CHAPTER FIFTEEN: TEMPTATION LANE

"Detective Beckett, a word please?" Martha approaches, a smile on her face. Her effusive personality draws attention everywhere she goes, even on the set of the long running soap opera that is Temptation Lane. Kate can't help but smile. She's always liked Castle's mom, appreciating the affection and quiet strength she masks so skillfully with her over the top personality.

Looking around, Kate realizes everyone else has faded into the background, getting back to their jobs. Even Castle has made himself scarce after interrupting Martha's "rehearsal" with Lance. Curious, thinking she may have found out some useful tidbit of gossip, Kate quickly agrees.

"Sure, Martha. What can I do for you?"

Placing a hand on Kate's arm, Martha takes a few more steps away from everyone else, giving them a little more privacy.

Lowering her voice, she leans in and confides in Kate, squeezing one of her hands between her own. "I just wanted to tell you I'm so happy that you and Richard have finally taken a chance on each other. I've never seen him so happy."

Nonplussed, a slight blush coloring her cheeks, Kate just looks at Martha, unable to form a reply.

"Oh no. Now I've embarrassed you. Really, dear, it's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"When did he tell you?" Kate finally manages to ask, giving in, knowing there's no point in denying it.

"What? Oh, he didn't. But it's perfectly obvious. Like I said, I've never seen him so happy. And I must say you're looking even more ravishing than usual as well." Giving her hand a quick squeeze, Martha continues, barreling over Kate's obvious shock. "I know I have you to thank for his great mood lately. I just wish you weren't sneaking around. I mean, really, you two are consenting adults. You've nothing to be ashamed of."

"What?" Kate responds, a little louder than she meant to. Looking around quickly, she lowers her voice. "I'm not ashamed! It's just – it's uh, complicated with my work and all. We just want to keep it under wraps for now. But I'm not ashamed of him. I could never be ashamed of him." She tells Martha sincerely, a little horrified at the thought.

"Oh, yes, well, your work." Waving her hands as if it's perfectly obvious, she dismisses her concerns immediately. "Of course, that makes sense. And you can count on me. I won't say a word."

"Thank you Martha. Um, does Alexis know?"

"I don't think so. At least, I haven't said anything and I don't think Richard has either. But you guys really should tell her. That way you can at least be together in the privacy of our home as well as yours. She'll be delighted. Quite frankly, I'm surprised Richard hasn't said anything yet."

Nodding her head, knowing Martha's right to be calling them out on their secrecy, she tells her "I'll talk to him about it. I've told him he can tell you and Alexis whenever he was ready. I know he wants to be the one to tell her, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say anything to her."

Nodding her head, Martha agrees. "Just one more thing dear." Serious now, Martha looks at her, a motherly expression on her face. "I know how difficult this is for you. I've watched you two since the beginning and I see how much you've both changed. This isn't going to be easy for either one of you. You both have a tendency to hide your feelings and that can be tough. But you're everything I could want for him and more."

Stunned, touched, Kate can only look at Martha, taken aback by her whole-hearted approval.

"The only thing I ask is that you please be careful with his heart. I'm sure you've already figured out he's nothing like that playboy persona he puts on for the public. But what you might not realize is that he feels things very deeply. And I haven't ever seen him give himself so wholeheartedly to someone like this before. I'm glad he's found you. I think you guys are going to be great together."

Surprised, thoughtful, a lot intimidated, Kate realizes that Martha has just delivered a velvet coated warning. Knowing she speaks the truth about Castle's true nature, Kate looks at Martha and thinks carefully before responding, feeling the weight of expectations falling heavily on her shoulders.

"I don't know what's going to happen Martha. All I know is that when I'm with him, everything seems so simple. I don't want to hurt him. And I don't want to get hurt. The only thing I can promise you is that I won't purposely do anything to hurt him."

"That's all anyone can ask for dear." Giving her a hug, Martha pulls back and smiles at Kate, a little twinkle in her eye. "And just so you know. Alexis is spending the night at a friend's house, so there's no need for him to rush home tonight."

With a chuckle and a wave, Martha saunters off, leaving a blushing, chagrined Kate Beckett staring after her.

X X X

Losing himself in Kate's eyes, affection flowing between them, he looks down at her holding the photo of the Temptation Lane cast. Knowing how she became a fan of the show brings him that much closer to her. Not wanting their night to end, he throws out the invitation. "So the boys and I are going to the Old Haunt. Care to join us?"

"Are you kidding? There's no way we can keep this from them if we go to the Old Haunt together. You've already been pushing the envelope with all your little comments and flirting during this case." Giving him a look, she decides to play a little.

"Besides, I thought I'd go home and take a bath. Get soapy, as it were…" Throwing his words from earlier right back at him, she gives him a seductive look, her eyes lingering on his lips, before she runs her hands down her sides, smoothing her top, drawing his gaze to her figure. Her mind flashes back to the last time they showered together. Feeling a little ping between her legs, she shifts, easing the pressure a little.

"I can cancel and meet you there." He offers eagerly, wanting nothing more than to join her.

