I pulled all the cartons out of the bag and lined them up on the coffee table before running back to the kitchen to get napkins and drinks.

Bucky was sitting on the couch sniffing each container and nodding in approval.

He looked up at me with a smile, "Is this all?" he said mischievously.

I looked at the dozen different cartons sitting before him. Hmm, maybe I had over done it a little. There was no way we would eat all that food.

I shrugged, "You can take it home for you and Steve to eat" I slid the movie in and went to sit beside him on the couch.

"Maybe…or you and I could eat them tomorrow night" he made that last part a question. Apparently Bucky enjoyed my company as I much as I enjoyed his. There was nothing I would like better than to spend another night with him, perhaps without interruptions this time.

You were so close Eden.

It bothered me to have to tell him I would be leaving in the morning to see Jill, "No actually we can't"

He laid down the carton that he was opening and looked my direction.

"I'm leaving town in the morning Bucky. I didn't even remember until this morning." I explained.

He looked down and I heard him ask, "How long?" He looked heartbroken and as much as it upset me to see him sad, it also warmed my heart to know he would obviously miss me.

"A month" I said, attempting to keep the smile at bay.

His head turned sharply to look in my direction, "A month!"

I really tried not to laugh, but after about 3 seconds, I busted out laughing. The realization that I was teasing him finally sank in and he lunged at me, fingers finding the most ticklish spots on my stomach and going to work..

"I'm sorry….please…stop…tickling…me" I struggled to speak between giggles. I was sprawled back on the couch, Bucky hovered over me and was holding himself up with his left arm while his right tortured me. He finally stopped and let me catch my breath, grinning down at me. I had my hands on his waist and he repeated his question, "How long?"

"3 days, I'll be back late on Wednesday." He seemed more satisfied by that answer.

He looked surprised when I gazed up at him and said, "I'll miss you"

He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "Not as much as I'll miss you"

I felt his breath on my neck and his stubble graze my cheek. I pulled him to me, determined to close the distance between us finally. There were mere inches left when simultaneously my phone rang and the dryer buzzed. I rolled my eyes and Bucky groaned, pulling his face away from mine to look murderously at the phone that was now vibrating on the coffee table. I reached over to grab it and he got up to head to the dryer to retrieve his clothes. As he walked away he shouted, "I just can't get a break tonight"

I snickered and looked at the caller Id, recognizing Jill's phone number.

"Hey Eden!"

"Hey Jill, what's up" I replied pulling myself up off the couch to pace around the living room. I was worked up, I couldn't ever remember feeling this way. My heart was still pounding and there was a burning deep down inside of me. I hadn't been with anyone since Michael but my body was starting to remember what it felt like to be turned on by a man. Bucky was that man.

Jill was prattling on about the wedding plans she had decided on that day, various little details about flowers and food. I looked up to see Bucky making his way into the room. His jeans were on, zipped up but not buttoned, hanging loosely on his hips. He had already removed Michael's t-shirt and was fussing with his own.

I swear he is doing this to me on purpose…please but your shirt on Bucky!

What Jill said next took my attention away from Bucky's body and back on her, "So, do you think you would be able to stay the whole week?" she asked.

"What? You want me to stay the whole week" I repeated. Bucky's head popped up and he stopped messing with his shirt to watch at me.

"Yeah, Dave's boss is having this party on Friday night…I thought you might want to come. There will be lots of eligible bachelors there Eden" she said in a sing song voice.

"I don't know Jill…I uh, kind of had plans for the rest of the week" I stuttered.

"Come on Eden, it's time you got over Michael and got back out there" the mention of Michael made my blood run cold.

"It has nothing to do with Michael" I responded, watching Bucky's reaction. He clinched his fist and I saw the muscle in his jaw twitch.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry" she said, "so what are these plans of yours then?"

"I may have other plans" I replied

She gasped, "Plans? With a boy? Who is he?"

I turned to face away from Bucky, "I'll talk to you about it later."

Jill squealed on the other end, "Oh my God, he's there right now isn't he? Is he naked? Did I just interrupt a sexy tryst between the two of you?"

"Goodbye Jill" I pushed the end button.

I rolled my eyes and laid my phone back onto the coffee table. When I turned around Bucky was still standing there….shirtless.

"Are you going to stay all week?" he asked quietly.

I walked over to where he stood; a sad look on his handsome face.

I shook my head, "No" and then wrapped my arms around his waist, laying my head on his bare shoulder. He pulled his arms around me tightly and buried his face into the curls of my hair, inhaling deeply. The warmth of his skin contrasted nicely with the cool smooth metal of his robotic arm and it sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

"Bucky?" I whispered.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"I really need you to put your shirt back on so we can eat and watch the movie" I said with a smile.

I felt his chuckle and knew if I looked up he would have that damn sexy smirk on his face. I glanced up.

Dammit! Yep, there it is!

