Chapter twelve: Whispers of a thrill

Chapter is rated a mild M.

Hours later,

Annette shook her head. "I don't know how you did this."

He grinned. "I'm Captain America, I can do anything."

She rested her head against his chest. "I know, but, arranging our wedding, to be on top of the Empire State Building. I don't want this night to end."

Annette smiled as Steve kissed her again. She wasn't sure how he got her to agree to this, but she was glad he did. For the first time, she felt happy and sure of herself. "Well, it's just beginning." He kissed her forehead. "We'd better be going."

"I suppose so."

She exhaled and surveyed the spectacular view of the city before her. It began to sprinkle and she smiled up into the rainy sky. She clutched her bouquet of red roses as Steve draped her coat over her shoulders. "Ready to go?"

She nodded. "I'm ready when you are."

"Good." It began to rain and he laughed. "Not now!"

"It's supposed to be good luck on a wedding." Steve swept her up into his arms. "Woah! You're strong!"

"Only with you beside me." He said gently, his blue eyes running over her face, his expression so tender that she almost forgot how to breathe. "Only with you."

"He's on top of the Empire State building!" Tony shouted. "What the Hell is he doing there?"

"Obviously going where we'd least expect him to be." Hawkeye said. "Right in front of our faces."

"I flew past that damn building four times!"

Sir, I just found 10 different hotel rooms reserved under Mr. Rogers name. All 10 have the honeymoon suite reserved.

"Fake. He'd never do book a hotel room using his real name."

"Unless, he's planning on us to know that he's using a fake name." Hawkeye said. "One of those rooms could be legit."

"Fine, we'll divvy up the hotels and raid the suites." He said. "We've got to stop this! Is he still on the Empire State building?"

"That's what his card is showing."

"Fine. I'll head on over there. Let me know if it moves or anything. Why didn't we see this before?"

"Because Sir," Jarvis said dryly. "he must have figured out someway to turn the tracking device off for a few hours."

"I want all the card fixed so you can't turn off the tracking devices!" He turned to Hawkeye and Natasha. "I'll take the far away ones."

"You'll take them all." Natasha said quietly, a threat in her voice. "I don't want any part of this."

"You know what will happen when they-

"I do know." She said firmly. "But, Steve lost more than any of us. He lost an entire way of living."

"I don't blame him for wanted to hold onto her." Hawkeye said. "His love is real, I've no doubt of it."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this." He snapped. "Fine! I'll find them on my own!"

"Good." Natasha said as she turned back to the computer. Tony jetted off the balcony and flew to the nearest hotel. "Jarvis, call Bruce and play back all of the security footage. We missed something that Steve didn't miss out on. We need to know what it was."

Annette laughed and shook her wet hair out of her face as she and Steve exited the elevator the magnificent Hotel, Phantastic. It was exotic and expensive. Chandeliers, rich, red carpets, mirrors, polished brass and huge ballrooms.

Steve took the key and opened their suite door. He flipped the light on and she gasped as she attempted to take in the sight of the room. "Oh my gosh." The room had marble floors and the room had various shades of white, gold and blue. "It's beautiful."

She stepped forward and Steve stopped her. "Not yet," he lifted her up. "old fashioned wedding custom. Remember?"

She kissed the tip of his nose as he picked her up. "I'd forgotten." He kicked the door behind him with a thud.

Steve leaned forward and kissed her on the mouth. She willingly gave into the kiss he was offering as he set her down on the ground without breaking the kiss. A few moments later, he broke the kiss and smiled at her. She trembled and reached for his hand. He kissed her hand and murmured. "I forgot your bag outside." She laughed lightly. "I'll be back in a second."

"Alright." She turned and entered the suite. The sight of the bed caused her stomach to churn, so after turning the lights on dim, she pushed the button on the remote that caused the blinds to open and roll back. Pushing back the white chiffon curtains, she opened the door to the balcony and stepped out onto it. It was a dark night, gray clouds strewn across the sky made it impossible to see the moon, let alone the stars. The wind was chilly with a cold bite to it.

"Annette?" Steve called.

"I'm on the balcony." Her heart jumped as he flipped off the switch in the room. She could hear him stepping towards her, the light tread of his feet told her he'd removed his shoes. She turned towards him to see he'd removed his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, which revealed a white undershirt underneath it. "You must be sweltering under all those layers."

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm good." One of his hands crept up to her shoulder, causing her to shiver. "You're freezing."

"I'm not cold." The words slipped out of her before she could stop them. "Steve."

He paused. "I'm moving too fast, you're nervous."

"Not," she licked her lips. "all trembling means fear," she inhaled raggedly as his thumb touched the pulse point on her neck. "sometimes, it means the opposite."

