Chapter 3

The Next Day – December 17th, 1998

Kate couldn't stop thinking about the previous day. She had actually enjoyed spending time with Richard Castle. She hadn't stopped thinking about him since she had arrived home last night. And here she was straddling her Harley Davidson on her way to meet him for the third day in a row.

Kate quickly read Rick's text with the address of the café on it before pushing down on the gas. It wasn't a long journey from her house: she arrived twenty minutes later to see Rick waiting by the door. Parking the bike safely in front of him, he watched her in amazement.

"You weren't kidding about the Harley," he laughed, admiring the vehicle almost as much as its rider.

Kate removed her helmet, resting it on the handle of the bike and shook out her hair before saying, "Would I lie to you?"

Castle's eyes were so fixated on her leather clad body that he didn't even hear what she had said. The black leather jacket was zipped tight up her neck, which she quickly unzipped to her collarbone. Her pants were just as sleek as the jacket, hugging her surprisingly muscular calves perfectly.

"My eyes are up here," she reminded as she caught him staring.

"Right," he mumbled. "Shall we go inside?"

"I was thinking instead we could take a ride out to Coney Island," she suggested hoping the idea wouldn't scare him too much.

"Oh… on the bike?" he asked warily. She nodded. "Umm sure."

"Don't worry, I'll let you hold on," she chuckled with a glint of mystery in her eyes.

Kate grabbed a second helmet from the back of the back and handed it to him. When they were both comfortable and safe on the bike, Kate pressed on the gas. Rick wrapped his arms appropriately around her slender waist and took the opportunity to lean as close to her as he could. Every so often the strands of hair peeking from her helmet would brush off his face where he could smell the cherry-scented shampoo she must've used.

After a forty minute drive out of the city, they arrived at the boardwalk of Coney Island. Being the time of year it was there were barely a soul to be seen. Aside from a hot-dog vendor and a few seagulls, they seemed to be pretty much alone.

They got off the bike and leaned against the railing just before the sand. There was a light fog beginning to fall over the beach which gave it a somewhat eery feel. Yet both Kate and Rick were happy to stay where they were and look out at what they could see.

"Do you ever bring Alexis out here?" Kate asked breaking the silence.

"No, but I definitely will after today," he said before inhaling the fresh sea air. "Luckily I have my mother at home to mind her so I can go on adventures like this with you."

"Your mom lives with you?"

"Sad, isn't it?" he laughed.

"No," she said with a gentle smile. "I think it's sweet."

"Without my mother, it would have been way harder to raise Alexis," he admitted. "I guess everything happens for a reason, both the good and the bad."

"I agree," she said. "For example, I got accepted into Stanford which meant I had to leave home. That scared my mom more than anything. But if I hadn't have left home, my mom wouldn't have started to read your books. And here we are."

Rick watched her admiringly scanning every inch of her face. Every freckle, every blemish, every beauty spot. How could one woman release this surge of emotions within him? All she had to do was smile, laugh, or even simply look at him and he was a puddle.

"You really do fascinate me, Kate," he admitted.

She turned to face him, unaware of how close they were standing to one another. "Are you flirting with me?" she asked.

"So what if I am?" he smirked.

The grin on his face had her stomach doing cartwheels. She discretely swallowed the frog in her throat and flickered her eyes to his lips.

"You really don't hold back, do you?" she remarked.

"Not around such a mysterious woman like yourself."

"Mysterious, huh?" she said raising an eyebrow. "Is it the leather outfit and the bike that drew you to that conclusion?"

"On some levels, yes," he chuckled. "But it's not just the bike. There seems to be way more beneath those layers of yours."

"Is that supposed to be metaphorical or a suggestive comment?"

"Metaphorical!" he assured defensively. "Unless you want it to be suggestive," he said taking a slight step closer.

Kiss him, Kate! He's right there willing in front of you. He's made it known he wants it, so why don't you admit you want it too? Don't think about it, just do it!

