Ok, I never planned to put out four chapters this week, let alone four days in a row, but my week unexpectedly opened up a bit, and instead of catching up on house work or working out, or even watching all the shows I have waiting for me on the DVR, I've been writing and reading and editing and writing some more. My plan had been to spend some time this morning, responding to all the wonderful reviews you guys surprised me with yesterday, but then I had an idea I wanted to get down before I forgot, and before I knew it, I had a complete rough draft of chapter 15 done and one for chapter 16 begun! So I figured, if I've that far ahead in my drafts... maybe I should quick edit 14 and get it out to you... so here it is! Please know that I cannot often put out chapter after chapter like this, but that when I can, I will!

Now I need to thank you again. I feel like I don't have the words to really express my gratitude for your wonderful feedback. I truly wish I could give you each a hug! The response to my last chapter was COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. As I mentioned, it wasn't one of my favorite chapters to write, but I think that was because it didn't come easily to me like a lot of the others have. I poured over the chapter several times before presenting it to you, but I couldn't figure out if it was what I wanted to do. Now that I've heard from you, I know going with my initial gut reaction was the right thing! Thank you! I was really afraid that you would find that chapter over the top and unbelievable, but I can see now that you agree with me that Rick is a true blue romantic, and that below all those walls and layers, Kate is too.

Now I have a question for you.. I've tried, but so far am unable to find out when Kate and Rick's birthdays are supposed to be. If you know, could you please PM me? I feel like I should know this, but for the love of me can't come up with anything. I only found the birthdays of the actual actors Stana/Nathan. But if anyone knows... it's you guys!

I still own nothing or no one, but maybe if I borrow them long enough, they'll forget I have them and let me keep them! Can't hurt to try right?

Happy reading!

Chapter 14

Rick woke up slowly. It took a minute, but as he got his got his bearings he realized three things. First of all, he was on the verge of sneezing thanks to the long wavy brown hair tickling his face. Second, his right arm, which was wrapped around Kate, was beginning to go numb because of the way her shoulder pressed into him. And third, the hand at the end of his tingling arm was holding a very warm, very soft mound.

Before he could stop himself he swept his thumb over the crest of the mound, triggering a nub to form and strain against the thin fabric. He couldn't help but smile.

The slight movement of his hand caused Kate to roll over onto her stomach, effectively trapping his hand between her breast and the bed. Giving in to temptation, he gave her a little squeeze. She felt so right in his hand, filling his palm nicely. Then he rolled toward her so that his arm wouldn't be at such an awkward angle and slung his leg over hers. His free arm, he wrapped snugly around her middle and held on tight.

This is the same position that they were in when Kate awoke several minutes later. It felt so nice to be cocooned in Rick's embrace. She didn't know if he was awake or not, and didn't try to find out, for fear that he would pull away. She closed her eyes and took account of all her senses. She could smell the tangy scent of his shampoo or deodorant or whatever it was that he had on. She could hear the rhythmic breathing of the relaxed, if not asleep, man. She could feel the weight of his large body on hers. It wasn't overpowering though; it was a comforting weight. She could feel the soft hair of his legs on her smooth ones. She felt the steady tempo of his heart beating as one with her own. She could feel the strength in his arms as he held her. Even while relaxed, the muscles in his arms were corded and taught.

First she felt one of his hands tucked under her side, fingers splayed, so that they reached from her hipbone to her ribs. Then she felt his other hand gently cupping her breast. A shiver of excitement coursed through her, giving her goose bumps and erecting both of her nipples. Up to this point, he'd never held her soft curves in his hands. She wasn't sure if he knew that he was doing it now. If this unintentional fondle had such a pervasive effect on her body, how much more intoxicating would his intentional touches be to her?

Kate worked to keep her breathing even. After last night, she knew that Rick probably wasn't ready for this level of physical closeness yet, and she didn't want him to break the connection yet. So she remained that way for quite a while just absorbing his warmth and strength.

