Chapter Twenty Nine

Kate snuggled into Rick's chest; listening to his heart and breathing slow down. He kissed her forehead as he continued to caress her exposed skin.

Rick pulled back a bit. "Not that I am complaining but when did I get so irresistible?"

"I missed you when you were gone all day and at the risk of inflating your ego even more, you get more irresistible to me every day. I learned today I could probably live without you but I don't even want to try anymore."

Rick wanted to jump up, dance her around the room and shout his happiness to the world. Instead, he pulled Kate closer to him, kissed and nibbled her lips completely before invading her mouth. He would twirl her around the dance floor instead and no one was cutting in on them tonight.

"I'm all yours, Kate, always." The grin on his face slowly changed to an evil gleam. "I knew I'd win you over. I'm just surprised it took four years. After all, I am Rick Castle, a ruggedly handsome, rich and famous best-selling author. All the smart journalists, my fans and now even you agree I am totally irresistible."

Kate pulled at the whiskers on his face when he tried to kiss her again. "You are going to be insufferably pleased with yourself for days."

"OWWW!" Rubbing his chin, the smile still remained. "Oh, at least that long and I may just keep you in my bed all day and night...or at least until Alexis gets back."

"Oh no Mister, you promised me dinner and dancing. Just wait until you see what I found to wear tonight."

"Oooooo, something very short, black and sexy!"

"I bought a skirt and top for dancing, not a naughty nightie. Get your mind out of the gutter. Behave Rick, or if things do work out with Lanie and Espo, he won't need my room and you could sleep alone tonight."

Rick pouted adorably. "Fine! I don't hear any noise from the pool area, so the battle must be over. If they didn't drown each other, I wonder who won."

"With any luck, they called a truce and are in peace negotiations right now. Lanie has been so unhappy since they broke up. Thank you for getting them back together and for ending the feud between Javi and Kevin."

"I just got them talking, they did the rest themselves but I'm glad things are getting pretty much back to normal. I want everyone to be as happy as I am. In case you haven't figured it out by now, you make me happy, so happy. I love you, Kate."

"Right back at you, writer man!"

"I really hate to interrupt this. It's so rare that I don't have to share my time with you but depending on where you would like to wine and dine this evening, I'll need to make reservations. The dance at the Marina usually starts around nine. So is there anything special you'd like to eat for dinner, my love?" Kate turned to face him and smiled but said nothing. "Katherine Beckett, dear God, please don't look at me like that or we really won't make it out of this room. I am not on the menu...at least not until later tonight, then I'm all yours. For now, would you like a steak, something Italian; I know, Chinese."

"You're kidding! There is actually a Chinese restaurant in Hamptons?"

Actually, there are several small take out places but there is only one very unique and exotic restaurant, complete with waterfalls, palm trees and a menu that includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai. It has Tiki torches outside and bamboo chairs inside. The waiters wear Hawaiian shirts and the bartenders make some of the wildest and strongest drinks you've ever seen or tasted."

"If they have scorpion bowls, Lanie will definitely want to go there. Maybe I should call her rather than making you go knock on her door and...interrupt things. Can you talk to Kevin and see if they are up for Chinese or do they want something else to eat?"

/

Everyone had worked up an appetite, so within the hour the men were showered, dressed and impatiently waiting downstairs as the ladies finished dressing. Jenny came down first in a pretty blue embroidered tank dress. Kevin walked over and proudly took her arm. Lanie followed in the coral halter top dress and walked into Javi arms. Rick looked up to see a pair of endless, sexy legs slowly descend the stairs, the rest of her was covered in jade and cream lace. He stared open mouth as Kate sauntered her way over to him, taking her hand he kissed it and then expertly twirled her into his arms. "You're stunning, Kate. I feel like I'm underdressed. Ladies, you all look beautiful. Javi, as promised here are the keys to the Ferrari. Kevin, do you want to drive your own car or would you like to drive with Kate and I in the SUV."

"I think we'll come with you, not sure I could find my way back here, especially in the dark."

"I'm not sure either, so I'll probably be right behind you on the way home, at least until we hit Seashore Road." Javi put his arm around Lanie's waist. "Then maybe we'll stop by to look at the beach by moonlight."

