PROPINQUITY (noun):
affinity of nature; similarity
CHAPTER EIGHT
Kate woke slowly to the sound of dishes clanging, and the smell of coffee and food. She sniffed the air: bacon. Definitely bacon. She sat up, stretching as she did so, and glanced around at the room that was becoming increasingly more familiar. She vaguely remembered falling asleep, Castle's arm around her, and while she usually woke after a little while and went home (or woke when he left her place), she'd obviously slept through the night.
Strange, she thought, to be waking up in daylight, burrowed in his sinfully perfect sheets on his perfect mattress. Her bed was nothing to laugh at, of course, but his provided an air of luxury that hers lacked. Then again, hers was, until recently, used primarily for sleep, while his saw more…active things.
Not that she was complaining. Falling asleep in Castle's arms was surprisingly pleasant. He was broad and firm, but warm, his arm providing a sort of security blanket, comforting around her torso. She could definitely get used to-
No.
She shook her head at herself, sitting up and pulling the sheet over her chest. No, she wouldn't start thinking like that. He was great in bed, but that was the extent of their contact outside of work. At the end of the day he was her client; never mind the way her skin tingled when she was around him, it was incredibly unprofessional to be sleeping with him. She really shouldn't be doing it. But she couldn't help herself. He was absolutely intoxicating.
She was about to slide out of bed in search of her clothes when she heard footsteps, and she smiled when Castle rounded the corner into the bedroom, clad in boxers and carrying a tray full of food. "Hey," she greeted him, her voice rough with sleep.
Castle returned her smile and set the tray on his nightstand before climbing back in next to her. "Hi. Sleep well?"
"Actually, yeah," Kate admitted. She craned her neck around him and eyed the tray. "What's that?"
"I made us breakfast. I figured you'd need it," Castle teased with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
Kate chuckled and nudged his shoulder, gratefully accepting her coffee even as she mentally chided herself on such a nonchalant gesture. Nudges and touches were for couples, not for friends with benefits. We're not even that, she thought with a sip, more like fuckbuddies. "Pancakes?" she asked when he handed her a full plate. "Mmm, and bacon."
"Yes, pancakes. An edible way of saying 'thank you for last night.'" Castle brushed a kiss against Kate's cheek before digging into his own food. "Plus," he continued, his mouth full, "I was starving. I figured you might be too."
Kate closed her eyes as she took her first bite; the pancakes were fluffy and warm, providing a nice contrast with the crispy bacon. She sipped her coffee, a smile flirting with the corners of her mouth; it was perfect. The right amount of cream and syrup. And she'd only had coffee around him a handful of times.
Obviously, the man was nothing if not observant.
She ate quickly, not wanting her visit to end but also needing to get into work, but when his hand dropped to her knee she paused.
"Everything okay?" Castle asked, his head turned towards her.
Kate glanced at him; his gaze was fixated on her, his eyes intense, but the stubble on his jaw and hair flipped over his forehead gave him a softer quality that she found endearing. Her hand found its way to the top of his and she squeezed, her fingers around his. "Yeah. I should get going though." She leaned over to give him a kiss. "I'll see you later, okay?"
Castle smiled, but his eyes betrayed the smile on his face. His brows were furrowed, and the sparkle that typically brightened his irises was absent. "Okay. See ya."
She slipped her clothes on as she retrieved them from the floor, slipping her sweater over her head as she grabbed her purse from the kitchen island. She paused briefly with her hand on the doorknob before she tugged the door open and walked out. He's not worth it, Kate, she chided herself as she stepped into the elevator. He's just a playboy bachelor who can get whomever he wants. It's just a matter of time before he moves on from you.
Although…
It wasn't lost on her that in the three weeks they'd been sleeping together, Castle hadn't been on Page Six for his usual shenanigans. In fact, besides the blurbs covering the MADT function and the Children's Hospital, and an inclusion on a handful of "most anticipated upcoming books" lists, he hadn't been in the paper at all.
That couldn't be coincidence.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of her cell phone, and she glanced briefly at the caller ID before flipping it open. "Hey Lanie," she said in greeting.
"I just got off the phone with Gina," Lanie said immediately. "She wanted to make sure that you're still able to accompany Castle to the party on Saturday."
"Shit, I completely forgot."
Long before the fateful MADT dinner, Kate had agreed to go with Castle to all of his events throughout her Black Pawn employment. Of course, now that their relationship had...evolved, now that Kate's feelings were starting to get a bit muddled, she wasn't sure going with him to a very high profile book launch was a good idea.
Especially since it was a Black Pawn-hosted event, and the odds were very good that Gina was going to be there. And she was most definitely not on the short list of people who knew about her and Castle.
