3. Hell Hath No Fury & Hedge Fund Homeboys

I've decided to combine these next two because on their own they were pretty short. However, they're similar in atmosphere, so I feel like it works. Let me know what you think. Thanks to Beetlebug and Ariel119 for tossing around ideas with me for the second half of this one.

Hell Hath No Fury & Hedge Fund Homeboys

A gruesome double homicide kept them out late the next four nights and by the time they got home each day, they barely had enough energy to collapse into bed, thoroughly exhausted. But after the case was wrapped up and they were back at the loft and ready for bed by a much more reasonable hour, Kate opened the drawer of Castle's nightstand, removed the journal.

"Reading some more?" he asked as he crawled into bed, scooted right up next to her.

She leaned into his bare side, opened to the third entry. "Yeah. Maybe just a couple."

Castle wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her close as she settled the book on her lap and began to read.

Kate,

To be honest, I don't have a lot to say today, but since I've done this for the last two cases we've worked, I feel as though I should continue.

I guess what stands out to me more than this most recent case is the book launch party. I never expected you to show up, considering that whenever I'm around, you're usually very anxious to get rid of me. I mean, I know you're a fan - otherwise you never would have connected those first three murders. But I didn't foresee you willingly putting yourself in the same room as me. Of course, I also didn't have you pegged for a bright pink dress and strappy heels type of girl. I guess I still have a lot to learn

It was a good look, though. Your legs went on for miles, with the short dress and high heels. Your hair was different than it normally is...edgier, I think, would be the best adjective. It suits you.

Everyone else in the audience probably thought I was just choking up because I was reading the last words of Derrick Storm. In reality, the words simply stuck in my throat the moment I saw you there, sauntering through the crowd, slipping off your coat in a manner far too sexy to be done in public.

You were doing it just to tease me, weren't you? Just to get my attention? If so, you certainly succeeded. I mean, how can any man see you and not want you? You're just...one look, and I'm drawn in.

I know I should have been signing autographs and meeting fans the moment I left the podium, but I just had to come find you. I wanted to find out why you were there, though unfortunately your reason wasn't the one I was hoping for. And I wanted to tell you how nice you looked. Until my mother waltzed in and ruined the moment in a way that only she can. So, since I didn't get to say it earlier, you looked incredibly hot tonight.

And one more thing...I know you hate the name Nikki Heat. I know you want me to change it, and if you'd had your gun tonight, you probably would have aimed it at me until I relented. Thank goodness you were un-armed (Unless you have a thigh holster. Do you? Because that would be so hot). But I know Nikki Heat is going to be a hit, and the title options are endless. Plus, it's fitting, somehow, for the character I've created, the relationship she's going to have with the handsome journalist who's following her around. Fiery and spicy. Lots of heat.

It's going to be great. I promise, you're going to love her! Not that I should be worried, really, since it appears that you're pretty familiar with my books. You've read every single one, haven't you? There's no way you've read Hell Hath No Fury and not all the others.

Someday, I'm actually going to get you to admit to it.

Until then, I'll be operating under the assumption that you're a secret fangirl. Maybe even one of the crazy online ones who leave strange messages on the fan sites. You've posted on some of those, haven't you? You know, you don't have to leave creepy messages for me. If you're interested in attending a private book signing, all you have to do is ask.

-RC

Kate snorted. "I'm not a crazy fangirl."

"You so are."

"Not."

"Maybe not now, since you have the real author at your service whenever you want." He indicated himself and she rolled her eyes.

"Right, for my private book signing," she quoted, fingers curling into mock quotation marks in the air.

"I'd be more than happy to sign your chest, if you'd prefer."

"Why? So you can help me wash it off?"

"Well, I mean, I could always sign my name in chocolate syrup." He smiled teasingly. "More than once. All over you."

"Oh really?"

"Don't worry, I'll gladly help clean it off when we're done."

"Yeah?" Kate raised an eyebrow, eyes glimmering with sex appeal. "And how exactly would you do that?"

He smirked, a hungry look in his eyes. "I've been told I'm very good with my mouth.

Heat flamed her face at the bluntness of his words, the intensity of his eyes drilling into hers, and warmth blossomed low in her belly, spreading fire through her veins. Because oh, he wasn't lying. Good was an understatement.

"So, Detective," he spoke in a low voice, heavily tainted with arousal. His eyes twinkled knowingly as he leaned in, wetting his lips with his tongue as he drew closer and closer. "Care to arrange such an event?"

