WHISKING IT ALL
CHAPTER TWO

Kate took a sip of her coffee as she turned on her laptop, and she couldn't help but smile at the smooth, rich flavor on her tongue. Whatever brand the cafe used, she needed to find out and get some for home. It was divine. As soon as her computer was loaded she connected to the WiFi and opened her Make It Or Bake It master document, and updated it to reflect her conversation with Alexis.

Alexis would create the Facebook page, her girlfriend would do a website mock up, and Kate was going to try and track down any contracts Aunt Theresa had with suppliers, vendors, or clients. Lanie had continued to examine the financial statements the previous weekend, and determined that Aunt Theresa had been overpaying for her dairy products by just getting them from the local grocery store, so Kate was on the lookout for new options.

She grimaced when she saw the number of new emails in her work inbox. Although she was off for the week so she could focus on the bakery, she still glanced through the emails for anything urgent, and deleted a few newsletters she never had time to read. Satisfied that nothing needed her attention at that moment, she closed her email and turned her attention back to the bakery.

The bell above the cafe door jingled and - smirking because almost every store she'd been in had the same old-fashioned setup - she glanced up out of habit. She had to do a double-take when she saw it was the man from the restaurant. He still looked familiar, and judging by the way he'd hesitated when they'd locked eyes at the restaurant, she assumed he thought the same of her. He went straight to the counter, so she took the opportunity to examine him, and try to figure out why she felt she knew him.

His frame was mostly hidden by the bulky coat he wore against the frigid day. But she could tell that he was broad, and as her gaze trailed down his back she let her eyes linger on his butt, perfectly framed in his jeans. She tore her gaze away after just a few seconds for fear of getting caught, but when she started to turn her attention back to her computer she saw him turn around, takeout cup in his hand.

In her peripheral vision she saw him walk past her towards the door, but before she heard the door jingle his footsteps stopped, then started to approach her again. When they stopped in front of her she looked up and found him staring at her with bright blue eyes laced with confusion.

God, his eyes were blue. Blue and so familiar. A memory tugged at the back of her mind, but it was just out of reach.

"I'm sorry if this is creepy," he started, his voice a smooth, slightly nervous baritone, "but do I know you?"

Kate tilted her head. "I saw you in the restaurant a couple weeks ago."

"No, that's not it." He shook his head. "You just look familiar. Well, I'm sorry to bother you." He gave her a polite nod. "Have a good day."

Kate watched him retreat and turned her attention back to her computer, but after a few minutes of just staring, she muttered a curse and pulled her headphones from her briefcase so she could block out any distractions.

Kate shoved her phone back in her briefcase when Alexis announced their imminent arrival. They appeared to be entering a long driveway, surrounded by pasture as far as she could see, save for several large buildings that looked like warehouses.

And there were cows everywhere.

It was to be expected since they were at a dairy, but Kate hadn't seen that many cows in one place since - well, maybe ever. She couldn't remember if she'd seen the dairy when she was sixteen. It looked familiar, but then again, everything in the area did - including one ruggedly handsome man that she couldn't stop thinking about.

She shook her head to push him out of her mind. It was ridiculous, really, the way he'd invaded her thoughts, even a couple of dreams that week. She didn't even know his name, and her subconscious seemed to fantasize about his large hands and broad shoulders, lips that looked soft, eyes that could bore into her soul…

"Kate!"

She jumped and looked over at Alexis, felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment - not arousal, no way. No, she was in town for business, not for runaway fantasies about a complete stranger. "Sorry, I was thinking about something back home," she apologized.

Alexis glanced at her, an eyebrow quirked. "Okay. Well, as I was saying, Kevin - he's one of the delivery guys - said that they wanted to work with Theresa, but she was hesitant for some reason. I think it had to do with the last owner, but I don't know for sure."

"Why would the owner be a reason not to do business with them? Especially when others in town do." Kate had seen the dairy's delivery van by the restaurant and the cafe, and according to Jenny from the restaurant, they even offered a hometown discount. She'd promised to put in a good word with Kevin next time he delivered, since most townspeople were still wary of the big-city attorney who owned the bakery but didn't even live in the state.

Alexis shrugged. "I dunno, I got the impression she didn't like him. Theresa got super tense every time she saw the dairy's name, even though ownership changed like five years ago."

