Kate woke to the pitter patter of tiny feet on hardwood floors. She opened her eyes. Where in the world was she? But then she suddenly remembered. She was at Rick's beach house, in Florida. Suddenly she heared a few whispers outside her room, and a soft knock.

'Yes?'

The door slowly opened, and Alexis's face was visible just inside the door.

'Kate? Daddy askes if you already wanted breakfast? I wasn't supposed to wake you, but I figured you might be up already and…'

This family sure had a problem with rambling! Kate smiled to herself. Alexis was very shy all of a sudden, unlike yesterday. Then again, the Castle's probably dind't have a lot of sleep overs with adults.

'Sweetie, I'd love some breakfast. But, before that, how about you come sit with me for a moment?'

A bright smile appeared on her face. God, that child was encredibly cute. How on earth was her mom not around?

Alexis stepped towards Kate, and started sitting down on the floor.

'Yeah, Lexie, that's not gonna happen, sweetie.'

The moniker flew out without her permission. The girl instantly looked up, hurt flowing her eyes. Her shoulders sagged, and she started to get up again. Jeez, Kate, you have to be more clear. You almost made a six year old cry..

'Lexie, I just meant you have to get on the bed, not sit beside it. What kind of a horrible person would I be if I'd let you sit on the floor?'

The girl beamed up at her, flashing another brilliant smile. Kate scooted over a bit, so Alexis had more sat on the bed, side by side.

'I don't know, Kate, mommy always lets me sit on the floor. She said the bed gets dirty otherwise.'

The girl kept scooting closer to Kate, and when she was finally comfortable, Kate had to put an arm around her shoulder to be comfortable herself. This actually felt a lot like cuddling, and she didn't mind one bit. It was so long ago since she had a good hug. If Alexis' mother was this mean, than Kate could cuddle the snuggly little girl just fine, she tought.

'Well, Lexie, you can always sit on the bed with me.'

In response, Alexis only snuggled closer. After a few minutes of chatting, Kate decided it was time to go donwstairs.

'Sweetie, breakfast is ready, and we better not keep your daddy waiting, now do we?'

With that, they both stood up and left the room. They walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

'Wow, Rick, it smells great it here!'

After breakfast, Rick and Alexis went to get their swimwear, while Kate got back to her beach house. She gathered up her own stuff, and returned to the Castles.

'Kate! I already set up the beach chairs, Alexis is already playing in the sand. I thought it would be nice if we had some barbeque tonight, what do you think?'

'Oh, yes, that would be lovely! So where is the litlle monkey?'

Alexis' head snapped up.

'Hey, I'm no monkey! I am a mermaid, no monkey!'

'A mermaid, huh? Well, let's see about that. Race you to the water!'

With that, Kate took of. Alexis raced right after her, while Rick kept looking at their dissapearing backs. Kate in a bikini was… something else allright. He already knew she was hot (Florida weather doesn't require a lot off clothing, you know), but now she was just … gorgeous. And she was so very good with Alexis. That woman is going to be the death of him. He decided to just let them play for now, and he'd join them later. He sat himself on a chair, and started writing.

'Higher, Kate, trow me higher!'

'Lexie, now you've asked for it, honey!'

With that said, kate threw Alexis very high in the air. The girl splashed back in the water and made a huge splash. While they were playing, they didn't see Rick coming closer.

'Hey girls, can I join the fun?'

Kate startled at the sound, she didn't expect anyone to be around. She had just thrown Alexis in the air, and she stumbled backwards. Rick caught her just before she fell backwards in the water.

'Ow, Kate, you okay?'

She could hear Rick talking to her, but all she didn't hear what he was saying. Richard Castole was holding her in his arms! Ow. My. God. This has to be a dream! Enjoying the feel of his arms around her, she didn't let go just yet, but she turned around in his arms.

'I'm fine, Rick, just peachy. Thanks for catching me, though.'

She gave him a kiss on the cheek, but his cheek turned at the last moment. Her lips landed on the corners of his mouth. Her lips were tingling, and desire overtook her. Now she wanted nothing more than kissing this handsome man.

Rick's lips were also on fire. Damn. This woman was so encredibly hot. Here skin and lips were soft to the touch, and all he could think about was kissing her properly. But he couldn't, it was too soon.

It was too soon, she couldn't just go around and kiss him! So she did the only thing she could think of: she gave him a hug, and then she stepped away.

'Hey, Lexie, were are you? You want to play 'sharkie'?'

'Yeah, pumpkin, let's play! I'll be the shark, you guys can be the scared people!'

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kate picked Alexis up and started swimming with the little girl on her back.

'Faster, kate, we need to go faster! The shark is coming! Aaaaah'

Kate and Alexis both started shouting as if their lives depended on it, and Kate started swimming away. Their giggles and shouting were increasing, while Rick kept swimming towards them. The fact that he could stare at Kate's legs and ass was a great bonus.

One of these days, he thought, I am going to ask her on a date.

One day, she tought, I have to go on a date with him.oH