**A/N: WARNING. THIS CHAPTER IS BASICALLY ALL SMUT. So if you're at work, or in public, or watching TV with your parents while reading fanfiction, you've been warned. You're welcome ;) Oh god, so much smut. I don't know how I did it, but I did it.
This chapter is dedicated to my lovely betas who got this 10,000+ word monster edited and back to me in three days.
Chapter 10- Anyone Else's Strings
"I would do anything and that's what scares me so bad. Don't want to live my life alone. Don't want to go back to what I had. Don't want to sped my life without all those special things. Don't want to walk around being tied to anyone else's strings."
~Strings, Blink 182
Their restaurant reservation was at eight, so Bethany had more than enough time to get ready. She had laid out her game plan to Steve, telling him how long she'd be in the shower, how long it would take her to do her hair and makeup and how long they had in between all of that to fool around. "But you can't set me back," she had warned. It had been said playfully, but he knew that she meant it seriously.
Steve had taken the liberty to make a playlist for the night, selecting all Postmodern Jukebox songs. It had been a better discovery than microwavable popcorn. He could enjoy new songs, current songs, without the melodies and voices he despised. He didn't know he could enjoy a vulgar song like Wiggle as much as he did.
Something odd that Steve had noticed was that Bethany knew the songs. The majority of them all came out, both cover and original, after the entire New York debacle. It was both reassuring and hurtful. One, her memories could be slowly seeping back and he'd get his wife back. But on the other hand, she remembered songs but not their wedding, or the birth of their son.
Bethany had been in the shower for a good ten minutes already, so Steve decided that it was a good time to start shaving. She would be less than pleased if he was trying to shave while she was finishing her makeup. The music got louder and the air got thicker as he entered the bathroom, pulling off his t-shirt so he wouldn't get it wet. Bethany was singing along, and when Steve chanced a look, he could see her shadow against the shower curtain dancing around to the song. He chuckled to himself as she wiggled to the melody, but soon felt a stirring inside of him. He could see her full curves and the small peaks of her breasts. Her body always made him weak. But he could almost—well, as of the last year or so—control himself. But it had been a while, and he knew that tonight was the night.
"Enjoying the view?" Bethany teased as her head popped around the corner. It made his heart skip a beat, unaware that she had noticed his leering. He quickly reminded himself that this was his wife, and he had seen her much more intimately over the years.
"Uhh, yeah," Steve admitted, a shy smile on his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Hop in," Bethany encouraged. "I'll help you shave."
"Don't you have a schedule to keep to?" Steve joked, gathering his shaving supplies.
"It benefits me too, since I need help shaving," She explained, taking his supplies and moving to lay them along the edge of the tub as he began to strip the rest of his clothes.
"Help shaving with what?" Steve asked, frowning slightly. It was when she pulled the shower curtain open for him that he realized. "Ohh."
"I usually wax," Bethany added, looking down at her mound.
"I don't mind," Steve told her quickly. "Honestly, Beth. You don't have to."
She scoffed, but had a smile on her face otherwise. "Why do you assume its for you? God, Steve, not everything revolves around you."
Steve made a little contented sound, putting his hands on Bethany's shoulders and switching their places so he could get wet. He closed his eyes and savored the heat for a moment, opening his eyes to see Bethany taking him in. "Enjoying the view?" Steve teased her.
"Very much so," Bethany promised with a satisfied smirk on her face. "I want to do something. We don't have enough time for repayments now, so just let me do this because I want to."
"Okay…" Steve said, unsure of what she was talking about until she lowered herself down in front of him and began to run her hands up and down his legs. He could feel her breath tickling him softly, and he immediately began to feel his desire welling up in him. Steve closed his eyes just as Bethany's soft hands took a hold of him.
The very last thing Steve thought he'd find when he returned to his room that night was a very naked Bethany draped across his bed, with only a thin sheet covering her. For a moment, he didn't know what to do. He even forgot how to breathe. Their experience the night before had been majorly in the dark, but tonight there was a dim light from the candles on his desk casting shadows across the room.
"Close the door," Bethany's voice tempted him. It was filled with want but he could tell she was enjoying this. His lack of knowledge. Swallowing thickly, Steve did as she asked, making sure it was tightly shut and locked before turning back to look at her. "Is this not okay?"
"Uhh…" Was all that came out. In a way, he wanted to say no. He wanted to insist that the night before was a one-night experience, at least until marriage. He wanted to show her that they didn't need to be sexually active to be together. That this wasn't all he wanted from her. In fact, he had worked hard those past months on being her friend trying to show her that she was worth so much more.
But he wanted her. And more than that, he could tell she wanted him. Knowing this, that she wanted him in the most intimate way, just made him want her even more. He had practiced control continually through his life. But seeing her, with desire and lust clouding her green eyes, because she wanted him…
She sat up, holding the sheet to her chest, but he could tell that it was for his sake, not hers. "Steve, if you don't want this-"
"I do," he said suddenly, even surprising himself. "I do," he repeated softer, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.
"But?" Bethany asked, a small smile gracing her face. "I know there's a but coming."
Steve bowed his head for a moment, his hair slipping from his coif before looking up at her. "This isn't how I thought it would be."
Her face softened, a hand carefully touching his bicep. "I know that. I know you're not like the other men I've… Steve, I know you're different. If you don't want to, we don't have to. And I won't tempt or push you past how I typically behave."
Steve chuckled at that, knowing that even when trying to be well-mannered, it was hard to conceal her personality. "It's war, Steve. Anything could happen. We could die, or never see each other again. Each night could be the last. And while I would be content with last night being it… I want to live it again. I've never felt so protected and loved before. Not even my own father made me feel as safe as I felt while being in your arms."
He smiled at that. It warmed his heart that everything he felt for her, his undying need to protect her and his ever faithful love was evident. "I'm glad," he admitted. "Look, last night… was the best night of my life. You were worth the wait. Not that there were other opportunities-"
"Oh, hush up," Bethany interrupted, moving closer to him. "If you remember, those USO girls spent a few days on the base. I heard them talk. And it wasn't just because of your body. Although, it doesn't hurt. It made me feel new heights of pleasure."