"I… umm," she stuttered, stepping backwards, and looking back out at the water.

Rick immediately read her body language and stopped his approach. Mildly hurt by her rejection, he couldn't help thinking he had misread the whole basis of their relationship.

"I overstepped," he apologised.

"No, no," she assured. "I umm… I'm just…." She didn't know what to say so instead she changed the subject. "It's getting late. You should probably get home to Alexis."

Great, she thought. Now things are awkward between us. That's just what I needed.

"Yeah, I promised her we'd have dinner together," he said making his way back to the bike. "Can I drive?"

"You want to drive the bike?" she laughed.

"Scared you can't handle it?" he teased sitting on the front of the bike.

"Just try not to get us killed," she pleaded.

Kate hopped on behind Rick and wrapped her arms delicately around his broad waist. This was unusual for her. She was always the person driving, never the passenger. Though she certainly wasn't going to complain getting the chance to lean against him.

The sun had set, and the city had fallen into darkness. Rick halted the bike outside his building and carefully climbed off. He was already missing having her slight arms wrapped around him. Though he knows he shouldn't be feeling this way about her. She made her feelings quite clear when she pulled away from him at Coney Island and he had to respect that.

"Thanks for letting me drive," he said handing her his helmet.

"Thanks for not getting us killed," she joked. "Say hi to Alexis for me."

Rick nodded turning away towards the main door, then stopped. "You could always come up and say hi to her yourself."

"Oh," she said surprised. "I wouldn't want to intrude on your dinner plans."

"You wouldn't," he assured with a smile.

Damn, that smile could just make your panties drop. Why wouldn't he have been an unattractive writer?

She gave in and followed him up to the loft. When he opened the front door, her breath was taken away by what was inside. The main living area was enormous, stretching into the kitchen and a partially opened office. The large windows across the room had astonishing views of the city. Sometimes she forgets he's a best-selling author.

"Oh good, you're home," a woman with unnatural bright red hair said as she descended the stairs. She was holding a girl with hair of the same colour, most certainly natural though. "Oh, and you have company."

Rick rushed towards Martha and took Alexis into his arms. He hugged her tight while placing delicate little kisses on her cheeks.

"How's my little princess doing?" he asked as the little girl giggled. He drew his attention back to the women in the room. "Mother meet Kate Beckett. Kate, this is my mother Martha Rodgers."

Kate extended her hand to Martha and shook. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Castle put Alexis down and she immediately ran towards Kate. Standing under four feet tall, Alexis beamed up at Kate and waved.

"You look like a princess," Alexis said gazing at her in amazement.

"Why thank you," Kate chuckled in a flattered manor. "I'm Kate."

"I'm Alexis," she introduced herself. "Will you play princesses with me?"

"Oh," Kate said looking at Rick who just smiled at her. "Umm, I have to go soon, Alexis. But how about your daddy arranges a play date for us soon."

"But I want to play now," she pouted turning to her dad.

"We can play later," Rick promised, lifting her back into his arms. "Kate can come over another day to play with you."

"I promise," Kate said holding her hand out to Alexis.

"Okay," she giggled high-fiving Kate.

Kate couldn't help but notice the similar facial features between Rick and his adorable daughter. She had the exact same bright blue eyes as well as a cute wrinkle at the side of her mouth when she laughed. Why am I noticing these things?!

"I better go," she said, waving to Martha as she made her way towards the door.

"Alexis and I will see you out," Rick said following her. "Thanks for today. I had a really great time."

"I did too," she replied now standing outside his front door.

"Feel free to kidnap me and take me to Coney Island any time you wish," he teased.

"Goodnight, Rick," she said, pretending to ignore his comment.

She could feel him watching her as she walked towards the elevator. Just before stepping in, she glanced over her shoulder to see him smiling happily at her. Once the doors closed, she leaned against the wall of the elevator and sighed a breath of content. Maybe this guy wasn't as bad as she had imagined…