On Monday morning, Kate got to her office to find Lanie sitting outside it, leaning back in her chair, looking absolutely delighted. Kate flushed. "Good morning."
"I know your first lesson's not until ten. So I'm here to discuss what I have spent all weekend considering," Lanie informed her archly. "At least you seem to be walking okay."
"Lanie!" Kate rolled her eyes, unlocking her door. "Are you trying to get me fired?"
"Please. You couldn't get fired if you tried." Lanie followed her inside, settling on the couch as Kate shut the door behind them. "All right, Kate. Dish. I want to know everything."
"Well, I did laundry yesterday."
"By which you mean you let Rick Castle back you up against your washing machine and -"
"Lanie." Kate couldn't help but laugh.
And blush hotly, because that was exactly what had happened.
"Kate, come on. Tell. I'm not leaving until you tell."
Kate sighed, setting down her coffee, leaning back in her chair. "All right. Fine."
"So you went to the opera on Friday, right?"
"All we did Friday night was kiss."
Lanie blinked. "Wow. Really? You didn't just - climb right aboard?"
Kate shot her a baleful look. "I have some self-control."
"Apparently not too much, based on what I saw on Saturday." Lanie leaned forward, her eyes dancing. "So how was he?"
Kate bit her lip, trying not to grin like an idiot.
Lanie let out a chuckle. "That good? Really?"
Might as well just say it.
"He was amazing."
"Toe-curling, headboard-shattering, obscenity-screaming?" Lanie prodded. Kate dropped her head onto her desk, groaning.
"Yes, yes, and yes."
She was still sore.
She was eating yogurt at her desk between lessons when there was a knock at her door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Castle poked his head inside. "I'm here for my ocarina lesson."
"I only teach noseflute."
"Damn. Struck out." He stepped inside, grinning at her as he pulled the door shut. "Hey. How are you?"
"Good." It's an understatement. She can't stop smiling, and it looks like he can't, either. "How's your day been?"
"Quiet." He dropped heavily onto her couch. "My agent sent over some offers for next season, so I've been looking at productions, schedules, scores."
"Anything interesting?"
He nodded. "I've alway been interested in doing The Ballad of Baby Doe, and Covent Garden's looking at putting it on next spring. Could be fun."
Kate smiled, setting her chin on one hand. "Makes sense. I think 'Warm as the Autumn Light' would be a good aria for you."
"I've loved it since grad school." He folded his hands on his lap, looking smug. "Now, I don't have a clever segue here, but this weekend was amazing."
She blushed hotly, because as charming and boyish as he could be, right now Rick Castle had a wolfish look in his eyes. Like he was imagining what fun they could have right there on the couch.
And now she was thinking about it, too. Because after what he'd done to her on her couch on Saturday -
"Yeah."
"I mean, really amazing." He grinned self-consciously. "I admit, I've been having trouble concentrating on anything today."
"So have I," Kate murmured, biting her lip. She'd completely zoned out during her first lesson of the morning.
"I thought about sending you flowers, but I thought maybe that would be too intrusive."
She raised an eyebrow. "So you thought it was less intrusive to just show up?"
"I...might not have completely thought it through," he admitted. "So - I know we're rehearsing this evening. Can I take you to dinner afterwards?"
"I'd like that."
He stole a quick kiss before she pushed him out the door, insisting she had a whole string of lessons coming up. "Castle. Go. I'll see you later."
He leaned in, and she thought he was about to again - her eyes flickered shut, her whole body going slack - but instead, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Maybe you can stay over tonight? I'd love to see what kind of underwear you've got on today."
He nipped her earlobe teasingly and headed out the door, leaving her flushed, smiling, and so very, very glad she was wearing red lace under her clothes.