The blanket had slipped down her chest a little. It still covered her nipples, but he could see the pale pink that surrounded them. "Okay," Steve found himself saying. In his mind, Bethany was it. There wouldn't be another after her. She was his first and only. They had already done it once. They could do it again. He didn't understand how something so beautiful and fulfilling would ever be a bad thing. Especially between them.
"Okay what?" Bethany asked, confused.
He moved a hand up to her lips, touching the bottom one with his thumb. He could feel a sharp blow of air slip from her body, the dark desire in her eyes returning. "Okay," he said again, but this time he knew that she understood. She gave him a bright smile, watching as it turned into a sexy smirk.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Bethany all but purred.
"Instructions…" Steve replied truthfully. A giggle came from Bethany, but as always, he knew she wasn't laughing at him in the way people had his entire life. It came from admiration. It was one of the things he loved about her the most.
"No," she announced, lying down on the bed.
"No?" Steve asked, confused.
"Do what you will," Bethany explained, gesturing a hand to her body. "I'll let you know what I like and don't like, but I want you to explore me. And then, in turn, I'll explore you. We know each other pretty well, but not like this. This is still brand new territory. Plus, I don't want to give you instructions. I want you to do what feels right."
While he was a little nervous, he was also excited. She had given him some instructions and encouragement the night before, but he could tell that she wanted to see what he would do. "And if you don't like something-"
"I'll tell you," Bethany assured. "But don't shy away from it. Anything that comes to mind, anything that feels right. Do it. Don't worry about what I might say or do in return. Just do it."
Again, that made him nervous, but also excited. She was giving him an opportunity to do whatever he wanted, and to do it without fear. He couldn't promise he would follow through on everything, but he could promise to try. "But first," she began. "Take off your clothes. Let's even the playing field."
Steve stilled for a moment before hesitantly doing what she asked of him. He felt embarrassed, despite her having seen him more than once. He started thinking about what he wanted to do first. What he wanted to touch, kiss, suck, massage. As each piece of clothing was shed, a sheepish idea floated to his head, not entirely sure if it was proper bedroom manner, but wanting to do it anyways. And with each idea, the harder he got.
When he turned to her, she was eyeing him with hunger. Her lips were wet and parted and he didn't miss how one thumb was grazing over her nipple lightly. "Whatever I want?" He asked quietly, still unsure.
"Even if you think it's wrong," Bethany nodded. "Steve, I trust you. I trust that if I want you to stop, you will. And this will be fun, if you stop trying to overthink it."
She was right. He knew she was right. So with her reassurance he slowly peeled the blanket off her body and sat beside her. He took in her full appearance, starting with her hair, to her eyes, down her freckled nose. Then came her perfect bow shaped lips, down her neck to her chest and looking across the sides to see the round mounds and the excitement that had settled there. Continuing his discovery, he took in her flat stomach, and her deep bellybutton, downwards towards her full hips to a carefully trimmed core. His gaze lingered there for a moment before finishing his journey at the tips of her feet.
"Is it always…" He began, not sure how to finish it. But he gestured to the short hair between her legs.
"I had a partner who didn't like the hair," she started slowly, watching him carefully. "It was a fleeting romance, but I learned to keep it looking trimmed and clean. If I get really bored, I'll rid it all together."
He winced, not wanting to know how much that would hurt, or how difficult it was. The curls were very thin, and a very light shade of brown. They were almost non-existent however. It would take very little and she'd be bare. He had planned on starting there, but decided to start at her breasts.
Steve moved a shaky hand to cup the outside of her breast. He looked up at her, but she just waited, curious to what he would do. "What's going through your mind?"
"Does it hurt? To squeeze?" Steve asked after a moment of weighing the breast.
"Why don't you find out?" Bethany returned and Steve took that as a sign to go ahead. He squeezed the entire breast. He got no reaction from Bethany, so he tried again but with more force. He got no response from her until the mound slipped from his hand and his fingers tweaked her nipple. She had bit her lip, trying to keep her smile hidden, but he saw it.
So this time, he squeezed her nipple. First, lightly. Then a little harder. He kept going until a small whimper came from her. He felt a sense of accomplishment. But he wanted more. So this time, he squeezed and twisted it, holding it like that until her hips moved upwards and she let out a jagged breath. He released it, moving to do the same to the other. Same response.
Dipping his head, following his instincts and his wants, he placed a kiss on the erect nipple. Bethany let out a happy hum, one of her hands moved to intertwine itself in his hair. Taking this as encouragement, he deepened the kiss, sucking on it lightly. He could feel her shifting on the bed, and the longer and harder he sucked, even lightly nipping it, the louder her whimpers became, until they finally grew into a moan.
He moved his body to lay atop of hers, making sure not to place too much weight on her petite frame. Bethany encouraged this position as she placed her leg around his waist, holding him close to her. He let out a deep groan, feeling how slick and ready she was and he had barely even started. He wondered who would hold out longer, him or her. She had more experience, but something was telling him that by her whimpers and her wet core, he had the upper hand.
Steve took another chance and lightly pressed his teeth against her nipple. Her reaction was immediate. The cry she let out almost made him pull away all together, but her actions encouraged him as she pressed her hips against his. What Steve really wanted to do was slip into her and get lost in pleasure. He was hard and dripping, every little movement and wiggle of her body made him ache a little more.
He dragged his lips up her neck and chin to capture her own lips. She hungrily responded to his kisses, her hands moving out of his hair and across the expanse of his back. Her touches were feather light, a huge contrast compared to the harshness of her kisses. But Steve was setting the pace on which their lips moved, and Bethany was just responding in turn.
He felt one of his hands move down her side, across her bottom and hold her leg firmly against him. It felt so natural. He barely had to think about it. Bethany had let out a strangled moan of approval as her core was pressed firmly against him. He could feel her arousal spreading across his tip and stomach and he dug his fingers into her flesh at the sudden rush of pleasure.
Bethany broke the kiss by turning her head, gasping for air as she did so. Steve studied her for a moment, looking at the crazed look shining in her green eyes. Bethany's lips were swollen and red, her smile lazy, but filled with contentment. But despite her lustful appearance and heaving chest, not to mention the small whimpers she let out as Steve pulled her leg up higher, she seemed at ease.