Kate groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose as she slid into a cab. "I have to, don't I?"
"Yeah, it's probably a good idea. So tell me, have you managed to be around writer boy without jumping his bones?"
"Yes." Kate could imagine the incredulous look on Lanie's face, even from across town. She sighed in defeat. "Basically."
"Kate."
"I'm fine in public," she insisted. "But as soon as we're alone, it's like...it's like we can't keep our hands off each other. He's just so...Lanie, I haven't had sex this good in ages. Maybe ever." She handed the cabbie her fare as she climbed out in front of her building. "And even when we're not-" She lowered her voice when she passed her doorman. "-you know, he's different. More attentive, maybe. He touches me. His hand on my arm, my back, even the sex is changing"
"How so?"
"The first few times it was just about the sex, you know? Get it out of our systems and move on."
"But if that were the case," Lanie interrupted, "you would have stopped after those first couple nights." Lanie paused. "You like him."
"What? No." Kate scoffed. "No."
"Really? So you're not doing the walk of shame right now?"
Kate froze at her door, her keys in her hand, and slowly turned to see Lanie at the end of the hallway, leaning against the wall, a shit-eating grin on her face. Kate felt her cheeks flush. "Shut up."
"You still haven't told me about your date," Lanie pointed out, following Kate into her apartment.
Kate rolled her eyes. "That's because there isn't anything to talk about. We went to dinner, that's it." She kicked off her shoes and plugged in her phone, avoiding any eye contact with Lanie. She was lying, a bold-faced lie, but Lanie didn't need to see it written all over her face. "Start the coffee while I shower, will ya?"
One week earlier…
She was just slipping on her shoes when her doorbell rang. Glancing at the clock, she smiled to herself as she made her way to the door; he was right on time. She tried to calm her nerves; there was no reason to have butterflies in her stomach, but she hadn't seen him in almost a week, and she missed him.
Wait. No.
She shook her head and opened the door, revealing Castle in a crisp suit, the deep green color of his shirt complementing the dark purple pocket square. The purple that matched the color of her dress. How did he...she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and reached her hand out. "Hey," she greeted him, stepping aside to let him in. She managed to restrain from reaching out and caressing his open collar, turning instead to snag her clutch from her kitchen counter.
"You look great," Castle said, his voice laced with awe.
Kate hid her smile but felt her cheeks flush, and she gave a little twirl of her hips, causing the skirt to ruffle around her knees. "Thanks. Shall we?" When she turned back towards the door she ran into the solid plane of Castle's chest, and her hands landed on his sides as his slid to her hips. "Castle…"
"We have a few minutes," he murmured, his lips descending to her jaw to nip the skin below her ear. He nudged her back, pinning her against the counter, his thigh slipping between her legs. His hand skimmed along the hem of her dress before sliding underneath, along the back of her thighs, to play with the edge of her underwear. "Just enough time to get a head start on the evening."
Kate moaned and tilted her head to the side to make it easier for him to trail his lips down her neck, and as he played with the strap on her shoulder, she hitched her leg around his thigh. Her hips rolled against his, drawing a groan from his lips, but as soon as her hands snuck under his suit jacket, he pulled away.
She glared at him, or she hoped it was a glare, because all she could think was that she wanted him to take her right there, on the counter, and their date be damned. "What the hell?" Her hands fell to his belt, but he took them in his, laced their fingers together.
"Later," he husked, his forehead resting against hers. "I just had to kiss you."
Kate managed a chuckle, her eyes closing briefly when he brushed a quick kiss to her mouth. "You don't hear me complaining. As long as we get to continue this later, of course," she added as an afterthought, with a nudge of her knee to his.
Their hands remained clasped throughout the elevator ride, but he let go when they reached the lobby. "In case there are photographers," he muttered into her ear.
Kate nodded, her stride with his, offering a nod of thanks when he opened the door for her. She stopped when she saw the limo parked at the curb; she expected a town car, not a limo, not for this date they were only going on only because she outbid everyone else.
Castle turned back to her and flashed a smile, held out his hand in invitation. "Come on, I won't bite," he teased.
Kate felt herself flush at the implied "yet," but she passed him and slid into the limo even as she rolled her eyes. Castle followed, keeping a respectable distance, but as soon as the door closed behind him he was next to her, crowding her against the door. She met his open mouth with hers, her tongue slicking against his as her hands made their way around his neck. Her fingers played with the fine hairs at his nape, and his snuck under the hem of her skirt, but before he had a chance to move too high the car rolled to a stop.
