Winter is for Lovers (Bucky Barnes X OC) [Book 1]

8. The Things We Did Last Summer

I woke up from my armchair in the study to the sound of a polite knocking on my front door. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein that I had fallen asleep reading last night fell to the floor, knocking the thankfully empty wine glass I had almost forgotten about over with it. I ran to the mirror to fix my tangled mess of curls, attempting to smooth them out, but it was of little use.

I didn't want to look like a complete mess to the person at the door.

The knocking continued as I tied my sky blue robe around my matching nightgown, the lace trim tickling my feet as I ran to the door.

"Hiya, doc," the sweet smoky sound of his voice hit me like a gust of wind, and the pair of steely blue eyes looking down at me made me want to melt into the floor. He was wearing a light blue Henley shirt with khaki shorts and loafers, bracing himself for the heat of the day ahead of him. His short buzzed hair was finally starting to grow back, so he ran his hands through it, instinctively.

"Good morning, James."

Watching him run his hands through his hair was one of my favorite habits of his. That, and when he licked his lips before saying something witty, or childish...

That is always a fun sight.

Him in those shorts though was a close second.

"I wasn't expecting you," I said, pulling myself out of my thoughts, shocked to see him here so early in the morning.

"Were you expecting someone else?" He asked, half-amused from seeing me blatantly staring at him like a piece of meat.

"Of course not," I said to him, looking at his outfit again. He looked as though he was on his way to the neighborhood pool or the beach and I raised an eyebrow at him, questioning his attire. "Are you going for a swim?"

He laughed, and it made my heart swoon, hearing it ring in my ears. "We are going for a swim. Go put on something you don't mind getting wet. I'm taking you out for the day"

"I don't remember you asking me, sir," I said, rolling my eyes at him and biting my cheek.

"I do," he said to me. "We were on your couch when I did."

"Technically, you didn't ask me," I said to him, leaning on my doorpost.

"I'm asking you now," he pulled a small bouquet of coral peonies out from behind his back, presenting them to me.

I let out a tiny gasp, seeing my favorite flower in his hands, wrapped in different shades of pink tissue paper. I took the bouquet into my hands, enveloping their sweet scent into my nose.

"They're beautiful, James," I said to him, looking up from the flowers.

"Just like you," he kissed my forehead, and I swore I thought I would melt from more than just the summer sun.

"Always the charmer, Mister Barnes. But, what if I said I already had plans today?" I gave him a smirk, causing him to knit his brows together to come up with a quick response.

It didn't take long for a sweet, mischievous grin to roll onto his face.

"I'd kindly ask you to reconsider, Doctor Grace," his eyes shone brightly in the sunlight, and it made it hard to say no to him, which I hated.

I sighed, giving in to him and pushing myself from the doorway to invite him inside.

"Go find something to put the flowers in," I headed upstairs to get changed for the day, while Bucky went into the kitchen.

I slipped on my maroon striped one-piece suit, then a pair of white shorts with brass buttons, and a maroon blouse, light enough to battle the heat outside, but still nice for an afternoon date. I grabbed my bag, slinging it around my shoulder, only bringing a small carton of sunscreen and the miniature first aid kit, leaving no room to be made fun of at my own expense for being overly prepared.