"What next?" Bethany breathed, sliding her hips slightly, coating more of his skin with her arousal. This time, Steve let out the moan, his head falling in the crook of her neck for a moment. Bethany let out a small chuckle, followed by a hum of happiness.
"I wanted to explore more of you," Steve explained after he lifted his head. "But I don't know if I can hold on."
"It'll be better if you do," Bethany said in a sing-songy voice.
He nodded, knowing that she was probably right, and gathered all the strength he had. He unwound her leg from his hip, pulling them apart and sitting up. She sat up slightly, her weight on her elbows as she took in his erection with a small shudder. If possible, her look of desire increased tenfold.
He hesitated for a moment before pulling her legs up onto his shoulders. Bethany squealed as he did it in one quick movement, falling onto her back and raising her hands above her head. Her knees folded at his shoulders and Steve looked at her core carefully.
He touched the outer lip, moving it aside carefully, as if it was the most precious thing in the world. Steve carefully ran a finger down the inner fold, watching as her deep arousal seemed to flow out of her with little difficulty. It made his heart both clench and soar to see her dripping like this, all from his work. He didn't know why he had been so nervous earlier. This was the ultimate encouragement.
"Mmmmm," Bethany let out, closing her eyes and biting her lip softly. He could tell that while she was enjoying the soft touches, she hadn't reached a painful level of desperation. He wanted to drive her so wild with emotion that she was all but begging for release. And he would give it to her, willingly.
Using both hands, he pulled her folds back, taking in how swollen and glistening they were. Thick parts of her want gathered in specific areas, but the entire area was coated with desire. Steve licked his lips, having an odd urge to run his tongue up and down the slit. He had heard his team talk about this, and he had always tried to tune it out. It seemed… gross to him. But now… now he was thinking that it wasn't gross at all. In fact, he was hungry for her.
Taking in a deep breath, he decided that this was something he'd have to try another day, after paying a little more attention to what the men were saying. Discreetly, of course. Instead, he brushed his thumb from the bottom of the slit and all the way to the top. "Yes," Bethany whispered when he lightly touched the top of the bud. Steve smiled, circling it softly. Bethany let out another hum of approval and he shifted her slightly. Using one hand to hold her folds open entirely, he exposed the bud completely to him. He watched as it seemed to pulse lightly. He was drawn to its colour, its shape and when he touched it, the reaction he got from it.
Her hips jolted, legs quivered and she let out a strangled whimper. Her breathing tensed while her fists clenched and Steve knew he had found a weakness. Again, he had heard of this spot, one of the many a woman seemed to have, but he never assumed that one touch could drive Bethany so crazy.
"More," Bethany whispered, her voice dripping with desperation.
Steve dipped his thumb lower to collect some of her wetness before rubbing it against the bud again, up and down, up and down. He kept a slow pace until Bethany begged for him to go faster. So he did. Faster. And faster. His eyes were everywhere, taking in all about her. The way her lips were parted, the rise and fall of her breasts, the arch of her back and the way her core was pulsing with a passion.
"Ahhhh,"Bethany moaned. "Steve, I…I'm… Oh, shit."
Her swearing didn't even bother him in that moment watching as her entire body began to react as she reached her peak. She seemed to become a million times more beautiful in that moment than she had been before, and he always thought that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Possibly, in all of time.
Her curls were spread across the pillow like a halo, her smile angelic as well. Steve slowed his movements as her hips began to shake erratically, her bud becoming too sensitive. "You're so beautiful," Steve mused as she slowly fell from her high, her eyes lazy. His hands were covered in her juices, which were also running down her thighs. He would have to carefully clean her up, not to mention clean his sheets. But not yet. He wasn't done with her yet.
Bethany seemed to read his mind as one of her hands reached under the pillow and pulled out a condom. Steve reached out for it, but captured her entire hand, leaning down to kiss the top of her hand before taking the condom from her.
He watched her carefully as he took the rubber out of the package and rolled it onto himself. Steve had been so entranced in Bethany's every sound and move that he hadn't realized just how erect he was. Just rolling the rubber on drew little hisses from him. Bethany just continued to smile, her eyes still in a post-orgasm haze.
Steve gave her a small smile, lowering her legs down to around his waist and leading his hips moving forward slightly. Bethany let out a grateful cry when he pressed his tip against her. He could feel her heat and it was intoxicating. Bethany reached out, silently asking for his hands. He indulged her, intertwining their fingers as he rolled his hips forward, letting himself be swallowed by her heat. Bethany threw her head back as a cry of pleasure escaped her lips.
Steve let out a groan, letting the pleasure take over all of him. Bethany pulled herself up, wrapping her legs around him and connecting their lips as she set their pace, Steve unable to move by the sheer gratification he felt from just being inside her. Soon, his hips started to meet hers, his hands untwining from hers as they moved down to cup her behind, trying to push himself deeper. He was rewarded by a lust filled gasp as Bethany broke the kiss, her head falling to the crook of his neck.
Even as the desire to go fast, to pound himself into oblivion came over him, he kept a steady pace. He didn't want to chance hurting her, not when everything was so perfect. Her hips had created an interesting rhythm, moving back and forth as well as in small circles. Her arousal was coating his hips, the only sounds in the room being their harsh breathing, occasional sounds of delight and the sweet slick sounds of their hips meeting. Bethany's breath was hot against his neck, her lips briefly touching his skin during some of the deeper thrusts. Both their hearts were hammering, their skin covered in sweat and their hair damp. But Steve didn't feel exhausted, or exerted. He felt alive and full of energy.
"Yes," Bethany whispered, her fingers digging into his biceps. "Oh, God Steve."
He tilted his head to kiss her temple before pushing them back so he hovered over her. He could push further into her now, and their trusts seemed more natural. One of his hands trailed to her hip while the other cupped her face as he kissed her again. Pushing in and tilting his hips a little, he let out a strangled moan from the back of his throat as her walls began to clench, first at a random pace, but then they grew stronger with a harmonizing rhythm. Her undoing was when Steve's lips left hers and moved to a soft spot on her neck, sucking on the skin.
