Chapter 9. That wasn't all the surprises for today.
The hot Thai sun unceremoniously melted their sweet, morning sleep. While Castle muttered something grudgingly into the inflatable pillow on his face, Kate, panting sweetly, grabbed a small towel and scrambled outside. The tropics were already awake, filling the bright world around her with a unique and vital bustle. The site itself was already almost all in the undivided power of the sun, and only along the steep wall where the altar was, a narrow, two-yard-long strip of shadow stretched over the plateau in the distance.
"Just a little longer and there will be no climbing this plateau!" - Beckett took a few steps across the platform, and the twin tips of her slender fingers gingerly touched the stone phallus: the granite was already a little hot, but when you have vivid, intimate memories bubbling inside you, somehow you don't even bother to wonder what the obstacle might be. Or something like that. With a cheerful chuckle, Beckett only hung the towel sliding off her shoulder around her neck: its edges were amused by the wind. So light and warm, it caressed the fragile shoulders of the naked woman, gently stroked her supple back, and tangled in her soft hair. Somewhere high above the summit an eagle was soaring, and its swift-winged shadow sometimes slipped over the rocks.
- Wow, that's fantastic! - Kate couldn't help but marvel, her hands clasped in her forehead as she watched the landscape from a bird's eye view. Sparkling snowy peaks, indescribably austere beauty of their steep slopes, originality of tropics nodding as if in approval, their bluey tops - all this involuntarily raised the mood and gave strength. There was practically no feeling of fatigue accumulated on the way, and the clean mountain air, without ubiquitous tropical stench, instantly wiped the remnants of sleepiness from Kate.
- Great! Thank you, Castle! - Beckett whispered, not without regret hiding her eyes. A polite, slow bow, and her fluffy bangs descended gently to her forehead. Kate ran her palms over her belly; she held them against her groin for a moment, and with a puckered gasp she bit her lips: so cool, so memorable, that morning's lovemaking had been. And at once she remembered the spring, singing its song, and Castle, inexorably baking in the sun. Kate could hear him mumbling and grumbling, and when she turned to face the tent, a man's bare heels were already sticking out in the slit of the end wall. Beckett immediately assumed her posture; she turned sideways with her breasts proudly displayed, and then in a more defiant and frank pose, but she didn't get a cent of the reaction she wanted. Still sleepy Castle did not even poke his head out of the tent, and with a slight disappointment Kate went in search of the spring.
Dark brown and rough with veins of rock, it stung her heels palpably, but Beckett's iron patience finally led her to the farthest end of the site. Now the almost elusive murmuring was noticeably louder, more resonant, and Beckett searched carefully with her eyes: beneath the overhanging rock outcropping, in the uneven sheer wall at face level, there was a small crevice. From it flowed in a melodious trickle of unadulterated water. Running down a winding, rimmed gutter, it swirled at the base of the rock into a compact whirlpool, and disappeared without a trace into the uneven hole at the very bottom of the small font.
"I can't even imagine what Castle would say about that! - Beckett grinned kindly, admiring the serenity of the brook. - Probably would have just showered me with theories from head to toe. Whether it's a natural joke or the monks did their best, but either way, it's great!"
Squatting down, Kate dutifully cleared the area in front of the bowl of small pebbles and carefully kneeled at the very edge. She scooped up the cold water with a handful and carefully dipped her face in it. Her supple back was immediately drenched with a nasty, tiny shiver, her jaw cramped and her teeth clenched wildly, but could this be a problem for her? Patiently and methodically, Beckett mastered her chilly toilet.
- Wow, that's the power of the local rocks! - Kate heard Castle's voice, a little hoarse from sleep, but pleased. - I was out of the tent before another space bundle pierced my buttocks! Look at what he did!
- Hmmm! - Beckett glanced over her shoulder with undisguised interest: her favorite man, indeed, was incomparably well behaved. As much as she would have considered him in her time (and not without reason!) an incorrigible troublemaker and poser, it was impossible to deny that Rick was an exceptional partner. Though in her own mind, though with a crease in her heart, Kate appreciated much in Castle: his charm, his considerable intelligence, his sound logic, his sense of humor, and his kindness. And his thoughts and aspirations were really pure, and he was no coward, no whiner, and had an enviable patience. This is speaking of his waiting for her, in case anyone didn't understand. In short, with Castle you could move mountains, but if you dared, you could go to all the trouble. Yes, no one would ever know how much it cost her to be impassive around him, but still, every now and then she'd run to the locker room to give herself at least a little "respite" from his company or to change her underwear, damp from his proximity. God knows, Beckett kept her secret, and day by day, this only made her violent, erotic fantasies stronger. And when Kate, albeit on the edge, albeit so difficult, got her hands on Castle, she realized that she was not mistaken about him.
It was a true love hurricane, a collision of two like-minded elements, a union of souls and bodies, and each of their awakenings began with caresses. Sweet and languid as molasses, violent and impulsive as the ninth wave, each time they had a certain zest, an element of novelty, and what happened today was incomparable, and unlike anything else. So many impressions in one place, and it should probably go on. Just as long as it all comes together in the end...
