An emotion in motion

If his behaviour didn’t alert you that something definitely was not right, the redness that spreads over Jake’s cheeks and ears would. He’s blushing so hard, you’re afraid he might start fevering. 

“Jake,” you say his name softly, “just tell me what’s wrong.”

You sit up a little, to match Jake’s position as he sits so far on the edge of the bed that he risks falling off. He has his back pressed to the headboard and the covers pulled up to his chin. He’s definitely not cold, since it’s the middle of a heatwave summer, plus he generally runs hot. 

“Nothing. It’s just- it’s just there’s only one bed.” He laments. 

True, the one bed situation at the hotel surprised you a little. Your cousin, whose wedding you were attending, knew you’d be coming with your friend Jake. She knew that you were just friends. But apparently the hotel put all people attending the wedding with a plus one as a couple. Hence, one bed in your bedroom.

Which isn't really an issue. Or so you thought. 

“What about the bed?” You patiently ask Jake. 

He turns even redder. You hope he won’t have a stroke. 

“You’re in it!” Jake blurts out. 

After that, the words keep spilling. 

“You were so close, and you’re so beautiful, and you’re warm, and you smell nice, and your ass was pressed into me, and I got hard, and now you’re looking all cute all mussed up and soft, and damnit I’m getting even fucking harder just looking at you, and we’re friends, and I’m sorry, and-”

“Jake!” You interrupt him before he suffocates from the lax of oxygen. 

He stops, mouth open mid-sentence. He keeps looking at you, all embarrassed and eager, and mortified. 

His confession doesn’t make you feel awkward. Quite the contrary, something light and warm blooms in your belly then spreads in fluttering waves through your chest. And down between your legs. 

“Will you show me?” You ask, biting your lower lip.

“Will I-?” Jake stutters, pupils widening further. “You want me to- show you my-?”

“Your hard cock, yes.” You grin and giggle when he nearly chokes on air. 

When he just stares at you, a little helpless and probably losing all blood from his brain, you sigh softly. Still smiling at him. 

“Jake,” you scoot closer to him, but still leaving him space in case he doesn’t want that closeness. “I’ve been ogling your biceps and ass for the past half a year. Thinking about your cock did occasionally happen, too. So you getting hard from sharing a bed with me doesn’t exactly offend me in any way.”

“You’ve been checking me out?” Jake blinks a few times. “I’ve been checking you out the whole time! Shit! Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. But why- why wouldn’t you say something?”

“Because, apparently, we’re both disasters?” You point between the two of you. “I thought you wouldn’t be into me and that it would ruin our friendship.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be into me.” Jake laughs awkwardly and drops the covers he’s been holding tightly under his chin. 

The fabric pools around his waist, exposing his broad chest and the amazing biceps. 

“See, we’re disasters.” You snort, then burst out laughing.

“Oh my god!” You wheeze. “I can’t believe your wood made us confess our feelings!” 

Jake laughs at that, too, though his expression still holds a tint of shyness. It makes him even cuter. Makes your heart soften for him, as well. Jake may sometimes act a bold flirt, but he’s actually very genuine and respectful. 

“Can I, uh, assume-” Jake clears his throat after your laughing fit ceases- “that we’re both interested in each other and want to be more than friends?” 

You tilt your head to the side, purposely dragging your eyes down his torso and slowly back up to his face. 

“Yes. I want to be more than friends, Jake.” You reply with a soft smile. 

“Can I, in turn, assume-” your smile turns into a smirk- “that you’ll show me how hard you got for me?” 

“You really want that? Now?” Jake’s voice turns huskier. 

You don’t say anything back. Instead, you take off your tank top and fling it across the room. 

You didn’t fool yourself thinking he’d agree to provide any help just from the goodness of his heart. You doubt he had a heart at all. So you were ready to promise free urgent medical care for his men, or to even serve as a money laundering spot. As long as people got free healthcare. 

He wasn’t interested in that. But when your heart was already sinking, Barber said there’s a different agreement you could come to. 

As you read through the contract he drafted, heat and dread settled in heavy, molten lava in your veins. 

He wanted you to carry his baby. 

That in itself shocked you to the core, but the stipulations left you completely unbalanced. There was nothing to hang onto. He wanted to get you pregnant. He wanted it to be done naturally - not a detached process in a lab, but real sex.