This time, her mouth opened to express the bliss that overtook her, but nothing came out, so overwhelmed with what was happening. Steve tried to hold on a little longer, but his own release hit him quicker than he thought possible and lasting longer than it ever had. He had no control over his movements anymore. Bethany's own hips were moving irregularly as she enjoyed the aftershocks of her orgasm and Steve's were clumsy as they met hers. His fingers were digging into her thigh, a little harder than he intended to, but having very little control over how he controlled himself.
His strength gave out for a moment, as he fell on top of her. She didn't object as she wrapped her arms around him tightly, cradling his head against her neck. Steve let a lazy smile pull at his lips, feeling safe in her arms.
"Amazing," Steve was able to voice after he regained his strength. He held his head up, looking at her content smile.
"Yes, you were," Bethany teased lightly, giving him a small push so that he laid on his back, with one of her legs draped over his stomach, her head resting on his shoulder.
Steve couldn't help but smile. He felt an immense amount of happiness throughout his entire system. It was coursing through his veins, and he could see how addicting this feeling could be. He never wanted to be torn from this moment. Steve remembered that outside his bedroom, men and women alike were trying to win a war. He pulled Bethany closer to him, taking in the smell of her hair.
"Did you just smell me?" Bethany teased lightly, laying a small kiss on his chest.
He didn't answer her, just taking in how utterly perfect she was. Her smooth skin, rosy nipples, toned legs… And he couldn't help but repeat to himself that she was his. She's mine, he thought to himself.
He hadn't realized that he had said it aloud, however. Not until Bethany chuckled. "Yours, huh?" He felt embarrassed suddenly. Bethany was strong. For the most part, she was fairly independent. She had always told men that she wasn't anyone's girl. Oh, but did he ever want her to be his and only his.
"Yeah, okay," she allowed. "I'll be yours."
That shocked him to the core, moving his head to look at her face. "Really?"
"Well, here's the thing Steve," Bethany began. "You're inexperienced. But letting anyone else have me… I'm pretty sure it can't get any better. Which is crazy, because there's only room for improvement with you. And I can't wait. There's absolutely no one else I'd rather be with like this. If I had to tie myself to someone..."
Steve gave her a watery smile, leaning down to kiss her. "I love you so much."
"I know," she whispered lightly. "And that's why being with you is so great. You loved me before getting into bed with me. Not to get into bed."
She looked a little sad then, and Steve knew she hadn't been given the best of luck when it came to love and men before. "Hey, I won't do that to you."
"I know. Steve, believe me, I know," Bethany smiled, moving to straddle him. She moved her wild curls to one side, biting her lip carefully before bending down to kiss him.
Steve let out a strangled groan as he reached his end, watching as Bethany greedily took everything he gave with a sly smile on her face. One of his hands was on the shower wall while the other was tangled in her damp curls. She let him slip from her lips before standing up slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Steve reached out and wiped some cum off her lips before shaking his head with a smile. "What?" Bethany asked, her sexy smile making him ache for her again.
"I can't believe I used to think you were an angel," Steve explained, to which Bethany feigned insult. "Nothing close to an angel after that."
"You liked it," Bethany reminded him, tapping his chest lightly.
Steve hummed, bending his head to kiss her. Her arms wrapped around his neck in response and Steve let his hand run down her back and down around her ass. He dipped a finger farther and felt how wet she had become. She let out a small moan in response but pulled apart.
"No," she warned. "We'll be late for our reservation."
"Oh, come on," Steve tested, pulling her closer to him. "We can be quick about it."
He was already starting to get hard again, and Bethany gave him an amused but disappointed shake of her head. "I want you inside of me," Bethany promised, making him twitch in response. "But… I would rather wait for when we don't have to be quick about it."
"We can call down and let them know that we'll be late," Steve tested her, leaning down to kiss her sweet spot. Her breath quivered. He knew he had her as he sucked on it hungrily. This spot had always been a weakness of hers, pulling her into the heights of pleasure.
"Damn it," Bethany breathed. "No."
Steve broke away, leaning his forehead against her shoulder. By her tone, she wasn't angry. She was amused. "But-"
"Steve, I'd rather be aroused and waiting, building up the anticipation and enjoy release when it finally comes than having to take another shower after we have sex. Because if I said yes, we wouldn't be having it in the shower. It would be on the bed. Speaking of, did you change the sheets?"
Steve sighed, realizing that this was a lost battle. "Yes, I changed the sheets," he replied dutifully. Bethany was uncomfortable with the idea of leaving the sheets covered in sweat for the maids, and he had even enlisted Natasha's help of slipping into their hotel room during their wedding to prepare the bed for them so that he wouldn't have to when the time came.
"Good. Now, be a good boy and stay still while I shave you," Bethany instructed.
Steve had been banished to the bedroom while Bethany finished getting ready. She stated it was so that she would be able to surprise him, but he figured it was because she couldn't risk him distracting her. When she was shaving him, he was running his hands all across her body and kissed every place he could while she blow dried her hair. He was trying to get her to cave, but Bethany was adamant on waiting. In truth, he liked the the fact that she wanted to wait. He just liked teasing her. She had always done that to him and it was a nice change.
He chuckled to himself as he fixed his tie. Natasha had just sent him a photo of Jamie sleeping soundly in Thor's arms, drooling over the demi-god's forearm. Seeing his face looking so much like Bethany's, but still seeing himself in their son… it was surreal. However, there was one very specific difference. Bethany never drooled when she slept, no matter how wide open her mouth was. No, Steve thought for a second. She drooled that night she drank too much. He would've been amused if he hadn't been so annoyed with her actions that night.
"Beth, we'll be late," Steve called out as he fixed the watch Bethany got him and pulled on his jacket.
"Okay, I'm coming," Bethany replied, opening the bathroom door. "Oh, ow," she whispered as she tripped over her foot on her way out. "Weird how people say 'ow' when something doesn't necessarily hurt, huh?"
