Chapter 11: I just wanna take your time
"Washington." Echoed Lola, her hands gripping the sides of the uncomfortable chair that faced Clint's desk. "You're sending me to Washington?"
"Yes." Said Clint boredly. "Only I did say that about three times, Stark."
"Sorry, I just can't quite believe it!"
"Well, you better. Even Vis is impressed with how well we're doing. Sales are up and the Sports pages are the talk of the industry. You must be doing something right."
"I hope so. I really want to do well at this."
"Good, because there's something else I need you to do."
"Anything."
Clint put down his coffee cup and leant back in his chair, eyeing up the bright-eyed hopeful in front of him.
"There's an idea. To bring two groups of people together." He began, and Lola nodded, her forehead crinkled in concentration. "Look, truth is, newspapers are a dying breed, and we need to act fast. We want to build a partnership with the NY Red Bulls, pitch the idea of a weekly magazine to them. Maybe even do their match programmes. It's not always as simple, but we got an inside man. You see what I'm getting at?"
"You want me to use my familial connections." Stated Lola, keeping her voice as neutral as possible.
"Well, that's all good and well but the Red Bull's chairman has to be on board too."
"Right." She smiled through tight lips and stood up. "Thanks, Clint."
"Stark?"
"Yeah?"
"Well done on getting off your ass."
Confusion plagued Lola's mind as she packed her bag and left the office. After her chat with Peggy, she felt like she was doing the right thing. And she was actually really beginning to enjoy soccer. It was exciting, and she had been keeping up with the English and Spanish leagues. Vis no longer looked down at her like she was a lowly peasant, and had even congratulated her on how her journalism skills were going from strength to strength. Finally feeling like she was moving forward positively, Clint asking her to use her 'connections' had thrown her off. She wanted to be more than just her father's daughter.
Sighing, she hailed a cab and headed to Josie's. It had become a daily habit while Natasha was in London covering Brexit. The apartment was awfully quiet, and so Lola would occupy a seat at Josie's bar with cheap beer and her notebook. She was a little old fashioned that way, thinking better with a pen rather than a keyboard.
Josie grunted in greeting, and placed a bottle down in front of Lola. It was a little busy tonight, and she found herself sitting next to a man drinking his own beer in silence as she read a text from Natasha. Ignoring him, she pulled out her notebook and began to plan her weekend in DC. The man shifted next to her and cocked his head to the side.
"You're late." He smirked and Lola's head snapped up.
"Excuse me?"
"You're late." he repeated. "You've been coming in for the past three days at exactly the same time, sitting in exactly the same place and doing the exact same thing."
"Are you stalking me?"
"No." chuckled the man, rolling his beer bottle between his hands. "It's nice to see a new face around here. Well, maybe not see…"
"It's probably for the best. You don't want to see the mess that I am right now."
"You don't sound like a mess, … ?"
"Lola."
"Matt. Can I buy you another drink? Only Josie's finest, of course."
There was a loud crash, followed by a loud groan. Lola looked around her surroundings wildly.
"Nelson and Murdock? Your office?" she giggled, as Matt fumbled with the key.
"It's closer." he shrugged, holding the door open.
"For a blind guy, there's more to you than meets the eye." she joked, looking around the relatively bare office.
Swivelling round, her giggles turned into a moan as his lips came crashing down on hers, every move of his mouth igniting passion. He walked her backwards, hands fumbling at each other's clothes in the darkness. She squealed as he swept her up and swiftly placed her on a desk, various stationery rolling to the floor and papers scattering out of their neat folders. Matt didn't seem to have a care in the world, as his lips began their assault on her neck, whispering sweet nothings about how beautiful she was.
Despite the shadows, it was obvious he worked out. The strong muscles of his arms twitched under her touch. The dark scruff on his face scratched against the soft skin of her neck, tickling enough to make her dig her fingernails into his shoulders. Tracing her fingers over the faint scars on his chest, she looked at him questioningly.
"How do you know?"
"Know what?" came his low voice.
"When you take a girl home, how do you know she's beautiful when you can't see?"
"There's more ways to see how beautiful a girl is than with your eyes." Matt whispered back, bringing his lips back to up Lola's, kissing her softly.
"How she tastes."
He leant his forehead against hers.
"The smell of her perfume."
His fingers ghosted over her bare skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
"The way she feels."
Letting his fingers dip lower, she gasped.
"The noises she makes."
"You're a charmer, you know that, Matt Murdock? No wonder you became a lawyer." she laughed, lying back on the desk.
"Let me show you just how charming I can be."
