Chapter 40 Rhythm of Love
By the time Saturday evening rolled around, the party scene in the Hamptons was in full swing. It was a warm summer evening, yet cool enough for outdoor activities. The sun was slowly setting on the horizon, enveloping the town in darkness and an air of mystery and endless possibilities.
The night came alive with locals and vacationers alike out on the town, dancing, partying, and drinking all to celebrate the Fourth of July although it was only the third. Music of various genres could be heard down every street, dissipating into the open sky. People young and old were dancing and swaying to the likes of old jazz crooners, lively Spanish flamenco, and European EDM mixes. The air smelled faintly of smoke from barbeques and bonfires where people huddled around for food, fun, and friendship.
Rick had received an invite to an annual soiree hosted by one of his wealthy friends at a nearby clubhouse to celebrate the holiday weekend. Not one to turn down an invitation, Rick and Kate headed out for the night to partake in Fourth of July festivities. Rick knew that Kate wasn't particularly fond of large, crowded events, especially ones where she didn't know anyone, so he made it a point to not stay at the party for too long. After saying hi to some friends maybe a few drinks they would call it a night.
A brief car ride later, they emerged from Rick's silver Mercedes at a large clubhouse that had been rented out for the night. The grand two-story estate stood like a regal castle atop a small plateau, its beige and white exterior starkly contrasting the lush verdancy of a well-manicured greenway. Rick led the way with Kate in tow, the two of them dressed smartly for a casual yet upscale party.
Rick wore a fitted, white button down with the sleeves rolled up, per his usual, tucked into khaki chinos with a matching leather belt. Kate chose a simple white chiffon maxi dress that draped around her slim figure effortlessly. The pair approached the clubhouse together and entered, merging into the crowd seamlessly.
The interior was as luxurious as the exterior had promised with a spiraling staircase in the rotunda, polished and tastefully adorned white walls, solid hardwood floors, and a sparkling chandelier gracing the ceiling. Guests lingered around purposefully, some standing and chatting inside, others out on the patio dancing to light jazz. In the main ballroom, there was an open bar where people could request any concoction of colorful cocktails. Waiters hovered around serving hors d'oeuvres to patrons on silver platters.
Rick scanned the crowd for familiar faces, recognizing some here and there as both professional and personal acquaintances. Wealthy socialites and preppy men in boat shoes, typically yacht owners or high profile businessmen, along with their beautiful trophy wives were the distinguished guests of the evening. Rick greeted a few in passing, inquiring of their summers and activities as of late and wishing them a happy Independence Day. Rick was always elated to introduce Kate as his girlfriend to his friends.
They explored the vast clubhouse together, snacking on some light appetizers while chit chatting with acquaintances. Kate liked learning more about Rick through his friends, about his past and his unique adventures. There was still so much she had to learn about this intriguing man. A few minutes later, Rick finally spotted who he was looking for, a man in a navy blue blazer and khaki chinos who was the host of this lavish party.
"Ah, there's Tony the tycoon," Rick announced as he approached his buddy.
"Rick my man, good to see you." Tony shook his hand firmly, patting him on the shoulder. "I thought you might have been a no-show this year."
"Of course not. How could I miss the summer's biggest bash? It's always a must on my list."
"That's right. Who's your plus-one?" Tony asked, referring to the woman whom Rick previously had his arm around.
"This is Kate, my girlfriend." Rick introduced proudly. "Kate, this is Tony. He's the host of this event."
"Pleasure to meet you," Kate smiled sweetly.
"Likewise," Tony replied with a charming grin.
"How do you two know each other?" Kate asked Rick.
"Tony is a real estate agent who showed me some properties when I was looking to buy a place in the Hamptons. We bonded over appreciation for sophisticated architecture and interior design. After that, we ran into each other at a few events and he's invited me to his Fourth of July party every year since."
Tony nodded his head. "That's right. So how have you been Rick? Still penning New York Times best-sellers?"
