Snowed In

Chapter 17

Kate could hardly believe what she was doing.

What was going on with her? Had she'd gone insane?

When she'd grabbed Castle's hand and tugged him along to follow her towards her bedroom, she had been acting on impulse, pure instinct. The ease of his willingness to follow her was of no surprise. Her actions, on the other hand, were out of the ordinary for her. Yes, in the past, especially during her wild days, she'd been more spontaneous and enjoyed herself, but she'd mellowed and matured with age. Her busy mind was spending too much time worrying and second guessing. Her heart, which beat profoundly under her chest, was fighting back.

The truth was quite simple.

She wanted Castle.

She'd wanted him since almost their first meeting.

The attraction had been there from the start. And the longer she was around him, the harder it became to resist the magnet pull that was that desire. It had never been like this before, with anyone. Not with Will or Tom. Yes, there had been an instant allure, but both lacked the almost cosmic strength of the magnetism she felt tugging at her towards the mystery writer.

It was so damn frustrating.

Kate Beckett was used to being in control. But around Castle, she found that control slipping, allowing bits of her unrealized dormant self to break out of a protective shell that had been erected following the death of her mother.

When she reached the doorway to her bedroom, she stopped, hesitating. The battle between her brain and heart raging on, unseen.

Castle squeezed her hand, dragging her out of her internalized thoughts. Her eyes flirted up to meet his. No recriminations or judgements. No accusations. Just reassurance. And, underneath the surface, an eager willingness to let her lead.

"Whatever you want," he said in that damn silky-smooth voice of his.

It really was unfair.

Her eyes dropped to his mouth, before jerking back up to his eyes.

"I…," she paused, swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat.

Stop overanalyzing and overthinking, a voice that sounded suspiciously like her best friend's echoed in her head.

Kate licked her lips, and Castle's eyes grew darker.

"I want you," she proclaimed, stunning herself at the brazenness of such a declaration, despite how true it was. Her pulse quickened as her gaze dropped to his lips once more. "I just want you."

As if that was all the permission he needed, Castle surged forward, wrapped his arms around her as he claimed her mouth in a heated and passionate kiss. Kate pushed up to meet him with the same kinetic energy and intensity.

They stumbled into the bedroom. Unwilling to release her hold on him, Kate kicked the door shut with her foot. Her hands dropped towards his waist, tugging and pulling at his shirt free. A low growl emanated from deep within his chest as he kissed her harder, nibbling and biting as he moved along her jaw and down the column of her throat. Kate closed her eyes and released a breathy sigh, arching her neck to give his better access.

He made quick work of her shirt and was fumbling with the bra clasp behind her back, when Kate reached down for his belt. She unfastened the buckle and popped the button of his jeans, pulling down the zipper. She shoved a hand inside and felt him, smiling in carnal delight, extremely happy with what she found.

Castle dropped his hands down the curve of her back and cupped her ass, squeezing hard. She let out a little moan and clambered up into his arms as he hoisted her up. Her legs wrapped around his middle as their mouths collided in a passionate battle. Locked in their embrace, they pirouetted around the room, desire building and building. Kate felt her skin warm with desire and want, pooling low in her belly. The need was so strong, she was afraid she'd burst at the simplest of touches.

The mattress caught their fall, and they both shared a laugh as they bounced, soon silenced by more kissing. They wrestled with one another for dominance, rolling and tumbling about on top of the duvet as they divested each other of their remaining clothing until they were skin to skin. Kate could have easily won, but she allowed him to pin her beneath his broad frame.

Castle gazed down at her, greedily milking in the vision of her lying naked underneath him. She nearly squirmed with anxious energy, feeling so exposed, but when his eyes returned from their perusal to meet hers, Kate saw something reflecting back she hadn't expected.

"You're so beautiful," he said in a voice so soft and sincere, touched with the hints of awe.

"You're not so bad yourself, Castle," was her cheeky reply, though it was still the truth.

Kate reached up and caressed the side of his face. Castle's lips spread into a slow smile, and she matched it with one of her own. Her heart squeezed with realization. She was happy. Actual, genuine happiness. Just being with him—being with Richard freaking Castle—made her happy. It was a dizzying revelation.

"You're sure?" he asked, his hand tenderly caressing the skin just beneath her breast as he gazed expectantly down at her.