It was the combination of the constant beeping from the streets below, and the aroma of coffee that roused Lola. Blinking slowly in the morning light, she sat up, Matt's jacket clutched to her naked body. As if on cue, he came into his office, two cups in his hand and his unblinking eyes unperturbed by the sunshine streaming in.
"Good morning." he smiled, handing her a cup and taking a seat beside her.
"Hey." she smiled. He couldn't see it, but he felt it in the kiss she placed on his cheek. "Mm, sex and coffee? You're a hell of a lawyer."
He chuckled and took a sip from his own cup.
"You have a sense of humour before caffeine. I'm impressed. Foggy's definitely not a morning person."
"Does Foggy normally wake up naked on your office floor?"
"I can't say he has. But, the lease isn't up yet."
Lola snorted and looked around for her clothes.
"Speaking of, we should probably get dressed."
"Really? I thought I'd practice law like this today." joked Matt, motioning at his half-dressed self.
"I'm sure your secretary won't mind."
"I should probably put Karen's desk right." he cringed, doing his belt up.
"Yeah," giggled Lola, walking out the office. "Good luck telling her you defiled her desk with hot, nasty- oh. Hi."
Bucky blinked back at her, as Foggy Nelson simply grinned, raising an eyebrow as Matt bumbled out his office searching for his shirt. Karen pursed her lips as Lola raised a hand.
"Hi, you must be Karen. And Foggy."
"I'd say it's a pleasure, but I'm sure Matt took care of that." smirked Foggy.
Matt slapped a hand to his forehead, and Bucky cleared his throat.
"Hey, Bucky." she greeted awkwardly.
"Lola." he replied shortly, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Mr. Barnes." greeted Matt, and Bucky promptly ignored him.
Mumbling something about making coffee, Karen disappeared into the kitchenette.
"Well, this has been sufficiently awkward." said Foggy loudly. "Matthew, can I speak with you?"
"Oh, sure." agreed Matt, practically hurtling back to the safety of his office.
Foggy excused himself, leaving Bucky and Lola alone. Finding the tension unbearable, Lola tried to desperately think of something to say.
"Weren't kiddin' when you said you're nobody's girl." said Bucky, finding his voice.
"Are you jealous, James Buchanan Barnes?" teased Lola.
Please say yes.
"Full namin' me, huh?" he chortled.
"I mean business."
"You sure do, sugar." he laughed, nodding at the mess on the floor. The desk looked thoroughly worn, moved out of place and it's drawers half-loose.
"Oh, please." she blushed. "I've caught you doing worse."
"No comment." shrugged Bucky, sending her a cheeky wink.
"Mr. Barnes, I'll be waiting in my office when you're ready." said Foggy, exiting Matt's office.
"Is everything okay?" asked Lola softly, looking at Bucky.
"Oh, yeah, course, doll. Just contractual stuff, you know?" he lied, running a hand through his hair.
She pretended to believe him. She bit her lip.
"Do you want to hang out tonight?" she blurted and he looked curiously at her.
"You askin' me out?"
"Bucky." she groaned, rolling her eyes. "No, we just haven't hung out since that time we went for coffee. And I feel like there's something between us- "
"- sexual tension- "
"- and it's so weird. So, let's just hang out, okay? Eat food, watch some movies, chill out?" she rambled and he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Whoa, slow down there, doll." he laughed, and she took a deep breath. "Sure, we'll hang out. If that's what you wanna call it."
"It's not a date."
"Whatever you say, sugar. Come over later, alright?"
"Okay."
"I'll see you tonight. Oh and by the way, you smell like sex."
"You're just jealous it wasn't you."
"Day's still young, sugar."
"So. That wasn't awkward." mused Matt, emerging from his office and attempting to do up his tie.
"Oh, not at all." replied Lola sarcastically, as Bucky disappeared into Foggy's office.
She could feel his eyes watching her like a hawk, so she reached out and straightened Matt's tie for him. Bucky's eyes narrowed behind the glass.
"I'd like to see you again. Not romantically, but I've never met someone who could kick my ass at pool like you did. And I demand a rematch."
"Okay, I cannot go back there and beat the blind guy at pool again. They'll be calling Amnesty International on me." she laughed, placing a hand on his chest.
"Are you trying to piss Mr. Barnes off?" he asked perceptively.
"More like, seeing how far I can push him."
"I got just the thing."
Matt inched closer, his hands cupping Lola's face as he placed a searing kiss on her lips. Closing her eyes, she let herself be consumed in the moment, until he pulled away.
"Is he watching?" he whispered, his hands drifting to her hips. She glanced out the corner of her eye.