She followed him out of the car, accepting his offered hand after smoothing her dress down. "Thanks," she said with a shy smile, leaning into his side when he pressed his hand against the small of her back. Her jaw dropped when she saw the restaurant; she'd heard of Le Bernardin, but despite her connections, had never been able to get a seat. "Castle, this is…"
"Impressive, huh?" he interrupted her, a wide grin on his face. "I've been wanting to try this place for years. I've heard their tasting menus are to die for." He led her to the private entrance, where they were greeted by a hostess.
"Mr. Castle, Ms. Beckett," she said cheerfully, "please, this way." She led them to a table in the back of the restaurant, not completely private, but fairly secluded. She brought wine immediately, pouring them each a glass.
Kate settled into her chair across from Castle, an appreciative hum escaping from her lips when she took a sip of the wine. "Good choice," she complimented him. She didn't drink very often, not after what had happened with her dad, but she did appreciate a good wine. "How did you manage to get a table here?"
Castle shrugged even as he slid in his own chair. He glanced at her for a moment, then frowned and moved to the seat at her side. His hand rested on her knee at her confused look. "I wanted to be closer," he explained. "Anyway, I know a few people who know the owner, so they bumped me up the list." He lifted his wine glass, tilted it towards her in salute. "It's the least I could do after you dropped ten grand to win a date."
"I told you," she argued, "I only did it so I could control it and keep you out of the paper for the wrong reasons." She leaned in. "I couldn't have them making assumptions about orgies with barely-legal prostitutes again, not while I have anything to say about it."
"Oh that one was definitely not an assumption," Castle countered, his eyes glazing over for a moment before he blinked and brought his gaze back to her. "So how is it that a gorgeous, powerful woman like you, hasn't been snatched up by a handsome, equally powerful man?"
Kate felt her face flush, but she kept her eyes on him. "Maybe I just haven't found the right man," she teased.
"Maybe you think you haven't."
She chuckled at the slow wink he gave her, rolling her eyes to try to play it off, but she couldn't ignore the way her pulse quickened and she suddenly couldn't breathe. No, Kate, she chided herself, he's just being a tool. No need to freak out over it. "Is that so?" She leaned in closer, so they were just inches apart, her eyes flicking to his mouth. "And just what, exactly, would you suggest I look for to find this 'right man?'"
Castle paused, his eyes never leaving her face as the waiter brought the first course of the tasting menu. "You need someone who will keep up with you," he finally answered. "You're independent, ambitious, stubborn. So whomever you're with needs to be able to come to terms that he won't be able to control or dominate you, except occasionally in the bedroom, of course," he added, his eyes darkening. "But you're sensitive, too. So someone who will be tender, sweet. Surprise you with flowers, or show up at work with coffee. Someone who will treat you with the love and respect that you deserve."
Kate smiled and ducked her head, not for the first time wishing her hair was longer so it would hide her face. Instead she played with the edge of the tablecloth, trying to ignore the heat of Castle's touch on her knee, the way his thumb drew circles on her thigh. "What about you?" she finally asked, lifting her head again. "You were married once, any desire to do it again?"
Castle snorted and shook his head. "No, no way. I'm good with what I have."
"And what is that, flings with socialites, wild parties that leave you hungover for days?" The moment the words left her mouth, Kate wished she could take them back. She saw his face fall, his eyes darken, and he drew his hand back.
Castle inched his chair to the side, away from her, his eyes glued to the food on his plate. "Marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be," he mumbled, picking up his fork.
"Rick…"
"Don't worry about it," he interrupted, taking a bite of his food. "Let's just eat, okay?"
They ate their first few courses in relative silence, Kate trying to start up the conversation again, Castle shutting her down every time. Finally she gave up, resorting to only commenting on the food, the next few hours passing slowly. It wasn't until the dessert came out that Castle spoke more than a few words.
"You know I was married once," he began, picking at his (food from the menu). "It was fun for awhile, and then…well, it didn't work out."
"What happened?" she asked after a few moments of silence, prodding.
Castle shook his head, his eyes glued on the table. "It didn't work out," he repeated. "Marriage isn't for everyone, my ex and me included." He sighed, then finally brought his gaze back up to meet Kate's. "I mean, maybe I'm not completely opposed to it. I like the idea of it, you know? Of being with someone who you love, and who loves you, challenges you. I guess I just haven't found the right woman yet." His hand found her knee again and he squeezed, flashed her a smile. "Wanna get out of here?"
Kate grinned. "Absolutely."
A/N: Sorry for the wait with this chapter; it was stubborn and didn't want to cooperate. But thank you for the continued support, and as always, to Callie for her encouragement and pom poms and beta work!
