Stark Madness (Book Two In The Heart Of A Stark) Series

*3*

Pacing the length of the kitchen in her apartment atop Stark Industries YN checked the clock for the thousandth time.

The weekly therapy sessions mandated as a condition of his pardon had seemed so benign at the time. Something that should have been mandated for all of them.

She hadn't realized, For Bucky, it was a sword held over his head. Obey or get locked in a cage. Not until she saw the fear in his eyes as he left for his first session that morning.

Checking the clock again, she fumbled, nearly dropping the leather box she had been twirling in her hands. Bucky should've been home an hour ago. Swallowing back panic, YN opened the box to admire its contents. When they had arrived a few days before she had thought it would be a perfect surprise to save for today but, now she wasn't so sure. She had wanted them as proof that his service, all he endured, was recognized, respected, and appreciated by the country he fought for. Now she worried he would see them as nothing more than shackles.

Just as she was about to give in and ask FRIDAY to track his location she heard the sound of the elevator. She almost cried with relief when the doors opened and Bucky was there, Sam by his side.

"Don't be mad," Sam started but YN couldn't take her eyes off of Bucky as they stepped into the room.

"What did you do?" YN whispered, her eyes scrutinizing his as she reached up to run her fingers through his freshly cropped hair. The fear she saw this morning had been replaced with uncertainty as analyzed her reaction.

"There's a wedding in less than a week," Sam argued. "Couldn't let him show up looking all scraggly."

She liked scraggly. She fell in love with scraggly but this was something else. Even as he glared at Sam she could see the difference in which he held himself. There was a confidence in the set of his shoulders and she wondered if it came from not being able to hide behind his hair.

"You should leave, Sam," she declared, pulling her hand back.

"Com'on YN, it's just hair. It'll..."

"Sam!" She turned on him with a pointed look.

Sam raised his hands and slowly backed towards the elevator, throwing Bucky a sympathetic look as the doors closed.

"You don't like it?" Bucky asked sounding defeated.

Her eyes softened. "I was worried," she whispered. Seeing the apology form in his eyes, she reached up to place a finger over his lips.

"You know I love you and I think it's been glaringly obvious how attractive I find you." A giggle escaped her as she watched his face redden. Moving her hand to caress the stubble peppering his jaw. "I've never seen you look so... You"

His brows pulled together adorably before raising with realization. His tongue swept across his top lip as he tried to contain the smirk sliding across his face.

"Is that why you chased Sam away? To test drive the new look?" His eyes darkened as he took a small step closer to her. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Only seems right to make sure I can still get a good grip," She challenged, lighting a fire in his eyes that had her biting her bottom lip to restrain herself from moaning out loud. He backed her into the large kitchen island, his gaze never wavering. The sharp contact was enough to elicit a yelp from YN

"You're right, doll," he whispered, catching her face between his hands, "you always are."

She had to agree with him, giggling as he finally lowered his lips to hers. The giggles turned into sighs as he deepened the kiss. Her sighs turned to moans as he moved his hand to tug at the hair at the back of her neck. Never one to miss an opportunity, Bucky made quick work to cover every inch of exposed skin with wet kisses, leaving goosebumps in his wake. Her response to his touch never failed to amaze him. Her fingers clawed his chest as she tangled her hands in the fabric of his shirt.