AN: Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and reviews for this story. I really appreciate them!
Disclaimer: I don't own Castle.
"So, how was your holiday?"
It's two days after Christmas when Kate meets Alex again in the shop. They sit at one of the counters facing the windows, observing the passersby as the two sip their respective drinks, enjoying each other's company.
"Okay," he replies. "I spent it with my mother."
"Did you have a huge feast?"
"If by 'huge' you mean cold ham and interesting tasting cherry pie, then yes. Turns out hospital food still isn't appetizing, even on Christmas."
Hospital?
"Why you were in the hospital?" She chances a glance at him, seeing a frown on his face.
"My mother has cancer, so she's stuck in there until she gets better," he murmurs.
Oh.
"I'm sorry," she responds lamely, unsure of what else to add.
Waving his hand, he shrugs, sighing. "It's fine. You didn't know." Then, grinning, he turns to her. "So, how was your Christmas?" The answer is on the tip of her tongue; however, she doesn't think it'll be a good idea to rub her happy family in his face. "Come on, I could use some holiday cheer."
So, she regales him with her Christmas Day, from the morning to the final stroke of midnight. He seems intrigued, hanging onto every word.
"Wow, you guys are quite the happy family," he states, tone full of wonder.
"Yeah, I'm pretty lucky," she hums, finishing her drink.
"Are you doing anything for New Year's Eve?"
"Uh, my high school friend invited me to a club, so I'm probably going to go."
"Sounds like you don't want to," he notes, eyebrows raised.
Kate sighs as she tosses out her drink. "She was my only close friend in high school and I haven't really talked to her since I started college. We kind of just…drifted apart. I figured going out would help us reconnect."
"Mmmm." He shakes his head. "Just don't drink too much." A smirks blooms across his face as he speaks.
"Ugh, you sound like my mom," she grouses as they exit the shop.
He chuckles, clutching his coat tighter around him to lessen the impact of the cold.
They walk to her home in silence. It's not uncomfortable; honestly, it's quite pleasant, despite the low temperature. However, Kate decides to break the quiet, wanting to know more about the man next to her.
"Are you doing anything for New Year's Eve?" He's quite good looking, surely he must have a date or something.
A sigh comes from his lips as he shrugs. "Probably just hang out at my place, alone. Also, I'll visit Mother at some point."
The brunette frowns, not liking his answer. From what she can see, the life he lives appears to be a lonely one.
"No friends? Work?" she pushes, her heart clenching at the thought of him being alone. After all, he seems sweet enough.
"Ah, no, no friends," he admits sheepishly. "As for work, I'm in between jobs right now, usually am. I'm jack of all trades but a master of none, unfortunately."
"Do you have a job for long?" Guilt courses through her as she realizes she knows nothing about his background, mainly talking about herself during their previous conversations.
"Eh, sometimes they can last a month or so, but most only last a week or two. It's fine though, I enjoy doing different things." He glances down at her, a reassuring smile spread across his face. Well, as long as it makes him happy, she's not going to judge.
When they arrive at her apartment, she peers up at him, curious, slightly teasing.
"Will I ever get to see your home?"
A snort escapes him before answering, "I think if you saw my place, you wouldn't want to hang out with me anymore."
She shakes her head, eyes rolling. "Har har. I'm going to make it my goal to see your place before I leave for school."
"I'm sure you'll succeed," he mumbles, but there's a strange undercurrent in his tone, one she can't put a finger on.
"See you tomorrow?" She almost cringes at how hopeful she sounds, but she's grown accustomed to meeting him.
"Until tomorrow," he concurs, giving her a wink before departing.
Her lips curve into a small smile as she bounces up the steps of her childhood home, her heart fluttering.
Tomorrow can't come fast enough.
The next few days pass in the same fashion and Kate finds herself looking forward to her mornings with Alex more and more. She wonders if he feels the same.
Soon, New Year's Eve Day is upon them and Kate treks to her usual coffee shop. However, she finds Alex to be absent from the shop, strangely and feels disappointment consume her at the thought of not having their daily chat.
Maybe he went to visit his mother early today, she thinks as she retrieves her order.
Deciding not to stick around, she exits, sipping her drink on the way back home. Her mother and father are at work, so she has the house to herself. Which is good, since they probably won't approve of what she wants to wear tonight. Well, her father won't care for it, at least. Her mother's been too engrossed in her latest case to even notice. Hell, she might not even be home for New Year's. Both Kate and her father have been trying to coax information from her mother about what the case is, but her mother's lips remain tightly zipped, only shrugging and saying it'll be over soon and they'll find out then. Oh well.
So, Kate spends her day lounging, reading a book and flipping through the channels on television to rot her brain a little. It's been an intense semester and she definitely needs the mental break.
The hours pass and soon she's prepping for the outing. She and Maddie agreed to meet each other at the place, since they've both been there before. In fact, it was a usual hangout for them before Kate had departed for school. She doubts it's changed much.
It's five o'clock by the time she slips into her black strap heels. Examining herself in the mirror, she admires her figure in the black dress that practically molds itself to her form, her hair in a mess of curls. Her mind briefly flits to Alex, imagining his reaction to her outfit, but she pushes it away. She's not certain of his feelings, so there's no reason to entertain any thought of him. Besides, it's not like he'll be at the club.