"No way, Castle. If you back out now they're going to know something's up. Why don't you go have a drink with the guys. Since Martha knows and Alexis has a sleepover, you can just come over to my place after. Okay?"

"Um, sure, yeah. That sounds great." He agrees, knowing it's going to be the fastest drink on record. "I'll just be – I'll see you in a bit." Getting up, he gives her a lingering look before heading for the elevator, a smile on his face.

X X X

Hearing the knock on her door, Kate smiles. Glancing at her watch, she sees it's only been an hour or so since she left the precinct. Tightening the belt on her robe, she walks over and looks through the peephole. Seeing Castle on the other side, she smiles, opening the door and letting him in.

"Oh my." He says, taking in her appearance. Eyes raking her, he sees she's just come from the bath. Her face is flushed from the heat, her eyes slightly dilated in the low light of her apartment, lips luscious and red. Her hair is put up in a messy bun, wet wisps of hair sticking to her neck. Drops of water trace down her neck and into the deep vee of her silky cream colored robe, which is cinched tightly at her waist. The robe itself drapes over her curves, her damp skin causing it to cling to every curve and hollow of her body. Her nipples are coiled tightly, pushing against the thin fabric, calling to him. Her toned legs peek out from under the short hem, their golden color drawing his eye. Swallowing quickly, Castle takes a step towards her, drawn by the seductive sight in front of him.

"It may not be a fur coat, Castle, but it's the best I could do on short notice." Her husky voice interrupts his perusal of her gorgeous body.

Confused, thinking about what she's said, it takes him a moment to realize she's making a teasing reference to the actress' seduction of the producer from the case they just closed.

"This is so much better." He tells her, truthfully, thinking that nobody can compare to her.

His eyes are drawn to her hands, which begin toying with the neckline of her robe before they drop to the tie, teasing him even as her eyes catch his, a smirk on her face.

"You're killing me, Kate." He admits, stepping closer to her, his hands automatically reaching for her hips, pulling her into him, before he lowers his head to kiss her.

The faint whisper of scotch teases her senses as she opens to him, tongue eagerly tangling with his, the sharp flavor of the alcohol combining with his familiar taste. The feel of his strong body surrounds her, the soft fabric of his jeans brushing against the damp skin of her legs. His muscles are solid against her chest, making her feel delicate, feminine. And the hard ridge of his erection pushes against her stomach, letting her know how affected he is by their closeness. She revels in the familiar rush of her body tightening in response to his proximity, anticipating his next move, her body preparing itself for their time together.

"Mmm, Castle." She interrupts, pulling back slightly, even as her arms snake around him and she backs up towards the couch, pulling him with her. "We need to talk a minute."

Hearing those dreaded words spill from her mouth, he pauses, pulling back to look in her eyes. Seeing the serious expression on her face, he feels his pulse jump, fear beating out desire.

"Sure, yeah. What did you want to talk about?" he manages over the lump in his throat.

"Relax, Castle. It's nothing bad." She smiles, reassuring him. "It's just, I've been thinking about what your mom said to me today."

"I'm so sorry about that. I don't know how she figured it out. I still can't believe she cornered you like that."

"It's okay. I'm not upset. I just think we should talk about it, that's all. She did have a point. I think you should tell Alexis about us, before Martha slips up and says something or before she figures it out. Martha made me realize we're sneaking around like we're doing something wrong. And we're not. There's no reason for us to hide this from our families."

"Of course we're not doing something wrong. Do you think I'm ashamed of you Kate?" he asks, realizing that's a possible interpretation of what's going on here.

"No. No. Not at all. I know we talked about keeping it to ourselves and I still think that's the right thing to do at work. But I don't think we should keep hiding this from your family."

"Okay. Well, how about this. Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night and we'll tell Alexis then. Is that okay?"

"Um, sure. If that's how you want to handle it. Oh, and I should tell you that Lanie knows." She admits, knowing he has a right to know.

"Lanie! Kate! No wonder she was giving me those looks earlier." Thinking about Lanie's knowing looks, he's almost afraid to ask. "Just what did you tell her anyway?"

Deciding to torture him a little, she teases "Well, let's just say she knows you are a very talented man."

"What?!" he squeaks. "What does that mean?" Instinctively moving his hands to protectively cover his groin, he blushes, feeling exposed. "Did you tell her about…"

Laughing, she lets him off the hook. "No, Castle. I didn't give her any intimate details. Don't worry. She may be my best friend, but I don't share those kinds of details. But she does know we're together now. And she's happy for us – and sworn to secrecy. We can trust her."

"That's just…" looking at her laughing, her eyes dancing with glee, he can't believe she just played him. "Why, Kate Beckett, you little minx."

Tackling her, pushing her back on the couch, he starts tickling her, knowing exactly what spots are most sensitive. "You're going to pay for that, Kate."

Shrieking with laughter, she wiggles against him, joy at being with him spilling out of her. Reaching up, she pulls his head down to hers, catching his lips with hers even as she giggles against him, making quick work of the buttons on his shirt, revealing him bit by bit to her questing fingers. Reveling in the feel of him over her, her laughter quickly turns to sighs and moans as he begins torturing her in other, equally skilled ways.