Eligible Bachelor ✔️

Chapter 4

I woke up around 5 the following morning, hoping to catch Steve alone. I was happy to find coffee made and him sitting on the back patio on one of the couches. I made myself a cup of coffee before going outside. I saw him smile at me as I approached him, "can I join you?"

He nodded, "I was hoping you would. Good morning."

I smiled, "morning Steve." I sat next to him, our legs just barely brushing against each other. I started to shiver, not having realized how cold it was in the morning. I saw him look at me before getting up and going inside, coming back with a blanket. He sat back down, closer as he put the blanket on us both.

"Better?"

I nodded as I felt him put his arm up on the back of the couch. "Thank you Steve."

"Of course." He grabbed her coffee cup, setting it on the table in front of them as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him, "body heat." He didn't have to look at her to know she was blushing as she laid her head on his chest.

I heard his heart beating fast as I laid my head on his chest. He rested his chin on my head as we sat in silence. After a while we were startled by someone coming onto the back patio. I was relieved to see it was Natasha and not one of the other girls.

"Mission Steve. We have to go."

We both stood up as he turned back to me.

"I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can."

I nodded, "of course." I grabbed his hand before he could turn away, "be careful Steve."

He nodded, hesitating before leaning down to kiss her on the cheek, smirking as he watched her blush.

I watched him walk ahead of Natasha as she turned to me.

"Look at you, cuddling. So cute."

I shook my head, hitting her in the arm, "shut up Nat." I heard her laugh as she walked away.

************************************************************

The girls all gathered in the kitchen at breakfast time as Tamara found a note on the counter, "looks like Steve had to leave on a mission. He's not sure when he'll be back."

"That's right ladies. I'm supposed to keep an eye on you until he gets back."

The girls all look to see Bucky enter the kitchen. Allison smirked, "Mr. Barnes, glad you could join us."

He half smiled, "right. I'll make breakfast if you guys like." He saw them all nod as he went to the fridge.

Allison followed him, "can I help?"

He nodded, "sure." He looked at green eyes, seeing her smirk at him as he rolled his eyes about Allison.

Melody stood up, "maybe we should get to know each other a little better. I'm a nurse, from New York. I don't have any siblings. I enjoy yoga and being outside in general. Allison?"

Allison turned from the stove, "I'm a head chef of my own restaurant in Washington. I'm a twin actually. I have a twin sister. I enjoy cooking and karaoke."

Tamara stood up, "I'm an attorney from DC. I'm an oldest child. I also love yoga and I have a minor in art history. Kelly?"

"I'm from Boston where I own my own cafe. I enjoy reading a lot and being outdoors."

Sandra went next, "um. I'm a single mother to a 5 year old boy and I work as a waitress. I love sunrises and," she laughed, "who doesn't love karaoke?"

Hailey was the last one to go, "I'm Hailey! I'm a model from California. I enjoy going to the beach, beach volleyball, sunbathing. And I'm an only child too."

*******************************************************************

I sat on the back patio, drawing in my sketch pad as I watched the sun go down. I looked up to see some of the girls coming out on the patio to swim in the pool. I smiled at them, but noticed they mostly just seemed annoyed with me.

Allison walked up to her, "I don't get it?"

I shook my head, "don't get what?"

She shrugged, "you always stay off on your own, yet Steve seems to like you the most."

"Oh. I'm sure he doesn't. Is that why you've been flirting with his best friend all day?"

She scoffed, "I'm just keeping all my options open."

I laughed, "except that he's dating Natasha Romanoff. I don't think you want to piss off the Black Widow. But by all means." I heard her scoff again as she walked away. I left my stuff on the table, going inside to use the restroom. I ran into Bucky on my way out, "hey."

He smiled, "how are you today?"

I shrugged, "fine. When is Steve coming back?"

"Soon. I think. I heard you were out back, cuddling with him this morning."

I groaned, "Nat has a big mouth, doesn't she?"

He smirked, "oh yeah. For a spy, she doesn't keep gossip well."

I laughed, "and Allison today?"

He groaned, "yeah. I don't know what that was about. I'll have to tell Steve."

I nodded, "I assumed you would. You think I have a chance?"

He smiled, nodding as he brought his hand up to her cheek, "he calls you green eyes. He likes you."

I blushed, shaking my head, "thanks Bucky." I heard him follow me out to the back patio. I looked at the table where my stuff had been. I looked up to see some of the girls going through my sketch pad, "hey. That's mine."

Allison held up the picture she drew of Steve the first night, "is there anything you aren't good at?"

I approached her as she stood next to the pool, "why? Jealous?" I heard Bucky approach behind me, but I put my arm up to stop him.

"Guys, don't be dicks. Give her her stuff back."

I looked to see Hailey defending me. I knew it was because I had helped her with her hair. When I looked back at Allison, she had dropped the book and the pencils in the pool, "you're going to ruin them!" Bucky helped me scoop my stuff out of the pool as I grabbed it, running back inside.