Chapter 39 – His Touch

Disclaimer- Not Mine.

This story will become a little AU in an attempt to round out the characters of KB and RC, by adding a few new ones and beefing up ones that have come and gone, like Maddie. Also I am suspending all reality when it comes to KB's shoes and clothes. Then again so have the producers of 'Castle,' very few cops can independently afford that many cool coats and kick ass shoes.

Kate sat in the car perusing her purchases. They had agreed to split up to conquer the crowds. Rick had assigned her the task of selecting dessert and late night snacks. He had taken on the task of dinner and wine.

Rick flung open the car door, shoved four overstuffed bags at her "Don't peek, I forgot something." He slammed the door shut and went off running down the street. Kate shook her head in amusement. They were just in the largest market in NYC and Rick Castle was dashing down the street in search of more.

Surely a little peak wouldn't hurt. It all smelled so delicious. After all he's the one that abandoned her in a car and sprinted down the sidewalk. Kate captured a bag between her feet and slid it towards her, in case he dusted for prints later. As she dipped her hand inside the bag she heard a deep male voice. "He asked you not to peek."

Kate's jerked her head up, her hand knocked the bag over. "Excuse me?"

The driver's eyes were twinkling at her in the rearview mirror. "Sorry Ms. Kate, Rick asked me to keep an eye on you, said you weren't to be trusted."

It was the first time Kate took note of the Rick's driver, he was mid 50's grey around the temple, a hard face with gentle eyes to match the southern drawl he tried to cover up.

It was his tone of voice that struck a chord with her, it was polite but protective. "You drive Rick often?"

"Exclusively, ever since Ms. Alexis was born."

Kate knew a story waiting to happen when she heard it. "That's a long time."

"Yep." There it was, a full on southern twang that had been hiding a moment ago. Kate scrunched up her nose. Crap, he wasn't a talker.

"Bet you are wondering how we hooked up."

She nodded her head in agreement.

"It's confidential."

Kate flashed him a full smile, a smile that hit her eyes.

"He warned me you might try and'smile' it out of me."

Kate burst out laughing, damn, Castle knew her too well. She was still laughing when Rick tumbled back into the car carrying a small brown grocery bag.

"Clay, tell me, did she peep in the bags or try working her smile on you to betray me?"

A baritone laugh rumbled out of Clay "Both."

Kate liked Clay; he was a solid guy with an obvious affection for Rick. "Clay, really? Really? You turn on me this quickly?"

"Clay, can you give us a moment?" and with that the privacy window went up.

Rick simultaneously slid across the seat. He nuzzled his face into her neck "He was my friend first." Rick captured her lips with his and began to taste her. It was a long slow leisurely kiss that said 'not going anywhere.'

The soft rapping of knuckles on her window caused Kate to break off the kiss, "Hey, stud; we're here."

Looking down at his unbuttoned coat and bunched up shirt, Rick asked. "When did you do that?"

"Not sure." She leaned forward and grazed a soft wet kiss across his cheek.

Rick placed their purchases at his feet and slid his hand inside her jacket. Tucking his hand inside the back pocket of her jeans, he slowly dragged her towards him. Rick's eyes danced with merriment as he leaned his head against hers.

Kate had the distinct feeling riding in elevators with Rick was going to be full of temptation.

Rick began to swirl his tongue against the soft skin at the nape of her neck. Rick's mouth took hold of her neck, playing with her skin between his lips.

Kate gently pushed him away, "No more 'branding' where my co-workers can see."

Rick jammed his hands in his pockets, "YOU, my lady are no fun."

Planting a quick kiss on his cheek as the elevator doors opened, "We will see about that."

Rick allowed Kate to help him carry their groceries to their room. But that was as far as it went. Once inside the door he took their purchases and pushed her out of the pantry to unpack. Rick loved the pantry. It had everything he need and more, right down to crystal champagne flutes.

Kate smiled to herself, knowing Rick would be disappointed that he couldn't see what she bought. It took some doing but after promising there would be no returns Kate had talked the cashier into blackening out the labels on the little pastry boxes that she had purchased. Some secrets were acceptable for a girl to have.

Kate stood in the living room staring at their bags, debating with herself on where to clean up. She wanted to change and freshen up for dinner, even if it was just a private picnic. Who was she kidding there was no 'just'about this evening. If, she picked a bedroom and closed the door to change would Rick take it the wrong way?

Returning to the pantry she stood with her back to Rick "I'm not here to look. Wanted to see if it was okay to use…" 'deep breath girl, you can do this' "…our room to change first?"

Rick was thankful Kate wasn't able to see his jaw go slack or the olives tumble out of the open container and roll across the floor at the simple use of the word 'our.' He croaked out an, "All yours."

Kate struggled to sound normal, he had heard her. "Dressing up or down for tonight?"

His low confident voice was back. "How down is down?"

There was the Rick Castle she knew.

