"So," Shuri began as she lounged on the settee of the guestroom we'd been given. "Did you and the super-soldier give in to your unbridled passions after we spoke?"

I rolled my eyes but laughed anyway. "You've been reading cheap sleazy romance novels again, haven't you?"

"I take that as a yes." She sat up attentively. "And did you enjoy waking up next to him?"

"No." I paused for dramatic effect. "He was up before I was. Even made us breakfast."

She smiled. "T'Challa owes me a trip to Disneyland."

"You bet in my love life?" I stepped into the black thigh-high cocktail dress, another gift from the royal family. "Geez. Thanks for the vote of confidence."

She shrugged. "Mother was the one who mentioned it when you arrived."

"You corrupted your sainted mother too?" I shook my head. "Shame on you."

"Stop changing the subject. What happened?"

I smiled. "I wish you'd warned me when your brother invited us to dinner it was actually a state function. I hate wearing heels."

She groaned and flopped across the settee like a child. "You're not going to tell me what happened?"

I turned to her and winked. "No, but I will tell you the earth moved last night."

She laughed as she ran to hug me. "I'm so happy for you."

I continued to smile when she released me until I turned looked at myself in the mirror. "Shuri, do you think I'm good enough? To be with him, I mean. Am I really his type?"

"You Americans confuse me. All the bravado and swagger yet you constantly question your own worth." She turned to leave, adding, "Your value is more than your waist and cup sizes, my friend, and he sees that. That makes you his type."

"You're the best, Shuri," I called after her as she left.

She huffed. "Tell me something I don't know."

After she was gone, I put the finishing touches on my look: a light coat of makeup, a deep red lipstick that made my lips look fuller, and a pair of old fashion pantyhose to give my fair legs some color and smooth out my lumps. When I put on the red pair of peep-toe heels to complete my outfit, I heard a wolf whistle from the doorway and looked up.

Bucky was dressed in a jet-black suit and matching tie over a blue shirt that perfectly complimented his eyes. His face, which I'd been accustom to carrying a light beard, was neatly trimmed into a goatee. Finishing off his look, his hair was pulled back from his face in a half ponytail that left the length touching his collar.

"Baby, you're a knockout." He said as he came toward me.

I twirled around. "What? This old thing?"

"I better keep a close eye on you tonight. Every man's gonna be trying to steal you away." He grinned as he hauled me into his embrace. "Just missing one thing."

I gasped as he placed a single red rose bud behind my ear. The black and chrome prosthetic arm caught the light as he adjusted the flower then stepped back to admire his handiwork.

I fought to keep the tears out of my eyes as I stared at the arm. "Oh, honey. Your arm."

"Shuri thought it'd be a good idea to test it out and make sure there are no issues," he explained as he used it to stroke my cheek. "What do you think?"

I smiled and pressed my face into the palm. "It's perfect. Just like you."

"No, doll. You're perfect." He offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

I took it with a teasing grin. "All right, Mr. Barnes. But you better have me home by midnight. And I fully intend to be a good girl tonight so no funny business."

"You're an amazing girl, beautiful, but I gotta admit after seeing you in that dress, my intentions are less than honorable." He kissed my cheek and whispered, "I'm already trying to figure out how I'm gonna get you out it later."

By the time we made it down the hall and into the reception hall, I was already planning our escape. Just standing beside him made me want to drag him back to our room, but when he placed the metallic hand in the small of my back and I felt the unusual warmth the vibranium seemed to emit, I was more than a little turned on by the prospect of what else it was capable of heating up. I was about to ask him how long we needed to stay when we were stopped by his best friend.

"Good to see you out and about, Buck," Steve said as they shook hands. "I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Wasn't expecting it either. King T'Challa invited us this morning." He nodded at me. "You remember Des."

Steve nodded as he took my hand with a smile. "Good to see you too, Des."

"You too." Against my better judgment, I sampled his emotional state. There was still a level of concern but the underlying suspicion of me seemed to be absent.

