A/N1: WELCOME to the 12 Chapter titled 'First Date'
Rick left the 12th somewhat reluctantly left the precinct and made his way back to TriBeCa, entering the warm lobby of his apartment building just as Martha and Alexis got out of a taxi on the sidewalk both laden down with bags. He ducked back outside a wide grin on his face to help his daughter and mother with all their new purchases.
"You're outside!" Martha exclaimed, in surprise.
"And you're not a caveman!" Alexis chimed in. "You and Kate made up, didn't you?"
Rick grinned.
"Yup we did," he said, hauling half a dozen bags onto each arm. "Thanks to Ryan and Esposito though."
"So what happened?" Alexis prodded as the three of them made their way into the lobby and to the back of the foyer to the elevator bay.
"Well about three hours after you and Grams left I was woken up by this pounding on the door and someone leaning on the doorbell. I got up and it was Kevin and Javier and they pushed me into the loft and made me shave, clean up and get dressed." Rick explained, pressing the 'up' button. "They threatened to arrest me if I didn't comply so I did and they took me down to the twelfth and made me wait in the break room. Then when they brought Kate in they figuratively banged out heads together. Words and apologies were exchanged and now I have a date with the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on."
Alexis squealed like a fangirl.
"Oh Dad that's awesome!" she exclaimed happily as Martha cast her eyes skywards and muttered. "About time!" "Where are you taking her?" she spoke up.
"Valentinos," Rick replied. "It's a nice restaurant, classy but not hoity toity. I think she'd like it. I ordered a limo when I was in the taxi coming back home and plan on picking her up at seven; we've got a booking for eight. So you two ladies are going to have to spend a night without me."
"We don't mind Richard, when it comes to that gorgeous girl you have to do things properly," Martha said as the elevator arrived and they all climbed in. "Do things right with Kate and she'll be your one and done."
"She already is Mother, I know it." Rick replied earnestly, as the doors slid shut and the elevator began ascending towards the top floor. "That I'm one hundred percent sure of."
"Have you got a Christmas present for her, Dad?"
"Not yet pumpkin, I really have no idea what to get her." Rick confessed, as the elevator climbed higher still. "And it's only ten days til Christmas. I've picked a great time to do last minute shopping."
"You'll figure out something Dad, you've always been pretty in tune with Kate...something will pop up." Alexis assured her worried father.
"And if in doubt honey, get a diamond. After all they are a girl's best friend." Martha declared, airily.
"If I get her any jewellery, I want it to be something she can wear on the job," Rick told them, as the elevator arrived on the top floor. "Like the bracelet I got for her birthday."
"You'll find something Dad," Alexis told him, patting his back, confidently. "Now want to see what Grams and I got her for Christmas?"
"You need help with what?" Lanie asked. "Hello to you too by the way."
"Yeah, yeah, hi," Kate replied hurriedly. "I have some news!"
"I know Javi texted me and said you and Writer Boy made up," Lanie said with an amused chuckle. "And he also said you were kissing so hard you ate each other's tonsils."
Kate rolled her eyes.
"Your boyfriend exaggerates," she groaned. "We weren't kissing that hard, yes lots of tongue, tons of tongue but no tonsil eating that might be later on after our...date."
Lanie squealed so loudly Kate had to yank her phone away from her ear.
"You've got the first date?" the M.E screeched, excitedly. "Oh honey that's awesome! About freaking time! Where are you going? What are you wearing? Are you going to get jiggy with it for 'dessert'?"
"Yes," she confirmed, bitting down on her bottom lip. "I have the first date, no idea where he's taking me. I'm wearing my red off the shoulder dress and no definitely not about getting jiggy with it for dessert," Kate said, firmly. "I don't do it on the first date, even with my one and done. My standard is a one month minimum, if he can't wait that long then it's not going to work. You know about that Lanes."
"Well New Year's Eve is coming up and that would be a perfect time to get busy with it," Lanie suggested, with a giggle. "I have big plans for a certain Latino detective that night."
"Okay, now that is something I definitely didn't need to know." Kate groaned. "So who wins the bet now?"
"Sorry what bet?" Lanie played dumb.
"Duh, the bet about when Castle and I would start dating," Kate replied, dryly. "I'm not stupid, Lanie. I know you and the boys have bet on my love life for months...ever since Josh and I ended things."
