The Daughter Of Love & Mischief

16.

A/N - FULL NSFW VERSION OF THIS CHAPTER AVAILABLE ON AO3. (https://archiveofourown.org/works/15445803/chapters/40739477)

Ali loves her job. She really does. But doing her job and knowing that Steve is waiting for her at her apartment. That he's there and she's here and she wants to be there. Something is different about this night, something inside her knows it's happening, tonight is the night she and Steve take that next step in their relationship. She's not even nervous, not really, it's excitement that runs through her. And she's out the door literally the second her shift ends to the amusement with the girls she works with who, thanks to Bucky, know what's going on with her and Steve; they're all happy for her of course and pester her constantly about when he'll be coming to see the show, Ali's not sure she wants Steve to see the show to be honest, he's an old fashioned kind of man and burlesque is, well technically it's older then Steve Rogers; but it his day stripping; she's not sure how he'll react to it yet. Bucky was alright but she gets the feeling he was more cultural in his day, more.....adventurous. Ali slips off her shoes and quietly makes her way to her living room where she can hear her tv playing. Knowing that Steve is waiting for her is a feeling of warmth she'll never get used to. He's half asleep on the couch, but he's tried to stay up for her. She smiles warmly at him. Okay, this she can get used to. Coming home to him. As if sensing her eyes on him he becomes more alert, lifting his head to look at her, still decked out in her work costume. The bare legs and high waisted shorts with suspenders over a white sequin tank top. Her hair all done up in curls and a tiny hat pinned into place. She looks stunning and he's a little jealous other people get to see her like that.

"Hey" he greets, she smiles at him as he stands.

"Hey yourself" she greets back as he reaches her, his fingers brushing against hers. His eyes searching hers before he kisses her, curling his arm around the small of her back. "Steve" she whispers softly, he presses his forehead to hers and lets out a breath.

"You look beautiful..." he tells her touching the sequins running down the side of her shorts. He kisses her again. Soft. Sweet. It's very Steve. Very them. But it shifts, and neither know who starts it, but it does turn heated. She clasps to his shirt as she starts to back away pulling him with her, there eyes conversing more then anything they could say out loud. He swallows slightly, he won't lie and say he hasn't thought about this, about having sex with her; Ali is a very, very beautiful woman, a woman he is immensely attracted to. He cups her cheek following her, letting his fingers thread through her hair till he finds the pins to her hat, gently pulling it free they both let it fall to the floor, ignoring it as they both step over it. It takes them hardly any steps to reach her bedroom, they share another look; both checking they're both okay with where this is going. Steve kisses her softer but with all of the heat and intent and promise. The bedroom door closes behind them. 

..............

Ali wakes to a warmth on her skin, fingers dancing down her arms, the sun streaming through her window, Steve's breath on her neck. It's perfect. The perfect way to wake. The perfect man to wake with. Sensing her consciousness he nudges her neck with his nose before pressing his lips to her shoulder and then leaning up.

"Morning" he greets warmly, she smiles and turns to face him, his fingers move up to her shoulders and then to her face, cupping her cheek he leans closer to kiss her.

"Morning to you too" she greets as he pulls back, he smiles at her, brushing her hair behind her ear as she closes her eyes threatening to sleep again. He watches her for a moment, filling up with this feeling, a sensation of adoration and love that he fears he's going to burst with it.

"I love you" he blurts out, only realising what he's said when her eyes widen. "It just slipped out" he rushes to tell her. She pulls him closer and kisses him instead, his shock gives him pause a few seconds before he's kissing her back. She pulls away first and gives him a small smile, her features shifting into sadness.

"I'm not ready to say it back" she admits quietly. "But you do mean so much to me, Steve....more then...more then anyone that's not my family" he kisses her cheek and smiles.

"Tell me when you're ready" he tells her. "If you're ever ready....I know you care, Ali, we wouldn't be here if you didn't....I know your past relationships are complicated and they've...given you reason to pause, don't ever worry about me knowing how you feel"

"You really are the perfect man" she teases stroking his shoulders, he chuckles and presses his forehead to hers.