Kate leaned forward in her seat when the house came into view, marveling at the charm it exuded despite looking like a mansion. The dairy must do well if the sheer amount of land and the size of the house were any indication.

When Alexis pulled up along the side of a small outbuilding marked "Gift Shop," Kate grabbed her briefcase and followed her out of the car. There was a smaller building behind the gift shop with an "Office" sign, and she looked over at Alexis. "They must do more than sell milk and eggs if they have a gift shop," she commented, and Alexis nodded.

"Yeah. They offer tours, host field trips and stuff like that. And in the fall, they have a really popular corn maze and pumpkin patch." Alexis looked behind Kate and raised her arm. "Hey Kev," she called out in greeting. "Most corn mazes are at produce farms," she continues, leading Kate towards the office, "but the closest one is a half hour further from Hartford, so Rick wanted to try and take advantage of the location."

"Rick?"

"The owner."

Kate nodded. "Got it. And how is his product? Is the quality good?"

"It's the best in the state," came an unfamiliar voice.

Kate shook Kevin's extended hand. "I didn't mean to imply-"

"Don't worry about it." He grinned. "Kevin Ryan. It's nice to meet you. Go on into the office, I'll track down Rick."

They were in the small, neat office just a minute before Kate heard footsteps.

"Alexis!"

Kate felt her face flush when she heard a now-familiar voice greet her companion, and she slowly stood up, turned around to come face-to-face with the handsome man who'd invaded her thoughts. Well, now she knew his name.

His eyes widened when they met hers, and she held out her hand for him to shake. Judging by the slight quirk of his brow he felt the spark as well, the warmth in their touch, the perfect curl of his fingers around hers.

"Nice-" Rick cleared his throat when his voice cracked, and his face went red. His lips curved in a sheepish smile. "Nice to meet you. It's Kate, right?"

Kate tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Yes. It's nice to meet you, too. Thanks for taking the time."

"Of course. Alexis is like a little sister to me. My schedule's always open for her, and for the bakery." They all sat, and Rick folded his hands on his desk, flicked his gaze between the two women. "Before Theresa died, I was trying to get her to order from us. She passed before I broke her down, though." He turned his attention to Kate. "I'm so sorry about her. It was such a shock. We all loved her."

Kate smiled. "Thanks. I didn't actually see her that often," she admitted, leaning forward in her chair. "And we weren't close. But it's still hard." She glanced around the office. "It looks like the dairy does well, so I can't imagine you're hurting for business."

"I do pretty well, yeah," Rick agrees, his chest puffing a little with pride. "To be honest, I don't really need the business from Make It Or Bake It. But I think it's important for locals to support each other. So, let's work something out."

"Well, that was a successful meeting," Alexis commented as she drove back down the driveway almost two hours later.

Kate heard the teasing tone and threw her a look. "Yes, I'm glad we were able to get something tentative in writing." When Alexis snorted, she rolled her eyes. "What?"

Alexis lifted her shoulder in a shrug. "I didn't say anything."

"Mm-hmm."

"I don't have anything else to say about how you shook hands longer than what's typically acceptable," she continued, "or how his whole face lit up when he looked at you, or how he asked you out."

"What?" Kate huffed. "He didn't ask me out."

"I'm sorry, I must live in an alternate universe where a man asking a woman to get coffee isn't asking her out."

"It's to discuss further details of the contract!"

"A contract that's all but finalized." Alexis glanced at her after turning onto the highway. "I've known Rick for five years, Kate. And I have never seen him act like he was acting with you."

Kate sighed and looked down her hands, which were only slightly trembling. God, she hadn't felt this nervous around a guy in years. "Regardless," she shot back, "we don't have a date. He said he'd call me."

Alexis just grinned.

Twenty minutes later, Kate was in her room at the B&B, and she dug her thumb into the arch of her foot after removing her new boots. Although she'd been sitting for most of the day, she hadn't had time to break in the shoes, and her feet were making her regret that.

Not for the first time she wished she had someone to rub her feet, but even before acquiring the bakery, she didn't have time for even casual dating, let alone a relationship. With the addition of an inherited bakery a hundred miles from home, she had even less.

She dug her phone from her coat pocket when it chirped, and when she saw the message on the screen, she felt her face flush. Maybe Alexis had been right about Rick asking her out. His message asking if she was free the next day was certainly vague enough to mask any ulterior motives.