"You know it," Rick chuckled graciously. "I've just started on a new series based on a police detective so I do a lot of consulting work with the NYPD too nowadays," he explained.
"Ooh, sounds interesting. I'll definitely have to check it out."
"How's business for you? And the missus?" Rick inquired in return.
"Good, good. The market is starting to pick back up, so that's great news for me. And Jean is doing well, thanks for asking." Another friend across the room caught Tony's eye and he waved to acknowledge them.
"If you will excuse me, I have to continue making my rounds. Maybe we can catch up over a round of golf some day?" Tony suggested.
"I'm actually only here until tomorrow," Rick informed regretfully.
"Ah, another time then."
"You bet. It was good to see you Tony."
"You too. I'll catch you around." With a clap on the back, Tony swept away to attend to other guests.
Rick turned his attention back to Kate. "I think I've seen mostly everyone I wanted to," he informed her. "Do you want to head home?" Rick offered thoughtfully.
"No, we can stay. The night is still young," Kate said with a hint of auspiciousness.
Rick grinned. "Alright."
They meandered around a little longer, eventually finding their way outside onto the patio for want of fresh air. Slow jazz standards wafted through the air currents, setting the mood and ambiance of the outdoor venue. Lamps and little lights strung up on pillars lit the scene, twinkling brightly against the darkened night sky. Couples swayed slowly to the soft melodies and larghetto tempo of the music.
Rick's hand dropped from the small of Kate's back. He took Kate's hand and escorted her to the fringe of the area for dancing, entreating her to join him.
"May I have this dance?" Rick requested politely with a look she couldn't refuse.
Kate smiled. He could be so darn charming sometimes. She didn't usually dance, but for him she would.
"Sure."
He pulled her toward him, putting one hand on her waist and holding the other one poised in the air. She complemented his form, taking his raised hand and resting her other hand on his shoulder. They fell into step easily, moving synchronously to each beat of the music. Kate let Rick guide their dance, naturally following the groove of his strong lead. One, two, three, four.
They swayed together lazily in a slow, intimate waltz. His eyes were locked on hers, never flickering with doubt for even a moment. Kate smiled at him with her eyes, mesmerized by his sincerity, getting equally lost in his gaze. She leaned in even closer, pressing her head against his chest and wrapping one arm around his neck. Kate closed her eyes and while still gently moving to the rhythm of the music with Rick, letting herself just feel rather than think. Something about being in a crowd full of strangers made Castle's arms feel even more like home.
They danced for two more songs, swaying aimlessly back and forth in each other's arms. When the third song ended, Kate lifted her head back up to look at her lover with an undeniable smile that reached her eyes.
"Thanks for the dance," she spoke softly.
"Thank you," Rick replied.
He leaned in to kiss her deeply, which she accepted gladly. When they parted, Kate untangled herself from Rick and they made their way off to the side by the porch railing.
"Why don't you grab us a table?" Rick suggested, nodding to a sparsely populated seating area. "I'll get us some drinks from the bar and maybe say 'hi' to a couple more people."
"Sounds good."
"What do you feel like drinking?"
"I don't know. A cocktail, but nothing too sweet." Kate shrugged her shoulders. "Surprise me."
"Okay."
Rick and Kate went their respective ways. Kate found an empty high table for two with a nice view and claimed it, waiting patiently for Rick to return. Meanwhile, Rick ventured over to the makeshift outdoor bar across the patio. There, patrons chatted with strangers while watching the bartender concoct colorful libations for their consumption. Rick assumed a position at the bar, leaning casually while waiting to place a request with the barkeep.
Kate spent the down time surveying party attendees, observing their mannerisms and style of dress while ascribing little made-up backstories to them. The majority of the guests were her age or older, well groomed and dressed sharply in preppy clothes. She figured they were successful entrepreneurs who had multiple additional vacation homes elsewhere. There were plenty of guests younger still, in their late twenties maybe, most likely from wealthy, powerful families, friends of friends, or yuppies who were coming into the upper class. Beautiful, eager young women adorned the arms of men in well-tailored suits. Kate wasn't one to judge, but they often gave off the trophy wife or socialite vibe to her.
