Where the spirit meets the bone. (Book 1 of the Illicit Affairs Series)

Chapter XVII

The drive to the cabin would last at least two hours and a half, so the group had decided to split up in two different cars, while Natasha and Sharon would join you in the evening, since the latter had a shift at the diner in the afternoon.

The bad news was that Bucky was driving the other car, with Becca and Steve, so you wouldn't be with him.
The good news was that you were driving with Sam and Vanessa, who had been shamelessly flirting ever since they'd met a few hours ago.

You had all met at Bucky's place, since it was the closest for everyone, at ten o' clock sharp. The suitcase Vanessa was carrying probably weighed more than you did, which you would thought unreasonable for a three day trip if you hadn't known its owner. It was probably filled to the brim with make up, clothes and both skin and hair care products. Good genes could only go so far, she'd say.

Becca had opened the door, greeting you both with a smile.

"Thanks for inviting me, Y/n. You have no idea how exited I am for this trip, I've been talking James' ear off about it." she said, racing over her words in a way that fully let you believe Bucky had really gone deaf, "Speaking of, he's still packing. You know how men are."

"There's no need to thank me." you replied, but Becca's eyes had already fallen on Vanessa.

"Oh my god, hi! I'm so rude, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Rebecca." she interrupted you, stepping back and gesturing for the both of you to come in.

"I'm Vanessa, it's great to meet you." she said, smiling at her, "You have beautiful hair, by the way."

"You think so? I've been trying to keep it healthy, but wavy hair is hard to style without heat, and..." she began. You guessed that conversation would go on without a hitch even if you weren't there, so you slipped away to the corridor and knocked on Bucky's bedroom door.

"Come in." he said, his voice muffled. You did as he said and found him sitting on the floor, already dressed, trying to get his suitcase to close without bursting.

"Need a hand?" you asked, smiling at his pouting expression. He looked up at you and nodded sheepishly. You walked into the room and, without hesitation, you sat down on the suitcase. He reached around you to zip it up, his palm grazing your thigh on its way. You hoped your shiver wasn't noticeable. You had been waiting for the weekend with trepidation, hoping the two of you would be sealing the deal while on the trip, and you were as tense as a guitar string.

"Thanks." James mumbled, looking up at you. This time, his palm purposely settled on your knee, and his splayed fingers almost wrapped up around it. God, his hands were so big. You were about to respond when the doorbell rang again.

"I'll get it." he said, standing up and offering you a hand, which you took. You followed him to the living room, still holding his hand, not missing the two girls whispering and giggling about it. You let his hand go to go sit with them. James looked back at you, furrowing his brow in question. You pointed your thumb to the couch and he nodded.

"Hey, sorry we're late." Steve greeted, waving a hand awkwardly, "There was an accident on-".

"Hey, Steve, did you go over the speed limit on the way here and get a ticket?" Sam interrupted, looking at Vanessa all the way from the door, "'Cause that girl is fine!"

While everyone groaned at Sam, how even received a shove from Steve, Vanessa bursted out laughing.

"I've never heard that one before!" she struggled to say while holding back her laughter. Sam smiled smugly.

"I'm Sam Wilson, but you can call me-" he started, striding towards her with his hand outreached.

"Anytime? Yeah, I've heard that before." she said, unimpressed, but she still took his hand.