(This is the end of this fun/crazy story. Probably bordering M territory. I can't say Thank U enough for all the reviews... I've put the 'recording' in bolded text)
….
Lanie had the good sense to round the boys together and say, "We're going to leave you two alone." She threw Kate a look that said, 'If-you-know-what's-good-for-you-you'll-listen-to- the-tape.'
She motioned for the boys to go ahead of her and just before she stepped out of his office, she flipped her head over her shoulder to say, "Rick, I listened to the tape and was very impressed by how you handled the boy's ribbing but more importantly, I was blown away by how you handled Candy Land."
Candy Land? Kate thought with a sour taste in her mouth, and as Lanie shut the door behind her she turned to a very sheepish looking Castle, still fiddling with the keyboard.
Her voice, sacharine sweet asked, "Let's start with why you think the stripper name, Candy Land, suits Candice Littleton."
Fuck! Here he was alone in a room with Kate looking all sultry and alluring while she asked him about a busty blond stripper.
Rick shuddered as her body language told an unpleasant story, - like she was restraining herself from pulling out her glock and shooting him.
I'm not going to make it through the night.
….
"Can I just start, Beckett, by saying that I've never once implied to the boys, let alone ever called you, my woman."
Her smile was sweet, encouraging. "I believe you. Espo can be such a macho ass at times."
"Agreed," and out popped that charming, boyish grin of his that made her heart flip-flop. "As for Candice Littleton, I only complimented her stage name because it fit her personality."
At her raised eyebrows and 'Oh really?' expression, he hurried on, "Come on, Beckett, even you can see the humor in her name… Candy is definitely short for Candice and she is a bit like a child with her ditsy nature."
I'm happy to second that, Kate thought spitefully.
"As a kid, didn't you love playing Candy Land? … And we all know as adults, games become," his eyes dropped daringly to her breasts, "Even more fun."
"Uh, huh," Her arms crossed beneath those enticing breasts and pushed them further in his direction. Her glassy eyes and tapping foot relayed to him though that she didn't believe him.
Castle grinned internally as he was getting the distinct vibe that his beautiful Detective just might be a little jealous.
"I promise you that I'm not interested in her."
Her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "Play the tape then."
"It was a personal conversation between the guys and I while we watched you interrogate Candy - ," he swallowed heavily, "Candice Littleton. I seriously had no idea that they were recording it."
"I know." She looked at his wide expressive eyes and fidgety fingers and asked, "What are you afraid of, Castle?"
God dammit. He ran his fingers through his hair as he looked at her gorgeous face, - all creamy, milky skin with a hint of freckles across her narrow nose, - flashing hazel eyes that tended to change color with her mood, - thin, wide lips touched with pink that just begged him to kiss her.
"Nothing, Kate," he said but inside, his head was screaming that he was afraid she'd finally realize that he wasn't worth all the trouble and kick him out of her life for good.
His heart yelled to NOT play the tape but he couldn't stop his finger from hitting the pause button to start it back up again. He sat with a heavy heart in the computer chair and reluctantly turned the speakers up so she could clearly hear Esposito say, "Wo – ah. Candy's smokin'! Are you interested in tapping that Castle?"
Kate's ears noticeably pricked up.
"Me?"
He sounded surprised by the question and when she heard his answer a smile glimmered across her face.
"No. There's no foul. You go for it."
"Hey," chimed in Ryan smoothly, "Put Candy Land in a blue sundress carrying a Nikki Heat book and she could pass for one of Castle's groupies."
"Si," Espo chuckled. "I can picture her now in a Barnes and Nobles waiting in line patiently at one of your book signings… She leans over the desk and shoves her fake boobs in your face while she holds out a permanent sharpie and asks you innocently to sign her chest."
Yeah, Kate could just imagine Ms Stripper trying to doll herself up like Barbie in a too skimpy sundress with a daring neckline, a sharpie raised eagerly in her hand as she pushed those enormous breasts in Castle's face.
"And then she inconspicuously slips him her number."
"Man," Espo drawled and then Kate heard him distinctly slap Castle on the back. "I'm envious of your life… All those choices of beautiful, willing women."