"Are you sure that's what you want?" he teased.

I pulled back from him , "Bucky, I can assure you that it is the last thing I want you to do"

He moved forward and I put one arm out to hold him at bay, my hand resting lightly on his chest, keeping him at a distance…."nope, time to eat mister"

I turned and walked to the couch adding, "and for God sakes Bucky, please button your pants"

There was that laugh again, that completely sensual sexy laugh. I heard him slip his shirt on and then walk over to the couch, buttoning his pants before he sat down.

"Happy?" he asked.

Hell no!

"Yes"

We finally started the movie, a comedy that I hadn't seen in years and one that Bucky had never seen. Of course, Bucky hadn't seen a lot of movies, probably not a hobby most assassins. I loved to watch movies, pretty much anything which was evident by the huge shelves on either side of my TV. I could imagine us spending many more night snuggled on my couch. I was right about over doing it on the food, there was a ton left. I paused the movie to put everything back in the bag and stick it into the refrigerator for Bucky to take home later. After the mess on the coffee table was cleaned up, I sat back down on my side of the couch and reached for the remote to unpause the movie. Bucky grabbed the throw pillow from his side and placed it in my lap before gently laying his head on it.

"Comfy?" I asked.

He nodded. We resumed the movie and while it played, I ran my fingers through his long brown hair, scratching my nails lightly on his scalp. He laid there, completely relaxed. I noticed when there was only about 10 minutes of the movie left, his eyes started to droop, eventually closing completely. He was so still, just the light rise and fall of his chest. Before the end credits and music could start, I pressed pause.

I stared down at his face; he looked so peaceful when he slept. I knew I couldn't let him lay there for much longer…glancing at the clock, I saw it was 10:30pm. I hadn't even started packing for my trip to Jill's. I would have to get up super early to do that just so I could leave on time. I glanced back down at him.

How did you get so lucky Eden?

This was insane. I had only known this man for 3 days but already I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was in love with him.

He's just so damn sweet and sexy.

I lightly ran my fingers down his cheek to his neck and then moved to the collar of his shirt. I hesitated a bit before I let my fingers dip into his shirt to trace his collarbone. He shivered and grabbed my hand, "Stop" he said huskily.

"Why" I whispered.

"I promise you won't get any sleep tonight if you don't" he said, opening his eyes to look at me finally.

Promise?

I sighed, "I should probably get some sleep. I'll have to get up even earlier to pack now"

He nodded and rose from my lap. He grabbed his now dry socks and put them on before slipping into his boots. While he put them on, I walked to the window to see that the rain had stopped completely. He stood up and I turned to look at him. He stood there looking miserable. I smiled at him, "It's only 3 days Bucky. We can get together Thursday."

He shook his head, "No, Wednesday night."

"I may not be back until really late Bucky" I added.

"I don't care how late it is, call me and I'll be here."

I nodded and walked toward him, enjoying the knowledge that he was that desperate to see me again.

I grabbed the food out of the fridge and handed it to him. I walked him to the door and he turned to me, "Please be careful. I won't be there to rescue you" he said with a smile.

"You'll call me while you're gone?"

"Of course"

Satisfied with my answer, he pulled me close and hugged me tightly.

I clung to him, unable to let him go. He finally had to be the one to pull away. He touched my cheek gently and turned to leave. I stared at him as he walked down the hallway and before he walked down the stairs, he looked my way one more time and smiled.

….xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx…

As I made my way back to Steve's house, I thought about the events that had taken place tonight. I had come so close to kissing her….had it not been for one thing or another, I would have known what it felt like to have those soft lips on mine.

When I walked in the door, Steve was there waiting to hear how it went. I told him every detail that took place that evening. He was outraged at the situation with Michael but patted me on the back…proud that I had stopped myself before I hurt him too bad. "Bucky, you've really learned how to control yourself. Maybe you are ready to get back to work…maybe join the team on a mission sometime"

I smiled at him, "Thanks Steve. It would be nice to be part of your team again."

I finished telling him the rest and to his credit, he didn't tease me too bad about my misfortune with the constant interruptions

"You must be losing your touch old man, the Bucky I knew would have never been asked to put his shirt back on. " he jumped off the couch before I could lay the punch intended for his shoulder.

"Good night Buck!" he called as he walked to his room.

I slipped off my jeans and shirt and lay back onto the couch, covering myself with a blanket.

I thought of her…the way she smelled, the touch of her fingers, her smile. I was in love with her, plain and simple. It seemed almost impossible to believe I had only known her 3 days. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found her name.

Bucky: I miss you already.

Eden: Not nearly as much as I miss you. I almost wish I hadn't stopped earlier when you asked me to.

Get up Bucky, put your pants back on and head over there.

Bucky: I could be at your front door in less a minute.

Eden: lol…Goodnight Bucky!

Bucky: Goodnight Eden! I'll see you in 3 days.