Rooftops and Invitations ❤️

Chapter 8

Charlotte wakes up in the morning in bed alone. She reaches over where Steve had been, but no longer was. She decides to get up and shower quickly and head down to the kitchen. She finds the kitchen empty except for Steve, who was making breakfast. He smiled at her as she entered. "Good morning Charlie." Charlotte runs her hand across his shoulders as she reached for coffee.

"I woke up alone." She jumps on the counter next to him with her coffee.

He stands in front of her and kisses her on the forehead. "Yeah, I didn't want anyone see me wake up in your room." He goes back to making breakfast.

Charlotte was a little hurt. Was he ashamed to be with her? "Oh." She jumps down and sits at the kitchen table instead.

Steve notices he hurt her feelings. He sets a plate of food in front of her and stands behind her, bending down to her ear, "I didn't mean it like that. I just.."

They are interrupted by Bucky, Natasha and Sam entering the kitchen and Steve goes back to the stove. "Good morning guys."

Charlotte stands up from the table, "I'm not hungry. I'm going to the training room if anyone needs me." She thought they were getting somewhere. He said he wanted her last night. Now he's changed his mind?

Bucky looks from Charlotte leaving to Steve who's head was now hung down, "what the fuck did you do now Steve?"

Bucky stands up to go after her, but Steve nudges him back down. "No, I'll fix it. You finish breakfast."

Steve walks into the training room and finds Charlotte hitting a punching bag. "Charlotte."

She doesn't look at him. "What do you want Steve? Why do I bother? You don't think I'm good enough for you, you never will." She continues hitting the bag harder.

Steve walks towards her, "that is not it at all. Charlotte."

Steve grabs her shoulder to make her look at him but she grabs it and flips him onto the ground. She hears him groan as she jumps on him, her thighs straddling him. "Then what is it Steve?"

"First of all, OW!"

She laughs, "consider it payback for you throwing the shield at me. Why you being an ass this morning? Why did you leave me alone in bed?"

Steve sits up and wraps his arms around her waist, keeping her on his lap with her legs wrapped around him. "I'm sorry. It's just that," He hesitates, wanting to find the right words. "I'm nervous. I really do like you. A lot. More than I thought I could for someone again. I'm afraid I guess."

Charlotte places her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips before resting her forehead on his, "afraid of what Steve?"

"I have to lead the team, I can't get distracted. If I get distracted, someone gets hurt. And I can't have that."

"So I'm just a distraction now?"

Charlotte tries to get up but Steve doesn't let her go. "Let me finish. Do you have to be so difficult all the damn time? I'm afraid of letting someone in. I've never let anyone in. I just want to take things slow. Okay? And as for the team knowing, I don't know. I just don't want anyone to think I'm giving special treatment. Let's not forget your father is also Ironman."

Charlotte laughs, "I better get special treatment. You better not be kissing anyone else on the team."

Steve places a hand on her cheek and pulls her face to his, kissing her, his tongue finding hers. He wanted her, and he wanted to make sure she knew. She lets out a soft moan, sinking her body into his. He pulls away, them both out of breath, "like that you mean? That's just for you."

Before she can respond they are interrupted by Bucky and Natasha. "We came to make sure you guys hadn't killed each other." Natasha laughs as Charlotte quickly jumps up and Steve follows, she feels herself blushing.

They look at Bucky who was smirking, "finally. For fucks sake. Natasha and I thought we were going to have to lock you guys in a room until you either killed each other or fucked. We are glad you chose the later."

Charlotte looks up at Steve who was embarrassed, he liked to keep things private. He was uncomfortable with everyone knowing everything. "Steve, it's okay." He feels his anxiety calm as Charlotte grabs his hand. He squeezes it in appreciation.

"I actually have a meeting with Fury. I have to go get ready." He looks back at Charlotte, "I'll see you later?"

She places her hand gently on his cheek, "I'm not going anywhere."

Charlotte decides to go after Steve, Bucky winking at her as she passed him. She walks into his room and shuts the door behind her as she finds him changing into his uniform. "You should knock." He presses his body firmly against hers, pushing her against his door. He leans his face close to her ear, "I'm gonna have to teach you some manners later." She moans as he presses both her hands above her against the door. "I want you." He teases her with his mouth, running it ever so slightly over her neck and lips, not quite touching her. He abruptly pulls away, "But sadly I have to go."

"You're so mean Captain Rogers!" She wanted him right now. Who knew he could just as big a tease as her?

He leans close to her ear, "I can show you mean if you like." The thought turned her on. What did he mean by that? "You have no idea how much I love when you call me Captain Rogers." He kisses her on the cheek, "I have to go."

He opens the door and starts to leave, "wait. Steve! Can I have your iPod? I'd like to music on it."

Steve turns back to her, "of course. It's on my desk. I'll look for you later. Rooftop?"

She just smiles, "you know it. I'll pick out a song to play."

He closes the distance between them to kiss her one more time. He didn't want to let go as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He groans as he pulls away, resting his forehead on hers, "I really have to go. I'll see you later." He kisses her on the forehead and leaves.

Charlotte grabs his iPod and accidentally knocks over his sketch book. She bends down to pick it up. As she's about to set it back on his desk she decides to look in it instead. She finds various pencil sketches of buildings, animals, things in his room. Then she turns the page to find a colored sketch. It was of her in Fury's office when they saw each other for the first time. He captured her bright green eyes and her hair in her face like it always was. He had noticed her. She feels her eyes start to fill with tears as she sets his book back down.