CRAVE - Bucky Barnes x Marvel AU

Part 19

// SHIFTING TO LIZZIE'S POV//

A week had passed, my arms were very nearly healed, the stitches had just come out so now they just had white strips of plasters over them.

I still couldn't believe I'd been living at James's place.

He went to work everyday, and always came back stressed.

I spent the days in Crave's shops, the workers were pretty scared yet excited to see their CEO cruise through the door one day.

I'd made myself an office on the top door of the building, the whole day I was on a Zoom meeting with Howard in his office, and we worked like we would if I was still in London.

The only problem was that I was missing my beloved workshop, and of course, Wanda.

I had the idea that I better fly back at some point, besides, where was I going with this? What was I thinking, just moving in with him?

What were we? How long did he expect this to go on for? So many questions I needed to ask him.

"How was your day?" I asked as he came through the door, I always hung out in the living room when it was just me here. I felt like I needed permission to go around too much, although I did do my fair share of exploring at times.

"Better now," he said huskily, pulling off his jacket and tie. I could see the dark circles under his eyes, and the way the light seemed to be too bright for him.

I turned the knob switch down, the lights dimmed. I went over to him and gave him a reassuring hug while rubbing his shoulders, I bit my lip when I felt how muscular they were.

"I made dinner..." I said as I pulled his tie off, he smirked a little when he say what I was doing "well I tried to."

He kissed the soft spot on my jaw gently "it'll be great," he said.

We sat at the kitchen table, I did the most of the talking because I knew he just needed a rest.

Dinner was alright. Just pasta.

"So, I was thinking," I decided to bring up the topic "I should fly back to London soon."

He was going to ask why, but he already knew. He knew he couldn't keep me here forever. "Then I'll come."

"What?" Why the hell did I sound like I didn't want him to. It was the perfect idea.

"I can't leave my doll for a second, not after she flew halfway across the world to get me," he said, I tried to make my eyes stop getting so watery.

After dinner we sat on the sofa for a bit, I rested my head into his chest, he wrapped his arm round me protectively. He was tense. Too tense.

"What is it, James?" I asked, his eyes were dark and focused as he gripped a glass of whiskey in his other hand.

"Nothing, sweetheart."

I sat out of his grip, making his eyes loose focus "no, tell me, James."

"I'll tell you, I promise." He knew I wouldn't stop asking until he gave in, so he had to compromise "it's just work and problems. You're the only thing stopping me from going fucking insane."

I knew he didn't want to talk about it now, so I let him go on that one. Seeing he really needed to calm down, I let him.

"Hawes and Curtis..." I said as I sat on my knees straddling his lap, running my hands down his chest "that's a very British brand."

He eyed me, trying to see what I was doing "yes..." I saw a grin creep upon his face, I ignored it.

I undid one of his buttons, I felt shivers as he let me do it, not breaking eye contact once. A little view of his exposed chest made my whole body tingle, a feeling I'd never felt before.

Before I could say anything, he ripped the rest of his shirt open, sending buttons flying across the room. I gasped, seeing the devilish smirk on his face and a bulge forming between his legs.

You let him get the better of you already?

"What is it, Elizabeth?" He said, holding my chin in one hand to look at his face, away from his pants "feeling aroused, are we?"

"N-no," I stuttered, my conscious that would usually tell me to pull myself together had gone silent.

"So you won't mind if..." he swung me off his legs and lied me down across the sofa, he then sat over me with his legs either side, carful not to crush me with his weight.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"Nothing, babydoll..." he whispered into my ear as he ran a hand lightly down my body, then wrapping it round the back of my thigh "let me take you to bed."

I squealed as he scooped my up and brought me up the stairs, I got a strong wave of his cologne, overtaking all my other senses.

He dropped my off outside my door, kissing my jaw then lips.

"Night sweetheart."

I stood there blankly for a second, trying to catch my breath.

I closed the door behind me, trying to catch my breath back. I changed underwear to a matching white set and put on my classic oversized tee, biker shorts, and long fuzzy socks. I did my hair in a low ponytail and spritzed myself with Lady Million.

This is it, Lizzie.

I was stood outside James's door, fiddling with my charm bracelet. I breathed in deeply, and knocked.