"I can't wait for all of you to see this place. Shall we?" On the drive, Rick told Kevin and Jenny about some of the wilder drinks and dishes. Kate eyes went wide as she saw Tiki torches lining the driveway to the front entrance. The restaurant looked like it was plucked from the Hawaiian Islands, palm trees, huge carved figures of wood on the front wall, a waterfall that fed a coy pool. The doorman placed a lei on Kate, Lanie and Jenny, then opened the huge doors for the group. Kate's jaw dropped seeing the elaborate décor continued inside with bamboo tables and fan back chairs and the hostess in a grass skirt.

Once they were seated and everyone stopped looking around, Lanie opened the drink menu. 'Yes! They have scorpion bowls. We'll take one of those and six straws. OK I'm happy now, you can order the food."

However deciding what food to order wasn't quite so easy. Each person wanted to try several things. Castle was amused but settled the problem by letting each person pick a few items. "We will just have one very large doggy bag." As they waited for dinner, the waiter brought over what looked like a giant clam shell, the inside was filled with ice and a huge glass bowl filled with fruit, fruit juices and lots of rum. He handed everyone a very long straw.

Lanie took a sip and her face broke out in a huge smile. "Now that is one damned fine concoction."

Kate took a sip. "Wow! That is strong, how many bottles of run is in it? We finish this and we may not be able to walk, let alone dance later." The waiter also brought over tea and some of the appetizers they'd ordered. Rick noticed that Kate drank more tea than the rum drink, so he did the same.

Everyone enjoyed the leisurely meal, laughing and swapping drinking stories, telling tales of vacations they had gone on and places they wanted to go. Rick seized his opportunity. "There is waterfall in the bar, we go by it on the way out and it has kind of become like a wishing well. What would you wish for..." he tried to looked around casually and stopped "Kevin and Jenny."

"Hell, that's easy! A new apartment." Kevin looked at Jenny who reached for his hand. "The lease is up on the apartment we have now at the end of August. The landlord is turning the building condo. I've already started looking but there are not many places left in my area that rent and those that do are way out of our budget."

"We tried looking for a house but the down payments they want...we'd need to hit the lottery." Jenny leaned over to kiss Kevin's cheek.

"Yeah, we saw this small townhouse in Soho, it was perfect...but we are still paying off the wedding bills."

Lanie and Javi nodded in understanding, they both rented and it was hard trying to save up for a house. Kate looked over and caught the gleam in Rick's eyes. She reached over to turn his head towards her but he shook his head and whispered "Later." She could almost hear him thinking very loudly beside her. What was he up to? She caressed his fuzzy cheek and smiled at him. He was excited about something. She hoped that one day she could know and understand him even half as well as he knew and understood her.

"This was great but I can't eat another thing. Any chance we can get a doggy bag for the scorpion bowl too."

"Sorry Lanie, I don't think so."

"Damn! Oh well, while they pack up the leftovers, I need to find the ladies room before we head out." Kate and Jenny followed her.

Five minutes later they walked past the waterfall as they left. Kate closed her eyes throwing a coin. Rick's arms surrounded her waist. "What did you wish for?"

Smiling she winked at him, escaped his arm and said softly, "I'll tell you later."

The Marina was a short drive from the restaurant but the music and dancing was well under way by the time they arrived. Rick immediately led Kate onto the dance floor. He laughed because the song that was playing was "I Can't Stop Loving You". If he could take his eyes off Kate, Rick would see friends had joined them on the dance floor. As he promised, Rick did not let anyone cut in and dance with Kate, not even Esposito or Ryan. After several dances, they both needed a breather and stepped outside onto the veranda. The air was cool but welcome after the crush on the dance floor. "Is it later now, Kate?"

"I'll tell you what I wished for, if you tell me what you are up to, Rick? Don't even try to give me that innocent look."

"I'm not up to anything, Kate. I just wanted to do something nice for Kevin and Jenny. He was there to protect you, save you. I owe him more than I can ever repay. I am going to contact a guy I know, see if that townhouse they wanted is still for sale."

"You are going to buy them a house?"

"Shhhhhh! No, I would but Kevin would never accept it. I was going to make the down payment on the townhouse and help them get a decent rate on a mortgage. I'm not sure he will even accept that but I hope he will. You are alive because of what he did, Kate. He put up with Gate's scorn and Javi's anger."

"Rick Castle, you are the sweetest and most generous man."

"No Kate, I am the luckiest man. I nearly lost you twice. Kevin kept you safe and now we are together. How do you thank a man for giving you back the love of your life?" Rick pulled her to him. Kate arms wrapped around him as the music started again but dancing was the last things on Rick's mind as her lips met his.