She rolled her eyes at Ryan's, "Yeah Castle, you must be one of the most satisfied men on the planet."
"We – lll," and the way he drew the word out had Kate glaring into those baby blues of his that looked surprisingly bashful back at her.
"Let's just say that the 'Playboy' rumors flying around about me, - aren't necessarily true."
Did I just hear that correctly?
Her heart twitter-pated at his over-bright eyes, flushed cheeks and shy demeanor… His chin ducked in embarrassment and he avoided looking into her eyes. His fingers drummed nervously on the desk top.
"What do you mean?" Espo asked belligerently, sounding like a soldier who'd just been told his R&R had been canceled.
Castle's distinctive voice filled the room, "I'll admit, at one time, it used to be thrilling to pick the most attractive fan out of hundreds of women and take them home for the night."
"You mean the horniest woman," snickered Espo.
"The hottest woman," chimed in Ryan.
"The woman with the largest breasts."
"The woman who looks like a supermodel but only has half a brain."
She was beginning to think that her boys were the ones with half a brain.
"Enough guys," Castle interrupted and she could just picture his quirky grin from the sound of his voice. "That was me several years ago… It's not who I am now."
Her inner voice screamed at her, You know that's the truth, Kate.
"Well, I'd bet that if you got yourself a taste of Candy Land that you might find yourself back on the Casanova track."
Her heart triple tripped as she heard Rick's answer, "No, no. She's definitely not my type."
Rick stopped the tape and looked at her quizzically. "There's your proof. All wrapped up in a pretty package addressed to you from your devious partners."
"Hmm, I see," but the way she was scrutinizing him with those hazel eyes, - now a liquid, molten brown, told a different story. "Why isn't she your type?"
Castle guffawed, a rumbling purr of laughter that shook his entire frame and shot tingles from the soles of her feet to the tip of her head.
"Esposito asks that same question next… I'll have you know," and he winked at her cooly, "That a woman has to have more than just a smokin' body to hold my interest."
"Since when?" she teased with twinkling eyes.
"You know me better than that, De –tec-tive."
Ohh, the way he said, 'Detective,' all buttery smooth, in that baritone of his, was purely sinful and had her craving to hear it in the bedroom.
"A woman also has to have a sharp mind, a lively personality and beautiful soul to keep me interested."
The way he was looking at her clearly implied that the woman he just described was standing in front of him.
She couldn't help teasing him further by saying, "And both your ex-wives clearly exemplify those traits."
He chuckled, "No, - they do not. I have since grown up a bit."
"I may have to differ with that."
"If you'd like, I can certainly show you just how 'grown up' I can be."
And there he was again, the 'Playboy' who could throw out a sexual innuendo in less than a second and make her insides churn to mush.
Her eyes lowered from his smug, attractive face and lingered on the breadth of his chest, - which was seriously impressive, - and those arms… Wow… How did he hide them from her for the past 3 and a half years?
She did that thing then that immediately drew his gaze to her mouth… She nibbled on her lower lip enticingly before saying, "Hit the 'play' button again, Castle."
He looked at her with exasperation and desperation all rolled into one, blue orbs wavering. She fully expected him to balk at the request and refuse to play the recording, but he surprised her when he sat back straight in the chair and clicked on the screen.
"She's not your type?" And the disbelief in Espo's voice was comical… "Blond, beautiful, in a slutty-kind-of-way with skyscraper legs and enormous breasts? … Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Ryan piped up, "He's fine, Espo. We both know his type is more a brunette with skyscraper legs and a domineering personality who knows how to handle handcuffs."
Oh my God! Ryan actually had the nerve to say that?
"Right on, Partner," and it sounded to her like the boys high-fived one another.
Yeah, she'd be high-fiving them next time she got her hands on them, she thought sarcastically.
Rick's clear voice came over the line… "How many times do I have to tell you that we're – "
"JUST friends," echoed throughout the room as both boys said it simultaneously.
"We know Castle, but honestly, we're afraid for you."
"Afraid? - What's the matter with you two?"
"Afraid you're about to lose your Man Card."
"Si, afraid you've lost your cojones."
She couldn't help the light laughter that burst from her lips as her boys had just successfully cornered her arrogant partner.
