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Can't thank you guys enough! You're the best! As a side note, I have made a little trailer for this story. The link is on my profile page, so when you're done please go check it out. It's similar to the trailer created to promote the film, and I wanted to do a similar trailer for my story. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: Castle and For Lovers Only aren't mine :/

[Night Out On The Town]

This was good. Better than anything he has ever written before.

Kate grinned to herself, eyes gliding over the words scribbled down in the moleskin notebook she found on the nightstand. She was captivated, completely lost in the world he created.

She'd woken up earlier to find him wrapped around her like a heated blanket, his presence alone keeping the nightmare away and protecting her from the darkness that threatened to swallow her up. He kept her grounded, anchoring her to reality when her mind tried to escape and float away.

Kate spent a few minutes just relishing in the feel of his naked body against her own, how he completely surrounded her, his large form encompassing her small one and never letting go.

That was until her bladder cried out.

So she got out of his embrace, being as quiet as possible, and skirted over to the en suite. When she returned, that's when she noticed the moleskin on the bedside. She hadn't seen him use it this whole time, this being the first time she's seen it.

Her curiosity got the better of her, so she took a detour toward the other side of the bed, grabbed the small notebook, slipped on his robe, and took a seat as she began reading.

She should probably tell him this, but over those three years they had spent away from one another, she was never not reading his books. It gave her a connection to him, made the difficulties of the separation somewhat bearable, even though it was her idea to break things off in the first place. As soon as he'd walked out her door that day she wanted to chase after him, tell him how sorry she was- how wrong- and hold onto him forever.

If only she'd listened to her heart and not her head...

If only.

Ever since then, she would find herself reading his books- books she's read countless times, yet there were always new surprises awaiting her on every page. Just like now, as she read over his latest installment of Nikki Heat.

It wasn't perfect, but it was fairly close. And the more Kate read, the more she yearned to read more. Coming to the last page he wrote on, she suddenly felt sad the journey was nearing an end– for right now at least. And yet, the feeling of excitement bubbled in her veins. She couldn't wait to see what he would write next.

Kate shut the notebook closed, a hand ghosting across the leather binding as if in a sweet caress, and placed it back on the nightstand where she found it. She couldn't stop smiling as his words echoed in her ears.

With a small sigh, she glanced over to the bed, the smile on her lips grow even wider, crinkles forming around her eyes. He looked so peaceful in those bundled sheets, his body exposed for all to see as he slept the remainder of the afternoon away. Every so often he'd let out a grumble or two, his nose would crinkle and Kate would be lying to herself if she said it wasn't the cutest thing she's ever seen.

The need to run her fingers through his hair as it flopped over his forehead was tempting, so she disrobed herself from his robe– which was super soft, she'd definitely be using this more than him– and joined him in the bed.

Hiking a leg over his hips, her legs braced them as she straddled him. The movements didn't falter his sleep in the slightest. So, in order to remedy that, Kate leaned down, her breasts pressing against his chest, flattening them, as she captured his lips in a tender kiss. He was unresponsive, and just as she was contemplating pulling away his mouth was moving.

Large hands traveled along her calves, the back of her knee, and up her thighs before finding a home on her hips. Rick moaned against her lips, his tongue darting out to swipe along the seam of her mouth, desperately seeking entrance. Kate didn't budge, though. No, she kept her mouth shut tight.

Her stubbornness made him growl in frustration, so he tried again. Same result.

In an attempt to see if he could tease it out of her, he clumsily flipped them over, Kate now beneath him. The maneuver came as a shock to Kate, her mouth opening unwillingly and offering Rick the opportunity he had been hoping for. His tongue invaded her mouth, dancing with Kate's as he deepened the kiss. And that's when she gave in.

Hands roamed as tongues and mouths dueled. The temperature in the room hit an all time high.

Breaking the kiss due to lack of oxygen, Kate rested her head back on the pillow and stared lovingly up at him. She traced a single digit all over his face, feathering over every line she found. The ministrations were soothing, her touch light and gentle. So much so, Rick found himself closing his eyes as he let the feel of her finger carry him away.

Silence grew between them, their hitched breaths the only sound reaching their ears. It didn't last for long, though.

"By far the best way to be woken up," Rick said, earning a chuckle from the woman below him. "I like it."

"Duly noted."

Kate's hand became adventurous, her fingers journeying further down until they found purchase on the small of Rick's back. Her nails dug into the skin, not roughly but enough to cause him to hiss. She pulled his body closer, their hips lining up in every delicious way possible.

"I read what you wrote," she said suddenly, feeling his body tense up above her at her confession. "It's really good, Rick. By far the best you've ever written."

She read what he wrote? Tearing a glance over to the bedside, specifically the moleskin notepad, he gazed at it longingly before gazing back down at her. "You...liked it?"

"Loved it," she remedied immediately, smiling proudly at him. "You've got quite a way with words there, Mr. Castle. I must say I am quite impressed."

He couldn't believe she actually liked- loved- what he had written down. All it consisted of was plot lines and character development angles, and a few pages filled with words that made up the story, but nothing of great significance. Best he's ever written? It wasn't near completion, not even close.

"You're not just saying that to make me feel better, right?" He wondered, his voice timid and unsure. "It's the first I've written in so long and I–"

Leaning up to kiss him, hands cupping his cheeks, she let go. "Of course I'm not just saying that. I was completely enamored with it all; it's, in a word, extraordinary."

