CH5

Just one day later: (End of March)

(RC POV)

Warning! Parts of this chapter border on being "M" rated due to sexual activities. Reader discretion is advised. I'll try and keep it toned down and warn you if a chapter might stray from the listed "T" rating.

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Rick had apologized for breaking down on her about what Meredith had done over 2 years ago, he hadn't meant to do that when Kate had asked her question. "It's fine Castle, I understand the pain of losing someone even if it was an unborn child. And Meredith had no right to do that without your voice being added into her decision. I'm just glad there was someone around for you when you needed someone Castle." Kate was still conflicted about if that person should have been her. Kate wasn't convinced that she was the best choice, however if was her that was and listening to Castle lose his child before it was even born had hurt. Kate had spent last night wishing her mother was here to tell her what to do. This being alone sucked!

Rick so wanted to impress Kate on this trip. Rick wanted her to learn to trust him, since he had a very big secret, and for Kate to accept she really needed to trust him. He also loved her company. For the first time in 2 years he was feeling alive again. Maybe it was falling apart on her shoulder that emboldened him.

Rick could see the surprise on her face when the lady at the ticket counter had told them to have a nice flight to St. Lucia. It was a place she herself wished she could go to.

The airport was bigger than Kate anticipated who had expressed surprise, just not nearly as big as the airport in New York. Hewanorra International Airport.

Rick had both their bags while Kate had her carry-on and Rick had his carry-on. It was a simple enough trip to get to their hotel. It was just a short 40 minute car ride to the west side of St. Lucia, since the airport was on the southern tip of the island.

Rick was looking around and loving the area; it really did look like paradise. The airfare wasn't cheap given it was a next day flight, plus being first class seats, and the hotel room was a bit extravagant. Still Rick knew he hadn't been spending any of his money since he got to New York.

Gina, his editor with Black Pawn, appeared to be competent enough in her job. She was pressing him to accept her single playboy persona that she liked for him. It would attract more single female 18-35 readers and not just the male group of 18-40.

Rick had to admit he liked the idea of greater sales since writing was now his full time job. He just wasn't yet convinced about Gina's plan. Still he did allow her to do a poll-like option to determine if it was worth pursuing.

Being out here with Kate was causing him to think differently about Gina's idea. He really wanted Kate to trust him, and being a playboy appeared to him to be counter to that want.

Rick was smiling wide looking at the face the Kate was making as they entered the hotel. The look of AWE on her face was priceless.

(KB POV)

Kate was a little upset that her swimming 'prize' that she had won was turning into a scuba diving training class and that she didn't need her bikini since Castle had bought them each a complete diving set.

She didn't get to drive Castle mad or get to see Castle topless and maybe accidentally run her hands over his chest and arms.

HE WANTS TO TAKE ME TO ST. LUCIA! To do open ocean diving to complete her certification. And not just St. Lucia, but stay in a hotel for 4 nights, AND fly there in first class!

Just how much money was Castle spending for this little trip? Kate really did want to put a stop to this waste of money, but Castle just kept pushing. Now here she was walking through the lobby of their hotel after a drive of 40 minutes through what had to be paradise.

"Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers welcome to Anse Chastanet, your hillside room is ready." The lady at reception greeted them.

Kate was too busy looking around to argue about being called Mrs. Rodgers, especially since Rick was Castle not Rodgers. It did tell her that Castle didn't want to draw attention to himself, and for that she was grateful.

"I'll have the driver bring around your golf cart and take you to your room." She told both of them.

"Golf cart?" Kate didn't understand. It was a simple hotel room, wasn't it?

"Your hillside suite is at the top of the hill and it comes with a golf cart for you to use to get up and down with. It can be a difficult walk without it," she informed Kate.

Kate realized she was right; they went up and up and up till they stopped at the suite. Their driver carried the bags inside and then left them to look around.

"There are two bedrooms. I'll let you choose which one you like best." Castle offered and lets Kate walk off to look at these two little rooms that she was expecting.

