Chapter 6 – The Apology

Disclaimer – didn't create them, don't own them.

She saw him from across the room, surrounded by people, but alone all at the same time. His shoulders slightly slumped, hands stuffed in his pockets.

Castle was staring out the floor to ceiling corner window captivated by the night sky. The New York skyline always calmed his nerves and brought life into perspective. He knew better then to chase after her, the last thing he wanted to hear was 'go home Castle, go home.' Let her cool down a bit and then catch her in a crowd when she can't run. Ease back into the evening.

She didn't have to say a word. He could feel her and smell her standing behind him. He clenched his fists tightly in his pockets. Fighting the urge to touch her, just to make sure she was real.

Kate's eyes jumped from building to building, wondering which one has captured his attention. Their eyes meet in the glowing reflection of the top of the Empire State Building. Her eyes were soft and apologetic; she chewed on her bottom lip. He waited for her to speak.

She nervously played with the ends of her long curls , giving him a glimmer of a smile. "Have you seen my date?"

His eyes warm "Not sure, a woman as beautiful and as sexy as you are, could have her pick of dates."

Kate's smile transforms into a playful grin, her eyes searching his face, she's been give the sign that it's safe to open the draw bridge. "My date is ruggedly handsome, has rapier wit, and sometimes knows me better than I know myself."

Castle stood a little taller as a grin snuck across his face, "He sounds like a stud."

Kate lets out a soft chuckle, steps closer and brushes her hand across his back.

He can feel her breath danced across his cheek as she whispers in his ear, "You know I have been walking the edge of 'the Cliffs of Insanity', lately."

Castle's shoulder brushes her breasts as he turned to face her. Kate's cheeks brighten slightly as she blushes at his unintentional touch. Or maybe it wasn't unintentional, maybe it was a test, a test to see if she would run.

He softly curled his fingers around her wrist and urged her towards him. His eyes held hers in a steady gaze, hoping she sees the merriment in his eyes. "Yes, but today you had fun storming the castle." She began to laugh, the laugh that made his spine tingle and toes curl.

Why was he that much hotter when he quoted her favorite book? Their rhythm was back. Kate's fingers trailed up his shoulder until she ran a finger along the top of his shirt collar. "Yes, I did."

Castle snaked his arms around her, quickly pulling her to his chest. "May I have this dance?"

Kate tried to wiggle out of his hold. "Rick, let me go…there are work people here and you know I can take you."

His eyes grew wide with excitement 'Rick?' he was back in the game. Was this the first time she used his first name when it wasn't used in a challenge? It sounded strangely intimate. "Detective, I am ready to be taken."

With a lick of the lips and a teasing voice she asked, "Do I get to lead?

Castle ignored her question and gracefully let Kate out of his grasp He slid his hand down her arm to lace their fingers together. Kate fought the urge to untangle their fingers as she gave his hand an involuntary squeeze and dutifully followed him onto the dance floor. Damn what anyone else thinks or gossips about she had two hours until she turned into a pumpkin, until it was tomorrow and she told him the truth. Kate wasn't willing to waste one precious minute of the one hundred and twenty minutes she had worrying about what ANYONE thought.

Castle swept her into his arms and they began to dance. She let him lead. Castle's heart began to beat louder as he felt her relaxing in his hold, giving into the moment. His fingers delicately traced lazy circled along each exposed vertebrae. Kate burrowed into his chest and stroked her fingers across the back of his neck.

She watched him through her lashes; he was drinking her in causing an unedited moan slipped past her lips. Kate knew she couldn't meet his gaze. Castle brought one hand up to tangle in her hair. They moved as if they had danced a thousand times before. Every curve of his body felt familiar, yet it was all so new and so right. Kate allowed her body to take over the last of her mind as she pressed her hip bones to his. In this moment it was just the two of them.

Castle took a chance and whispered "We fit."

His voice startled her from her dream like state, she opened her eyes to see the 'fan' they had met earlier that evening pass them on the dance floor. Kate's mind started whirling as she came to grips with who he was.