Kate collapsed on top of Castle, breathing heavily, a heady flush spread over her body. He lifted his arms with some difficulty, wrapped them around her, hands settling on her lower back. Her skin was damp beneath his fingers, slight goose bumps rising as the cool air met her naked body.

"On second thought," he panted, his fingers tracing the soft curve of her waist. "Maybe you should be the one doing the signing."

She smirked. "Yeah? You liked that?"

Castle groaned at the memories; her tongue on his skin, the way she rose above him, the reflection of the city lights illuminating her skin, reflecting in the dark of her eyes.

God, she was just so incredibly sexy. And beautiful. And talented. And amazing.

"Kate," was all he could manage. His brain was foggy, his limbs heavy, and words were not his strong point at present.

Castle wasn't sure how long they laid there, Kate sprawled on top of him, both thoroughly relaxed and completely sated. She drifted off at one point, as did he, both slipping back into consciousness half an hour later only because the chill of the room was beginning to settle in.

Kate shifted, attempting to move off of him, but his arms tightened around her in response.

"Stay."

"I'm cold," she protested sleepily.

"But I'm nice and warm."

Kate pushed off his chest, rolled out of his arms and onto the bed next to him. He wasted no time in turning onto his side, cocooning her in his embrace and pulling the covers up around them.

She flinched sharply as something sharp poked into her back from beneath the sheets.

"What is it?"

She lifted her shoulder, extracted the journal from where it lay forgotten. Before they got, well, distracted.

Castle reached out to take it from her, set it aside, but she surprised him by lifting up on one elbow, flipping the notebook open again.

"One more?"

Kate smiled by way of an answer.

He propped himself up as well, shoulder pressed against hers beneath the covers, and together they began reading the next letter.

Kate,

I think I need to invest in a pair of earmuffs. Otherwise I may find myself without an ear, and that would be a shame to have my handsome image destroyed in such a manner.

Kate snorted, rolled her eyes, but Castle simply offered a raised eyebrow and a sexy smirk. She rolled her eyes again, shifted her focus back to the page.

You think I'm handsome, right? I think you do, even if you won't admit it. Just like I think you kind of like having me around even though you pretend you don't. But that's okay, because the feeling is very mutual. I'm having a great time shadowing you. And learning about you.

I still can't quite figure you out, though. You obviously came from a well-off family. You're smart, both intellectually and common-sense-wise. But what were you like when you were younger? I found myself wondering that a lot during this case. Were you anything like these kids? I know you didn't actually go to private school, but you had me convinced for a moment there.

(By the way, it worries me how convincingly you lied about that.)

I can see you being a bit of a rebel back in the day. Not as much as these kids, mind you. I know you never would have done what they did. But I bet you had your fun partying and spending late nights out on the town. Yeah, I can see that in you. There's a wild child hidden down in there somewhere, isn't there? You're by the book now, but I bet you weren't always such a stickler for rules.

You should come out with me some time. We'll grab a drink, do some dancing. It'll be a chance for you to let your hair down, have some fun, break some rules. Come on, Beckett. I know you want to.

But unfortunately this is just a letter, and it's highly unlikely you'll ever read it. And I doubt even more that you would say 'yes' to my offer.

But mark my words...one of these days I'm going to convince you to let me take you on a date.

A little bit of alcohol, skimpy dress, and some dancing…yeah, we'd have a lot of fun together.

-RC

"Well, guess I was right," Castle said smugly as they finished reading.

"Right how?"

"I did eventually convince you to go out with me."

"I was the one who came to you."

"I... okay, fine. You got me there. But we do have fun." He raised an eyebrow sexily. "Lots of it. So I was right about that."

Kate rolled her eyes, set the journal aside. "Wow, Castle."

"What?" he asked, far too innocently.

She shook her head. Sometimes he was so annoying. Except, the voice in her head was reminding her, she no longer found it annoying. Endearing would be a more accurate adjective, though she'd never admit it aloud.

"On a related subject, am I ever going to hear any more of your 'wild child' stories?"

"I've told you plenty, Castle."

"Oh, no, Detective. There's no such thing as too many stories about you and your rebellious, leather-clad, motorcycle-riding, phase."

"Am I ever going to hear about your naked police horse escapades?"

He waggled his eyebrows. "I don't know. Can you handle the mental images of me naked and straddling a horse?"

"I think, Castle," she said in a sultry voice, trailing her hand down over his bare stomach, lower and lower, "I've proven to be quite adept at handling things."

Once again, the journal lay forgotten on the bed.

Thoughts? Suggestions for the rest of season 1?