Only ten more chapters left after this chapter, bringing our grand total to thirty chapters by the time this story is finished. Enjoy. Reviews are love.
Disclaimer: Castle and For Lovers Only aren't mine :/
[A Night of Answers]
Eyes casting over his sleeping form, she watched his chest rise and fall with each intake of breath, the motions soothing and reassuring. His hair was unruly, messy, and wild; the memories of running her fingers through the strands fresh in her brain.
With a small but content sigh, Kate wrapped her arm over his upper body and rested her cheek on his shoulder as she attempted to enjoy the quietness of the night. If only her brain could slow down for just a few minutes.
Her thoughts went all over the place, but continually made their way back to the past week. They were half way through their journey all over France, and it has flown by without giving them the chance to slow down.
They had one more week left here.
And then what? What will happen to them once this week is over? She had no idea, and that excited her, but it scared her more than anything else. The only thing she was one hundred percent sure of was that she needed him in her life.
Returning her attention to the man beneath her, she pressed a kiss to his exposed shoulder and whispered, "No one will ever love me like you do. No one will ever love you like I do."
Rick has been her solid ground over the week, keeping her steady and dry but also allowing her to dive into the depths of her emotions, her pain, with his comforting words and actions. But would all that change once they get back to New York? She couldn't help but wonder if that were to happen, then would this journey of theirs be for nothing?
She could only pray and hope that wouldn't be the case. They loved one another, and when two people have that amount of love, then they can get through anything. In love, even the impossible is possible.
With a final kiss to his cheek, she scuffled out of bed as quietly as she could and slipped a shirt and a pair of boy shorts on, before heading toward the small kitchen to make herself some coffee. Coffee always helped her think straight. And yeah, it may have been three in the morning, but she couldn't have cared less.
She needed her caffeine, and she needed it now.
In the quietness of their hotel room, Kate slowly sipped her coffee. It was cold now, its warmth gone. And the longer she remained sitting on the barstool, the more her thoughts became a jumbled mess.
She revisited all of the wonderful times they've spent laughing, playing, and loving. It made her lips to curve upwards into a smile and for her toes to curl with joy. After all of the pain and anguish she has dealt with over the last few months, she had found a reason to enjoy life again. And that reason was Rick.
But would he still be there for her once they arrive back in New York? Kate knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep if that question wasn't answered, and soon.
They have continued to dodge talking about this, and better now than never, right?
Downing the last of her bitter coffee, she turned with the intention of waking him up and speaking with him. But she didn't need to do that, because as soon as she swirled on the barstool, feet inching toward the wood floor, she saw him standing against the doorframe of the bedroom.
Arms crossed over his bare chest, he gave her a little wave that followed a chuckle. "Hi."
Surprised to see him awake, Kate gave him a small wave of her own. "Uh, hi."
"What are you doing up so late? Or should I say so early? It's going on four in the morning, Kate," he said, crossing over to the kitchen and rubbing his hand up and down her back as she sat motionless on the stool. "Everything okay?"
Kate linked her fingers together out of nervous habit and let out a deep breath. "Not exactly. Can we talk for a sec?"
Nodding his head, he took a place on the stool next to her and simply waited. He had all of focus on the woman before him, eyes never faltering off of hers. "Yeah, okay. What about?"
Here goes nothing, she thought.
"I know you said you wanted to wait to talk about life in New York, but I can't wait. This past week has been incredible; it feels like a dream— a dream that I don't want to wake up from— but what if this dream eventually fades?" She took in a deep breath, and reached out for his hands. "How are we supposed to go on with our lives if what we have between us fades away?"
These weren't easy questions, but they had to be addressed.
"Kate, I don't know about you, but, I know as far as I am concerned, I am not going to let go of you. Ever. To have you in my life again has been a huge blessing. We've been given a second chance, and I believe we'd be foolish not to take it."
She ducked her head down to her chest for a brief moment. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I love you. I love you with every fiber in my being, and I want you to know that I don't want this to end." Raising their joined hands to his lips, he gave a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me," he added as an afterthought.
All of Kate's anxieties and insecurities flew out the window, his words allowing her to breath again.
Her hands dashed to his cheeks as her body collided with his, their mouths crushing together in a searing kiss, as her breasts pressed firmly against his firm chest. Lips danced and tongues dueled, the kiss deepening with each swipe of their mouths against one another's. Murmuring words of love over and over again, Kate climbed onto Rick's lap and held on as tightly as she could.
"I love you, too. So much."
He was right. This was their second chance, and as Rick carried her to the bedroom, Kate knew she didn't want to miss out anymore. Everything they've been through, every wrong turn and mistake, every right turn and accomplishment, has led them to this moment. It has led them to right here, with each other.
And she wasn't going to mess that up.
There you go!
Reviews are greatly encouraged and appreciated. Will update as soon as I can. Until then!
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