Her skin, rubbed with effort, burned and tingled from the icy water, but at the same time her body took on an unbelievable lightness. It was as if Detective Beckett had been reborn, as if she had shed something heavy, something she was not ashamed to share with her husband. When she feels good, they feel good, and let's not rely on Buddhist charms.
Kate slowly rose to her feet and strode proudly toward Castle. A wet towel clung to her neck, a mischievous breeze fluttered and tossed her hair over her face, and Beckett nonchalantly put it back, showing that she was perfectly fine with it. So was Castle's horny body, habitually rocking at half speed. So desirable, Rick was mesmerizing, impatiently beckoning his wife to him, and brightened by a happy smile, her already expressive lips whispered inaudibly, inspirationally:
"I love you, Castle! And how much I love you!"
A little faster, Beckett froze on the bedspread by the tent: prudent Castle, who also tidied up their clothes, definitely deserved sweet bonuses! Kate moved in close to her husband, but when his cock pressed against her stomach, with a light toss of her index fingers she pushed away from his chest. Immediately she playfully threw a towel over his penis like a clothes hook. Kate involuntarily expected laughter and smiles and jokes, but Rick was already looking at his beloved quite seriously. He'd been waiting for her for a long time, really, really waiting, and without any lingering foreplay Kate dropped to her knees. The swollen towel flew aside, and Castle let out a deep, anxious sigh: it was Kate's skillful lips closed in a ring on his ness. Her cool palms immediately flew confidently up the line of his hips, laying on his firm buttocks and cradling him with meaning: this was their game. Tender, touching, and fascinating, with ample possibilities and an exhaustive finale. And Beckett would have quickly led Castle to it if it hadn't been for Rick himself. Nervously flinching with overexcitement, he still squeezed, warningly, his powerful hand on her shoulder.
- What, Castle? - Perplexed, Beckett let go of Rick: there was a trembling plea in her gaze, but Castle only silently held out his palm to her. Just as silently, Kate straightened in front of him, Castle waved a hand, inviting her to turn around, and then picked up her beloved in his arms. As he walked to the lingam in the distance, which he himself had chosen by unknown criteria, Beckett, biting her lip, lurched trustingly on his chest.
- There! - Rick gently lowered Kate to the ground and turned her by the shoulders to face away from him: - Look out there, Kate! Look how fabulously wonderful this world is!
And Castle pointed with his chin at the lush, emerald-brown cap of the thousand-year-old forest. His hands, gently nudging, gently and tenaciously rested on her graceful thighs, and Kate smiled sadly, understandingly: this is exactly what could and should be called the end of their difficult journey.
- This world is nothing without you, Castle," she pressed her palms against the hot stone; like a cat, she flexed her back, and with an audible gasp let Castle into herself: his movement was fast, impatient and rough. More unrestrained than a tsunami, he moved inside her, choosing his direction at will; he struck like a cannonball; he shook her like an erupting volcano, and Kate, her forehead pressed against her granite-burned palms, writhing in unbearable agony, moaning blissfully and squinting with pleasure and endless pleasure.
- Harder, Castle, harder, more energy, more faith," Beckett whispered, almost fainting, and Rick tried as if their happiness depended on his power alone.
A shared, prolonged orgasm almost turned the lovers inside out, passionate screams flying far around. Their legs couldn't hold them, their heads were spinning with pleasant weakness and indescribable happiness, and grateful words were probably missing to complete the picture.
- We must rest! - Castle forced himself, and picking up his wife in his arms, carried her, staggering slightly, to the shrubby shade next to the altar.
Conditionally cool patch was very small, and two adults could barely fit in it, but where to go. Almost alive with indescribable emotion, Beckett sank to the ground first, and an exhausted Castle cautiously nestled sideways to her, her back to the rock. Her head immediately leaned gratefully on his heated shoulder, with her index finger on his chin, Beckett turned Castle's lips to hers for a tender kiss, and then gently ran her finger into the curly islet below his belly.
- Still believe in the special mark she left on me? - A faint smile lit up her flaming face. - Even if I didn't, you, my darling, were unparalleled anyway!
- I'm sure, Kate, that the monk was telling the truth," Castle gladly accepted the well-deserved flattery. With a contented grin, he covered his wife's naughty hand with his confident one," and the prediction would come true. It's bound to come true.
- Yeah," Beckett agreed for effect, continuing her unobtrusive caressing, "our love is stronger than nature's charms, it's just... Maybe we're a little unlucky.
- We will, we can't be unlucky! - Castle argued confidently. Hugging Kate by the shoulders, he rested the back of his head against the rock. - Everything will be all right, Kate! I believe, you believe, we believe!
She remained silent, only staring intently at their feet, which were beginning to turn pink from the relentless heat. Just a little longer, and...
- We have to pack, Castle," Kate grimaced, "or else...