She nodded.

"I need the words."

Kate almost laughed, but stopped when she saw the serious look in his eyes. She pursed her lips and swallowed past the rush of emotion that almost consumed her. This definitely wasn't what she had been expecting when she brought him to her room.

"I want this, Castle," she asserted, feeling the truth behind the words. "I want you." She pushed up and claimed his mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. "Just you."

"Kate," her name tumbled from his lips like a prayer. And then he was kissing her like he meant it.

Reality seemed to shrink around them until only they existed. Kate gasped and clutched his shoulders when the flame of them was lit. Her body came alive with feelings and sensations she could swear she had never experienced. She returned what was received with a vigor and fierce passion of her own, desperately needing to touch and feel all of him. They easily found a balance, a rhythm, and it was like they'd always been this way. It had never felt so right or real before. So perfect.

The heat intensified.

She let out a sharp breath.

And she saw stars.

XXX

It was still dark when she opened her eyes. Her body still warm from their activities. With her head resting on his chest, she could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat. It was calming and reassuring. Kate allowed herself a brief moment to bask in the afterglow, unable to suppress the smile at the memory of their joining. It had really been something.

Closing her eyes, she snuggled closer to his slumbering form, relishing in the feel of their bodies melding together like matching puzzle pieces. The fantasies she'd had paled in comparison to the real thing. Being with Castle was so much better than she had imagined.

And that terrified her.

It wasn't enough. Having him, here and now. It was never going to be enough. Never.

No.

Her jaw clenched as she opened her eyes and stared out into the darkness of the room. Her heart clenched beneath her chest.

She had to have him.

She wanted him. Again. And again. And again.

Just once would never be enough.

He had to be hers.

Always.

"Castle," she reached up and nudged his shoulder.

He just snored.

Kate lowered her eyes, and frowned. No. She couldn't tell him. Not yet. It was too soon. She wasn't even entirely sure of it. But what she'd experienced with him was something special. The connection they shared, not just physically, but emotional and perhaps—though even she questioned the reality of such a prospect—spiritually, was too right for her to ignore.

She closed her eyes and inhaled, breathing in the scent of them.

She couldn't tell him yet how she felt when she wasn't entirely sure what she was feeling. But she could show him.

Kate smiled to herself, and tilted her head to press a soft kiss to his chest, just above his beating heart. Then she skimmed her way down his body, and aroused him with nothing but her mouth until he was wide awake and ready for another round.

XXX

Castle opened his eyes to the light.

Groaning, he scrubbed a hand down his face, and blinked groggily as he sat up and glanced around, not recognizing the room he found himself in. It took just a moment, but when he remembered the events of the previous night, a dopy, satisfied grin grew across his face.

He leaned back and let out a contented sigh.

But before he could fully bask in the memories, Castle realized there was no one else in bed with him. The spot beside him, which should be occupied by a very naked Kate Beckett, was empty. He spread his hand across the sheets to find them cool. Only the rumpled mattress and the indentation on the pillow was evidence that she'd been there. Not to mention the faint scent of cherries.

Sitting up, Castle slid his legs over the edge of the mattress and stood up. He stretched and arched his back, wincing slightly when he found a bite mark on his left pectoral. The memory of how he got it made him grin. Kate had woken him up for a second round, and she'd been particularly feisty. He definitely approved. Castle was secure enough in his masculinity that he had no qualms submitting to woman who knew what she wanted. And he gave freely.

In nothing but his birthday suit, Castle padded over to the window and peered outside, noting that it had stopped snowing and that the storm seemed to have passed. It should be a good sign, but for some reason Castle was unsure how to feel.

Suddenly feeling the call of a nature, he moved towards the ensuite bathroom, entirely envious considering that as a guest of the Bed and Breakfast he'd only had access to the communal bathroom until now. It was while he was doing his morning business that he realized that the power must have been restored. After washing his hands, Castle returned to the room and quickly gathered his discarded clothes, intent on getting dressed ASAP and seeking out his companion from last night.

It unnerved him to wake up alone. The worry had already begun to sink in. Did she regret last night? He sincerely hoped she didn't view it as a mistake. But he couldn't think of a rational reason why she'd leave without at least waking him up first.