Steve's mouth dropped a little as he took her in. She hadn't looked that good in… well, a really long time. She had a smoky eye going on, her lips with a pale shimmer and cheeks rosy. Her hair was all pulled to one side, a white flower securing the hair back as it tumbled in sexy waves on the other side. He recognized the way her hair fell. It wasn't just curls, it was 1940s finger waves, the type that always made him smile.
"You like?" Bethany asked, her voice a little unsure as he looked down her body. It was framed by a silk navy blue dress, a heavy slit showing one leg and the neck plunging very low. A thin strip of material around her neck held the dress up. The dress was dangerous, and Bethany had a body to kill, making Steve forget himself for a moment. On the bottom of a thin chain along her neck hung a small diamond, one that matched her earrings, her bracelet and wedding rings.
"Shit," Steve swore under his breath, unable to help himself. He was rewarded with a bright smile from Bethany, along with a small chuckle.
"I take it you approve," Bethany teased, sauntering over to him and reaching out to play with his tie.
"Yes," Steve said, swallowing hard, placing his hands on her waist. "How? How are you so…"
"That's what I think when I look at you, handsome," Bethany replied honestly. Steve took one of her hands and kissed the top of it before looking at her rings. When he showed them to her, unsure one night when they were lying in bed relaxing, he wasn't sure how she would react. She loved them, however. She had accepted that they were married, and that seemed to be very little of her concern. The ring was just the cherry on top of the sundae in her book.
"You're perfect," Steve whispered to her, truth laced in his words. "And you're mine. I still can't believe that."
Bethany laughed, flashing him a brilliant smile. "Let's go, Captain. I'm starving."
Bethany took a sip of her drink before sending Steve a sultry wink. She was teasing him. She had been all night. He could tell that she wasn't doing it to toy with his emotions, but doing it because she was trying to get him to stop blushing shyly every time a woman looked over at him. She claimed she was doing this for his benefit. Maybe she was. But he didn't have eyes for anyone else.
"I have it on good authority that Phillips is already fast asleep," Howard announced as he slipped into the chair next to his sister. "Which means curfew? Out the window."
"The city has a curfew," Bethany pointed out, pushing her heavy finger wave away from her eye. "Plus, you can't drink as you did last time. I don't think Steve is willing to carry you back like a tearful bride again."
"No thank you," Steve confirmed, finishing the last of his beer. "You're not exactly… pleasant when you're drunk, Howard."
Bethany let out a loud chuckle, clearly agreeing with him. "You flirt with everything," Bethany explained.
"So I've been told," Howard replied, rolling his eyes. "Hey, Bucky is no better."
"I only flirt with things with boobs," Bucky defended himself.
"No, you don't," Steve and Bethany said at the same time, sharing a small smile with each other.
"This is great," Bethany said after a moment of silence. "Sucks that this all because of a war, but… this is great. Too bad Peggy couldn't make it."
"She could," Howard announced, taking a sip of his drink. "She said she'd rather get farther in her work than be up all night partying."
"She takes offense when men ask her to dance and treat her like a piece of meat, but then gets all defensive when they treat her like glass," Bethany explained. "She has really high standards."
"Whereas you don't?" Howard asked.
Bethany scoffed, giving him a gentle push. "I do. But if someone asks me to dance, who am I to say no?"
Steve received a look from Bucky at that. His friend had been spending every waking moment trying to get Steve to ask her to dance. Bucky in turn told Steve that he had brought the subject up to the beautiful blonde. "She said she's not going to ask you. She knows what it means to you and if you want to dance with her then you have to ask. Which sounds fair enough to me, Steve."
Steve agreed. It did sound fair. And he wanted to be the one to ask her anyways. But it made him uneasy since she said 'yes' to dancing with everyone. If they asked, she went. He was positive that if the Red Skull himself asked her to dance, she'd say 'yes'.
"I'll stop when I find the right guy," Bethany reasoned. "But how am I supposed to find the right guy if I just stay in my room and go to bed early? Or just sit at a table and be a good girl?"
"She has a point," Bucky agreed.
"That's how most girls find a guy," Howard pointed out, to which Bethany rolled her eyes.
"And am I like most girls?"
"No," Steve replied quickly, earning him a sweet smile from the girl. "More drinks anyone?"
"You picking up the tab, Rogers?" Howard asked curiously.
"I thought you were," Steve asked with a moment of panic when he realized how much he had already drank.
"I will," Bethany volunteered. "I should start paying my share, knowing how much I've mooched off you three lately."
"Ha," Bucky let out a loud laugh. "That's an understatement."
"Hush up, Barnes," Bethany replied with an amused shake of her hand as she got out of her chair. "I'll help you, Steve."
He nodded, holding out his hand when she got close. The ground was littered with broken glasses and alcohol. The last thing he wanted was for her to fall, cut something and heal in front of everyone. "Thank you, kind sir," Bethany replied with a sweet giggle.
"My pleasure, fair lady," he said in turn, leading her to the bar.
"What'll it be this time?" The bartender asked.
"Um," Bethany began, counting the drinks on her hand. "Another round for Steve and Bucky, Hurricane for Howard, Bronx for me, heavy on the gin and… six shots of whiskey?"
"Coming right up ma'am," the man said as he went to gather the drinks.
"Six shots of whiskey?" Steve asked, one eyebrow raised slightly in amusement.
"Two for me, two for you and two for the lightweights," Bethany explained, making Steve laugh. He felt an overwhelming amount of love surge up in him and he almost said it out loud. He was happy that someone came up and interrupted him or else he would be regretting everything he had ever done to lead him to that moment.
"Sorry to interrupt," a soldier began, smiling flirtatiously at Bethany. "Would you give me this dance? If your boyfriend doesn't mind."
Steve wanted to say that he did mind, but quickly remembered he had no right to say no. "Oh, no. We're… we're…" Bethany trailed off, looking to Steve. "We're not a couple. But Steve? Do you mind?"
He opened his mouth, but hesitated for a moment. "N-no. No, go ahead."
"Okay," Bethany nodded, placing a hand on his arm for a moment. "I won't be long."
Steve watched as the soldier led Bethany to the dance floor, putting his hand on her waist and taking the other in his hand as they started to sway to the music. He sighed, watching with some jealously.
