Till Death Do Us Part

by Team Damon

She's a smart, ambitious young woman with her entire future at her fingertips. He's a man who's seen horrible things in his lifetime and has done even worse. She feels too much sometimes and he doesn't feel at all, but they can at least agree on one thing - they absolutely hate each other. Modern day arranged marriage/Bratva AU, Bucky/OC

20. Chapter 20

A/N: Heeeeyyyyyyy everybody! So, good news and bad news: good news is, obviously, we have a new chapter! Bad news is this is gonna be the last one for possibly a month or maybe even a little longer. I've got a big BIG move coming up - and for those of you who's followed me over this last year, yes I am moving AGAIN lol - and my living situation is undergoing one heck of a temporary change while we get settled in where we're going. So this isn't the possible delay of chapters that I mentioned about two weeks ago - this is an official break with likely no surprise chapters. But rest assured that as soon as I can, I will get back to writing and I will get this story moving again at as quick of a pace as I can. I'm hoping that I can pick the story back up around late February or the start of March, but I'll be playing it by ear. One thing I MIGHT be able to do is write little short things, like installments of All in the Family, so that's a possibility. I might also be able to write a teensy tiny bit every day and eventually come up with a full chapter over the course of a few weeks lol. BUT, just to be on the safe side and avoid disappointment, let's just call it a break. I'm sorry about this but ya know, it's RL. And RL doesn't always cooperate with me writing weekly 10k+ chapters. But I hope you guys will all stick around and bear with me! You've all been so loyal and wonderful since the very beginning, and so many of you even through previous stories too, and I just couldn't be more grateful. I love you ALL and this story will never be far from my mind in the coming weeks, nor all of you :D

On a lighter note, I do think I'm leaving you guys with the best chapter possible :) I'm very proud of this chapter and I want to thank midnightwings96 for helping me with it SO MUCH and, as always, playing stylist to our lovely characters (every dress & every suit is, as always, all her) and for giving me a LOT of feedback during the writing/editing process and for just always being there and always being absolutely wonderful. This story is our baby and I'm super proud to have come this far with it, and so so SO much of that is thanks to her, like SO MUCH. She's fabulous, MorningGlory2 is fabulous (yes, you, MG2 :p) and ALL of you are fabulous and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! I look forward to hearing from you guys, and to rolling up my sleeves and getting back to work writing as soon as I possibly can! :D

Sometimes, it was easy for Summer to forget that Bucky had a real and rather important job at Pierce Consolidated. So much of his life revolved around the manor and the Bratva that she hardly ever thought of him as a businessman who oversaw mergers and acquisitions at one of the country's largest corporate conglomerates, but that was exactly what he was. And just a handful of weeks after their sweet little Disney movie night, that job of his took him away from the city for a trip slated to last five days - just in time to miss Summer's big cancer foundation benefit in Manhattan.

She was gonna miss the hell out of him. Ever since their little Disney movie night together, he'd been different towards her in ways she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was little things, like the way that she caught him looking at her sometimes when he had no obvious reason to, and the way that his little smiles were growing warmer and more real when they came her way. He never hesitated to touch her anymore, and he seemed to love teasing the hell out of her whenever the opportunity presented itself. She loved the changes but they also perplexed her, as understanding him remained as daunting a task as ever.

On the day of his departure, Summer pouted from his doorway as he finished packing his suitcase, throwing in a few last-minute necessities - extra phone charger, a handful of hair ties, bottle of extra-strength Advil for when sleeping on an unfamiliar bed inevitably worsened his regular aches and pains. She watched him zip up the suitcase and then said, "It's gonna be really weird without you here."

"Trust me," he sighed, straightening up and pushing back some of the hair that had fallen into his face, "I ain't happy about it either. And I hate Jersey."

"Nobody likes Jersey," she chuckled, walking into his room towards him. "Do you have everything you need?"

He grinned at her in amusement. "Yeah, I'm good."

"Okay," she sighed. "Just... don't forget to eat while you're gone. You do that when you're busy. And call me or text me when you get there so I know you made it there safely."

He tilted his head slightly, still wearing that grin. "You're cute when you worry over me."

Fighting a blush, she shook her head and replied, "Look, it's what I do, so just... get used to it. My anxiety knows no limits."

"I wasn't complaining," he replied softly, and Summer gave him a small smile and then turned around, taking a breath and letting the framed pictures on his dressed steal her attention for a moment.

The picture of her and Bucky on their date was still sitting where he'd left it, right in the front amid photos of himself and Steve, Lukas, Aemilia, Thor and Frieda. Seeing that picture always brought a smile to her face, and this time was no exception. They looked so happy there, like a real couple that fate had brought together, and with every week that passed, that was what they were starting to feel like.

Her smile grew when she suddenly felt two arms slipping around her middle and a warm body at her back. She closed her eyes and blushed when he nuzzled her neck, leaving a few sweet little kisses there and murmuring against her ear, "I'm gonna miss you."

Warmth flooding her from the inside out, she reached her fingers into his hair and melted against him, replying, "I might miss you too. Just a little bit."

He chuckled breathlessly and nuzzled her ear, biting the lobe softly and sending shivers down her spine before retorting, "If I wasn't already running late I'd give you at least three reasons to miss me."

"Three?" she giggled. "That's all?"

He growled a little and turned her around, pushing her up against the dresser and pinning her there with his body and his hands on her hips. She smiled breathlessly at the change and his nose grazed hers as he murmured, "You better be good while I'm gone."

"... How do I do that?" she asked as he pressed a kiss to her jaw, her fingers automatically losing themselves in his hair.

"Keep your eyes open," he replied, looking her in the eye. "Stay safe. Keep training with Nat. Don't leave Sam's sight when you leave the manor."

She nodded. "Of course. Yeah."

His eyes drifted down to her lips and then flitted back up. "Got your gun on you?" Rather than wait for her to answer, he reached down and slipped his hand under dress, feeling up along her right thigh until he felt the holster and the gun secured within it. His eyes darkened and he murmured in possibly the most overtly sexual tone she'd ever heard, "Good girl."

Those two simple little words making her entire body shudder and mind spin out into hyperdrive, Summer whimpered and groaned, "Oh God."

He grinned in utter delight, then made her let out a surprised, soft yelp by picking her up and depositing her right on top of his dresser. "I fucking love how easy it is to drive you crazy. You love being good for me, don't you?"

She nodded and closed her eyes when his lips touched her neck again, this time kissing her there with much more determination, and it soon became clear why - he was marking her up before he left, giving her something to remember him by. His hand was still under her dress, fingers now teasing between her thighs and brushing against her growing wetness just to feel it and know that he'd caused it. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, and if this was how he wanted to tell her goodbye... well, she was perfectly fine with that.

Then, out of nowhere, his door opened and Summer squeaked and froze, but Bucky didn't even blink or stop a single thing he was doing.

"You are officially late," Lukas, their intruder, said from the doorway. When his eyes landed on the couple in front of the dresser - Summer wide-eyed and dying, Bucky still sucking bruises into her neck with his hand between her legs under her dress - he said casually, "Oh, hello, Summer."

Summer furrowed her brows and made a noise of complete bewilderment, turning her eyes up at the ceiling and wondering if this time she was just going to die of embarrassment. Yep, this was it. And Bucky's fingers were still there, just softly caressing through the damp fabric and toying with her.

"Anyway," Lukas went on, as if he'd walked in on them playing cards, "as I said, James, you need to get going."

Bucky used his free hand to flip Lukas off, still not coming up for air. Summer whimpered and covered her uncomfortably red face with her hand, then audibly gasped when his fingers bypassed her panties and - oh God - he was...

"Listen," Lukas said, "as much as I understand why you wouldn't want to leave at this particular moment..."

"Fuck off," Bucky growled, all while his fingers moved and circled her and mother of God -

Lukas sighed. "Hurry up and finish her off. Then get your shit and get downstairs. Bye, Summer." On his way out the door, Lukas stopped and added, "Oh - dig your heel into his lower back. He'll love it."

Lukas finally left then and closed the door, and Summer followed his advice without even hardly meaning to, her body simply acting free of conscious thought. When Bucky immediately groaned roughly in reply, Lukas called from the other side of the door, "Told you!"

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Obnoxious motherfucker."

Finally all alone again and completely out of her mind, Summer all but wailed, "Oh my God, Bucky, what the -"

He raised his head and dropped his forehead against hers, fingers moving impatiently but no less skillfully as he told her, "The entire time he was standing there you were fucking gushing. Don't act all innocent. You liked it."

... Good God she did. What was wrong with her? Holding on to Bucky for dear life as her legs tightened around him and she rocked against his hand, she whimpered almost nonsensically, "I... I'm... sorry..."

"Don't ever be sorry for what you like," he replied. "Not with me. Understand?"

