Locked, Loaded, Loved ✔️ COMPLETE | UNDER EDITS

Chapter 5.2--Natasha pt 2

Upstairs in Steve's room, I changed into the spare outfit I had stashed in his closet. He locked the door.

"So, how was your day?" he asked, snaking his hands around my waist.

"Mm, nothing special." I put my arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're back."

"And we're alone," Steve said, smiling that wonderfully addictive smile of his.

"Finally." I reached up and kissed him.

He spun me and we fell onto the bed together. I kissed him back, hard. He moved his hands down to my stomach and traced circles with his thumbs. That was my favorite move of his. I loved how gently he touched me, as if he wanted to know every inch of me.

Out of nowhere, someone jiggled the door handle. Steve and I sat up in a panic like two teenagers caught in a scandalous rendezvous. Which technically, was what we were doing.

"Closet," Steve said. I nodded, quickly slipping inside as he went to open the door.

I had barely hidden when I heard Steve talking with Bucky. I peeked out through the slats in the closet door and listened to their conversation.

"Hey, sorry to bother you. I forgot my key and didn't think that the door would be locked," Bucky said.

"Don't worry about it. I was just changing because Wanda and I got caught in the rain on our way back from our assignment. How was your day with Nat?"

The bed squeaked. "It was good." He paused. "You've met Emery, right?"

"Yeah. She is part of the reason we had the whole Alexei situation."

"Do you trust her?"

"I...I don't know. Nat trusts her, and I trust Nat. So...I'm still being cautious."

"Do you think there is any reason why Natasha wouldn't want me to meet her?"

Steve glanced at the closet then back to Bucky. "Um...I'm not sure. But if she said that, she must have her reasons."

Bucky sighed. "I knew you'd say that. You have a thing for her, don't you?"

"What? No, that's not—I'm just saying, if she said she doesn't want you to meet Emery, she must have a reason for it."

He smiled. "I'm just messing with you, man. But good to know where you're at. Well, I'm gonna get cleaned up from my workout—I'm getting dinner with Nat tonight. Hopefully it'll stop raining by the time we have to leave."

"Wait, you're getting dinner with Nat tonight?" Steve asked.

I closed my eyes. Damn it. I wish I had been the one to tell him.

"Yeah. Why, were you supposed to do something?"

"No, I just—I didn't know she'd made plans." Steve coughed. "Anyway, have fun at dinner—I'll see you after?"

"Sure thing."

I watched as Bucky rummaged through the dresser on his side of the room and then as he disappeared into the bathroom. Steve quietly opened the closet door and I slipped out. We carefully left the room so Steve could walk me upstairs and we could talk.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea he was going to come in," Steve said once we were safe in my room.

"It's fine! I shouldn't have suggested your room for us to fool around with Bucky here. I also wanted to apologize—I should've told you I made dinner plans."