Castle had a feeling that Kate had woke up, but if she didn't move, he wouldn't dare to either. Almost a half hour passed before he realized that he didn't have a choice anymore. His bladder was telling him good morning in no uncertain terms and he could no longer ignore it. Slowly he pulled his hands out from under her and then got up to go to the bathroom.

As he walked around the bed, he realized he was being watched.

"Good morning Sexy" Kate said is a gravely voice."Happy to see me?"

Castle looked down to see that his loose shorts were barely keeping him covered let alone hiding his current state.

"Of course I'm happy to see you!"

"Then why are you all the way over there?"

"I, uh, just had to um, you know , go..." He pointed to the bathroom.

Kate pinned him with a smoldering stare and pouted. "And here I thought I did that to you." She nodded towards his shorts to make her point.

"You did, but it's still morning and well, you know mother nature calls and all that." Rick escaped into the bathroom quickly before he said something really stupid. He took his time in there and even considered another cold shower. How was he ever going to keep things slow if she kept coming on to him. He was a nice guy, but still a normal, fully functioning one!

After splashing some water on his face and brushing his teeth he finally gathered up the courage to leave the washroom.

His first mistake was looking over to see Beckett. His second was not looking away.

She had thrown the blankets off and was lying on her side pretending to watch the news. That in itself was fine, but the fact that she'd removed his boxers that she had been wearing and had folded them up on the end of the bed meant he had a very pleasant and unobstructed view of her bare legs from the tips of her polished toes all the way up to just below the curve of her rear end where her blue jersey ended.

Without taking her eyes off the TV, Kate spoke to him. "At least this time, I know I'm the reason you're standing at attention."

Rick adjusted himself so that the elastic of his shorts held his traitorous member against his body. "Why did you take the shorts off?"

"I figured you'd want them back."

"You can keep them. Knowing you're sleeping in them is very hot."

Kate finally turned to look him in the eyes. "So you really do want me in your shorts?" She licked her top lip before biting her bottom one.

Suddenly Rick's mouth was so dry he could barely swallow. "You have no idea. It's harder than I thought it would be to take it slow. But I'm doing it for you.."

Kate sat up slowly, briefly giving Castle a clear view of the scrap of purple fabric between her legs. "I understand, and I appreciate it. I really do. And maybe you're right, but being here with you for the last two nights, has on one hand, gone by entirely way too fast, and at the same time has been so intense that it feels like we've been together much longer than we really have."

Rick took another step toward her, as if drawn by some invisible force. "Tell me what you want."

A brief glimmer of doubt flashed across her face before she answered. "I want to get to know you in a way that I don't already know you."

"Right now?"

"Do you have other plans?"

"No, and I'd cancel them if I did."

"Good."

She moved up to her knees and reached out to him. He took her hand and closed the distance between him. Their eyes locked for what seemed like minutes before hers finally fluttered shut and she brought her lips to his.

Before things could go any further, Kate's phone began to ring. Both Rick and Kate knew from the ringtone that it was Captain Montgomery and she couldn't ignore it.

Kate crawled off the bed to get her phone.

"Beckett"

"Um, no. To my knowledge we are are still snowed in to the hotel."

Kate went to the window to look out. A plow was pushing it's way through the street below, and people were snow blowing and shoveling sidewalks.

"Yes, Sir. I understand. The roads look like they may be passable soon. We'll be there ASAP."

"Good Bye."

Kate looked at Castle, "So much for that! We've got bodies. I need to shower. Can you get our stuff ready and find out if we can finally get out?"

Kate showered and dressed while Rick took care of all the other details including checking out. As they waited for the valet to bring his their car to the front, Lanie and Esposito appeared in the lobby as well.

"Back to the grind, huh?." Javier asked.

"Yeah, Captain said that three different plows around the city have uncovered bodies with a single GSW to the head. We may have our hands full for a while" Beckett replied. "I need to head home, change, grab my gun and we'll meet you at the first scene in 25 minutes."

Castle watched her carefully. All traces of fun, carefree Kate were gone. In her place, stood a hardened NYC homicide detective. He could only hope that it wouldn't take too long for him to get his Kate to come out from behind her walls to play again.