She nodded frantically, and then within only seconds, he had her throwing her head back and pulling his hair as she fell apart under his touch. It was everything - his impending departure, the good girl thing, Lukas' interruption, her embarrassment mixed with a bizarre and tantalizing thrill as a result of it - that sent her shooting off so quickly, but it was no less powerful for how fast it was. Bucky watched her all the while, only removing his fingers when she was slumped back against the dresser and trying to catch her breath.

She opened her eyes just in time to watch him bring his fingers to his mouth and casually lick them off. She blushed all over again and groaned, muttering, "I'm gonna die."

He smirked and leaned in close, dropping a kiss to her cheek. "No you're not."

Then he drew away and ran his hands through his hair, fixing the mess that she'd made, and after he helped ease her down and off of the dresser, he turned to grab his suitcase. She smoothed out her dress and took a deep breath, watching him as he set down the suitcase and pulled out the handle, wheeling it behind him as he looked her way and smirked at her still-disheveled appearance.

"Ready to see me off?"

She nodded and forced one foot in front of the other, blowing out a deep breath and heading for the door. "Yeah, now that I can barely walk and I have yet another reason why I'll never be able to look Lukas in the eye again. Yep. Let's do this."

There was a car waiting for him outside, and when they made their way downstairs, the first face that Summer saw belonged to Lukas. She blushed and looked away, although she figured that they were at least somewhat even now. She'd walked in on himself and Aemilia having sex, and now he had walked in on Bucky and her... well. Still wasn't really helping with the whole eye contact issue, however.

Sam and Thor were there too, and they each bade farewell to their boss before Aemilia dragged him into a hug and squeezed him, telling him to be careful and check in often, much like Summer had. He smiled and hugged her back, and when they pulled away, he glanced down at her belly and said, "Damn. You're starting to really show."

"I know," Aemilia smiled, putting a hand on her belly. "And she's so active. Lukas felt her moving this morning for the first time."

"She kicked the hell out of my hand," Lukas declared proudly.

Bucky grinned, and Aemilia gave a soft gasp. "Oh! Here," she grabbed Bucky's hand and placed it on the side of her belly, smiling excitedly as his eyes widened in mild alarm. "She's moving quite a bit. You might be able to feel her too."

Bucky stood still and paid close attention, looking down at the floor as they waited to see if the little girl would make her presence known or hide instead. Summer watched his face carefully, and she knew that he must have felt something when his brows lifted slightly and his eyes grew visibly softer before flying up to Aemilia's.

"Did you feel that?" she asked excitedly.

He nodded. "Yeah. Wow. That's... so... weird."

Everyone laughed, including Bucky. Then as he pulled his hand away, his eyes met Summer's for just a quick flash of a second, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing that she was. She was almost sure that he was, and she could only pray that she wasn't the only one with a glimmer of hope that one day... somehow... by some miracle... Aemilia wouldn't be the only new mother in the manor.

But that was something to worry about at a much later time. Bucky hugged Aemilia again, then glared at Lukas playfully before hugging him too. Afterwards, the only hug left to give belonged to Summer, and when Bucky turned to her, she tried to ignore the fact that everybody was watching as she opened her arms and drew him into a snug, warm embrace.

"Make sure you text me," she said against his ear, wondering if she'd ever get used to how good it felt being in his arms. "And be careful."

"I will," he murmured back, inhaling the scent of her hair and briefly closing his eyes. Then a smirk reached his lips. "Don't miss me too much."

She smiled and giggled softly, and all too soon, they pulled apart and it was finally time for him to go. They shared a smile and she kissed his cheek, and then he turned around and grabbed the handle of his suitcase again, telling everyone goodbye one last time and then heading for the door.

Summer watched him from the doorway as he got into the car, sighing as Aemilia appeared at her side and put an arm around her. "It's only five days. That's not so bad."

"I know," Summer nodded. "It just... sucks."

"Lukas has to take quite a few trips outside of the country throughout the year," Aemilia replied. "I don't like it, but I'm used to it. And besides... absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Lukas then appeared at Summer's other side and chimed in, "And he is clearly very fond of you already." Summer blushed and watched as the car disappeared from the property, at which point Lukas casually added, "And at least he didn't leave you unsatisfied."

Summer groaned in lingering embarrassment and Aemilia glanced at them both and asked, "Did I miss something?"

Lukas grinned as he drew both women away from the door, gleefully replying. "Let me tell you a story, darling."

Summer cringed and slapped both hands over her face. This was gonna be one hell of a week.

---

Over the course of the next few days, Summer learned to navigate a new aspect of her and Bucky's relationship: texting over long distances.

True to his word, he had texted her when he arrived in Trenton, letting her know that he'd made it there safely. Summer, who had been eating dinner at the time, smiled to herself and reminded him to eat something before he turned in for the night. They each texted each other goodnight when they went to bed, and Summer fell asleep alone in her room but with a smile stuck to her face.

She awoke the next morning to her phone buzzing next to her head. She blinked and rubbed her eyes as she unlocked the phone and held it up above her face, squinting until the words of two new text messages came into focus enough for her to read them.

I fucking hate hotel beds. Could barely move when I woke up.

I could use one of your massages right now.

She smiled and quickly started typing back. Aw that sucks :( when you get back I'll give you the best massage of your life.

Thanks to his own text bubble, she could see that he started typing back as soon as her text went through. Can't fucking wait.

She smiled. He was as foul-mouthed in texts as he was in person. Eat breakfast yet?

Why are you so obsessed with what I eat, woman?

She giggled. Don't dodge my questions :p

A moment or two passed before he sent another reply. No I haven't had breakfast yet. Have you?

Nope, she replied. Still in bed.

His next message came almost instantaneously. Yeah? Tell me what you're wearing.

She smiled and giggled nervously, setting the phone down on her chest and trying not to feel as automatically embarrassed as she did. When she didn't reply right away, he sent another text and she picked up the phone to read it.

C'mon, he said. Be good and answer me.

She groaned pathetically and her eyes rolled shut for a moment. When he said things like that she was overcome with the urge to call him Daddy and just die, but as always, she reined herself in. She took a breath and started typing up her answer. Um... I'm wearing a Star Wars t-shirt and... that's about it. Then she decided to turn the tables on him and added, What about you?

Nothing, came his reply a few minutes later. You know how I am.

She sighed and closed her eyes. She definitely did know how he was. He seemed to generally adore being naked whenever he could, and with a body like his... she definitely wasn't gonna complain. He could be naked as much as he damn well pleased. Well, enjoy it while it lasts before you gotta put on a suit and go to work.

Fuck work, he replied, and she laughed. I'd rather be home.

Me too. I'd be giving you that massage right now, she teased, still laying quite comfortably in bed with a smile stuck to her face.

His reply was prompt. And I'd have breakfast right after that massage.

... Was he trying to be dirty? She wasn't sure for all of two seconds, but then she realized that of course he was being dirty. This was Bucky, after all. Breakfast in bed? :p

Only kind worth having, he replied.

... It was too damn early to be as turned on as she was.

Later on, their texting slowed down when they both had to get to work. Summer was putting all the finishing touches on her plans for the benefit and making sure nothing went wrong at the last minute, and Bucky had to oversee a sudden and mildly chaotic merger, which was the entire point of his trip. At the end of the day, Summer had Aemilia snap a picture of her slumped over on her desk between two empty Starbucks cups looking like she was ready to pass out for the night right then and there. Summer then sent Bucky the picture, and he responded with one of his own, of him sitting in a conference room full of mostly old men looking bored out of his mind.

She loved the fact that they were comfortable enough with each other to text like they did and exchange pictures like any other couple. They had made such incredible strides over time, and that was a distinct comfort to her while she was dealing with the fact that they still hadn't kissed. She tried not to think about it too much and for the most part she didn't, but every once in awhile she would wonder how long it would be before he truly let his guard down and let her in. She was prepared to wait for as long as it took, but God... what a sweet torture it was in the meantime.

As busy as she was, the days passed by in a flash. The fourth day of Bucky's trip was also the day of Summer's big event, and from the minute she woke up that day, she got moving and didn't stop. Everything came together with only minor complications, nothing that she couldn't fix, and her only slight chance to breathe came when she and Aemilia got ready for the benefit at the manor.

She wished that Bucky could have been there with her, even though he hated such events with an understandable passion. But in his absence, she decided to take a piece of him with her to the gala - with Aemilia's encouragement, she put on the stunning and obscenely expensive red silk dress that he'd bought her for Christmas. She felt almost like a different person in it, and with it being entirely backless, her tattoo would be on display for anyone who might have wondered who she belonged to and whose protection she was under.

It was going to be a long night, but at least she felt like a million bucks - quite literally.

---

"You know," Summer said, munching on a pretzel as Aemilia stood behind her in the bathroom and fixed her hair, "I literally think you're just getting more hot the more pregnant you get."

