—–

"Okay, right," she conceded, leaning in against him. "But, what about when the file itself? I mean Montgomery-"

"Kate," he growled. "I told you everything I know. I have wracked my brains to come up with the least significant details. Give it a rest."

She huffed and sank back into her seat. "Fine."

"When we land, you are coming straight to the loft and I will put it up on the smart board and you can interrogate me all over again." He pulled the tray out from the armrest and pressed the flight attendant's call button. "For now, let's use this time a little more constructively."

"I was," she muttered, but turned to the woman who approached at Castle's call. "I need a drink. Have anything hard?"

The flight attendant didn't even bat an eye. "Yes, ma'am. Vodka, gin, whiskey-"

"Vodka and a little soda water," Kate answered.

"A whiskey and Coke for me," Castle added. "And something to snack on?"

"Meal service is in an hour," the woman told them, laying specialty napkins on their trays which were emblazoned with the Air France logo. "But we have extra salad and rolls."

"Both," Kate said, knowing Castle. She could graze; he'd want carbs. "Please. Thank you."

"Coming momentarily." The woman disappeared past the curtain and Kate turned to the man brooding beside her.

He rubbed a hand down his face. "I didn't mean that to sound like it did."

"I didn't mean to give you the third degree," she offered. She made a face and stared at the tv screen ahead of her. Luxurious didn't even begin to describe Air France's Premiere First Class cabins; Castle had upgraded them from Business to First Class when they'd gotten to the airport and it was worth it.

She had never experienced this before - and she hadn't taken a breath to even look around when they'd boarded. She hadn't looked right or left since she'd discovered Castle had a lead he'd kept to himself, and she realized she was being pretty damn ungrateful.

The seat was as wide and comfortable as one of the armchairs in her apartment, with a back pillow and massager, cashmere blanket, and complimentary bottle of champagne. The cabin had a convenient wide screen television mounted across from them and a little footrest with storage below. Reading material in the wall at his side, plus a shelf where all their complimentary accessories had been waiting for them.

A curtain could be pulled across the cabin, or a small half-door partition, depending on their needs. The television had played the security features, but now it was a clever movie in French with English subtitles that she hadn't even looked at once.

"Rick," she sighed, turning to him. His gaze flashed to hers, a bracing in his features as if he expected another interrogation. "Thank you. For this. It's really very…" She shook her head.

"Swank," he said, eyebrows wriggling, an ease across his shoulders as he leaned towards her.

Excessive had been her word. But he was so happy to do it, had been so thrilled he could get them a companion cabin in the luxurious Premiere seating.

The flight attendant came back with their drinks and beautifully presented snacks, and Kate waited until she left to show Castle just how much she appreciated it.

When he had taken the first sip of his drink, she slipped out of her seat with her tumbler in hand, and she stepped carefully over his sprawled legs.

He sat up straight when she did, let out a yelp when she lowered herself to his lap. She gave his groin a special little dig of her ass, and he gasped and clutched her around the waist. The drink sloshed on her jeans even as she folded her legs up into his wide seat.

"Rick."

"What are you-"

"We have an hour before they serve our meal," she murmured, twining her arm around his neck. Leaned in to ghost her lips against his, breathing lightly. And then she took a slow sip of her own drink to show him the work of her throat.

"We have an hour," he croaked, but he got in the game. His free hand roamed, found skin fast. "We have an hour and I've always wanted to join this pretty exclusive club. Maybe you've heard of it. Mile High-"

"I think that can be - arranged."

—–