"Not that down or I won't get to eat." She walked away calling over her shoulder "I'll figure it out."

Kate emerged from the bathroom to find Rick sprawled across the bed, his hair still damp from showering, his feet were bare, he was wearing a crisp pair of jeans and a freshly pressed white v-neck t-shirt. She had expected him to wear a dress shirt. He almost always wore a dress shirt. At least she knew the dress code.

Clutching her towel a bit tighter she confessed, "Feeling a little underdressed here."

Rick pushed a few more pillows under his head and crossed his arms. "I like that dress."

"Bet you do. Now, scoot."

"As you wish."

Rick was part way out the door when the remains of a bruise on her shoulder and upper arm registered with him. He had been so distracted by her legs, he almost missed it. Pivoting on his toes and returning to stand before her, Rick traced a finger across her shoulder and down her bicep, outlining the bruise as he went. "What is this?"

"Didn't I mention my failed attempt to bounce off a building?"

He scowled at her, "No."

"Occupational Hazard." She gave him a brief kiss that promised more. "Out you go."

Kate fished through her bag, the dilemma had begun. Does she match his t-shirt and jeans or does she raise him one little black dress?

Who was she kidding, there was no dilemma. The little black dress won. It was basic soft jersey black dress, with lace shoulder straps and deep "V" neck, high waist, gathered bodice, a hem above the knee with a fitted skirt that slit up the back, sexy and stylish all at the same time.

Next decision was what to wear underneath. Kate unzipped the secret inside pocket of her luggage and extracted a simple yet elegant set of silky black lace lingerie. Less is more.

Slipping the dress over her head she checked herself in the mirror. Gut reaction was to grimace. Kate hadn't worn this particular dress since before she was shot. The 'v' plunged deeper than she remembered. Finding her inner calm Kate slipped into her shoes, an insanely overpriced pair of black Christian Louboutin 'Lady Peep-Toe Slingback Pump' with the signature red sole.

Kate smiled when she envisioned Rick's reaction. She knew he would appreciate them. After all what man wasn't turned on by a sky-high platform pump with a sultry peep toe?

She pulled her hair back with a clip, making a loose pony tail - leaving her hair a little wild, but contained. Kate looked to the mirror for a final check, the scar from the bullet leapt off her chest as a glaring reminder of all that she had been through, all that she had put them both through. For a brief moment Kate wanted to rip the dress off and replace it with something that hid her scar.

That moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.

How long had she been standing there, staring at her scar?

A muffled voice asked, "You doing okay?"

Her voice trembled, "Yes." 'Damn you scar.'

Rick struggled to hold back his panic. The crack in her voice concerned him, "Can I come in?"

Covering her chest she answered, "I guess."

This wasn't how she saw the evening going. All her planning and she had forgotten about the fucking scar.

Rick curled his fingers around the doorknob; he slowly turned it and pushed the door open. Rick puffed out a tiny bit of air; breathing was becoming a challenge as he examined her head to toe. He wore a crooked little grin and asked himself, 'Did she know how gorgeous she was? He doubted she did. Did she know the power she had over him?' He knew she didn't.

Turning to meet his gaze, Kate stumbled over her words, "I thought I was ready for this."

Rick's feet became encased in cement, he couldn't move. 'She wasn't ready?'

Her voice broke through his doubt. "I didn't think the bullet hole mattered. I thought I was ready to share it with you. Not feeling very brave right now."

Rick slowly approached Kate and peeled back her hands. With one hand he clasp her hands over his heart and with the other he drew a little heart over the rough ridges, the remnants of her bullet.

It was the touch;

His touch;

It said everything she never let him say.

Freeing her hands she brought them to his cheeks. Cheeks nicely covered in two days of scruff. She gave him a kiss that promised forever; if he wanted it. Kate broke off her kiss and crooned in his ear. "You're a good man Rick Castle."

With the softest of voices he hummed, "No one ever told me that before."

Kate tugged on the tails of his shirt, "Not even your mother?"

Rick's eyes laughed with glee. "That so does not count – it's in the Mother's Handbook listed under obligation, check it out page 7, paragraph 3."

Rick laced his fingers with her and gently began guiding Kate to the living room. He stopped suddenly and ducked behind her.

With a raised eyebrow she asked, "You okay?"

He placed a hand on the small of her back and gave her a little push, "Yeah, wanted to watch you walk in those shoes."

Rick stepped back in anticipation of an elbow to the stomach or a backhanded swat to the shoulder. Instead a soft hand pressed against his chest, giving him a slight backward push; "Then stop right there."

He stopped and leaned against the door jam. Kate walked. Oh how she walked. She walked away and with cat like grace Kate turned and walked back to him. One foot in front of the other; heel, toe, heel, toe. Eyes drinking him in, Mona Lisa smile playing on her lips, shoulders back and hips swaying side to side, she arrived in front of him.

Rick pushed the air out of his lungs, "Can you do that one more time?"