"Oh stop," Aemilia grinned, sweeping Summer's loosely curled long locks into an elegant updo. "I'm slowly entering the whale phase."

"If you're a whale, you're the hottest whale I've ever seen," Summer replied, shoving another two pretzels in her mouth. "By the way, I love your dress."

"Oh thank you," Aemilia smiled, glancing down at herself. Her gown was floor length and a lovely forest green, covered in sequins and long-sleeved with a tastefully plunging neckline and thigh-high slit in the back. It contrasted beautifully with her vibrant red curls, which were half up and perfectly voluminous. "I do feel quite pretty in it, despite looking as if I'm smuggling a basketball."

Summer grinned and then asked, "How far along are you now?"

"25 weeks," Aemilia smiled back.

"Dang," Summer blinked as Aemilia started placing an inordinate number of pins into her hair. "It seems like just yesterday you told everyone you were pregnant."

"Well... actually, to me, it feels as if it's been forever," Aemilia shrugged. "That was when you and Bucky still weren't really talking. And you weren't nearly as comfortable with all of us as you are now."

She was very right about that. "Yeah... wow," she sighed, watching both of their reflections in the mirror. "Things are just... crazy."

"That's life here," Aemilia replied gently. "But you seem to be getting used to it."

And she was, for better or worse. "So," Summer asked next, "when's the baby shower?"

At just the mention of said obligatory event, Aemilia cringed and almost shrunk in on herself. "... Frieda's throwing it in a few weeks."

"Why do you say that like it's your execution date?" Summer asked, watching Aemilia's expression in the mirror.

"Because," Aemilia sighed, "my mother is coming."

Summer lowered the pretzel that had been halfway to her mouth, her eyes widening. "... Oh God."

"Exactly," Aemilia muttered. "And she's bringing my quote 'stepfather'."

"You have a stepfather? I didn't know that."

"You know the man I told you about, whom I was forced into an engagement with?" Aemilia asked. Summer nodded and she went on, "Well, after Lukas took me from him, my mother basically took my place. All he wanted was a trophy wife and she fit that bill perfectly."

Summer's expression became one of abject horror. "Your stepfather... used to be your fiancé?"

Aemilia's entire face wrinkled. "It sounds very Jerry Springer, doesn't it?"

"... I am so sorry," Summer blinked. "That's... ew."

"I didn't even go to their wedding," Aemilia shrugged, putting the finishing touches on Summer's hair. "I wanted nothing to do with any of that. I haven't seen her since my own wedding. They live in London now, but... apparently he has business to attend to here and it happens to coincide with the shower."

"Oh man," Summer groaned. What a bizarre situation. "How long will they be here?"

"I'm not sure," Aemilia replied. "I hope no more than a week or so, but with my luck she'll decide to stay until the baby's born. That would be utterly... ugh. I can't even entertain the notion."

"Wait... are they gonna be staying here?!" Summer asked, eyes even wider.

"They're Bratva," Aemilia shrugged. "And family." She paused. "Unfortunately."

"... Frick. Well, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. Like you ever need someone to fake an emergency so you can get away from her, or anything like that, text me or give me some kind of signal and I'll take care of it."

"Thank you," Aemilia chuckled. "I have no doubt that I'll take you up on that offer. My mother is just... I think deep down she genuinely thinks that she's always acted in my best interest, but the truth is she's very selfish and... just generally terrible. You'll understand what I mean once you meet her."

"Man, I'm sorry," Summer frowned. "But hey, that just shows even more how awesome you are. You were raised by that but look at you - you're awesome and like the sweetest person I've ever met."

Aemilia smiled warmly and placed the final pin in Summer's hair. "You are entirely too generous for your own good, darling."

"Nope," Summer grinned back, standing back up and inspecting her hair a little more closely. "I call them like I see them."

"Well," Aemilia sighed, tossing her own hair back behind her shoulders, "so do I. And I happen to have a little something to give you before your big night."

Summer turned away from the mirror and looked at her friend with wide, timid eyes. "... You do? Oh God, please don't tell me it's something super expensive, because if it is -"

"Just relax," Aemilia chuckled, holding up her hand. "This benefit is a big deal for you. I've watched you grow and get better and better at your job with every event that you've taken on, all while training and integrating to your new life here, and... well, like I said at Christmas, I like spoiling the people I love. So follow me."

Apprehensive, touched and excited all at once, Summer followed Aemilia out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. The last time she'd been in there she'd walked in on Lukas and Aemilia... ahem, but she managed not to think about that too much as Aemilia headed to her closet. She opened the doors and quickly found what she was looking for, turning around and approaching Summer with a box in her hands.

"Here," she smiled, placing the box in Summer's arms. "Just a small token of my appreciation for you."

Summer sighed and smiled, biting her lip and sitting on the side of Aemilia's bed. Aemilia sat next to her and watched her open the box, clearly excited to see her reaction.

Summer opened the box to find the most stunning and obviously expensive pair of sky-high heels she'd ever seen in her life. They were shimmery silver Christian Loboutin shoes, gorgeous and sparkly with red soles. They were downright sexy, and Summer's jaw hit the floor.

"... Holy frick on a stick, how much were these?" she blurted, pulling the shoes from the box and staring at them in sheer awe. "These are... wow. I don't even have words."

Aemilia smiled. "Well, they weren't cheap but they also weren't the most expensive shoes I've ever bought. I saw them and thought of you, and when you decided to wear that red dress tonight... I knew this was the perfect opportunity to give them to you. You can't wear that dress with just any shoes, after all."

"... You're like a real life fairy godmother sometimes, I swear," Summer giggled happily. "Oh my gosh. I actually feel like Cinderella, kinda, except these are way hotter than glass slippers." Then she turned towards Aemilia and broke into a huge smile. "Thank you," she said sincerely, pulling Aemilia into a hug.

"You're very welcome," Aemilia smiled, squeezing her back. "And just get used to it, because I plan on spoiling you whenever I feel like it."

Summer stared at her with slightly watery eyes, shaking her head. "You know, if I wasn't already married, I'm pretty sure I'd be madly in love with you." She paused. "Actually, I might be a little bit in love with you anyway. Is that bad?"

"Of course not," Aemilia grinned mischievously. "I mean, look at Lukas and Bucky - they're clearly more than a little bit in love and have been their entire lives. We just can't help these things, can we?"

Summer giggled, being instantly reminded of her little dream involving the four of them. "Well, when you put it that way..."

Aemilia smiled back and then glanced at the clock on her nightstand. "Oh dear. It's getting late. We need to get going."

"Okay," Summer said, taking a deep breath and slipping on the shoes. They wouldn't be fully comfortable until she broke them in, but damn if she didn't feel like an actual rockstar the minute she slipped them on. Once she did she grinned at Aemilia, then walked to the corner of her bedroom where a pretty antique full-length mirror sat. She looked over her full appearance, decked out in her hyper-glamorous dress and now the perfect heels to compliment it, the jewelry that Lizzie and Tony had bought her to go with the dress, and 40s style makeup to finish off the look, and suddenly she felt a little guilty. She was all dressed up and looking her absolute best in the dress that Bucky had bought her, but he wasn't around to see her.

But she could change that, at least to a degree. She stepped away from the mirror and grabbed her phone, and as Aemilia put on a pair of diamond earrings, Summer opened her camera app and held out the phone, taking a picture of herself from the chest up, wearing a big smile. She then sent it to Bucky before she could think twice, and Aemilia remarked, "Oh, you clever girl."

Summer smiled and shrugged, watching the picture send. "Well... I feel kinda bad because he wanted to see me in this dress when I wore it, but..."

"That would mean showing him the tattoo," Aemilia noted. "Are you still not ready for that?"

Summer hesitated, unsure of her honest answer to that. "I... really don't know. He seems to spook so easily... I don't know. If he won't kiss me still, it seems like the tattoo might be too much."

"Maybe not," Aemilia mused. "He might surprise you."

As Summer considered that, her phone buzzed in her hand. She quickly held it up and then burst into a smile when she read his answer to the photo. Is that the dress?

It might be, she replied coyly, smiling like an idiot. Aemilia noticed this and smirked, endlessly amused by her friend.

It took him a few moments to reply. As Summer waited, Aemilia said, "You realize that if he was here tonight and able to see you right now, absolutely nothing in the world would stop him from taking you to bed and ripping that dress off with his teeth, yes?"

Summer grinned and blushed. "You think so?"

"Darling," Aemilia chuckled, "the heels alone would do it for him."

As Summer blushed even more deeply, her phone finally buzzed again. Bad girl.

A shiver shot down her spine and the room suddenly felt unbearably hot. She hoped he wasn't genuinely angry or hurt, but in case he was, she replied, I'm sorry. I just miss you and it's a way for me to feel like you're gonna be there with me tonight.

