One thing was for certain, now that everything was out in the open they appeared to be very good at this. Kate was determined not to ruin it, whatever it was. She couldn't remember the last time she had wanted someone this much. There was so much potential in their kisses and sitting there, on her couch with Castle's hands in her hair and his sighs of approval as they shared such an intimate and beautiful moment…well, she could get lost in him, in his kisses. And it felt so right.

The last thing she expected was the sharp syllable that echoed emptily around her apartment.

"Stop."

Chapter Five

Kate froze. Stop? He wanted to stop?

Her swollen lips tingling, left bereft as he pulled away from her. She was puzzled and hurt, wanting nothing more than to drown in him and yet it seemed that she had misread the situation entirely.

Maybe he was upset about her lie after all?

"Castle?" her eyes betrayed hurt and raw need. "I… what's wrong? Oh...I'm sorry…I thought-"

"Beckett. Kate. I can't do this here, not on your couch. I'm sorry, but this isn't some high school make out session and it just feels wrong. You mean so much more to me…this means so much more to me," his hand flaps furiously back and forth between them emphasizing his point. "And I want to make sure this is what you want, that it means something to you too. I don't want you to feel like you have to, or that you owe me anything, or that you need to…make it up to me or anything."

Oh. Oh! He was asking her for permission.

Relief coursed through her body leaving her feeling a little dizzy, unable to see straight and it took her a moment to realize that he was looking at her expectantly, waiting for a response.

Beckett took his hand in hers and stood slowly, never taking her eyes off him. How could he think for one moment that she didn't want this? This was no one time thing for her either; it meant just as much as it did to him and it saddened her to think he may still doubt her feelings so much, when she was so sure of his.

She pulled him to his feet and started to back away leading him gently, encouraging him with her eyes. She nodded at him slowly, confirming her permission and continued her journey backward step by step toward her bedroom. If he wasn't comfortable making out with her on her couch, perhaps he might approve of a change in scenery.

They moved together slowly, her hands clasping his, eyes locked in a private conversation. The message to Castle was clear; Kate wanted this. She was all in; he hadn't overstepped the boundaries. If there was one thing Castle wouldn't do, (unlike Sorenson it seemed) it was take what wasn't being offered. He would never risk hurting her; their friendship meant way too much.

Their slow, backward dance continued until they reached the bed, their eyes locked together. Castle seemed to be oblivious to his surroundings and completely and utterly consumed by the woman standing before him. His eyes did not avert from hers, not even to take in the details of Kate's inner sanctum. As if in slow motion, he lifted the soft fabric of her turtleneck, peeling it off to reveal her white cotton lingerie and smooth, pale skin underneath.

Beckett reciprocated, unceremoniously relieving him of his shirt, smoothing it back over his shoulders and leaving him shivering before her. Pulling him down onto the bed, she claimed his mouth and where before their kisses had been patient, gentle and soothing, they were now frantic…heating up at an alarming pace.

Having been granted permission, Castle appeared to become bolder. He took Beckett in his arms, worshipping her with his hands and mouth.

His very skillful mouth. Kate's vision was hazy as physical need clouded her mind. The feeling was exquisite. She couldn't remember ever wanting to give herself so completely to another person…she trusted Castle with her life and surrendered to his touch. It was intense, as though they were on fire, but also loving. There was no doubt – this was no one night stand for either of them. Surprisingly, the thought didn't scare her like it might have done in the past.

As Castle's hands inched down her sensitive skin toward her work pants, Beckett mirrored his actions. It was urgent, awkward almost, their struggle to rid each other of the remainder of their clothing; an art they had not yet perfected together.

It was a relief when she finally managed to divest him of his shorts, and her underwear was quick to follow – Castle's arm pulling her on top of him to deftly snap loose her bra and pull it aside. Now completely skin on skin, they were free to explore each other's physique and Kate was sure that neither was disappointed.

Castle was breathless, completely taken aback by the sight of naked Kate before him. "Oh you were so right. I definitely had no idea."

It was amazing to see them both coming alive under each other's touch, as though they knew exactly what each other needed. When Kate trailed her hands down his body, finally touching him there it was almost too much. Castle trembled beneath her fingertips, clearly swept up in the moment but also trying to maintain his self-control. He reciprocated, sweeping his fingers low across her most sensitive abyss and she thrust toward him, spurring him on.

For her part, Kate was only just managing to keep from plummeting over the edge herself. The feeling so intense and yet they were only just touching, exploring what worked for each of them. She had only ever dreamt what it might be like to be in Castle's arms. Never would she have imagined the bliss they were experiencing now. It seemed as though they were made for each other.