"Oh, we're not betting on you two anymore, Kate." Lanie responded, seriously. "After your birthday party when things went from champagne to shit, we donated the pool to the Injured Officer's Guild. After that big argument you and Castle had, we suddenly realised it probably wasn't the right thing to do. Though now that you've made up, someone might start a pool about when you'll get married."
"Ha!" Kate exclaimed. "Lanie, Rick's only just asked me out on the first date. I doubt he's going to propose any time soon. I wouldn't want him to anyway; we're still really new in the whole relationship thing."
"Uh huh, well maybe we'll put that bet on the backburner for twelve months," Lanie said, in an amused tone. "Well I'm super happy for you Kate, Writer Boy is the one for you, just let him know if he dares hurt you...there'll be three people out for is blood, alright?"
Kate couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah I know thanks Lanie, you're the bestest friend," she said softly. "I'll be in touch alright?"
"You better be girlie!"
For the rest of the day, Rick fussed about the loft passing the time til the limo would come and him up to take him to Kate's. He tried to sit down and write but the resultant material wasn't appropriate for even the worst of fan fiction sites, so he took to running on the treadmill and hanging around Martha and Alexis who had taken over the dining table and were trying to wrap Christmas presents.
"Richard darling, start getting ready for your date, you're being irritating." Martha scolded as Rick peered into a bag that appeared to be stuffed with tissue paper. "The limo will be here soon and you're starting to smell of stale sweat."
"Yeah Dad, this is supposed to be a secret present wrapping operation," Alexis insisted, pulling her father's hand off a gaudily wrapped box and pushing him in the direction of the master bedroom. "Go and get ready, the sooner you go, the sooner you'll get home and the sooner Grams and I can grill you about how it went."
"You're going to grill me?" Rick asked, amused.
"Darling, you know we will." Martha said. "Now-get ready!"
Over the next couple of hours in her apartment on Eighty First Street, Kate was doing an equal amount of fussing. She washed, dried, waxed, plucked, primed and primped her entire body before applying her makeup and perfume. Paris her favourite fragrance, and slipping into her just above the knee length off the shoulder red dress and strappy silver five inch heeled sandals.
She was just adjusting the silver clip holding up her brunette tresses and casting her eyes over her reflection in the mirror when a firm knock came at the door.
On the other side of the door, Rick stood nervously bouncing on the balls of his feet a singular long stemmed red rose in his hands. He could hear the faint buzzing of a radio and the rhythmic tapping of Kate's footsteps as she approached the door. His nervousness progressed from pleasant butterflies to almost vomit inducing flip flops but that all disappeared when the door opened and Kate appeared, a soft smile upon her face.
"Hey you," she said softly, stepping aside. "Come in, I've just got to get my purse."
Rick stepped inside and held out the rose.
"This is for you," he told her, softly. "I'm a bit broke so I can only afford one."
Kate laughed, humorously. "Ha ha," she replied, taking the bloom and inhaling the scent "Mmmmm, I love roses."
"You look beautiful," Rick whispered, lifting up a hand and cupping her face in his palm "Wow."
Kate blushed and stepped forward.
"You're looking pretty dashing yourself Mr Castle." She countered, leaning in so their lips were only centimetres apart.
Rick was about to lean down and press his lips against Kate's, when she took the initiative. She threaded her fingers through his hair, raking his scalp with her carefully manicured nails and kissed him with so much passion and intimacy her momentarily forgot where he was. Her tongue came out and pressed against his lips, he opened his mouth instantly making their kiss more intimate.
"Mmmmm, detective. I could do that all night but our ride awaits," Rick murmured, pulling back and kissing the nape of her neck.
"More later?" Kate breathed, looking at him through heavily lidded eyes.
"As soon as we get into the car if you like," Rick replied, as her body gave a little involuntary shudder against his. "Go and get your purse."
"Hang on; I have to put this in water, back in a sec."
Kate went into the kitchen and put the rose in a tall drinking glass of water before going into the bedroom and retrieving her silver clutch purse. She returned to the door where Rick was watching her with total adoration.
"You really do look beautiful tonight," he said, taking hold of her hand and kissing each knuckle on it. "Wish I cold see you like this every day."
"Well that wouldn't be very practical, would it?" Kate chuckled as they left the apartment and she pulled the door shut behind them. "These heels wouldn't be very practical to arrest anyone in."
"Neither are the boots you usually wear and you seem to manage on those," Rick joked as she locked the deadbolt. "You're a badass cop, you could arrest someone in a bikini."
