Castle waited until Lanie exited the break room before going inside. Beckett was leaning against the counter near the espresso machine, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. She was smiling and she appeared to be waiting for him. He wasn't sure how to proceed. "Kate….I….uhhhh."
She chuckled softly. "Castle, tongue tied? I never thought I'd see the day." She could tell he wasn't in a joking mood. "Castle, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry." She could tell he sincerely meant it.
"For what?"
Castle stared at her. She didn't look angry at him. She seemed pretty calm. "You left awfully quiet this morning." Was all he could think to say. She smiled and set her cup of coffee on the counter, moving to the blinds and closing them.
"You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to disturb you." Satisfied that no one could see them she sauntered up to him, placing her hands on his chest. "I needed a change of clothes and to refresh myself. I figured you'd be ok and I was gonna end up seeing you here anyway." Castle couldn't resist the urge and wrapped his arms around her waist. He buried his face in her hair.
"I thought I'd upset you."
Beckett looked up into his hazel blue eyes and smiled. "By doing what, having amazing sex?" She slipped her hand up under his un-tucked shirt, playing with the little trail of hair that disappeared into his belt line. She heard his breath hitch and grinned evilly to herself. She liked having this control over him.
"I figured it was because…." He paused, trying to find the right words, "…I'd forgotten to use protection." He finally managed to blurt out. Beckett's hand froze in its movements and she looked up at him once more. He waited for the torrent of anger that he figured would come. When she began to chuckle, Castle's mouth fell open in blatant astonishment. She's laughing? "This is not funny Kate."
She shook her head and let her hand continue its playful movements. "Castle, do you really think I would have let last night happen if I wasn't completely prepared?"
"Well….I…..but….it's just…." She brought her lips up to his, silencing his confused rambling. He responded to the warm feel of her lips, pulling her body closer to his. His tongue traced her lower lip and it took all her strength to suppress a moan. She pushed him away, even thought she really wanted to jump him. His confused look was replaced with a smile and a gleam in his eye. "I'm sorry I doubted you Kate." She shrugged lightly and gave him a quick hug.
"There is one thing I need to tell you Castle." He smiled and nodded, motioning for her to continue. "If you breathe even one word of this to Ryan or Esposito…" She stood on her toes and lowered her voice, whispering in his ear. "….I promise you that they will never find the body."
Castle mocked horror. "But you told Lanie." He whined playfully, knowing full well that he was egging her on.
Beckett tried unsuccessfully not to blush. "I did not."
Castle grinned brightly. "Oh, you are a terrible liar detective." Beckett pushed away from him, not in anger, just to be defiant. She moved to lean against the counter once more, her arms folded across her chest. "Tell me something Kate. Does Lanie get any kind of enjoyment out of your juicy sex stories?" Castle inquired, raising his eyebrows in a teasing manner.
Beckett gaped at his question. He did not just ask me that!! "That's just…….."
"I'm kidding." Castle joked, moving to pull her back into a hug.
"You're a pervert Castle." She replied, using her hand to find a pressure point on his neck. He cursed and moved back slightly. He pouted at being pinched. Closing the distance between them once again, she now used her lips to gently suck on the place where she'd just pinched him. He groaned, pushing her against the counter. She had to know what effect her body had on him. He wanted to take her, right here and right now. He didn't care they were in the break room of the NYPD police department. "Rick." She gasped, as he shoved one of his legs between her own, 'causing friction. "N….not here."
"Then where Kate?" He purred deeply in her ear, his hand moving to her breast and pinching her nipple through her shirt. She bit her lip as she moaned.
"I…mean….not…..now." She somehow managed to choke out between pants.
"You're body is telling me otherwise." He replied, his hand taking the place of his leg. Kate was losing this battle and if she didn't get a handle on herself, she knew that someone would walk in on them in the middle of them getting it on. It took all her sanity, but she finally pushed him far enough away so that she could breathe fresh air.
She looked at him, a knowing grin on his face, his eyes shining with mischief. "We can't be doing this here." He pouted and she shook her head. "I'm serious. I don't even want to think what would happen if Montgomery walked in on us."
Castle smirked. "I know, but it's so much fun watching you get all hot and bothered." She shot him a glare and he just chuckled. She straightened herself, smoothing out her clothes and running a hand through her hair. "How about we go out tonight?"
Beckett eyed him hesitantly. "You mean out in public?"
He laughed. "Yes. Just dinner and some dancing. If you're up to that."
"I don't know Castle."
"Hey, it's ok. Not everyone can dance." He smirked. He knew he had her. She could never resist a challenge. Reverse psychology seemed to work on her a lot.
"I can dance." She stated, crossing her arms. Castle just shrugged, his smile bigger than ever. "I can." She demanded again.
"O.k." Was his only reply. He could tell it was driving her mad.
"I'm gonna prove it to you." She hissed, poking a finger at him. "You and me. 7 pm, dinner and then dancing." Castle was grinning from ear to ear by this point and nodded.