"You should buy Foggy a new pen. Bucky just snapped it."
"There's a few on my floor."
"Thanks for the kiss."
"Thank you for last night."
"Bye, Matt."
"Goodbye, Miss. Stark."
"Imagine my surprise when I came home last night, expecting to find you and that pizza I asked you to order, waiting up for me. And instead, I was met by a cold and empty apartment." drawled Natasha, sweeping into the room and sitting cross-legged on the bed.
Lola turned around from her wardrobe, a guilty smile on her face. Natasha's eyes widened at a comical rate.
"You got laid."
"What?"
"You and Barnes finally did the dirty!"
"Nat- "
"Tell me everything! What did you do? Where did you do it? Is he as cocky down there as he is with his attitude?"
"Nat! Bucky and I did not 'do the dirty'!" cried Lola, grabbing her friend's flapping arms.
Natasha stared back at her, a hint of a disappointment on her face, before she quickly perked up again.
"Who did you sleep with then?"
"How do you even know I had sex?"
"You look like you had a good banging."
"I hope your Brexit article isn't this crude."
"Screw Brexit. Who did you fuck, Lola Stark?" demanded Natasha. Lola sighed and curled up beside her best friend, hugging a pillow.
"His name's Matt. He's a lawyer."
"I can't believe you had a hot night of sex with a rich lawyer in his fancy apartment while I ate McDonald's."
"We… didn't make it to his apartment."
"You filthy little- "
"Nat!"
"- I am so proud of you."
"So, you and this Matt. Are you- ?" asked Natasha, waggling her eyebrows.
"Oh, no." scoffed Lola. "He's nice. And cute. And for a blind guy he knows his way around a girl. But, no, there was no romance."
"A one night stand. You really have grown up." sniffed Natasha, pretending to wipe a tear. Lola rolled her eyes.
"You say that like he's my first." she snorted, heading back to her wardrobe.
Natasha cocked her head.
"What does this mean for you and Barnes?"
"Well, he did walk in on us in the morning…"
"Get out! What did he say?"
"Not much. But he's not exactly in a position to say anything. Especially after the photographer. And Dot."
"I've never met this Dot, but I hate her. What's her game?"
"Honestly? I have no idea. I think they're friends with benefits, but she likes him."
"You'll just have to kick her ass then." grinned Natasha, leaping off the bed.
"How do I do that?"
"Wear this. Oh, and get the cab to drop you off a couple blocks away."
"Nat, it looks like it's going to rain."
"Exactly."
Bucky hummed along to the music echoing through his expansive kitchen. He had put a playlist on shuffle, and he chuckled to himself, wondering if he had subconsciously put Trey Songz on deliberately. His music weren't exactly tame, that was for sure.
Oh God, what if she thought he was being suggestive? Not that it was a secret that he found her attractive. But, she wasn't exactly the kind of girl who would just jump into bed with him. That much had been obvious this morning, when he had caught her half-dressed and thoroughly ravished in his lawyer's office. Or perhaps that was her proving a point- after all, she had caught him screwing the photographer last week.
Truth be told, Bucky felt like a bit of an idiot. He had been so sure that Lola and Steve were madly in love, he had let his jealousy blind him. And then there was Blondie, all tanned and muscled, and he had watched her laugh at his jokes. After one too many free drinks, he had shamelessly flirted with the photographer into dropping her panties in a cleaning closet. Just his luck that Lola would find them at it, disappointment flashing in her eyes briefly, before she snapped the door shut. He had lost his mood after that, and the photographer had scowled at him on her way out. Jesus Christ, girls were hard work.
Steve had thrown a soccer ball at his head for being so stupid. He had confessed he once had feelings for Lola, long ago when they were teenagers. He wasn't willing to share the full details, saying that it wasn't just his story to tell. But he had gone as far as to say they were just the very best of friends now, and if he liked her as much as Steve thought he did, he should stop acting up and do something about it.
Lola's suggestion to 'hang out' had sparked his hope, and even though the idea of a relationship with one girl made him want to throw up over his fancy marble counter, he warned himself to stay calm. There was no need to stress about hypothetical situations, he would just see where the evening would take them. He would be a gentleman- she only saw him as a player- and get to know her, show her he cared. Even the prospect of friends or just a one night stand was better than nothing at all when it came to her.
The doorbell rang, just audible over the thunder that clapped and Bucky was jerked from his thoughts. Putting down the knife, he wiped his hands on a tea towel and hesitated, his hand hovering over the doorknob.
Be cool, James, be cool!
Taking a deep breath, he wrenched open the door.
"Hey, doll! 'Bout t- " his cheery voice wavered.
