Heart Strings

CHAPTER 2

Holly was greeted early the next morning with an unexpected phone call; a co-worker had called in sick and her boss wanted her to work a half day shift. Never one to turn down extra pay, she agreed and quickly dressed and threw together an easy breakfast of nuked bacon, scrambled eggs and toast with jam. She put most of it on a tray to carry over to Bucky and then added a small thermos bottle full of coffee; after all, she HAD promised him breakfast. She called the cell number he had listed on his rental form a couple of times, getting no answer. Drumming her fingers on the counter top, she decided to go ahead and take it to him so she could be on her way to work.

She carefully climbed the stairs, knocked a few times then checked the door to find it unlocked. Stepping inside she noticed several boxes stacked against one wall and a baseball cap hanging off a hook on the wall. Otherwise, the place was still just as it had been last night when Bucky had looked at it. She could hear water running in the shower as she placed the breakfast tray on the table, thinking she would talk to him later. At that moment the bathroom door opened and a glistening wet, totally naked Bucky stepped out into the hallway, freezing in place.

Holly froze too as she gazed wide-eyed at the impressive man on display before her. She didn't want to stare, she really didn't, but his body was amazing from the thick brown hair dripping water onto his broad chest; rippling abs; trailing to his trim waist and... on down... Suddenly, she closed her eyes and holding her hand up to shield her eyes she croaked, "Oh my god! I... I am so sorry! I tried to call you and got no answer... obviously you were in the shower... and I just came on over to drop this off and...and..." her bright pink cheeks were proof of how embarrassed she was.

Allowing herself to take a quick peek, she was surprised to see Bucky still standing there naked as a blue jay not even attempting to cover himself, with a bemused look on his face. Closing her eyes again, Holly turned her face away. Bucky, who had been treated like a piece of meat during his years with HYDRA and had pretty much lost his sense of modesty, finally realized that Holly was seeing him as a man, not just a piece of meat to be used and dismissed.

"Oh! Wait! ... Just stay right there and I'll put some clothes on. Please. I'll be right back."

And he was back in just about 20 seconds having pulled on a pair of light weight sweat pants and draping a towel around his neck to cover the scars on his shoulder.

Giving him a sheepish look, Holly apologized again, "Bucky I am so sorry. I promised you I would respect your privacy and I just walked in. I don't know what I was thinking. It won't happen again..." she looked down, thinking she should have run while she had the chance.

"Please Holly, don't be upset. It's really okay. I left the door unlocked and you are accustomed to having the run of the place and ... I promise it's no big deal." Unfortunately, as he spoke, he couldn't help but remember the sight of her in the window the night before. An unbidden stirring rose in his loins and he knew that memory was not all that was going to rise if he didn't change the subject quickly. "I see you brought breakfast... did our plans change?"

Looking at the tray, then finally into his sparkling eyes, she nodded, "Yes, I got a call from my boss and I need to go in for a few hours... so I brought you the breakfast I promised."

"That's great! I mean, I'm sorry you have to work, but I really appreciate the breakfast. I'll return the favor sometime." He immediately wondered why he'd added that last part. He didn't want her to think that he assumed that they would be having breakfast together all the time.

Nodding, Holly looked away again. "Okay then... I really have to run now. Have a good day."

"Right... you too... Thanks again!" he called after her as she pushed the door open and stepped outside.