"I'll be waiting in the car," Aemilia said, grinning knowingly as she picked up her clutch. "Don't take too long. Time's ticking."

"Okay," Summer smiled and nodded, sharing one more brief hug with Aemilia before she headed out of her room. Once she was left alone, she looked down and watched Bucky's text bubble load until a new message appeared.

Guess I'll have to think of a way for you to make it up to me.

She let out a heavy sigh and replied, Anything.

It was a promise she most definitely planned on keeping. In the meantime, she checked her reflection one more time before dashing off and out of Aemilia's room, at last on her way to the big night downtown. She was nervous, of course, and a part of her couldn't wait for it to be over, but it was also exciting in a nerve-wracking way.

Hoping for the best but prepared for the worst, she got into the waiting limousine with Lukas and Aemilia and got on her way.

---

Two hours later, Bucky sat in the backseat of a cab, watching the New York City lights pass by outside the window. Having wrapped up his work in Trenton a full two days early - he was that good at his job - he was back home and on his way to surprising his wife at her big party.

After only three full days away from her, he would have been lying if he said he hadn't missed her like crazy. Her teasing little text messages and cute pictures that she'd sent him had left him thinking about her near-constantly, and she was always in the back of his mind even while he'd been working. She was more than under his skin, more than haunting him, and now that he knew she was in that dress and completely unaware of his early return... he couldn't fucking wait to get there and lay his eyes on her in the flesh.

When he arrived at the venue, a beautiful hotel ballroom in the heart of Manhattan, he stepped out of the cab and headed inside without fanfare. Nobody knew who he was and nobody cared, but he looked like he belonged anywhere he wanted to be.

Inside, the ballroom was filled with a sea of people and the decor was simple but elegant. He strolled through the crowd with his hands in his pockets, looking for Summer but not finding her just yet. He found the open bar first, and after grabbing a double whiskey, he resumed his search.

He turned a few heads along the way, and it didn't surprise him. Women looked at him with open interest and men glanced at him with curiosity, maybe wondering if he was someone famous or important and never having that question answered. He didn't make eye contact with any of them, focusing singularly instead on his mission and nothing else.

He heard her before he saw her. Familiar laughter rang out and tickled his ears, and he turned in the direction that he'd heard it. Whiskey secure in his hand, he stepped past a few more people and watched as a break appeared in the crowd ahead, and that was when he saw her.

She was talking to a group of three people, an older couple and what appeared to be their daughter, smiling radiantly and despite the anxiety that he knew she was dealing with inside, she looked like the picture of ease and confidence. The dress fit her like a glove, clinging to her in all the right places and looking even better on her than he'd expected, and when his eyes trailed down to her shoes peeking out from just under the floor length skirt... fucking hell. His eyes moved slowly back up and took it all in, from the beautifully plunging neckline - good God this woman had the most perfect breasts in existence, he was sure of it - to the vibrant red of the dress and how the diamonds it was covered in glittered under the warm ballroom lights. Then she moved just right to show off the thigh-high slit in the skirt, the line of her leg making his mouth water.

With her hair up and off of her neck, making her look as regal as she was tall and gorgeous, he couldn't help but think of how she looked absolutely like royalty. If he was a king, then he couldn't imagine a single other woman in the whole world who could ever look better ruling at his side.

Then, bringing his thoughts to a halt, someone came by and wanted to take a picture with her. Summer nodded and then turned, placing her back to his view, and as she posed with the family, Bucky let his eyes feast upon the sight that the backless dress provided. He started at the small of her back and slowly dragged his gaze up along her spine, wanting to kiss every dip and every line and every inch of that perfect skin, completely unmarred except for...

He furrowed his brows and took a few steps forward, his eyes glued to the back of her left shoulder. At first, he thought that he was seeing things. But upon closer inspection - still from a distance - he realized that what he was seeing was very real. There were two words inked on her back, and they weren't in English. His heart suddenly racing in his chest, he realized with no small amount of shock that she had tattooed his codename on her body. He had no idea how long she'd had it but whatever the case was, she had it and she was displaying it tonight without shame, wearing his name like a mark that would leave zero room for doubt as to who she belonged to.

It wasn't easy to make him lose his breath, but this left his lungs aching for oxygen that wouldn't come. He stood there and stared in shock for far longer than he realized, his brain short-circuiting and rebooting several times as she was pulled into conversation with a few other guests, completely unaware of his presence.

It took him awhile to realize why he was suddenly on the verge of crying out of seemingly nowhere. He was baffled until it hit him like a runaway train, knocking the wind out of him all over again.

It was acceptance. She hadn't tattooed his given name on her skin. She hadn't chosen a Bratva-related star or symbol to illustrate whose protection she was under. No, she'd tattooed his code name on her body in Russian. She was married to not only James Barnes but also to the Winter Soldier, and by extension to his crimes and sins and all of the things that had made his first love run for her life. And rather than try to hide that or distance herself from it, there she was in the middle of her glitzy benefit in the middle of Manhattan, schmoozing with wealthy donors and displaying that name like it was something to be proud of.

He couldn't believe that she was doing such a thing only for self-preservation purposes. That surely played a role in it and in her having the tattoo in the first place, but there was more to it than that. She accepted him for who he was, the good and the bad and the worse, and she wasn't afraid to show it.

And in that moment, he realized he'd burn the whole world to the ground for that woman if she would only ask. Everything he was and everything he had, his kingdom and his legacy and his purpose - she could have it all. Maybe all of that was already hers and he had only just realized it.

Heart swollen with more love than he thought it could ever contain, he set his untouched drink on a passing busser's tray and then began to walk her way. He was acting on instinct, and he didn't think twice about interrupting her conversation with some old lady wearing fur and entirely too much makeup.

He approached her from behind without a sound, reaching out and dragging two fingertips along the two words inked on her shoulder. He watched and felt her tense and shiver in surprise, and then he let his fingers drop and he took his place at her side, her head turning and their eyes locking in an instant.

The pure shock on her face was exactly what he'd expected. His expression as he stared back at her was dark and utterly intense, and her mouth fell open as she gaped at him and floundered for words.

She blinked rapidly and stared, ignoring the others present as she murmured quietly, "You're here." Then she broke out into a nervous smile and half-exclaimed, "Oh my God, you're here!"

He grinned and then she launched herself into his arms, clearly not caring what anyone thought of her for doing so. He held her tight and kissed the side of her head, careful not to rumple her hair, and when she drew away she asked, "How - you weren't supposed to be back for another two days!"

"Finished early," he explained. "Thought I'd come and surprise you."

"Well," she blushed, "I am definitely surprised."

He nodded, gaze briefly flitting to her shoulder. "Yeah. Me too."

She blushed even more brightly and didn't seem to know quite what to say to that. He wondered how long she'd been keeping that tattoo under wraps and hidden from him, and suddenly her reluctance to be naked in his presence made a lot more sense.

After the moment of silence hung between them, a few others came by and started chatting Summer up, briefly stealing her attention. He knew that would happen, and that he wasn't gonna get any answers out of her there. That was all right. Instead, he stayed by her side and played the part of the supportive, proud husband as she went back to doing her job, and he didn't have to fake his sincerity at all. He was proud of her, and absolutely wrapped around her little finger.

And there was nowhere else in the world that he'd rather be.

---

The cat was officially out of the bag. Bucky had seen the tattoo - and touched it too, running his fingers over it lovingly and sweetly - and Summer was about to freak the frick out.

Except she couldn't, because she still had to do her job despite her inner flailing. She could still hardly believe that he was actually there, standing right next to her and smiling with her as she made the obligatory rounds with her guests, as if they did this sort of thing all the time. And to make it even more mind-blowing, he looked so good she had to actively fight the urge to drool all over him.

He was wearing an all-black perfectly tailored suit - black everything, including the tie - and his hair was down and combed back and out of his face, which had just the right amount of scruff upon it to compliment the overall look and make him look even more mouth-watering. She'd seen him all dressed up before, plenty of times, but this time... holy crap.

About fifteen minutes after he had shown up and rocked her entire world, Lukas and Aemilia caught up with them and expressed their own shock at his arrival. He'd kept his surprise a secret from even them, and as he and Lukas chatted about the merger briefly, Aemilia looked at Summer in mild alarm, gesturing extremely subtly to her shoulder with a wordless question in her eyes. Summer gave Aemilia a small nod, and Aemilia's eyes widened in excitement.

For as unexpected as the night had turned out to be, it was far from over just yet. When the party had more than reached its stride and Summer's spirits were soaring, Bucky grabbed her a flute of champagne while Lukas and Aemilia made their way to the stage. Summer thanked Bucky quietly and downed nearly the entire flute all at once, hoping it would calm her pleasantly frazzled nerves, and then the crowd fell silent as their attention turned to the couple on the stage.