There were paragraphs on that. Including the one stating you’d give him your body anytime, anywhere, anyhow he wanted. Free use. 

You should be appalled! You should throw that in his face and storm out the door! 

Later, you’d tell yourself it’s because you were scared of what he might do, if you disrespected him like that, as well your desperation to keep your clinic. You had to pretend sudden heat wasn’t pooling between your legs as you thought of Andy Barber in all his lethal glory, in that expensive pristine suit, strutting into your clinic and telling you to bend over your desk, so he could fuck you full of his cum. 

Your fingers clenched on the edge of the desk as you stared at that paragraph. An image of him carrying you straight to his bedroom the moment you signed the contract; ordering you to strip for him and spread on the huge bed. 

Or maybe he’d tell you to do it here, while his men were outside guarding the door. They’d hear your moan when Andy forced you to stretch on his cock and take your first load. 

“Are you hesitating, or are you imagining?” Andy’s amused voice reeled you back from the spiral of dirty thoughts. 

When you looked up at him, his smirk broadened into a wolfish grin.

“Yes, little rabbit. Anytime. Anywhere. Always bare.” 

He wanted you focused on that. On how completely he’d own you. 

If his behaviour didn’t alert you that something definitely was not right, the redness that spreads over Jake’s cheeks and ears would. He’s blushing so hard, you’re afraid he might start fevering. 

“Jake,” you say his name softly, “just tell me what’s wrong.”

You sit up a little, to match Jake’s position as he sits so far on the edge of the bed that he risks falling off. He has his back pressed to the headboard and the covers pulled up to his chin. He’s definitely not cold, since it’s the middle of a heatwave summer, plus he generally runs hot. 

“Nothing. It’s just- it’s just there’s only one bed.” He laments. 

True, the one bed situation at the hotel surprised you a little. Your cousin, whose wedding you were attending, knew you’d be coming with your friend Jake. She knew that you were just friends. But apparently the hotel put all people attending the wedding with a plus one as a couple. Hence, one bed in your bedroom.

Which isn't really an issue. Or so you thought. 

“What about the bed?” You patiently ask Jake. 

He turns even redder. You hope he won’t have a stroke. 

“You’re in it!” Jake blurts out. 

After that, the words keep spilling. 

“You were so close, and you’re so beautiful, and you’re warm, and you smell nice, and your ass was pressed into me, and I got hard, and now you’re looking all cute all mussed up and soft, and damnit I’m getting even fucking harder just looking at you, and we’re friends, and I’m sorry, and-”

“Jake!” You interrupt him before he suffocates from the lax of oxygen. 

He stops, mouth open mid-sentence. He keeps looking at you, all embarrassed and eager, and mortified. 

His confession doesn’t make you feel awkward. Quite the contrary, something light and warm blooms in your belly then spreads in fluttering waves through your chest. And down between your legs. 

“Will you show me?” You ask, biting your lower lip.

“Will I-?” Jake stutters, pupils widening further. “You want me to- show you my-?”

“Your hard cock, yes.” You grin and giggle when he nearly chokes on air. 

When he just stares at you, a little helpless and probably losing all blood from his brain, you sigh softly. Still smiling at him. 

“Jake,” you scoot closer to him, but still leaving him space in case he doesn’t want that closeness. “I’ve been ogling your biceps and ass for the past half a year. Thinking about your cock did occasionally happen, too. So you getting hard from sharing a bed with me doesn’t exactly offend me in any way.”

“You’ve been checking me out?” Jake blinks a few times. “I’ve been checking you out the whole time! Shit! Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. But why- why wouldn’t you say something?”

“Because, apparently, we’re both disasters?” You point between the two of you. “I thought you wouldn’t be into me and that it would ruin our friendship.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be into me.” Jake laughs awkwardly and drops the covers he’s been holding tightly under his chin. 

The fabric pools around his waist, exposing his broad chest and the amazing biceps. 

“See, we’re disasters.” You snort, then burst out laughing.

“Oh my god!” You wheeze. “I can’t believe your wood made us confess our feelings!” 

Jake laughs at that, too, though his expression still holds a tint of shyness. It makes him even cuter. Makes your heart soften for him, as well. Jake may sometimes act a bold flirt, but he’s actually very genuine and respectful. 

