"None of them were you."
He hums, watching her face for any sign that the words have taken root, and maybe it's not exactly what he would like to be telling her, maybe it's not even what she would like to be hearing but he smiles, hoping it's enough.
Kate smiles back, squeezes his hand and mumbles so quietly it's almost lost in the brisk air and crash of the tide in the distance, "You want to, um, go check out that pool?" She leans away from him, her body falling in the opposite direction so that he has to tug her back to his side and he likes that, it feels symbolic, like perhaps his words have just done the same thing.
Those five little words maybe holding more weight than the three he wants to yell at her, whisper to her, lave over her skin.
"Yeah?" Kate laughs at the sharp pull of his fingers when he drags her closer. She wants to lean in close and kiss him slowly for knowing exactly what to say. She giggles again when he walks off fast, making her take long strides with those beautifully powerful legs just to keep up with him before she can change her mind.
As if she knows exactly what he's thinking Kate drops his hand and links her arm through his elbow, finding his fingers again almost immediately. A clear and silent gesture telling them both she's not going anywhere.
They walk along a well worn path that winds around the house to the swimming pool at the back. Sand and dirt and spring grass getting crushed under their feet and the scent of the ocean drifting around them. Castle opens a white wooden gate and she grins at him when he extends his arm, ushering her ahead of him, caught up in the white picket fence of it all.
He's sweet, she thinks, and kind. Far more traditional than she would have guessed, but the more she gets to know him, the more she spends time with him like this - alone, case-less, in quiet comfort and homely surroundings - the more she notices it. He's a family man who cares and he's sweet.
On her. He's sweet on her.
Sunlight makes her squint and Kate ducks her head, hides the tinge of red to her cheeks at the thought and takes the wine glass from Castle's hands so he can close the gate behind him. Smiling at him she steps ahead, taking in her surroundings as she does.
He has spectacular taste, there's no denying it, and Kate lets out a low hum of approval at the sight of the fireplace directly opposite the pool. Huge and surrounded by ornate brickwork it calls out to her like nothing else here has.
He stops at her back, runs his fingers over the warm skin of her arm and strokes over her elbow, waiting until she turns to face him. He catches a brief glimpse of the images in her mind - wet skin and hot flames, being wrapped up together in the cool of the evening, the ocean breeze rolling in - and Castle smiles.
The corner of his lip lifts, just enough to grab her attention, just enough to have her staring at his mouth and getting lost in the memory of the things he does with it, can do with it, will be doing all weekend, and his eyes flick towards the fireplace at the same moment Kate's do too.
She swallows, heart up somewhere near her throat and hammering for freedom, and licks the line of her lips watching him do the same.
Kate hands him back his wine, lets her fingers linger with his and raises her eyebrows in silent salute at the beauty surrounding her. Bonfires and amber logs burning in her eyes at the prospect of the night stretching out before them.
"You like it?" He smiles, and she catches the waiver of uncertainty that flickers in his pupils, wonders if maybe she's not alone in feeling like this weekend holds a lot of significance for their blossoming relationship.
"I do." Kate presses into his side and shields her face from the sun and him as she smirks, "It looks cosy."
Her fingers trip over his skin and curve around his back in a movement far from innocent, sinking her hand into his back pocket as she laughs.
Castle laughs too, catches at the lightness that accompanies her smile and revels in it. "It looks cosy?" He tilts his body around hers, aims to set their drinks aside and ducks to see her face, "You like fires, huh?"
"Mmm." She sips the wine quickly before she gives up the glass, shivers as the rich red liquid slides down her throat and shrugs to disguise it, "I might."
Kate levels him with a look, something daring in her eyes that just begs for retaliation.
"We'll light it later." He promises, anything to see her smiling like that, soft smoldering glances, content and loose. His fingers find their way into her hair and he kisses her, feels the shiver she tried so hard to hide race out over her skin at the tangle and tug of his palm at the nape of her neck.
Later surges hotly in her blood. Now makes itself known and stampedes to the forefront, takes control.
She makes a noise, sharp, intent, and it draws Castle in closer. The hot, sweet taste of her mouth holds him there for a while, urging her lips further apart and he can't help but touch his tongue to hers in a soft greeting that makes her hands skim his chest. They roam upwards, make his stomach muscles clench and quiver until she's gripping his shirt and keeping him there just as much as he's doing the same.
A spark of something delicious ignites within him and races out, a long low, licking flame that catches fire slowly, seeking her out to burn across her skin until she's clinging to him tighter, more fiercely.
She pulls back with the flicker of that flame still dancing in her pupils and her breath frantic bursts that spill across his lips.
"That was - what was that?" He asks on a huffed breath and slightly frantic laugh, dipping his forehead down to touch hers.
"Vacation." Her eyes stay closed and hot breath touches his mouth, makes his lips part involuntarily, craving more. Her tone is melted caramel, hot, sticky and sweet as she caresses the word, delights in it. Vacation.
"I like you on vacation." He earns a laugh as reward, watches the glaze of her eyes slowly fade out into something warm, willing and waiting.
Waiting for what he's not sure, but Castle wonders if he should give in to the urge to have her by the pool. Here and now.
Knock aside the glass so that it smashes on the floor and lift Kate from her feet, lay her out over the table and devour her. Or throw cushions to the ground and spread themselves before the fire.
He wants to surge into her with the spark of timber in her eyes and the chill of the air raising her flesh before he tastes it.
The fantasy comes to life in his mind, and her eyes catch his, holding on tight as she reads him like an open book. Her lips flush, full and ripe for more kisses, her cheeks bright spots of red and Kate swallows thickly.
Her mouth opens but no sound comes out. The moment swells and grows without their control, eyes locked and hearts racing.
Kate finds herself staring at the open button of his shirt, the way the material parts to reveal skin. She knows that little patch will be warm, that the tip of her freezing cold nose fits into it perfectly when she snuggles up with him at three in the morning. She knows sinking her teeth into the same stretch of skin will make him growl and speed up when he's arching above her.
"Let's go for a walk." He says suddenly, his eyes on her lips but his arms falling away until she's standing alone once more.
But not for long.
"I'll show you the beach." He offers and Castle lifts his hand, fingers reaching, touching until they tangle with hers.