A/N: I thought since you had to wait SO long for an update, I owed you this chapter. It's not any longer than the average but it has SOMETHING you all want. Enjoy :)
"Come on, let's get you home," Castle announced when they finished their desert and coffee.
Beckett looked almost disappointed.
"We don't have to…"
Beckett smiled and pushed back her chair, standing up from the table. She laid the cloth that had been in her lap, neatly down across her place on the table. "No, Castle… that's fine. I should be getting home. It's late and we have work tomorrow," she explained.
He nodded, dropped the money in the envelope, with extra tip and led her out of the restaurant.
The drove back to her apartment was silent. He was worried that this was it, it would be the only thing she'd offer him before stepping back and offering him nothing but a partnership. Richard Castle wanted more. A lot more. He was falling deeper for her, as each moment passed. There was a side of her tonight that she never released. A side of her that made him ache, for something he didn't have.
He pulled the car up to the curb and jumped out, eager to walk to her the door. Any extra moment he got with her, was fine with him, and she didn't seem the least bit bothered that he was following her around like a lost puppy. She almost looked… honored.
At the door, she pulled her keys from her bag.
"Thanks for dinner, Castle."
He frowned. "Why don't you ever call me Rick?" he asked. He liked his name, most of the time, and he wondered what it sounded like on her tongue.
"I just don't," she shrugged uneasily.
"Why not?" he pushed.
She hesitated. "If you tell anyone…" she warned.
He held his hand up. "Swear."
He waited for her to go on.
"I used to call you Rick," the way it sounded was like fresh air in Spring. It was heavenly. "When I lined up to get one of your books… Derek Storm series."
He grinned cheekily. "You had the HOTS for me."
She rolled her eyes. "You've been so good all night, Castle, don't ruin it."
"Call me Rick," he pleaded.
"No,"
"WHY?" he whined.
"It's weird."
He pretended to be offended. "My name is weird. WHO I am… is weird?" he challenged.
"Castle…"
He turned his face.
"Rick," she whispered.
He looked back and smiled warmly, and watched shockingly as she leaned forward, bracing herself against him, one hand to his shoulder and the other to his waist. He felt the blood rush to his head. This couldn't be good for a man! He held his breath, and she leaned in, pressing her lips ever so lightly to his. He could smell the scent of her cherry shampoo, as he brought an arm around her, embracing her. She didn't resist him like he thought she would, she didn't pull back and slap him, accusing him of trying to take advantage of the situation.
Time hung effortlessly in the air as he parted his lips beneath hers.
Very gently, she pushed her palm to his chest and made a space between them, as she broke her mouth from his. He licked his lips, Mmmm, strawberry chap-stick.
Beckett smiled. "Goodnight Castle," and unlocked the door and let herself inside. "See you in the morning."
Castle stared at the closed door, still reeling from the action she had taken. He'd finally got kissed by Kate Beckett, detective beauty. He floated home on air.
Was it worth the wait?
What will happen at work tomorrow… and how will Beckett act with him NOW? Post a review and I'll post a chapter. :)