plan to bed you tonight, but that don't mean I ain't got plans. Guess I'm just a glutton for punishment…"
She risked a glance back at Rick, and caught him staring intently at her ass. Glad that she was just drunk enough to have fun with the role-play, Kate countered, "Plans, Sir? Don't recall many of your plans that worked too smooth".
"First time for everything. Besides, law of averages says eventually I'll get lucky. Y ou're a damn fine looking woman, Zoe. Dangerous, too. So you just hold still while I make sure you can't pull a weapon out of …anywhere." Rick's breath was hot in her ear as he ran one hand lightly along her figure, ghosting over intimate curves. While his hand was between her legs, he pulled the knot loose holding her holster to her thigh. "Won't be needing the gun belt any more tonight. Just put it on the table with your pistol."
Kate did as instructed, wondering if Castle had felt her shudder as he frisked her. She wished he would let her turn around so she could see his face, but his next words made her rethink that.
"First off, that vest needs to go. You look really hot in it, and I'm thinking you'll look even hotter…out of it."
"That an order, sir?" Kate couldn't believe how turned on she was getting with this game, but she intended to give him a run for his money, nevertheless.
Rick copied the intonation that Mal had when asserting authority; quiet, effective and maddeningly sexy. "It is. Now, if you please."
Castle watched nearly unbelieving as Kate began unlacing one side of her vest, turning back to look at him, with dark, unreadable eyes. He would almost swear that she was as turned on as he was. When she finally pulled it off over her head and laid it on the table, he moved closer to touch her shoulder. He leaned over her, his breath warm on her neck as he went one step further.
Kate felt him come close, then she felt him touch her back. In a second, Rick had unhooked her bra clasp. What…? She looked back at him and he gave her a classic Castle smirk.
"I believe that you can remove the undergarment while still wearing the shirt?" He motioned with his pistol, get on with it.
Beckett turned back around, grinning a bit herself as she pulled her bra off, "I didn't realize space captains had so much experience with women's underwear. Kind of impressive. Might be interested in renegotiating my position as 'first mate' after all. Seems the perks are looking better all the time ." She dropped the black lace bra on top of the rest of Zoe's pile.
"Nicely done. Now, turn around, slow like." Kate moved to face Rick, her hands still elevated. His eyes were shining electric blue as his gaze raked across her form. They moved to her face and he licked his lips in anticipation. They stared at one another for a long moment before Kate's eyes became distracted by the obvious bulge in Castle's trousers, once again.
"Captain, do you really need the gun belt yourself?" She moved forward to offer assistance, but Rick backed away minutely. Reconsidering, he merely instructed, "Fine. Slow moves, nothing fancy."
This was too much fun; no way Kate wasn't going to go for it. She knelt down in front of Rick, undoing the lace that tied his holster to his leg. Then she slowly ran her hands up his calves to his thighs, moving her face very close to his crotch. "Is this what you had in mind, sir?" She was looking up at Castle as she undid his belt and pulled it away from his hips. She couldn't help but salivate a bit over his shape and size, and let him know how he turned her on.
Castle watched near spellbound as Kate kneeled down in front of him, teasing him withher hands and the sexiest look on her face. The fact that her shirt was unbuttoned so low offered a competing view, but her mouth was ….whoa. He could barely restrain his thoughts. Almost growling, "Woman, you are seriously damaging my calm. Might be best if you get up from there before I finish writing a new episode that has a totally different ending. One more focused on my pleasure than yours." Rick pulled Kate up before him.
"I'm game," she smiled wickedly.
Thickly, "Not tonight, bao-bei." He kissed her hard, punishing her a bit with his mouth. When he pulled away, she took a moment to breathe, then mouthed softly, "Rain check, then."
Castle backed off a step and ran a hand through his hair. Kate loved seeing how dark his eyes got when he was aroused, and combined with the lustful expression on his face, he looked downright dangerous. She pressed her thighs together and bit her lower lip, waiting for his next move.
Rick leaned over to the table and poured himself a shot, then downed it. "Right."
He moved to the sofa and sat down, motioning with his pistol for Kate to follow. When she stood directly in front of him, he crooked the finger of his other hand. Closer..
Eyebrows raised, Kate put one knee on either side of his hips and straddled him; her hands on his shoulders. Castle extended the arm with the gun along the back of the sofa, away from her, and requested, "Kiss me?"