- ...we're gonna turn into overcooked linguine. And I don't even have any beer on me.
It didn't take long to pack, and they used wet wipes for speed. They put everything into the backpack, folded the tent, filled the flasks with water and did not forget about a very remarkable and somewhat piquant photo shoot. The way back down was a little more fun, but hardly easier, because the pleasant weakness in the legs and the narrow steps had not disappeared. They rested briefly on the landing for refreshments, but were frozen in indescribable astonishment as they made their way down to the hall.
No, their Sun-face had not disappeared, and the decoration of the hall had not changed at all, only now the most powerful rays of sunlight were streaming from a break in the ceiling to the base of the altar. On the dark floor they outlined an irregularly shaped areal, and almost at the very border of light and shadow, in a rank pose of prayer, sat their monk, who had once so suddenly and inexplicably flown into the sky. He covered his eyes, bowed his head slightly, held his hands together against his chest, and reacted in no way to the appearance of the couple. Resembling a statue, the novice seemed to be asleep.
- I wonder if he could hear us. - Castle held his breath, scrutinizing Mua Tuo. As if he saw him for the first time.
- I don't know," Kate twitched her shoulder uncertainly, "he's probably just meditating.
- Then he must be levitating, too, which means there must be space between the stove and his knees. I'll find something to check that.
He lowered the backpack to the ground, and Rick searched one of the side pockets with a keen eye, pulling something out. Kate watched him rummage through it with as much wonder and amazement as she had a moment ago.
- What was all this for? It's inexplicable in terms of common sense!
- Well, of course it is! That's the fun of it! I'll be right back! - with an ordinary plastic coupler clenched in his fist, Castle crept up to the monk's side and knelt down. Looking back at Kate with genuine enthusiasm, fell to the floor, leaning on his hands, poking the hard tip in search of a hypothetical slit, when suddenly the monk opened his eyes and hummed softly. From surprise Castle sharply recoiled, so much so that he involuntarily rolled over on his back.
- Oh, shit, he was awake! - shaking himself off, Rick got to his feet and politely stepped back to his wife. They were now watching Mua Tuo with all four eyes as he took his time and did everything thoroughly. He stroked his forehead and cheeks and then stood up and turned to his wife. He scrutinized them for some minutes with his lips moving inconspicuously and then suddenly uttered in the purest English:
- Many monks do not sleep, that you know, Mr. Castle! - And looking into Rick's sun-sized eyes with a smile, he kindly explained: - Our world is so unusual and unexplored, that we consider sleep an empty pastime. A brief self-immersion is what, instantly disconnecting us from worldly affairs, greatly enhances our inner spirit.
And the monk made an understandable gesture, not permitting any interruptions.
- Up there, your yin and yang have merged into an indissoluble whole, uniting your inner forces. And it doesn't matter at all, ma'am, that you don't believe in your husband's exhortations and admonitions, you believe in yourself and in both of you. You have a very powerful and bright aura, but, alas, not without weaknesses, which are exactly missing in Mr. Castle's aura. Thus, your husband will make up for you with himself, for the great purpose that has brought you here. Each Buddha-worshiping couple takes a different path, but the result is the same. In essence, it's all about your love, your genuine affection for one another, and your capacity for self-sacrifice. Unbreakable inner cores are your eternal bonds.
- Amazing! - Still reeling from the shock, Castle exclaimed as he reached for Kate's hand. - And I was stupid to think it was all about the "magic pea to grease the staff!
He glanced at Kate, who could scarcely contain her smile, and Beckett modestly averted her eyes to the side.
- So the lube turned out to be a sham? - it seemed that Castle was not only upset, but even slightly offended.
- Not at all. For the pleasure and strangeness of the moment, - without smiling, Mua Tuo gave a deep wai first - Buddha, and then both of them. - There had to be something atypical and memorable about the "procedure. After all, Europeans use different lubricants, so how are Asians worse?
He put his hands together in front of him and bowed again.
- Your love is your salvation. You came here together, and the earth and the sky are always together, side by side and in each other. Farewell!
Mua Tuo staggered back until he crossed the rays and disappeared into a clot of gray darkness. And the Casls were suddenly struck again as if by an invisible, light brush right in the eyes. As if on cue, they rubbed their hands together, flapped their eyelashes strenuously, but when they blinked their eyes, there was no one else in the grotto but the suddenly faded light and the impassive Buddha. Hastily crossing himself with a careless sign, Rick scrambled to the point of the monk's disappearance, but ended up only bumping into the chilly wall.
- I can't get used to these things, penetrating through solid rock," Castle knocked the rock in several places with a passion. - When we get back, I'll look on the Internet. You know, maybe my heroes can do it, too.
- Come on, Castle," Kate said firmly. She didn't sound surprised. She was the first to head for the exit. Good thing Rick didn't see her tightly pressed lips. Castle looked around the empty hall with a sad sigh, the straps of his backpack again tightened around his shoulders, and, bowing low to Buddha, Rick followed his wife.