I apologize for the extreme delay of updating. I've had some serious family issues going on for the past three to four weeks, so I didn't have time to update like I wanted to. Thanks for your patience. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

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

[Living in the Moment]

Rick woke up to the soft caress of her fingers over his spine. The gentle dance of her touch sent shivers along his skin as they moved in an easy tempo that played along his bones. He was still hazy with sleep; his body heavy on the mattress as he turned his head, barely able to open an eye.

The room was basked in a semi-darkness; slivers of daylight slid through the curtains, barely revealing Kate's body to his eyes. Her messy curls rested across her shoulders and over the pillow, fanning out like a golden halo. Her eyes were wide as she watched him while her hands mapped his back and skimmed his sides, before they journeyed up his spine once more, her fingers becoming tangled into the short hairs at his nape.

Slowly, she rolled her warm body into his. Kate pressed her lips over his in a tentative kiss, taking her time to truly taste him.

Last night was...messy. And it was frantic, full of want, lust, and pure carnal desire.

But not this time.

No, this time was slow and unhurried, and as Kate moved on top of Rick's body he lifted his arms and wrapped them around her waist, ultimately holding her steady. Her tongue slipped through his lips, seeking entrance of his mouth while her breasts grazed and teased his chest.

His heart pounded loudly, its rhythm echoing in his ears as the organ threatened to burst out. He began to run his hands up her sides, cupping her breasts with his palms, softly twirling the pads of his thumbs over her nipples. This caused her back to arch high and her head to be thrown back on a moan.

His hands were the cause of her undoing.

She leaned over him, her chest flattening against his, as she slowly kissed him with all the love she could muster. A low moan reverberated deep from within his throat; the sensation causing tingles to pucker on Kate's skin as she continued to kiss him.

"Good morning," she whispered into his mouth, their breaths mixing.

Rick grinned, suddenly flipping her onto her back so she was now lying beneath him, his body writhing over hers. "Hi. Sleep well?" As he waited for her answer, his mouth began a descent of their own, starting with the patch of skin between her neck and her ear, and then traveling along the long column of her throat before ending in the valley of her breasts.

Thoughts were jumbled, she couldn't think straight. Not when his mouth was doing delicious things to her.

"Mmm. What did you say?"

That brought a chuckle out of him, his smile wide against her smooth skin. "I asked if you slept well. Seems like someone is a bit distracted this morning."

A small blush appeared on her cheeks. "Just a little bit," she said, not bothering to deny it.

He was just so solid and hard above her; she had difficulties focusing on anything else but him. How could she?

"But, to answer your question, yes. I slept very well considering we got only a few hours of sleep. You are very distracting, Castle."

Rick felt a finger prodding his chest in mock admonishment, so he took the digit in his hand and enveloped it in his hot mouth, sucking and licking it while holding Kate's gaze. She gasped, unable to control herself. Damn him. He was doing what he does best, occupying her attention with great force.

Only removing her slim finger for a few seconds, he smirked. "Me, distracting? Whatever do you mean?" And just like that, he was back to swirling his tongue over her finger, tasting it and relishing in making the woman beneath him speechless.

Hitching a breath, Kate gritted her teeth in an attempt to control herself. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean. And don't you dare play naïve with me. You know I could stop you at any moment."

He moved from sucking on her pointer finger onto her neck once more, the scruff along his jaw and chin scratching Kate's sensitive skin, and she would be lying if she said she didn't find it hot.

"Damn. Foiled again. My evil plans never seem to work, do they?"

"You're just figuring that out? I would've thought you'd have learned that lesson by now." As she spoke these words she caught him by surprise, hooking a leg around his hip and using her upper body for leverage, she flipped them. It was a practiced maneuver that put her directly above him, hips pressed against hips.

"God, I'll never get tired of you doing that. So sexy..."

Trailing her hands over his pectoral muscles, she grazed his nipples before moving south toward her intended destination. "I'm glad you think so because I intended to do it much more often."

The wind nipped at her cheeks, her hair billowed in the breeze, and her breathing became labored. She was soaring, high above the clouds with the birds; it was a sensation she hadn't experienced in forever.

Legs pumping, she propelled herself forward, and ended up flying by a frazzled Rick, who seemed to be having difficulties keeping up with her. She would speed by, taunting him to go faster and calling him old, which only gave him motivation to move even faster.

It was a beautiful day in Strasbourg, perfect for a bike ride through the city. Once the couple had eventually come out of the hotel bedroom, they were in the mood to see the city. And what better way than to do so while bicycling?

"We're supposed to be enjoying the sights, not whizzing by with a fleeting glance," he told her as soon as he caught up. "You're missing everything."

Ducking her head down for a split second, she met his eyes. "Sorry. I just haven't been on a bike in so long— I forgot how much fun it is, how freeing. But I will take it easy, for you."

Grinning, he gave a curt nod. "Thank you. That's all I'm asking."

Side by side, they traveled through the in's and out's of the city, taking in its beautiful architecture and history. Reaching out, Kate grabbed Rick's right hand in her left and very carefully they began to ride with their hands clasped together. It started off a bit tricky, needing to be steady and balanced, but they eventually got the hang of it.

A loud laugh bubbled from low in her belly and came rushing out when they began to wobble from side to side, doing their best to stay upright. The sound was music to his ears. He loved her like this, so joyful and in the moment. She looked positively radiant. From her incredibly tight denim shorts, to her sky blue plaid shirt and gray camisole underneath, he couldn't help but stare.

Feeling his gaze on her, Kate glanced his way and smiled softly. "See something you like?"

"Yes. Yes, I do," he replied immediately.

"Me too," she said, bottom lip finding its home between her teeth. Kate then turned her focus toward the large church settled to their right. "The cathedral is rather stunning, isn't it? Beautiful architecture."

Eyebrows raised, he shook his head. "Wow. Really?"

She gave his hand a squeeze while also trying to hold back the laughter that wanted to combust out of her. "Only teasing. I've got quite a stunning view right next to me. Incredible structure, good frame, and very easy on the eyes." Then, she unabashedly started to undress him with her eyes.

Ego returning to its original state, he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I'd be happy to give you a private tour when we get back to the hotel."

"I think I'm quite familiar already, but it never hurts to revisit. Who knows, I may learn something new."

And, oh boy, did she ever.

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