Chapter Eleven

The sound of a phone ringing somewhere snapped Kate awake. "What?" Sitting up, she realized she'd fallen asleep on Castle's bed, wearing only her beach cover up. A soft throw was now covering her legs and there was a wicker tray on the bedside table, complete with its own steaming teapot, so obviously she'd had a visitor recently. Stretching and rubbing her face, Kate looked at the clock on the dresser. Almost seven. She'd only meant to close her eyes for a minute, but instead she'd passed out, that is, napped for nearly an hour. Checking out the tray, Kate picked a tea bag from the assortment provided and prepared a cup of Earl Grey. There was also some fruit and a piece of wheat toast spread with what smelled like Nutella. Taking a bite, Kate realized she was ravenous, and devoured the toast while gathering her clothes for the evening. She brought the tea into the bathroom and examined the large, high-end shower, wondering if she was going to need operating instructions for all the nozzles and settings.

Forty-five minutes later, Kate Beckett felt like a new woman. Looked a bit like one, too, in a hot London Times silk dress cut a few inches above her knees, her skin glowing with today's sun. Considering that Rick had already seen her naked, she had decided to go with the sexiest underwear she could find. The strapless quarter cup bra supported her perfectly while leaving her nipples bare. {Castle should be gifting Lanie with a spa package for talking her into that.) Then there were lacy panties and garter belt to match. Sexy silver shoes that consisted of a few straps and high heels, along with some silver jewelry that tied it all together. Her lips still looked a bit puffy from this afternoon's activity, so she merely accentuated the effect with a lip pencil. She did her eyes dark and smoky and only a tiny bit of blush. (Rick kept her face flushed too often, one way or another.) A touch of perfume here and there, and…

"Kate? The car's here."

Beckett took a last look in the mirror, grabbed her purse and wrap, and headed downstairs.

Rick was standing near the front door when he saw Beckett descend the stairs. Eyes wide, he watched his detective send him a smile as she descended towards him in a short, fitted number that only covered one shoulder, her hair pulled back from her face, but still falling down her back. The little plum colored dress showed off her body, her long, sexy legs drawing his eye. By the time she arrived at the bottom of the staircase, Castle was appreciating the view afforded by a daringly low cut neckline. Clearing his throat, he managed, "You look incredible, Kate."

Beckett's eyes were shining, and her expression approving as she studied him in turn. 'Everyday' Rick Castle was hard enough to resist, but dressed to the nines in a crisp white dress shirt, silver grey tie and a sleek, black, designer suit, he was practically heart-stopping. "Wow, Castle. You could give James Bond a run for his money." Noting that the contrast of white shirt against his tan skin tone accentuated the deep blue of his eyes, Kate felt the butterflies in her stomach take wing. She reached up to touch his jaw, feeling how smooth his skin was. "And you shaved." Allowing herself to run her thumb over his lower lip, Kate swallowed hard. Tonight was going to be incredible. Incredible and cruel.

Gazing down at her, Rick appeared slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, I uh, didn't want to cause you any discomfort… I noticed something earlier," here his finger touched the place on her breast that had shown signs of irritation, "but it seems fine now. More than fine, actually." He looked up with a smile, his finger stroking lightly.

Involuntarily, Kate shivered, her skin erupting in gooseflesh. Stepping away from his touch, she pulled her wrap around her shoulders. "Nothing that a little makeup couldn't cover. But I appreciate your consideration. As much as I like that whole bad boy look on you, I didn't bring any turtlenecks." Letting him take her arm, they stepped out into the mild, evening air.

Settled in the back of the hybrid town car, Kate looked over at Rick with raised eyebrows. "All the time I've known you, you've been dying to drive and now that you can, you take a service?"

"Yes, well. It wouldn't do to have my date arrest me for driving under the influence, now would it? The Moonsail has an awesome wine selection and I plan on indulging us both. Besides, on the ride back, I may want to have my hands free and my attention… undivided." Castle's facial expression spoke volumes, making her bite her lip. How could he still make her blush after what had happened by the pool?

They were making their normal small talk, laced heavily with innuendo as usual, when Rick gradually got quiet. Turning to see what was wrong, she studied his profile as he stared out the window. He appeared to be having an inward debate about something, so Kate waited in silence for several minutes until he turned back to face her.