Although she didn't look out of place, Kate felt rather foreign to this posh party scene. Despite having grown up in the upper middle class, she never quite had a taste for the high life. Simple and low-maintenance were her mantras.
Being in a sea of a hundred unfamiliar faces reminded Kate of how large and lonely the world really was. It made Kate that much more thankful for the special people in her life, and even luckier to have Rick as her own. He knew so many more interesting, less complicated women yet for some crazy, inexplicable reason she was the one he went home with at the end of the day.
Kate's eyes wandered back over to Rick who was still waiting to get the bartender's attention. She could see him from across the floor, sitting on a stool patiently while conversing with the person in the seat next to him. Kate couldn't help but bite her lip and admire him from afar. Damn he really was gorgeous and all hers. She was truly blessed indeed.
Kate's gut instinct signaled her when she observed his interaction with the woman next to him. She was a pretty, blonde woman in a tiny, revealing tank top paired with a statement necklace and a patterned sarong skirt that showed off her long, toned legs. Kate wasn't worried that Rick would do anything stupid, but she couldn't be equally as trusting of the woman's motives. She shook it off and tried to focus on people watching again, but it kept gnawing at her mind.
Because of her association with the law, Kate naturally operated on a system of honor coupled with a healthy level of skepticism, which led her to initially give the woman full benefit of the doubt. Perhaps her intentions were innocent and she was being outgoing, simply chatting up a friendly face. The closer Kate observed however, the more she was convinced that that wasn't the case.
As a practiced interviewer, Kate was fully adept at reading body language and all of this woman's physical cues indicated that she was hitting on Rick. Her posture told that she was giving him her full attention. The tilt of her head said that she was at least moderately interested in him. Kate watched as the woman laughed a little too enthusiastically at Rick's comments, pushing his shoulder in jest. She leaned in too close to Rick for Kate's comfort and even went so far as to rest her hand on his thigh. Maybe Rick was just being polite or maybe he appreciated the attention but regardless, Kate didn't like it one bit and she wanted to put an end to it.
Kate could feel jealousy stirring in the pit of her stomach and debated whether or not she should interfere. She drummed her fingers on the table while weighing her options. Kate eventually relinquished the table and decided to go claim her man. Saving Rick was a much more worthwhile cause. Kate made her way across the patio to the bar and approached the pair.
When she reached her boyfriend, Kate weaved one hand around his waist and used the other to turn his face toward her.
"Hello my darling," she purred cloyingly into Rick's ear, loud enough for his companion to hear. She pressed a hot kiss to his lips, fully marking her property, and toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. She wanted to make it exceedingly clear that he was taken.
Kate pulled back and inquired about their refreshments. "Where are our drinks?" It was a legitimate question.
"It seems that the bartender only caters to the hot women first," Rick frowned, explaining the lack of service. "I should've let you order."
Kate chuckled to herself at his implied compliment.
"Hmmm… yeah, you probably should have."
As if on cue, the bartender acknowledged Kate's presence and finally took Rick's order—a tequila sunrise for her, a dark and stormy for him.
After placing his order, Rick introduced Kate to the woman with whom he had been conversing.
"Ashley, this is my girlfriend Kate."
"Nice to meet you," Kate greeted, extending her hand to the woman.
Upon hearing Rick's relationship status, Ashley scaled back her overt affection to him. She shook Kate's hand politely and smiled. "I'm Ashley."
One glance at her left-hand—a bare ring finger—confirmed Kate's suspicions. Single.
"Are you a friend of Rick's?" Kate questioned innocently. They could be prior acquaintances, which would explain the friendliness.
"Nope, I just met him while we were waiting for our drinks at the bar."
"Oh, I see. So do you live around here then?"