The next day was her last full day in Southbridge, and she was planning on shadowing Alexis for most of it. They weren't ready yet to open the store to the public, but Kate wanted to see the actual baking side of the business, so they'd agreed to make treats for the restaurant and cafe to sell.

I'll be at the bakery most of the day. What's a good time for you? she replied, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. When she realized what she was doing she froze.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, biting her lip, blushing at a single thought? Those were usually things she did when she was nervous around a boy. And she hadn't done all those things because of a single guy since…

Kate gasped and dropped her phone.

Of course, Rick had looked familiar! But it was too much of a coincidence. There was no way.

Could he really be Ricky, the boy she'd spent time with that summer? That she'd snuck out of her aunt's home to be with?

The cute, awkward boy just a year older than her, who had been the first boy she'd liked, her first real kiss, her first…

Her phone's loud ringtone tore her from her thoughts, and when she saw the man in question calling, she cleared her throat before accepting the call.

"Kate Beckett."

"Kate, hey, it's Rick."

She smiled. Now she absolutely recognized his voice, and wondered why it had taken her more than a single word to make the connection. "Hi, Rick."

"I thought it would be easier to just call," Rick explained, the smile evident in his voice. "Um, anyway, I have to make a few deliveries in the morning, but I'll be done by ten."

Kate felt her eyes widen. "Ten? Jeez, how early do you start?"

"I'll be on the road by four. But I'm usually up early," he continued. "Anyway, when do you think you'll be free?"

Kate ran her thumb along a quilt seam and decided to take a leap of faith. "I'm not sure exactly. Why don't we meet for dinner? Say, seven at the restaurant?"

"Perfect."

She waved at Jenny when she glanced around the restaurant looking for Rick and, seeing his extended arm and grin, tried to ignore the whispers she heard as she passed by other tables.

"No, don't get up," she insisted when he started to stand. She nodded towards his half-empty beer. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be late. I lost track of time."

Rick shook his head and curled his fingers around the glass. "Nah, you're fine. I was early"

"Hi Kate," Jenny greeted her, placing two menus on the table. "Cosmo?"

"Um," Kate hesitated, noting Rick smirk into his glass as he took a sip. "No, thanks. I'll have the same as Rick." When he raised his eyebrows she leaned forward and leveled her gaze at him. "What was that for?"

Rick shrugged. "Nothing. I just assumed a big city woman like you wouldn't be a beer drinker, is all."

Kate scoffed and leaned back, her arms crossed over her chest. "Oh, really? I'll have you know, Rick," - she noticed his eyes darken at the emphasis she put on his name - "I have won many drinking challenges."

"Hmm." Rick mirrored her pose and the corner of his mouth quirked. "I'd like to see that in action. Loser pays?"

"You're on." Kate ignored the stares around them as Jenny brought her beer, along with a fresh glass for Rick. Nobody was saying anything, but she had seen enough of the small town to know that, if Rick didn't win, he'd likely endure some good-natured teasing for a long time.

Well, he started it.

"Ready?"

She smirked and picked up her own glass. "Go."

He put up a valiant try, she noticed when her empty glass hit the table. He was just a swallow behind her, but when he saw that she'd finished first, his face fell.

"I'll take care of the bill when we're done," he told Jenny when she arrived to take their food orders.

After she stepped away with their empty glasses, Kate took a large drink of water. "We can pay separately if you want. I won't hold you to the bet."

"No," Rick insisted, waving his hand, "a deal is a deal. I lost, I buy." He grinned at her. "That was impressive, the way you just guzzled it."

Kate shrugged. "Lots of practice. My sophomore roommate dated a frat boy, so it was 'study hard, play harder.' Not to mention, if you can't have a few drinks during a business lunch and be perfectly fine, you have no business in corporate law." She shrugged again. "So, like I said: practice."

Rick chuckled and shook his head. "Maybe I should've partied more in college," he said.

"Hey, that was an admirable effort."

"Why thank you, Ms. Beckett. By the way," he continued after taking a sip of fresh beer, "I figured it out. I didn't put it together until I realized Theresa was your aunt. You stayed with her for a few weeks during high school, right?"

Kate grinned. "And you're the Ricky I hung out with, much to Aunt Theresa's chagrin." She reached for her napkin and twirled the corner around her finger. "She joked with my mom that dealing with me took years off her life."

