A/N: A/N: Need to thank Xonze, my beta reader, for all his help and rkcaskett for being my sounding board at times for this chapter. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.
As usual, the characters in this story belong to ABC and the brilliant Andrew Marlowe.
As Kate and Castle walked into the elevator, she felt Castle reach over and ever so casually grab her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers and squeezed while keeping his eyes on the inside of the elevator doors. Kate could feel the energy between them and wondered just how far the night would lead them. The better question she thought to herself as she glanced at him was just how far they should go considering the circumstances.
"So, I'll see you in an hour or so?" Kate heard Castle say as they stepped out the precinct doors.
"Sure. What do you have up your sleeve?"
"What makes you think I'm up to anything? I plan on being a perfect gentleman tonight. Just need to pick up some supplies before heading over is all. Your place isn't exactly known for having much, minus the science experiments in your refrigerator."
"Funny... and you have that gleam in your eye that tells me you are definitely up to something." Kate said as she leaned slightly toward him.
"Guess you will have to wait and find out, now won't you? See you in an hour."
Kate watched Castle walk off for a moment. Just as he was about to get out of earshot Kate said, "Hey Castle?"
"Yeah"
"What makes you think I want you to be a perfect gentleman tonight? You always have said girls like bad boys."
Kate watched as Castle stared at her for a moment and let a small smile cross his face. He then turned with a slight spring in his step and walked away. Kate didn't know what got into her just then but had a feeling this was going to be an interesting night.
She let her eyes linger on Castle's body before she turned and headed toward her place. Instead of taking her car, like she originally planned, she decided to walk home so she could burn off some of the energy building inside her. She could still feel Castle's fingers on the back of her neck and could feel the anticipation for tonight building inside her. She knew Castle would be up to something but she also knew she could throw him off his game by striking first. After all, she was in the mood to have a little fun.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Kate had just finished changing when she heard a knock at the door. Knowing that about an hour had past, she guessed it had to be Castle.
Kate opened the door to find Castle holding some takeout and a small cloth grocery bag.
"Hi... I see you are a man of your word. Kind of surprised you only chose one form of takeout, not that I mind. Let me help you carry something." Kate said in a rush. She was strangely nervous about tonight but tried to not let it show.
"Here, take the food if you want. The stuff in the other bag is a surprise for later. Trust me you won't be disappointed."
"Trust you, have I taught you nothing, Castle? Trust is to be earned. Do you really think you've done that at this point?" Kate teased as she stared Castle down till she saw a smirk come across his face as he leaned in toward her.
"Detective, If you didn't trust me, you wouldn't let me touch your face or let me brush my lips lightly across your cheek now would you? Besides, I believe you told someone once that I'm someone you trust. You wouldn't be going back on your word now would you?"
Kate closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and looked directly into Castle's eyes. What she saw was the same nervous energy she felt herself but also a hint of trouble mixed with admiration.
"I can assure you that I never back down from my word. You aren't the only one with ideas for tonight, just so you know. Whose to say I don't have some surprises myself..."
"And are you going to share with the class just what these ideas are?" Castle asked.
Kate leaned in close to Castle as she let her lips lightly brush his ear, before she whispered, "Rick, I have all kind of ideas. Some even involve tasting and touching." Kate let her lips linger for a moment before she continued, "I'm talking about the food of course. We can't let this food that you brought get cold."
Kate felt the electricity passing through them as they both leaned back slightly away from each other.
"I'll have to investigate some of your ideas later after we eat and after I give you that neck massage I promised you. I am a man of my word." Castle said as Kate felt his fingers brush the back of her neck before he continued "What do you think of this new Chinese place I used tonight?"
"Not bad at all but I think I've had it before. How'd you find out about it?"
"You have had it before, on your date with Demming at the precinct but lets not bring up bad memories - for me at least. Esposito told me about it though and I thought I would try it out tonight."
Kate could see Castle face as he struggled to mask the hurt her time with Demming caused. She felt for him and thought she would encourage him some or maybe encourage herself.
"Yeah well, maybe those bad memories will be replaced with good ones tonight. It all depends on how good your hands really are though." Kate teased.
"Seeing as we are both finished eating, why don't we put the rest in your refrigerator and retire to your couch. "
"I think I can handle that plan. I'll pour us some more wine while you grab whatever it is that you brought as my surprise and meet you over there. Just don't take too long." Kate said as she let her eyes roam down his body.
"Why Beckett did you just suggest that you are looking forward to my hands being on your body? I'm touched or should it be you're touched?"
