Notice the rating change? We move to M territory towards the end of the chapter. Feel free to skip if it's not your thing.
I own nothing but a love of the characters and the show.
A Writer's Trail – Chapter 10: Ready or Not Here She Comes
As the lock tumbles open, Hunt stands, shielding Castle from whatever is on the other side of the door while discreetly slipping his hand inside his jacket to the holster nestled against his side. Grasping the metal, he turns the knob, swinging the door forward so they can enter.
Both men startle at the sight of Kate Beckett, on her feet, Hazel eyes breathing fire, stalking towards them at an alarming pace. Her steps so brisk Hunt unconsciously tightens his fingers around the weapon now pointed at Kate.
Standing up straight, bracing his body for a form of combat, Hunt barely averts his eyes from the lethal detective headed his way, re-holsters the gun and turns to his son, "Richard, what have you done?"
Kate inventories Castle with a side-ways glance, heart faltering for a beat at the haggard outlines of his profile and the deep, dark circles under his eyes. Steeling her glare once again on Jackson Hunt. "It is not what Rick has done that you need to be worried about, Jackson. You need to be worried about what you have done and what I am about to do."
Stepping in front of his father, effectively blocking Kate's path, Rick envelopes her in his large frame. "Kate. Hey, it's okay. "
Kate clings to Rick, breathing in his scent, relishing for a moment the fact that she's found him, before wrenching free of his arms and marching straight into Hunt's vision. "Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have any idea what you have done? What you have put everyone who loves this man through?"
Hunt raises both hands up in front of him, stopping her from moving forward anymore. "Kate, I did what I had to do. If you would just calm down and let me explain –"
Her eyes narrowing to mere slits of hostility, Kate slaps his hand away. "You don't get to tell me to calm down. You don't get to tell me to do anything. And explain? You want to explain why you doing what you had to do, left me consoling a 20 year old girl who thought she'd lost her father? Or spending what was supposed to be my wedding night watching over a woman so distraught at the thought of losing her only son that she had to be sedated? Are you going to explain that Jackson?"
Castle watches the exchange with quiet awe. Even with Bracken he's never seen Kate so angry, so full of rage. Taking in her erect posture, the raging fight within her; like a mother protecting a cub, her fury is bared for all. He almost fears what she may do next.
A low rumble leaves Hunt. "I was protecting my family."
Turning her back on him, raking her fingers through her hair, she spins on him again and roars, "NO, NO, you do not get to claim anyone as your family."
Castle watches as Kate turns from Hunt again, catches the hitch in her voice, and her chest clenching with emotion. "This is our family and if you were a part of it or even knew the meaning of the word, you would know how the last three days have devastated his daughter, his mother and me. So you're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than protecting your family."
Rick can't stand to watch the scene unfold anymore. Kate's anger, hurt, confusion and strength propel him into her and he quickly gathers her in his arms once more. Arms around her back, her face pressed into his chest, he rubs placating circles along her spine as he whispers soothing words in her ear.
His words break through the surface of her rage as Kate holds on. Her breathing slows as he tries to calm her with his words and touch. Kate rests her head just above his heart, listens to its steady beat. Listens as his body convinces her that it's okay. For the first time in 3 days her body relaxes. Relaxes into him.
Castle holds her, until he feels the myriad of emotions drain down her body and out into the room on the whisper of an exhale. Using his right hand, he tucks it under her chin, lifting her eyes to him. "Hey. I missed you."
Hiccupping out a stuttered sigh, she lifts her hand to caress his face. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here."
Chuckling he leans in, sweeps across her lips in a gentle kiss. "Never had any doubt you'd come Kate. Told the man you're the best there is, but he didn't want to listen."
Her control returning, Kate hugs Castle and pushes off him as she spies Hunt starting to leave the room. "Jackson, what you've done is incomprehensible, not to mention illegal. You have two minutes to convince me not to kick your ass and haul you in under kidnapping charges."
Long strides take Hunt across the space, shucking his jacket off as he goes to hang it in the closet on the far end of the room. Coming back into Kate's line of sight, a smirk forms across his features. "Still as feisty as ever I see, Detective."
Leveling a deliberate glare at the older man, Kate jabs her finger in his direction. "You're a smug jackass, you know that? And, your charm doesn't work on me, so start talking."
Hunt turns, begins walking the short distance to the kitchen. "It's not an act, Detective. Just where do you think your boy there gets it from?"