Taking her hand in his, Castle found himself saying, "Look, Kate. I really hope you like what I have planned for tonight. I mean for our date, the dinner, and all." Reconsidering, "Well, for everything, obviously, …." He actually looked nervous. "It's just that, there's been so much build up. 'High expectations' doesn't even begin to cover it. And now we're finally here, at this point in our… relationship. I just don't want to let you down. 'Anti-climactic', has never been a description I cared for, but in this case, I think it would kill me." He had more to say, but Kate stopped him with a hand against his lips, shocked that for all his seeming confidence, he could still harbor such doubts.

Kate's gentle fingers against his mouth halted the outpouring of his fears, long held but never acknowledged, much less stated aloud. Expecting amusement or teasing, Rick was surprised to see her eyes glisten with some emotion. Shaking her head and smiling gently, she just whispered, "Castle, you've already won me. There isn't anything left for you to prove. Whatever happens tonight, or tomorrow, I'm here because I want this. I want you.

I've spent two long years fighting this "attraction", trying to ignore what my body and my heart and everyone around me was telling me. And do you know why?"

She took a deep breath, hating to admit this. " Fear. Fear of being hurt, of being disappointed, fear of ruining what we already have." Kate's eyes challenged him. "Lanie said it last night, 'life's too short for if's and maybes', and she's right. Like it or not, I'm… I'm 'all in'. And I'm counting on you to be 'all in' as well." She hesitated and then rolled her eyes. "That came out dirtier than I meant it to. Great. Now, I even sound like you."

Chuckling, Rick hurried to assure her in a low voice, "Oh, I am all in, way in. Deep. As deep as you'll let me." Smiling now, "There's just no way to say this stuff without it sounding X-rated. Guess I'll never have a career writing greeting cards."

"I think that's for the best."

Content, he kissed the hand he was holding and looked back out into the deepening dusk, before adding, "By the way, the "ifs and maybes" thing is a direct Mal Reynolds quote, not Lanie."

"Then it's actually a Joss Whedon quote, since Mal isn't a real…"

"Don't say it!"

"Person."

The Moonsail was an unusually striking structure, consisting of cantilevered wood and glass levels, laid out asymmetrically. Seen from the road, it resembled an abstract version of one of those tall masted clipper ships, complete with billowing canvas sails flapping in the light breeze. Once inside, Kate was delighted with the atmosphere, casually elegant, and warm from the highly polished wooden rafters and beams that mimicked spars and masts. The all glass exterior gave the place an airy, open feeling as well as providing lovely views of the beach and ocean. Taking an elevator to the second floor, Rick was greeted warmly by a maître D', who escorted them to a fairly private table on the ocean view side of the restaurant. A small band was playing old classics, while a few couples danced in front of them.

"So good to have you back, Mr. Castle. I was afraid we would miss you this season. How is the charming Miss Alexis?"

Rick answered the maitre D's questions, asking after his family as well before introducing Kate. Taking her hand, the man, whose name was Dominic, kissed the back of it, smiling with pleasure. "So, I see now why you were so meticulous with your instructions for tonight. But you will be very pleased, I am sure of it. Our new chef is excellent and we have had nothing but rave reviews since she came. I hope you have brought hearty appetites?"

"Actually, a few hours ago I tasted something delicious by the pool, but it only whet my appetite for…ouch… more." Castle jerked slightly at the sharp kick he received under the table. "What about you, honey? Hungry?"

"Famished. I hardly had a chance to swallow anything before you spilled it all over me." Rick choked on the water he was sipping and Dominic felt as though he was missing something. Kate patted Rick on the back as she confided, "I was really only just getting started, too."

"Yes, well, I'll send your waiter over then, shall I? At your service, Mr. Castle, Ma'am." The maitre D' turned away with a puzzled look. Americans.

"Fair warning, Castle. You may make me blush, but I can give as good as I get," Kate threatened, amused in spite of herself.

"Don't I know it. Found that out this afternoon, too." Before Rick could take things further, a far too handsome young waiter arrived at their table, introducing himself as Da-vid, pronounced with a European accent. Giving the wine menu to Castle and a food menu to Kate, he leaned over to rearrange the place settings on her side of the table. Glancing up at him, Rick caught the waiter checking out Beckett, slyly looking down her dress, before meeting his gaze. Hiding a frown, he said, "Since you have a new chef, we'd be happy to hear your recommendations for dinner, Da-vid. Then we can consider our wine selection."