He liked Kate. A lot. Probably more than he should already, but that wasn't going to be a problem, at least not yet. And last night couldn't be the only time he got to be with her. It wasn't enough. He had to have more.

He had to have her again. And again. And again.

Just once would never be enough.

She had to be his.

Always.

He stopped midway through pulling on his pants, with still one leg to go.

Damn.

He'd really done it. The fool. He'd fallen for her already. Kate Beckett was far more than just a muse. He couldn't believe it. Castle had thought it was impossible. Two divorces under the belt did that to a man. Yet, here he was at a Bed and Breakfast in upstate New York, in a town he'd never heard of, and his heart was telling him things he never thought he'd hear.

Shaking his head, Castle finished dressing and opened the door, stopping short when he found Kate's uncle staring at him from the other end of the hallway. He froze, unsure what to do. It had been a long time since Castle had been caught sneaking out of a girl's room.

"Mr. Castle," Herb nodded.

"Mr. Hollister," Castle greeted in return.

An awkward silence fell between them, before the older man cleared his throat.

"She's in the kitchen."

"Huh?"

"Kate," Herb said with a slight frown. "She's in the kitchen."

"Oh, yeah… uh… thanks," Castle said, before bobbing his head, no doubt looking like a complete idiot, and hastily making his escape.

He let out a soft chuckle as he descended the short staircase. At least he had a good enough humor to find it a little amusing, otherwise embarrassment would eat him up. Soon enough, he fell back into his worrying over waking up alone when he entered the kitchen and saw her.

Kate stood by the stove with her hair tied back into a loose ponytail, exposing the slender neck that Castle vividly remembered nibbling his way down. His pulse quickened at the sight of her. Oh, yes. He had it bad. He was definitely a goner.

His nostrils flared as he inhaled the enticing scent of bacon.

Bacon!

He licked his lips, momentarily distracted, and, as if consumed by the call of the sirens, he was drawn towards the platter holding a large stack of crispy bacon strips, reaching out with greedy fingers—WHACK!

"Ow!" he hooted, sticking how his lower lip in a pout.

Kate looked at him with a mischievous grin, withdrawing the spatula she'd used to thwart him. He rubbed his hand and continued to pout.

"Good things come to those who wait," she declared.

"Is that a promise?"

"It is," Kate nodded, turning back to stir the scrambled eggs she was cooking.

"Good, because I'm not good at waiting," Castle asserted, moving around the preparation table to join her by the stove. He slid in behind around, wrapping his arms around her slender waist, vividly recalling the feeling of her skin beneath his fingertips. He was comforted by the fact she leaned back into his touch. "I missed you."

She arched her neck to glance at him, easily guessing what he meant. "Sorry."

"No worries," he lied.

Kate raised an eyebrow, seeing through him.

"Okay," he confessed. "I was a little worried."

"Well, I'm sorry," she reaffirmed, tilting her head up to press a quick kiss to his lips. Her eyes closed briefly as she smiled in contentment.

It startled him, just how different Kate Beckett appeared this morning compared with before. She was more… free and open. Lighter.

"When I woke up, I was famished," she continued happily. "So, I just got dressed and came down here and started cooking."

Wow, he thought, almost smugly. I have quite the effect, don't I!

Kate rolled her eyes, as if reading his mind.

"Oh, by the way," he said hurriedly, before they could be interrupted. "Just a heads up, your uncle saw me leaving your room."

Kate froze for a second, her eyebrows knitting together in thought. She let out a sigh. "Better him than Aunt Theresa."

Castle hummed in agreement, moving a hand down to palm her ass. Kate gave him a little jab with her elbow, which got him backing away. She threw him a little look, before smiling. Castle grinned back, enjoying this playful side.

"Is there anything I can help with?" he offered. "Perhaps I can make some pancakes."

"Pancakes?" she glanced at him, confused.

Castle nodded. "An edible way to say thank you for last night."

"Oh," she laughed throatily, her eyes sliding over to him with the glaze of hot memory. "Sure, why not." She jerked her chin towards the pantry door. "You should find what you need in there."

Castle grinned again and was about to turn to gather up the supplies he'd need, when he was snagged back by Kate tugging on his collar.

"Thank you for last night," she said, and before he could respond, she was pushing up to seal her mouth over his in a steamy kiss.