The first had a single king sized bed with a nearby seating area which was all completely open to the outside that overlooked the hillside. It had a beautiful wood cross beam ceiling and the entire room was huge and gorgeous. The walls and floor were mostly stark white like an island in Greece that she had seen pictures of.

The entire room had a separate living room with large TV and the room itself was all open to the outside facing the hillside, with a view that was lush and green. It was spectacular! Private and tranquil.

Even the bathroom was gorgeous. The lavatory vanity was made out of some type of teak wood with two bowls on top. An open shower and a large tub that had her name written all over it.

The second room was mostly wood, with wood floors and instead of being completely open to the hillside, the openings were filled with horizontal wood slats. Neither room had a single piece of glass to keep out the outside.

There were no A/C units in any of the spaces. The ceiling in this room was also wood, though it was an open beam vaulted ceiling. Like the other room it also had an open seating area and the bathroom was identical to the other one.

Kate was back out in the living room. Kate just knew her mouth was hanging open and by the smirk on Castle's face he had seen the look on her face. "Castle just what does it cost to stay here?" It was just way too nice a hotel room to stay in. Only presidents stayed in rooms like this one. "It's too much Castle." Kate honestly didn't know what to do.

"You don't like it?" To Kate he actually sounded hurt. "There are actually better rooms down on the beach if you prefer." Castle really looked like he was looking for the phone to change rooms.

"No it's gorgeous Castle, just I've never stayed in hotel rooms like this. Only a couple of full-size beds, table, couple of chairs and a simple bathroom. There is nothing simple about this place." Kate didn't know what paying him back for all of this was going to do to her bank account.

"Does that mean you'll stay?" Castle looked so hopeful. "It's all my treat Kate, I'm not going to accept your money if that is what you are thinking.

Actually I haven't spent hardly any money since I moved here from LA. Even my apartment isn't really where I want to stay, it was just the first place I found that had space. It's not bad, but it's not really me." Castle explained.

Kate moaned. What was she going to do with this man? He was being so nice to her when he didn't have to be. She was just some woman hiding out in the library. "Castle it costs too much." Kate knew this place was nice however she would feel more comfortable in something simpler.

"Kate if it's about the money, think of it this way. To you a room that costs say $200 a night is normal for a family of four. For my money this room is that kind of room. This room isn't even the best they have. I'm not trying to buy you Kate. It's just that I have the money, please let me use it." Castle was beginning to fear she would reject him because of the money he made.

"I'll take that one over there. The white one, you can have the other." Kate relented. She grabbed her bag, wheels it into her chosen bedroom, and started unpacking.

"Our scuba diving doesn't start until tomorrow, meaning we have the rest of today to ourselves. We can go sightseeing after you unpack." Castle called after her.

The front desk suggested going to Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths.

It was literally just up the road, and they had a van that could drive them to it. "Mineral Baths. … We need to go change into swimsuits." Castle suggested and Castle met Kate at the door after changing.

Kate knew she had his attention when she came out in a halter top bikini that was black on one side and white on the other for the top and simply switched sides for the bottom. Kate's see through wrap didn't hide anything.

Kate decided to sway her hips on the way back out to their golf cart.

The lady at the counter talked about the baths being perfect for people who suffered from chronic rheumatism, sore joints and muscles. "It's perfect for you Castle." Kate teased and patted his arm.

"Oh ha, ha Kate, very funny, it is to laugh." Castle was not amused.

"Are you quoting Daffy Duck to me Castle?" Kate questioned while Castle paid.

"Well it is water and you seem to want in rather badly." Castle teased back, which earned him a soft swat to his arm.

"Ooooohhh, this is really nice Castle." Kate loved it and just tried to relax each and every muscle she had.

The Botanical Gardens were next. For Kate they were nice, just not overly spectacular. "I've seen better in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada." Castle mentioned off handedly.