There was a piano sitting on that stage, and Lukas walked to it and sat down behind it comfortably as Aemilia stepped up to the microphone and smiled upon the crowd. They looked like a dream, Aemilia in her stunning dress and Lukas in an equally beuatiful emerald green suit jacket and black shirt, every bit looking the part of the power couple they were.

"Hello, everyone," Aemilia said sweetly, eyes sweeping along the guests. "What a night this has been so far. Thank you all so much for coming - each and every one of you - and for making this night such a success. Wow. A lot of people contributed an incredible amount of time and energy into this benefit to make it happen, but none more so than my very own Director of Corporate Events - a woman I'm proud to say has become one of my closest friends, someone who is beautiful both on the inside and out - Summer Barnes, thank you not only for all of your hard work and dedication, but also for your friendship. You are absolutely irreplaceable."

As Summer's heart nearly burst at the seams in response to those words, Bucky leaned in close to her and murmured, "She's right."

Summer looked up at him and smiled. He grinned back, her skin still prickling at his proximity and the fact that he was there.

"And now," Aemilia went on, "if you lovely folks will indulge us... my husband and I thought we'd lend our lesser known talents to this very worthy cause. This song is one of my favorites, and... hopefully we'll do it justice."

Aemilia smiled and glanced back at Lukas, who smiled back affectionately and then turned his attention to the piano, fingers setting to the keys with a practiced ease. Summer knew that he was skilled with the instrument, but she was seeing it in person now for the first time and he was utterly flawless. Then, just after giving Summer a coy little look that made her wonder if the song choice was quite deliberate, Aemilia began to sing, and Summer - and the rest of the ballroom - watched and listened in rapt attention.

It's not the pale moon that excites me

That thrills and delights me, oh no

It's just the nearness of you

Feeling those words on a level that was almost bewildering, Summer let out a shaky breath and then lost it entirely when Bucky's hand slipped into hers and tugged her closer to him. Her eyes flew to his and he murmured, "Dance with me."

In an instant, her heart was racing. They'd never danced before, let alone in front of a very full room while their best friends serenaded the crowd, but she couldn't have said no to him even if she'd wanted to. Other couples around them were already dancing - including a few familiar ones, like Frieda and Pietro, and a particularly eagle-eyed Lizzie and Tony - and Summer let him pull her close as she took a breath, trying to remain steady on her feet.

His eyes locked with hers, he placed a hand on the small of her back and pulled her impossibly close against his chest. She instinctively placed her free hand on his shoulder, her other one cradled in his own, and then they were dancing - slowly, carefully, and closely enough to make her very soul ache with want.

It isn't your sweet conversation

That brings this sensation, oh no

It's just the nearness of you

She wondered how long it had been since he'd last danced with a woman. For her part, she'd never danced like this with any man ever.

She shivered when his hand on her back briefly slid up her skin, making goosebumps erupt along every inch that he touched. Then he traced the words of her tattoo again and asked lowly, "How long have you had this?"

She inhaled a too-heavy breath and replied, "Months."

His jaw clenched, and his fingers trailed back down to her lower back. "Months?"

She nodded. "I just... I didn't know how you'd react or... if you'd be mad or uncomfortable or..."

He pulled her even closer, almost laughing at such a preposterous idea. "Trust me, sweetheart," he murmured, voice thick with emotions she she wasn't quite sure of, "that's the last thing you gotta worry about."

When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me

All my wildest dreams come true

She smiled but didn't reply, instead falling into their slow, easy rhythm and losing herself to the sweet, wholly unexpected moment. Her remark to Aemilia earlier about feeling like Cinderella was doubly true now, and looking up into Bucky's eyes and seeing him staring back at her with such clear affection and desire and maybe even something a little deeper made her feel almost like she was drunk.

And he didn't look away. He maintained that eye contact as he danced her languidly around the room, neither of them paying any mind to the considerable amount of people watching them, only to each other and the music and lyrics guiding their steps and maybe even their hearts.

Slowly but surely, she could see and feel him growing ever closer to her. He only broke eye contact to glance down at her lips for a short moment, and when he looked back up, he didn't move away like she expected him to. Her lips were parted slightly and so were his, but she knew he'd pull away at the last minute. He always did.

I need no soft lights to enchant me

If you'll only grant me the right

To hold you ever so tight

And to feel in the night the nearness of you

There was a war raging inside of him, but not the kind that he'd been fighting and usually losing most of his life. This was something new and something intoxicating, and he could feel it - the walls he'd built so carefully, the same ones that she had been faithfully chipping away at for so long, now crumbling from within as if they were made of straw. He felt it and he couldn't stop it, and for the first time... he didn't want to.

He couldn't stand it any longer. Every inch of his body and soul screaming and seizing control away from the fear that had held him prisoner for so long, he closed his eyes and leaned in, trembling and barely breathing but needing and no longer able to deny himself.

Summer's feet stopped moving, and so did the earth. Her own eyes falling shut as shock washed over her every nerve ending, her husband's lips touched hers for the first time.

On the stage, Aemilia watched it happen and somehow didn't faint with shock. She did, however, subtly saunter closer to Lukas and hurriedly tap his shoulder, and he looked up just in time to see for himself what was happening, without missing a single note. Then he and Aemilia shared a subtle look of sheer pride and joy - and a mental high five.

Summer, meanwhile, was as close to heaven as she'd ever been in her life. The kiss was gentle, tentative, but seemingly over before it could really begin, and she opened her eyes when she felt his lips drift from hers. She found his own eyes still closed, and then his hand left her lower back to cradle her cheek as he kissed her again, this time a lot less timidly. His lips moved softly and determinedly against hers, and her free hand drifted up and behind his neck to his hair, and she had never felt so overwhelmed and overcome and happy in her life.

For every time he had let her in a little bit and opened up to her and every new intimacy they'd shared, all of it had left her aching for something more, something that she needed and he hadn't been ready to give her. She would have waited for him forever, she thought, because he was a man who was more than worth waiting for. But now here they were, standing still in the middle of a ballroom full of other dancing couples, lost in a kiss that left them both feeling weak, strong, and completely vulnerable all at once.

When they broke apart from one another, it was only because they needed to breathe. Their eyes opened and Summer gazed up dreamily at Bucky, who was flushed and breathing shakily, staring at her like she held his heart and soul in her hands.

She didn't know what to say or do, but she had to say something. "Bucky, I..."

"I love you," he interrupted breathlessly, his voice barely sounding like his own. His eyes were shining and his cheeks flushed and he looked so unlike himself, younger somehow, like maybe the man he had once been before life had robbed him of his innocence. And his words completely shocked the already-reeling Summer.

She stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes and a mouth hanging slightly agape. Were her ears deceiving her? Was this all an elaborate hallucination and he was actually still in Jersey and she had been drugged and her brain was dreaming all of this up because -

"I'm done acting like I don't," he added, still cradling her face with one hand and her body in the other, holding her like she was precious and breakable. "You don't have to say it back, but -"

"No, I do," she blurted out, both hands in his hair now and her heart all but bursting with emotion that he had unknowingly blown the lid off of. She smiled and told him with full sincerity and tears embarrassingly trying to crawl their way to the surface, "I love you too. I've been in love with you since - forever, I think. I don't know when it started but I just... I've been keeping it all in 'cause I didn't want to scare you, but if I'd known -"

He hushed her with another kiss, this time one that made her almost moan and melt into him. She wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to this, of kissing him and being kissed by him, let alone him openly expressing his love for her. As much as she'd ached for this, now that it was here... she only wanted him more. She needed him, in every way imaginable, and the fact that they were at a benefit and couldn't go run home and lock themselves away nearly caused her physical pain.

Then, as they pulled away, Lukas and Aemilia's song finally drew to a close. The crowd began to cheer, and Summer and Bucky came back to reality enough to turn back towards the stage and clap for their best friends. Summer, her face as red as a strawberry, looked up at Aemilia and smiled like an idiot as she applauded enthusiastically. Aemilia grinned back at them both, looking unbearably excited, and Lukas at her side shot them both a wink and looked just as pleased.

Then, as Aemilia and Lukas made their way off the stage, Bucky slid his arm around Summer's waist and leaned in close to murmur directly and heatedly in her ear, "I'm taking you home tonight, when this is over. Then I'm gonna take you to bed, and from tonight on... I want you in my bed every night."

Heart racing all over again, Summer couldn't suppress the shiver that shot down her spine. He pulled away and she looked up at him in a lust and love-dazed stupor, and then he laid one more little sweet kiss on her lips before slipping away into the crowd.

... She needed the benefit over with right fricking then.

---

The rest of the event felt like it lasted approximately six thousand years. In reality, it was only another hour or so.

