There was something that flared inside of his chest. Something primal, something that might have scared him long ago. It was an animal instinct, this need. This urge to claim his woman and to ensure she was truly safe. He needed to surround her, touch her and god help him, he needed to be inside of her.

Darcy Lewis, the only woman on earth to have truly stolen his heart, was a force of nature. She was claiming him as much as he was her.

Their bodies collided with a passion that was heavy with emotion. Relief, joy, lust, and so much love made their movements sloppy but he could not find the power to stop himself. As soon as the grand doors of their extravagant chamber closed, he'd pushed her against them.

Her moan was captured in his hungry mouth as he tore through her silk and leather dress as if were made of paper. He just… He just needed to not think. To not let anything distract him from this moment. From her.

And she was just as willing to lose her mind, it seemed. When the cloth rippled to the floor and his hands touched tender skin, she pounced.

Her pale legs wrapped around his waist and he had to push her back against the wooden door. She ground against his still armored abdomen and he growled into her ear earning an erotic hiss from her.

He had planned to take his time, to show her with his movements how much she meant to him. How scared he had been. But that was not their way. It never was and he was thankful. Because had Darcy Lewis been anything other than this ball of eccentric life, he wouldn't have fallen so hard for her.

Her lush red lips were working their way down his throat and he lost all other thoughts. Nimble teeth nipped at his adams apple and the sensation went right to his already hard member. He pressed his pelvis against hers, feeling wet heat even through the dense cloth pants. His fingers gripped her bottom as he ground again, this time earning himself the view of his dark haired beauty throwing her head back, mouth open in a silent moan.

That wouldn't do. He was a man who depended on his senses after all. Steve bent forward and captured a rosy nipple, pulling it hard into his hungry mouth. Her intake of breath and long moan was a start but the primal beast in him wanted to hear more. Needed it like he'd need to breath.

And he knew just how to do that.

Darcy pouted as Steve set her down. He scanned the room, seeing a large canopied bed, much too ornate for his tastes but it was a bed and had the woman of his dreams naked and wanting next to him. He grabbed her hand and gently tugged, smiling as she giggled. Instead of being dragged, she ran and jumped upon the layers of blankets and furs.

He watched her pert bottom sway and finally turn. Darcy laid in the middle, an arm above her head and her legs bent at the knees. He could just barely see the pink wetness between her legs and while he wanted nothing more than to sink deep inside, he paused.

He would let this image burn into him. He'd store it deep within his memories because before him was an image of pure heaven. Had he died? Was this his personal angel made of snark and laughter?

"I guess you're tired already." She called, voice deep and husky making him ache in ways that were completely sinful. "Looks like I'll just go to sleep." She moaned, already rolling over.

If the image before had been heaven, then this one was surely hell. He couldn't stop himself. The lust won out and his own clothing was torn from his body quickly and messily.

Her ass was lifted somewhat, as she laid on her stomach. Her arms rested under her head and her face was tilted slightly, just enough for him to see her satisfied smile when he came to kneel behind her on the bed. He had seen men take women from behind, the soldiers who had less respect for the dames during the war would take hookers right in the barracks but he'd always thought of the action as disrespectful.

There was none of that here. Not with Darcy as she lifted her round bottom just a little, the tip of his staff caressed the soft skin. His eyes went dark, heart nearly stopping.

He entered her fast and hard, a hissed "Yeesss!" from her making him hands clench her hips, steading his own movements. He couldn't stop, didn't even try. Steve knew that Darcy wouldn't let him.

She was arching back, meeting him thrust for thrust. The long planes of her back stretched before him, and he bent forward to kiss the tender skin at the base of her neck.

Again the primal urge claimed him as his latched on, sucking the salty sweet skin. She growled, a sound that came more from her chest, in return. He knew their fire could burn for hours but he still craved her scream. Wanted his name yelled on those deep red lips.

He let go of her neck and slowed his thrust, pulling out almost all the way then driving back in. Her heat was clenching around him, keeping him there deep inside form many moments. But then he pulled out, inch by inch, painfully slow. She tried to push back against him but he refused. When she least expected it he entered her in the same way. Sweat started to gather at his brow, signaling the effort he was putting in to keeping himself from taking her hard and fast.

He continued his leisurely assault, biting his lip when she started panting in between frustrated grunts. He started to increase the speed in increments. His own guttural sounds mixing with hers. Then the rhythm began to quicken, her moans became curse words.

The fucks and Jesus's then became what he needed. Darcy was begging, using only his name. Over and over again and he couldn't continue with the restraint. His arms came down to the mattress next to hers and he let the animal instinct take over as their pelvises slammed together in a rhythm known to all mankind.

And the way she screamed his name, thick and sweet with orgasm, will be stored in his memory along with everything else about her.

Time didn't matter. Nothing but the two of them did. Steve fell to the side, having spent himself inside of her as her inner walls clenched around him. She rolled to her side, glasses having fallen off long ago. Her face was pink, hair a wild dark mess, and eyes shining bright. Perfection.

"Missed you." He mumbeled, running his fingers down the side of her face. She le`aned into his hand, a frown marring her brow.

"I wasn't there like I promised." She whispered, dark blue eyes searching his.

"Don't matter. You are safe." He hummed, rubbing his thumb on those bothersome creases between her eyes.

"I was like, one step away from maiming Thor… Or trying too." She sighed, grabbing his hand and resting it on her cheek. He smiled at the image. She would have been mighty intimidating, of that he was sure.

"I could do that for you." He offered, still feeling the anger towards his friend and teammate.

"It wasn't his fault." She sighed again, managing to locate her glasses just above her pillow. She straightened them, wiggling her nose as she did.

He shrugged, knowing she was being honest but still wanting to take it out on someone who could take a hit from him. But he knew he wouldn't. It wasn't in his nature to be bitter.

"By the way, this whole leather and metal plate thing you had going on was pretty sexy." She wiggled her perfectly arched eyebrows and he couldn't help but laugh.

"It's harder to get into." Steve replied, relieved that he'd torn the damn thing to shreds.

"That's ok. I like your suit better."

He looked back to her, the fire that had been dulled by release was building again.

"Is that so?" he hummed, running the tips of his fingers along the side of her exposed stomach.

"Mhmm."

"Good thing I brought that too." He whispered. Before she could register what he was saying he swooped in for a passionate kiss.

For hours they stayed inside their chambers. He realized something long into the night, as he stared down at her slumbering face.

It didn't matter where they were or how much time they had before they were separated again. The moments he had with her were incredible. And he was looking forward to all of it.