I mingled while they talked until dinner was called. Once seated, they continued their conversation, joined by Sam and a very attractive blonde name Natasha. While I was responsive and somewhat engaged in the conversation, I let myself receive the emotions of different individuals in the room. I tried to convince myself I was just letting down my guard to enjoy myself, but I knew I was just trying to find out if there were any other women who might be interested in Bucky.

Sure enough, I was able to zero in on several who'd noticed him or Steve and a couple who considered both. Checking them out, I noticed how beautiful some of the women were and decided this would allow Bucky a chance to interact with attractive women. Maybe, with any luck, he'd find one that was perfect for him.

After dinner, I continued to monitor the other women while also trying to put some distance between Bucky and me when I felt hesitation in approaching him. His time catching up with Steve allowed me ample chances to slip away unnoticed. When I finally made it to the garden, I knew the other women would be more willing to talk to him now that I was gone.

"Saw you leave, Des," Sam said when he found me in the gardens. "You and Bucky having a fight or are you just trying to set him up with somebody else?"

I faked confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play with me. We've been friends too long. I've seen you do this song and dance before." He shook his head. "You never learn, do you? That guy's into you, Des. Why can't you just be happy about it?"
"I am happy, Sam," I lied. "I just want to make sure he knows he has options. The man's been in the bush alone forever. He doesn't have to commit to the first piece of Twenty-first century tail he gets."

"Yeah. Like the marine in Florida?"

I shook my head. "Totally different. Jeff had daddy issues. I couldn't compete with that."

"And that other guy from Ohio?"

"Sam! He was into some pretty out there stuff. I'm glad I introduced him to Mistress Sybil." I grinned playfully. "You should've seen the wedding, though. I never thought leather could be done so tastefully."

He laughed. "You're a mess, Des. An awesome lady who's gonna make some poor bastard happy someday, but still a mess."

"I know right. That's what I've been saying. I'm a hot mess."

He smirked. "Just gonna ignore the awesome part, huh?"

I stared up at the stars. "Let's just agree to disagree. Kay?"

"Whatever you say." I looked down just in time to see him shake his head with a smile. "C'mon. Let's go see what your boyfriend's getting up to."

"Not my boyfriend," I corrected as I followed him back to the afterparty.

Sam disappeared into the crowd just as I spotted it: Bucky and Steve facing each other looking down at the stiletto of a blonde between them. She had one arm draped around Steve's neck while she pressed her back into his chest. At the same time, she looked up at Bucky with a coy smile as she toyed with the buttons on his shirt. Both men stood stiffly but didn't seem to draw away from her. While I couldn't see their expressions from across the room due to the crowd, I assumed by their lack of action they had to be intrigued.

"Her name's J'aime," Sam's friend, Natasha, said as she handed me a glass of champagne. "I'd be happy to take her out."

I laughed before I took a deep swallow. Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Thanks, but I think they're okay."

She nodded as she stared at them when I took another drink. "Sorry. I just thought you and Bucky were an item."

I shook my head. "We're just friends."

"Didn't seem that way at dinner." I caught her smile as she studied the trio.

"Destiny's in denial," Shuri offered when she joined us, clearly having been observing our conversation for a while. "But they're more than friends. She told me the earth-"

"Is clearly not a place where people keep their best friend's private lives out of casual conversations," I interrupted. "Geez Louise! Can we not perpetuate the stereotype of gossiping, catty women right now?"

"Hey, Des," Sam said, completing our circle staring over at the other group. "Who's the blonde all over your boyfriend?"

I groaned as Shuri and Nat shared a laugh. "Et Tu, Sam?"

He looked confused. "What?"

Squaring my shoulders, I handed my glass to Sam. "All right already. I'm going to join them just to prove Bucky's happily flirting and everything is fine. Unless one of y'all wants to do it?"

Sam waved me off while Natasha and Shuri just looked away. Sighing, I turned and plastered on my best fake smile as I slowly made my way to join the odd assembly. I was going to prove to them Bucky wasn't mine nor did he want to be even if I secretly wished it was different.

