Hello!

I apologize for taking so so long to update this. I've just been super busy! Please feel free to leave a review with your thoughts!

Disclaimer: Castle is not mine :/

[Chapter 3]

The duo entered the lobby, both savoring in the warmth that hit them as soon as they stepped through the double doors. With a passing nod and a smile to the front desk workers, Kate and Rick stepped into the elevator. Rick pulled her closer to him, keeping his arm wrapped over her shoulders the entire way up. The elevator chimed, signaling that they had arrived to his floor.

As soon as the doors opened, they exited and walked down the quiet hallway until they reached his front door. Scrambling for the keys in his coat pocket, Rick let out a nervous chuckle. He was a bit anxious as to what the night had in store for them, he was finally bringing Kate-freaking-Beckett home with him! He eventually managed to slip the key in the slot and opened the door, allowing Kate in before him.

Closing the door behind him, he set his keys down on the table to the left of the door. Rick walked up behind Kate, his gloved hands rubbing her shoulders. Helping her out of her coat, they slipped their wet shoes off and set them on the rug in front of the entryway to keep them from getting water all over the place.

As soon as the duo was out of their soaked jackets and shoes Kate wandered over to the couch, resting her legs and feet on the coffee table and wrapping herself in the blanket that had been sitting on one of the cushions, engulfing herself in its warmth.

Rick headed to the kitchen after he made sure she was settled in, pulling mugs out of cabinets and boiling some hot water on the stove. "Hot chocolate?" he asked across the room, lifting a mug with one hand and a bag full of marshmallows in the other with a smile.

Kate glanced over her shoulder to see him and nodded, "I'd love some."

When Rick was finished preparing their drinks, he walked over to the fireplace and flicked a switch, a small fire erupted and the room was basked in a calming warmth. He joined Kate on the couch, handing her a mug before he got under the soft blanket with her; their legs tangled as their shoulders touched.

"Thanks," she whispered before taking a careful sip of the hot drink. She moaned in contentment as the warm liquid slid down her throat. "This is delicious," she commented as she took another sip.

"Glad you like it," Rick grinned as he took a huge gulp of the hot chocolate. "Ow! Okay, that's really hot!" He exclaimed, quickly setting the mug down on the coffee table in front of them and waving his hand frantically in front of his mouth, trying to ease the pain of the burning sensation on his tongue.

Kate began to chuckle as she watched him, he's too adorable for his own good. She glanced down at Rick's mug, it was overflowing with marshmallows. Of course, she smirked. Kate set her mug down next to his and then rubbed his shoulder as she held back another chuckle. Kate then gently asked as she ran her fingers through his soft hair.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied. He looked over at her, "Damn hot chocolate! I think I burnt my tongue." As he said this, he rose a finger to his mouth and touched the tip of his tongue.

"Well," she started. "It's called hot chocolate for reason, you know?"

"Still..." he complained, sagging his head down mockingly.

Kate smirked and played along. "Do you want me to kiss it? It'll make the boo-boo feel better," she hummed seductively. The fingers that were still wrapped up in his hair slowly made their way down to his cheek, leaving goosebumps in their wake. His skin was soft yet rough.

Rick perked up immediately when he heard her. He gulped before he choked out his reply, "I- it wouldn't hurt to try."

He glanced down at her tantalizing lips then up into her eyes. Kate rapidly closed the distance between them, their lips connected. Marshmallows bobbed up and down in their cups as the two sat there enjoying the taste of one another's lips, not having any other care in the world. All that existed was the two of them...together.

Oxygen quickly became a necessity, so they pulled apart. Kate placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder, snuggling into his side. Rick's right arm found it's way around her shoulders, his fingers tracing patterns on her upper arm.

"Feel better?" She questioned, shifting her head to the crook of his neck. Her breath was warm on his skin.

"Much," he smiled. "You have very talented lips there, my dear detective."

Kate chuckled lightly, "Glad I could be of assistance."

Silence overlooked them as they cuddled under the blanket, both extremely happy and content. Rick glanced down at the woman in his arms and his heart leaped, the sight was breathtaking. She was gazing pensively at the fireplace, her eyes were the most beautiful green but at this moment in this light they were a gorgeous brown. It was mesmerizing.

Then he got an idea. He popped up off the couch, Kate sighed in frustration from the lack of his body next to hers.

"What are you doing? I was warm," she pouted, wrapping the blanket closer around her, shivering a bit.

Rick didn't answer, instead he walked over to the media area and turned the stereo on. Turning the dial he eventually landed on a soft jazz station and looked back to Kate with a small smile tugging on his lips. He slowly walked over to her, extending his right hand out and bowed. "May I have this dance?"

Kate looked up at him, a grin found it's way to her lips as she took his hand and he helped her up. Pulling her closer to him, Rick's right hand held Kate's left and his left was on her waist whilst her right rested on his shoulder. They shuffled around the small area for a few minutes, the music filled the room. The song then changed to an even slower one. She took her arms and wrapped them around his midsection, her head rested right in the middle of his chest.

Rick's hands found their way to the small of her back and he held her close to his body. He set his chin on top of her hair and closed his eyes as they moved to the rhythm of the music. "I love you," he mumbled.

"I- I love you, too." She placed a kiss above his heart, "Have for a long time now." His heart leaped when she spoke those words, those very words he's been dying to hear for as long as he can remember.

He brought a hand up and placed it on her cheek, raising her to meet him eye to eye. He closed the proximity between them and with everything he had, he kissed her. They fell into a sweet rhythm, still swaying a bit as they kissed. Their lips were having a dance of their own.

Rick mumbled against her lips, "So gorgeous."

The kiss may have started out gentle and sweet but it soon grew hot and lustful. Kate ran her tongue across his lips, and he gave her entrance and their tongues dueled. Hands roamed and bodies grew hotter with each second that passed.

She moaned, "I want you," against his lips, causing Rick's pants to become even tighter.

A few more kisses and then they broke apart. Breathlessly he asked, "Wanna move this party to the bedroom?"

Kate grabbed the lapels of his button down shirt, roughly pulling him towards her. "I thought you'd never ask." And she dragged him to his office and headed straight for the bedroom on the right, their steaming cups of hot chocolate completely forgotten.

Kate was always in control, not that Rick minded it one bit. He was in for a very interesting night...

"I've got to get home (Baby, you'll freeze out there)

Say, lend me a comb (It's up to your knees out there)

You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)

Oh, but don't you see (How can you do this thing to me)."

There you go!

Please leave a review & tell me what you think! I hope you guys liked it! Sorry it's kind of short but the next chapter is when the real fun begins! Until next time!

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