"Oh you'd love that, wouldn't you?" Kate said dryly, tucking her keys into her clutch purse and taking his hand again.
"You know what I'd really like to see you arrest someone in, but let's wait til at least the second date before I go there," Rick said, with a grin, as they walked down the hallway to the elevator. "I just want to drink you in tonight that dress is my favourite."
"I'll lend it to you sometime then," Kate giggled as she squeezed his hand. "I have to say I think red would suit you rather well," she teased.
"It would, but I am not walking into the precinct wearing your dress," Rick said in amusement. "I love you, to the ends of the earth and back but I don't love you enough to wear a dress."
"Not even for me?" Kate whispered in his ear, seductively. "Behind closed doors?"
Ever so slightly Rick felt his blood flow head straight for his groin.
"Not even behind closed doors, sweet stuff," he groaned, pressing the 'down' button as they arrived at the elevator. "I'd do most things but nothing that involves women's clothing, unless of course you want to tie me up with your scarves."
"Oh I would use my handcuffs for that," Kate said with a smirk. "But no manky mattress or warehouse and definitely no tiger."
"Not a feline version anyway," Rick muttered.
Kate pushed Rick up against the wall of the elevator and kissed him, languidly.
"I can get a plush tiger, if you like." she whispered, nibbling on his lower lip.
"Nuh uh, no tigers," Rick responded, moaning, as Kate ran her nails up and down his back and kissed his neck. "Kate, I love what you're doing, really. I do, but you're creating a little problem. I don't want to go to dinner with my package the size it is."
"We could stay in." Kate purred.
"We could and as much fun as we could have, I know you don't go that far on a first date," Rick said, reluctantly pushing Kate away. "Let's wait til it's the right time for us huh? I want to see you outside the twelfth, not in cop mode, I want to see the real Kate Beckett."
Kate kissed him once more and pulled away.
"You're entirely too sensible Richard Castle." She said with a smile, as he watched her, his ice blue eyes wordlessly boring into her green ones.
Rick suddenly burst into laughter.
"I never thought you, Kate Beckett, would ever say those words to me," he sniggered. "If we weren't on our first date, a time I want to keep private and between us I'd so tell the Rysposito monster that on Monday morning."
Kate rolled her eyes and gave him a half hearted dead arm.
"You're a pain in the ass," she said dryly, as he drew her in for a hug. "We're not telling those two...shit."
Rick chuckled.
"You're cute when you're embarrassed," he told her, kissing her forehead. "But I know given the first opportunity, you'll go spilling to Lanie."
"She's my best friend, I have to," Kate giggled. "It's an unwritten rule between girlfriends Rick. She gave me all the goss on her first date with Javier."
"Good, anything I can use to tease Esposito?' Rick asked, jokingly.
"Nope, what's said between Lanie and I stays between Lanie and I," Kate said as the elevator reached the ground floor. "It's the sisterhood code."
"Ah the dreaded sisterhood code now that I've heard of," Rick joked, as they stepped outside and made their way outside to where the limo was waiting for them. "Okay I'll drop the subject and then we can talk about what a fabulous night we're going to have."
"You hired a limo?" Kate exclaimed, in surprise as they made their way outside and approached the sleek black vehicle. "Damn, I was kinda hoping to a ride in the prancing horse."
"You're complaining about a limo?" Rick asked in amusement, as the chauffeur opened the door for them. "Most women would like the whole romanticism of a limo you know."
Kate climbed into the gleaming vehicle and slid across the back seat.
"I love the romanticism of a limo, I just love your Ferrari too," she said in amusement as he joined her. "See you can't do this in your car."
And with that, Kate climbed into Rick's lap and lowered her lips to his, kissing him passionately. He slid his large hands up her muscular thighs and responded enthusiastically.
"God I love you Rick," Kate breathed between heavy and languid kisses. "I can't believe we waited this long, it's stupid."
"I don't care we waited so long, I care only that we're together now." Rick responded, huskily. "God, now my little problem has become a big problem."
"You have no control Ricky," Kate whispered, sucking on the nape of his neck. "Would you like me to stop?"
"No, hell no...but if you don't I'm going to need a change of clothes." Rick moaned as Kate brushed her hand over his 'problem.'
Kate slipped off Rick's lap, biting her lower lip in a sexy pout that did nothing to help Rick's current 'situation.'