"You've been to Victoria?" Kate knew she had never been there.

"Twice actually, once when I was just a little kid and another during one of my spring breaks from college." Castle told her.

"Your parents took you to Victoria?" Now Kate was wondering where he lived with he was a kid.

"My mother is an actress. She does stage, soap operas, shows, anything she can find. She found a job that lasted a few months in Victoria. It's a very nice city, if you can get used to the accent." Castle chuckled.

"Maybe I can get you to go with me some time." Castle offered and kept looking around.

Kate however stopped in her tracks. Castle wanted to spend still more time with her? WHY HER? She was motherless, fatherless for the most part, and unemployed with no idea of what to do about that.

Worse still, she was living off of Castle's money. She had barely spent a dime in the last few weeks. Her life was so messed up.

Next up was a walk to go see the falls. "WOW, look at the colors!" The gardens may not have been inspiring, however the falls certainly were.

The water was laced with minerals as its steam emanated from volcanic vents giving the falls a rather colorful appearance.

Their first open water class was the next morning just yards from the beach of their hotel. Kate was slowly getting used to wearing the tanks and breathing through her mouth.

After her first of four classes they went to the Tet Paul Nature Trail.

Winding through tropical forest in St. Lucia's World-Heritage listed Piton Management Area, the Tet Paul Nature Trail offers some of the most spectacular views in southern St. Lucia. On a clear day, hikers can see all the way to Martinque and St. Vincent. Along the gentle trail, hikers can learn about medicinal plants and trees, sample exotic tropical fruits, and discover the traditional American art of cassava production. The highlight is the "Stairway to Heaven", steps leading guests up to a 360 degree panoramic of the surrounding countryside.

Their next dive was actually further out and they had to take a boat. Still Kate learned how to fall off the edge of a boat. The water was still very clear, even out here.

The front desk had suggested their next stop. Sulpher Springs.

Kate was doing her best to hold her nose closed. "This is not a good idea Castle." The smell was killing her. Finding out it was the sulfur didn't help any.

"Everyone says that when they first arrive. Give it a few minutes and you'll get used to it." Kate was told by the lady who was helping them.

It was only a little later that Kate was finding out that this was the perfect spot. She got to lather Castle in mud. Scoop out heaping handfuls and lather it all over Castle's body, even his face had mud on it.

Then it was Kate's turn to have mud slathered all over her body. "Castle?" Kate gave him a soft question when his hands got a little too far into her bikini top. Even if what she really wanted him to do was remove the top and massage the mud into her breasts. Just like the hidden away part of Castle that she wanted to slather with mud.

They laid out in the sun till the mud dried on their skin. Then they walked and cracked the dried mud on their bodies before sinking into one of the hot mud pools.

Kate bit her lower lip to keep from asking Castle to remove her top while they washed off the mud, something simple that seemed to take forever. Kate couldn't decide who was being driven mad first, Castle or her. Kate feared it was her.

(RC POV)

All of these dive lessons that he didn't need since he was even certified for the re-breather tanks was actually fun. Kate was turning out to be a quick study. He was enjoying watching her learn quickly. Maybe later he could convince her to skip the wetsuit and dive in her bikini.

OH GOD, she had kittens over the room he had booked for them. It's just that he wanted something nice. This hillside suite or one down on the beach were the only 2-bedroom options he had for this hotel.

He liked Kate a lot even though she was driving him mad with those bikinis of hers. The way she swung her hips when she walked away from him had him wishing and dreaming of other things.

Cold showers in the morning along with, "She's too young Rick, just too young." And it wasn't the age difference itself that was the problem for him. If she was say 23 or something he was certain he would be thinking and acting differently, but Kate wasn't. Kate was still technically a teenager, even if woman did mature faster than men.

"Just like that idiot at the ping pong place." Rick still felt bad about what he had done to that guy, still he had started it, and Kate was with him, not that drunk hormonal moron.

