CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Reunion

The ding of the elevator sounds dimly in the background. Lulled into near sleep by the dull routine of paperwork, Kate's oblivious to the background noise and activity of others. This has to be the longest week of her life.

A cup of coffee appears in front of her, strong fingers curled around the cup. Her eyes snap up into the twinkling eyes of Richard Castle. Her heart jumps as a radiant smile springs to her face and her eyes drink him in, her body rising involuntarily from her chair. Oh God how she's missed him.

Taking the cup from his hand, she starts stepping into his space. He takes a step back at the same time, a look of panic on his face, as he glances around.

"Kate!" he whispers "We're in the precinct."

Oh God. How could she forget? Pulling up short, she freezes, eyes locked on his before she tries to relax her body. Glancing around, she doesn't see anyone paying particular attention to them. Relaxing a little, she tries to act normal even as she feels her body springing to attention at his proximity.

"What are you doing here?" she whispers. "I thought we agreed you were going to work at home this week."

"I missed you. I couldn't stand it. I had to see you."

Understanding, wanting so badly to touch him, she smiles at him. "Me too."

Eyes raking his body, she takes in the way his soft sweater sculpts his chest, his muscles hidden by the line of the jacket. She never realized what a strong body he hid behind his tailored clothes. Now that she knows what she's been missing, her fingers are itching to feel him again. Looking over at the clock, she does some quick calculations in her head. Knowing the boys are out following up on a cold case, she makes a snap decision.

"Come with me." She commands him.

Letting another detective know she's heading to lunch, Kate leads the way to the elevator, Castle following behind. The sight is so familiar that nobody thinks twice about the fact that its not even 11 in the morning.

They silently ride the elevator down together. Walking out the front door of the precinct, Kate walks to the curb and hails a cab. One stops and they climb in.

"Anyone at your place?" she asks, knowing its closer.

He shakes his head no and she gives his address to the driver. As soon as the cab pulls away from the precinct and around the corner, she moves in next to him, her hand grabbing his before resting them both on his thigh. Knowing she won't be able to stop once she starts, she holds herself still but for the gentle circling of her thumb on his hand, the short ride feeling like an eternity. He starts the conversation with little tidbits about his writing, mostly conveying how he can't concentrate and that its going slowly. After a few stilted exchanges, anticipation mounting, they fall into silence, the air heavy with expectation as they get close to his place. Arriving at their destination, he hastily pays the cab driver before escorting her inside.

Once inside the elevator, he pulls her into his arms, kissing her with all the pent-up longing he's been feeling over the past few days and nights. Lost in the feel of him against her, she doesn't even notice when the doors open on his floor. Breaking apart, he leads her to his loft, where he quickly opens the door and calls out to make sure nobody's unexpectedly returned home.

Greeted by silence, he turns to her, a grin on his face.

"Alone at last."

"Finally!" she agrees, quickly moving forward and stripping him of his jacket, throwing it over the back of the couch even as she latches her mouth on his, her hands going to his waist and diving under his sweater, seeking out the hard muscles and soft skin of his body.

"God I've missed you." she admits again between kisses, her mouth peppering his with small little nips and bites, before returning to fully explore its warm depths. Blood pounding in her ears, the low throb between her legs increases as she feels him pressed against her, instinctively rubbing against his hard length.

Pulling her into his body, he opens his mouth and begins seriously teasing her with his tongue, the smell and taste of her overwhelming him. Hands clutching at his shoulders, she pushes into him, desperate for more contact.

Feeling the same driving need, he grabs her with both hands and hoists her up by her bottom, her legs automatically coming around his waist, anchoring her to him. With long strides, he crosses his apartment, aiming for his bedroom even as his mouth continues to explore her mouth and neck.

Kicking the door closed behind him, he quickly crosses to his bed, lowering her onto her back before settling between her legs. The feel of his body pressing her into the bed makes her frantic, desperate to connect with him. Breaking their kiss, chest heaving, her hands lift and pull his sweater up his chest. Frustrated by her clumsy fingers, unable to get him naked fast enough, she barks out a command. "Help me. Hurry!" Without another word, he rises, up, toeing off his shoes even as he pulls his sweater off and tosses it aside. Undoing his pants, he shoves them down, boxers and all. Grabbing her foot, he takes off her boot and tosses it aside, before grabbing her other foot and giving it the same treatment. Looking up, he sees she's already got her blouse undone and is working on her bra, her skin flushed, eyes devouring his body even as she fumbles with her own clothes. Seeing she has her pants undone, he hooks his thumbs in the waistband, grabbing the delicate lace of her underwear at the same time, she lifts her hips, rising up so he can pull everything of, baring her lower body.

Squirming out of her blouse and bra, her eyes devouring him, she watches him, eyes dark with arousal, wandering over every inch of him, as her fingers twitch in anticipation of touching him again. Reaching into the nightstand, he quickly grabs a condom and rolls it on, wanting only to join with her. Eyes returning to her, he stills, his breath hitching at the sight of her, the perfection of her form stunning him momentarily. He'll never get used to how beautiful she is. She's lying back on the bed, raised up slightly on her elbows as she watches him, her tousled hair draping over her shoulders and tickling her breasts. Her eyes are wide and dilated, an absolutely wanton expression on her face, as her breath comes in and out in short pants. Her chest heaves, the perfect weight of her breasts jumping in time with her breathing, the dusky pink nipples tight and hard, begging for his touch. Her legs are parted, the soft curls at her entrance doing little to hide the moisture pooling there. Unable to believe she's his for the taking, he silently thanks whatever god exists for her presence in his life.