Lukas followed Bucky to the bar and grilled him like a prosecutor working the trial of the century, and Bucky didn't mind one bit. He was smiling like a fool in love and he was high on all of it, feeling better and lighter than he had in years. Lukas could have tracked Summer down and given her the biggest and most enthusiastic hug and kiss of her life for making his closest friend so happy, but Aemilia had already taken care of that for him.

After freaking out with Aemilia for a solid five minutes, Lizzie joined in on the flailing party and nearly squeezed the life out of her daughter. For all of the concerns that Lizzie had recently had about them, this was what she'd always hoped for when it came to them - a mutual give and take, and knowing that Summer wasn't compromising herself in exchange for taking what Bucky would give her. And how could she possibly argue with anything that made Summer so incredibly happy?

Summer simply counted the very minutes until the guests would start going home. Every so often her eyes would connect with Bucky's from across the ballroom, and she would feel like she'd been hit by a train every single time. She shivered at the thought of what might lay ahead for them that night - and every other future night, like he'd said - and she was extremely glad that she had decided to wear some of her new lingerie bought with Aemilia's Christmas gift card underneath her dress. She certainly hadn't worn it with Bucky in mind - sometimes she just liked to make herself feel pretty, and lingerie was an instant confidence booster - but what a happy coincidence that had turned out to be.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity had passed, the benefit finally came to a close. Summer helped to oversee the departure of the guests and, once the last group of them made their way out, Aemilia asked her as they stood near the doors, "So, are you ready for your big night?"

Summer smiled nervously and shifted on her feet. "Oh God. You know, we've been doing... things... for awhile now, so I shouldn't be nervous but frick I am."

"When was the last time you actually had sex?" Aemilia asked, quiet enough to where nobody could hear.

Summer paused. "... The night before Scott got his sentence handed down?"

Aemilia's eyes widened. "More than two years ago? Just about three years ago? Good God, woman."

Summer smiled and shrugged. "Well, when you're as picky as I am and you don't do casual... that's not that outrageous of a time gap."

"I know, and I completely respect that," Aemilia nodded. Then she winked and added, "But it looks like that gap is about to be closed for good."

Summer bit her lip. "Ugh. You know, it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't know him and Natasha had been sleeping together for years. Like, she is... oh my God and she's probably insane in bed. And I'm just..."

"You're just the woman he's fallen in love with," Aemilia pointed out with a smile. "That gives you a clear advantage, you know. Besides, he's already given far more of himself to you than he ever gave to her. I daresay that she and every other woman in the world is the last thing on his mind."

Summer blushed, smiling and then waving at a couple as they walked out the doors. "I still can't believe he actually kissed me and actually said I love you. I'm expecting to wake up any minute and find out none of it's real."

Aemilia glanced to her left and noticed Bucky and Lukas making their way over, and she assumed this meant that Bucky was ready to take Summer home. Keeping this in mind, she turned back to Summer and said, "Well, I couldn't be happier for you. Have fun tonight and try not to think too much. And I expect to hear all about it tomorrow."

"Oh for sure," Summer giggled. Then, to her surprise, Bucky was suddenly right behind her and sliding his arm around her waist. Her reaction was immediate, her cheeks flushing and eyes flying to his as he tightened his grip on her possessively.

"Ready?" he asked, clearly more than ready to leave and really get their night started.

As Lukas stood by Aemilia, Summer looked at them both and hesitated. "Uh..."

"Go," Aemilia grinned. "Everything is perfectly under control here."

"Yes," Lukas agreed. "Now, should we discuss the birds and the bees first? I don't mind giving a few words of advice to either of you, if you need it."

Bucky rolled his eyes. "Think we're good, Lukas."

"Are you sure?" Lukas asked, feigning concern while the girls giggled. "Should Aemilia and I perhaps demonstrate for you first? Summer here got a bit of a sneak peek of that recently, but if need be we can go much more in depth and cover all the -"

Aemilia playfully covered his mouth and laughed, "Just go, before he gets on a roll!"

Summer giggled and Bucky grinned at them both, whisking her away as Summer squeaked, "Bye! Thank you guys for everything!"

"Have fun!" Aemilia smiled.

"Try not to demolish the entire manor before we get back!" Lukas added as the other couple disappeared from view, Bucky steering Summer to the limo waiting for them.

Aemilia sighed and laid her head on Lukas' shoulder. "I feel bizarrely like a proud parent right now. Look at our sweet little babies, all grown up."

"All grown up and ready to fuck each other senseless," Lukas added, making Aemilia giggle.

"This is the first time he's kissed a woman in what, 12 or 13 years?" Aemilia mused. "And she hasn't slept with a man in 3. They may not survive this night."

"At least that would be quite a pleasant way to go," Lukas shrugged, holding her close. "You know, all of this lovey-dovey stuff has me in a rather... celebratory mood."

Aemilia smirked and peered up at him. "Does it? Do tell me more, darling."

"Why would I tell you," he purred, stealing a quick and sweet little kiss, "when I know of at least three empty rooms I can take you into and show you instead?"

---

Nestled safely in the backseat of the limo, Summer watched Bucky slide in next to her and close his door. A smile crept up on her face and he only had to grin back at her for all of two seconds before Sam declared from the front passenger seat, "All right, I'm just gonna preemptively roll up this partition."

Bucky briefly glanced his way and chucked, "Thanks."

"It's purely self-motivated, trust me," Sam replied as the divider slid up and locked into place. Now alone for all intents and purposes, a fresh wave of butterflies erupted in Summer's belly as Bucky refocused his attention on her. He didn't say anything at first, instead just admiring her and letting his eyes drift from her face down her body on a slow trail that ended with the shoes on her feet and then began all over again.

By the time his eyes met hers again, her cheeks were a pretty light pink and she said, "So..."

Angled towards her, he grinned in amusement. "Hmm?"

She smiled and giggled nervously, looking away. "I'm sorry, I'm just waiting for this limo to turn into a pumpkin."

"I think you're safe there," he told her softly, reaching out and taking her left hand in his right. She watched his eyes fall to their fingers and the big, cumbersome diamond on her ring finger, and something that might have been regret colored his expression. She understood, even if she didn't know exactly what was going through his mind. He hadn't given her that ring, and she had received it back when they'd first met and he refused to say more than two words to her. She had been so incredibly, horrifically scared back then, and he had been cold and mean everything he wasn't now. Their journey to where they currently stood with each other was more of an odyssey, and while it hadn't been easy at any single point... she would have done it all again in a heartbeat.

Her butterflies increased exponentially when he then lifted her hand to his lips, pressing his lips softly just below her knuckles. It could have been an apology, a promise, or maybe just an incredible sweet gesture by a man who loved her, but whatever it was, it made her melt inside several times over. Then he opened his eyes and let them lock with hers, so much still unsaid and unknown, but none of that mattered at that moment. She slipped her hand out of his and touched his cheek, and his gaze darkened just before something snapped between them and they were kissing again.

It was surreal, finally having his lips on hers like that, as if it was where they had always belonged. Now that they were alone and not surrounded by an entire ballroom full of people, he let himself kiss her how he really wanted to - desperately, mindlessly, like he'd never tasted anything so sweet in his life and feared that tomorrow might never come to let him have it one more time. His hands were everywhere, in her hair and messing it up badly, on her back and down her legs, and nobody had ever made her feel the way that he was in those moments - as if she was not only wanted but needed, on a level that she could barely fathom.

When they broke for air the first time, he pressed his forehead to hers and kept his eyes closed, breathing hard as she gazed at him in sheer wonder. She said his name breathlessly, barely a whisper, and he opened his eyes just before she smiled and asked, "Do you really love me?"

"Sweetheart," he murmured, sweeping the pad of his thumb along her cheekbone, "I love you so much it fucking terrifies me."

Her heart pounding, she let out a shaky breath and searched his eyes, seeing nothing but truth and vulnerability there. "Why?"

"Because," he muttered, eyes growing a little shiny, "if you ever leave, I'll just..."

Having not expected that at all, Summer's eyes widened and she shook her head, cradling his face with both hands and telling him, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm not. Don't you know that by now? I could have left and I didn't. I stayed because of you."

"I don't deserve you," he replied softly, shaking his head slightly.

"You don't deserve to be alone," she told him sincerely. "You deserve to be happy and loved. And I love you."

He smiled, glancing down at her lips just before he leaned in and captured them again. They didn't speak anymore after that, instead filling the rest of the car ride home with more kisses and heavy, uneven breaths, barely keeping their clothes on as the heat between them grew to new heights with every touch.

By some miracle, they managed to make it home without having each other in the backseat. But once he had dragged her up to his room... all bets were off.

---

Summer barely had a chance to breathe before Bucky spun her around gently and pushed her face-first against his closed bedroom door. She smiled to herself and placed both palms on the door, recalling how their first little encounter had begun in that very same place in the very same position. This, however, was going to turn out much differently than that time had.

