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

Chapter XXII

You had always hated coming back from vacations, and this time it felt even worse. Packing your bags, putting them in the trunk of the car and watching the cabin disappear behind was like saying goodbye to some of the happiest moments of your life. You knew that you and Bucky's relationship would last, just like the friendships you had solidified, but the irrational part of your brain kept telling you that popping the happy bubble you'd been in for the last few day would change everything.

You got back home late in the afternoon, so everyone decided to order take out for dinner and stay at Bucky's, since you already drove there because that's where everyone else had parked their cars. It was a nice way to end your bonding-weekend, as Sam had called it.

After dinner, everyone said goodbye and headed home, but you James asked you to spend the night there. You couldn't refuse that offer. That's how you ended up in his bed, straddling him while the two of you made out.

"I love your sister, but she has to get her own apartment." you mumbled against his lips, frustrated. You were really horny, but Rebecca was sleeping on Bucky's couch and the walls were too thin to take things further, "Why don't we go to my place?".

"We're too tired to drive." Bucky sighed, but the bulge in his boxers told you otherwise.

"Trust me, I'm anything but tired right now." you groaned, rolling off of him and laying face down on the bed.

"I've created a monster." he chuckled, pulling you on your side to spoon you.

"This is really nice." you yawned, scooting closer to him. He hummed in agreement.

"Goodnight, baby." he murmured, his voice muffled by your hair in his face, "I love you."

"Love you, too." you yawned again, closing your eyes.

The next morning, you woke up to an empty bed. You frowned, patting your hand on Bucky's side of the bed to see if he had just rolled away in his sleep, before the smell of waffles reached your nostrils and woke you up. After a few minutes of getting used to being awake, you padded towards the kitchen, finding James already plating your breakfast.

"How do you manage to look this good this early?" you mumbled, throwing your arms around his waist and nuzzling your cheek on his chest.

"I already went on a morning jog." he told you, to which you fake-gagged. You pulled away and noticed what he was wearing.

"I can't believe you wore that again." you chuckled, looking at the same stupid apron he'd worn not too long ago. It felt like an eternity to you.

"You didn't kiss the cook the last time, it was only fair to try again." he shrugged, a mischievous smile on his handsome face. You stood on the tip of your toes and puckered your lips, earning a few, long pecks.

"You can't see it, but I'm throwing tomatoes at the two of you in my head right now." Rebecca's gruff voice made you pull away. She was leaning on the doorway, her arms crossed, but a fond smile let you know she was joking.

"Morning, Becca." you greeted, disentangling yourself from Bucky's hold and walking towards her to kiss her cheek, "How'd you sleep?".

"Uh, great, I guess." she said, clearly not used to that kind of display of attention, "Well, it's still a couch, but I got a job interview this afternoon, so I think I'll move out soon."

"Oh, good for you!" you exclaimed, genuinely happy for her and partially cheering for your own selfish reasons.

She gave you a small smile and nodded while James placed the plates on the table. You all chatted while you ate breakfast, Rebecca groaning when Bucky pulled you in to sit on his lap. "Be grateful we're not feeding each other." he said, grinning when she gave him her signature "You think you're funny, don't you?" look.