THE INBETWEEN ~ STEVE ROGERS [5]

A Moment Alone

Warning – Mature Themes

The motel room door shut softly with a click, and I heard Sam's footsteps echo down the hallway along with his voice. He was only going for a moment, to pick up some supplies but for the first time in a long time Steve and I were alone together. He was sitting with his back against the headboard of the twin bed in the corner, eyes tracing the lines of the book he was reading. I was leaning on the counter of the small kitchenette, a cup of water in one hand and the other wrapped around my waist. It wasn't cold in the room, but lately I had become so accustomed to going unnoticed that feeling small came as instinct. I studied him, watching as his shoulders moved whenever he turned the page. He was wearing a white tank top. Dangerous of him, letting my mind go places like that.

It was sunny out in Florida, climbing in over the hedge that surrounded the bottom of the window. We really shouldn't have the window open, not when we could be noticed, but the chance at such nice weather was too good to pass up. My skin almost ached for it, after all the sneaking around in the dark, tattoos and scars hidden my clothing. It was a relief to feel it warm my face, even if it was in such a shitty motel that didn't even have a working shower.

I smiled as I looked at him. Everything about him, the slope of his back, the shape of his jaw, the way his hair was getting longer and falling over his forehead, was beautiful to me. He didn't believe it when I said it out loud, so I had to show him in the ways I knew how, with a hand to his face and kisses to the stretchmarks along his hips.

He sensed me watching him, I could tell by the way the corner of his mouth lifted just slightly. I took a sip of water.

"What are you reading?" I asked with a coy smile.

"1984 by George Orwell," he replied without looking up, turning the page and continuing to read.

"And do you like it so far?"

"Its, interesting."

"Hmm," I said, putting my water on the bench and walking over to him. I sat on the end of the bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. "Do you wanna know what is more interesting?"

He looked up this time, a sly grin playing on his lips. He folded the corner of the page and shut the book, giving me his full attention.

"Tell me."

I shuffled across the bed, sunlight streaming in from the open window, and sat in his lap, legs either side of him. His hands went to my hips, almost on instinct, palms touching the sliver of bare skin between the top of my pants and the end of my shirt.

"We're alone," I whispered, hair falling over my eyes. Steve smiled, the cheeky kind that I loved so much. It was so rare, so strange to be without Sam or Tasha these days that in the quiet I had a kind of yearning for him that I had never had before. My body was tired, my bones ached, but even just the slightest touch from him without anyone watching would be enough.

"You're right. I was wondering why it was so quiet. Then I remembered Sam isn't here." He traced his fingers across my lower back, feather light. My left hand rested on his shoulder, one of my favourite parts of him, but my right hand ruffled his hair.

"Whatever shall we do with no one around?" I looked into his eyes, those bright blue eyes that I loved so much. He has a scar above his eyebrow, so small you would only notice if you were as close as I am now. I slide my thumb over it.

"I'm thinking..." he leaned in closer, almost touching my lips, only millimetres away. My breath hitched, as it did every single time he was this close, no matter how often it was these days.

"This."

Then he kissed me, like he always did, but it was longer and it was deeper than it had been for a long time, without anyone here to see us. Such a simple reminder that I was his and he was mine. He held onto me so tight, as though he were afraid I might disappear at any moment. I was lost in our togetherness, something we so often needed and very rarely got.

Steve was sliding down the headboard until he was lying almost flat, his head on the pillow. My elbows rested on either side of his head and his hands were under my shirt against my waist. I pulled away, breathing hard.

"That's the longest kiss we've had for a long time," I said with a smile, flicking hair out of my eyes. Steve nodded and pressed me tighter against him.

"When do you think Sam will be back?"

"Oh, he's definitely going to get distracted in the cereal aisle," I joked with a soft laugh. Steve chuckled, eyes darting to my lips and back to my eyes again.

"Well then," he said slyly, and in one swift movement he flipped me over into my back, hands pressed into my ribs above my waist. My fingers wrapped themselves around his biceps, breathing quick. He grinned and licked his lips. "Let's make the most of it."

As he was kissing me, pressed against me, I thought I heard a noise. I chose to ignore it.

That is, until there was a thump of something dropping to the floor and a voice cracked shriek.

"I leave for what, 15 minutes?" Sam sighed and Steve rolled to the side, laughing and clutching his ribs. Sam gave me a pointed look and I shrugged. He picked up the bag from the floor and shook his head.

"Its like living with a couple of bunny rabbits man. A couple of bunny rabbits."

Authors Note

Yeah finally an update! I have finally been able to sort out a schedule for writing which is so cool as I have three fics going all at once! I am actually not at uni this year, I wasn't accepted back for my second year which was gutting and threw all my plans out the window in terms of my career and all my projects. I have decided to just work for a year which gives me more time to focus on my writing and getting as good as I can while planning future original projects. I appreciate how patient you have all been while waiting for more chapters! I am so excited to start on the final journey with Keight, she has been with me for so so so long (Five years!) and even though its sad to think about ending my time writing her all good things come to an end. If you have any ideas, thoughts, questions or suggestions about what could be in store for Keight in the next while, please please please comment, I love hearing from you guys, your support is what keeps me writing.

Stay safe my lovelies,

~JJ