"Hey, gorgeous," Bucky called as he came in.

I rolled my eyes but didn't look away from the console as I entered new data about our last session. "We talked about this, Bucky. It's not proper for you to call me by pet names. Des or Destiny is fine."

"I know." Even though I couldn't see him, I could hear him as he walked toward me. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." I finally turned around to find him standing only a few inches from me. Plastering on a fake smile, I asked, "What's up?"

He looked directly into my eyes. "Are we okay?"

"Of course." I forged shock at his question. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Since Steve and Sam left you've been distant. I just wanted to make sure I didn't mess up somehow. I know I came on a little strong at the lake. I just… I think you're amazing, Des, and I wanted you to know."

"And I appreciate you feel that way. I really do. But I don't want you to confuse trusting me with attraction. I'm only here to help you." I forced another smile. "We're friends, but that's it. That's all our relationship can ever be."

When he nodded, I returned to my work, but my mind was so far from what I was doing. I regretted having to put so much distance between us, but after my conversation with Steve, I knew it was the right decision. Bucky and I were too damaged to even consider relationships with anyone, let alone each other. He had physical and emotional scars only another person who'd been through hell could understand. Bringing those two histories together could end either very badly or in perfect harmony. Life experience had taught me that it was more likely the former than the latter.

Besides, he was super-hot and I was not. Once he was confident enough to put himself out there, he'd have his pick of any woman he wanted. Someone like me would be a friend at best and, at worst, just forgotten.

Lost in my thoughts, I jumped when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"That first night," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "When I choked you and you told me it was because you touched me, I didn't panic because of what I'd done. I was scared I'd blown my chance to get close to you."

"Bucky," I started.

"And every time I left, it wasn't because of the memories. It was because when I had you holding me, I wanted to kiss you. I was mad because I didn't. That's what I was gonna do in the lake. What I wanna do right now."

I turned around, determined to end this conversation and dispel any more nonsense once and for all. I couldn't let him believe we'd ever have anything other than close friendship. It just wasn't possible, and we couldn't entertain the idea it was.

However, when I opened my mouth, he pressed his lips roughly to mine. The weight of his kiss was startling but nowhere near unappealing. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck to draw him deeper. In response, he pulled me to my feet and pressed me against him. The heat from his body radiated through our clothes, awakening the desire I'd fought so hard to avoid. I moved my hand from his neck to stroke his rough cheek, causing him to groan into my mouth. The rumbling vibration sent a shudder through me that shook me from the inside out.

"You taste better than I imagined." He said when he finally pulled back. Still, he rested his forehead against mine as he smiled. "I can't wait to do it again."

"This isn't right," I protested weakly, still clinging to him. "I don't want to confuse you."

His smile only widened. "I've never been so sure of anything in my life, doll."

As he kissed me a second time, he leaned closer until I was almost sitting on top of the console. The tip of his tongue tapped against my lower lips, politely asking for entrance. When I parted them, it snaked inside and aggressively stroked mine. I whimpered at the sensation, causing him to dive deeper inside. His hand slid from my waist up to my back before pulling me flush against his body. Because of the height difference and the loose-fitting military trousers he wore, I could feel his desire building until it was firmly pressed against my stomach. The sudden realization of what might happen brought me to my senses somewhat and I started to pull away.

"Bucky." I tried to say his name to get his attention, but it only came out as a moan as he moved from my lips down my neck in a trail of kisses. "Please, Bucky. We need to stop. I… I can't do this."

He lifted his face to look at me. His eyes were dark with need, but he eased back slowly to give us space to finally catch our breath. Still, he didn't take his hand off me as he waited.

"I'm sorry, Des." He lowered his eyes, clearly ashamed. "I don't want to come on too strong. If you don't feel the same way I do-"

I took his face in my hands. "I think it's pretty obvious I'm very attracted to you, Bucky. But I want to make sure we're not rushing into something we're not ready for. Let's stop and breathe before we do something we'll regret later."

He nodded, an easy smile slipping across his lips. "All right, Des. We'll take things slow. Whatever you need."

"Thank you." Relieved he was willing to let me take the lead, I smiled.

"Hey. A great girl's worth waiting for." He playfully kissed my forehead. "And you're the best."

