Alright… next chapter up. Enjoy the date!
Beckett paced the floor of her apartment, dressed elegantly in a swish white skirt, with a black lace-up blouse. Her hair was swept up from her face, and the two inch heels gave her extra height. The nerves were beginning to set in as she glanced at the clock on the wall.
Castle was late!
Regret seemed to form in her mind, as she wondered if this wasn't a mistake. Richard Castle didn't know all that much about holding down a mature relationship. Was it too late to cancel the date? If she texted his mobile… told him she had an emergency case at the precinct. As she reached for her black handbag to retrieve her phone, she heard footsteps by the door, and then the sudden tap on her apartment door.
He was here.
She crossed the room to answer the door. Castle stood grinning dressed in black slacks and a clean pressed blue shirt.
"You're late," she looked unimpressed.
"Sorry… Alexis and mother had issues with my shirt," he smiled. "In the end I picked it myself," he looked mildly proud of himself.
Beckett's eyes lingered on the shirt, the color brought out his eyes, enhancing his appearance. She shrugged, pretending to be apathetic; he didn't need a bigger head than he had already. "Next time, leave the job to the girls of the house…" she teased over her shoulder as she walked out of the apartment. Castle followed.
"Geez, it takes a lot to impress you," he mumbled.
"Better believe it," she laughed.
They walked to his car, and he politely opened the door for her. Beckett rolled her eyes and climbed in. "You don't intend to do this the whole time do you?" she asked with mock sarcasm. She liked the idea that he was a gentleman, and she felt protected by the small gesture of opening doors, but this was Kate Beckett and she had her independence. She had a reputation which preceded her; she couldn't afford to lose it for a few kind gestures by a gentleman.
No ma'am, she had no interest in that.
"Kate," Castle looked slightly annoyed. "I am taking you on a date, which gives me the right to treat you with respect and consideration… so shut up and enjoy the ride. Now get in," he held the door open and Beckett climbed in.
"Where are we going anyway?" Beckett asked unable to stand the fact that she was NOT the one in control. It was a lot for to give up her independence, even for something as simple as dinner. She'd been alone so long, it was hard to find the balance between letting go.
"It's a surprise…" he grinned. Castle liked having the upper hand for a change; it was written across his face so evidently it was hard NOT to see. Beckett rolled her eyes again. Immature boy!
It was another ten minutes of unimportant conversation before Castle pulled into the carpark to the VOLTER restaurant. Beckett's eyes widened in surprise. This was the kind of restaurant that needed a deposit and a year's notice before you'd get a table. She looked across at him with questioning eyes.
"How did you get this?"
"I got connections," he shrugged.
"So does Julia Roberts and she can't get a table within a few hours…" she pointed out.
Castle hesitated. "Don't get mad…" he pleaded.
Her back instantly straightened, when he said that, she knew it meant she was going to get mad.
I hadn't planned for the chapter to end there. I am still deciding which way to go… and you know me and cliff-hangers… but I was thinking you readers can decide for me, I will give you a word and you have to decide which road I am going to take. It can be CUTE or CLASSIC Castle… you decide, however keep in mind both will have different repercussions.
Next chapter comes when I get the most of the same word.