Chapter 5:

Pushing Kate

Kate wasted no time in rushing out of the dance studio as fast as her legs would carry her, heading straight for the car. She knew that Castle knew that she had seen him, and she also knew that he would undoubtedly want to talk about it. Kate wasn't quite entirely sure how she could even begin to handle such a thing. Her mind flashed back again to his dance, and for a moment she allowed herself the luxury of enjoying what she had seen.

After all, she rationalized, I have to get used to seeing him dancing in a lot less clothes. It's not professional of me if I sit there gawking like a lovestruck schoolgirl every time he takes something off. Wait…where the hell did THAT come from?

She didn't have a lot of time to freak out about her new realization, for Castle showed up at the passenger side window with his bag in hand. He tugged once on the door handle, knocking on the window as if to say, "Hey, remember me? Your partner? Well, you've kind of….locked me out. So, let me in."

She jumped, tapping the unlock button, and Castle immediately opened the car door and threw his bag in the backseat. For a moment, Castle was close enough for Kate to get a whiff of Castle's scent, which was a mix of recently applied deodorant, sweat, and something else that she assumed was uniquely Castle.

After making sure that he was firmly settled, she threw the car in drive and began to drive toward his loft. Neither of them said a word, both lost in their own thoughts. Castle wished that she would say something to break it. He hated the fact that something was now awkward between them. He waited for a minute more. When nothing came, he found himself speaking.

"So….we need to talk," he began hesitantly.

"About?"

"What happened back there…at the studio."

"I'm not following."

Castle sighed then, exasperated. "Look, I know you saw a lot more of me than you're used to. I can't decide if you're repulsed by me or not. I'm trying to figure you out."

"I wouldn't lose sleep over it if I were you," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, I was a little surprised. So what? It's not like you have anything particularly special to scream about. I've seen a ton of mostly naked guys. It's over and done with. No big deal."

"That's not the impression I got from you at all," Castle countered, narrowing his eyes and scanning her face.

She could feel his eyes boring into her cheekbones, and it was mildly irritating her.

Why in the hell can't he just let this go?

"Why are you pushing this?" she argued loudly, wincing at the tone of her voice. As much as she didn't want Castle pushing the subject, she hated using what she called her "angry Kate" voice.

"Because I'm concerned about you. You're obviously uncomfortable…"

"Because you keep pushing me by wanting to talk about this when I obviously don't. So drop it! Geez!"

Pulling up to Castle's loft, Kate parked the car in her usual parking spot and turned the car off. When Castle didn't move, she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was staring out the window, brow crinkled in thought.

"Are you going to get out, or what?"

"Come with me. Stay," he said. "I don't want you to leave here angry with me. I'm not completely sure what I did."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea, remember? Last time you tried to flatten me."

"We weren't supposed to fall asleep on the couch. It just happened. If I had had my way, I would have carried you to the bed and we would have slept there."

"Yeah, right…like I believe that "sleeping" would actually be on your agenda, or even in your vocabulary when you have a woman staying the night with you."

"What the hell are you talking about? Are you implying that I'd be THAT guy, the one who'd take you for granted, treat you like shit, and then take advantage of you just for personal gain? I had hoped you would know me better than that by now, but obviously I'm mistaken. Have a good night, Kate, and don't bother picking me up tomorrow. I can drive my own self to the studio so as not to inconvenience you."

Getting out of the car, Castle stormed off in the direction of his loft. Kate cursed herself silently, but then followed, slamming the car door behind her. She barely made it up to his apartment before he shut the door. She quickly put a hand out to catch it, pushing it open.

"Ready for round two, Kate? I'm sorry, but I'm all out of steam. So, if that's what you want, you win."

"Why can't you just let things go?" she repeated. "Sometimes what I'm thinking about has nothing to do with you."

Well, not entirely, the inner Kate argued. It has everything to do with how you feel about him.

"Look, I'm sorry. You're not being very talkative about how you're feeling. I don't have a lot to go on, so you're making me assume things. Talk to me, Kate."

Kate couldn't look at him. She was honestly afraid to. He was standing there, practically begging for her to be honest, and she was tempted. However, she was still hesitant.

"Is it because you've practically seen me as good as naked? Come on, I can't be looking all THAT bad. I work out a few times a week after we're done at the precinct."

"More like ignoring the fact that you have deadlines for your books, and you're doing everything in your power to avoid them."

"Then what else could it be? Because the only thing that seems to bother you is when I have to dance or something, or take stuff off. This really shouldn't bother you, like you said."

"What do you want me to say, Castle? That you're absolutely dreamy, and I totally want to just hop right into bed with you and have you fuck my brains out until I can't even think straight?"

"Not if you're not totally being sincere about it. If you were, I'd be totally happy with arranging something of the sort."

Kate rolled her eyes, scoffing at his offer. Even though it was highly tempting to her, she wasn't about to give in and let him know that.

"Dream on," she said finally, proud that her voice was back to a reasonable pitch and volume.

"Oh, I dream, Detective. And in all of them, you're naked at some point and enjoying every second as I pleasure you. In fact, in several of them, you're even screaming my name."

It took Kate a second to collect herself upon hearing that.

He dreams about us? About me? You have got to be kidding me.

"You've got to be kidding me. You're just saying that so I don't leave here tonight without you getting lucky." Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped toward him.

He wasn't going to back down either. Taking a step toward her, he stopped until they were nose to nose, staring at each other. This was the ultimate staredown. There was so much to gain for the both of them, and so much to lose.

"You really think that I think you're one of those women, Kate? That I could just fuck you, in my own house no less, and then expect to never see you again? Let me assure you that this," he stepped toward her then, pulling her into his arms and against him, putting one of his legs between hers and grinding his very large erection against her, "isn't for just anybody, and hasn't been for a long time."

A/N: I know, I'm evil….but I felt like I had to get a chapter out before work. Your response to my story is astounding, and I'm so grateful and excited that I'm sharing this with you and that you really love reading it as much as I love writing it. You know what to do….hit that little button and REVIEW! (They make me write all the faster, you know….)