He groaned and pressed his lips to the back of her neck, kissing down slowly and sensually until he reached her tattoo. His hands settled on her hips and he clutched them tight as his lips slipped over the inked words, murmuring against her skin, "Who do you belong to?"

She whimpered and pressed her forehead to the door. "You."

He growled and bit her in response. She yelped and almost came apart at the seams untouched.

"Mine," his voice rumbled between her shoulder blades as his hands reached up to the straps of her dress. "All fucking mine," he added, gently pulling the dress down from her shoulders and carefully tugging it down her body. It slipped past her hips and then pooled on the floor around her feet, and he drew back just far enough to look her over as he turned her around to face him. And what he saw was entirely too much to handle.

She was completely bare on top, which he expected, but he didn't expect the black garter and hose, paired with incredibly skimpy lace black panties that barely served any purpose at all. Then along with her sky high silver heels...

"Fucking hell, baby," he all but moaned, staring at the delicious sight of her body until she reached up into her hair to take it down. She was blushing and biting her lip, avoiding his eyes, and the minute that her long raven locks tumbled down her back and shoulders, he pushed her back against the door and said, "You're the hottest fucking thing I've ever seen, you know that?"

She barely had time to lose her breath before his mouth was ravaging hers again. He was still fully dressed in his black suit and something about that fact aroused her even more, especially once he picked her up and her legs wrapped around his waist, his body pinning her to the door and his hands on the curve of her ass.

"God I want you," he confessed breathlessly after he broke away, rocking against her like he couldn't help himself. "Want you in every way fucking possible."

She moaned at that, those words sending off a storm of unspeakable thoughts in her head, each one as scandalous as the next. She didn't even notice she'd closed her eyes until he nudged her chin and issued a gentle command.

"Look at me."

Her eyes flew up to his.

Suddenly he looked a little cautious, maybe even unsure. "You want this, right?"

... She was so flabbergasted that he had even a shred of a doubt as to that fact that she actually giggled a little bit. "Oh my God, yes. Yes. Yes, yes, yes."

He grinned at her response and nodded, briefly stealing another kiss. "Good. Just check in with me, okay? You get so quiet... you gotta use your words sometimes, let me know you're still with me."

"Oh," she nodded. "Okay. Sorry."

"Don't be," he smirked, gently easing her back down to her feet and smoothing his hands over her hips. "You just... you make me wanna do things I've never done before," he admitted, nose brushing against hers. "Don't wanna get carried away or end up hurting you."

"You won't," she assured him, gazing up earnestly into his eyes. Then, out of nowhere, an idea struck her. "We can do the traffic light thing."

He furrowed his brows. "The what?"

"Red for stop, yellow for slow down, green to go," she blushed, smiling. "If you ever start to worry you can ask me for a color. Not that you'll ever have to stop because... I'm pretty sure I'd let you do anything to me."

He thought that over for a moment. "I like that idea. Okay." Then his expression turned into something much darker. "Anything?"

"... Yeah," she smiled, looking away from him and trying not to squirm. It was the truth, and there was no sense in hiding it.

"You're gonna fucking kill me," he groaned before stepping away from her entirely, which was not what she'd expected. She then watched him walk back to his bed and sit down on the edge of it, spreading his legs wide and then patting his thigh. "Come sit on my lap."

... Mother of God. Her hidden inner Daddy kink absolutely running wild with that, Summer tried not to trip over her own feet as she walked to him. She also felt a little bit shy suddenly, topless as she was and clad in revealing lingerie, but she tried not to let it show and drew confidence from the hungry way that he watched her as she approached him.

Then she climbed on his lap and straddled him, hands going to his shoulders but making no move to undress him just yet. He pulled her down for a hungry, almost sloppy kiss, his hands groping her breasts and roaming her entire body, and if she ended up surviving this night at all, it was gonna be a miracle.

He made her squeak in surprise against his mouth when his right hand snuck between her legs, fingers teasing her through her panties as he pulled away and noted with delight, "Fucking drenched, aren't you?"

She merely moaned and then moaned again more loudly when he dropped his head and turned his attention to her breasts as his fingers slipped inside of her panties. He hadn't even taken off his suit jacket yet and she couldn't find it in herself to care, too busy trying not to ride his hand wantonly and let it show just how desperate she was to let go. But with his mouth worshipping her breasts and skilled fingers doing what they did best, it was all in vain and she grew embarrassingly loud and erratic when she felt herself reaching her peak in what had to have been record time.

But before she could experience that sweet release, he pulled the rug out from under her and had her on her back in his bed before she could so much as blink. His mouth and fingers were gone and she stared up at him in bewilderment, but all he did was grin down at her lazily. He took her hands and placed her arms over her head, draping then over her pillow, and then he told her, "Just lay back and spread your legs for me, baby."

She whimpered and her entire body blushed. He saw it as he watched her open her legs a little bit but not quite enough for him to settle comfortably between them, so he gave one of her inner thighs a tap and said, "Come on, nice and wide. Show me what I've been thinking about while I was gone."

That got her attention. Following his orders and letting her legs relax and fall open like he wanted, she muttered, "You..."

"Fuck yeah I did," he chuckled, pressing a kiss just above her belly button. "How else do you think I passed the time in my hotel room?"

She groaned and covered her face with her hands, surprised that her brain wasn't melting out of her ears. "Oh my God."

He kept kissing down, down, down, until his lips were on her inner thighs and kissing hotly up each one until he'd reached his destination. Enjoying the view of her lingerie entirely too much, he simply pulled her panties to the side and, eyes on her bare flesh, murmured, "Nothing like the real thing though."

Then his mouth was on her and she was melting into the bed, eyes closing and body surrendering to him entirely. He was so, so good at what he was doing and he knew it, and he didn't mind it at all when her thighs wrapped around his head and refused to let him budge. He liked that, in fact, and he happily drowned in her while she moaned up to the ceiling and slowly lost her mind. The fact that he was still in his suit while doing this to her made her head spin, and the very idea that this could be something she'd get to have every single day if she wished from here on out... what a life.

Just like she knew he would, he didn't stop until he made her see stars. His hands slid up her body to play with her breasts as she teetered on the edge, and all it took was opening her eyes long enough to peek down and see the sight that they made to fall apart. She didn't care about who might hear or what she sounded like, far too caught up and completely overwhelmed to give a single damn.

And once it was over and she was breathing hard, feeling like she was floating and no longer on solid ground, Bucky gently eased her legs back down to the bed and gazed upon her, extremely pleased with his work. Her arms were still over her head, and he loved how obedient she was and the fact that she'd actually kept them there the entire time, like he'd said. He sighed and dropped a parting kiss to her inner thigh, then rose to his knees and began undressing her the rest of the way.

Her shoes were, regrettably to him, the first to go. She watched him through heavy-lidded eyes as he took off the first one and then the second, carefully setting them next to the bed on the floor. She wondered why he did that - maybe he knew just how expensive they were, or perhaps he liked her in them so much that he wanted to make sure they stayed in good condition. Whatever the reason, they were quickly forgotten as he then moved on to her garter belt, carefully pulling the little straps free from her stockings. He was so gentle and careful, and she liked that a lot. She had no doubt that he would be rough and rip things to shreds given the right situation, but this was different and she was glad for it.

He pulled the garter belt from her body first, then her hose, one by one from each leg. Once those were out of the way, he slowly rid her of her panties, the very last piece of clothing on her body. He looked her in the eye as he tugged them off, and she smiled back dreamily and asked, "Are you gonna be in that suit all night?"

He smirked and tossed her panties on the floor. "Do you want me to be?"

She shook her head with enthusiasm. He grinned and eased off of the bed, and she watched him as he turned around and shrugged off his jacket.

How he was seemingly so patient, she couldn't even begin to understand. He laid his suit jacket on the side of a chair, and then after that came his tie and shirt, all removed and laid aside as if he wasn't going mad with need. And she knew that he was - she had felt it and seen it in his eyes.

What she didn't know was that he was actively trying to calm himself down and keep himself in check. He wanted to do everything under the sun to her and spend all night doing it, but this was their first time and he wanted it to be special. It had been ages since sex had actually meant something to him and involved real emotions, and he wanted - needed - to do this right. She deserved that much and infinitely more, and while he didn't really know how to do it... he hoped that he'd give her a night even halfway worthy of a woman like her.

"Hey," she said softly when his hands had moved to his belt, catching his attention. He turned to find her sitting up in the bed, her long hair already messy and covering her breasts as she smiled, "Can I do this part?"

He grinned and walked over to her as she let her legs dangle off the side of the bed. He stood between them and she looked up at him with her big, still-shy blue eyes as his hands went to her hair and began slowly sweeping it aside. She started working on his belt, her fingers a little shaky but not overly so, and it wasn't long before she had it undone and was pushing his pants down just far enough down his thighs to let her get to what she wanted. Somehow, she wasn't surprised that he wasn't wearing anything else underneath.