"Monday morning is going to be so hard." She complained, fastening her seatbelt.
"How about I take a day off to settle things down a bit?" Rick suggested, lacing his fingers through hers. "I haven't written anything but bastardised fan fiction for weeks, I really should stay home and get something done."
"Let's see how things go, hmm?' Kate suggested, squeezing his hand. "But the boys and by extension Gates know we've made up now, so they might think it suspicious if you don't come to the bullpen on Monday."
"Gates knows we're sweet now?"
"Yeah she actually took me aside today and wished me well."
Rick's eyes rose sharply in surprise.
"Gates, Victoria 'Iron' Gates wished you well?" he exclaimed in surprise "Are we talking about the same woman here?"
"Yeah we are," Kate admitted, grinning.
"But why?"
"She's more like us than you'd think Rick..."
"How?"
"Twenty years ago she had just moved from Narcotics into Internal Affairs when she was paired up with an older detective that had transferred from IA in the L.A.P.D. She told me he was a wiseass, sarcastic bastard with the reputation of being a ladies man that had enough self confidence to do the entire NYPD twice over and she found him to be the most annoying pain in the ass she'd ever met and that included her two brothers." Kate began explaining.
"But things started to change and she started to fall for him even when she was with other guys. But he persisted even when she pretended she wasn't interested and she gave in and allowed him to woo her and, well eventually he won her over, they dated, got married and had six kids. The youngest one Charlotte is five years old. She supports us Rick, she told me to go for it, give us a chance."
"Holy shit," Rick muttered. "That's a history lesson."
"She said to me 'I think Castle is a massive pain in the ass but he loves you, is loyal to you and helps you be a better cop. I want him to stick around because he's good for you and your team. Keep him safe Detective, forgive him when he does something wrong or pisses you off to the point of wanting to strangle him. He's your soul mate and work partner and therefore the most important person in your life, just don't let me catch you two getting it on during work hours or I will go to the Mayor' she then dismissed me."
Rick laughed heartily.
"Well who would've thought, Iron Gates a big ole softie." He chuckled.
"So I've decided that yes you're a pain in the ass, wiseass. But I love you. Whatever bad things we come across whether they are personal or work related we'll overcome them. I can't guarantee we'll never have an argument, that's almost guaranteed but we'll get over them and deal with any shit okay?"
A massive lump formed in the back of Rick's throat and his eyes suddenly became scratchy.
"Okay,' he replied thickly. "C'mere, gimme a hug."
Kate leaned into Rick and allowed him to pull her into a one armed hug. Rick kissed the top of her head and inhaled her cherry scent which always calmed him.
"God you smell out of this world," he murmured, lowering his lips to her ear and kissing the sensitive spot behind it. "I want to remember your scent forever."
"Paris and Garnier Fructis Cherry Bomb," Kate said in amusement. "Keep a bottle of both in your bathroom and you can take a whiff of it when you want."
"I'd rather stick my nose in your hair and inhale." Rick whispered in her ear as he trailed light kisses along her shoulder til he came to the little dip in her clavicle.
"Well that's going to be inconvenient if we're in the middle of interrogating a suspect," Kate breathed, as he began sucking on her skin. "Castle! If you keep on doing that you're going to leave a massive hickey and everyone at the precinct on Monday is going to give me hell."
"It's winter wear a scarf," Rick murmured, suckling on her neck in earnest and cupping her right breast in his hand. "Or you could show my handiwork off, show that you belong to someone. Show that you're mine."
Kate let out a moan of desire at Rick's pronunciation of 'mine.' Her stomach swooped with anticipation, arousal pooled between her legs and or the first time in her life she was seriously considering breaking her 'No Sex on the First Date' rule.
God Monday morning is going to be so hard.' She thought as he trailed his fingers up and down her leg tickling her sensitive skin. 'Damn you for being so attractive.'
"What are you thinking about?" Rick asked, softly pulling back and lacing his fingers through hers.
"I'm thinking, that come Monday I'm going to have to use more self control than I ever have used before in my life not to run into the bullpen and jump up and down to tell everyone what a fantastic night I had." Kate said with a snort.
"You'll manage, I have confidence in you." Rick replied softly.
"We've reached our destination Mr Castle," the driver called, his voice slightly muffled through the thick velvet curtain that separated the driver from the passengers.
"Awesome, thanks."
"Okay, we're here. Now is the time to behave yourself detective." Rick teased as the limousine came to a stop.
