A/N: Many thanks to my team of betas and support: xxdustnight88, gaeilgerua, & mystrana.

Chapter Four

"So, how was coffee the other night?" Sam asked, stretching against a tree. He and Steve had just finished their daily run and were now cooling down.

"Good," Steve answered, with a smile. "She was very kind but very modern. I could tell that she wanted to pay."

"Most women are like that now, Steve," Sam said, laughing. "She's pretty, though."

"Yeah, she is," Steve said, nodding. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of Hermione. "I gave her my number, and I'm hoping that she'll message me."

At that very moment, Steve's phone buzzed.

Sam's eyes widened. "Are you sure you're not psychic, Cap?"

Steve shook his head but was surprised to see that it was indeed Hermione. "She wants to get dinner tonight."

Sam let out a wolf whistle.

Steve quickly texted Hermione back.

Meet me at Martucci's. It right down the street from the library, a block further than the cafe.

He grinned. He couldn't wait to see Hermione later tonight.

Hermione was nervous about meeting Steve for dinner. She was excited but undoubtedly nervous. She had followed his directions to the restaurant and smiled when she realised he was waiting for her outside.

"Hi, Steve," she greeted him. She stopped right next to him nervously.

"Hermione, you look lovely," Steve told her, grinning shyly at her.

"Thank you," she said with a blush. He looked quite nice himself. He was wearing a pair of jeans, which fit him tighter than should have been allowed. She found herself staring, and her blush deepened. "Should we go inside?" Her tongue darted out, wetting her suddenly dry lips.

Steve offered his arm, and Hermione placed her hand on it. He escorted her inside, and her stomach fluttered with excitement.

"Are you hungry?" Steve asked once the two of them were sitting.

"Starving," Hermione said as her stomach chose that moment to grumble. She closed her eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry," she murmured.

Steve laughed. "It's endearing," he said quietly, under his breath but she still heard him. He cleared his throat. "Shall we order an appetizer?"

"That sounds perfect," Hermione told him, looking over the menu.

After dinner, Steve had offered to walk her home to her apartment. Hermione had been unable to say no. She was absolutely smitten with him. The more that she got to know Steve, the more that she liked him. He was funny and honest, and she really loved his old-fashioned manners - though she supposed they were still current for him.

Hermione looked at Steve and smiled. "I had a wonderful time tonight." She could feel the butterflies in her stomach fluttering about nervously.

"I did too, Hermione," Steve answered. He grinned at her. "It's been awhile since I've been out, so thank you for that opportunity."

Hermione worried her lower lip nervously. "Umm," she said, "Would you like to come upstairs for a drink?" The look on Steve's face told that he knew she was offering more than just a drink. While it had been some time since Hermione had been with another man, something about Steve felt right. She wanted to get to know the man before her a little better, plus there was just something about the way he carried himself that was insanely sexy. Yup, she was definitely smitten.

"I'd love to," Steve answered. He gestured toward the door. "Lead the way, Hermione."

Steve followed her up the stairs to her apartment. After undoing the lock, she let them both inside. "It's not much," she said, "but it's home." She watched as Steve looked around the small apartment and she smiled.

"As long as it gets the job done, ma'am."

Hermione laughed. "It certainly does. Come on, why don't you sit on the sofa and I'll get us a drink. Would you like coffee or something stronger?"

Steve smiled. "Coffee would actually be perfect," he said. "Just a little cream, no sugar, please."

"I take mine the opposite," Hermione said, smiling. "No cream and just a little sugar."

"We complement each other," Steve said grinning. He watched as Hermione moved about the small kitchen.

She flushed. "I suppose we do, Steve." After fixing them both a mug of coffee, she brought them over and sat next to Steve on the sofa. Kicking her shoes off, she tucked her feet up under her, making herself comfortable.

"So tell me a bit about your life back home," Steve asked.

"I'm not sure where to begin," Hermione said honestly. "I went to private school, a boarding school of types… Umm, I have two best friends back home in England." She paused. "The sister of one of my friends is marrying the other friend, so that will be happening this fall. I'm excited for them both. They've been long-time sweethearts."

"What made you wanna move?" Steve asked.

Hermione blushed. "Well, I'm sure you heard some of my story the other night. I can't really give a lot of details, but I've been through a lot." She let out a shaky breath. "I needed a change of scenery."

"You been tortured," Steve said knowingly. He looked at her carefully.

Hermione's eyes widened. She hadn't told anyone that particular detail of her experience. "How did you know?" she asked, subconsciously reaching for her scar on her arm.

Steve frowned. "I can see it in the way you carry yourself. You're more protective of certain areas of your body. For example, your arm. I'm guessing that's where there are physical scars of where you were tortured. It isn't anything to be ashamed of," he assured her. "You know my history and what I've been through. I'm sure being over here, you heard about what happened in New York?"

"Bits and pieces," Hermione answered honestly. "I think you were very brave for helping like you did." She knew that he likely suffered just as she did.

"People still died," Steve said sadly. He looked down, unable to meet her eye gaze.

Hermione frowned. She was able to relate to what Steve was saying. "You can't save everyone," she told him, her voice sad.

At that moment, Steve knew that she had also lost people she cared about.

"How did your parents feel about you moving?" he asked. He put down his coffee mug.

"My parents are not in the picture anymore." Hermione let out a small sniffle. "Sorry, Steve, I didn't invite you up here to get all emotional on you." She took a sip of her now cold coffee before also setting down her mug.

"Don't be sorry for talking about your past," Steve assured her. "Your ghosts are a part of you, and whoever you share yourself with, you are also sharing your ghosts."

Hermione couldn't help but smile at his words. "That's rather deep of you, Steve."

