Chapter 1

Castle and Beckett stepped onto the elevator, their arms linked. They had barely survived their respective blind dates and were headed out together for burgers and shakes. Kate had gone out with "Mr. July" from the Fire Department and Castle was trying to impress "Bachelorette #3." In the end though, they had both ended up back at the station.

Beckett wondered why they hadn't done this earlier.

Castle was wondering the same thing.

Neither of them let on that they were exactly where they wanted to be….

Together.

They got off the elevator, arms still linked, and headed toward the front door of the precinct. Castle broke hold just long enough to hold the door for her. He was still carrying the garment bag that contained the cocktail dress she had worn earlier that night. I wish she would change back into that amazing dress. Castle thought to himself. He smiled as he remembered the way it fit her just right, and left him wondering what she looked like without the dress.

"Are you coming or not, Castle?" Beckett called out to him.

He was so deep in thought he hadn't noticed that she had left his side and gotten a cab. She rolled her eyes at him and smiled. Some things never change. She thought to herself as she got into the cab. Castle climbed in beside her, laying the garment bag across their legs.

Kate felt the warmth of his leg as he sat down. Their knees barely touched and she smiled at the feeling. She liked it. It wasn't overly sexual, but enough to get her attention. He gave the driver the address and settled in. As he leaned back, he reached down and took her hand in his. She didn't pull away as he rubbed her hand with his thumb. They made small talk about the case and their horrid dates earlier in the evening. Castle smiled and said, "I doubt they are having as much fun as we are."

"No, they probably aren't." Beckett replied as she laced her fingers in-between his. She was enjoying talking with him and skin was warm against his. Her mind wandered about what other parts of him would feel like and she started to blush.

The cab stopped and Castle paid. They stepped out onto the sidewalk and Castle picked up the garment bag once again. He offered his arm, and she obliged by taking his hand in hers. She pulled his hand to her mouth and kissed it. She held his arm, leaned in and they went into the restaurant together.

Remy's wasn't overly crowded for the time of day it was. They found a table in the corner and Castle laid the garment bag over the back of one of the extra chairs. He took off his jacket and laid it over the garment bag. After they sat down, they ordered drinks and looked at each other.

Beckett let out a small laugh, and Castle smiled at her.

"What?" she said.

"I've never seen that look on your face before. That's all"

"What look?"

"The look of contentment. I'd venture to say that you are enjoying yourself Detective Beckett." He said softly as he reached for her hand.

She didn't pull away. She couldn't. She didn't want to. Just a few hours ago she was on a date with another man and couldn't stop thinking about Castle. What am I doing? This is crazy… Beckett said to herself.

"I still can't believe we just ditched them in the restaurant, Castle. What were we thinking?" Beckett said with a smile in her voice.

Castle laughed and agreed with her. It was a rotten thing to do. Then again, he didn't really want to be with Bachelorette #3. He wanted to be with Kate.

Their drinks arrived and they ordered food…burgers and fries… they were completely at ease and talking about work, their families, and Castle's book. When their food arrived, she pulled her hand away from his. She didn't want to, but she was starving. She picked up her burger and took a bite. What? She thought to herself. She glanced down and saw that Castle had taken off one of his shoes and was running his foot up and down her leg. How am I supposed to eat now?

She looked at Castle and he raised one eyebrow and winked. She didn't say a word. She put ketchup on her fries and kept on eating. They sat there for a while, eating and smiling. He was driving her crazy under the table and he knew it.

They had almost finished their food when the waiter came and asked if they needed anything else. Castle ordered dessert and drinks. Beckett wasn't paying attention and he reached over to her. She took his hand and looked into his eyes. Those eyes, so clear and blue…I could get so lost in them. Castle reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind Beckett's ear. She took his hand and held it on her cheek. She closed her eyes and kissed his hand…softly…

He didn't pull away. He moved his chair closer. He watched as she opened her eyes and looked at him. It felt like she was looking right through him. Intense, with something else he had never noticed before.

The waiter brought their order just then and Castle thanked him. Beckett raised her eyebrows at the plate in front of them and said, "What IS that?"

"This, Detective Beckett, is called the Chocolate Orgasm. It is a warm dark chocolate brownie, with chocolate ice cream, white chocolate chips, whipped cream and strawberries. It is meant to be shared. So dig in."

She took the fork from his hand and took a bite… Pure heaven… He had ordered white Russians to accompany dessert. The drink warmed her throat, along with many other things. By now, they were sitting side by side. The restaurant was nearly empty and the lights were dim. Beckett was glad of that…she wasn't ready for him to see the heat in her face. Not just yet.

Castle scooped up a bite of the dessert, and put it near Beckett's lips. She opened her mouth and took it, then licked the leftover whipped cream from her lips slowly. He watched her and he could feel his heart beat in his chest.

Beckett followed suit and Castle ate from her fork. He started to lick the leftover whipped cream from his lips when she said, "Allow me." She leaned into him and gently touched her lips to his. She licked the whipped cream off the corners of his mouth, and pulled back just a bit. She wanted to look him in the eye before going any further.

"Excuse me sir." The male voice said from behind.

Beckett pulled back a bit and Castle cleared his throat.

"Yes?" Castle replied.

"We are closing and we need to settle your check."

"Of course, no problem…" Castle reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. He handed the waiter a credit card and said, "Add a 20% tip onto our total for you. We appreciated the excellent service."

"Thank you sir!" the waiter replied enthusiastically as he left to settle their bill.

"Wow Castle, how very generous of you," Beckett said, teasing him.

"Well, I am in a very good mood tonight, Kate." He said as he looked into her eyes. She squeezed his hand and smiled.

The waiter returned with their bill and Castle's credit card. Castle signed the bill, took his copy, and put everything in his wallet. Beckett excused herself to use the ladies' room and they both stood up. He put his jacket back on, picked up her garment bag, and headed to the door. After telling the staff goodnight, he walked outside, and pulled out his phone to make a quick call.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Kate was fighting an inner battle. She was having a great time and Castle's touches were amazing. He was not going overboard, but she might if she didn't get control of herself. Just the memory of the brief touch of their lips had her warm and tingly. She didn't want the night to end yet, and she was going to make sure it didn't.

She applied new lip gloss…which she hoped he would kiss off of her….and ran her fingers through her hair. She took a deep breath and smiled as she walked outside. The air was a bit chilly, but it was going to be a hot night in New York City.