"I'm from New Jersey actually. I just came up here to stay with my cousin for the summer. Her family has a place over in West Hampton."
"We're just here for vacation too. How are you enjoying the party?"
"It's great. I'm meeting a lot of interesting people."
Kate was still leaning into Rick intently, with one arm protectively wrapped around him. "Yeah there are tons of people to meet," she mused while placing a light kiss on Rick's temple.
Rick sat there quietly, oblivious to the two females silently contending over him but cognizant of Kate's strange behavior.
"Mhmm…" Ashley looked past Kate for a reason to leave, finding no more interest in landing the attractive man whom she thought was single. The bartender placed two fruity cocktails garnished with fresh fruit in front of her, per her request.
"Well, here are my drinks. I'm going to bring them over to my cousin. It was nice meeting you two," Ashley excused herself as she gathered the two glasses in hand.
With that, she scurried off into the crowd. When Ashley left the premises, Kate untangled herself from Rick and took the now empty bar stool, assuming the seat.
Rick examined Kate skeptically, scrutinizing her behavior and countenance carefully.
"What was that?" he asked when they were finally alone. That was definitely out of character for Kate Beckett. She never used "baby" names with him in public.
"What was what?"
"The pet names and the PDA… You never do that."
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Kate feigned ignorance.
"You're being a lot more… touchy than usual. In public." Rick noted. "You practically scared her off."
Kate chewed on her bottom lip and considered how much of her true intentions she should reveal.
"She was hitting on you and I didn't like that," Kate stated plainly, casually shrugging it off as a light matter.
"No she wasn't," Rick tried to defend.
Kate gave him a knowing look. "Please. A girl like that chatting up a good-looking guy alone at a bar in the Hamptons who's likely rather wealthy," she pointed out the obvious superficial character traits that were easy to surmise. "Chances are she's just another socialite or the gold-digger type. I'm merely protecting you from her feminine wiles."
So that was it, Rick finally realized. Kate Beckett was jealous.
"Oh I'm sure that's what you were doing," Rick remarked sarcastically. "I can make character judgments perfectly well on my own, you know."
"Of course you can," Kate conceded offhandedly.
Rick leaned forward and prodded her further, his interest highly piqued. "You were a little jealous weren't you? Admit it." His voice was infused with smugness.
Kate gnawed on her bottom lip, her nonchalant persona crumbling underneath his challenging gaze. Rick had caught on to her subterfuge. He was perceptive like that.
"Okay, maybe a bit," she admitted.
"Uh huh." The revelation brought Rick no small amount of giddiness which showed very evidently on his face.
"I'm just making sure people know that you're not available…" Kate explained further, justifying her actions.
"Because you're mine," she declared firmly. Kate was naturally very fiercely protective of her own. It was one of the many things Rick loved about her.
Kate's words resounded delightfully in Rick's heart, stirring an array of butterflies in his stomach. He was overwhelmed by the need to have her in his arms, to claim her as his as well. Rick loved finally being wanted by her.
"Hmmm… I like this new side of you. It's kinda hot when you get jealous." Rick grabbed Kate's waist on either side and pulled her back off her seat closer to him. Kate let Rick have her, with his arms wrapped around her waist, while she cradled his face in her hands. Kate's fingers traced the edges of his features, capturing his full attention. She wouldn't have it any other way and neither would he.
His lips lingered dangerously near hers, tantalizing and teasing. He wanted to kiss her, but he wanted her to be the one to close the gap.
"Mmmm, all mine," Kate echoed as she leaned in to meet his lips. She kissed him once more, sealing their bond and claiming him as hers for everyone to see.
Rick kissed her back deeply, tasting her with hunger and immense want. His hands roamed Kate's body upward to her bare back, feeling her smooth skin barely covered by the thin fabric of her dress.
"Scratch that, really hot," he amended, mumbling against her lips mid-kiss.