“Can I, uh, assume-” Jake clears his throat after your laughing fit ceases- “that we’re both interested in each other and want to be more than friends?” 

You tilt your head to the side, purposely dragging your eyes down his torso and slowly back up to his face. 

“Yes. I want to be more than friends, Jake.” You reply with a soft smile. 

“Can I, in turn, assume-” your smile turns into a smirk- “that you’ll show me how hard you got for me?” 

“You really want that? Now?” Jake’s voice turns huskier. 

You don’t say anything back. Instead, you take off your tank top and fling it across the room. 

If his behaviour didn’t alert you that something definitely was not right, the redness that spreads over Jake’s cheeks and ears would. He’s blushing so hard, you’re afraid he might start fevering. 

“Jake,” you say his name softly, “just tell me what’s wrong.”

You sit up a little, to match Jake’s position as he sits so far on the edge of the bed that he risks falling off. He has his back pressed to the headboard and the covers pulled up to his chin. He’s definitely not cold, since it’s the middle of a heatwave summer, plus he generally runs hot. 

“Nothing. It’s just- it’s just there’s only one bed.” He laments. 

True, the one bed situation at the hotel surprised you a little. Your cousin, whose wedding you were attending, knew you’d be coming with your friend Jake. She knew that you were just friends. But apparently the hotel put all people attending the wedding with a plus one as a couple. Hence, one bed in your bedroom.

Which isn't really an issue. Or so you thought. 

“What about the bed?” You patiently ask Jake. 

He turns even redder. You hope he won’t have a stroke. 

“You’re in it!” Jake blurts out. 

After that, the words keep spilling. 

“You were so close, and you’re so beautiful, and you’re warm, and you smell nice, and your ass was pressed into me, and I got hard, and now you’re looking all cute all mussed up and soft, and damnit I’m getting even fucking harder just looking at you, and we’re friends, and I’m sorry, and-”

“Jake!” You interrupt him before he suffocates from the lax of oxygen. 

He stops, mouth open mid-sentence. He keeps looking at you, all embarrassed and eager, and mortified. 

His confession doesn’t make you feel awkward. Quite the contrary, something light and warm blooms in your belly then spreads in fluttering waves through your chest. And down between your legs. 

“Will you show me?” You ask, biting your lower lip.

“Will I-?” Jake stutters, pupils widening further. “You want me to- show you my-?”

“Your hard cock, yes.” You grin and giggle when he nearly chokes on air. 

When he just stares at you, a little helpless and probably losing all blood from his brain, you sigh softly. Still smiling at him. 

“Jake,” you scoot closer to him, but still leaving him space in case he doesn’t want that closeness. “I’ve been ogling your biceps and ass for the past half a year. Thinking about your cock did occasionally happen, too. So you getting hard from sharing a bed with me doesn’t exactly offend me in any way.”

“You’ve been checking me out?” Jake blinks a few times. “I’ve been checking you out the whole time! Shit! Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. But why- why wouldn’t you say something?”

“Because, apparently, we’re both disasters?” You point between the two of you. “I thought you wouldn’t be into me and that it would ruin our friendship.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be into me.” Jake laughs awkwardly and drops the covers he’s been holding tightly under his chin. 

The fabric pools around his waist, exposing his broad chest and the amazing biceps. 

“See, we’re disasters.” You snort, then burst out laughing.

“Oh my god!” You wheeze. “I can’t believe your wood made us confess our feelings!” 

Jake laughs at that, too, though his expression still holds a tint of shyness. It makes him even cuter. Makes your heart soften for him, as well. Jake may sometimes act a bold flirt, but he’s actually very genuine and respectful. 

“Can I, uh, assume-” Jake clears his throat after your laughing fit ceases- “that we’re both interested in each other and want to be more than friends?” 

You tilt your head to the side, purposely dragging your eyes down his torso and slowly back up to his face. 

“Yes. I want to be more than friends, Jake.” You reply with a soft smile. 

“Can I, in turn, assume-” your smile turns into a smirk- “that you’ll show me how hard you got for me?” 

“You really want that? Now?” Jake’s voice turns huskier. 

You don’t say anything back. Instead, you take off your tank top and fling it across the room. 

LBaL!Curtis!!!

LBaL!Curtis!!!

