First Things First

It's really not fair that she's half-naked while he's completely dressed.

Beckett's mind is comtemplating this stark injustice while staring at Rick's ass as he's turning on the water in her bathtub. Nope. It's really not fair at all.

"I'm assuming you'll be joining me in those bubbles, Castle."

"First things first, Kate."

She can't help but smile as he contemplates the array of bath salts and body washes arranged on her corner tub shelves. So many choices for the Castle mind to play with.

"You have quite the assortment of these."

"Ummhmm" She mummurs knowingly, all the while contemplating whether to smack his butt or reach in and snap the elastic of his underwear.

"So, what would prefer tonight: Cherry Bliss, Lavender Dream, Vanilla Musk -"

"I don't know, Castle, do you do vanilla?"

"I can, although..." He squirts some of the creamy bubble bath into the tub" "I suspect you rarely do."

"And what exactly would you be basing that on, Castle? You're the one with the safe word."

He places the bottle back on its shelf before turning around.

"I'm making MY observation based on this bottle is the fullest, although it appears not to be the newest. As for my tastes...you did know exactly what a safe word was."

He quirks his brow up as he grins, and she glares at him - even as she feels a blush rising on her cheeks.

"You might want to remind me what that word is Castle -"

With a quick pull down and back, she has buttons flying off - clattering loudly against various surfaces - and his shirt lying in a puddle on the floor. She's startled him, but can tell by his grin that he likes her little maneuver. She smirks back at him.

"Wouldn't want you hurt if I get too rough."

His eyes darken yet sparkle - a mischievous glint that teases even before he speaks.

"I told you, feel free to spank me anytime you'd like."

God help her, the man knew how to push her turn-on buttons. She'd never really hurt him, she'd never want to, but his...submissiveness (really, there wasn't another word for it) got to her in a way all of her past, more aggressive lovers never had.

Sighing, she runs her hands over his bare chest, loving the soft feel of the downy hair covering.

"Hmmm...Do you use conditioner on your chest?

She feels the rumble of laughter in his body before she hears it.

"What?"

He turns in her arms to look down at her, but she's concentrating on making swirls around his nipples and his concentration on her question is rapidly fading.

"It's just so soft..."

She looks up to meet his slightly glazing eyes, and makes a final gentle brush with her thumbs.

"...I like it."

A lopsided smile crosses his face.

"No. It's not conditioner. Guess it's my softer, feminine side coming out. "

Kate's eyebrows raise at the quip. Sure, she's heard him joke about his "girly" side. Hell, she's teased him about it herself. She actually...likes that about him. Still, in this particular moment, why is he going there?

"Castle , at this point, I know just how much of a girl you are NOT." She lets her hands splay across his chest as she looks up at him.

"Besides that, I have no physical attraction to women, so if I really thought you were 'girly' I wouldn't be here with you half naked in my bathroom."

Now, let's finished getting undressed, because I'm planning on fully enjoying all of your manly assets tonight, 'kay?"

"Why, Detective Beckett, you're making me blush."

He is teasing her...except he really is blushing. Does he really have no idea?

"I plan on doing a lot more than that Richard Castle... "

She glances down at her hands as they start toying with his belt belt. When she speaks again her voice is serious: quiet and low, almost husky.

"I've wanted to do more with you for a long time. "

She looks up to meet his gaze, willing him to see the desire in her eyes, the longing and love. When she sees it register, when they both smile those secret smiles meant only for each other, Kate starts to undo his belt.

So we'd better get the rest of your ruggedly handsome body stripped damn fast."

He laughs, and it's a relief. Submissive is one thing, but she isn't used to a shy Castle...

"Uh, uh, uh, Kate -"

His hands cover hers, effectively stopping her from pulling the beltstrap out.

"- ladies first."

"Chivalary, Castle? Or is part of your fantasy watching me strip?"

Castle grins.

"That is definitely is on the list. However, it's not tonight's fantasy."

