A/N: Sorry guys! Went back to work after a year and a half and they scheduled me 7 days in a row. Slept the last two! .

PLease review if you have time and thanks to those that have!

Alexis only stayed up for another twenty minutes before claiming tiredness and heading upstairs.

Castle watched her as she disappeared.

"She's a good kid, Castle. She'll be fine."

''But will I?" He shook his head before turning to look at Kate. "So..."

''So?'' Beckett sighed and closed her eyes. ''I have to go home tonight, Castle.''

''Why?"

"Because I don't live here!'' She watched his face fall and shook her head. "C'mon Castle. You had to know that I would go home sometime.''

"Yeah but..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I... Just... didn't expect it to be so soon."

"I've been with you for a week."

"And I've been without you forever."

Kate felt her heart melt as she buried her hands in her hair. "It's not like I'm going to enjoy being away from you either." She straddled his lap again, kissing him softly, her hands on his face. When she pulled back, she smiled. "How about this... How about I make you a deal? You come home with me tonight... and I will come back with you in the morning. And stay the weekend..."

Castle brightened for a moment, and then his face darkened making her eyebrows furrow.

"What?"

He shook his head.

Beckett leaned back, looking down at him. ''Is this about Josh?"

He tried to look away, but Kate ducked her head; her eyes never leaving his.

"I can call the Super. Have him check the hallway-"

Castle looked at her sharply. "I'm not that cowardly."

Kate blanched. "I didn't mean that..."

He raised his hand. "I know... I know. It isn't about the flowers."

She sat back, her hands going to his shoulders. "Then what is it, Rick?"

He shook his head. "You're bed..."

"My bed?" Her eyes widened. "Is that what this is about? The men that have been in my bed?" Kate felt herself bristle. "And how many women have been in yours?"

Castle's jaw tightened and she took a deep breath.

"My bed blew up, remember? The one I have now is new."

He looked at her warily. "But you said... that night at the Old Haunt... You and Josh were tucked into bed..."

Kate rolled her eyes, "Yes we were tucked into bed. I didn't say it was MY bed." She looked away for a moment. "Listen, Castle... I've always been... particular about who I invited into my space. I got even more selective... after I met you."

The admission was so matter-of-fact that he almost missed it. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She pushed down with her hips. "Come home with me, Castle. That new bed is still a little... " She shifted; a low groan tearing from her throat when she felt him, hard and strong, pressing against her center. "Stiff... Help me break it in?"

Castle smiled.

Two hours later Castle held a hand up to her chest, blocking her access to her own hallway. "I'll go in first." He whispered.

Trying not to smile, Kate nodded.

After three stuttering attempts, the writer managed to peek around the corner; taking a deep breath when he found it empty. "All clear!"

Kate shook her head. "You're a freak. You do realize that, right?" She slid her key in and flipped the bolt; pushing the door open wide to invite him in.

He stepped inside; immediately warmed by the dark colors and wooden beams.

Beckett closed the door behind them, locking it securely before slipping her badge and gun into a drawer. "Want some wine?"

"I'd love some.'

She nodded, watching him as he walked around her apartment, touching things like it was the first time he had ever been there.

It wasn't, but she understood the feeling.

This was...

...different.

Where before his presence in her apartment had been comforting, now it was like electricity; a low undercurrent that hummed between them and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

And it didn't help that every time he glanced at her, his eyes became more hungry.

More... Predatory.

Swallowing, she went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of white wine; relishing the moment of coolness against her overheated cheeks. She filled two glasses generously, resting her hands on the counter for a moment to try and center herself.

Then Kate scooped up both glasses and headed for the living room. When she got there she pressed one of the glasses into Rick's hand; drinking deeply from the other. Swallowing hard when his eyes never left hers.

''What?"

Castle watched as the light pink tip of her tongue chased the last few drops of wine from her lips; his eyes darkening dangerously. He set down his glass, then took hers and did the same. "You offered me wine." He looped his arm around her waist, dragging her roughly against him. Dropping his head, he kissed her hard; his tongue pressing into her mouth, tasting the velvet inside.

Kate wound her fingers into the thickness of his hair; pressing into him wildly, feeling like she wanted to climb him. "Rick..." Her voice was feral, and so deep it surprised even her. "Castle..."

Reaching down, the writer slid his fingers under her blouse, pulling it over her head. Moving in closer, he unsnapped her jeans, pushing them down as he kissed the valley between her breasts.

"Rick..." She began to walk backwards, drawing him after her as she headed for the bedroom.

There would be plenty of time for sex on the dining room table... but that wasn't what she wanted to remember about their first time here.

He followed her eagerly; kicking off his shoes and unbuttoning his shirt. By the time they reached the bed all he had on was his boxer briefs and a smile.

And the briefs were being sorely tested.

Kate tried not to stare... but the tent he was making was magnificent. She took hold of him possessively; the look in her eyes clear as she met his.

Castle didn't hesitate.

He nodded.

With a smile, she let him go. Pulling off her bra and panties before stretching out on the bed; a low purr growling in her chest.

The writer stared for a moment, taking in the glorious sight of Kate Beckett spread out naked on her own bed.

"How many times have you laid here and thought about me?"

Kate flushed, sitting up quickly, "What?!"

Castle grinned. "That many?"

Her eyes narrowed. "How many times have you-"

"I lost count at a million." He peeled off the briefs and crawled onto the bed, using his body to press her back; his thighs pushing her legs further apart. He kissed her pulse point, his lips sliding lower; relishing in the salt tang of the sweat on her skin. He nuzzled both nipples... but that wasn't what he wanted.

What he wanted... What he needed...

...Was to taste her.

Castle slid down her belly, loving the way her hands never stopped moving; the way her body surged against him so naturally that he doubted she had any control over it. When he reached her belly button he stopped; laying his cheek against her stomach and inhaling deeply. He could smell her... taste her... She was...

Perfect.

He slid lower, dipping his tongue into her cleft, suckling lightly to draw her essence into his mouth, the small bundle of nerves under his touch jumping wildly.

"Jesus, Rick!"

He smiled, humming under his breath as he slipped his tongue inside of her.

Kate's back arched, her hands tearing at his back as she came hard. "Rick.." She shuddered and fell back, looking down at him tenderly. "Rick..."

He nodded, sliding over her. He used his knees to part her legs before settling himself between them. Cupping her face, Castle paused.

"Always the gentleman." Kate reached down and took hold of him, pulling him closer.

Castle laughed. 'It's harder than you think."

Beckett raised one eyebrow.

"Say it, and I will throw you out of your own apartment.'

Kate laughed. "Oh, yeah?'

Castle shrugged. "It sounded good though right?'

She was still laughing when he slid inside her, her smile turning to joy at the sensations that she had only ever felt with him. And when he started to move...

Kate dug her nails into his back, pulling him more deeply into her with every thrust. She closed her eyes, the feelings, the colors... they were overwhelming...

"Rick..." She whispered, her voice breaking when he began moving faster. "Rick... Rick... CASTLE!" She screamed out his name as she shattered, her world spinning. She felt him spill inside of her; felt him shudder like a leaf, his arms tightening as he collapsed on her.

And then all she felt was the tug of sleep... and his arms.