Steve had proven exactly the type of guy you thought him to be. Kind, smart, and so sassy. He was a triple threat to your heart. He hadn't failed to play up his role as your pretend boyfriend to your friends and family. These past few days have been the best of your life. Not only did everyone you knew adore Steve, but they couldn't help noting to you about how your tastes have improved since their last sighting of you.

Even in the quiet moments away from your family, he hadn't really dropped his facade. Not once.

That was the part that got to you the most. It made you yearn for the chance to prove yourself worthy of his time and attention, even his love. Yet, you knew. You knew you had no chance of winning him over in the long term. It wasn't meant to ever happen for you. Most of your relationships fizzled out within weeks of starting. You didn't want this one to fizzle though. No, you wanted it to bloom into something more. You wanted to have your happily ever after. Like your parents. Like your sister. Like your best friend.

"I can't do it," you mumbled, not really expecting him to overhear them.

He was on his knees in front of you in an instant. It didn't matter that he was wrinkling his freshly pressed slacks. His hands remained gentle, soft as he picked up your ankle and set your foot above his knee. His fingers made quick, efficient work of the tiny buckle and delicate strap of your sandal. He made it appear effortless compared to your bumbling attempts.

Not that you really minded.

You were well aware of your own accomplishments, even if you sometimes struggled with smaller details like this. It helped that he never made a big deal about those smaller details. Never with you, you realized belatedly. Oh, you'd heard him ream other cadets when they messed up, but he never did it with you. With you, he took his time and kept his patience.

"There," he said softly, giving you your foot back. His fingers skimmed across the exposed skin of your ankle and foot. That was enough to send several shivers up your spine, but he merely grinned up at you. "How's that feel?"

"Feels perfect," you said, unable to think of anything else.

To your astonishment, his cheeks grew pinkish before your very eyes even as his gaze dropped to the floor. He cleared his throat and you could make out him swallowing, his Adam's apple jumping under his skin. When he finally pushed back to his feet, he held out his hand to you, asking, "Ready to dazzle everyone?"

"I think that's all you."

You could see he wanted to protest, so you quickly added, "No, I'm serious. You've been so great this weekend. My family adores you. I'm pretty sure they'll never talk to me again if I mess this thing up between us."

"Maybe it's you, angel. You've made it easy for me to be myself." His voice came out soft but firm, sincere and promising. His gaze remained steady, true as he met your raised brows and open mouth.

Needing something to do, you finally rested your hand in his offered on. He didn't hesitate in tightening it to help you up, keep you steady in your heeled sandals. As you'd done all weekend and wished to keep doing after it ended, you moved close enough for his arm to wrap around your waist. His hand remained clasped around yours as they settled where your hips grazed upon walking out of the room.

The elevator ride didn't take long nor did the walk into the reception hall of the hotel where your family and friends waited.

It was really too bad that these precious moments with Steve were growing ever closer to ending.

How many more hugs would he give you? How many quick but sweet kisses to your temple? Would he ever want to hold your hand again? And his sweet gentleness? Would that end once you two returned to the Tower and your jobs within it?

A small part of you wondered if you should've asked Bucky or Sam to do this with you. Maybe then you wouldn't be wishing for this to end. Maybe then you'd be able to walk away from this and still keep your heart intact.

The party went off exactly as you expected it to. Everyone had a great time, including Steve, as he continued to razzle and dazzle in a way even Tony would envy. It was truly nice to see your family take to him as they did. You hadn't been wrong, either, with what you said earlier. They were going to really be irate with you when they learned this didn't work out. You did have some fears some of them wouldn't talk to you for screwing up with Steve. Because that had to be what happened. You had to have screwed it up. Just like all your other relationships before him.

"You look happy," your best friend murmured at one point, having found you alone for once. "I'm glad you found someone who finally sees you as you deserve to be seen. I don't think I've seen anyone as in love with you as clearly as he is."

Your gaze couldn't help spotting Steve among a group of older ladies, family and friends alike, who were fawning over him. His cheeks had grown quite tomato-ish compared to what they'd been earlier. You couldn't help feeling sorry for him, knowing these ladies and what they were capable of saying. No doubt they'd said some truly scandalous things if he'd gotten to that particular shade.

"Go rescue your man before those old ladies eat him for dessert," your best friend urged. Amusement tinged her words though her voice grew serious as she added, "If he hurts you, let me know. I'll kick his ass. Even men in love can be stupid at times, but I really do have high hopes for him. Oh, and call me later. You owe me so many juicy details about what he's like."