Orders taken, the young man left to find the wine steward as Rick looked at Kate with fresh eyes. Having known her as the ultra- competent and deadly homicide detective for several years, it was fun to see her anew, as others saw her. Beautiful and sexy, no doubt. Quite the conquest, if that was what you were after… but only he knew the back story that made her a whole woman. An extraordinary woman, who was about to be his in every way. Or from what she'd said in the car, maybe she already was. He could hear his mother in his head, saying, "don't screw this up, Richard." Like he needed any more pressure.

Wine poured, Rick noticed that it required three servers to bring appetizers, and watched two linger to refill Kate's water and wine after she'd taken a sip. And then, when he was finally getting Beckett to talk about her childhood, their ultra suave waiter interrupted to top her wine glass off for like, the fifth time. Meanwhile, his own glass was down to the dregs. Obviously, some guys didn't care where the tips came from.

As David left the table, Beckett had to ask. "Castle, do you get this kind of service everywhere you go or did you pay the waiters extra to get me drunk? Because, believe me, it's not really necessary….?"

Refilling his own wine glass, "Yeah, I know that. Pretty sure they're after a different pay off." To her raised eyebrows, "You're a stunning woman, Kate. And, um, well, the view from above is pretty spectacular tonight. I couldn't help but notice myself. I've been debating whether to growl at the next waiter or offer you my jacket."

Kate looked skeptical, but decided to test his theory by taking a few sips of wine and pushing her appetizer away. Immediately, David and another server swooped in to top off her glass and remove her plate, making her chuckle.

"Growling it is." Rick stood up, wondering briefly how to scold waiters for doing their job too diligently, when Kate stood up as well, and grabbed his hand.

"I thought you wanted to dance with me tonight. And, I like this song." Pulling him away from the table, she drew his arms around her and looked up into his face. "They can look, but only you get to touch." After a brief hesitation, that got his attention. Castle allowed himself to be distracted and turned his focus onto her, smoothly moving into a dance step. The band was playing "Just the Way You Are" and she snuggled into his embrace, inhaling the mild scent of his cologne. "You smell nice."

Waiters forgotten, they danced through the song and the next one, the Beatles' "Something", but when the first notes of "I Want to Dance with Somebody" sounded, Kate was ready to . Except that Rick held her in place, grinning and pushing her into a jitterbug step, swinging her around playfully. Rick Castle did the jitterbug? She had to ask…?

"Used to do this with Alexis. Dads have to teach their daughters to dance, you know." Pulling Kate in for a sexy move, he added, "Of course, I'm changing things up with you." Worried, " That's not the kind of thing that seems creepy, is it?"

"Actually, it's the kind of thing that makes me want you." Letting go, Kate let herself be twirled and jived, until the song ended and Rick made a misstep, leaving them laughing as they weaved back to the table.

David was serving their entrees when the band began, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and someone shrieked. People were murmuring and everyone turned to a nearby table where a somewhat plain- looking young woman was holding her hands to her mouth as her date knelt down at her side. Clearly proposing, the unfashionably dressed man was having some difficulty with the words, but everyone watching could see what the answer would be. With tears streaming down her face, the girl tugged him up and they kissed, while most of the restaurant goers applauded, even as some of the more upscale diners rolled their eyes.

Kate was curious to see Rick's reaction, still not certain where he came down on the whole marriage issue; but she was pleased to see his eyes were slightly moist and his mouth smiling, before he turned to her. Squeezing her hand, he said, "I 'll take that as a good omen." She could only agree.

Their meal was incredible, but Kate could barely eat a thing. And feeling his eyes on her through the dinner, she was fairly sure Rick wasn't appreciating the cuisine either. By now, the electricity between them was palpable; to the point that even the waiters had backed off. Castle was the one who poured the last of the wine into their glasses, asking her with a look whether she wanted anything more. Shaking her head, she ruefully placed her knife and fork down on the plate and sipped her wine.

Instantly, Castle signaled the overly attentive David. "Are they set up?" Receiving an affirmative nod, Rick took her hand and gathered her things.

"Are we going, then?" Not entirely sure she appreciated being rushed away either, she crooked her eyebrow as Castle led her to a doorway that appeared to lead down to the beach.