After hearing Rick's, "Heey, I can assure you that the Man Card is still present and well-deserved," Kate's eyes dropped to 'said cojones'.
Mmm, I'd bet he has a very impressive Man Card.
"Exactly what we're afraid of…"
She could just imagine the comical looks the boys exchanged amongst themselves.
"Yep… Just how long has it been since you've used your, umm," Ryan cleared his throat, "Card?"
What? Did Ryan just ask him the last time he had sex? ... Her eyes roamed up to Rick's blanched face to confirm her suspicions, and she found herself waiting with baited breath for his answer.
"Hmm."
"Jeez, it's worse than I thought, Ryan… He has to think about the last time he got laid."
"Yeah, it's been so long that he can't even remember."
Rick said humorously. "Guys, it hasn't been thaat long..."
There was a long, uncomfortable pause where Kate realized he must be calculating in his head how many days it'd been since he'd been intimate with a woman.
It was just a good thing that she didn't have a drink in her hand when she heard Castle's answer or the shock alone would've made her drop it to the floor.
"It was when I was with Gina."
"Gina?" she squeaked out but Castle didn't respond, only looked at her with those lake-colored eyes like he was ready to die of embarrassment.
It certainly didn't help his embarrassment when Ryan continued… "What was that, Castle? - I couldn't hear you."
"Okay guys. So it's been awhile… The last time I had sex was with Gina."
Kate swallowed hard… But that meant, - Holy Moly, it'd been about 16 months. And that also meant, her conscious screamed at her, That he's been waiting for you all this time.
Espo coughed, "Man Card issues."
"NO, there's no issues. Everything definitely works properly down there."
She felt the heat suffuse her cheeks as she thought, I might just have to volunteer to test that theory.
"Are you sure, Castle? Let's face it," Ryan continued to egg him on, "You've hit middle age, and it's been well over a year. Maybe you should go see a Doctor, have an annual physical, get your package checked out."
Kate tried to stifle the chuckle that burst from her lips.
"No," Javier piped up comically, "He needs to see an experienced sex therapist as it's NOT normal for a healthy male to go that long without nookie."
"Really, I promise that no medical attention is necessary."
"You do know what this means, right Javi?"
Oh no, here it comes, she thought anxiously.
Somebody slapped Rick hard on the back. "Our boy here is waiting for our long-legged, controlling boss to wet his dry spell."
"Damn!" she uttered, "He's so busted," and her face clearly reflected that Ryan was officially in the doghouse. She was going to have to pull Jenny aside and dish some secrets about her fiancé.
"Sure looks like it.. Jeez Castle, we've always known you were hoping to get her in the sack but going that long without some mattress mambo means - "
"Guuyys," Castle droned, interrupting Esposito. "Enough already."
Kate heard him clear his voice before saying, "How about I treat you both to some free drinks at the Old Haunt tonight? Ryan, you're sure welcome to bring Jenny, and Javi you can bring your latest one-night-stand."
"Sounds great, Castle. I'm sure my date has a hot friend that can tag along… A chica who can help you with your 'Man Card' problems."
I'm the only woman who's going to be helping him with his 'Man Card' problems, she thought possessively.
Her suave partner didn't disappoint her when he chuckled, "No chicas for me, Espo… I've already got one bad-ass woman I can't control."
Bad-ass, huh? – Her eyes darkened in lust as she thought, I'm going to enjoy proving that truth to him, - in the bedroom, in the squad car, right now in his office.
She didn't hear his parting shot of, "Tell Beckett I had to leave a little early. Hope to see you guys tonight," because she was completely wrapped up in the immense blue of his eyes as he tried to decipher her feelings.
The recording stopped and silence filled the room.
After a few, uncomfortable seconds Castle said half-heartedly, "Your interfering boys are now officially off my Christmas list. Wanna help me think of the prank of the century to pay them back?"
Her laughter filled the small room and seemed like music to his ears.
"Oh, I could come up with a few ideas… Those two sure schooled you good."
"Yes, they did. They sure did."
She stood there looking quite un-Detective-like with her perfect make-up, twisted hair, soft blouse showcasing those stunning breasts and in a very flirty skirt which made her look all woman… He felt the blood rush south as her sweet, intoxicating cherry scent weaved its way around his senses.