Your cheeks grew warm. Honesty poured out of you without any ability to really stop it. "We haven't slept together. Well, besides actual sleep. Steve's a bit old-fashioned, and I…actually really like that about him. He doesn't push for something that I'm not ready to give."

"Oh, you've got it so bad for him, honey. I'm so happy for you." She pulled you into an almost too-tight hug and didn't let go. "You two will figure it out. I just know it. Just like I know he'll rock your world when you're both ready. I can tell these things, you know. But for now, go. Go and save your man."

She gave you a friendly shove towards Steve and the older ladies.

As if feeling your approach, Steve's gaze met yours and softened with gratitude and maybe something else. You couldn't quite put your finger on what, but you really wished to. That something could be just the thing you needed to gather your courage, to ask for what you really wanted.

"Ah, there you are, angel."

"Hi, ladies," you greeted the older women even as you slid into place next to him. It'd become so routine that you didn't know if you could go back to just being friends and co-workers. Your dynamic had changed so much over these few days that your head still spun a bit. This fantasy you two had created was doing a real number on you, and you could only hope it was the same for him. Shaking yourself, you managed to murmur, "Mind if I borrow him for a little bit?"

The knowing gleams in the older women's eyes should've scared you, but they didn't. Not really. You've had time to realize your feelings for Steve had gone beyond friendly long ago. This weekend only sped up your yearning for something more. Dialed it to ten. There was little doubt that it would be able to scale back down. Not after seeing him play the role of your boyfriend so well.

Once away from the group, Steve leaned in close and whispered, "Thank you for saving me. They're great, but they're also…"

"A bit much," you finished for him, smiling up at his ruddy face. "I can well imagine what came out of their mouths, too. I took them to see one of those Chippendale shows in Vegas a couple years back. Really thought we were going to be banned with the way they got out of hand. Never, ever again."

"Chippendale? Is that the one with guys who…"

You nodded. "You're built like a dancer in their eyes. Those muscles of yours are hard not to notice, you know. Having seen you without a shirt, I can't blame them. I'm actually surprised they weren't trying to stuff bills down your pants. Being around family wouldn't stop them, either. You could've walked away with at least half their social security checks."

A huff of something escaped him even as his cheeks grew warmer. You wouldn't be surprised if you could warm toast with how red they'd gotten. Wisely, you kept that thought to yourself. No sense in embarrassing him more than you probably already had.

His hand fidgeted with the tie, working to loosen it a bit and utterly failing.

Taking pity on him, you slowed your steps until he stopped next to you. Without thinking about it, you reached up and slowly tugged at his tie until he could remove it completely. You didn't stop though until you had unbuttoned the top two of his button-down.

"There. That's more like it."

He took the tie out of your hand and stuffed it into one of his pockets. "Too much then?"

"Maybe only a little bit. You did rock that tie, but this…this is more you. This blue really makes your eyes pop, you know."

He nodded. "Yeah, you told me when we went shopping together. It's why I bought it."

"You bought this shirt because of me?" The words came out louder than you meant them to, but you couldn't have been more shocked at that admission. Surely, he could've tried to sucker-punch you and you would've been better able to block that than his minor confession.

"Well, yeah. Does that really surprise you? I value your opinion. Have since the day we met."

You didn't have a clue what to say at that point. So many words warred to be spoken, but the ones that you really wanted to say stuck to your tongue. You knew saying them would change everything and possibly not for the better. The risk of ruining what you two were currently sharing was too high. This moment, this weekend, was too fragile. If you broke it, you knew your life with the Avengers would be over. Your friendship, something most dear, with Steve would be over.

No, it was better to remain silent. To keep those words to yourself.

Unless…

"Steve?"

His name came out no more than whisper, but he heard you all the same. His gaze never faltered as it met yours. His expression remained open, curious, intently focused. You knew he would hear whatever you had to say.

"This weekend," you started, swallowing past the quickly forming lump. You refused to let fear take hold any longer as you rushed onward to say, "I really don't want it to end."

The smile he gave you transformed his entire face. You'd think you'd solved all the world's problems and gave him an excuse to finally put down his shield with the way he looked at you.

