Poison Pen
Chapter 12
"You want me to drive?" Castle offers. "I noticed you were already stiff from hunching over your computer."
Breathing deeply, Kate rolls her head. "That's very sweet, Castle, but I can't let a civilian drive an official vehicle. You know that. I'll be fine."
"OK, but it won't matter what time we arrive, in case you want to stop along the way to stretch. We have guaranteed reservations. There's also an interesting restaurant that's open late, near our B&B."
"You're good at this, Castle."
"Planning road trips? Yeah. I used to do it for Mother and me when she took me along for weekend dinner theater. Back then, I was looking for the cheapest food and lodgings. We ran into some interesting people that Mother said she was going to internalize for future roles. I put aspects of some of them in my books, too. Planning is less of a challenge when you don't have to worry about stretching every penny, but I still enjoy it. There are always discoveries to be made and adventures to be had around the next bend."
Kate shakes her hair out of her face. "This case is already an adventure. I just want to make sure we get Badcock back to face charges in the city."
"I'd say that all work and no play would make Detective Beckett a dull girl, but I've never found you to be dull. Still, there's no reason having a little fun needs to interfere with your job," Castle insists.
"You may be right," Kate admits. "What kind of restaurant?"
Castle's brows ripple over the twinkle in his eyes. "The kind where you need lots of napkins."
As the manager unlocks the door of her room, Kate gazes appreciatively at a rustic four-poster bed, quilt and rag rug. It all looks — comfortable. She has a few minutes to get settled before meeting Castle downstairs. With the scanty contents of her overnight bag, it won't take her long.
Catching sight of herself in the wood-framed full-length mirror, she notes that her hair could use the touch of a brush. Her locks are almost perfectly straight, and she didn't bring a curling iron, but at least the strands have some shine. Why does she care? Castle's seen her drag herself out of her chair after hours at her computer, today, in fact. She couldn't have been looking sexy. Ooh! That's a loaded word.
After a quick touch-up, she regards herself again. She'll do. Damn! Of course, she will. Why wouldn't she?
Castle holds up two ties against his shirt, wishing Alexis could help him choose. Neither one is silk, With the inevitability that whatever he wears will end up spotted with deliciousness, the fruits of a caterpillar's labors would be wasted. Still, he wishes his color sense was better. With a quick eeny meeny miny, he makes his selection. After rapidly running a comb through his stylist's pride, he's as ready as he can be to meet Beckett for the short stroll to Hickory Smoked Heaven.
Closing her eyes, Kate savors the blend of sweet and sharp heightened by fragrant spices and herbs. Heaven is right. Castle was right about napkins, too. The sauce that clings to her feast of chicken and ribs also coats her mouth and migrates to her chin. She's not sure if Castle's gleeful description of the mess she's making is a tease or not. It doesn't seem to be. In truth, she's enjoying kicking back and soaking in the experience.
Rick can't help smiling at Beckett. Barbecue sauce isn't often regarded as titillating, except to the taste buds, but on the lips of the staunch detective, it's downright alluring. He reaches for his glass tumbler of icy lemonade. He should slow down a bit, maybe a lot. Even if he and Kate have been having a meeting of the minds over the Badcock case, if they're going to have a more personal relationship, this is only the beginning.
Corey, their server, approaches with a heavily loaded cart. "Interested in something to top off your evening?"
A choking sound emanates from Castle's throat. Oh, right. Corey is talking about dessert.
The walk back to the hotel goes much too quickly for Kate. Castle formally offered his arm and seemed a little surprised when she took it. She surprised herself. So far, their time together has been more about work than romance, but he's managed to create a few cracks in the wall she put around her heart after her mother was murdered. Castle knows more about her than Esposito or Ryan, and they've worked together for years.
Kate's also beginning to know the man behind the professional portrait on the dust jackets of his book. His concern for his daughter and his mother isn't what she expected, but she likes him for it. Maybe more than likes.
Beckett detaches herself from Castle's arm as he brings her to the door of her room, across the hall from his. "You'll probably have a busy morning coping with the local bureaucracy," Rick guesses.
"Probably so," Kate agrees.
"Turning in early?" Castle queries.
"I should, but I'm not sure I can. Keyed up, you know? We'll finally have our hands on Badcock. I'll earn some brownie points with Montgomery too."
"Is it important to you," Castle murmurs, "scoring kudos from your captain?"
"Not as important as knowing there won't be a psychopath after mystery writers. I really hated the thought of something happening to you, Castle. I kind of like having you around."
"You're not so bad yourself, Detective Beckett. So, if you're going to do your coply duty, I suppose we'd better say good night."
"Good night, Castle." Kate rises on her toes, her lips aiming for Castle's cheek, but somehow her mouth has a mind of its own. Their lips meet in a melding of heat and spice. Kate pulls back. "I shouldn't have done that. You're consulting on a case. It was unprofessional."
"The hell with professional, Kate. You can go back to dealing with the case in the morning. What do you want now?"
"What I want, Castle - doesn't matter. It's not right or smart, at least not tonight. Once Badcock is put away… I don't know. There's a lot I need to figure out. But for now, I'm going to my room, and you should go to yours."
Castle steps back. "Whatever you say, Detective Beckett. I'll see you in the morning. If the reviews are any indication, this place puts on a great spread. I'll meet you at breakfast."
"Meet you at breakfast," Kate repeats numbly as Castle turns toward his room. After unlocking hers, she leans against the inside of the door. Damn! That wasn't how she wanted things to go. She shouldn't have kissed him like that. She can still feel it, a lot lower than her lips. Maybe a shower will help — a long one under a stinging cold spray. Perhaps in the morning, she can mend some bridges. She hopes so."
Castle tosses between high thread count sheets under handmade wedding ring quilt. He wishes the crafter had chosen any other pattern. For a moment, the lightning that struck at his book party had once again jolted his system, before Beckett sent it to ground. Professional his ass. He's pretty sure her closing down had nothing to do with the case.
He knew she was wounded. He gets it. She's protecting herself. That doesn't make her reticence any less painful. Once Badcock is in N.Y.P.D. custody, Beckett will be inescapably with Rick for another long drive. Maybe they can talk things out. He hopes so.