The memory snuck up on her: her mom pacing in their small kitchen, the phone against her ear, her face growing red as she spoke to Aunt Theresa. Turning her gaze to Kate when she hung up, her face neutral except for the fire in her eyes.

"My parents grounded me for the rest of the summer when they found out I snuck out every night," she continued, blinking back the sudden tears in her eyes. God, she hadn't cried about them in ages, and this was not the time or place.

Rick reached across the table and, after a brief hesitation, covered her hand with his. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," he said, his voice soft and laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

Kate turned her hand over and curled her fingers around his, shivers traveling down her spine at his touch. She kept her gaze on him as he glanced at their joined hands, then back up at her.

"We said we'd keep in touch," he said after clearing his throat. "What happened?"

Kate shrugged. "A few weeks turned into months, then before you know it, years have passed and you own a dairy."

"Or you're the second-youngest partner in your prestigious law firm's history." Rick gave her a crooked grin. "I looked you up this afternoon."

Kate chuckled and squeezed his hand. "I'm glad," she admitted, feeling her cheeks flush. "And I'm glad we're doing this."

"Me too."

"You're sure you don't mind?" Rick asked two hours later as he followed Kate into her room.

Kate leveled a glare at him after she shut the door behind them. "Neither of us should drive, and I don't want to bother Martha this late," she pointed out, leaning against the door for balance so she wouldn't fall while she pulled off her boots. "We're both adults. We can share a bed for one night."

Rick hung his coat on a hook on the wall and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I just don't want to make you feel weird. I can get a room key."

Kate just stared at him until he shrugged and toed off his own shoes.

"Alright. Well, thanks."

"No problem. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back." She grabbed her leggings and shirt that she wore as pajamas and shut the bathroom door behind her. "There should be-" she muttered to herself as she dug through the small basket of complimentary toiletries. When she found what she was looking for, she grinned and raised her fist in the air, triumphant. "Hey, Rick I found-"

She froze when she opened the door and spotted him. He had obviously taken her absence as an opportunity to start getting ready for bed, as he was in the middle of tugging off his sweater, his t-shirt riding up with it. She only got a glimpse of his bare back as he pulled the hem of his t-shirt down, but that was more than enough to get her heart racing. He was definitely more broad than he had been as a 16 year old, and although she didn't get to see his front, she could imagine how firm he'd feel under her hands.

The jingle of his belt buckle interrupted her wandering thoughts and she cleared her throat, lest he show her more than he intended. She felt her face flush at that thought, and when he turned and smirked at her she tore her gaze from his body, and forced herself to make eye contact.

"Here's a toothbrush," she offered, holding it out for him.

He took it and nodded. "Thanks. I'll go in once you're done." He glanced at her outfit, and she realized she was still in her clothes from the day. "Are you going to change?"

"Right. Yes. Of course." When she caught a glimpse of herself in the bathroom mirror she shook her head. Her face was bright red with embarrassment, or arousal, or both. You're acting like you've never seen a man's naked back before, she chided herself, reaching for her face wash. She certainly had enjoyed a handful of casual, satisfactory encounters, although it had been awhile since her last one.

Her hands trembled as she washed her face, and when she dropped her toothpaste on the floor she muttered a curse. If just a brief glimpse of a little skin got her this hot and bothered, maybe sharing a bed with him was a bad idea.

She pushed that thought from her mind, and once she completed her nighttime routine, she exited the bathroom again, unsure whether she wanted to find Rick fully clothed or shirtless. Her gaze landed on him sitting on the bed, his jeans-clad legs stretched out in front of him as he leaned back against the headboard.

He looked up and smiled, placing his phone on the nightstand as he stood. "I assumed the stand with your stuff on it was your side."

Kate grinned. "Very observant, Mr. Rodgers," she teased, wincing as she heard herself say his name. "Oof, remind me not to call you that. It makes it sound like you should be wearing a cardigan sweater and asking kids to be your neighbor. Oh God," she continued with a groan, "that didn't come out right."

Rick chuckled and brushed his hand along her shoulder as he passed by. "I know what you meant. Hey," he added, turning back to her from the doorway, "so, obviously I don't have any sort of pajamas. Do you mind if I sleep in my boxers?"

"Oh. Um-"

"I can sleep in my jeans if you'd prefer," he continued when she hesitated, "I just thought I'd ask. I'll keep my jeans on."