"Me, behave myself?" Kate exclaimed. "Oh I am so going to pretend you didn't say that."
"C'mon darling girl, dinner awaits!"
After a long casual dinner where many a covert look and barely there under the table touches were exchanged, Rick and Kate left Valentinos and got back into the limousine.
"We are definitely going back there," Kate declared, cuddling up to the author as the limousine started forward again. "Wish it didn't have to end."
"It doesn't, I've got one more thing planned," Rick said with a relaxed sigh. "It's a surprise and a little cheesy but I think it's pretty romantic."
"We're not going on a cruise through the dodgy parts of Harlem are we? Because I didn't bring my gun," Kate joked.
"Ha, ha, no we're sticking to Midtown." Rick assured her. "Then like a proper gentleman I am going to escort you back to your Castle."
Kate couldn't help it and let out an amused snort of laughter. "Very funny" she said, dryly. "So where are we going?"
"That's a surprise."
"Come on, don't tease me, where are we going?" Kate asked.
Rick's upper lip twitched in amusement as Kate's voice took on a pleading tone.
"It's a surprise," he repeated. "S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E you'll find out soon enough."
Kate scooted a little closer to Rick and placed long languid kisses on the nape of his neck.
"I can't convince you?" she purred, trailing her hand down his muscular chest and abdomen to his crotch. "I can be VERY convincing, you know."
"I have no doubt and as great as that feels, no you can't convince me." Rick repeated, his voice catching in his throat as she massaged his inner thigh. "Jesus Kate..."
Kate's green eyes glinted with mischief as she sensed his resolve slipping.
"I love teasing you Ricky." She said in a whisper, nipping his earlobe playfully.
"And I love frustrating the hell out of you." Rick countered grabbing her hand and pulling it from his crotch and putting it on her knee. "Behave Detective."
Fifteen minutes later the limousine pulled to a stop.
"Ah we're here now," Rick announced cheerfully, as the chauffer opened the door for them. "C'mon Little Miss Cranky Pants."
"Castle, stop being a pain in the ass." Kate retorted, trying and failing miserably as he got out of the limo and reached in to grab her hand. "Where are we and wh-Ooooohhhh."
Kate got out of the limousine and immediately cut herself off as her gaze fell upon two magnificent white heavy horses hitched to a jet black opened toped carriage. One horse was particularly eager to get on with the job and was pawing at the ground with its steel shod hoof.
"I thought we could take a little ride before I take you home." Rick said.
"But Rick, it's the middle of winter and its freezing." Kate said as she wrapped her coat more firmly around her slim frame.
"I know but they have blankets we can wrap around ourselves and these awesome heated leather seats like in the Ferrari," Rick said, enthusiastically as they strode toward the horses. "Aw come on Kate, let's do this."
Kate rolled her eyes.
"I saw your eyes light up when you mentioned the heated seats," she said dryly. "You lit up like you do whenever you're going on about a new iPhone app, technology turns you on I swear."
"A lot of things turn me on darling girl," Rick murmured, as the driver opened the little door on the side of the carriage. "One day you'll find that out."
Rick climbed into the carriage after Kate and immediately reached for one of the angora wool rugs on the opposite seat, throwing it over their legs and tucking it in. He then threw the largest of the rugs around their shoulders. Kate snuggled into him and sighed happily.
'He may be an irritating pain in the ass sometimes like Gates said but I wouldn't have him any other way,' she thought as the driver climbed into the drivers seat directly behind the two horses hitched to the carriage. 'Lanie is going to squeal like a pig when I tell her about this.'
"Okay I have a game I want you to play." Rick told her, as the driver clucked to the two horses and the carriage started forward with a little jerk.
"That sounds dangerous."
Rick laughed.
"It's not I promise," he assured her. "It's called thirty questions and it's really a drinking game but we have no Vodka and some of the questions aren't really appropriate for a first date, the aim is to find out more about you what makes you tick okay? You're more than welcome to ask me the same questions okay?"
"Go on." Kate replied, not entirely convinced.
"Tell me a drunken story about you." Rick began with a grin.
Kate rolled her eyes.
"You think I have more than the one I've already told you?' she said dryly.
"Of course you do, I know you do," Rick responded with a grin. "You went through a wild child phase, and wild kids have loads of drunken stories."