"Can I ask you a question?" she queried, and he was surprised by the shyness in her tone.
His response was immediate, sincere. "You already know that you can ask me anything."
"Can I trust that you'll tell me the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" she asked with a tentative smile.
Gawd, that meant the question was going to be personal and definitely difficult to answer but as he looked into her mesmerizing hazel eyes, practically drowning in their depths, he determined that even if it meant putting his heart on the line, he'd tell her the truth.
His lips lifted into an honest smile. "Yes. Ask away."
"Why haven't you had sex with anyone since Gina?"
"There just hasn't been anyone who, - " he paused, unable to finish with, 'Even comes close to you.'
Somehow, someway, without him even noticing, Katherine Beckett had gotten under his skin and into his heart and any other woman drastically paled in comparison.
He huffed out a large sigh, his eyes never leaving her beautiful face as he purred, "You know why, Kate."
She appraised him slowly, - searching his face and studying his body language for any type of distrust.
"I need to hear the words."
"Creating an incredible fictional character based solely on you and publishing three books about her isn't enough?" he teased.
She shook her head side to side. Her eyes shimmered as she approached him stealthily. The outright determination in her features and the provocative smile glossing her lips made his breathing quicken.
"No, Mr. Castle," she purred and those strong but refined hands of hers pressed into his shoulders and shoved on him, pushing the rolling chair away from the desk. "It isn't enough."
His eyes about popped out of his head as she stood in front of him and then leaned towards his chair, placing her hands on the armrests, giving him full view of her cream and pale pink brassiere covering those enticing breasts.
Her breath roamed over his face hot and desperate, "Why haven't you slept with anyone in over a year?"
"Hmm," and he fell into her stormy eyes. "Ever since I crashed a certain Detective's life," he croaked, trying to keep his eyes on her face but failing miserably as they kept slipping to her unbelievable cleavage. "I've been comparing every woman I meet to her and no one, no one comes even close to her beauty, intelligence, strength, class, wit, charm, etcetera, et – ceter -a."
His words petered out as she leaned into him and whispered huskily in his ear, "Really? - This Detective sounds pretty remarkable, - more fiction, than fact."
His hands couldn't resist grasping her small waist and squeezing just a bit. His thumbs swirled over her pelvic bones. He had to refrain from placing his lips on her lean, tempting neck that was barely an inch away.
"I've studied and researched her," he said softly and one of his hands left her waist to gently cup her face. "And also longed for her on a daily basis for years now. She's definitely real all right," he said provocatively. "The most 'real' woman I've met in my entire life."
She moved away him then, and his lips turned down into a pout as his hands clutched at air, reaching for her… He lost all train of thought as she lifted up that attractive bohemian skirt and he caught a glimpse of a shin, then a kneecap and a tanned, toned leg and -
"We – ll, it sounds to me that this Detective should turn the tables in her favor and do a little research of her own."
Ohh Fuck… She hiked up the skirt, kneeled on the chair and straddled his lap, sitting down suggestively on his massive thighs. (Thank God he'd paid a small fortune for this extremely large, comfortable, leather chair as they both fit without discomfort)
"What type of research?" he eeked out, trying to grasp the concept that this particular Kate Beckett fantasy was finally coming true.
"The kind," her hands roamed down his shoulders and across his chest, "That shows," her fingers toyed with the hemline of his T-shirt, "Your Man-Card's still intact."
His glorious, sexy-as-hell grin made her already over-sensitive nerves thrum with electricity.
"My favorite kind of research."
"Prove it," she demanded and then her lips were on his, - bold, frantic, - crushing in their intensity, - inhaling his every breath and exhaling on a sultry moan that put him at full mast in an instant.
She kissed him with such raw, savage intensity that it stole his breath away and made him feel like he just might combust from the pure physical pleasure of her.
One quick thrust of his tongue parted her lips and allowed him entry – entry to every slick feminine, heated corner of her mouth. Rick circled her tongue with quick, urgent strokes. As he tasted the cranberry from her drink and something else that was uniquely Kate, he became overwhelmed by the sensation that he could easily become drugged on the taste of her.