"Nope. Just 'phase two.' Dessert, if you'd like, and champagne. And a bit more…. privacy."

Once outside, they took a wooden stairway down to a patio, where graceful topiary trees were illuminated by thousands of tiny, twinkling lights and the smell of the ocean was clean and bracing. Someone was playing a soft jazz trumpet from an open, canopied tent, while Rick led her to a lovely table by the railing, lit by candles and adorned with pale, blush colored roses.

"What is this?" Kate smiled in wonder as she turned around, taking in everything. "Are you trying to seduce me? Because…it is so working."

Castle grinned, "Always." Pulling her to him, he kissed her softly. "This is where I thought we would dance. Alone, where I can kiss you and hold you the way I want to." He was putting that into practice when Kate craned her head around.

" But we aren't alone, that's live music…. "

"No. Yeah, you're right. I couldn't get Chris Botti, he's on some world tour or something, but I got the next best thing. "Bottilicious"; and they are actually pretty good. Plus, I made them promise not to watch . Are you familiar with his music?"

"I've heard of him, but… all this is just for the two of us?" Kate looked out at the beach, waves shining under a large waxing moon and at the table for two, champagne chilling in a bucket.

Seeing that she wanted to get her bearings, he moved away to open the bottle of Vueve Clicquot, popping the cork neatly. Holding out a champagne flute, he toasted, "To… tonight. And, us." Chris Botti's "Lisa" was playing.

"To us." She touched her glass to his, tasting, then drained hers. Smiling, Rick poured her another, loving how turned on she looked. They both took another sip before Kate put the glass down and surrendered to him. Taking her into his arms, Castle moved them slowly around the patio, holding her eyes with his. Reaching up, she loosened his tie, then pulled it from around his neck. "You should be comfortable. Let me just unbutton your shirt a bit." Several buttons later, Kate pressed her lips to his neck and down his collarbone. Now, it was his turn to shiver.

"Um, if you'd like something sweet, there's an incredible chocolate mousse on our table." Rick waltzed them back to the railing and picked up his champagne. Kate looked amused, but uncovered their dessert dish. Ignoring the spoons, she scooped some mousse onto her forefinger and stuck it in her mouth, closing her eyes in pleasure. Downing his wine, he watched her taste it again, before she brought him some chocolate on the same finger. The mousse was luscious, but sucking on Kate's finger was definitely doing more for both of them than any chocolate could. They were feeding each other tiny dollops, mostly focusing on one another's mouth, when the strains of a new song came from the tent.

" Ah. We need to dance to this." Rick pulled Kate to him and placed one of her hands on his shoulder. He tried to ignore her quizzical expression as they moved, but that raised eyebrow wasn't going away. "What? You don't like Bryan Adams? or "Robin Hood"? She smiled and shook her head affectionately. Determined to win her to his way of thinking, Rick sang softly in her ear, " Search your heart, search your soul. And when you find me there, you'll search no more."

Sighing, "No, no, no. Castle. That is totally unfair. You can't possibly sing in my ear."

Evidently, he could. Kate ended up clutching his shoulder, hard. "How much is a girl expected to take?" She tried ineffectually, to push him away. Rick finished the song's chorus against her neck, "everything I do, I do it for you." Heart beating like a drum, Kate Beckett decided she needed a timeout. Difficult enough to have him breathing on her neck, his erection pressing into her from time to time, but singing ridiculously romantic lyrics into her ear? Under the stars, on a beach, with hot jazz music playing? Topping it all off… Castle could actually sing. His voice was …bloody hot. At this point, Kate considered that cheating. Her nipples had been hard so long they were aching, and a major sign of her arousal was slowly making it's way down her thigh.

"That was …wow. I, uh, I'll be right back." Looking around to him, she warned, "And they'd better not be playing "Tonight's the Night" when I return."

Rick downed his champagne while watching Kate walk away, and ordered another bottle; then he attempted to distract himself by talking to the band. "First off, forget "Tonight's the Night", that's a stupid song." Then, "You guys ever need a celebrity/ guest singer?"

Returning to the private patio, Kate joined Rick at the band's tent, where he introduced her to the talented quartet she'd been nearly swooning to. Eyeing her appreciatively, the boys asked if she had a request. Stuck for a minute, all she could think of was, "I've Had the Time of My Life"?. "No, wait."

