"I should get that," Annie whispered.
"Yeah, you probably should," Bucky agreed.
Annie reluctantly lifted herself from the couch and answered the door. She took the food, and before she could turn to Bucky for the money he was behind her. She felt his breath against her ear.
"Here you go, man. Keep the change." He told the delivery man.
He leaned around Annie's shoulder and pushed the door shut. His metal fingertips slid down her arm making her shiver. It seemed to her like he was content to stand behind her with his fingertips dancing on her body. She mustered all her will power and cleared her throat.
"Are we going to eat or what? I'm starving."
"Me too," Bucky whispered close to her ear.
She wasn't sure, but she didn't think he was talking about food. The thought was enough to make her insides flutter. She tried to wrap her head around what just happened. He was going to kiss her. Definitely. Well, at least she felt like he was going to kiss her. Then again, maybe she was just used to men trying to kiss her.
She followed Bucky over to the couch and sat the food between them. The aroma was mouth-watering.
"I didn't know what you liked so I got a little bit of everything," he commented as they both dug food from the bag.
"I'm not picky," Her eyes lit up, "But crab rangoons are my favorite!"
He'd forgotten the pleasure it brought to make a woman smile. Her reaction made him flash a smile of his own. "Glad I got double then,"
They ate in relative silence. Annie's mind wandered again to Dante and if her troubles were to really over. She'd lived so long with this hanging over her head. She wanted to ask Bucky more about the situation, but she knew better. He had said all he was going to say on the matter. Beyond that, she would just have to trust him.
She slid her gaze carefully toward him. He was leaned back now, finished eating and relaxed on her couch. His arms folded casually behind his head. She watched the rise and fall of his chest against his black t-shirt. His jaw was showing signs of stubble and-
His eyes locked onto hers suddenly.
"Are you staring at me?" He chuckled.
She plucked up her nerve, "Maybe."
"Well don't. Not much to look at,"
"Can I be the judge of that?"
Bucky sighed heavily and turned his body towards her. "Judge away,"
Annie studied his face. So serious. Tentatively, she reached out and slid her fingertips through his hair, his eyes never leaving her face. Good grief this guy is intense, she thought. Her hand glided downward feeling the stubble on his jaw. Bucky shifted as her fingertips ghosted across his lips. She had a feeling she was playing with fire.
She let her hand drop somewhat nervously. Her heart skipped a beat as Bucky picked her hand up and placed it back onto his face. He scooted himself closer to her. She touched his lips again, this time she lingered. Heat crept into her cheeks as Bucky pressed his lips against her fingertips.
"I'm nervous," she whispered.
"Me too, a little," he admitted.
It didn't stop him from again inching his way closer to her on the couch. Annie's hand fell to his shoulder, and then to the back of his neck. She thought he was going in for a kiss, but instead he pushed her braid aside and pressed his lips against her neck. The delicate flesh there had been untouched far too long, and the sensation sent goosebumps over her body. Bucky felt her shiver. He smiled as he kissed again, this time higher and under her earlobe.
He moved his lips further still as his kisses climbed their way toward her mouth. Having his lips on her was bliss. Having him here with her at all...was bliss. He leaned her back onto the couch so he could see into her eyes. She gave him a reassuring smile as he slowly lowered his lips to hers.
Annie felt Bucky capture her mouth slowly, and for a moment she lay in complete awe. Matching his pace as he deepened their kiss. Then, without thinking she caught his bottom lip gently between her teeth. Bucky groaned his approval as he quickly pulled her back up and onto his lap.
He pulled the tie from her braid and pulled his hands aggressively through her hair. He knew he needed to get ahold of himself.
Don't rush it, he told himself.
But he wanted to rush. He wanted to dive in head first. He wanted to feel her, breathe her, taste her. He could keep going. It would be so easy. She was ready, and she wanted him, he could tell. But as her kisses slowed and their embrace became more tender he realized that now was not the time.
He smoothed his hands down her arms and pulled her back. Annie smiled sweetly and seemed to understand the change in the mood. She climbed off his lap and curled up next to him on the sofa. Bucky wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. The Winter Soldier man have gone in guns blazing at everything in life, but Bucky Barnes was going to take his time. Bucky Barnes was going to appreciate things.