Kate smiled with pleasure and whispered, " You don't need a pistol for that." She held his head with both hands and began kissing his face, beginning with the corner of his mouth and traveling to spots she'd imagined; the corners of his eyes, his chin, around his ears and up his jaw line, before focusing on his mouth She was sucking his lower lip and had one hand in his hair, the other gripping his shoulder when Kate heard Rick groan. He grasped her hips and pulled her down to grind into him. Their eyes met again, and she began unbuttoning his shirt, pulling the suspenders down, while his hands roamed the 'safe' areas of her body. When she had his shirt open, she explored his chest with her hands as he intensified his kisses, sucking her tongue into his mouth..
Castle began kissing along Kate's neck, licking and sucking a bit as he went, until he met the barrier of her shirt. The incredibly soft, smooth skin he kissed was like water in the desert. But he was greedy, and kept pulling the shirt down lower, his hands not quite touching what he wanted, until...
Kate was enthralled. Never had she been so overwhelmed by sensation. And they were just necking. While Rick was nuzzling her neck, his hand grazed her shirt over her nipple and she had no choice. She pulled his hand back to cup her aching breast, gratified to hear him make a low sound in his throat. Instantly, his hands were everywhere, fondling and rubbing on the outside of her shirt to elicit the most sensation for them both. Without her bra, both could feel what his palms did to her taut nipples.
Rick was close to losing control. Once she let him feel her breasts, hearing her panting... He pulled her off his lap and pressed her down into the couch, then moved them so they lay on their sides
When he lifted her off his lap like she was a feather, Kate felt a thrill, but Rick's knee coming up between her legs and grinding into her made her sigh. No one had done that since high school. As a reward, she arched herself against him, wriggling a bit.
Castle was teasing Kate's nipples while he licked her ear, watching with pleasure as she twisted one way and another. He kissed her deeply, wondering what it would take to make her come, feeling from her breathless urgency that she was close. Gritting his teeth against the ache in his groin, Rick made a decision and reached for Kate's zipper.
Beckett's eyes opened when she felt Rick's hand pull her jean zipper down, "Oh, God, yes!" She wanted him too badly right now to regret doing him half drunk on his couch instead of somewhere perfect and romantic. His hands were tugging those tight pants down around her hips and she struggled to help him, clutching his bare shoulders under his shirt as she did.
As soon as Rick got her jeans low enough, he slid a hand into her panties, feeling her jerk at his touch. "Trust me," he managed to breathe in her ear, before his fingers slid down into slick wetness. "Oh, god. You are so...wet. Damn." He crushed his mouth against hers while dipping his fingers into what felt like a hot, silky dream. When she arched against his hand, Castle nearly lost his resolve. Pulling his mouth from hers, he watched his detective for a moment, writhing under his hands; so desirable. The perfect juxtaposition of strengthand vulnerability. It was the latter quality that decided him. Resolutely, Rick held Kate's hands from his zipper and began to massage her pleasure point, lubricating his fingers liberally between her folds and then rhythmically rubbing her clit. Seconds later, her eyes opened wide and looked into his, realizing what he was doing. Beckett shook her head, no, even as she felt the inevitability of her climax. "Come for me... sweet... Kate." Rick nuzzled her neck and increased the tempo of his fingers, swirling faster and more urgently around the sensitive nub, finally using his other hand to play with a hard nipple in his line of sight.
Kate fought the tides of sensation, not willing to let go and not sure why. But it was a lost battle from the start, and it seemed Rick could play her like a violin. She alternately rubbed against his fingers and tried to avoid them. At the end, Kate's body made the decision for her and she felt the shockwaves of her orgasm roll through her, shuddering helplessly as Castle kissed her gently. When she came back to herself, Rick's arms were around her, his eyes on her face.
"Rick, you didn't have to ...I thought we were going to..."
"Kate, I told you before, we're going to do it right. When you look back on our beginning, (well, not exactly our beginning since we started this two years ago, but you know what I mean) I want the evidence to clearly show how much you mean to me. No doubts. And no regrets."
She touched his lip, which was somewhat swollen where she'd bitten him at some point. "But it's not fair; I can ... let me give you something in return." Kate moved her hand from his chest downward, suggestively. ..
Castle swallowed, clearly considering the offer, but then shook his head. "Incredibly tempting as that is...one orgasm won't even begin to satisfy me." He caught her hand and gave her a wicked look. "Believe me, starting tomorrow, you will have every opportunity to give me something and I will take it. I just want..."
