Lucky Stiff

The next time Kate opened the journal she was home alone, curled up on the sofa. Castle was at yet another meeting with Black Pawn, wouldn't be home until around eight. Work had been exhausting lately. They hadn't had much time together, and she missed him. Really missed him.

But she had tomorrow off. And she also had a plan.

They'd read nearly every letter together, but this one was different. Kate knew exactly what case came next... after all, how could she ever forget the time she made out with Richard Castle and got to drive his Ferrari in just over a week's time?

Given that she'd caught him checking her out more than once during that case, she knew there was no way he wouldn't mention that little black dress in his letter, and she had firsthand experience of exactly what it did to him. She'd worn it once since then, on a date night a few months back, and it hadn't stayed on her for long; in fact, they'd completely missed their dinner reservation. But it'd been fun and hot and oh so worth it.

They were definitely overdue for another evening like that. Which was where her plan came in.

She was going to read his letter, read exactly what he'd said about her and that dress the first time he ever saw it. And when he came home, she was going to shimmy back into that dress and show him exactly how much she'd missed him lately.

Or maybe she'd take his Ferrari, meet him outside after the meeting. They could go out for drinks, go dancing. Or, if it came right down to it, the windows were tinted so maybe they could put the top up and not go anywhere.

By the time she was done reading the letter, though, Kate was so wound up that leaving the loft with him was definitely out of the question.

God, he couldn't get home soon enough.

The loft was dark when Castle arrived save for one lamp on the table in the foyer, and he looked around in confusion as he stepped into the living room, discarded his jacket on the back of the sofa. He knew Kate was here, and it wasn't late... just after eight. Too early for her to be in bed. So where was she?

He scanned the area looking for any indications and after a moment something caught his eye. Paper beneath the lamp, reflecting bright white in the light. A book, it appeared, and he stepped closer to investigate. The edges were slightly bent with use, the pages covered with ink. It looked like... their journal.

She'd been reading it in the foyer? And she'd left it open out here in the entryway? Something wasn't adding up.

Castle bent over, skimmed the page curiously, his confusion disappearing as he read. He immediately found himself drawn in by the heat and lust and desire in his words, felt the tendrils of their passion wrap around him. He could still recall the night in vivid detail and reading this now was reigniting the fire, making him burn for her.

Kate,

God, it's so hard for me to control myself when I'm around you. You drive me crazy with the way you move, the way you smile, the way your eyes always seem to draw me in. I'm so crazy about you, it's ridiculous. It makes me feel like a teenager with my first crush, except this is so much more than that.

This is love, and it's powerful and real and... God, Kate, you have no idea what you do to me, the power you hold over my heart.

Tonight at that club I just wanted to hold your body to mine, move with you, feel you beneath my hands, against my chest. I wanted to take that slimy drug dealer and toss him aside, tell him that he had no right to look at you like he was, to touch you with his dirty drug-dealer hands.

I know it was an undercover mission and I know you have Josh, but I want you to be mine. I want to be the one to dance with you and kiss you and peel that dress off your body.

Someday, we're going to recreate last night. You in that tight, sexy, black dress, driving my Ferrari. Only this time, it'll be real. And you'll be dancing just for me instead of sleazy drug dealers. You'll tease me until I can't take it anymore and I'll grab your arm, pull you into a dark corner somewhere, and take you up against the wall, just like I wanted to tonight.

I know I sound misogynistic and shallow, but I want you so badly. There's no denying that you're sexy as hell. I hope you know, though, that I don't just want you in the physical sense. I want to show you what you do to me. I want you to feel how my heart pounds when I'm near you. I want you to feel the heat in my veins when you kiss me. I want to kiss you again, and this time, I don't ever want to stop.

But mostly, I just want to show you how much I love you.

Rick

Castle hastily grabbed the journal from the table, fumbling it as he stumbled his way through to their bedroom where a faint glow emanated through the partially open door. He stepped into the room, stopped in his tracks at the sight before him.

There were candles everywhere, flames flickering softly in the semi-darkness, the shadows dancing around the room. Kate had spread a tablecloth over the bed, red and white checkered, and there was a picnic basket perched in the very center, dishes stacked next to it.

And there by the window, silhouetted by the soft light of the candles and the evening light shining through the glass, was Kate. In that same tight black dress.

"Hey," she said softly, sensing his presence.

She turned then, all graceful lines and stunning features, taking his breath away. The dress hugged her body sensually, perfectly accentuating her curves. Her hair fell in dark waves around her face, her eyes smoky, face shining in the low light. She was so gorgeous.

"Kate..." His feet propelled him forward and he reached her in a few quick strides, engulfed her in a hug. The journal fell to the floor but neither noticed, too engrossed in each other, in the mellow ambiance of the room and the heat flowing between them.

She hugged him back tightly, buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"What... what is this?" he managed finally, voice tight with emotion.

"I've missed you lately," she whispered, her breath fanning across his neck. "So I thought..."

Her words were swallowed by his lips as his hands cupped her cheeks, lifted her face to his so he could kiss her passionately, full of love and lust and just… everything.

"I made dinner," she panted when they finally separated. "I read your letter and I know you love this dress and I just... I thought we deserved a date night."

He kissed her again, soft and light, before leading her to the bed by her fingertips. He placed a knee on the edge, stopped before climbing any further and kissed her once more, hot and passionate.

"I love you so much."

Thoughts?