"Alright, you've got yourself a deal detective." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her nose. "I'll have your dress delivered and I'll pick you up at 7." With that, he turned and walked out of the break room.
It wasn't until a moment or two after he'd left, while Beckett was left to her own devices that she realized what he had done. Damn it Castle!! She had fallen for a stupid reverse psychology ploy and fallen hard. She cursed herself. "CASTLE!!!!!"
Castle stopped at Ryan's desk, smirking. Esposito was trying to look inconspicuous by reading the paper and Ryan had his nose buried in the latest Nikki Heat novel. "Hey guys."
"Hey Castle."
"What's up bro?" Esposito asked, trying to hide his smirk.
"I thought you guys would like to join Beckett and I tonight for some fun." Castle leaned on the desk, waiting.
"Fun?" Ryan questioned.
"Yes honey milk, fun. Dinner and dancing at the Lotus." He looked to Esposito. "I know Lanie will say yes, how about you?"
Esposito grinned. "I'm game."
"How about you Ryan? Are you and your girlfriend up to it? We've yet to meet her."
"I don't know if she'd want to go." Ryan hedged.
Esposito chuckled. "He probably isn't even seeing anyone." Ryan scowled and chunked the book at him.
"We'll be there."
"Excellent!" Castle beamed. He turned to leave, but stopped for a moment, looking back over his shoulder at them. "Oh, and not a word to Beckett. Understand?" They smiled and nodded.
Beckett paced her living room floor. She was close to creating a path in the floor from all her walking. What was I thinking? I can't go out in public with Castle? I could cancel!! She stopped pacing momentarily, thinking over the idea. No, he'd never let me live it down. He'd claim he won the bet, even if there wasn't one. She started pacing again until the buzzer for her door rang. She answered the door and accepted the box from the delivery man. He smiled, blatantly staring at her in her black camisole and black shorts. She cleared her throat and he blushed, turning and leaving without asking for a tip. Taking the box to her room, she tore it open like a child at Christmas. The dress was nothing like the other dress he'd sent her, except that it was similar in color. This dress was much shorter and much tighter. It was a deep crimson and Beckett began to wonder if it would cover her at all. Hoping to calm her frayed nerves, she hopped in the shower and began to get ready.
Mere minutes later, Beckett stood in front of her full length mirror and gasped at the site of herself. The cocktail dress had straps that criss-crossed over her back, leaving plenty of skin to be seen. The hem line stopped just above her knees and the fabric hugged every single curve. There was also cleavage abound. How he expects me to dance in this I'll never know. She dug a pair of black heels from her closet and slid them on right as her door buzzed. Taking a deep breath she went to the door.
Answering the door revealed Castle, dressed in a pair of black slacks and a crimson red button up shirt. A couple buttons were left undone near the top, an idea Castle hoped Beckett would like. She smirked as his eyes widened at the sight of her.
Oh my god, she's gorgeous! I don't know if we're going to make it to the restaurant with her dressed like that. "You look absolutely beautiful Kate." He whispered as he kissed her cheek.
"You don't look so bad yourself Rick." She replied, reaching up to undo one more button on his shirt. He raised a brow and she just smiled. He offered his hand and she took it, following him out to the awaiting taxi.
On the drive, Castle couldn't keep his eyes off Beckett. She chuckled. "You're staring Castle."
He grinned. "I can't help it. I'm tempted to have the driver turn around and take you back home." She could hear the underlying tone in his voice and feel his hand slowly trailing up her thigh. She watched it as it edged up under the material. She smirked and grabbed his wrist firmly and pulled it away.
"I intend on keeping my end of the deal Castle."
They arrived and the place was packed. Castle paid the driver and extended his hand. Beckett took his hand, her heart feeling like it might beat its way out of her chest in nervousness. What am I thinking? I can't do this. He must have sensed her hesitancy or heard her racing heart because he hooked his arm in hers, leaning down to her ear. "Relax Kate and have fun." She could only make herself nod in response.
In no time Castle had them sitting at a table that looked like it should be seating six instead of two. "Castle?" She asked, looking across the table at him. He was busy ordering wine from a waitress who was trying not to gush over being in the presence of Rick Castle. When he was finished, he turned back to her beaming.
"Yes?"
She swept her hand the expanse of the large table. "Why the oversized ta….." She barely got out before being interrupted.
"Hey girl, nice dress!" Came Lanie's eccentric hello.
"Yea, what there is of it." Was Esposito's snarky comment. Beckett turned a heated glare in Castle's direction. He smiled and stood.
"Good to see you Lanie, nice outfit." Castle commented politely.
"Quit brown nosing Castle." She quipped, as she sat down in the chair Esposito had pulled out for her. Esposito chuckled and moved to sit opposite of her.
"Where's Ryan?" Castle inquired.
Esposito shrugged. "Haven't seen him since we left the precinct. Maybe he was too chicken.". Beckett jumped at the sound of Esposito's phone. She had been lost in thought. "Esposito." He answered and Beckett watched as he grimaced and held the phone away from his ear momentarily. "Sure thing Bro. Get well." He clicked his phone shut and sighed. "Ryan's got some nasty bug and won't be able to make it."