"You're not too bad yourself, big guy." I left the warmth of his embrace and made my way to the kitchenette. Grabbing a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, I chugged down half of it before I allowed myself to speak again. "Why don't we cancel today's session? Tomorrow we'll come back fresh and focused."

"Okay." He joined me in the kitchenette then continued, "But I want to make sure you know I'm serious. I'm not just attracted to you because you saved me. I've wanted you since the day I laid eyes on you. You're an amazing woman, Destiny Hunt, and I'm not gonna let you get away without showing you how much you mean to me."

I swear, his proclamation alone was enough to make me want to jump into his arm again, but I kept my wits about me and just rolled my eyes. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

"Never have and never will again." He wrapped his hand around my own which was still holding the bottle. Slowly, he lifted it to his lips and drained the remaining water. "Until I can have your lips again, I'll make due."

"Go home, Bucky," I ordered before my common sense abandoned me and I dragged him into the bedroom. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Can't wait." He winked. "Bye, Des."

Once he was gone, I let out of gush of breath I didn't realize I was holding. Heading to my bedroom, I shouted, "Ruth, start the shower, but make it ice cold."

"Of course, Ms. Hunt," she responded in a tone I could've sworn sounded smug.

"And get Shuri on the phone when I get out. We need some girl talk stat."

After my shower, I updated Shuri on the situation, careful not to leave out a single detail for fear it might be vital in finding a solution. When I was finished, I waited in silence as she considered it.

"So he has feelings for you?" She asked.

"Is attracted to me," I corrected.

"What's the difference?"

"I can sleep with someone I'm attracted to, but I want to wake up to someone I have feelings for."

"So sleep with him and see if you want to wake up beside him," she said in her usual matter-of-fact manner. "Problem solved."

I groaned. "It's not that simple. I'm more like a doctor to him than a girlfriend. Besides, I feel like I'm violating some kind of taboo by even considering him this way. I mean, isn't my job to be like a therapist for him?"

"Just like a white girl to make everything so complicated," She replied, clearly annoyed. "You're not his doctor and you're not his therapist. You're not even here because he asked for your help. You've become his friend and confidant. If it's meant to be something more, you should explore it."

I wrapped my arms around myself to try and ease my mind. "But what if it ruins our friendship?"

"Do you really think it will?"

I thought about it. Bucky and I faced some of the most painful aspects of his life and shared torment few people had ever experienced. I'd held him while he cried and pushed him when he wanted to give up. In return, he'd helped me to remember how to open myself up and find honest joy again. No matter what happened, we'd built our friendship to be one that would survive a lifetime.

"No. I don't think it will."

"Then stop being stupid and try it." She laughed. "And make sure you tell me all the juicy details afterwards."

"Please. You're probably getting more action than I ever have, you sexy princess, you," I teased.

"When you're the sister of the king, you don't get to swipe right." She laughed. "But if you're just wanting to hook up, there are a few clubs here in the capital I can show you."

I grinned. "Have a Wakandan man make me forget about my American troubles? That's not a bad idea."

"So you'll come?" She asked excitedly.

"No, but I do need to resupply. How about we meet sometime tomorrow? You can come pick me up."

"All right, but before you completely dismiss White Wolf's advances, remember that he sees something in you. Maybe you should try seeing what it is. Good night, my friend."

After we disconnected, I walked over to the full-length mirror beside the shower and took a long look at myself. In the low-cut camisole and pajama shorts, I could see all my flaws: the double chin, the thick arms that sagged a little when I raised them, the dimple in my breast from being stabbed surrounded by stretch marks, the too big belly, the non-existent thigh gap. It was all there in vivid color, reminding me I wasn't even close to the standard of beauty society had deemed worthy.

Then I noticed my eyes. They were perfectly almond shaped surrounded by lush black lashes other women would kill for. My hair, which fell all the way down to my breasts, shined like a silky wave of rich dark ale pouring over me in soft waves. My lips were full and naturally formed a perfect bow with a pink tint that always looked like I'd just been kissed.

"He sees something in me," I said softly. "Maybe if he told me what it was, I would see it too."

Squaring my shoulders, I turned on my heals and headed for the door.