He was painfully hard, just the slightest and softest touch of her hand making his jaw clench and body tense. She looked up at him and smiled demurely, lazily but firmly stroking him as she leaned in and pressed a deceptively innocent little kiss to his tip. Her tongue followed, instinct guiding her every teasing movement, and his hand in her hair tightened as he gritted out, "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are like this?"

She smiled to herself and blushed, not trusting herself to look up at him in that moment. Instead she slowly sucked him into her mouth, and his responding grown and curse made her entire body shiver.

She had a tendency to get lost in this particular act, letting herself stop thinking and simply just go, barely paying attention to anything else happening around her. She liked it and she didn't have any shame in it, but this time Bucky didn't quite let her drift off the way that she normally did.

"You're so good at this," he said, voice heavy and rough with pleasure as he watched her, hand still buried in her hair but not guiding her. He didn't need to. "So fucking good, baby. You like it, don't you?"

Since she couldn't exactly talk or nod in her current state, she moaned in affirmation instead. His words of praise made her want to purr like a cat, and she couldn't believe how much she loved it. Praise kink, indeed.

"Bet you can take me all the way in, can't you?" he mused, licking his lips and trying not to shudder at the thought. "Let me hit the back of that pretty throat... show me, Summer."

She whimpered a little brokenly and dropped her hand, holding on with both hands to his hips as she relaxed her throat and did her very best obey him. He wasn't small and it wasn't exactly easy, but when she did it and he moaned and cursed in delight before proceeding to shower her with praise and words she'd be replaying in her head for days... it was more than worth the effort.

Then, all too soon, he pulled away and her mouth was suddenly empty. She gasped a little and looked up at him in mild confusion before he dropped a knee on the bed and laid her back down within it, crawling on top of her after he shed his pants and left no more clothes between them to get in the way. Then he was kissing her and everything was perfect, from his weight on top of her to the way that his hair fell and tickled her cheeks.

He kissed her long and deep, relearning how to make a woman writhe and pant just from kissing alone. It had been a long, long time, but he was ready to spend as much time as it took to learn what made his wife tick and how to thoroughly ravage her mouth with his own. It still felt strangely foreign to kiss her like that, to have that connection with another person that he'd denied himself for so long, but it left him feeling more high and alive than he had felt in years.

And Summer couldn't get enough. Every time he broke away to breathe she'd pull him right back down, as if she still feared the spell breaking and everything going back as it had been. She kissed him madly still when he rolled them over and placed her on top, her hair a curtain around them as their bodies slid and moved together, only teasing at first. Then when her lungs burning forced her to break away, she smiled down at her husband and he grinned back at her, reaching up and brushing her hair behind her ears.

"Can you say it again?" he asked rather than ordered, his tone quiet and words perfectly clear. She knew just what he meant.

"I love you," she smiled, leaning down and kissing him again. Then she looked him in the eye and brushed aside a stray lock of hair from his forehead, adding, "I love you so much."

The smile that those words brought to his face was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen in her life. It might take him time to feel worthy of her love or fully trust that she wouldn't come to her senses and leave him one day, but until he did, she'd tell him every day how much she loved him and leave no room for doubt there.

Then he rolled them over, pinning her down playfully - playfully - and still smiling as he kissed her again and murmured, "Don't think I'll ever get used to that."

"Me neither," she smiled back, her breath hitching when he reached down and slung her leg over his hip. She could feel him pressed against her - all of him - and she wanted him as badly as he needed her.

"Ready?" he asked, sliding into position and holding himself up on one arm while the other cradled her face.

She nodded quickly, though she added quietly, "It's been awhile. Just -"

"I'll go slow," he assured her, living up to his promise and stealing another kiss as he began to languidly and carefully press inside of her.

She closed her eyes and consciously relaxed her body, letting out a deep sigh and breathing in and out with every inch he went deeper. The first time in a long time was always tricky at first, and this time was no exception. By the time that he was fully seated, he held himself completely still to give her time to adjust, and she opened her eyes just in time to see the sheer torture on his face.

His cheeks were flushed, eyes screwed shut and mouth open, and at first glance one might have thought that he was in pain. But he wasn't, and that became very clear when he dropped his forehead against hers and moaned, "How the fuck are you this fucking tight."

She giggled and ran her fingers soothingly through his hair. "Sorry."

He shook his head, biting his lip and telling her, "No, fuck. Just trying to last longer than five seconds."

"Oh," she blushed. He opened his eyes and grinned down at her, strain still evident in his features, and she gave him a small smile as he leaned down and kissed her long and slow. It was absolutely perfect, the way that his lips pressed against hers and the sometimes teasing and sometimes consuming ways that his tongue played with hers making her squirm and ache for more. She rolled her hips up, taking him in even deeper, and he broke the kiss with a moan that set her skin on fire. Then his eyes locked with hers and he started moving, painstakingly slowly to keep himself under control and make sure he didn't hurt her.

It was torment of the sweetest kind. She matched his slow, careful rhythm until she didn't need him to be careful anymore. Her hands buried in his hair and her lips a breath from his own, she murmured breathlessly, "Faster." He groaned and didn't hesitate to comply, letting some of that already-tenuous self control slip as he let himself pick up the pace.

For all of Summer's fantasies that had revolved around this and how it would feel for him to be inside of her for the first time, none of it compared to the real thing. He was neither small nor uncomfortably large, instead fitting her and filling her up in a way that only left her wanting more with every thrust. As talkative as he was in the heat of the moment, he was silent now save for his heavy breaths and occasional deep groans, every bit of his focus placed upon her and making love to her the way that he knew she deserved. He played around with different angles, watching her reactions carefully, and it wasn't until he lifted her up with his free hand underneath her on lower back that she gasped and shuddered, and he knew that he'd found the right spot.

He drove into her over and over, watching her slowly lose her mind and tremble with pleasure, and he was overcome with emotion that he couldn't even fully comprehend in those overwhelming moments. He wanted to make her his own forever, drive out every memory she had of other men from her mind and obliterate them, make her writhe and scream and crave no touch but his for the rest of her life. He wanted to possess her but not as a trophy or an object to be controlled - she'd never be anything like that. No, she was a goddess that he would never deserve but would spend the rest of his trying to be worthy of, if she would let him.

Then, as they both grew dangerously close to the edge, he started kissing down her neck and she pulled his hair in sheer bliss. He groaned in pleasure and bit down on her skin, making her yelp softly and move against him faster, utterly desperate for him. When her nails sunk sharply into his back next, he moaned brokenly and raised his head, taking her fast and desperately as she clutched him like a lifeline, making some of the sweetest noises he'd ever heard in his life.

He kissed her rough and sloppy, murmuring, "Gonna come for me again, baby?"

She whined and nodded, and he shifted their angle again, just barely but enough to make her nearly scream.

He took both of her hands in his and laid them above her head, their fingers intertwining and bodies moving in perfect sync with each other. He felt her tightening, fluttering around him, and he barely got his next words out in time before they were both gone. "Come for me, Summer," he all but moaned, watching her tip over the edge almost the very second those words left his mouth. She came with a loud, shaky, beautiful moan, and the sight and the sound and the feel of her was just too much. He dropped his face into her neck and followed right after, coming so hard he barely stayed conscious throughout the few long, incredible seconds that it lasted.

It was everything Summer had hoped it would be and more. It was everything Bucky thought he'd never get to have again and would do everything in his power to hold on to, no matter what.

She laid there in utter bliss, welcoming the weight of him as he laid on top of her, still inside of her and not appearing to be very interested in moving. She carded her fingers through his hair, her eyes closed and her mind and body at complete peace. When he finally stirred and began to lift off of her, she wished that he wouldn't have.

His eyes heavy and his grin a little crooked and stupidly sated, he gave her a kiss and then eased off of her, laying down on his side and then pulling her against him, the big spoon to her little one. He used his last bit of strength to reach down and pull the covers up and over them both, and then once they were both warm and safe under there, he laid his head on his pillow and held her close, kissing the back of her shoulder just above her tattoo.

She smiled and bit her lip. "I still can't believe all of this actually happened."

"I can't believe you hid this tattoo from me for so long," he replied, tracing it with his fingertips.

"I was gonna tell you," she told him truthfully. "I was just... waiting for the right moment."

He kissed the little Russian words again with his lips, then wrapped his arm around her waist. "S'okay. Wouldn't change a thing."

She smiled and leaned back to look him in the eye. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," he smiled back, leaning down and kissing her sweetly. Then, his nose brushing hers, he whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," she beamed, and they kissed one more time before settling back down into each other's embrace, closing their eyes and letting the irresistible pull of sleep take them both.

Finally, for the first time in a very, very long time... they both felt like they were home at last.