Disclaimer: The wording is mine but the characters aren't

OOOOOOOOO

It was unusual to feel his hip against hers as she walked. As a rule she never walked that close to anyone. Even her boyfriends. She began to get used to it and even enjoy it though, even when he would deliberately bump her. In retaliation she would pull on the cuffs and they would both stagger sideways, almost colliding with the corridor walls. Considering how often they did it, they probably looked drunk. She had done the same thing with Lanie, except the bumping had been far more low-key. It was so weird but so normal that she would be doing it with Rick now.

OOOOOOOOO

Wow.

She was watching his expression with a smirk. He tried to regain control over his face but was having trouble picking his jaw up on the ground and his mind out of the gutter. Despite being a male and supposed playboy, he had never bought one of 'those' motorcycle magazines. That certainly didn't stop the barrage of images assailing him now. And he hadn't even seen her on the bike yet.

Images of Kate Beckinsale in Underworld came to mind and he gulped again.

He could substitute his Kate into the same leather far too easily.

She was still watching him.

"You okay there, Ricky?"

"Uh," he swallowed. "Yeah."

"Uh huh."

He moved closer, trying to occupy his mind with something else. "It looks like it's in good condition," he offered offhand. "How often do you take it for a spin?"

"When I have the time and energy."

"So not often then."

"Funny."

"I try."

She stepped closer to run a hand over the handle bars, affectionately.

"So I guess I'm going to have to give you a few pointers about how to ride behind me," she finally said.

"Oh come on. We're not going to pull up with me behind you. Real Butch."

She smirked at that. "Yeah well, you can't learn to ride a bike in a couple of hours."

Her condescending tone convinced him to reveal something he had been keeping as a trump card.

"You know, I can ride. I even have my own bike."

Her mouth actually dropped. "What? You have a bike and didn't tell me?"

He lifted an eyebrow smugly. "Oh, I'm complicated." He mashed her into his side. "Maybe I'll be the one taking you for a ride," his voice was warm as it brushed across her ear.

She shook herself out of his grip. "Yeah right."

"No, I'm serious."

"About what?"

"You are not riding that bike."

She felt her mouth dropping again. Was Castle really going to tell her what she could and couldn't do?

"I mean it." To his credit he looked very serious. "Kate," he said standing face to face and holding her gaze, "you are a very attractive woman. I don't have to tell you that."

Do not blush, she told herself loudly.

"Then add a lot of black leather, attitude and that bike…"

What was that look? Possessive?

"What I'm trying to say is that I am going in as your boyfriend. You are mine. I have to protect my property. If you go in on your own bike with any independence at all to go with…" he waved his hands at her appearance vaguely. "I have to protect my honor and, by extension, yours. Let's just say that I want to make my way out alive."

She couldn't help the smoldering look she shot him as she played with the lapel of his jacket. "What's the matter Ricky, not up for a little action?"

"Not with every male in the gang."

"I thought you were a mans man."

"A man, yes. A superhero? No."

"We can pull it off," she said firmly still playing with his jacket.

"Confident much?"

"What, you think we can't?" she slipped her hands under the lapels of his jacket and skimmed them over his shirt.

He swallowed hard, trying to find any words. She was obviously still waiting for an answer.

"Acting won't stop bikers' fists from rearranging my face," he managed.

"Mmmm," she hummed, looking up into his eyes. He hadn't answered her question and she was obviously still waiting for an answer. She could see him becoming more uncomfortable the longer she held his eyes. It was actually nice to be in control of their staring contest for a change. Maybe because she was interrogating him, and she had made a career out of that. He knew all her tells and plays though so she continued to skate her fingers ever so lightly across his shirt to keep him off balance.

She heard him pull in a slightly shaking breath.

"What's the matter, Rick? Do you need a minute?"

"No."

"Really?" She moved even closer and leaned against him. This was already more contact than they had managed in their last attempt. Her hand skated up and she played with his lapel, considering letting her fingers slip inside the collar to caress the triangle of flesh exposed there. The heat of him was leaking into her and it lured her into something like a trance. Without even thinking about it, she let her fingers slip inside, while her other hand held him close to her. She was electrically aware that as she skated with her hand, his was drawn along as his fingers were wrapped lightly around her wrist, warm against her pulse. Her heart stuttered when that hand released her wrist to catch her exploring hand and gently removed it from his neck and held it firmly against his chest. With it sandwiched there, resting between his hand and his shirt she could feel every beat of his heart. She didn't know how something so innocent could seem so much more intense than the way she had been wandering only a moment ago.

"Kate," it was barely a whisper and right against her ear as she remained pressed up against him. She couldn't repress the shiver and felt goose bumps rising.

"Castle," she returned breathing it against his neck.

He used his free hand to take her chin and bring her eyes up to his.

She tried to avoid his eyes. Whatever was going through them would make this moment so much more. And she wasn't sure if she was ready for more. She wanted it. So badly. But just…not yet. If she looked into his eyes now, would she see the same hunger there? She wasn't sure she would be able to stay strong under the weight of both of their emotions.

"I don't need a minute, he said quietly, because I'm not going to get into character."

She jerked her eyes to his. What was that supposed to mean? His eyes were tight. She knew him so well, but she had a hard time placing this expression. Restraint, a little arousal and, what? Anger? She stared jumping to conclusions.

"Before I try the bad boy biker again"

"Nice alliteration," she interrupted with a smirk, trying to distract herself.

His eyes flashed darker and his eyes flickered briefly to her lips hungrily. She felt the beginning of a tremble.

"As I was saying," his voice husky, "before you meet him again, maybe you should spend some time with Rick."