Betrayal - A Bucky Barnes Fanfic

Chapter 11

Ava paused her movement, clutching the keys in her hand even tighter in anger and frustration. She took one deep breath before turning to James. He stood leaning against his car. His gaze was steely and impossible to read. What was going on in his head?

"What do you want, James?", Ava spit out annoyed. She wasn't in the mood for any games.

"I was looking for you at the club."

„Well it looked more like you were running away from me," Ava replied indignantly.

"You looked heavily engaged, but then I saw your escort dancing with a blonde. I thought we could talk." He drew his eyebrows together – out of concern, frustration or anger? Ava couldn't tell.

"About what? About you making out with me and then just breaking off the kiss? Or about the fact that I'm apparently not even worth saying hello to?" Ava was furious and the alcohol only made her emotional state more confusing for her. She felt the need to take out all the pent up frustration on James, even if it wasn't fair.

"I was at the club on business, that's all," James returned dryly and Ava was pissed that he didn't say anything about the kiss. "Besides, you were in good company," he added sarcastically.

"Ah, business. Busy on business with your mystery job," Ava rolled her eyes. She just wanted to get out of her uncomfortable heels and heat up a frozen pizza instead of letting James judge her for having fun. Or was that jealousy she heard coming out of him? Impossible.

"Yes, engrossed in a conversation on business, which is completely unimportant. And now I'm here and just so you know, I really enjoyed our kiss." Ava seemed unable to process this information and just looked at James, aghast. "You'd better stay away from me," he continued.

"You're the one who showed up at my door uninvited!" retorted Ava indignantly. She just couldn't see through James and his manner confused her. She wanted to get into her flat, her feet almost killed her. She looked at James, waiting for him to say something, but he stayed silent. She shook her head and turned back towards her front door. Behind her, she heard James get into his car. She opened the front door and paused in the hallway. Secretly, she had hoped that James would stop her from going inside again. How much she craved his touch was unbearable and the mixed signals from him were giving her a headache. What had he meant by saying she should stay away from him?

Frustrated, Ava went to her flat and took off her heels. The feeling was heavenly; she had completely forgotten how exhausting it was to dance in high heels. She switched on the light in her kitchen and filled herself a glass of water in the sink. Why had James gone after her anyway? What was that all about? Ava leaned against her kitchen counter. He really enjoyed the kiss!, her subconscious reminded her. So James had actually enjoyed the kiss with her ... no, even very much enjoyed it! She blushed at the thought. How did he manage to cloud her mind like that again after that confusing conversation?

Ava put her glass down on the kitchen table and looked out of the window. It was already dark and she just wanted to sprawl in her bed and push James out of her thoughts. She unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor. She took another sip from her glass and heard her phone ring in her pocket. She dug it out and stared at the screen. A new message from an unknown number.

"You really shouldn't take your clothes off in front of your window."

Panic swept through her and she glanced at the window in front of her. Her mind raced, part of her screaming at her to finally move away from the window, but her legs were paralysed. The other part of her thoughts erupted into absolute chaos. Was he hers? Had he found her? Why wouldn't he leave her alone? What could he possibly want?