It did make him happy to see her ask for his permission, as if it mattered. "Sir?" The bartender said after a few minutes had passed. "Your drinks?"
"Right, thanks," Steve nodded. "Just-"
"Put it on the tab, I know," the bartender replied. "I know you four are good for it."
Steve nodded once, taking the tray that the drinks were on and carefully bringing it over to the table. "For the love of God, Rogers, stop torturing yourself," Howard said as he grabbed his drink.
"Huh?" Steve asked, looking down at the man. He hadn't realized that he had been staring at Bethany and her dance partner.
"Isn't it painful?" Bucky agreed as Steve sat down. "Steve, she isn't going to give you a chance until you take one yourself."
"I know, I know," Steve whispered. "I just…"
"You don't want her to crush you," Howard finished. "Look, when our parents died, I let Bethany be who she wanted to be. As long as she wasn't out all night or didn't let her grades slip or wasn't putting herself in harm's way, she could do what she wanted to do."
"And she became the world's biggest flirt?" Bucky asked.
"She became too smart for her own good," Howard replied. "She quickly realized that she could affect men the way they affected her. She quickly realized that her sweet smile could get her what she wanted. She's beautiful. Even as her brother, I know this. I see the way men look at her. I wish I stopped her before her reputation became what it is, but she's doing well all things considered."
"Her reputation is unfair," Steve defended her.
"Steve, she earned that reputation fair and square," Howard pointed out. "You've only seen a very… demure version of a flirtatious Bethany. She's changed. Or at least is changing. But…"
"She has it in her to crush me?" Steve asked, wincing a little.
Howard sighed. "I don't think she'd do it intentionally," he offered.
"Well, this way, I don't get hurt," Steve stated before taking a hearty drink of his beer, turning his gaze to Bethany.
"Ah, shit, not again," Bucky voiced as the soldier leaned down to kiss Bethany, to which Bethany tried to push away.
"Who's turn is it?" Howard asked, knowing that more than once, men had gone farther than Bethany wanted and sometimes she needed a helping hand.
"All of us," Steve stated quickly, watching the scene unfold. Bethany had successfully pulled her head away, telling him to stop, only having the soldier hold her closer and roam her body forcefully.
"Stop," he heard her say strictly, trying to free herself. All three men got up, pushing their way towards her.
"She said to stop," Steve said loudly, taking his place behind Bethany.
"I can handle this Steve," Bethany assured him.
"Hey, buddy, leave us alone," the soldier said with an air of arrogance.
"You shouldn't have to," Steve reminded Bethany.
Howard took a step in, his cocky smile coming into play. "Listen, my sister gets-"
"Watch how you end that sentence, Howard," Bethany snapped.
"Just let the girl go," Bucky added.
The soldier looked at the three men and then back to Bethany before letting her go. "She isn't worth it anyways."
That's when Steve's fist went flying. "Steve!" Bethany called out, taking a grip of his arm. "Hey, it's fine. It's fine, let's just go."
"No, it's not," Steve replied, watching as the man got up off the ground, touching his bleeding and broken nose.
"Please," Bethany breathed, and he looked over to her. He sighed and nodded when he saw the look in her eyes. "Yeah? Okay, let's go."
Steve followed Bethany as she led him outside to get some fresh air, Bucky and Howard heading back to the table to finish their drinks. "Beth, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" She asked with a chuckle, running her hands up and down her bare arms as the brisk air met her skin. "Steve, don't apologize. I should've been more careful. I was giving him the wrong idea."
Steve began to unbuckle his jacket before undoing the buttons. "Turn around," he instructed. She gave him a soft smile, following his instructions and slipping her arms into the jacket. "Better?"
"You're a doll, you know that?" Bethany asked when she turned around, picking a hair that had flown across her face away and back into place. "I promise I'll be better. I don't realize what I'm doing until… well, until you punch a guy in the face."
"They shouldn't assume, Beth," Steve stated strongly. "You may be in the wrong, but so are they."
She nodded, leaning in to hug him. "I'm lucky to have someone like you. My self value seems to rise a little bit more every time I see you."
He raised a shaky hand up to her head and cradled it for a moment. Being so close to her was addicting and he couldn't help but imagine holding her like this with music playing and their bodies swaying.
Their bodies were pressed close together, probably closer than what was generally accepted at a fancy place like this, but Steve didn't care. He wanted her close, impossibly close. They were dancing along to a song that Steve didn't know, but Bethany did evidently. It was a live band, continuously playing romantic songs with a beautiful rhythm. The lights were dimmed and the drapes in the restaurant were heavy red velvet ones. Everything was perfect. She was perfect.
"People are staring," Steve noticed after a moment.
"Let them," Bethany replied, laying her head against his chest.
"I don't like them staring at you," Steve stated. "Especially in this dress. I liked this dress in the privacy of our room, but not so much anymore."
"Let them stare," Bethany repeated. "It doesn't matter if they're looking. I'm only looking at you."
Steve looked down to see that she was telling him the truth. He gave her a soft kiss, smiling down at her. "I remember being so afraid of asking you to dance. You said 'yes' to everyone, and I wanted to make sure it meant as much to you as it did to me."
"I wanted you to ask me," Bethany admitted after a moment. "I knew that you would probably be clumsy and shy about it, but you would be the only man I ever dance with who wouldn't have an ulterior motive. Want to hear a little secret?"
"Yes," Steve said with a smile.
"Sometimes, dancing is a metaphor for sex," she whispered. Steve laughed, kissing her again. "I couldn't help what I dreamt about."
"No, me neither," Steve replied. "I always felt guilty about it. And I really didn't know what to expect, even in my dreams."
"I always felt… conflicted," Bethany admitted. "I never knew what it meant. Those… Those years without you…" Her voice got quiet and Steve could feel guilt seeping into his pores. "I dreamt about you. All the time. And those dreams… sometimes I'd wake up and pretend that it was real. That you were just getting us food or were called away by Phillips."
"Hey," Steve began, stopping their dancing so he could cradle her chin. He studied her eyes for a moment before kissing her again. "I'm sorry."
