Author's Note: This is just a half dream that has been rattling around in my head for several months... For whatever reason this is the first time I actually put it to print...and it still surprised me. I guess I'm missing any Castle episode tonight and had to fill in until next week. Yeah...and I'm wondering how things are going to work out with the Josh thing.

The game had taken on a decidedly dangerous turn.

He knew that he had pushed her…perhaps a little too far… and by the way she was looking at him the fallout wasn't going to be pretty.

It was the first time they had spent any time alone together since the near catastrophic events involving domestic terrorism. Although he continued to come to the precinct and assist, he had withdrawn from their usual banter and verbal repartee. He knew she was aware of the change, because he'd caught her watching him with perplexed hurt eyes several times. Those were the times that he wanted to grab her and shake her until her teeth rattled….how the hell could she be such a fine detective and not get it!

So, after today's case had been wrapped up and he had left for home he certainly hadn't expected to hear from her. He certainly hadn't expected her to show up on his front door already a little tipsy. Worse, he hadn't expected to allow her inside and not send her home in a cab. Hadn't expected to pull a fresh bottle of wine out …

So, here they were trapped in a game of "truth or dare". Not his idea for once.

Both his mother and his daughter gone for the remainder of the night.

Castle sighed heavily and met her blazing green eyes.

So, perhaps he should not have indicated that Josh wasn't what she wanted…what she needed.

"I don't think so." She bit out, surprising him with her answer. He sat gaping at her with his mouth open and before he could respond she snapped "Truth or Dare?"

He blinked at her, but gave her (and maybe him) an out. "Dare."

She looked him up and down coolly. "Stand up. Stand up and just stand there…for 10 minutes you can't move, you can't talk…nothing. You think you can do that for a whole ten minutes?"

Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Because I don't think nine year olds on a sugar rush can do that."

He blinked at her again and half snickered. This was his payback? This was how she repaid such a stupid personal question? "Oh I can do that…I've stayed still and quiet longer when playing laser tag with Alexis just waiting for her to make a mist…"

"Castle", she snapped interrupting. "Do you take the dare?"

He closed his mouth and winked at her, thinking she was really giving him a break. He should have known better.

He stood up and cocked his head; raised his brow; and said nothing. She reached over and picked up his phone, then set the alarm for ten minutes. As soon as she set the phone down she stood up herself. He flinched, but she didn't hit him…then he fretted that she was going to just walk out without even letting him apologize. In a few moments, he was wishing that he had never taken the dare.

Beckett moved up close to him and met his eyes. His widened and hers narrowed. She slowly walked around him, stopping when she was behind him.

Castle could feel the hair on his neck stand up and his muscles actually twitched when she finally touched him. Touched him.

Her hands started low at his back and smoothed up towards his shoulders. Fingers dipped into his collar playing lightly at the exposed skin.

He shuddered.

Kate smirked behind him…and began to torture him in earnest.

Slowly, she came around to stand in front of him, never taking her hands off of him. She bit her lower lip softly when she heard the catch and hiss in his breathing. She didn't meet his eyes, but she continued to move her fingers in a dance down his chest.

Castle swallowed.

Beckett moved her fingers to the buttons of his shirt…starting at the bottom and working her way up. When the last button slipped from its hold her fingers drifted up and across his shoulders and down his arms; taking the shirt with them. She stilled for a moment and it was only through years of control that she didn't give herself away right there. Castle's exposed chest was somewhat overwhelming. Her fingers pressed into him and slid back to his chest letting her nails scrape against his nipples.

Castle sucked in his breath.

Fingers gave way to her hand stroking across flesh…

Castle's eyes were boring into her; willing her to look at him; willing her to stop this…or not. Dear God but she felt good!

She finally glanced at him and he nearly lost himself in her darkened eyes. His hands twitched, wanting to touch her; bring her flush against him, but he held himself still somehow.

When she leaned into him and brought her mouth to his turgid nipple he actually gasped for air. She moaned in response and continued her onslaught. Teeth and tongue alternatively scraping and soothing along his exposed skin. Her hands worked in tandem, continuing to trace and lead the way for her lips. She moved up and along his shoulder and neck nipping at their juncture.

Goosebumps raised across his entire body. Desire, currently held at bay was crashing at the gates demanding release. He was uncertain how much longer this could go on before he lost all control.

Beckett was aware that Castle's hands were fisted at his sides and he was shaking with response. She moved to his back still tracing patterns with her mouth but needing to move away from the intensity of his gaze. Her control was slipping with each ragged breath he made. The taste of him, the smell of him, and the feel of him was driving her over the edge. Glancing at the phone on the couch caused her heart to catch.

She was out of time.

As quickly as she could she moved away from him and towards the door; grabbing her bag and her coat along the way.

She ignored the strangled sound he made as she went.

The buzzer sounded on the phone and he was after her in a flash, catching her as she swung the door open.

"Truth or Dare" he hissed hoarsely.

She stood blinking at him. She knew that she could just flip him and be gone, but she just stood there.

She wet her lips and watched his blue eyes focus there.

"Truth" she whispered back, still not moving.

The surprise in his eyes was real.

Castle hadn't expected a response. He had expected her to flee.

He cleared his throat.

"Do you want me? Need me?"

Panic flashed in her eyes. He loomed closer mouth hovering above hers; his eyes searing into hers.

She swallowed. "Always"

It was a whisper of a word, but it rang in his head like a temple bell.

He closed the distance and claimed her mouth with his. For a moment she responded, tongues clashing and dueling. He felt dizzy. Before he was able to bring her to him completely, she slipped his grasp and was gone.