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Chapter 3

SPOV

To say that Bella Swan was an enigma to me would be an understatement.

I was currently doing some reconnaissance to try and figure her out. She came across as shy and demure, but I'd overheard some fairly defiant outbursts between her and Stark.

She sometimes loved it when he called her "kiddo". He sometimes loved it when she called him "Uncle". Other times they both loathed those monikers.

Her story was that she moved to New York to go to Columbia for college, but I've yet to hear about her attending classes.

Mostly, she was working for Maria Hill, who of course was working for me, I mean, The Avengers.

I knew when she was in the offices. I could hear her voice. Smell her perfume.

She had captivated me. It was intoxicating.

I was terrified. Tony mentioned that she had a thing for older men. I certainly fit that category.

I had a thing for her.

I keep a professional distance whenever possible, but at this exact moment, she's walking toward my office. Her voice is soft but strong. I've heard her verbally spar with Tony and Bruce.

She's smart and witty.

She's funny.

"Captain Rogers." She's hovering in the doorway.

"Yes?" I'm trying not to stare into her eyes. They've trapped me before.

"I have the statistical reports you wanted from Agent Hill." She takes two steps in and places them on the edge of my desk.

"Thank you." I don't look up. I've stopped typing, and I'm sure she's noticed, but she doesn't mention it.

"You know, we have this thing called email, now? Super helpful." The sarcasm is so obvious it's hard not to smirk.

"I like hard copies." I finally look up at her and smile. "They're easier for me at times. Keeps me grounded."

She snorts, and I laugh out loud. I can't help it; she keeps herself composed 90 percent of the time.

"I could use some lessons in grounding myself." Bella sighs, and it's the look on her face that has me concerned, so I rise from behind my desk.

"What's the matter?" I take a few tentative steps toward her. I'm staring, and I can't help it. She's gone pale, and I'm sure if I reached out to touch her, she'd be trembling.

"You know you always stare at me." She spits out the words, and they sting like venom.

I stutter, trying to come up with an acceptable answer.

"My ex-boyfriend used to stare at me all the time too. I thought I liked it. I thought it meant he liked me." She takes a step deliberately away from me. "He didn't."

I'm not shocked but surprised that she opened up to me like that. As far as I knew, she hadn't spoken about her life before New York except for mentioning her parents or her schooling.

"I'm sorry." I take a step back and make eye contact with an air vent on the wall behind her. "I had no idea. I never intended to make you feel uncomfortable."

Bella scoffs and the sound is so harsh coming from her petite body.

"I know Tony told you; everybody knows why I'm here." She pouts, and I can see just how young she is.

"I don't know what you think Tony told me, or anyone else, but he would never betray your trust like that." I gesture to the low-slung sofa across from my desk, and she perches on the edge.

I lean against the edge of my desk, cross my arms across my chest, and take a good look at her.

Here she is all of 20, new college, new to the city; new to life, if we're being truly honest here. She's got her whole life in front of her, and she came here. Why? To get away from a bad break up?

I've got to get a handle on my hormones because I can smell her perfume or her shampoo, whichever, and it's driving me crazy.

"So, you broke up with your boyfriend?" I ask quietly, feeling all of my 95 years.

"I like that you think I did the breaking." She frowns. "Uncle Tony never really said anything?"

Bella never refers to him as "Uncle" during working hours. She wanted to keep some things separate; I guess we're moving past that now.

"He never told me. I seriously doubt he told anyone—it's no one's business what brought you here."

She's quiet and unmoving, unblinking.

"Bella, are you all right?" I ask as I drop my arms and move to crouch in front of her. Her scent is so much stronger the closer I am. Her eyes are dark and warm. They're dry.

"Do you realize I've just been playing a part since I got here?" Her gaze flickers to mine, and our eyes lock. "I've been walking around like a zombie because I thought everyone thought I was some weak, defeated, brokenhearted … child!" She leaps to her feet, and I fall back onto the floor.

"I've been acting like I did when that soulless creature left me in the woods!" She's seething, and it's new and sort of exciting.

This Bella I'd like to see in the gym, to spar with her.

And other things.

"Wait, he left you in the woods?" I ask, and she glances at me awkwardly lying on the floor. She offers her hand to help me up, and when I take it, a jolt of electricity bolts through me.

"Sorry," I mutter as I move to the sofa and stare at her as she paces and stares at her hand. "So, the woods?"

"Yeah, Washington in September. I was in shock and sort of passed out. There was a search party. They found me four hours later," she explains, but she continues to stare at her hand.

"I'd like to wring that sucker's neck for doing that to you." I all but growl, and she finally looks at me again. There's laughter in her eyes.

"I'd like to see that, but even with all your rippling muscles, you couldn't do much to him." Bella sighs and sits down next to me. "Tony didn't tell you, but you should know. Everyone should."

"What is it?"

"Edward and his family are … different. They're—"

"Captain Rogers! There is a level three alert on Long Island. Your assistance is required immediately." JARVIS's voice breaks through the office, and I jump to my feet.

"Roger that, J. Fire up the Quinjet. I'll be there in two minutes." I glance down at Bella and smile. "Raincheck?"

"Sure thing. Go save some people, Captain." She smiles and scurries out of my way as I race to the top floor and the loading dock.