Kate hadn't run away after that night. He just had to get over Kate being only 19.

The side trips to tour St. Lucia were turning out to be a lot of fun. Even if he was now sure Kate was doing it on purpose. GOD that woman was such a tease. He was going to burst a blood vessel soon he just knew it.

Then there was the mud bath. Having Kate rub mud over almost every portion of his body had gotten him rock hard in seconds. He had done his best to try and hide that from her. Still feeling her hands rubbing mud all over him...

He got to do the same for her. It was now that Rick decided that payback for all her teasing was in order. So he rubbed mud deep into her top in an attempt to coat her breasts in mud. He hadn't quite made it to her hardened nipples when she had stopped him. He could see them poking out through the material and knew he was getting a reaction out of Kate.

Next came time for them to wash all the mud off. What he wanted to do was rip that bikini off her body and wash every little crack and crevice he could find. Feeling Kate rub her butt up against his erection for just a second when he had wrapped his arms around her had him pulling away quickly.

They had no reason to leave the hotel thus far so dinner was always at the hotel. However they were likely going to need one soon to get deeper into St. Lucia.

Since they had to get up early for another dive, this time a little further out, they decided to go to bed a little earlier than usual. Usually they stayed up and actually talked about nearly anything. Rick did his best to stay away from anything too personal, he didn't want Kate running away again.

Now he was still tossing and turning on his bed with visions of a naked, covered in mud Kate Beckett dancing in his mind. She was young, gorgeous and proving to be stubborn and incredibly smart, with a body that was driving him mad.

"She's doing it on purpose, I just know she is." Rick moaned to himself. Problem was he just didn't know what to do about it. Worse yet, retaliating by getting her worked up was proving to be difficult. He just didn't know what Kate liked or didn't like.

If Kate really was teasing him on purpose that obviously meant that she liked him; just what about him did she like? It wasn't the money obviously since she had complained about how much this room cost. Kate had even questioned him about the cost of the airline tickets, which even to him had been ungodly expensive.

Even though it wasn't the cost of them that upset him so much. It was the knowledge that the airline was bleeding him for every penny simply because he had purchased them the day before. Just what was so damn special about buying them 21 days in advance? It's not like they were going to cancel the flight because they had two more empty seats, and economy class looked like it was half full when he had looked.

Reminder to self – Look up what it takes to charter a plane next time. Maybe it would be less or even equal to the cost of this trip. If it was he was switching! No more TSA, no more lines, no more lost luggage.

It was late and he was still awake and he knew why too. He was hard as a rock and it just wasn't going away. He had already taken two cold showers today, all thanks to Kate. "I give up." Rick talks to himself and pulls off the boxers he was wearing.

He started out slowly, teasing himself, working himself up into a frenzy. So much so that he was moving around all over the bed. Images of Kate caked in mud danced in his head.

Soon it was her hand that was stroking him ever so slowly, teasing him like she had been for days now. Ever so slowly, just fingers, refusing to place him in her mouth, even through his pleading. "PLEASE KATE!"

Still Kate did nothing except stroke him with her fingers which had him clutching the bed sheets tightly while he bucked on the bed. With wet fingers he started stroking faster, while his mind told him it was Kate's mouth doing all the work.

Finally he couldn't take it anymore. "I'm going to COME!" And in Rick's mind Kate drank down every last drop while he slowly worked his fingers up and down while he calmed down and just laid there for a while before getting up and heading to his bathroom to clean up.

"Maybe now I can get some sleep." Rick told himself just as he entered the bathroom.

(KB POV)

It was late and they had to get up early tomorrow for another dive lesson, this time a little further out to sea. Kate was actually starting to enjoy it and could see Castle smiling at her, likely because she was enjoying something that he already knew how to do.

Castle looked to be doing his best not to help teach her, but he was always sneaking in a little something. Helping check the tanks and her regulator. Verify that she was wearing the correct amount of weight for this dive, asking how the tanks had been filled. The instructors were being nice and Kate found it kinda sweet.