Shaking her head, she heads out the door, clutching her coat and scarf around her to protect herself from the chill. She hails a cab, having no desire to walk several long blocks in the cold.
As the cab pulls up to the curb of her destination, the brunette immediately spots her blonde friend on the sidewalk. Unsurprisingly, Maddie's donned in a gold dress that is illuminated by the streetlights, her silver platinum heels glisten and her gold jewelry shines. Kate chuckles; she always was the more ostentatious one.
"Hey, Becks!" Maddie greets as Kate strides toward her. "You ready to party?"
"Yeah," she answers, the sight of her friend making her feel a little more enthusiastic about the idea than she did before. "Let's go."
They enter the club with ease, and of course, it's packed with people ready to celebrate the incoming of a new year. Customers cover the dance floor, bodies sliding against one another as the rapid beats of the music blare from the stereos. Excitement courses through her body at the sight and she and Maddie waste no time in going to the bar to loosen themselves up.
"So, how's it going? I haven't heard from you in a while," Maddie notes as she sips her rum and coke.
Kate shrugs. "Good. School's been really intense."
"I would imagine, Ms. Stanford," her friend teases. "Meet anyone interesting?"
"Er, no, not really. You?" None of the Stanford guys hold any appeal for her. She'd been hoping that perhaps being at a highly ranked school would provide a more mature offering of guys. Alas, that was not the case.
"A few guys, but you know how it is. I'm thinking of going to culinary school, actually."
"Really?" the brunette inquires, surprise coloring her tone. She doesn't recall Maddie ever being into food. "Interesting," she comments as she takes another sip of her vodka tonic.
"Yeah, I figured it would be something…" Maddie trails off, her gaze moving past Kate to someone in the crowd. "Hey, I think that guy is coming toward us."
Furrowing her eyebrows, Kate swirls around, spotting a very familiar figure a few feet away.
"Alex?" she asks.
"You know him?" Maddie chirps. "He's quite handsome."
"Er, yeah, he goes to the coffee shop near me."
He gives a little wave once he's closer to them. "Hey, Kate," he greets.
"Hey, Alex. Surprised to see you here," Kate states with a raised brow. "Oh, and this is my friend Maddie."
"Nice to meet you," he says, a charming smile on his face.
"What brings you here?" the brunette asks.
He shrugs. "Thought I could celebrate somewhere that wasn't my empty apartment." His eyes glide to the dance floor and he grins, holding his hand out to her. "Would you like to join me?"
Her teeth gnaw at her lip as she thinks. What could it hurt?
"Sure!" She turns to Maddie, her friend already waving her away.
"Go! Have Fun!" her friend calls as Alex drags Kate to the dance floor.
"So, you just happened to choose this club?" she quizzes, smirking.
"I was in the neighborhood." The expression on his face lets her know he's lying and not even attempting to hide it. Admittedly, she's a bit flattered, and the thought of him possibly having feelings for her makes her heart flutter.
"So," he starts, swaying to the music. "Your friend is very…sparkly."
A soft laugh falls from her lips as she matches his moves. "Yeah, she's always been one to stand out."
"I thought that'd be you," he murmurs, placing his hands on her hips. He's tentative as he does, asking her permission. She smiles, grabbing his hands and holding them in place.
"Thanks, but not really." Her hands find his shoulders, her fingers splaying across his broad muscles.
"No boyfriends?" He tries to appear indifferent, but curiosity shines in his eyes.
Her lips purse. "Some, but not many." That's one that's never come up in their daily conversations, relationships. She doesn't know if he's ever dated. "You?" She closer to him now, their hips almost grinding against one another. It's electrifying, exhilarating, and she wants more.
"Pretty much the same, on and off. I haven't found the right person, it seems." He gazes at her, his blue eyes burning into her hazel ones. As her faces heats up, he murmurs, "Want to go somewhere else?"
All she can manage is a nod as she follows him outside. The air might be cold, but her insides grow increasingly warmer as the walk away from the club. As they pass an alleyway, he gently pushes her against the wall, his hands on her hips and his face near hers.
"Kiss me," she mumbles and he obeys, slanting his lips onto hers. As their mouths move in sync, his hand finds her hair, tangling his fingers in it. She places her own hand on his hip, pulling him closer, a moan escaping her as his torso pushes against her. The heat between them intensifies, and she craves more. God, she's never had a kiss this good.
As he moves to her neck, a soft groan emanates from her.
"No marks," she teases, hands going for his hair.
"Why?" he almost whines.
"Parents," she grunts by way of explanation, fingers curling around his scalp.
At that statement, he freezes and removes his lips from her neck before he backs away. She holds back a whine, missing his warmth.
She purses her lips, confused. "Did I kill the mood?"
"No, it's just…we can't do this," he says in an apologetic tone.
"Why?" she demands. He seemed perfectly fine two minutes ago.
"We just can't," he grits out, hands clenching. There's pain in his eyes and she has no clue why it's there.
"I don't understand." Her face morphs into a scowl, her frustration evident.
"And you won't," he says simply. Sighing, he shakes his head. "Look, go back to Maddie, enjoy the rest of your night."
"But Alex-" she starts; however, he's already turning his back.
"Happy New Year, Kate." He tosses her a sad smile and a melancholy wave before walking down the street.
"Happy New Year," she mumbles.
What the hell just happened?