Pursing her lips in a scowl, Kate looks up at Castle. "I can't even listen to him anymore, let's get out of here."
"Kate," Rick sighs, "you need to hear what he has to say."
Eyes widening, Kate can feel her anger bubbling up once more. "Seriously, Rick? What could he possibly say that –"
Entering the living room in the middle of their exchange, Hunt interjects. "Captain Fowler wants you dead, Kate." Holding up the files he grabbed from the other room, Hunt hands them over. "So, yeah, I'd say it's pretty serious."
His words make Kate shrink back, and she takes the files Hunt presents with caution. "What…what are you talking about?"
Stepping closer to her, Castle rests his hand in the small of Kate's back and begins rubbing tight circles. "Look at the photos, Kate. He's been watching us. He's been steadily coming after us for months now."
With trembling hands, Kate opens the files, perusing the glossy prints and pages of notes written out in precise block lettering across lined paper. ""Why would Fowler be coming after me? After us? This doesn't make any sense, Castle."
Hunt watches as Kate sifts through the information in her hand, sees the confusion furrowing her brows. "He's one of Bracken's men, Kate. The only one left and the one with the most to lose now."
Running her fingers through her long hair, Kate drops the files on the floor. "The last time you were here, you used us. Used the vulnerability of your son for personal gain. So forgive me, Jackson, if I have my doubts regarding anything that comes out of your mouth."
Jackson Hunt nods at the honesty of Kate's words. "I suppose I deserve your doubts, but maybe this is my way of atoning for my past mistakes, the only way I know how."
A bitter laughs escapes Kate. "For the record, some mistakes can't be fixed, or forgiven Jackson. And, Rick and his family? They were never a mistake on your part, but they should be your biggest regret."
Stunned at the intensity of her words, Hunt falters before responding. "I think…I think I'll have Richard explain it to you in his words. Maybe you'll hear what needs to be said in a language you understand better. I'm going to go out for a bit, leave you two alone to talk. All I ask is that you're here when I get back so we can all continue this conversation."
Silence hangs heavy in the air as Kate and Rick watch Jackson Hunt quietly walk out the door.
Once the door closes behind Hunt, Kate turns on her fiancé. "What the hell is going on, Castle."
Pulling her closer to him, Rick places his hands on both her shoulders and runs his palms down the length of her arms, he smirks at her. "I think my father wants us to be alone to, ah, celebrate your great detective skills."
Kate shakes her head, stepping in closer. "Castle, focus please."
Dusting the top of her head with a kiss, he gently tucks a stand of hair behind her ear. "Believe me Kate, I'm perfectly focused right now."
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Kate lays her head against his broad chest, lifts up to brush his jaw with a soft kiss and softly chides, "Not on me, Rick. Please tell me what's going on."
Gradually driving her body in the direction of the bedroom behind them, Castle pleads with her. "I will Kate, I will tell you everything that I know, but right now, my father is gone and I haven't seen you in three days. So, as much as I know you want the story, I need this first, we need this first."
*M rating starts now*
Castle observes his fiancée, watches as Kate struggles with her conflicting thoughts. Determined to alleviate her fear and her stress he leans in and kisses her. He loves her incredibly soft, deliciously sweet mouth and after several gentle kisses, her lips part invitingly.
She softly dips into his mouth as their embrace grows heated and desperate. His hands lift to her face to caress her cheeks. His right hand shifting down to her slender neck, he massages the velvety skin. His hand reaches beneath the top of her blouse and curls onto a bare shoulder as his strong fingers rub and knead the taunt skin. Her quiet sighs become louder, more insistent and she draws herself closer to his chest.
Castle wants to unbutton her blouse, get at the skin he has missed so much, burrow into the intoxicating scent of vanilla and cherries swirling around him. Instead he brushes his fingers over the swell of her breast, through her clothing, waiting. When she eagerly leans forward and presses herself against his fingers, he knows she wants this too. He begins at the top and slowly slips the white discs from the reinforced holes, listens as the material falls to the floor with a whisper, revealing purple lace. Guiding the straps over the contours of her shoulders, he uses his right hand to swiftly undo the intricate clasp in the back.