When he found her spot, and she writhed beneath his touch, it was too much and Kate was desperate to move them forward, toward what they both knew was going to be extraordinary. Still on top of him, she crawled down Castle's broad chest, never averting her gaze from his. After teasing him briefly with her gentle mouth, she sat up on his hips and took him beneath her, the feeling sublime as their hearts roared.

They started a careful and gentle rhythm, exploring what felt good for each other. They increased the pace, quickly turning to out of control and demanding, bumping grinding and moaning in pleasure. They climaxed spectacularly, almost simultaneously, clinging to each other as though their lives depended on it. Impossibly close but needing to be closer. In awe of each other and what they had experienced. They lay together for what could have been hours, content just to hold each other and listen to the rhythmic beating of their hearts. .

It was late when Beckett's phone chimed from the pocket of her slacks. She groaned gently, hoping against hope the message wasn't a body drop. Or worse still, Lanie, who for all Kate knew probably had the telepathic ability to see what she was doing right now.

Neither of them moved, reveling in the silence, comfortable to catch their breath and just feel. The follow up chime forced Kate to guiltily clamber off Castle's body, rolling across the bed and reaching down to retrieve the offending cell from the floor where her slacks had been haphazardly strewn. She kept one long leg thrown possessively across Castle's thigh as she flicked the home button with her thumb to retrieve the text.

I'm sorry Kate. Can we talk? I'm not giving up. I know what we had, and we can have it again. I know you're no good at knowing what's good for you. I'm good for you. We are good for each other.

Ugh. Sorenson. Her body noticeably stiffened. She almost wished it had been a body drop. Or at least Lanie.

Castle, as in tune with Beckett as always, clearly sensed her discomfort reading the text and softly asked "Is everything okay?"

He tucked her gently into his side, encircling her in his warmth, then pulled the covers up and over them so they lay cocooned. He waited for her to share; yes, he could be patient.

"It's from Sorenson. Oh god, I'm sorry Castle, I can't believe I'm talking about him when we've just…well, you know. That was amazing…and I don't want you to think that he…and I…well -" she snuggled closer into his side and hid her face.

Having never imagined Beckett to be a snuggler, Castle struggled to focus. This was all so new and they were a long way into unchartered territory.

"He doesn't take no for an answer does he? Was he this…persistent…when you were together?" Castle questioned tentatively.

"No, I don't know what's come over him. I can only think that it's jealousy…he never had to compete for me-; if anything, I pursued him. I thought he got the message earlier in the break room. I thought that'd be the end of it. Castle, I'm really sorry."

Castle reached across to the nightstand where Beckett had left her phone. He grabbed it and rolled over onto his back, squinting at the screen as he opened the message.

Adept at text messaging, Castle tapped away for a minute, then lent proudly toward Kate holding the phone so she could approve before he hit the send button.

Sorenson. Hey. This is Castle. Get over it; move on. Kate knows what is good for her- ME. You missed your chance and I will be forever in your debt but give up while you still have some dignity dude.

"You know," he cleared his throat and she noted his mischievous grin, "I know people. Like scary, dangerous people…people who owe me a favor – like…" he lowered his voice and raised an eyebrow, "mob people."

She roared with laughter at the preposterous suggestion but the sentiment wasn't lost on her; Castle would do anything for her, she was sure of it.

"Uh, Castle. Pretty sure you won't need to call in any mob favors. He'll get the message eventually. And in any case, I'm not interested. I have what I want."

Beckett chuckled and hit the send button on her iPhone for him, then melted back into his arms, the phone forgotten as she tossed it toward the end of the bed. Castle ghosted is fingers down the side of her face and through her hair, dazzling her with the most brilliant smile.

She couldn't fathom how they got here. After everything; the case, her lie…the ruse. Castle going along with the deception. And then this. This wonderful, amazing moment, lying in bed with him by her side.

"Castle, I am sorry, you know. Sorry how all of this started. Not sorry that it happened, not sorry about us," she plunges forward as she feels his warm body start to tense beside her.

"I'm just sorry that it…we…started as a lie."

"Not a lie, Beckett. A self fulfilling prophecy."

She pulled him hungrily toward her and met his kiss, wondering if round two could be any better than the first.

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The End.

Again thank you so much for all the support, the follows and the reviews.

A big thank you to the three people who helped me edit– particularly T who talked and laughed me through all the tricky parts.

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PROMPT: In "Little Girl Lost", when Will asks Kate if there's something between her and Castle right before Castle walks in on them kissing, instead Kate says yes- there is something there- and Castle hears her. Thankyou InkyCoffee for the fabulous prompt!