"Alright, more for us." Castle piped up and waived over the waitress that has been at the table previously.
"How can I help you?" She chirped happily, her eyes never leaving Castle.
"Well, my friend and I would each like an appletini." Lanie cleared her throat and replied. The waitress turned her head toward her, the look on her face making Beckett smirk. "Thanks a bunch sweetie!"
"We'll have a bottle of pinot grigio." Castle answered smoothly and the waitress nodded and left, giving Lanie a passing glare. Beckett couldn't suppress the laugh that bubbled up inside her.
"So girl, I didn't think I'd see you out and about with Castle so soon." Lanie grinned, turning slightly in her chair to talk better with her best friend.
Beckett shrugged. "It's more like I felt for reverse psychology trick." She scowled. The waitress returned with their drinks and the girls clinked their glasses.
"Well, it's good to see you relaxing a bit."
Relaxing? Yea right, I'm still a ball of nerves. She nodded in response and took a sip of her drink, feeling the burn of the alcohol in her throat. A warmth spread throughout her whole body, slowly calming her. She sighed softly and leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. She watched Castle as he chatted aimlessly with Esposito.
Castle could feel her warm gaze on him. He turned to look her in the eyes, but his vision was pulled to the ample amount of cleavage staring him in the face. God, I'd love to have my hands all….. He heard her clear her throat and tore his eyes away from her breasts. "Hmmmm?" He smiled softly at her, lost her in the depth of her green eyes.
"You going to behave yourself?" She smirked. Even though I won't be.
"Of course." He replied with utmost sincerity. She raised a brow and he raised his hand, giving her a scout's honor sign. The waitress reappeared a third time, giving Lanie another evil glare. While Lanie and Esposito gave her their orders, Beckett slipped her foot out of her heel.
"I'll take the Roasted Penang Duck." She informed the waitress as she slipped her foot onto Castle's chair, directly between his legs.
"Ok and what can I get you Mr. Castle?" She flirted sweetly.
Castle opened his mouth to respond, but Beckett slid her foot forward, rubbing him gently. He nearly jumped out of his chair, earning a curious glance from Esposito and Lanie. Beckett bit her lip to refrain from giggling. "I…" Castle squeaked and then cleared his throat. "I'll uh….have the…." He cleared his throat once more as he felt her foot put more pressure on the strain in his pants. "The uh…..King Salmon." He finally blurted out. He handed the waitress his menu and turned his hungry gaze to Beckett. She was biting her lip, a mischievous glint in her eyes. If she keeps this up, I'll come undone right here. He scooted his chair back so that her foot could no longer reach him. She pouted sexily and he repressed a groan. After taking a couple deep breaths he stood and offered her his hand. Her confident demeanor disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Beckett felt Lanie nudging her. "Go girlfriend. Get your freak on on the dance floor." Beckett looked from her friend to Castle, his eyes daring her to turn him down. Why did I make the stupid bet! She carefully took his hand and followed him down to the dance floor. The d.j. was changing the song as they joined the large crowd of people. The soft intro to Chris DeBurgh's "Lady in Red" floated through the air and Castle pulled her close. She looked him in the eyes, her heart beginning to race once more at the deep emotion within them. She could see passion, honesty, commitment and above all love. The love scared her, even though she knew part of her loved him too. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing contentedly. It was then that she heard his voice. Soft, soothing and singing the song's lyrics.
"I've never seen you look so lovely as you do tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright. Mmm Hmmm. I've never seen so many men ask you to dance, looking for a little romance, given half a chance. I have never seen that dress you're wearing or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes, I have been blind." She raised her head to look at him once more. His face was serious, except for a slight smile pulling at the corner of his lips.
"Lady in red, is dancing with me, cheek to cheek. There's nobody here, it's just you and me. It's where I wanna be. I hardly know, this beauty by my side. I'll never forget the way you look tonight." She felt herself blushing and he kissed her lips softly. Pulling back, but leaving only a breadths space between them, as he continued to sing.
"I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you do tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright. You are amazing. I've never seen so many people who want to be there by your side, and when you turn to me and smile. It took my breath away. I have never had such a feeling. Such a feeling of complete and utter love as I do tonight. Lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek. There's nobody here, it's just you and me, it's where I want to be. I hardly know this beauty by my side. I'll never forget, the way you look tonight." She was barely aware of the fact that they'd stopped dancing. "I love you." He whispered the last words. Wait, did he just say that? She couldn't figure out if he had still been singing the song or if he'd really meant them. She was leaning towards the latter, especially after the dance they'd just shared. The beat of the music suddenly changed to something more upbeat and Castle led her off the dance floor. They found Lanie and Esposito already eating. Castle held her seat out her and she took it, running her hand down his arm as she sat. He smiled down at her, mouthing something to her that she almost missed. She could swear he was trying to say "I meant it", but she couldn't be sure. Beckett kept her eyes on her plate through the rest of dinner.