"If I were to ask you to dinner with me tomorrow, you would say…"

"Yes. Absolutely yes."

"I really wanna kiss you," he murmured close to your ear, having tugged you close upon hearing your answer. It was as if you were freeing him from constraints with the way he manhandled you in the gentlest of hands. Just to have you where he truly wanted you. Always wanted you, you realized.

Leaning back to meet his gaze once more, your smile turned coy as you whispered, "Nothing's stopping you."

He must've taken your words as both the challenge and acceptance they were because he didn't hesitate and didn't disappoint. His kiss claimed you in ways you'd hoped to be claimed for ages and hoped to remain claimed in a happily ever after you could call your own.

Because he was it, and you knew it.

If his behaviour didn’t alert you that something definitely was not right, the redness that spreads over Jake’s cheeks and ears would. He’s blushing so hard, you’re afraid he might start fevering. 

“Jake,” you say his name softly, “just tell me what’s wrong.”

You sit up a little, to match Jake’s position as he sits so far on the edge of the bed that he risks falling off. He has his back pressed to the headboard and the covers pulled up to his chin. He’s definitely not cold, since it’s the middle of a heatwave summer, plus he generally runs hot. 

“Nothing. It’s just- it’s just there’s only one bed.” He laments. 

True, the one bed situation at the hotel surprised you a little. Your cousin, whose wedding you were attending, knew you’d be coming with your friend Jake. She knew that you were just friends. But apparently the hotel put all people attending the wedding with a plus one as a couple. Hence, one bed in your bedroom.

Which isn't really an issue. Or so you thought. 

“What about the bed?” You patiently ask Jake. 

He turns even redder. You hope he won’t have a stroke. 

“You’re in it!” Jake blurts out. 

After that, the words keep spilling. 

“You were so close, and you’re so beautiful, and you’re warm, and you smell nice, and your ass was pressed into me, and I got hard, and now you’re looking all cute all mussed up and soft, and damnit I’m getting even fucking harder just looking at you, and we’re friends, and I’m sorry, and-”

“Jake!” You interrupt him before he suffocates from the lax of oxygen. 

He stops, mouth open mid-sentence. He keeps looking at you, all embarrassed and eager, and mortified. 

His confession doesn’t make you feel awkward. Quite the contrary, something light and warm blooms in your belly then spreads in fluttering waves through your chest. And down between your legs. 

“Will you show me?” You ask, biting your lower lip.

“Will I-?” Jake stutters, pupils widening further. “You want me to- show you my-?”

“Your hard cock, yes.” You grin and giggle when he nearly chokes on air. 

When he just stares at you, a little helpless and probably losing all blood from his brain, you sigh softly. Still smiling at him. 

“Jake,” you scoot closer to him, but still leaving him space in case he doesn’t want that closeness. “I’ve been ogling your biceps and ass for the past half a year. Thinking about your cock did occasionally happen, too. So you getting hard from sharing a bed with me doesn’t exactly offend me in any way.”

“You’ve been checking me out?” Jake blinks a few times. “I’ve been checking you out the whole time! Shit! Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. But why- why wouldn’t you say something?”

“Because, apparently, we’re both disasters?” You point between the two of you. “I thought you wouldn’t be into me and that it would ruin our friendship.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be into me.” Jake laughs awkwardly and drops the covers he’s been holding tightly under his chin. 

The fabric pools around his waist, exposing his broad chest and the amazing biceps. 

“See, we’re disasters.” You snort, then burst out laughing.

“Oh my god!” You wheeze. “I can’t believe your wood made us confess our feelings!” 

Jake laughs at that, too, though his expression still holds a tint of shyness. It makes him even cuter. Makes your heart soften for him, as well. Jake may sometimes act a bold flirt, but he’s actually very genuine and respectful. 

“Can I, uh, assume-” Jake clears his throat after your laughing fit ceases- “that we’re both interested in each other and want to be more than friends?” 

You tilt your head to the side, purposely dragging your eyes down his torso and slowly back up to his face. 

“Yes. I want to be more than friends, Jake.” You reply with a soft smile. 

“Can I, in turn, assume-” your smile turns into a smirk- “that you’ll show me how hard you got for me?” 

“You really want that? Now?” Jake’s voice turns huskier. 

You don’t say anything back. Instead, you take off your tank top and fling it across the room.