Steve turned her in his arms so he faced her. He didn't say anything, he reached for her hand, which she gave to him and he led her back into the suite. Her heart pounded madly as he led her towards the bed, stopping a foot away before reaching for the zipper on the back of her dress. She inhaled as he eased it down her back. He didn't remove the dress though, he turned her toward him, so she could face him. The look in his eyes caused her to gulp uneasily, but she met his gaze. Hesitantly, she eased his buttoned shirt off his shoulders as he held eye contact with her. Swallowing, she reached for the hem of his shirt and began to pull it up over his head. He brought his arms up and helped her take it over his head. Annette blushed as she timidly traced a finger over his collar bone, he was very muscular. Steve leaned forward to brush a kiss on her forehead.

She turned slightly in his arms, needing a moment, his look, his touch, the thrills running through her were almost too much for her rapidly beating heart. Steve reached for her dress and began to carefully ease it down her waist, over her hips and to the floor. She inhaled as she stepped out of her dress and heels.

She turned to Steve, the passion in his eyes was so strong it almost brought tears to her eyes to realize that this man loved and wanted her so much. Fingers trembling, she reached up and undid the hair clip holding her hair in place. She let the clip fall to the floor as her hair cascaded down around her shoulders.

Steve reached for her bra, causing her face to heat more, especially since she'd worn her favorite bra which snapped in the front. He slowly undid the bra and eased it from her body. She flushed as he studied her, to her pleasure, he appeared pleased with her form.

Face flushing, Annetted reached for the button on his trousers. Steve looked slightly self conscious as she eased his trousers down around his hips, allowing them to fall to the ground at his feet. She straightened up as Steve leaned forward and kissed her. She shivered as he rand his hands down her shoulders, one caressed her back while the other encircled her waist. She let out a moan, running one hand up to caress his face as he worked his mouth against hers. She let out a gasp against his lips as he lifted her up and moved towards the bed. He broke the kiss long enough to set her on the bed.

Her heart began pounding in her ears as he surveyed her, his eyes silently asking her for permission to continue. In spite of her fear and nerves, Annette wasn't going to turn back. She settled onto the covers, which he must have turned down, and held out her hand to him. Steve inhaled before carefully crawling on top of her.

She swallowed as he cupped her face with one hand, caressing her gently before planting a kiss on her neck. She shivered as he nestled between her legs, but Steve moved slowly as he eased her underwear down her legs before removing his own. His blue eyes burned as he reached for her hand and held it for a moment before cradling his arm under her head. She began rubbing her face against his neck, her body trembling as he lay carefully on top of her, allowing them both to feel each other against each other without any barriers for the first time. Steve kissed her neck and she closed her eyes. A moment later, he was inside her. She pulled her hand free and ran it up his back.

This was different, so different from anything either of had ever felt before and they knew they could never experience feelings of this kind with anyone else. Annette let out little gasps of pleasure as he moved inside her. It should have been awkward, as it was the first time for them both, but it was perfect, Steve could have sworn that they moved heartbeat to heartbeat.

Annette held onto him tightly until he released into her as she came. She bit her lip and let out a shuddering cry as he collapsed lightly on top of her. Annette kissed his shoulder as her hands tenderly caressed his back. Steve knew he could never love another woman as deeply as he loved her, his love for Peggy hadn't even come this close.

Annette shuddered and he carefully eased out of her. Annette lay there, her eyes closed, her skin glowing and a hand over her heaving breast. He placed a hand on hers and asked her softly. "Are you alright?" She could only nod. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

She shook her head before whispering. "You were...perfect." She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "I, love you."

"Come here my love." He smiled and reached for her. "I've got you." She rolled towards him and he kissed her brow as he held her close. "And I'm not going to lose you." He kissed her on the mouth and she responded in kind as he pulled her against him. "Ever."

Tony was in the Hotel Phantastic lobby, this was the last hotel on his list. He glowered at the manager. "Now, speak quickly. What room is Steve Rogers in?"

The manager looked stunned but he stammered. "He-he and his wife are in the wedding suite."

"What floor? What's the room number?"

The manager spoke. "Third floor. Room…316."

"Ok, I'm heading to their room and they better be there!"

"Go outside and fly up and peek in the window," Natasha's voice infiltrated his speakers. "so you don't disturb anyone."

"And the sight of me peeking in someone's window isn't going to disturb anyone?"

"I believe that's better than having you blow open doors and have to pay for the damage. Don't forget Phantastic is just as wealthy as you and could win any lawsuit against you for disturbing their customers."

"Right." Tony flew up to the third floor. He'd been in enough rooms of the Phantastic to know where room 16 was.

He hovered quietly outside before moving towards the bedroom. He peeked into the window, which was open and fortunately covered by thin, airy curtains. If he'd had a heart, it would have stopped. Annette and Steve were in bed together, both were unclothed and the siren lay sprawled across her newest victim's chest.