"Maybe I am. I liked what I felt before and want to see just what you got but you better bring your A game to impress me." Kate flirted.
"Oh, I always bring my A game and you will be may not ever want me to stop once I get started."
Kate took one more look at him before she grabbed the two glasses of wine and headed toward her couch with a slight sway in her hips . She had just put them down on the coffee table when Castle sat down behind her. She figured the best place for her was sitting on the floor while Castle worked his magic.
She glanced over her shoulder at the bag that was now sitting beside him. He pulled out a tube of what she assumed to be some kind of massage gel and watched as he put some on his hands.
"You know this would work better if you stopped looking at me and kept your head straight." She felt Castle whisper into her ear as he put his hands on the base of her neck. A shiver went down her spine but also caused her to move her neck to where he requested.
Kate breathed in the scent of cherries as she felt his hands start to slowly knead the tender muscles. He was gentle at first but slowly started to get more firm with his touch as the tension started to release. She could feel herself start to relax into his touch and enjoy the moment.
"You like that?"
"Oh, yeah. You are good at this. Makes me wonder what else you might be good at as well." Kate said softly.
"I'm good at a lot of things. Be assured though that I will only go as far you want. "
"I know and I appreciate it." Kate said as she reached up to grab one of his hands, stopping what he was doing.
She turned to face him with his hand still in hers and looked into his eyes. What she saw was complete admiration and respect for her. She knew at that moment she was ready to take the next step with him, even if it was a small one. She felt them inching toward each other with their eyes locked on each other. Her lips touched his first just barely.
Kate felt his lips respond to her own as they started to move in sync with each other. Both tentative but filled with promise. She could feel herself being pulled up to the couch by his hands so they were on the same level, deepening the kiss slightly. Kate moved her hands to the back of his neck running them through his thick hair, pulling their bodies even closer. His hands ran through her curls as they continued to kiss. When the need for air became too much, she leaned her head against his and looked into his eyes.
"That was nice. I see that you can do more with your mouth than spin stories." Kate murmured before giving him another light kiss.
"Yes it was. You are not so bad yourself. In fact, I would call that amazing and hope to do more of it."
"Well, there is no time like the present." Kate challenged
Kate leaned in to touch her lips to his as they fell back slightly on the couch with their arms wrapped around each other. The kisses were slow and sensuous with just a hint of more to come while savoring the line they just crossed.
After a long while, the kissing slowed to light nips at each other's lips while they cuddled on Kate's couch. She heard Castle take a deep before asking the question that hung between them.
"You know Kate, when I came over tonight I didn't plan on this happening. Not that I didn't enjoy it. Quite the opposite it in fact. I just wanted to see you relax before diving in again on this case."
"That's sweet. Whose to say I didn't plan this myself? I knew what your intentions were and however honorable, I may have decided to take it further. " Kate suggested.
"How devious of you. I like it."
"I'll give you fair warning, Rick. You are going to have your hands full with me." Kate teased as she gave him another quick kiss.
"I've managed up to this point so I think I can handle you. I know I'm sure going to enjoy trying."
Kate smiled but couldn't stop herself from yawning. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time and the events of the past several days were starting to catch up to her.
"How about we continue this another night. We are both tired and need to get some sleep. "
"You may be right as much as I don't want this evening to end. I'm sure their will be others. Maybe after this case gets wrapped up, we can explore some more of your magic hands elsewhere on my body." Kate teased, letting her hands lightly run down his arms.
"Count on it."
They got up from the couch, put their now empty wine glasses in the sink, and walked toward her door.
Kate leaned in for what started out as a quick kiss but turned into something much more heated. Before things went farther than either of them wanted, she felt Rick break contact with her and moved his lips to her cheek.
"Until tomorrow, Kate. I'll see you at the precinct bright and early. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
"Until tomorrow, Rick and don't forget my coffee. After a night like tonight I'm going to need it." Kate chuckled as she shut and locked her door.
She touched her lips lightly while she leaned against her door. Definitely an eventful night for both of them. Maybe they hadn't missed their chance or got a second chance. Either way, she was ready she thought as she headed toward her bedroom for that much deserved good night's sleep.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Despite how tired Kate was, she found herself having a hard time going to sleep. She was too keyed up from the evening's events. She lied in bed and could not get her mind to turn off. Did she make the wrong move in kissing him? It felt so good, so right but was it too soon after Josh? They were partners and worked well together. She knew this would change things, but for the good or bad? She didn't want her personal life shared with the entire precinct but would it be fair to hold it from her team. After everything they had been through the past few months, they were more than just were family and sure she would get teased but she knew they would back her up. Kate chuckled to herself when she thought about how Ryan and Esposito would probably threaten Castle about hurting her. She knew he wouldn't though, at least not intentionally.
