Chapter 10

Castle's phone gave a loud alert. He reached out an arm, but the night table wasn't there. Muzzily opening his eyes, he realized he was in a hotel in Chicago and his phone was still in his pants, one piece of clothing he hadn't given the concierge for emergency cleaning. He retrieved it and stared at the screen. A flight had been scheduled in ninety minutes. "Beckett," he called. "Get up. We can get a flight." They both pulled on complimentary robes. Castle called the concierge to get their things sent up, while Beckett, robe pulled very tight, went to bang on Esposito's door.

Fortunately the hotel had a wide array of complimentary toiletries and the airport was only ten minutes away. They should have had plenty of time, until Rick saw Kate open her robe and she saw what was happening under his.

"Rick, seriously?" Kate asked, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile. The concierge is going to have someone knocking on the door with our clothes any minute.

"I can't help it if you excite me," Rick pouted. "I'm a big boy. I can handle it."

"A big boy is exactly what you are," Kate jibed. "But I think I can handle it better."

Rick untied her robe, pulled her tightly against him, the sudden contact awaking Kate's desires as well. Their lips came together in collision and the robes were quickly consigned to the floor. Kate raised her leg, bringing Rick more intimately close and heat flooded through them. Kate pushed Rick back on the bed and took him in. As she moved frantically, he palmed her breasts, making her movements more desperate still, until the desperation explosively ceased for both of them. Kate lay for a moment with her head on Rick's chest, drawing calming breaths. The inevitable knock on the door shocked them into action. Groaning in tandem, they came apart and picked up the fallen robes. Rick also took a large bill from his wallet to tip the hotel employee who showed up with their clothes.

Kate watched in puzzlement. "I know you're generous, but that big a tip for bringing up clothes?

Rick smirked. "The tip was for not showing up two minutes sooner."

Hasty showering, dressing, and automatic checkout got Castle and Beckett ready to meet Esposito for the short trip to the airport which proceeded the endless walk through the concourses at O'Hare. Security time was shortened by Beckett and Esposito's law enforcement credentials and Castle's preferred traveler pass. They made the plane to Vegas barely before the boarding cutoff.

Castle was happy to settle back with a glass of champagne. Since they were theoretically on duty, Beckett and Esposito abstained from alcohol but were pleased to share the other perks of first class. The flight proceeded without incident and the three of them disembarked in good spirits.

The good day was not meant to last. During the unexpected snow delay, Jones' paperwork had been mislaid. Beckett and Esposito cooled their heels with the L.V.P.D. while the documents were tracked down. Castle was not permitted to hang out at all and spent some time at his favorite casino. It was not a successful trip, except for the casino. By the time Castle got a call from Beckett, he wished he had spent his time checking out wedding venues instead and was more than ready to leave.

J.B. Jones insisted that he was being set up and did not seem to recognize that prisoners are not supposed to be in charge. When he found that he couldn't bully Esposito or Beckett, he was unpleasant and whiny. Even the first class seat which Castle had upgraded so that Beckett and Esposito wouldn't be stuck in the back of the plane, wasn't comfortable enough for him. He didn't like the food and he certainly didn't like the company. Beckett was very tempted to gag him. Mercifully, the flight was direct and only about six hours, but by the time Jones was booked and free from their care, Castle, Beckett and Esposito were irritated and exhausted. Castle offered Esposito a trip to the Olde Haunt, but Esposito preferred to seek his comfort with Lanie. Castle and Beckett wearily returned to the loft and collapsed together on the couch.

"You want anything?" Castle asked.

"A hot bath," Beckett answered, "but I'm too tired to run it."

"I think I can manage that," Rick told her. "Cherries or spice?"

Kate stretched drowsily. "Definitely spice."

Rick added the spicy bubbles to the large jetted tub and lit the fat candles around the bath as it filled. He led Kate into the room and began to unbutton her blouse leaving a teasing trail of kisses as he went. As the last of her clothes hit the floor, Rick took her hand and helped her into the foamy water.

"Where are you going?" Kate asked as he turned to leave.

"I thought you might like a glass of wine," Rick answered.

"I don't need anything to make me sleepier," Kate told him. "But you should stay and keep me awake - unless you want me to drown in the tub."

Rick made a face as if he was thinking about it for a moment. "Nah," he teased. "I haven't had time to set up an alibi." Accepting Kate's invitation, Rick stripped and joined her. "Want me to wash your back?" he asked.

Beckett's eyes met Rick's with a come hither gaze. "I'll wash yours if you wash mine," she offered.

"Deal," Rick agreed.

The swirling waters relaxed almost every part of their bodies and when they came together. In contrast to the mornings' rush, the loving was gentle and languorous. Each inch of skin was stroked and kissed slowly and completely to a delicious glow, that became a warming flame with their joining. Each movement was slow and comforting with muscles relaxing under healing touch. They finished under the nourishing warmth of the water and wrapped each other in fluffy oversized towels. Kate's towel was replaced by a comfy sleep shirt and Rick's by his t-shirt and silky shorts. They settled in each others arms under a down comforter, to sleep away the day's irritations.