Guardian Angel
Chapter 40
Castle flips two sizzling steaks, and Kate gives a final toss to their salad. He glances back at the open bottle on the counter. That should have had enough time to breathe by now. The steaks are almost done. You want to pour?"
"Sure. Want to have a sip now?" she purrs, filling two goblets.
Rick's brows ripple above grinning eyes as he lays down his tongs. "Why not?" Accepting his glass, he intertwines his arm with hers, splashing a few drops on the floor as he attempts to drink. Shaking his head, he reaches for a paper towel. "Happens every time."
Kate's eyes darken. "How often have you done it?"
"Um, three times, I think. Once when I proposed to Meredith, once with Paula, when sales of one of my books beat Patterson's, and just now."
"I don't think that's a statistically significant sample, Castle."
"Maybe not," Rick agrees. "But still, we have time to find new and intriguing ways to enjoy the fruit of the vine, and whatever goes with it."
"You mean the steaks, which you'd better take off the grill before it's too late?"
Castle grabs for his tongs. "Not exactly what I had in mind, but you're right. Seared is much preferable to scorched. Actually, they look almost perfect."
"Almost?"
"There can be only one perfect vision in the kitchen, and that's you."
"Babe, if I didn't know better, I'd think you started early on the wine. But I should quit while I'm ahead and take the compliment."
"I heard you," Johanna acknowledges, fading out.
"So," Castle wonders as he and Kate take seats at the table, "have you worked cases with the Southern District before?"
"Not much. Homicides are local crimes unless there's a federal official or a kidnapping involved. In that case, we liaise with the F.B.I. and they deal with the D.O.J. I try to stay away from the feds as much as possible?"
"Defending your territory?"
"Something like that, I guess. The bigger the organization, the slower it can move. I like to be fast on my feet."
"I've noticed," Rick murmurs, caressing her cheekbone. "But on occasion, there are advantages to taking things slowly."
Slipping off her shoe, Kate runs her stockinged toes up his leg. "Would you care to demonstrate?"
Choking, Rick presses his napkin to his mouth. "Kate, I think you're already veering into the fast lane."
"Who says we have to limit ourselves to one trip?" Kate whispers, nipping at his ear.
"No one. No one at all. Maybe we can eat later."
"Good idea."
Shoeless, Kate bounds ahead of Rick, landing on the bed with a bounce. Kicking off his footwear, he joins her, tugging at her top. Tugging his shirt from his waistband, she plunges her hands beneath it. "Warm."
He tastes the flesh below her ear. "Getting hotter all the time."
"Then, you need fewer clothes."
"So do you, but that won't make us any cooler. Maybe we should try the shower," Rick proposes.
"Didn't you get soaked enough for one day?"
He pushes her slacks down her legs. "Ah, but that was for an English history project. This one is for biology, and strictly personal. Care to join me beneath the stimulating spray?"
"Are we being graded?"
"No need. I think we'll know when we make the honor roll."
With their shed clothes marking their path, the couple blazes their way to Rick's oversized enclosure. After quickly adjusting the flow, Rick carries Kate inside. "Castle, this thing is big enough to dance in."
"Dancing wasn't what I had in mind right now, Kate, unless you are referring to moving to the most ancient of rhythms. But I will admit, I have added a few steps while belting one out in here."
Kate runs her fingers over his bare back, slickened by the water. "I've got you under my skin."
Rick jerks her tightly against his hips, joining her sultry song. "I've got you, deep in the heart of me."
With her arms around his neck, her legs encircle him, heat to heat. "So deep in my heart, you're really a part of me."
"Enough of that," Rick pants. His tongue thrusts deep into her mouth as their lips collide, and his need finds her open, her moisture not solely from the pelting water. The glass surrounding them rattles, marking the beat of a theme they're too breathless to sing. They cling to each other as the crescendo hits, letting the wall support their boneless bodies.
As his muscles slowly regain strength, Rick reaches through the enclosure door to grab a bath sheet from the towel warmer. He wraps it around Kate, before taking one for himself. "That was – I don't think incredible would even begin to describe it."
"A writer without the right adjective," Kate teases, clicking her tongue. "You'll have to think of one before you describe how Nikki and Rook get it on."
"I've already written the chapter," Rick confesses. "But, I think a rewrite might be in order."
"Are you serious, Karnacki?" U.S. Attorney Meacham demands. "William Bracken? The Toch brothers?"
"As a heart attack," Karnacki responds. "Look, I've got Bracken's pet wet boy in a safe house. I don't know if you'll want to transfer him or not, but there's already been one attempt to take him out, and the fewer people who know where he is, the better."
"He can stay there, at least for now," Meacham decides. "Bracken and the Toch brothers are the big fish, and I doubt we'll be able to nail the Tochs on anything except financial crimes without Bracken, so he's our top priority. Is he in New York?"
"As far as I know," Karnacki replies. "My people haven't coordinated with the N.Y.P.D. to set up surveillance on him yet."
"Don't," Meacham responds. "From what you've told me so far, the department has at least one leak. It may have more. I'll have the F.B.I. handle it. And they'll bring in Bracken's errand boy Sledge, too, quietly."
"Right," Karnacki agrees. "I'll explain it to Commissioner Tuohy. We're scheduled to have dinner tomorrow, but our little talk is more urgent now. I can move it up to lunch."
"You do that, Karnacki. Listen, I'm going to keep a lid on this as long as I can, but you know that sooner or later, the press is going to get wind of something."
"My office will be strictly no comment until we have Bracken in custody," Karnacki declares. "Once we do, they can sniff the breeze all they want."
"You have a point," Meacham concedes. "Journalists have been after the Toch brothers for years. They may have information we can use that their editorial departments refused to clear before. David Fahrenfree has been digging into the Tochs forever. He may finally be able to put out his stories. Hell, he'll probably write a damned book."
Kate forks the last bite of her steak into her mouth with gusto. "You want another one?" Rick offers. "There are more in the freezer."
Kate leans back with her hands clasped over her belly and sighs. "No more steak, but do you have any more potato chip fudge ice cream?"
"Of course. Anything else?"
"Those cookies dipped in dark chocolate, then maybe we can catch a little nap."
"Ice cream and cookies coming up," Rick announces, "and naps are good. I'm definitely in favor of a nap."
