Chapter Two

Kate Beckett had dreamed of having sex with Rick much more often than she would ever admit to anyone. She imagined their first time many ways and in many places: her apartment, his loft, in a limo, even the back seat of her Crown Vic. The one place that out-numbered all her other fantasies was at the 12th precinct. Kate dreamed so many times that he would push everything off her desk, rip off all her clothes and take her again and again in front of the entire bullpen...sometimes cuffs were used. Perhaps sex with Will and Josh had tainted her expectations with all other men. With them, it had always been a battle for domination; afterwards she was sated but often sore and sometimes bruised.

Rick's hands caressed her waist and hips, careful of the large bruise on her back. He effortlessly supported her weight, allowing her time to adjust to him. Rick leaned in to kiss her; the touch was so gentle yet moved her more deeply than any man had before. Kate knew she shouldn't be surprised that he so easily let her take the lead, even in sex. It was what he did. Rick put her first but he was right behind her, always. She smiled at that word. Always, it was their word. She realized it had been his way of saying I love you before she was ready to hear it. She had hurt him, pushed him away and yes, even lied to him but just last night Rick told her that he still loved her. His courage and caring amazed her...humbled her. Kate wanted to say those three words to him but she still could not get the words out of her mouth. His lips were so warm earlier but now they felt white hot as the heat from his kisses replaced the ache of every bruise on her neck, shoulder and arms. Kate heard a soft moan of pleasure and realized it came from her. She finally understood the phrase "making love".

Kate ran her hands over his broad shoulders, muscled arms and toned chest and abdomen. He did not have washboard abs like Will or bulging biceps like Josh but he was not soft. Kate suddenly realized she had never before seen Rick without every button in place and impeccably groomed. She often teased him about his hair but she was enjoying the chance to finally run her hand through the through those thick locks and mess it up just a bit. Kate placed soft kisses on the ears she often tortured when he was being "insufferably Castle." Her lips continued the journey down his neck to his throat. She hummed in delight as she finally licked and nipped at his Adams apple, one more thing off her "to do" list. She reached his chest and tasted his nipple, smiling as he huffed out a breath. He ran his hands down both arms to capture her fingers.

Kate watched fascinated as her smaller hand almost disappeared into his much larger one. She never noticed just how big his hands were until now. Kate often pretended to be upset that Castle was constantly watching her. Secretly she enjoyed it because while he was so busy watching her, he never realized how often she looked at him, especially his eyes and hands. She had counted at least eleven different shades of blue so far. His gorgeous eyes changed when he was being silly, happy, excited, tired, confused and most recently she discovered the deep blue his eyes turned when he was angry. Kate loved to watch his hands when he made her coffee in the break room, when his finger flew over the keyboard on her computer chasing a lead, even as he played those silly games on his phone while she was buried in paperwork.

Rick brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each hand. God, when he did things like that she just melted inside. Kate felt like a teenager again, so sappy. When did she become such a sucker for romance? Her thoughts were interrupted when he spoke.

"Please tell me this is real? I've dreamed of being with you, loving you for so long, Kate."

Kate playfully nipped his bottom lip.

"Owwww!"

"Not a dream, writer man." Kate kissed him, pouring all the emotions she could not articulate into it.

Rick wanted to smile that Kate no longer called him "writer boy" but her kiss had kicked up his need several notches. Unable not to touch her any longer, the sponge Rick reached for fell from his hands. His lips nibbled down her throat, to her breast and nipple. One hand caressed her other breast, the other slipped between her legs. The feel of him deep inside her, his lips on her breast and his hand teasing her core was too much.

"Riiiccckkk!" The power of her orgasm created a roar in her ears and dimmed her vision. Kate felt weak and boneless but she did feel him come deep inside her. Her climax had triggered his. He cradled her against his chest as their breathing and heartbeats slowly returned to normal. Reaching for the remote, Rick hit the button to let the quickly cooling water drain from the tub. Helping her stand, Rick grabbed a towel and wrapped Kate in it. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to the bedroom. She tried to protest but he silenced her with a single word.

"Please!"

Nodding Kate let him dry her off. She was so tired, relaxed and emotionally drained she could feel herself falling asleep. Even half asleep, Kate felt him massage her with something that slowly made the dull ache in her arms, neck and shoulder calm down. Rick helped her get under the covers, and then quickly dried off. He climbed in behind her and gently massaged the largest bruise on her back. She was sound asleep long before he finished. Rick wrapped himself around Kate, pulling her back against his chest.