They took the trip to the mud bath. MY GOD BUT THE SMELL WAS HORRIBLE! Kate didn't believe anyone could become accustomed to the smell to put up with this, but they were right. It took about half an hour and by then she didn't notice it any more.

OH GOD, SHE GOT TO PUT HER HANDS ON CASTLE! She coated his exposed body in mud. Kate took her time and rubbed it everywhere with genuine pleasure. By the time she was done she was already wet and wanted so much to just crush herself up next to him.

It was his turn to coat her body in mud. This didn't help her present condition in the least, in fact it made it worse. His fingers on her back went in a little past the top band of her bikini bottom and it forced her to close her eyes. 'Just pull them down Castle and coat my bare ass with mud.'

But he didn't. Then he did the very same thing to the front. 'Just another inch or less Castle and his middle finger just might brush across her clit and Kate just knew that would be enough to make her come. She was sooooo wound up. How he missed the wet spot on her bikini between her legs escaped her, or maybe he didn't.

Feeling him lather her thighs with mud only made it worse still. 'Please Castle, touch me!' It had Kate biting her lower lip to keep quiet or those exact words or something like them were going to leak out. Kate was really worked up and about to give in when Castle finally finished.

Next it was off to the mud pit where they both sank down into the hot mud right up to their chins with Kate's hair pinned to the top of her head to keep the mud out.

The mud dried again and it was hell getting it all off their bodies. Castle's hands while washing the mud off of her only brought back the desire from when the mud went on. Kate knew that just a few more stokes of his hand was going to cause her to go into orbit, right then and there.

They went to bed early for tomorrow morning's dive, however Kate was rolling around in bed. HOT in more ways than one. What she needed was a drink of ice water, something cool, even a cool shower if necessary. Remembering what Castle's hands had been doing caused her more discomfort than Kate thought was possible.

The kitchen had the ice so that was where she went. As she was getting it there was a sound she couldn't quite identify. It had her curious so she went looking after setting her glass of water down on the counter. She finally centered on the door to Castle's room.

Nightmare? Should she go in and wake him up from it? However the longer she listened the stronger the noise became. His door was much like his windows; it had horizontal bands of wood with tiny slits between each band.

Kate knew she shouldn't but decided to try and peak into his room. If it was a nightmare she was going to open the door and wake him from it.

Problem was Kate couldn't see much so she reached out to increase the tiny gap just a fraction, finding out it was not the right height to see Castle.

When she did see him, Kate sucked in a breath and covered her mouth in case he had heard that. Castle was naked in his bed and on his back with one hand just below the belt line.

He was stroking himself with just one finger and his thumb, up and down, slowly but with a rhythm to it. As she watched he started squirming all over the bed, but never changed his rhythm.

It was his cry of "Please Kate" that had her hand down into her own panties as she started stroking herself while watching Castle. Castle was thinking about her! He wanted her!

Kate was soaking wet by the time she heard Castle call out "I'm going to come" and watched him arch his back high up off the bed and his hand suddenly increased speed. It was only seconds later when she saw Castle squirt up into the air several times.

The second Castle started to get up off the bed, Kate ran tippy toe to her bedroom and softly shut the door and jumped into bed where she ripped her soaked panties off and buried two fingers inside her.

It only took a moment for Kate to grab one of the pillows and cover her mouth as she screamed into it.

Like Castle, Kate got up and cleaned up before going back to bed and stayed naked this time.

"Castle wants me and I want him just as badly." Kate had never seen a guy do that before, nor had she herself done it in front of anyone before. The closest she had come was using a mirror to see what she looked like down there when she was aroused and climaxed. Watching Castle was the single most sexual, arousing, and intimate act she had ever witnessed. Stupid porno films had nothing on this.

Kate finally went to sleep wondering when or if they would ever get together like their fantasies were doing to them. Kate may be satisfied for the moment but she was far from stated.