Before she could retract it, Castle sounded a "Oh yeah! And then, my special request." Rick handed her another glass of champagne before he twirled her away to do some semi- dirty dancing. Breathing heavily, they both stopped to wet their throats for a minute, when the band began a new song….

A lovely, hauntingly wistful melody came from piano and trumpet, stirring Kate enough to take Castle by his lapels and drag him up for another dance. "Oh, my god, this is nice. What's it called?" She pretty much melted into his embrace.

Drawing her closer, Rick whispered, "A Thousand Kisses Deep." He lowered his mouth to hers, and for the long remainder of the song, the two merely kissed softly, mostly swaying instead of dancing. Too many sweet, long kisses, and Kate began to feel dizzy. That, and Rick's hands were wandering slowly over her body, caressing places that put a hitch in her breathing..

By the time the song ended, Kate was done pretending. "Castle. I mean, Rick. Tonight has been the most romantic…magical date I could imagine. But, if you don't take me home right now and …"

Rick was pulling his cell phone out before she could finish, "fuck my brains out? I'm going to have to hurt you."

"I'm kind of fond of your brains, but…my wish is your command. Or vice versa." To the car service. "We're leaving." Grabbing Kate's wrap, his coat and the nearly full bottle of champagne, Rick took her hand and led her away. As they passed the band, Rick stopped to say thanks, and tell them to wrap it up.

"But, dude, Mr. Castle, you hired us for the night. Are you gonna want a refund? 'Cause we kinda spent that." About to send them home early, Rick reconsidered, having a better idea.

"You know what? I think we know someone who will appreciate your music almost as much as we have. Just hang out for another hour, and then keep the rest as a bonus."

Back inside the restaurant, Rick made some arrangements with the maitre D', including picking up the tab for that newly affianced couple, adding some champagne and a car service home. Kate wrapped her arm around his, saying, "Wow, Castle, you are such a big softie!"

Looking shocked, he gave Beckett a raised eyebrow, followed by his classic smirk. "I dare you to say that to me when I get you home." Reconsidering, "Well, you can keep the 'big' part." Shaking her head with amusement, (and breathing deeply), Kate followed him to the happy couple's table.

For a long minute, neither one even noticed that they had company; until Castle cleared his throat and offered his hand in congratulations to the young man. "We just wanted to wish you well. And share some of our good fortune with you. Dominic has a little surprise for you two, if you follow him down to their private patio. And, best wishes for your future."

The girl reached out to touch Kate, "Why would you do that? We don't even know you."

"Well, Rick's a romantic, and he's generous. And kind. And, we're, um, celebrating, too, kind of." Please don't ask what, she sent subliminally.

"Yeah, he's also hot," the young woman stared at Rick, before turning to her man, trying not to make comparisons in her head. Kate turned to look at him, getting a glimpse of what this young woman saw, and found herself going back to the first time she'd met him. At a book signing, nearly six years before she'd had to pull him into the precinct for a case. In her head, she'd always referred it to a 'sigh'ning, because of the idiotic, fan girl way she'd responded to his looks and charm. He'd seemed pretty interested in her too, until someone had dragged him away with an important call. From someone named Alexis, now that she thought of it. Talk about a near miss. She'd had some awesome dreams after that…

Still replaying a scene from the remote past, Kate came back to the present when she heard the fiancé ask, "So, are you two married?"

Kate, "No."

Castle, "Not yet."

Meeting her raised eyebrow with an innocent look, " What? It's our signature line, right? Plus… look how this turned out."

She had no reply to that. To the couple, "Request the song, "A Thousand Kisses Deep." And order the chocolate mousse."

They were on the way out of the Moonsail, passing through the lobby when they came upon their waiter, David, apparently on a break. He gave Kate a thorough once over with his eyes, before drawling, "Leaving us so soon?"

Having a bit of fun, Beckett gave him a seductive look. "You boys were so … sweet. But right now, I need this man to tear all my clothes off." Grabbing Castle's arm, she dragged him toward the doorway.

Leering at her gleefully, Rick turned back to Da-vid , rubbing it in, "Work, work, work."

I decided at the last minute to separate this into two chapters, but since I'm posting them both at the same time, I hope you don't mind that they seem shorter now.