Bethany gave him a watery chuckle. "For what? Protecting your country? The world? I needed those years, Steve. It made me who I am now. I didn't deserve you then. I like to think I'm getting closer to that goal."
"Hmmm," Steve mused, fingering one of her waves. "Doll Face, you've done me wrong more than once, and I keep coming back. That's because you have so much more to offer than you think."
"You mean sex?" Bethany asked with a wince on her face.
Steve face fell and he lead Bethany back to their table, a snug little booth tucked away from everyone else. They had been informed that it was for celebrities and politicians who wanted privacy. "Okay," Steve began as they sat close to each other, Steve holding her hands. "Let's say you were horrible in bed. Let's say you were hideous. Let's say you smelled…"
He got a small, unsure smile from her on the last one. "Steve…"
"None of that would matter," Steve continued. "Yes, it's a fantastic benefit. But I never cared about those. They're just added bonuses. To begin with, you're brilliant. Not just with science and math, but you're sarcastic and witty. And you know how to make me smile. I love the way you start to mumble to yourself when you're thinking, and how despite the fact that you can take care of yourself, you've always let me anyways. Even when we weren't together."
"Steve," she whispered, her eyes watering, but he couldn't tell if it was from sadness or happiness.
"Beth, I've loved you before all your mistakes and I always will after. You've already crushed me. And I know it can only get better," Steve whispered, a hand moving to her knee before he bent his head down to kiss her.
He took advantage of the booth being out of view and deepened the kiss, moving a hand to her neck and slipping his tongue into her mouth. Bethany's hands moved to his jacket, gripping it tightly as she met and returned everything he was giving. They had never kissed like this in public. Not even when he would come back from a dangerous mission. Yes, they would cling onto the other and not hold what they were feeling. But none of them were like this one.
"Stop," Bethany breathed with a chuckle. "Stop. Our food hasn't come yet. And I heard your stomach growling earlier."
Steve closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath and putting a little bit of distance between them. "No, you're right. You're right. I… I've missed this. We haven't had this in… a really long time."
"What? Like a few months?" Bethany teased. "'Cause to me…"
"Never," Steve realized after a moment. "We never… went out dancing. Before."
"No," Bethany agreed. "Better late than never."
"They were nice," Steve said, talking about the elderly couple they encountered in the elevator that were there for their honeymoon. Steve closed the door to their hotel room, shrugging off his jacket. "Maybe we'll be like that one day. Beth?"
When he turned around, she quickly pushed him up against the door, kissing him hungrily. He didn't let shock overcome him. He moved his lips to the same rhythm as her, his hands trying to touch everything at once. She moaned as she tried to get the tie off his neck.
Steve moved his hand to cup her ass, pulling her up so their necks wouldn't have to strain as much. With her feet off the ground and legs now wrapped around his waist, he moved them away from the door and towards the bed. He carefully laid them on the bed, but that was the only careful thing about what was happening. Their kisses were strong and powerful and needy.
"Ugh, this stupid thing," Bethany moaned when they broke apart. She had loosened the knot on the tie enough and was now trying to pull it over his head.
"I got it, I got it, I got it," Steve insisted as it got stuck on his ears. While he took it off, Bethany got to work on unbuttoning his shirt. When both of their tasks were done, Steve looked at her for a moment. The lust was heavy in her eyes. He had a feeling that no matter how hard he would try to keep their pace slow, Bethany needed to get the thick desire out of her system.
He smiled to himself for a moment, remembering something very specific about the urgency they were about to have. "Hey, remember a certain deal I made about calling you pet names?"
"Yeah…?" Bethany said, unsure at first, but a knowing smile on her lips.
"Yeah," was all Steve said before he bent his head back down to kiss her as she pushed his shirt off his wide shoulders and hungrily ripped the shirt he had on underneath in two. That only fed the hunger Steve was craving, him pulling her thighs up higher around his waist, his hands gripping her under the silk of her dress.
His fingers were digging deep into her skin, but Bethany couldn't feel the pain. There wouldn't even be a mark in the morning. All she could feel right then and there was a growing sense of pleasure. His lips moved to her neck, sucking and biting the tender skin while her hands moved to his bare back, her nails marking him.
Bethany let out a loud moan, one that she should have been embarrassed about but absolutely didn't care, and Steve could tell. She wanted him to know how much she needed him and he knew. Did he ever know.
The lines she was dragging up and down his back were painful enough for Steve to let out a hiss, but he couldn't deny the shockwave of pleasure that was surging through him with every ounce of pain. "Now, Steve. Please," Bethany whined.
Steve laughed against her skin. "I thought you didn't want it to be rushed."
"Do you… think I… care now?" She asked in between heavy breaths, her hips grinding against him in an attempt to get any sort of friction.
Steve moved his head up to look at her, studying her dress. "How do I get this off?"
"Pull it over my head..?" Bethany said, as if it was the stupidest thing he has ever asked, and he had to admit, it probably was. As he pulled the dress over her head, he touched as much skin as he could. Underneath the navy blue silk, she was wearing a black lace set, accentuating her curves. His hands pawed at her round breasts, giving them a tentative squeeze as Bethany let out a wanton-like moan.
"Pants," Bethany breathed, placing a hand on Steve's chest and pushing him up a little so she could sit. As he stood in front of her, her skilled hands went to his belt, working to free him from the dress pants as he pulled the flower and bobby pins out of her hair. He wanted to run his hands through the waves, cradle her head as they kissed passionately and played with them when it was all said and done.
Steve wiggled his pants off, grunting as they got stuck on his dress shoes and impatiently trying to heel them off. Struggling to get the second one off, he heard a whimper from Bethany, looking down at his wife to see one hand in between her thighs, running up and down then back up and circling. He could see how wet she was even with her thong on. He felt a heavy pulse run through him.
Without even caring if the shoes would be ruined, he forcefully pulled his foot out and leaned down to take a hold of Bethany's hips. Pressing his fingertips into her skin, he lifted her up and tossed her into the center of the bed, head in the direction of the backboard, before crawling over to her.