"Got me there," Kate admitted. "Well apart from the time Dad had to pick me up from a club in SoHo when I was seventeen, I got kicked out of a Metallica concert when I was nineteen. That was on on my first College Spring Break because I was crowd surfing with my boobs out."
Rick roared with laughter. "You are a badass." he chortled.
"What about you?" Kate inquired.
"Oh easy, when I stole that police horse and rode off on it naked, I was off my face on Covoisier." Rick said. "Okay question two...Favourite TV show."
"Bones," Kate answered at once. "And CSI New York, Gary Sinise is just sex on a stick."
"I thought you were a ruggedly handsome mystery crime writer type?" Rick asked. "Not the la did dah, thespian type."
"I go for both types," Kate whispered, teasing. "You?"
"Anything murder mystery related, I love the BBC shows like the Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Midsomer Murders and any of the David Suchet Poirot shows," Rick said. "For my birthday Alexis got me the entire Midsomer Murders boxed set. Best present ever."
Kate's belly flip flopped pleasantly as she saw Rick's face light up at the mention of his daughter.
'I wonder what he'd be like with our kids? OUR kids? God did I just say that?'
"Okay next one, what does the last text message you received say?" Rick pressed on.
"Well I'm not reciting it word for word but I can say it was from Lanie urging me to 'have a good time." Kate revealed, rolling her eyes.
"Okay this ought to be fun, give me a list of all the concerts you've been to."
"All of them?" Kate repeated. "But I've been to dozens."
"Top five then," he answered.
"Okay, Michael Jackson, the History tour show in L.A when I was thirteen. New Kids on the Block when I was twelve, Mom got me front row seats to that gig. Bon Jovi with my first boyfriend when I was seventeen and just starting my wild child phase, Backstreet Boys when I was eighteen and a once off Van Halen show at Madison Square Garden about six months before I met you." Kate recited, from memory. "Lanie and I went to that one and literally bought every piece clothing memorabilia on the merchandise stand but I lost it all when my apartment blew up."
"You're a Van Halen girl?' Rick exclaimed, in surprise. "Oh that's a turn on."
"You seemed to be easily turned on Writer Boy." Kate teased, grinning.
Rick lowered his lips to her neck and brushed them across the bright red love bite that had formed on her creamy skin.
"I'm easily turned on by you detective," he murmured, chuckling as she squirmed against his ministrations. "Okay next question..."
Kate groaned and half heartedly slapped his arm.
"Damn you I was enjoying that." She huffed as he withdrew his lips from her hypersensitive skin.
"Patience darling girl, there's plenty more where that came from." Rick responded, his ice blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "Okay, favourite song."
"I don't really have a favourite but I do have a thing for Rascal Flatts at the moment," Kate admitted. "But Fields of Barley by Eva Cassidy is the most played on my iPod."
"Interesting that means you're a softy romantic at heart," Rick told her. "Okay here's an interesting one, craziest thing you've ever done."
Kate let out an unladylike snort of laughter.
"You haven't got enough time for me to tell you that story," she said snuggling into him further. "Next question."
"Hey you're not going to get away with that," Rick insisted. "Come on, craziest thing you've ever done, mine was pinching the police horse and riding off on it naked."
Kate rolled her eyes and burned the deepest shade of magenta.
"I am not telling you that," she muttered. "And nothing you can do or say will convince me."
Rick lowered his lips to her neck and began nibbling on her skin.
"Nothing huh?" he whispered as one of his hands drifting down to her thighs and tickling the sensitive skin just under the hem of her skirt. "You absolutely sure about that? I can be very convincing."
Kate could feel her resolve slipping as Rick's fingers danced up her thigh.
"I'm sure you caaaaaaaaaaaannnnnn," she moaned. "Rick not now!"
"Tell me the craziest thing you've ever done and I'll stop," Rick countered. "If you don't your whole neck is going to be one big love bite."
The writer emphasised his point by running the tip of his tongue along the shell of her ear and inching his fingers ever closer to the lace of her knickers.
"Alright alright alright!" Kate exclaimed. "When I was twenty and still at Stanford, I did a nuddy run streak at the last football game of the season. I did somersaults, cartwheels and this little dance routine. The only thing I was wearing was a pink glitter Santa hat."
Rick burst into laughter.
"Any chance of you re-enacting that for me one day?" he asked, with a snigger.
"Maaaaaaaaaybe," Kate replied. "Okay I'm really getting into this next question."
"What turns you on?"