Both of them froze at the sound of a key in the door. Kate hissed, "Alexis?" Trying to pull up her pants and fix her clothing.
"Or Mother," Rick was doing the same, sitting up and pulling a large pillow onto his lap. A second later Martha waltzed into the room, throwing a coat on the chair and belatedly realizing she had an audience.
"Darling! Still having your little 'Dragonfly' party? And Kate. How nice to see you here..." Martha turned to actually look at her son and the detective. Noticing their disheveled appearances and strategically placed sofa cushions, she kept on acting as she continued through the room, stopping in front of the TV screen. "My, my, that young man is certainly confident, and with good reason it seems. I didn't realize it was that kind of show." Passing a table with a pile of clothing on it, she noted the black lace bra on top. "Oh, that reminds me, Richard? Did you give Kate my little gift? What am I saying? Of course, you didn't." Martha went to the hall closet and brought out a hat box. " I purchased this on an 'off' day; it wasn't quite me, but I thought of you immediately."
"What was the matter, Mother, your head too big?" Rick had gotten most of his shirt buttoned and the suspenders onto his shoulders.
"Like mother, like son. Now, Kate; I know you'll say that you don't wear hats, but believe me, dear, they are de rigueur in the Hamptons, and even more so when Richard drives you around in that charming, but impractical, roadster of his. So, I strongly urge you to wear this on your way up; it's the only way a woman can keep her hair looking as lovely as yours, " here Martha looked away, "always does."
Kate blushed furiously, realizing her hair and make-up must be a mess. She stood to say, "Thank you, Martha. That's so...kind of you," glancing at Rick, who was glaring at his mother with exasperation. She took the hat box and looked to Castle. "Maybe you should call for a car for me? I know you have a big day...I mean an early day tomorrow."
"No need to rush off, my dear. I'm headed away to bed; sorry for the interruption." Martha leaned toward Kate and gave her a hug. "You have a lovely week, and be patient with my son. Underneath all that arrogance and charm, he's a good man."
With a genuine smile, Kate returned the hug. " Thanks, Martha. I know that. And, thank you for the hat."
Martha made a stage exit up the stairs, calling at the last moment, "Goodnight, Richard."
"Sleep well, Mother." Castle was combing his fingers through his tousled hair, leaving it unchanged. Looking decidedly vexed, he turned to Kate. "See why the Hamptons is a good idea? It's a sad day when a man my age can't make out with his girl in his own Manhattan loft without being interrupted by his mother." Rick flashed her a rueful smile, "Sorry, Kate."
She shook her head as her fingers brushed his mouth, wiping away some light traces of her lipstick. "No need for apologies. I like your family; seeing you with your 'girls' is one of the reasons I decided to take a chance with you. Balances out that roguish, ladies' man side that had me on the fence for so long." Kate couldn't help but flash him an amused grin. "I'm just glad you have large sofa pillows. Now, if you'll call me a ride, I'll go make myself presentable." She lifted her bra from the table, wishing she could believe that Martha hadn't seen it, and headed toward the bathroom.
When she returned, hair brushed and make up repaired, Castle was staring out a window, looking bemused. He turned to look at her, nameless emotions playing over his face. " Neil is downstairs waiting. I'll come with you, see you home."
"No, that's not necessary, Rick. You really do have a big day ahead. I know you're anxious about Alexis and probably missing her already. Try to get some rest and don't worry too much; she'll be fine." Kate put her coat on and gathered up her things.
Rick nodded and walked her to the doorway, where they stood for a minute looking in each other's eyes. He leaned forward to hug her, just holding her for long moment, before giving her a light kiss on the lips. "Until tomorrow, Kate," Castle murmured huskily.
"Until tomorrow," she repeated.
None of these characters are mine.
Please let me know what you think, good or not so good. Writing the sexy stuff is much more difficult than I ever thought. Cliches are seemingly impossible to avoid. I'm just trying to make it hot and not silly or gross.
By the way, I realize that Castle is way too romantic and patient, but that's how I write him. Otherwise the story would have only been one chapter. Bam, said the lady.
Anyway, next our pair will leave behind most things Firefly and travel to the Hamptons where the secret, (if it is one) of Lainie's gift will be revealed. And by the evening's end, I promise that they will have full on, actual and whole, sex.