Trailing his hand ever lower on Kate's body, he finds the button to her pants, popping it open with nimble fingers and slowly dragging the zipper down, each tooth humming as the barrier separates. Sliding the material down her long, toned legs Castle lets the material pool at their feet.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he uses his bulk to back her up against the bed and gently lays her down, watching as arousal flares darkly across her features as their bodies align. Working his fingers under the seam of her matching lace panties, he slowly skims them down before rising up over her naked form and landing a searing kiss on her lips.
His tongue becomes a lover, stroking her mouth to ecstasy. By slow degrees, her hesitation ceases, her body relaxing, becoming pliant, molding itself to his, reshaping to fit his steely contours.
Kate moans in helpless surrender, as his tongue slides in and out of her mouth in such a sexual seduction her body seems to melt, becoming loose and supple.
His lips follow the curve of her breast and he lifts his head, visually devouring her nakedness. He cups one breast in his hand, playing with the dusky tip until it pebbles. Growling with gratification, he ducks his head, caressing the peak with his tongue, again and again, until Kate clings to him for support.
There isn't an inch of her that he doesn't taste - from the base of her throat to the curve of her waist to the backs of her knees to her polished purple toenails. Every new part eliciting a more vocal response.
"Castle."
"Please."
"Stop teasing."
Each kiss, touch and glide of his mouth and hands moving lower and lower, bringing her higher and higher. He can feel her arousal, as she writhes beneath him, her body moving, hands trying to find purchase in the sheets. Her soft cries for release echoing through the room.
"Oh God"
"Need you."
When he finally tastes the already damp heat of her desire, she tangles her fingers in his hair, arching her hips as the tremors shake her body. He feels each spasm as acutely as if she were connected to him.
He feels himself harden, straining against the confines of his boxers and pants, his body throbbing with want and need as he smiles hungrily at her. "I want you so much right now, Kate Beckett."
Lifting himself gently off of her, he shimmies to the end of the bed to stand before her. Watching her as she comes down from her high, eyes glossy, sweat curling the hair framing her face and a slightly shy smile gracing her lips. He wants more. He wants her. Quickly ridding himself of shirt, pants and boxers, he climbs the bed again, bracing both hands of either side of her head.
Curling a loose strand of hair behind her ear he breathes his truth. "I missed you."
Staring deeply into her eyes, Castle watches the leaping arcs of Kate's desire dance darkly across her features. Pressing a hungry, twisting kiss on her receptive mouth, he nudges her knees apart, settling himself heavily within the cradle of her thighs.
In one long, slow plunge, he is embedded between the stretching walls of her body. Kate, exhilarated by the feel of him moving within her, brings her legs up to accommodate him, locking her ankles at the base of his spine. Castle moans with carnal satisfaction, burying his face in the layered cloud of her hair which is spread out on the pillow.
Though it seems impossible, he delves deeper into her with each rhythmic push. She feels his muscles ripple against her hands which greedily draw him closer, higher. He kisses her temple, her throat, and, as his thrusts accelerate, her mouth.
After several minutes she clasps his head, holding it away from her. Her breath is choppy; her flushed chest rises and falls with each shallow pant, "I love you, I love you Castle."
Sparks of electricity jolt across her skin when he slides his hand low to where they were joined, circling her clit in tight, decisive spirals. He brushes his face against her nipples, once, twice, letting her feel his cheeks, chin, nose, and tongue against her body.
With his next deep thrust, her neck involuntarily arches up, body bowing, gaze faltering as she loses herself in his measured thrusts; her hips responding to his movements and talented fingers. His skin burns when Kate rakes her nails down his spine before she clutches his waist and grinding her body against his, she gives in and lets go.
Seized by a rush of sensation so intense she can't contain it, Kate bites her lower lip holding back a scream of pleasure when she feels, deep inside her the staccato spasms of his release.
Even in the aftermath he won't let go. Rolling to his back, he brings her with him, peppering kisses across her face, infusing her with his adoration.
"I love you Kate," he said, still breathing unevenly.
Neither know if it's seconds, minutes, or hours that they lay in a state of complete exhaustion. Rick is the first to move, sliding out of her heat and rolling to his side, propping himself on one elbow so he can watch her as she steadily tries to regain her breath.
As Kate drifts down from the heights of ecstasy, she whispers, "Rick, I never gave up. . . I always knew I would find you."
A/N Thank you to KG and Kellie for always taking the time to read and assist. Even with help, all mistakes are my own. Blame me.
A/N Thank you to every person who has read, reviewed, or is still following my first real multi-chapter story!