Kate stopped him with a hand around his forearm before he could retreat into the bathroom. "No, Rick, it's fine. I don't mind."

Rick looked down at her hand on his arm, and her gaze was dark when he met her eyes once again.

Her heart raced even as he seemed to move in slow motion, as he stepped in front of her. He lifted his hands to frame her face and her eyes fluttered shut, his palms tender on her cheeks, and she had a fleeting thought that she wanted to know what kind of lotion he used to keep his skin so soft. She opened her mouth, presumably to either ask him or say something else equally stupid, when he spoke.

"Kate," he breathed, his voice a strangled whisper, and his thumbs brushed along her cheekbones.

She managed to open her eyes and she gazed at him through her lashes.

His eyes roamed her face, as if he was memorizing her features, before he met her gaze once again. "I really want to kiss you," he confessed. He dropped his forehead to hers. "May I?"

She smiled and looped her arms around his neck, stood on her toes to nudge her nose against his. "Yes." She gasped when his mouth captured hers, and she only had a moment to register his hands trailing down her body before he gripped her thighs and lifted her into his arms.

If she hadn't been so distracted by his tongue tangling with hers she may have noticed they were moving before her back hit the mattress. And she may have convinced herself that making out with someone she barely knew - and a new vendor for her new business, no less - was a bad idea. But, as her fingers threaded through his hair and her hips canted into his, she decided that it was most definitely a good idea.

His hands tugged at the hem of her sweater but he seemed to hesitate; he lifted his mouth from hers and gazed at her with a questioning look in his eyes.

Without saying a word, she sat up, gripped the hem herself, and swept her sweater over her head. His gaze dropped to her chest when she reached behind her back and unclipped her bra, her eyes staying on him even as she let it fall to the floor.

He traced his fingers along the side of her breasts, his touch soft, almost reverent.

She hooked her finger in the collar of his t-shirt and smirked. "Wanna catch up?" she teased, brushing her lips against his. She chuckled when he narrowed his eyes and stood, then drew his shirt over his head. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips before she even knew what she was doing, and she allowed her hands to follow their own path along his skin, learning every muscle, every ridge, every fine hair that disappeared into his waistband.

She grabbed his belt and yanked him onto her again, and their mouths collided in a fit of passion, hands sliding along bare skin. Her hips lifted into his and she gasped when he ground against her, her mouth tearing from his.

He trailed his lips along her neck, his tongue darting out to taste her, one large hand curling around her thigh to hold her to him.

When he dipped his fingers into the waistband of her jeans she came back to herself and she grabbed his hand. "Wait," she breathed. He grunted and covered her breast with his mouth. "Rick," she insisted, nudging his shoulder, "wait."

Rick lifted his head and looked at her, his arousal evident not only in the bulge pressing against her but in his dark gaze. "What? Oh, is this-" He swallowed and propped himself on an elbow so he could run his fingers through his hair. "Is it too fast?"

Kate sat up and motioned for him to join her. When he did, she continued. "We have had sex already, technically," she pointed out with a smirk. "But is this a good idea? Seeing as how we're going to be working together, that is."

Rick smirked. "I can separate business from pleasure, if that's what you're asking. But if it would make you feel better we can put something in the contract. 'Any sexual relationship between parties mentioned herein shall have no bearing on any other terms discussed.'"

Kate rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Nice." When Rick brushed her hair behind her shoulder and bent to press his lips against her skin she shivered. "You certainly have the verbiage down," she managed.

"This isn't my first rodeo," he murmured. When Kate froze, he lifted his head. "That's not what I meant. I haven't done, you know, this."

"Slept with a customer?"

Rick groaned and stood. "No. Dammit," he swore, almost under his breath.

Kate watched as Rick paced, and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from bursting into laughter. He looked so stressed at the slip of his tongue, but after a minute of watching him, she stood. "Rick, stop. I wouldn't care."

"I just don't want you to think-"

"What, that you've slept with other women? It's been fifteen years, Rick," she continued. "We're both attractive adults. I've certainly been with a few men since. And," she added, tucking her fingers in his waistband, "I actually know what I'm doing now."

Rick's entire face went pink, and he smirked. "Yeah? Prove it."

A/N: Thanks Travis aka lordofkavaka for the cover art!