Kate chuckled at the priceless expression on Castle's face. It was a comical blend of shock, wonder, and arousal. He eventually forced his gaze away and took a long swallow from his wine glass.

When he looked back up, she was walking, no, sauntering, away from him toward the table. "Where…" He took another sip to coax his vocal cords out of paralysis. "Where're you going?" She gave him a long look over her shoulder. Her lips curled into a teasing smile.

"Why, to set the table for dessert, of course. What sort of hostess do you think I am?"

He tried using his wit, hoping it would distract her from the dazed 'Oh-my-god-this-is-the-most-amazing-thing-to-EVER-happen-to me' look that was no doubt on his face. A man needed a little dignity, after all. "Dessert, huh? We seemed to have skipped dinner…"he quipped.

"Gee and I thought it was the secret wish of every inner child to have dessert first. But if you'd rather be sensible, who am I to argue?" The fabric of the skirt flared out as she twirled and headed back toward the kitchen, purposefully avoiding him. She moved toward the slow cooker on the counter.

"No, no, if the hostess has a plan, far be it from me to mess with it." When he formed the words in his head he was still trying to convey suave confidence, but the slight tremble gave it an undertone of 'please-go-through-with-it-I'm-begging-you'. To hell with dignity, apparently.

Kate grinned then, and for a moment he could swear he felt the warmth of the sun, though the fiery orb had already passed beyond the horizon. She returned to the table and rested her tush on the edge, then with a little hop up she slid so that the backs of her knees were flush with the wood. She tapped the empty chair with her toe. "Please. Be seated," she murmured graciously.

He carried their wineglasses over to the table and carefully set them down, before removing his jacket and shirt. "I don't think a napkin in the collar is going to suffice, do you?" he asked with a wink and smoothly slid into the chair she'd indicated. "The dry-cleaner has looked at me funny ever since the honey incident. Wouldn't surprise me if he's writing a tell-all. He could call it 'Dishing the dirt on celebrities'…Hey! I could offer to help him write it, that way I could keep myself out of it," he rambled. He was faced, literally, with this amazing offering and he was overwhelmed, at a loss as to where to begin.

"What's the matter, Ricky?" Kate purred after a moment of his stillness. Deciding to take matters into, well, her own hands, she slid her hand up her ribcage to one icing-coated breast. Grasping it, she pushed it upward and bent her head. She fought the smile at his incredulous gasp as he realized what she was about to do. She darted her tongue out and traced a path down to her nipple once, twice, again, until a clean line of skin appeared. "It's really good. You should try some…"

"You know there's a part of me that might be content to just sit here and watch you do that all night. Then again," he continued hastily as she made to repeat the move, "I'd hate to miss out, seeing as you worked so hard to prepare this for me." He grasped her waist and pulled her toward him, his hands warm, or to be more accurate, hot, on her sides. He decided to continue where she'd left off, his tongue broad and flat against the sweet coating on her skin, wiping it away. He was going to end up with a serious sugar buzz at the end of the night. One more reason the wine was a good plan, the mellowing effect. He felt the goose bumps popping up under his hands as cool air met her moistened skin. Her fingers flexed on his shoulders. He latched onto her nipple and worked his tongue over it, alternating circular patterns with up-and-down flicks. Leaning back away from her, he drew the flesh out before releasing it from his lips. She shuddered slightly, her hands digging into his arms, keeping him close.

Kate gasped when he set upon her again, this time following the delicate lines of the 'straps' she'd drawn on by making his tongue spear-like, applying pressure to erase the line in one pass. God, the man was talented once he rose to the challenge. When his mouth reached her shoulder, she cradled his chin and urged him up for a kiss, tasting the sweetness on his tongue. Once their mouths were fused, something seemed to snap in Rick. He stood up and pressed her back so that she lay on the table. He leaned over her, embracing her lips with his, before drawing away. He looked in her eyes and then down to the other, still-coated breast, then to her mouth. His gaze was both hungry and uncertain. He seemed to be weighing his choices, wondering if one if his desires was a choice, and if it was, which approach would get him there. A take-charge order might work, she sometimes responded well to that. On the other hand there was humble request. He really did want…

"Do it again," he heard himself say, his voice husky. Apparently his 'take-charge' persona was doing just that. He only hoped it had good reflexes, in case she wasn't in that sort of mood. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. She blinked slowly and when the lids fluttered up again, 'Naughty Kate' was most definitely looking back at him. Both hands floated up from their relaxed pose on the table, where they'd been enjoying a well-earned rest since weaving through his hair during the kiss. Delicate fingers, pale against the dark brown frosting, cupped and held the flesh fast while her head came up to meet it. This time she skipped the tongue play and went straight to suckling herself, made tiny smacking noises as she enjoyed both the treat and the sensation.

The strain on her neck forced her to drop her head, but not before she'd exposed the pink nipple. She heard Castle growl and move toward her. She started to drop her hands away but he pressed her fingers down with one hand to stay her, make her offer herself to him. He had another agenda in mind for his hands, clearly, as one found the bared breast and the other began to tug at the hem of her skirt. It slid up the inside of her leg. She watched his face, saw his eyes slam shut when he discovered her other surprise of the night. Under the skirt there were no obstacles between his skin and hers, not even hair.

He withdrew his hand and studied the skirt's waistband. When he met her gaze his eyes were nearly indigo with desire. "Wrap-around," she whispered, in answer to his unasked question. Nodding, he found the tie and easily worked it free, sweeping the fabric back. He ran his hands over her curves reverently. "I thought you might like a chance to show off those feats of lingual dexterity." Seating himself once again, he grasped her thighs to hold her still.

Kate gasped as he did, indeed, demonstrate his skill. He slid one finger inside her, then a second, while his tongue worked magic over her. Finally she could stand no more. "Now. Oh God, Castle, NOW."

He made quick work of his pants and briefs, fueled by her desperate whimpers. He grasped her leg, tenderly kissing her calf, then rested it on his shoulder. He repeated the sequence with the other leg, then drove himself into her. The unique angle made her cry out, arching her back in ecstasy. He pressed in with thumb at the point of their joining, massaging in tiny circles in counterpoint to his thrusts, until her inner muscles contracted around him. Only then did he allow himself release.


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