He grumbled, teasing, "Hey. That's my word..."

Kate let out a laugh, her body vibrating against his in the sweetest possible way. "Just borrowing it for a bit. I'll return it later. Promise."

"You better."

"What inspired you?" She finally asked head tilted to the side in curiosity.

Shaking his head, he rested it in the valley between her breasts; Kate felt him press a single kiss there, her heart beating faster. His lips were barely there but there all the same, butterflying across her skin. Was he actually embarrassed to tell her?

Yes. Yes, he was.

She'd been his inspiration before, so why was he now flaking out to tell her she's his inspiration once again? He didn't know.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his head. Eyes were partially blocked by his bangs as they cascaded down his forehead. When their eyes met, Kate could see how nervous he was, even though he didn't need to be. She ran a hand over his shoulders, the muscles rippling under her fingers, in an attempt to soothe his nerves, and from the release of tension in his shoulders, it was working.

Rick's tone of voice was low, the words sincere. "You inspired me. After all this time, you're still quite a mystery– a mystery I don't think I'll ever be able to solve. You have so many layers, Kate. You're so strong, you have a loving and caring heart, and I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't love you more than I ever have before. Hell, I never stopped loving you."

A small gasp of surprise left her lips at his confession. He loved her.

As soon as those words were uttered, Rick found himself grinning like crazy. "I love you. I love you so much, Kate. Thank you for inspiring me, and thank you for making me a better man." He brought her in for a sweet kiss, his mouth echoing the words he just told her.

She took the kiss with as much love as she could muster. Unshed tears welled in her eyes, emotions getting the best of her.

God, he loved her. After all this time.

"I love you, too," she murmured against his mouth.

Both were smiling in the kiss, their happiness shining through as their mouths danced in a dance only known to lovers. It was tender, sweet, and full of love.

Pulling back, Kate began to run a hand down the column of his throat, her smile growing wider and more mischievous before Rick's very eyes. "I have an idea..." She began slowly, rocking her pelvis up against his in a slow rhythm, the friction so sweet. "One that will bring you inspiration– in more ways than one."

He hummed, eyes darkening as he pecked her roughly on the lips. "And what idea would that be?"

She slanted her head upwards, kissing him briefly before sinking back down onto the pillow. When settled back down, she had a mischievous glint sparkling in those green eyes of hers. Rick's curiosity had been peaked. Kate wrapped a leg over his upper thigh, causing the angle to shift ever so slightly. Their lower halves were perfectly lined up, all that needed to be done was for him to enter her.

Rick didn't. He waited. He wanted to know– wanted to hear her say the words.

Smirking, she pulled the leg that was resting on his upper thigh closer, in turn causing him to penetrate her. Identical moans left their lips at the connection, their breaths getting caught in their throats.

Arms snaking upwards around his neck, Kate pecked his lips. "I think you know what I have in mind."

Rick sucked in a breath, head nodding furiously. "I've got a pretty good idea," he grunted as he began to thrust in and out, the feel of being inside her a new experience each and every time.

Moaning in pleasure, Kate grinned. "Mmm...Sure feels like you do."

The city of Troyes was lit with lights, the night sky a dark contrast against the yellows and oranges of string lights hanging above the town square. People were everywhere, as far as the eye could see; some were dancing to the music played by a street band, others were mingling, a few people were dressed in elaborate costumes, and some were walking by without noticing or caring what was taking place around them.

It was a festival of some kind, and Rick and Kate found themselves in the middle of it.

Glancing over at her, Rick held his hand out and asked, "Care to dance?"

Neither knew what song the band was playing, but it was French, that much they knew. The melody was soft and sweet, its rhythm easy to follow along with.

"I'd love to," She gushed, taking his proffered hand and being led toward the middle of the town square where people were slow dancing with one another.

Rick's left hand held into her right while his right found homage on the small of her back, the thin material of her dress rubbing against his palm. He could feel the heat of her body caressing his hand, warming his own body up with each sweep of his fingers. Kate rested her free hand on his shoulder, his blue button-down crinkling under her fingers.

The two danced in a tight circle, following the beat of the song, the lights sparkling in their eyes as they gazed lovingly at one another. The couple didn't care who saw them; they were in love and wanted to show it off for the world to see.

Locking her lips in a kiss, he pulled her body closer, causing him to feel every womanly curve of hers pressing up on him. Her lips were warm and moist, her tongue hot and sweet in his mouth. Kate let go of his hand, only to reach up and wrap her arms around his neck, holding him close. Rick could barely breathe once they broke apart, panting hard and trying to get oxygen back into his lungs. He looked at her through heavy-lidded eyes, momentarily dazed and more than a little wobbly on his legs.

She chuckled at him, his state of arousal and haziness obviously amusing to her. Kate traced her hands through his hair, over the sides of his face, her fingernails lightly grazing his ears before she gently bumped their foreheads together, staying that way for a few seconds before she pulled back and stared up at him.

The smile tugging at her lips was soft yet wide and genuine. She looked so happy, so free, so...light. He'd like to think he was the reason behind that gorgeous smile. And Rick knew he would do anything to make her smile like that for the rest of his life.

There you go!

Hope you liked it. Reviews are love. Please go check out my trailer for this fic (the link is on my profile page). Next chapter will be posted soon! Until then!

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