Steve laughed. "I'm known to be deep every once in a while. Must be a time difference thing."

"But you're honest," Hermione said, "And I really like that about you." She twisted her hands in her lap nervously as she waited for his response.

Steve reached out and took her hands. He held them tightly within his own. "Your strength and perseverance, despite what you've been through, is an incredible quality. You are strong, willful, and beautiful."

Hermione blushed. She wondered if he really meant it, but the sincerity in his voice told her that he did. "Thank you, Steve," she said quietly. "It's just hard sometimes." She let out a shaky breath.

"Would you mind if I kissed you, Miss Granger?" Steve asked, a small smile on his face. He leant in slightly so that the distance between them wasn't so great.

Hermione thought that she would swoon from the mere politeness. She could also smell his masculine cologne. "I'd like that very much, Mr Rogers."

Steve leant forward, lightly brushing his lips against hers. He still held her hands in his own as he moved closer, kissing her once more. This time, Hermione kissed him back.

Reaching up, she pulled her hands from his own and wrapped her arms around his neck. He helped her slide into his lap so that she was now straddling him. Steve gripped her waist tightly.

Hermione moaned into the kiss as warmth spread through her body. One of her hands slid down and gently caressed the contours of his well-defined arm. It was clear to Hermione that Steve took his physical appearance seriously, as his muscles were quite large.

She kissed her way down his throat, sucking and nibbling at the area beneath his ear. He squirmed beneath her, and Hermione could feel his growing hardness.

"Hermione," Steve said, breathy. "I have to be honest, it's been a very long time for me."

She smiled at him. "Same for me, but I'm sure of this, Steve."

"Good, me too," he told her before he kissed her once more. His hands began to caress her sides, teasing her as he lightly moved towards her breasts. He squeezed her through her clothing, a guttural groan escaping him.

"Can we take this to your bedroom?" Steve asked, pulling away from her slightly.

"Yes," Hermione said, excitement evident on her features. She went to get up, but Steve surprised her. He kept her in his arms as he stood, holding her tightly against his larger frame. "Where to?" he asked.

"First door on the left," Hermione answered. Inside, she was emotionally dying at being in his arms. She had never seen a man so fit, and she was eager to get him undressed. She was more than aroused just from kissing.

Steve carried her down the hall to her bedroom. Once there, he closed the door behind him and moved towards the bed. He carefully lowered her upon it before joining her, covering her body with his own as he eagerly kissed her.

"Mmmmm," Hermione moaned into the kiss. Reaching down, she grasped the hem of his tee-shirt and pulled it up and over his head. When his shirt was off, she eagerly took in the view. "Oh my goodness," she murmured, slightly breathless.

Steve blushed. "Okay, so I workout, a lot, too much, honestly. Sorry."

"No, you're… Very fit." She nibbled her lower lip suggestively as she looked him over still.

He grinned. "Why thank you, Miss Granger. You're quite beautiful yourself." He went to remove her own shirt, but she stopped him nervously.

"I have scars," she warned him.

"And I don't care," he answered in response. "I already told you earlier that your experience is a part of you. Don't shy away from it, and if anyone makes you feel like you should, then they don't deserve your time." He kissed her gently and then pulled her shirt over her head.

Steve's gaze roamed her body, and his eyes lingered on the scar that ran across her chest, from her breast to her hip bone. He could see the small scar on her neck, as well as the word carved into her arm. "Hermione," he said, his voice low.

"If it's too much, I'll put my shirt on," Hermione said, reaching for her shirt in his hands.

"No," he said quickly before kissing her passionately. "So beautiful," he murmured against her lips. "So strong… beautiful."

For the first time in ages, Hermione didn't feel ashamed about her scars. It was clear to her that Steve didn't care that they were there. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying her body just fine. He was kissing the hollow of her throat lovingly. Her body hummed with delight at his soft kisses.

His fingers went to her jeans, undoing the button before pulling them down, along with her knickers. She blushed, entirely bare beneath his gaze.

"I want you, Steve," she murmured quietly. "Please, I need you."

Steve slipped his own trousers off, and soon he was naked as well. He covered his body with hers, kissing her tenderly. "Protection?" he murmured against her lips.

"I'm on the po-" she stopped herself. "Pill, I'm good." She kissed him eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck. She ground her hips against his, feeling his hardened cock against her wet core.

With a few hurried movements and fumbled grasps, the two of them were joined. He wasted no time in thrusting into her. The sounds of their lovemaking filled the room as they each moved against each other, working towards their orgasms.

Hermione gripped his muscular shoulders, trying to meet his thrusts as best she could. "Steve," she groaned, her body growing closer and closer to completion.

Steve reached between them, finding her sweet nub. He rubbed her gently, and coupled with his deep thrusts, he had her crying out his name as her release came over her. "Hermione," he moaned, watching as her face went slack in pleasure.

The sight was all he needed, and soon, he was tumbling over the edge with her. He thrust against her, groaning as he came.

Each panting loudly, the two of them lay there as they tried to catch their breath. Hermione sighed when Steve rolled off of her, immediately missing the warmth of his body.

Looking at him, Hermione smiled softly. "I make good pancakes."

"Are you asking me to stay the night?" Steve asked, returning her grin.

"Only if you'll say yes," Hermione replied.

"Yes," Steve said, kissing her gently. "Mind if I use your shower?"

"Not at all," she said, sitting up.

"You're welcome to join me, of course." Steve grinned at her, and it was clear that he could go for a second round.

Hermione bit her lower lip and nodded. As she lead Steve towards the bathroom, she wondered if she should tell him about James Barnes, but she didn't quite have the heart to do it at that moment. One more look at his naked body sent all other thoughts from her mind.