She finally pulled apart, breaking their kiss. Her eyes darkened three shades, with desire for him burning aflame in her core. "Let's get out of here," Kate suggested with lust smoldering in her eyes. She wanted him as hers right now. She wanted to do dirty things with him that no one else was allowed to do.
"What about our drinks?" Rick referred to the two gradient-colored beverages on the countertop. The bartender had served them their drinks while they were busily wrapped up in their affection for one another. The orange-red tequila sunrise and ginger-colored dark n' stormy stood untouched atop the bar.
Kate picked up her highball and downed a good portion of her drink in one smooth gulp. The tequila burned her throat, but was muted by the tangy sweetness of the orange juice and grenadine. Rick had chosen well for her. She plucked the cherry garnish from the glass and popped it into her mouth, sucking it off the stem while gazing seductively at him.
Rick's mouth was agape, stunned by Kate's sudden show of sexiness. Although Rick had been with her so many times before, he was still turned on by her in the most unexpected ways. His drink wasn't the only dark and stormy thing brewing between them.
Rick swallowed most of his drink in a few mouthfuls and sampled the lime garnish, kissing Kate briefly before they left the party. She tasted the sourness of the lime that contrasted the sweetness of the rum on his mouth. He took her by the hand and they ran off together into the night.
After a seemingly interminable drive back, they soon returned to Rick's beach house. Rick and Kate barely made it into the house whilst preoccupied with kissing each other senseless. They stumbled inside together, haphazardly devouring each other while simultaneously discarding clothes and shoes onto the ground. He pressed her up against the door with force, trapping her in between the wooden door and his body, kissing her deeply. He wanted her to know she was the only one for him, the only woman he had eyes for.
Rick helped Kate out of her chiffon maxi dress, slipping the thin straps off her shoulders and letting the lightweight fabric fall to the floor to reveal that she had been wearing nothing underneath the whole night. Kate stood beautifully naked before him, unabashed.
"Evil," Rick muttered. "Pure evil."
He immediately went for her neck, fusing his mouth with her hot flesh in the place where he knew she loved the attention. He ravished the sensitive spot, eliciting desperate moans from her. Making his way down to her chest, he engrossed himself in her warm bosom, kissing her uncovered breasts enjoyably. Rick sucked on one nipple while twisting its sensitive twin with his fingers. Kate let out a guttural moan, weaving her fingers into his brown locks as he tasted the tender flesh.
It must've been a sin having each other like this, how good it felt to be together. They had screwed each other six ways to Sunday throughout the week all over the house and in more positions than imaginable, yet their desire for each other hadn't diminished even in the slightest. Kate was sure there was no better feeling in the world than being in love with him and making love to him. Rick was the best she ever had and she never wanted to stop having him.
Rick tore himself from her and Kate fumbled with the buttons on his shirt, struggling to get them undone. Not wanting to fuss with the buttons anymore, she ripped it open impatiently. The small plastic discs popped off and scattered all over the hardwood floor with little pitter-patters in every which direction.
"Hey," Rick scolded indignantly. "I really liked that shirt."
"That's too bad," Kate offered fake pity, pushing the cotton off to reveal his gorgeous upper body. She ran her hands all over his chest, back, and biceps, feeling the dense muscles appreciatively.
"I'm going to make you pay for that," he threatened breathlessly.
"Oh yeah? How?" Kate retorted defiantly.
"By making you cum." His words were sharp and biting, but she knew the tongue that spoke them was anything but. On the contrary, it was very adept in licking and lapping.
They made it into the living room and settled for the couch, too horny and desperate for each other to even make it upstairs to Rick's bedroom. Kate lay down on the couch and Rick maneuvered himself strategically so that he was in between her legs, poised in the perfect position to eat her out. Her pussy was already pooling with heat and wetness, all because of him and for him.
