Hidden Wounds: Chapter 6

Kate nearly jumped out of her skin when he pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers.

The kiss was firm, but not rough. He was tasting, but not demanding. His mouth was warm and comforting, caressing her lips with his own.

He pulled back slightly and looked at her, his eyes darkened and his breathing quicker than normal. She could almost see the thoughts race through his head as he tried to figure out how she felt about this.

Kate didn't make him wait long to find out.

She reached up and pulled his face back to hers, moving to raise herself out of her kneeling position and sitting in his lap.

He gasped into her kiss as his arms came up around her, gripping her hard. She could feel his fingers digging into the flesh at her waist, and heat began to fill her.

She draped her arms around his neck, and tried not to lose herself in the feeling of his warm arms wrapped around hers, his warm lips caressing her own.

She lazily ran her fingers through his hair, relishing the sensation, pressing herself more firmly into his embrace and savoring the soft texture of his lips on hers.

She shivered as Castle's tongue traced a slow path across her bottom lip. She felt like she was burning, and she wanted him to burn with her.

Kate felt him jerk as she granted him entry, and suddenly she was lost in the onslaught of sensations.

When Castle had leaned forward to kiss Kate, it had been instinct, almost an animal desire to comfort them both.

Her lips were warm and inviting, and he was astoundingly grateful that she didn't pull away. He broke away from her, searching her eyes, trying to determine what her reaction would be.

When she had asked what he needed, he was pretty sure a kiss hadn't really been what she had meant. He could feel the beginnings of panic at the edge of his consciousness.

What if she was furious? What if she felt he had taken advantage of her? What if-

Kate ended his flustered thoughts – and all thought, really – by grabbing him and planting her mouth back on his. He gasped as he felt her shift, rising from the floor to-

Oh, god…

She climbed onto his lap, her lips working against his.

His hands came up to grip her. Too hard, too tight, he admonished himself, sure he was bruising her with the force of his hold.

But he couldn't believe this was happening, couldn't believe she was really there, alive, in his arms, breathing…

…no, panting… his ego smiled a bit at that…

And kissing him.

He felt her hands running through his hair, felt her snuggle in more closely to his body. He let his tongue trace her bottom lip, relishing the feel of the velvet skin there.

And then she opened for him, and he tasted her. She was a heady mixture of coffee and spice and something so completely…her…

She made a soft gasping sound. He felt lost in her. In her taste, in her touch, in her scent. It was too much, he was going to far. He didn't want to mess this up.

He had to stop…had to slow this down…

He broke apart from her lips, leaning his forehead against hers as they both took a moment, breathing heavily.

When he moved his head away to look at her he was arrested by her beautiful eyes, dark and heavy, staring into his own.

"Kate-" His voice was rough, ragged.

The corners of her mouth tipped up.

"You okay there, Castle?"

He was inordinately pleased that her voice also came out slightly rougher than normal. He took a few slow breaths to gain some control and tried again.

"Kate, I-" He stopped again, unsure. "Actually, I don't know what to say."

Kate looked at him for a moment, her gaze indecipherable. Suddenly her shoulders shook. He briefly thought she was going to cry, but then he realized she was trying to suppress a giggle.

Laughter bubbled up from her chest, and he couldn't help the silly grin that he knew was spreading across his face.

"Well, when I asked what you needed that wasn't really what I had in mind, but apparently I needed it too."

She smiled and leaned back into him, letting her head rest on his shoulder, her nose tucked into his neck. He heard her give a small contented sigh and he couldn't help echoing it, gently stroking her side with his thumb.

"So," he said, tentatively, "what now?"

Kate sighed again, less contented this time. They stayed in their cuddled position a minute longer before Kate moved, climbing off his lap to stand in front of him. He immediately missed her warmth and the comfort he received from the feel of her body next to his.

"I need to go home."

Castle felt his stomach clench as the floor seemed to disappear under his feet.

"Right…of course…yeah. You probably have…work to do…can't keep a busy detective…busy…" Castle started rambling, knowing he was failing miserably at sounding suave. He looked away from her, trying to regain some semblance of a calm exterior.

Which was how he was completely unprepared for the smack he received to his chest. His eyes flew up, to find Beckett, hands on hips, staring him down like he was on the other side of the interrogation table.

"Really Castle? After that you think I'm just abandoning you?"

"Well, I-" Castle stuttered. There was really no way to end that sentence. Well, as a matter of fact, Kate, you do tend to disappear any time something intimate occurs between us. Yeah, that totally wouldn't be a good move.

"I need to change, Castle, and grab some necessities."

"You're coming back?" Castle tried to keep the hope out of his voice, not wanting to overwhelm her with how badly he wanted that.

"Yes, Castle, I'm coming back." She said, rolling her eyes. But then she bit her bottom lip, looking at him strangely, and he saw again the panic and uncertainty he had seen earlier.

"Unless you don't want me to? Maybe you need some time alone…I don't want to-" He didn't allow her to finish the sentence.

"No! No…" He cursed himself for how desperate that sounded, but when her lips quirked into a smile he couldn't be too upset with himself.

"Kate, I would like to…I would like to invite you to dinner."

He held his breath – so much had happened in so little time.

Kate looked at him for a long moment. So long that he began to worry that he had gone too far. Maybe that was too intimate a request.

"I would like that."

Castle sighed in relief. He followed her back to the front room, and couldn't help the feeling of joy that coursed through him when she grabbed his arm for balance as she slipped her heels back on.

They walked to the door, and Castle had a momentary attack of panic as he realized he didn't know what to do. Could he kiss her goodbye? Would that be too much? Should he give her a hug? He felt like an awkward teenager.

Kate took the decision out of his hands by leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on his lips. Then, with a shy smile and a whispered, "see you later," she was out the door and down the hallway.

Castle closed the door and leaned against it, feeling exhausted and elated.

She was coming back.

The silly grin spread over his face again. It was going to be a dinner to remember.

I figured after all the angst I shouldn't make anyone wait too long for a little fun. Best, A.D.