"Des!" I heard him call my name as soon as I was in sight. Once within reach, he grabbed me and hauled me to his side, causing the woman to quickly drop her hand. "Where have you been?"

I smiled. "Just mingling."

"J'aime, this is my girlfriend Destiny." He said politely as he wrapped his arm around my waist possessively. "Des, this is J'aime. She's a model from… Johannesburg, was it?"

"Yes, dear Bucky," she purred while she surveyed me, assessing my threat level. Once seemingly assured I pose none, she placed her hand against Bucky's chest again and blatantly ignored me. "It's so sweet of you to escort your friend."

"She's not my friend." He politely but firmly caught her wrist and removed her hand. "She's the one I'm involved with and we're going to bed now. Good night, J'aime. Steve."

After several quick good nights, we headed back to our room. I could tell from the way he gripped my hand he was annoyed. Still, I opted to push the issue to ensure he knew I wasn't upset or jealous.

"She was pretty," I said casually when we were almost to our room. "Seemed really into you and Steve."

He spun around and shot me an icy glare. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"About what?"

"About us. You and me. Together?"

I shrugged. "I told you you didn't have to feel like us being intimate was some kind of commitment. If you're interested in somebody, you should go for it."

"Dammit, Des." He backed me into the wall, pinning me there as he gripped my hip tightly. His eyes bore into me. "I am interested in somebody. You."

"But-"

Before I could argue, he kissed me. His fingers dug into my skin as he pushed his entire frame against me, filling all my senses with only his presence. My body trembled as the weight of his hunger crushed my indecision. My dressed crept up my thighs, allowing his hands to slither between my legs and continue to drag me deeper under his spell. I languished under his touch while he ravished my mouth, no longer able to fight him. Gasping for air, I managed to pull my lips from his and let out a whimpering moan as he caused my knees to buckle.

"Bucky, please," I begged, his touch spurring me higher until I felt like I was going to explode. "Not here. Somebody'll see us. Let's go to the room."

"I'm sorry, gorgeous," he said through ragged breaths as he removed his hand but kept me pinned. "I just don't know how else to get through to you."

I was about to tell him that he made a very convincing argument when Steve cleared his throat and asked, "Am I interrupting?"

"Yes." Bucky eased back, careful to conceal me for the seconds it took to pull my dress back down, before putting a respectable distance between us. "What's up?"
When I finally looked at Steve, his cheeks were pink as he looked at the floor awkwardly. "I was hoping I could borrow Des for a couple of minutes. Just to talk."

Bucky shot me an inquisitive look. When I nodded, he smiled. "Sure, pal, but you only got five minutes."

"Shouldn't take that long." I smirked at Steve. "Then again, he is really old. You might not want to wait up for me."

"Ha, ha." Steve shot me a sneer of his own. "Never get tired of the old jokes. Promise not to keep her too long."

Bucky gave me a polite kiss on the cheek before leaving. Once he was gone, I dropped the smile and glared at Steve. "Yeah?"

"Des," he began nervously. "I wanted to apologize. I was out of line the last time we talked. Your relationship with Bucky is none of my business and I had no right treating you bad or being suspicious of your motives. I really hope we can work things out and be friends. For Bucky's sake."

I eyed him skeptically. "Why the change of heart?"

"Sam told me you weren't the type to use somebody like that. He says you're one of the most decent people he's ever met." He smiled. "I was still a little concerned, but your attitude tonight was the tipping point."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you when you walked up. If he wanted to, you would've let him go no questions asked. You care enough to set him free." He snickered. "But he only has eyes for you."

I grinned sheepishly. "I hadn't noticed."

"I know." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You're a good woman, Des. He deserves that."

The lump in my throat kept me from speaking. Instead, I gave him a quick hug and hurried to join Bucky.

Three people who cared deeply about Bucky had voiced their approval of us beginning a relationship. My two best friends told me I was worthy of such a wonderful man. Bucky, himself, said he wanted me. As I opened the door to our room, I realized there was just one person who still seemed unsure.

Unfortunately, that one person had the biggest impact of all: Me.