Finally she drifted off to sleep and when she woke the next morning, she actually felt relaxed. She decided to head to the precinct a bit earlier than usual with the intention of hitting the gym to workout.
Those intentions went out the window as she left her building and made her way toward the precinct. She happened to run into Castle along the way, literally.
"Sorry. Must have a lot on my mind and wasn't paying close enough attention." Kate said quickly without bothering to looking up at the person. She was usually much more observant but today she was off her game slightly. She started to walk away when she heard the gentleman speak.
"Not a problem. Just what has you so rattled this morning anyway. Could it be your evening last night?"
Kate knew that voice and stopped dead in her tracks. She let her head turn and meet the eyes of none other than Castle.
"Castle? Just what are you doing up so early or in my area of town?" Kate inquired.
"Well, I thought I would surprise you with coffee and a bear-claw before you headed into the precinct. You did tell me not to forget the coffee."
"I did, but I meant at the precinct, not my place. How'd you know I would be up anyway?" Kate said incredulously.
"Call it my spidey sense. What can I say, I know you."
"You knew that I was going to get up and hit the gym before work? Something I don't usually do. I find that hard to believe." Kate said with a hint of disbelief crossing her face.
"Well, if you had even half the energy still coursing through your veins that I had after last night, I figured you would want to work it off before facing the guys. I just misjudged exactly when you'd head this way. Thanks for bumping into me by the way. It was nice."
"I probably had more energy than you did and you are full of yourself this morning. You're right about facing the guys though." Kate relented.
"Wait, did I hear Kate Beckett tell me I'm right? This is looking to be a good day. Maybe I should write this down so I can remember it."
"Don't make me regret telling you that you were right. Besides, I don't think you will have a hard time remembering today." Kate said as she leaned in to give him a light kiss.
"Kate Beckett you continue to surprise me... kissing out in the middle of the sidewalk? Can we do it again?"
Kate rolled her eyes but slipped a hand into Castle's as she grabbed the coffee he was carrying. She let her fingers lace together with his and started walking.
"I have a better idea since we have some time before I have to be at work. How about we work off some of this extra energy we both seem to have with a walk in the park." Kate suggested.
"I'm game for that plan. I'd follow you any where just as long as you let me touch you along the way. I mean holding your hand of course."
"Yeah, sure you did... not that I mind exactly. Just not the right time or place."
Kate stopped them for a moment and looked into his eyes. She needed to put this out there now so they could enjoy the rest of their time before work.
"Look, I'm just going to put this out there and I need you to really listen to me, okay?"
"OK. I'm all ears"
"I'm not sure where we are going with all this but I know I don't want anything to change with us working together. I'm not naive to think the guys won't pick up on the change with us but I don't want the rest of the precinct to get involved in my personal life. This means keeping the touching and tasting to a minimum while at work. Understand?" Kate said with a firm voice but a smile on her face.
"Duly noted. Now let's enjoy the rest of that walk you planned out for us. I want to get as much touching in as I can before duty calls. "
Kate laughed some and squeezed his hand. She felt more at ease with him than she had all morning. Maybe this would work out after all. They continued to walk, allowing themselves to just enjoy each other's company until her cell phone began to ring.
"Beckett."
"Yeah, we got a hit on your Bobby Stinelli." Ryan said.
"Okay, we're not that far from the precinct now so we'll be there shortly. In the mean time, start going through his background. I want to be prepared when we go pick him up." Kate commanded and then took a quiet but deep breath. She knew what was coming next.
"You got it. Wait, did you say we? Is Castle there with you?"
"Yes, we were taking a walk through the park before we headed in to the precinct. No, he didn't stay the night before you ask, not that it is any of your business. We just ran into each other." Kate said
"Sure -we'll get working on that background you wanted and have it ready when you get here."
"Thanks Ryan. See you in a few." Kate said as she ended her call. She then turned to Castle and said, "We got a hit on our suspect so we need to cut our walk a little short."
"Pesky work always gets in the way but duty calls even if I'm not a cop."
"You may not be a cop but you are my partner. The quicker we nail this guy and close this case, the quicker we can get to more enjoyable activities." Kate said as she gave him one last peck on the lips.
"Beckett, you are one evil woman. I like it. Let's go." She heard Castle say as she pulled them along faster toward work. This day started out in a way she never would have thought but she hoped it would end with exactly what she had in mind.