"Castle!" Kate exclaimed, turning bright pink. "I thought you were leaving out some of these questions because they were inappropriate for a first date?" she questioned.
"I have," Rick said with a grin. "In what way did you think I meant turned on? Sexually? You naughty, naughty girl, Katherine Beckett your mind is in the gutter."
Kate rolled her eyes, skyward.
"I didn't mean sexually though, I wouldn't complain if you did go there," Rick continued on with a hearty snigger. "No, I meant in general. What gets you going, enthuses you about life-etcetera."
"Oh okay then, well loyalty, respect, patience and tolerance." Kate reeled off. "I demand that from everyone, all my friends and all my family. You, Javier, Kevin and Lanie are the four people I couldn't live without. If I've got you four I'm happy, and I mean truly happy."
Rick engulfed Kate in a hug resting a kiss to her forehead.
"That's all I want for you Kate," he murmured. "I just want you to be happy."
After an hour long carriage ride though Manhattan, the horse and cart dropped Rick and Kate back at the limousine. The driver took a photo of the pair with Rick's iPhone with the two horses then the writer bundled his date into the limousine and took her back to her apartment on eighty first.
"I'll be back down in a few minutes," Rick told the chauffer.
"Yes sir," he responded.
Rick slipped his hand into Kate's and laced his fingers through hers and together the pair made their way into the lobby.
"I don't want the night to end," Kate told him, somewhat petulantly as they headed toward the elevator. "This has been the best first date ever, I've had the best time Rick...thank you so much."
"Let's do it again," Rick said, at once. "Before Christmas, something Christmassy, we can go ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza, look at the Madison Avenue lights. Maybe even catch a show on Br-"
Kate silenced Rick by putting her index finger on his lips.
"Shhh," she said softly. "Let me organise it, you took me out on the first date it's my turn to take you out on the second one deal?"
Rick kissed her hand softly.
"Deal." he agreed slipping his arm around her waist.
Moments later the elevator arrived, Kate and Rick made their way up to the third floor where Kate's apartment was located.
"Okay I agree. I definitely don't want this night to end." Rick confessed, drawing Kate close for a hug.
"You can come in if you like." Kate whispered, pressing her lips against his.
Rick returned the kiss enthusiastically roaming his hands up and down her back and kneading her backside like raw bread dough.
"Not tonight," he murmured, once they'd pulled apart. "It's too soon, one day I will, but not on the first date. I don't want to ruin things. If I come in now...well I respect and love you too much to go there so soon."
Kate's insides turned to a huge puddle of mush. God he was so chivalrous!
"Okay, can I at least get a goodnight kiss first?" she asked, biting her bottom lip alluringly. Something she knew drove him crazy.
"I don't think there's any doubt about that, detective."
And with that Rick seized Kate's lips with his; kissing her with all the energy and passion he could muster. She in turn grabbed his jacket lapels and pushed him up against her apartment door, moaning loudly as the motion raised the hem of hr skirt and gave him more bare skin to run his fingers over.
"Kate, Kate, Kate...we've got to stop!" he groaned, a full minute later pulling back to consume some much needed oxygen. "Seriously we have to stop."
Reluctantly, Kate pulled back, her green eyes darkened with lust and her lipstick smudged in such an erotic way Rick was half tempted to ravish her in the most intimate way right there and then in the hallway.
"Not on the first date," Rick whispered pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Both of us are too good for that, soon but not tonight."
Kate sagged against him.
"You're a seriously awesome kisser Richard Castle," she said with a giggle. "You made me think things I haven't thought about in months."
Rick's eyes sparkled.
"Great, we've got material for sexting then," he said with a chuckle. "Go on, get inside then you can get on the phone and tell Lanie all about tonight. I know you want to."
Rick laughed as Kate went bright pink. She was cute when embarrassed.
"Let me know when you've gotten home safe okay?" she requested, rummaging around her purse for her keys.
"I will, I had a great time tonight Kate, better late than never huh?"
"Definitely, see you at the 12th Monday morning?"
"You will, I love you."
"I love you too."
They exchanged one more heated kiss in the hallway before Kate found her keys and disappeared into her apartment leaving Rick standing outside her door on his own.
After a quick highly un-choreographed happy dance, he spun in a circle and punched the air.
"Yesssssssssss!" he hissed, skipping toward the elevator. "Awesome awesome night, writer man!"
And with that Rick made his way out of the apartment building and into the limo the stupidest of stupid grins spread across his face.