Mood changing, he approaches the bed, his initial frantic desire giving way to the need to cherish and worship. Climbing over her, he lets his weight settle between her legs, his cock teasing her entrance even as he brings his mouth back to hers, taking soft sips, before diving in for a long, slow, deep kiss. He lets everything he's feeling for her pour out of him, making slow, gentle love to her with his mouth. Dropping back onto the bed, she follows his lead, returning his gentle kisses, losing herself in the feel of his body pressing into hers. Mesmerized by the feel of his mouth and hands on her, her hands gently knead his shoulders and back before trailing up and down his spine before settling firmly on his hips, trying to keep her grip on reality as her body spins out of control, desire overwhelming her.

Taking his time, he gently makes love with her, his body joining with hers, drawing out the experience. His slow, deliberate intrusion into her is an exquisite torture, the feel of him stimulates her, body and soul, as he drives her higher and higher, his drugging kisses pulling her under as she tumbles more deeply in love with him. Unable to think, only feel, her body follows his lead, cherishing the feel of this man in her arms. Hazel green eyes locked with blue, she sees something swimming in his eyes that has her drawing back, trying to retreat even as her mind resists naming that which shines so clearly from him. Unable to look away, the connection between them too strong, she lays open, emotionally exposed as her climax catches her by surprise. They climbed the hill together, the slow building pressure spreading throughout her entire body, before releasing at her center, the spasms going on and on as she feels the twitch and pulse of his body within hers, a low groan of satisfaction spilling from him. Overwhelmed, frightened by what she's feeling, she closes her eyes, clutching him to her, as his body relaxes over hers, pushing her further into the bed.

The need to tell her he loves her builds, struggling to burst free. Knowing his heart has already been irrevocably captured by her, he fights an internal debate, wanting only to give her the words that scream inside his head, looking for a way out even as he knows its too soon. She's not ready. In those last moments before their climax, he'd swear she felt it too – the look in her eyes haunting him, making him feel cherished and loved, even as he saw the fear fighting for dominance. Her body conveys what her heart feels, but he senses she's fighting it, fighting herself. When she closed her eyes and hid from him, he knew the timing wasn't right. Heartbroken yet hopeful, he holds her close, raining soft kisses down on her, giving her the physical expression of what he so desperately wants to tell her.

Bodies cooling, he frantically searches for what to say, knowing this is a critical moment for them. Too serious and she'll run. Too light and he'll feel like an ass. Debating what to do even as he continues to hold her, he jumps when he hears her phone ringing from somewhere nearby. The feel of her soft hands pushing against him cause him to roll off her, freeing her.

Giving him a quick look, an enigmatic expression in her eyes, she dives for her phone, pulling it out of a pocket, before clearing her throat and hitting the button.

"Beckett" she answers, her voice a little huskier than usual. "What? Where?" Pausing for a moment, she closes her eyes and listens, then says, "Okay, text me the address, I'll meet you there." Closing the phone, she avoids looking at him, even as she starts gathering her clothes.

"That was Espo. Body drop. I've got to go." Rising up, he stills her with a touch of his arm. Pulling her in, he gives her a kiss, hand gently rubbing circles on the back of her neck.

"Kate. Look at me." Her eyes reluctantly meet his. He looks…wounded. "Do you want me to come with you? I know we agreed I'd stay away this week, but I can…"

He looks so uncertain. Shaking her head quickly, knowing she's responsible for somehow hurting him, she lets out a big sigh and tosses her clothes on the bed, needing to fix this. Moving in, she wraps her arms around him and snuggles her head into his chest. Thinking back to her conversation with Lanie, she recognizes her attempt to protect herself and run. Gathering her courage, she forces herself to do the right thing. Drawing on the joy she feels just being with him, she pulls back, looking him in the eye, a more relaxed smile playing at the corners of her mouth, as she takes a page from his book and lightens things up.

"No. Let's stick with the plan. I know this wasn't what you were thinking when you came by the precinct earlier, but I can't seem to help myself." Giving him a quick kiss and a squeeze on the butt, she starts to move back. "I really do need to get to the scene. If it looks interesting, I'll give you a call and you can join us." She offers, dressing again as he watches her, his body relaxing slightly now that she's acting more normally. Sitting down, she puts her boots back on, runs her hands through her hair, pulling it back out of the way before standing up again.

"Let me just use your bathroom a moment and then I'll be on my way."

Retreating into his bathroom, she closes the door, where she uses the facilities, before washing her hands and looking in the mirror. She looks like she's been ravished and takes a few minutes to fix her appearance, although nothing will hide the healthy flush on her cheeks or her slightly swollen lips. Feeling better than she has in days, she focuses on taking it one day at a time. By the time she exits the bathroom, she's found her equilibrium. Looking up, she sees Rick has his jeans back on, the top button still undone, wearing a smile and little else. Wishing she didn't have to go, she sighs, as she takes a moment to appreciate his body. He looks so sexy she doesn't even notice the sandwich wrapped in a paper towel until he holds it out to her, a shy smile on his face.

"Since you already took your lunch break" his eyes dart over to the bed, a satisfied grin crossing his face, "I thought I should get you something to eat since you probably won't get another chance."

Thinking she doesn't deserve him, she reaches up and kisses him, before taking the sandwich from him. "Thanks, Rick." Leaning in, she deepens the kiss momentarily, before breaking it off and resting her forehead against his. "I've gotta go" she says reluctantly, grabbing his hand and pulling him with her as she heads for his door.

"I know." He says, reluctant to part. Kissing her again, he feels his blood start to heat up, ready for another round. Groaning, he pulls back. "Go, woman. Or I might not let you out of my sight the rest of the day."

Laughing, feeling light and free, she returns his kiss before opening the door, scooting away, a smile on her face and a spring in her step as she heads to the elevator.