Her… Kate Beckett.
His hands finally shot into her hair, releasing the hair clip and as the tresses tumbled over his fingertips, he exhaled against her lips, "Kate, Oh Kate."
She didn't let him continue as her mouth silenced his devotion. Over and over again her lips plundered his; her tongue a velvet stroke that reverberated through his body in heavy waves.
Her hands seemed to be everywhere at once… In his hair, fingering his scalp, massaging the back of his neck, along his tense shoulders, across his pecs, over his biceps… Everywhere she touched left a burning trail of quivering skin in its wake.
His warm hand slid beneath her bohemian skirt and ran possessively over her leg, up over the ridge of her knee, along the taut swell of her thigh, inching closer and closer to –
With her lips still glued to his, her fingernails dug into his shoulders for leverage… His hands cupped her buttocks and lifted, pulling her closer to his manhood… A groan of pure ecstasy escaped his mouth as she ground down on his erection.
He was hard as metal, hot as a steaming desert in July, ready in a moment's notice to fill her completely.
As she gyrated her hips in a slow, methodical manner his head lolled back and hit the back of the chair. "Keep that up," he said hoarsely, "And this game ends before half-time."
He gripped her hips unbearably tight to stop her motions and then peppered her jawline with purposeful, lingering kisses, - making sure his stubble left a trail of raw skin. She tipped her delicate, tempting neck to the side, inviting him to taste her further. He nibbled down her soft-as-a-babies-skin and got the reaction he was looking for as he reached her jugular.
Her exotic sigh of pleasure wrapped its way around his senses and encouraged him to bite painfully on the tender spot, making sure to mark her as his own.
"Castle," she breathed and the raw flame of desire that burst from her eyes brought him to the breaking point.
He frantically reached for the buttons on the back of her blouse.
….
Lanie took her shoes off at the top of the stairs and held them in her left hand as she descended quietly down the steps.
A muffled groan from behind the office door floated up to her… She hurried as fast as she dared down the rest of the stairs and put her right ear up to the door.
I'm going to have to say five Hail Mary's for this.
There was a few seconds of silence and then Castle's smoky voice said, "Keep that up and this game ends before half-time."
"Yes!" She mouthed and her fist pumped up in the air.
Kates' "Cas – sle," in an obviously aroused tone made her grin from ear to ear, but the next second her mouth literally dropped as she heard the computer chair whack into the wall.
Shit!
She jumped half a mile when Kate's back slammed into the door.
"Lock it!" Rick commanded, but from the sultry sounds coming from the other side of the door it was obvious Kate was a bit preoccupied.
She heard an 'Oof,' and then, "I can't. - - Ohhh Rrrick," followed by heavy breathing and a questionable slurping sound.
"Can't reach it," she said breathily. "Uggh!" and in the next moment she heard the bolt lock click into place.
Lanie took a deep, grateful breath that the two hadn't heard her squeak of fright when he'd propelled Kate into the door.
There was more scuffling… A, "You're so incredibly beautiful," and Kate's exasperated response of, "Shut up…. Gawd, Yesszz! Just like that."
What she heard next brought a flush to her sexually-liberated cheeks. It was the unmistakable sound of his desk being cleared off in a frenzy… Papers, stapler, letter opener, hole punch, pens, folders all crashing to the floor.
Sweat beads pricked her forehead as she envisioned Castle taking her on top of his desk.
Well, he just graduated from 'Writer Boy' to 'Writer Stud', she thought as she fanned herself with her hand.
She finally decided to give them some privacy after she heard Rick growl, "I'm going to fuck you until you scream my name, Detective."
When did it get so blasted hot in this bar?
She strolled with a sexy sway to her hips over to the boy's booth wearing a sparkling, self-satisfied grin.
"It worked, you scheming devils. Mom and Dad finally consummated the marriage."
"It's about darn time."
Ryan raised his beer bottle in the air and said gleefully, "Cheers to the three sneakiest co-workers in New York City."
She raised her Sex on the Beach drink and clinked her glass with his, "Cheers," and her eyes caught and held Espo's, clearly reflecting her hope that their night end in the same manner as Mom and Dad.