He focused on her clit first, rubbing the nub, sending exhilaration rippling through her body. Rick replaced his thumb with his tongue, licking and flicking it with pleasurable vibrating motions. Stimulating the highly sensitive bundle of nerves aroused her even more for him, her juices now dripping down the insides of her thighs. Rick used his tongue to delve into her deep folds, tasting the white hot signs of her arousal. He thrust one finger into her slick folds then two, pumping into her synchronously as he continued licking her clit. He felt her walls clench around him as Kate writhed under his control, struggling to maintain coherence as her brain was being bombarded with pleasure signals.
He rose to kiss her, climbing on top of her on the couch. Once she regained clarity, Kate flipped Rick over and mounted him.
"My turn," she said in a low, sultry voice.
She placed kisses down his abdomen, trailing down to the large bulge straining in his pants. She unzipped it and helped him out of his pants and boxers, finally freeing his erect member from its fabric confines. She wrapped her fingers around his engorged cock and stroked its length up and down sensually, feeling him getting harder in her grasp. Kate bent down and took him in her mouth, lubricating his shaft first before going down on him. She alternated pumping with her hand and pleasuring him with her mouth, using her tongue to massage the underside of his cock.
Rick admired the performance from below, throwing his head back in pleasure as she serviced him. He weaved his hand through her hair and groaned loudly as she took him deep into her throat, bobbing up and down skillfully, giving him wicked ecstasy. Rick could feel his heart pumping violently in his chest, blood pounding in his ears, as she continued blowing him. His every nerve was on fire for her.
When they both couldn't stand being apart anymore, Kate climbed on top of Rick and straddled him, panting in eager anticipation of having him inside her. She guided his cock to her entrance and slowly sank down on him, feeling him fill her up completely.
"Fuck," she cursed as Rick stretched her deliciously.
"Oh Kate," Rick moaned, feeling her hot, wet pussy engulf him. This was the release they so desperately needed.
She leaned over to kiss him as they relished the sensation of being completed by each other. Kate finally decided to move, raising herself up then down again, impaling herself wickedly on his shaft. Her slow strokes became faster as she rode him carnally, enjoying the position of power she held. He helped her by thrusting upward, causing Kate to moan with delight. Rick pulled Kate's legs forward and sat up, still intimately connected to her. She used the opportunity to pull him in for another round of hot kisses and love bites.
Rick held Kate by the hips and stood up, taking control of their lovemaking. Kate hooked her legs around him instinctively and wrapped her arms around his neck for support. With his strong hands supporting Kate underneath her thighs, Rick pushed into her forcefully, fucking her nice and deep. Kate clung to him utterly dependent with shallow breathing and high-pitched squeals escaping her mouth as he pounded her, completely at the will of his powerful penetrations.
They continued like that until Rick chose to set her back down on the couch, climbing on top of her savagely, and assuming dominance once more.
"Mine," he growled, repeating her earlier claim. He attacked her mouth with wild and passionate kisses that spoke of how much he needed her.
He entered her once again and resumed thrusting into her, bringing them both closer and closer to climax with brutal force and speed. As he got her to the breaking point they both panted heavily, muscles taut and poised to contract, trembling in rapture. He finally drove her off the edge and she arched into him violently, her body stiff in pure bliss. Her thighs squeezed around his waist and her walls clamped down on him, bringing him to completion. She whimpered, crying out his name, and fell apart spectacularly underneath his sweaty body. He followed right after her, seeing white, and shot his hot load into her. He milked out their orgasms with a few more thrusts then pulled out of her, thoroughly satisfied and spent.
They lay together with panting and heaving breaths, shivers sending pleasure tremors throughout their bodies. It took them a few moments to recover but after they did, they trotted upstairs for part two and continued making them each other's for the rest of the night.
We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun you're mine, all mine
Play the music low and sway to the rhythm of love
A/N: Mmm… this chapter is rather tasty. It's the last smut one, so I made it extra hot ;). Happy belated Independence Day! Go USA! I just missed it by a little, but that's the timeframe the story is currently set. Sadly, this story is coming to an end soon… just a heads up so you guys aren't caught off guard.