Steve pressed his erection against her, watching as she threw her head back in delight. Her legs automatically moved to wrap around him, grinding herself against him urgently. They both still had their undergarments on, but from the sweet moans and whines coming from Bethany, this was all she wanted right now.
Steve was aching, and despite needing to be in her, the outer thrusts with her lips moving along his jawline was intoxicating. Steve's hands moved down her body and pulled down her thong. Pulling his hips away from hers, she cried out in protest, sending him a hateful glare that was more adorable than threatening.
He rewarded her by bending down, pulling her lips apart and placing an open kiss to her clit. A strangled cry came from the blonde as he sucked and lightly dug his teeth into flesh surrounding her nub. "Oh… ohmyGodSteve," she let out in one gasp. Steve placed one arm across her hips, keeping them from moving on their own accord as he continued to do this. He could feel her arousal all over his chin. He wanted to coat his aching erection with it, and bury himself deep within her, so deep that they wouldn't be able to tell where one ended and the other began.
Bethany's legs began to twitch, and with the way Steve knew her, her toes were clenching. Looking up at her, her appearance only egged him on. Both of her hands were forcefully grabbing her breasts, twisting, pulling and squeezing, while her head was thrown to the side, mouth opened as her breathing increased and eyes looking down at him. That was when he couldn't take it any longer. Sitting up, he pulled his boxers down and threw them across the room as Bethany unclasped her bra, which had been sitting around her stomach.
Bethany's hands fumbled to the box of condoms on the bedside table, in a hurry to continue. Steve didn't leave her waiting for long, but as he put the rubber on, she pushed him onto his back and straddled him. With the condom in place and Bethany hovering over Steve's body, he took a hold of her waist with plans to slowly lower her onto him.
But Bethany had other plans as she took a hold of him and quickly slid down, taking him in one swift movement. Her heat was immediate and Steve almost let himself go in that moment. "Steve," Bethany breathed, placing a hand down on his chest as the other took a firm grasp on her nipple, pulling it with such a force that milk began to come out.
Steve's hands moved around her hips, clenching at the soft, supple flesh of her ass, feeling Bethany clamp around him. "Beth," he whispered, egging her on. But instead of starting their pace, Bethany began to circle her hips, grinding her clit against him. Her walls clenched again, in erratic patterns.
Moving his hands back to her hips, he powerfully lifted her up against his shaft, his head on the edge of being free before he thrust his hips up into her. The force made Bethany lose her balance, her face ending up in the crook of his neck. "Fuck me," she whispered into his ear. "Please Steve."
She sounded so desperate, and knowing that only he could do what she wanted filled him with so much power as he flipped them around and began thrusting into her. Steve let out grunts as Bethany's moans turned into cries. She was begging for more, for her finish. He grew thankful that they brought their own sheets as Bethany's arousal was dripping everywhere. He captured her lips, swallowing her sounds of pleasure as he pushed them farther and farther into euphoria.
Bethany could feel her entire body tingling as Steve's fingers brushed up and down her arm as they kissed slowly. She was exhausted, ready for bed, but not ready for the night to end. She had lost count of how many times she had come. She wasn't even sure if she would have been able to count. Even if her mind wasn't so muddled that the only words she seemed to know were Steve's name and 'yes', she had back-to-back orgasms and she didn't know if that was one or two.
She hummed quietly as Steve's lips left hers and kissed her nose lightly. "What's going through your head, beautiful?"
"Orgasms," Bethany replied honestly, laughing a little. Steve joined in with her, leaning down to kiss her softly again. "Are you as tired as I am?"
"Yes," Steve answered. "We must be getting old. We used to be able to do this for hours."
"Getting old," Bethany mused. "I hope so Steve. I might cherish this more than sex."
"Really?" Steve asked, his fingers slowing their leisurely pattern.
"Mmmm," Bethany hummed. "The after sex glow, being in your arms. Knowing that this is enough…"
"Say it," Steve whispered against her forehead before kissing it softly.
"I love you," Bethany replied faithfully with a smile on her face.
Steve moved down to kiss her again, their lips moving together slowly. Bethany's fingers were trailing down the crevices of his chest. That warm tingly feeling in the pit of her stomach ignited again, but this time it wasn't fueled by arousal. She was just… happy.
When Steve's phone began to vibrate on the bedside table, Bethany told him to ignore it, too entrapped in her bliss to even care. "No," Steve whispered, pulling apart. "It could be about the boys."
The boys, Bethany thought to herself as Steve answered the phone. She had forgotten about them all together. It had just been her and Steve, like it always was before. Without the war, or SHIELD, or anything to interrupt their moment. She had forgotten that they had two little boys.
"Okay," Steve replied into the phone. "We'll be there soon. Thanks Romanoff."
"Can't they wait until morning?" Bethany asked as Steve hung up.
He sighed and shook his head. "It wasn't the boys. The computer. It found Jen."
**A/N: PSA- Teach your kids not to swing their legs. I spent the entire Marvel Universe Live show with a little kid kicking me. That's five months after spending the entire Disney on Ice show with another little kid kicking me. Same seats. Different kids. My little sister thinks it's hilarious. It is not. This concludes the PSA.
IrelandLover: Haha yeah, I love when babies look at you like you're the most incredible thing in the world and you're just like "I'm just eating a donut..."
sarahmichellegellarfan1: Was this worth the wait? *wiggles eyebrows*
Jo: Haha, yeah both Clint and Natasha are really comfortable in Bethany and Steve's apartment. Like my brother's best friend who comes into the house and makes himself food before my brother is even home from hockey :P
fallingforthecaptain: A little hiatus from Bucky and Kiley, but don't worry, they'll be back soon.
FeliciaFelicis: Haha yup! Basically, in that version, Bethany and Steve never dated during the war. Steve had always loved her, however. When he woke up, he decided to take a step in getting over Bethany and started to date Jen. But clearly patience isn't my strong suit cause they just jumped into bed at the first chance they had. Once Upon a Time? :) I watch it with my youngest sister. I make sure I have a show to watch with every member of my family so that I always have something to bond with them. HAHA, I didn't write that sentence with intentions to sound like Fury. Apparently we just like to question stupid ass decisions.