The next morning, Castle woke up to find the woman he had been dreaming about all this time, the long-legged Miss Beckett, sleeping beside him. This opportunistic scoundrel had taken Beckett to his drone manufacturing warehouse the previous afternoon, where he gave her a detailed introduction to his achievements. He also confessed that he had reached a technology transfer agreement with an Italian aircraft manufacturing company and that his legal counsel was negotiating with Northrop Grumman, the third-largest arms company in the USA and the manufacturer of the F-14 Tomcat, to transfer the technology of his drone design to this company, which also has a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier factory. This explosive news left Miss Beckett, who had always thought Castle was just a slacker, completely stunned.
Earlier that morning, Beckett had finally confronted the man who killed her mother, and with Castle's help, she successfully fooled him. Already in a state of emotional turmoil, Beckett was further shocked to discover that the man she had thought was a carefree playboy was actually so capable. In her confused state, Castle, a seasoned player in matters of the heart, noticed his opportunity. After taking Beckett to see his previous workshop and promising to let her boss at the 12th Precinct test out the two prototype drones he had built, Castle seized the moment and took the still-dazed Beckett to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Under the influence of gourmet food and dim lighting, Beckett's heart finally opened up to the sly Castle.
What happened afterward was only natural...
Now, as Castle woke up, he was happily reminiscing about last night's passionate moments. A silly grin crept onto his face, just as Beckett opened her eyes and caught him in the act.
Seeing Castle's occasional goofy expressions left Beckett both amused and exasperated. When she first met this guy, she wanted nothing more than to shoot him in the head. Later, when he shamelessly used his connections with the mayor to insert himself into her investigations, she began to notice his strengths. His unconventional thinking often led to surprisingly useful insights in her cases, offering perspectives that her police training had blinded her to. Over time, she discovered more about his mysterious side—like his information that was always more accurate than the police's or his endless stream of bizarre ideas. She couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about him that she liked.
Perhaps it was the time she invited him to her home and learned that he had been secretly investigating the truth behind her mother's murder. Not only that, but he had also made real progress! It's hard to say whether it was gratitude for everything he had done for her or if she had genuinely fallen for this unpredictable rascal.
But after yesterday, Beckett finally realized her true feelings. She was indeed attracted to this bad boy, and no matter how much she tried to avoid it, she couldn't deny one thing: she was truly enamored with the feeling of being carefully protected by someone.
It was strange that she felt this intense sense of protection from Castle, someone she had always found annoying!
From the time he secretly informed her and Captain Montgomery about Simon's plan to the time he investigated the truth behind her mother's case to help her move on, all these actions made Beckett feel Castle's sincerity. This was a significant reason why she completely let down her guard last night and accepted his feelings.
However, now that she woke up and saw that same goofy grin on his face, Beckett couldn't help but feel embarrassed. No matter how much she had accepted his relentless pursuit, she couldn't come to terms with this childish side of his.
Luckily, Alexis had rushed out early that morning, sparing Beckett the embarrassment of facing Castle's quirky and precocious daughter. After all, she wasn't that familiar with Alexis yet.
Just as Castle noticed that Beckett was awake and was about to sweet-talk her, Martha suddenly opened the door and walked in.
Seeing his mother walk into his bedroom without knocking, Castle was too tired to complain. In his previous life, while watching the show, Martha had also suddenly returned home just as Castle was about to confess his feelings to Beckett. Even though the current situation was different—Castle hadn't spent years in a flirtatious relationship with Beckett but instead had seized the opportunity to quickly win her over—he still couldn't escape his mother's timing.
Martha hadn't expected her son to win over Beckett so quickly. Yes, in the split second that Beckett was startled by the sudden opening of the bedroom door, Martha's sharp eyes had already identified the woman in her son's bed as none other than the inspiration for the protagonist in his latest novel, the police detective named Beckett. It seemed her son was still as impressive as ever. How long had it been since he brought home this once aloof police officer?
Sitting up in bed, Castle helplessly looked at his mother. "Mom, don't you know it's polite to knock before entering?"
Martha, winking at her son who had just "bagged" Beckett, expressed her happiness with a look that said, 'I'm glad you finally won her over,' while verbally excusing herself, "I'm just here to grab my dress. I'm attending a banquet with Chet tonight. Sorry to interrupt, sorry!" With that, Martha quickly retreated from Castle's bedroom, closing the door behind her.
With her face flushed, Beckett peeked out from under the covers. Once she was sure Martha had left, she complained to Castle, "Why didn't you lock the door? Now, how am I supposed to face Martha?"
Seeing Beckett's embarrassed expression, like a shy girl, Castle burst out laughing. "Relax, you're an adult now, and our relationship isn't something to hide. You're overreacting."
Beckett, annoyed by Castle's teasing, wanted to bite him. She then remembered what she had wanted to say to him earlier. "Oh, right, I almost forgot something important because of Martha's sudden entrance!"
Castle's wandering hand was reaching toward Beckett's thigh, but she quickly swatted it away. She then sternly addressed the morning's still-horny Castle, "We can't let anyone at the precinct know about our relationship, okay? That way, it won't affect our partnership. Otherwise, I'll be questioned! Got it? When we go to the precinct later, we need to go separately, so no one finds out."
Distracted by his desires, Castle wasn't really paying attention to what Beckett was saying. After being forced to live like a monk for so long by his damn system, he was now practically drooling over Beckett's exposed long legs, with a lecherous grin creeping back onto his face.
Seeing Castle's behavior, Beckett was both amused and exasperated. This lazy scoundrel was giving her a headache. Frustrated, she grabbed Castle's ear. "Did you even hear what I just said?"
Castle responded innocently, "Why do we have to go to the precinct separately? Even if we go together, what would they figure out?"
Beckett, exasperated that Castle was missing the point, snapped, "Are you stupid? Where do you think we work? The precinct is full of detectives! Of course, they'll figure it out! And look at your lecherous face right now—don't you dare look at me like that later, understood?"
Castle finally nodded. "Got it. It's a critical time for you as you're about to take over as captain. We can't let anyone know about this. Right?"
Seeing Castle finally get serious, Beckett was satisfied, though she thought his response was a bit odd.
But her relief was short-lived as Castle continued, talking to himself, "But once you take over as captain, you'll be in charge of the whole precinct. Then, I can do whatever I want, right? Haha, I'll make Esposito run out to get my takeout, and I'll have Kevin do something too!"
Hearing Castle's musings, Beckett almost fainted. She was giving this guy serious advice, and all he was thinking about was how to lord over the precinct once she became captain? Unbelievable!
And so, lost in his daydreams, Castle's ear was once again pinched hard. Afterward, well, let's just say...
By the time Castle finally emerged from the bedroom, looking refreshed, an hour had passed.
Beckett quickly dressed, washed up, and rushed out the door. That jerk insisted on doing "morning exercises," making her late. Damn it, she'd get him back for this tonight, but for now, she'd let it slide!
Having finally achieved his goal, Castle watched Beckett rush out the door and let out a loud, triumphant laugh...
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