Shit.
"Hi, Bucky." shivered Lola.
She was soaking wet, beads of water dripping from her hair down to her very white, very transparent t-shirt. Her jeans stuck to her like a second skin and her feet were shaking in her boots. He blushed, he actually blushed, when she caught him staring. He quickly cleared his throat.
"Uh, you alright there?"
"I thought I'd take a walk before coming here, and it started to rain."
There is no way this is an innocent mistake.
"Sorry for turning up all wet."
Sure you are, sweetheart.
She looked at him expectantly and he opened the door wider.
"No worries, doll. Come on in."
Smiling sweetly, Lola squeezed herself past Bucky, and he held his breath. Inwardly cursing himself, he followed her, admiring the way her wet jeans clung to her ass.
"Nice place you got here." she smiled, pacing around the open plan living space. "Great view."
"Sure is." he mumbled, trying to not notice that she wasn't wearing a bra.
Too late.
"Something smells good." she commented, dragging her fingertips along the marble counter.
"Shit! Right, dinner." he gasped, jogging over.
He stood behind her, painfully aware of how close she was as he peered into the saucepan to make sure nothing was burning.
"You cook?" she asked, looking up at him.
"I like to impress when I can." he replied lowly.
Eyes up here, James!
"It's working." she whispered, her eyes flickering down to his lips.
The tension was unbearable. All he could smell was her perfume, as he stood there captivated by the intensity in her eyes. Feeling dizzy, he placed a hand on the counter to steady himself, and she inched her fingers over his, feeling sparks where their skin touched. Her pouted lips were barely millimeters from his own, and he felt his breath hitch in his throat. This was really happening.
"Bucky?"
"Yeah?" he breathed, daring not to break this perfect moment.
"Can I borrow some clothes? I'm still wet." she smirked, and he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Yeah, sorry, yeah, 'course. Uh, help yourself to whatever you want. I'll put your clothes in the dryer." he stammered, jabbing his thumb in the direction of his bedroom.
"Thank you."
Bucky tried not to kick himself as Lola slipped past him.
What the fuck?
A charming, self-proclaimed bachelor, practically reduced to an inexperienced teenager around a beautiful woman. He was done for. His brain had simply stopped working. All he could see were the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, and the outline of her figure in that wet, tight, white t-shirt. Oh right, her clothes.
Composing himself, he slowly trudged down the hallway to ask Lola for her clothes. If he was going to salvage the situation he needed his mojo back. Summoning his flirtatious charm, his ears pricked up at the sound of her humming the song that had been playing moments before.
Play this right and the neighbours will know your name.
His bedroom door was open, and he stopped in his tracks, catching sight of her in the mirror as she slipped on one of his button down shirts, nothing on underneath. He should have looked away. He should have skulked back to the kitchen. He didn't. He stayed rooted to the spot, his eyes hungrily taking in the view before him as she did the buttons up, agonisingly slowly.
And just like that, Bucky was picking his jaw up off the floor again. Jesus Christ, he was just about to ready to march in there and pop open those buttons again. He could push her down on to his bed, make her tremble with kisses and touches for the way she had been teasing him.
"Bucky?" she said, appearing in front of him. There was a cheeky glint in her eyes.
She's a tease and she knows it.
He blinked and mustered up a smile.
"Just came to check on you, doll."
"I borrowed this shirt, I hope you don't mind."
Do I mind the way my shirt looks on you? Do I mind that it barely covers your ass? Do I mind that you've left half the buttons open?
"Nah, you're all good, sugar. These your clothes? I'll put 'em in the dryer."
"Thanks, Bucky." she smiled innocently, pattering back to the kitchen and leaving a very turned on, very frustrated James Barnes in the hallway.
It was working! Natasha's concocted plan was working exactly as she said it would, and Lola made a mental note to treat her to a spa day as a token of thanks. Hoisting herself up on the counter, she mentally patted herself on the back. The look on Bucky's face had been priceless. It was fun turning the tables on him, and she had to bet Dottie had never been able to do that. Hearing his footsteps, she poised herself, dipping a finger into the sauce and licking it off just as he rounded the corner.
"Mm, that tastes really good, Bucky."
"Gee, thanks, doll. I was hopin' you'd like it."
"You'll have to teach me how to do it the way you do." she continued, shifting so her knee brushed the crotch of his jeans.
Bucky dropped the spoon he was holding with a loud clatter, and she jumped down to pick it up, leaning forward to give him a peek down her shirt. Tomato red, Bucky muttered a thanks and turned back to the bubbling pan.
"For a soccer player, you're good with your hands." commented Lola, gleefully cheering on the inside.
