Love Under the Western Skies

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

ᴍᴀᴅɪꜱᴏɴ

➵➵➵➵➵➵➵❂➵➵➵➵➵➵➵

I woke up hot, the sun had decided that my room was the target of its anger, and now I'm laying in a puddle of sweat.

And then I recognize the weight on my lower back, I don't remember falling asleep with anything on my back, let alone me putting anything on my back, to begin with. It could have been my knee brace I suppose? I was sore after my ACL injury and riding last night didn't help. I slowly peeled open my eyes, reaching up with one hand to wipe sleep from them, and blinked a few times to adjust to the sudden brightness in my room.

God, I needed to get curtains.

And then I turned my head, slamming my hand over my mouth to not let the scream that was bubbling in my chest out. There laying beside me was Steve Rogers, he was still dressed, his jean-clad legs pressed up against mine. I couldn't remember asking him to stay with me last night. In fact, I remember him going back into the house when we got back. If my Dad found out, he would kill me and Steve. It was his one rule. But then I felt my shirt, pressed tightly to my body from the weight of his arm, my spandex shorts were still tight against my hips, and when I looked around the room nothing was in disarray.

I needed to shower, and get some coffee, I couldn't think right now.

I slid out of bed, squeezing my eyes shut when Steve rolled onto his side, occupying the space I just vacated. I couldn't help but scan his muscular back when I opened them again, the sheet was wrapped around his waist, blue jeans peeking out. Steve was strong, I always knew that, but he was lean, with prominent muscles that were hidden behind shirts. I couldn't blame Sharon for being possessive of the man, if I was a different person, and Steve didn't find me annoying and a hindrance in his life, if I was the one who was in his bed at night, I can't say I wouldn't act the same way.

Get your shit together Madison, he's a client, I can't think of him as anything else.

I pulled a pair of leggings out of my suitcase, and another oversized shirt, and swiped my phone off the dresser, I needed Rae, she would tell me what to do to get myself out of the shit I accidentally put myself into. As soon as I shut the door and got the shower running I pulled up Rae's text thread, already feeling the dread run over me.

Me: Code Red

Rae: Shit, not you too, send at the same time?

Me: Okay, send it now

Rae: I'm ready to kick Nathan's ass, I'm two seconds away from telling Nash to fire me

Me: Steve Rogers is laying in my bed

I watched the three bubbles show up and disappear, show up again, and then disappear before finally the message came through.

Rae: Call me later, this is a conversation we have over the phone

Me: Rae... What the fuck have I done?

Rae: Probably nothing, I got to go Nathan's screaming for me. Love you!

I took a shower, a cold one in hopes to calm my racing heart. Even if nothing happened between Steve and I last night, I still couldn't figure out why he was in my bed. I was going through every scenario in my head, every moment of the conversation and the horseback ride, and how I was laughing by the time he carried me back upstairs. He was smiling, a genuine smile I didn't think I had ever seen on him. It was almost like he was at peace, and it made butterflies erupt in my stomach.

I got dressed, and stepped out into the room again, glancing over to my bed just to double check I wasn't hallucinating, and Steve was still, sleeping soundly, his back rising and falling steadily.