Chapter 13:

Let Me Help You

She had kissed Richard Castle. Not only that, but he had kissed her back.

After finally calming down after what seemed like ages, Beckett began to analyze what had just transpired between them. Her lips still tingled from when his had repeatedly ravished hers, and her body still yearned for his. She had thought that he might have felt the same spark that she had until he had forcefully pushed her away.

She shook her head. She really needed to get her mind off of Castle, but she couldn't help herself. She hurriedly changed from her nightshirt and into a simple navy t-shirt with the phrase "NYPD" emblazoned in yellow in the front, and a pair of black gym shorts she had brought with her in case she had the time to do a little running. Putting on her tennis shoes and slicking her hair back into a messy ponytail, she cautiously listened for signs that Castle might be waiting for her on the other side. After determining that Castle was nowhere within earshot, she grabbed her iPod and made her way through the massive house to the back door.

The air outside was fresh and clean, which was so different than what she was used to in the city. Beckett decided to go for a run on the beach, so she set off at an easy pace, feet pounding against the sand.

What was going on with her? She wondered to herself. Never in all of her years had she let a man get her so frazzled that she couldn't focus. She knew she had feelings for him, but she also felt that things were going a little fast between them. After all, they had only been on vacation for what? Two days? Then she had gone and kissed him.

Well, that wasn't entirely true, she admitted to herself. He had set her body ablaze with his attentions earlier. She was quickly finding out that he had a disturbing knack for finding all of her sensitive spots on her body, ones that made her purr like a kitten and turn to jelly in his hands. She had thought at some point during their intense make out session that he would take advantage of her. What frustrated her the most wasn't the fact that she wanted him to, but the fact that he pushed her away and denied them both satisfaction.

She turned around then, running back toward the house. Castle was such an enigma to her. By the time she had gotten back to the house, she had made up her mind that she was going to confront him about what had happened in the bathroom. However, when she got to the house, Castle was nowhere to be found.

Beckett sighed. Had she really screwed up so much that he couldn't even bear to be in the same house as her? She headed straight for the bathroom, intending to take a shower in the hopes of washing away the negative thoughts in her mind. She needed someone to talk to. She needed Lanie. Beckett made up her mind to call her best friend after she took a shower. She might regret it later because of the way Lanie might react, but usually she was the one who helped keep her grounded. She knew that Lanie had been their casual observer lately. Telling her that things were changing and getting confusing shouldn't be an issue.

She grabbed a simple robe, intending to just pick out some clothes after she had gotten all the dirt and grime off her body. It was frustrating for her to also find that despite the vigorous workout that she had just had, she realized that she also had Castle's scent all over her body from when they had slept together. She was still very much aroused from their earlier make out session that the very thought of anything relating to him put her on edge.

She padded toward the bathroom, feet echoing in the quiet room as she took each step toward the bathroom door. She was just about the turn the knob to enter when she heard a strange sound emanating from inside. Without a second thought, she burst through the door.

She wasn't expecting to find anything like it. There, standing before her completely naked, was Richard Castle. From the looks of things, and the way that his hand was wrapped around his cock, he had been trying to ease some obvious frustrations. However, he never stopped or seemed to register her presence.

It was the single most erotic thing she had ever witnessed. He seemed to be close, but held back for some reason. Walking up to him, she turned his head and kissed him thoroughly, tasting the salt from his sweat that was forming into a fine sheen on his skin. Tongues mated and vied for dominance, devouring each other, trying to meld into one.

Castle growled low in his throat, torn between kissing her and the task at hand. He was close, so close, and she tasted so good. He grabbed her hand and wrapped it around himself, keeping his over hers in order to enhance his pleasure.

Ripping his mouth away from hers, he threw back his head and closed his eyes, focusing on the pleasure. There was one thing he still craved for, and that was confirmation from her that she wasn't running from this, no matter what.

"Kate," he breathed. "Look at me."

When she finally did, she was shocked at what she saw. His eyes were black with passion, and he was making sure she knew that it was because of her. Looking down, they both watched their hands move in perfect harmony on his rock hard cock. This was their moment.

In a matter of seconds, Castle tensed as the first waves of his orgasm hit him. He exploded, staggering back from the force of it.

Kate let go of him completely, allowing the both of them some distance to process what had just happened.

After a while, Castle was the first to break the silence between them. "Kate, we need to talk about this. No more fooling around."

Beckett met his eyes and then gave him a gentle kiss. "I know."

A/N: Wow, that chapter took on a life of its own! I know it feels a little one-sided, but I felt it was a good starting point for the two of them to have. I know it's short, but I wanted to have something out before I went to work, and I have a wedding tomorrow. As always, review!