Keep it up, girl!
She was- rightly- proud of herself. Natasha was worth every penny of her advice. Seduction was powerful when executed right. Bucky smiled wearily at her, and she picked up the knife.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Uh, yeah, just cut those tomatoes."
"Like this?"
"Here, I'll show you."
Standing behind her, Bucky reached his arms over, his hands enveloping Lola's as he helped her press the knife into the vegetables on the chopping board.
"Just like this." he croaked huskily, feeling her ass brush against the bulge in his jeans.
Yup, she can definitely feel that. Nice going, asshat.
She turned her head to look at him, smirking at how dark and lidded his eyes were.
Now go in for the kill!
"What the hell is going on in here?" screeched a voice, shattering the magic of their little bubble.
"Dot?" groaned Bucky. "The hell you doin' here?"
"Well, I was bringing you dinner, like we agreed yesterday." she trilled, putting a bag of takeout on the counter. "But, I see you have company."
"Hi, Dot." called Lola cheerily.
"Hi." glowered Dottie, before turning back to Bucky. "What am I supposed to do with all this Thai food now?"
"Stay." interjected Lola, thinking fast on her feet. Bucky looked at her uncertainly.
"You sure, doll? Thought we were gonna hang out?"
"I don't mind. It'll be nice to get to know her." she replied reassuringly, running her fingers over his exposed forearm. He flashed her a smile, and looked up at Dottie.
"Guess you're third-wheeling, Dottie."
Dottie rolled her eyes, smiling for Bucky's sake. Third-wheeling?! She didn't believe Lola for one second. And God, she couldn't stand the way her Bucky was looking at her with those puppy dog eyes. What was she doing wearing his shirt? Wait, had they… ?
"Dot, why don't you set the table? Bucky and I will finish cooking." Cooed Lola, stealing a crouton and giggling when Bucky pretended to swat her ass with his spatula.
Dottie held her tongue and offered a simpering smile, angrily crashing plates down on the table. It failed to get Bucky's attention, as he was busy asking Lola to taste the sauce. Dottie wanted to vomit as they both took their seats.
"So, Dot, what do you do?" Asked Lola politely, moving her chair close to Bucky's.
She smiled up at him as he served her first. It didn't escape her attention that Dottie was seething, and she silently prayed she was playing her cards right.
"I work in fashion." stated Dottie proudly.
Good for you, do you want a fucking medal?
"Yeah, she just shops all day long." teased Bucky, attacking his own plate.
"Oh, we should go together sometime! I'm updating my wardrobe, and I'd love to get your advice on what to buy." quipped Lola, feigning excitement. Bucky looked delighted.
"That sounds like a neat idea! What d'you say, Dottie?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm very busy."
"Maybe another time then." offered Lola, and Dottie sneered at her.
"And what about you, Lola? Tell me, how does a billionaire's daughter end up writing for a second-rate paper?"
"Second-rate my ass." snorted Bucky. "You read what she wrote 'bout me? Ain't no way that was second-rate."
Lola grinned at him gratefully, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "You really liked it?"
"Sure did, sugar. Nice to read somethin' other than 'World's sexiest man'."
"And state the obvious? Come on, you know I'm a better writer than that."
"She's right, stud. Last thing we want is someone not taking Miss. Stark seriously." agreed Dottie, with a sly grin.
"Yeah, well, I think you're doin' a swell job."
"I hope so, because I'm coming to Washington for the game." revealed Lola, and Bucky's jaw dropped, displaying his half-chewed dinner.
Lola giggled and reached out, gently closing it.
"You're shittin' me! That's amazin', doll!" he cried, pulling her into a hug.
Dottie stabbed bitterly at her plate.
"You better get used to having me around, Bucky."
"Oh, well, we'll see about that. Not exactly famous for keeping a girl around, are you, stud?" tittered Dottie.
Lola pretended to gasp.
"Don't give him ideas, Dot! Next thing you know, he'll be getting rid of you!" she joked, and Dottie shook with anger.
Bucky roared with laughter and stood up, saying something about dessert.
"Listen here, Stark." whispered Dottie furiously, Bucky's head safely in the fridge. "Whatever game you're playing, end it."
"Dottie, can I call you Dottie? I'm not playing any games." smiled Lola sweetly, taking a sip from her glass. "Why, do you feel threatened?"
"By you? As if."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. You can relax your pretty little head."
"What do you want from him? Sex? Hate to break it you, Stark, but I beat you to the punch."
"Oh, I don't just want sex. I want him. And considering he forgot all about your little dinner, I'd say he wants me too."