Your Ivy Grows

Chapter 50

Bucky

He'd hoped a shower would help clear his head and allow him to get a few hours of fitful sleep, but it's done nothing. Would anything help other than going after Alexis and dragging her back to his apartment?

He understands her being overly cautious; it doesn't mean he has to like it. Not when it's keeping her from spending the night in his bed where she belongs.

They should take full advantage of John's absence while they can, because who knows when they'll get another chance. All he wants is one uninterrupted night with her in his arms.

He wants to wake to her beside him, so he can rouse her from sleep with tender kisses along her skin. She'd be adorably drowsy while he kissed his way down her body, burying his face between her legs so they could start the morning with her coming on his tongue.

He'd bask in the simple domesticity of bringing her breakfast in bed, followed by a morning shower together. He'd pin her against the tile wall and fuck her while she left claw marks in his back.

The simple truth is that he wants her here with him.

But he'd fucked up by falling asleep. After weeks of begging her to open up, he'd messed it up the moment she did. Her body curled against him was a comfort he wasn't used to and it had lulled him into a much needed sleep. But, fuck, his body couldn't have chosen a worse time to let him rest.

When she'd told him about her father, he'd wanted to speak but knew he couldn't trust himself to. Anger wasn't a new emotion for him, but he'd never felt a rage as powerful as that. It had scared him because he'd known then how capable he was of hurting someone and feeling not one shred of remorse for it.

He'd bit his tongue, choking down all the words that would probably frighten Alexis. The last thing he needed was for her to see how out of control he felt at the mere idea of someone laying a hand on her. He'd wanted nothing more than to hunt her father down and make him pay for every single time he'd hurt her. He'd have killed him with his bare hands and enjoyed every second. It wouldn't have been quick; he'd have broken every bone in the motherfucker's body one by one.

When she'd told him he was already dead, he hadn't known whether to feel happy or disappointed by the news.

He'd wanted to ask her questions or at least make it clear to her how much it meant that she'd trusted him enough to tell him.

But no, he'd fallen asleep.

Not only that, he'd slept like a fucking baby. It was the best night's sleep he'd had in as long as he could remember.

It seemed he would never do right by her.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Bucky shuts the shower off and wraps a towel around his waist before going in search of his phone. As he expects, there's a text waiting for him.

Alexis: I got back okay. Till tomorrow x

It's short, sweet and to the point, but it's the confirmation he needs. Without her letting him know she got home safely, he'd end up calling to check. It comforts him, but not nearly as much as having her here would.

A quick glance at the time tells him it's 3am. She'll be back before he knows it, but it's not soon enough.

Really, what's stopping him from going to get her?

Minutes later, with clean sweats and a fresh shirt on, Bucky's twirling his keys around one finger and contemplating riding over there.

How annoyed would she be? And would promising to make it up to her once she was back in his bed be enough to make it better?

Deciding to quit while he's behind, Bucky plays it safe and sends a text instead.

Bucky: Till tomorrow, beautiful x

He watches the screen, waiting for the delivery confirmation, but it never comes. A smile tips up the corner of his mouth because he knows why. Sometimes she'll put the phone on 'Do Not Disturb' to guarantee herself a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Tossing his keys back on the coffee table, Bucky shakes off his neediness and resigns himself to another night without her.