"No?"

"No."

He deftly pops the snap of her pants open, the back of his fingers brushing lightly again her stomach as he does.

"This fantasy is all about taking care of you."

Kate chuckles, "Rick, I think you just lived out that one in my living room."

He smiles down at her.

"No, and that's not what I meant."

Kate's eyes widen. NO?

"When I take care of you like that Kate, we'll be in bed naked. It will be hours, not minutes, and it won't be just once."

She couldn't breath. The deep timbre of his voice, the picture he was painting. Oh. My. God.

"What I want to do right now is run you the perfect bubble bath, one where you don't have to a thing. I soap you down, wash your hair - and I give a better scalp massage than most salons - rinse you off...and then..."

"And then what?"

She is spellbound by his words, breathless anticipation sent her words out on a husky whisper.

His smile is enigmatic, "Uh, uh, Kate. First things first."

It's the second time he's said that...and his little run-down of what he's imagined sounds heavenly and frightening at the same time. It sounds relexing but also something that will make her so vulnerable...and he's sliding her pants down over her hips, taking her little black bikini panties with them. They drop to the floor and she's left bare. Well, expect for her socks.

However, Castle hasn't let himself look down, hasn't touched past her hips.

"In you go, my beauty."

There's no time to react. One minute she's standing, the next he's scooped her up, arm under her knees, the other around her back and reflexively her arm encircles his neck.

"CASTLE! My socks!

She's trying to admonish him, but her laughter makes it ineffective. He lowers her gently into the steamy hot bubble bath. It's the perfect temperature and as the water envelops her she can't help but sigh and close her eyes.

"God, this is perfect."

It's the feel of warm, wet, soapy terrycloth on her shoulder that makes her eyes blink open. Castle is on his knees outside the tub besides her, his large hand moving the washcloth down her shoulder and curving to wipe right above her breast.

Her body recognizes the path he's taking before she does. Her breasts tighten as he passes over where the raised, round, pink circle sits, slightly right of center on her chest. Her eyes close as he washes away the remnets of his orgasm on her body, the memory of him is overwhelming: his head arched back, eyes scrunched close, groaning her name. Why isn't he in this tub with her again? She opens her eyes to be confronted with his bare chest.

"Rick..."

He's dipping the cloth in the water deftly, then swiping up from her chest to her other shoulder.

"Let me do this, Kate...Please?"

The puppy dog thing. Does he know she can't ever resist it? It really is sweet,him wanting to clean her up... Besides, since when has she been unable to delay sexual gratification? Sighing she takes one bubble-covered hand out of the water to take his and bring it to her lips. The kiss is tender, a soft brush on the back of his hand.

"I am, Castle... Just know I also really enjoyed how you made "the mess" you've been washing off my chest."

A myriad of reactions cross his face: consternation at his motives being read so easily, amusement at her wry tone of voice, pleasure in remembering the moment..."

"Your pleasure is mine my dear detective."

He grins, and she chuckles at his deliberate double meaning. Still smiling, she closes her eyes and lays her head back against the pillow that's always placed just so in her tub.

"Well, in that case..."

She lifts one sock covered foot out of the bubbles.

"I need you take these off."

R&K&B&C&K&R&C&B

So, I know it's been a while since I've updated this. It's been partly health and partly writer's block. I just was having a difficult time with the tone of this. I also was worried that people wouldn't get Castle NOT choosing to jump her in the tub. That was until a twitter friend mentioned that "For Lovers Only" had a scene like that! (No, I haven't seen it, but I AM planning to!)

Health-wise, I've finished the first stage of treatment and things look good. I won't say it was a picnic, but it could have been worse. I have been LOVING Castle this season! (Except for Beholder, which inspired me to do a whole other story just to work through the "issues" I had with it. So even an episode I didn't love had value for me. :D)

There is more to this story than a bubble bath though. ;) Hopefully, the next two chapters will be up before New Year's. In the meantime, Happy Holidays!