For my readers, I have edited Chapter 1 and 2 a little. I will be working on the earlier chapters updating them just slightly. Now that I have a better feel for the characters I think I would like to go back and tweak things just a bit. Let me know what you think. I have also created an email address strictly dedicated to answering any and all questions you have about the story...anything you ever wondered about or suggestions of your own. The yahoo email address ID is ecorleyfanfic Hope You Enjoy!

EDEN POV

My feet pounding on the pavement was the only noise to be heard this late in the evening on a Friday; the pounding and my labored breathing as I attempted to finish my fourth lap around the park grounds.

Geez, next time I think about taking a break from running, I'll remember how I feel at this exact moment.

It had been months since I had went running or did any type of exercise really. Working at home was a blessing but I spent hours at my computer each day updating and redesigning a slew of websites for both small and large businesses. The pay was excellent and I enjoyed my work but the last three months, I had been accepting way more work than I could handle and it was getting harder and harder to keep up.

As soon as I had graduated college with a double major in Information Technology and Business Management, I set out to start my own business. I had something to prove, not just to myself but to everyone else as well. I had been working my ass off the last couple of years and was pleased to say that it had been paying off. Unfortunately, making a name for yourself in this world means devoting a lot of time to work. My social life was pretty much non-existent at this point but my business was booming. My life now revolved around working, eating, sleeping and then more working.

This afternoon, after putting in long hours all week, I had finally managed to wrap up my three biggest contracts. Each website had been redesigned and was ready to go. I sat back from my desk and spun around in my chair several times, staring at the ceiling and letting out a sigh of relief. Satisfied with my work, I hopped up from my chair to stretch my back and smiled at how glorious it felt. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and watched as the smile quickly turned into a frown.

Wow Eden, you really let yourself go these last couple of months.

Looking down, I realized I had been wearing the same yoga pants for the last 2 days, the tank top I wore had a spaghetti stain on the front, and my long blonde hair looked greasy in the bun on the top of my head. I lifted the tank top and noticed my usually toned stomach was looking a little soft around the middle. I rolled my eyes and pulled the shirt back down over my belly with a groan.

I didn't realize working so hard would lead to me getting in this bad of shape.

Yeah right Eden, work is what made you gain those 10 lbs. It couldn't be the late nights on the couch watching trashy television and eating Pringles by the can.

As I stared at myself in that mirror I noticed the dark circles under my eyes and my sickly pale complexion. I decided right then it was time to scale back on work...I needed time to take a break and get back into the real world, maybe even have a little fun.

Since starting my business, I had always been very careful with my spending...credit cards were a no no, double payments on my SUV, and no splurging on unnecessary things. I had been saving up money for the last couple of years and had quite a nice nest egg set aside.

It's time for a vacation Eden...before you get burnt out.

I could easily take a few weeks off from work if I wanted to. I shut down my laptop after emailing my invoice to the last client before I closed my eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

What should I do first?

Taking a look around my messy bedroom, I decided a little house cleaning would be the first thing on my list. As I turned to figure out where to start, I caught another glimpse of myself in the mirror. I struggled to remember when the last time I had showered and left the house was.

Yesterday? The day before?

The first thing I needed was to take a shower. I peeled off my tank top and yoga pants and tossed them in my clothes hamper before heading to the bathroom. After a long hot shower and some fresh clothes, I stepped out of the bathroom feeling clean and smelling like flowers. I immediately got to work on getting my apartment back into shape. I spent the rest of the afternoon vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and dusting until the entire place looked spic and span.

Exhausted, I finally threw myself on my couch and laid my head back on the cushion. I was happy with the clean Pine scent radiating from my freshly mopped floors. The laundry had been washed, folded, and put away, my bed was made, and the windows shined.

I looked at the remote control, only inches away from my fingertips. It was so tempting to spend the rest of the evening lying on the couch watching television. There was even a can of Pringles hidden in the back of my pantry, screaming my name. I patted my stomach once more, frowning when I felt that it was much cushier than I would like.

No Eden! Get your lazy ass up and go running!

With a sigh, I dragged myself off the couch and walked grudgingly back into my bedroom in search of my jogging shoes. They were discarded in the very back of my closet, completely forgotten about after my last run nearly 4 months ago. I threw on a pair of black sweats and a grey sweat shirt before throwing my long hair up into a ponytail. I grabbed my wallet and keys and tucked them in the pockets of my sweat shirt. After locking my front door, I jogged slowly across the street to the park to begin my run.

Four pathetic laps later, here I was sprinting (okay limping) to the park bench where I started. The hood of my sweatshirt was pulled up over my head and the sweat was pouring down my face. A few months ago, this would have been a light workout for me but now, I was literally struggling to make it to the bench or risk collapsing on the ground.

Even though it was late in the evening and the park seemed to be completely abandoned as this point, I noticed a stranger was sitting on the bench that I was making my way towards. It was a man, slightly older than me, sitting alone. After taking a quick look around and not noticing anyone in the near vicinity, I approached him. My friends and family have always told me I'm not cautious enough and way too trusting...I like to talk to people and always try to see the best in them. I stood there for a second, taking in the stranger's appearance, and after a few moments I decided it seemed safe enough to proceed.

He was just sitting there, all alone, staring out into the park. He was wearing dark jeans, a short sleeved black shirt, and his long dark hair fell around his face. He must have been deep in thought because when I finally reached the bench he didn't even glance in my direction. I was beat after my run and in desperate need of a place to sit down and recover. I was sucking in air as fast as I could, feeling suddenly embarrassed of how out of shape I was with each hulking breath.

I bent over, putting my hands on my knees as I gulped for air, waiting to see if he would acknowledge me. I peeked up through my bangs to examine the stranger and noticed his blue eyes had a sad faraway look in them. They were perhaps the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen but full of so much sadness. His mouth was turned down in a frown but I could still see a hint of the dimple in his chin framed by a strong jawline. From his seated position I couldn't quite nail down his height but he had to be at least 6 feet. He was muscular and looked like he could handle himself very well.

His right arm was muscled and I suddenly felt the blush in my cheeks as I wondered how it would feel to have it wrapped around me.

Good Lord Eden, you've been out of real world way to long! Down Girl!

I was still assessing the stranger when I noticed his left arm. It was metal! Not just a normal prosthetic you would see an amputee fitted with but something much more advanced. No, this one was shaped to match his right, strong and muscular as well. It was like nothing I had ever seen before and I had push back my curiosity on how it would feel to reach out and touch it. Despite that metal arm, nothing could distract from the fact that this guy was gorgeous. Strong, silent, and obviously brooding...just the type of guy I might need in my life.

And here you are Eden, sweating like a pig in front of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.

It was that moment that the stranger finally glanced in my direction. I felt another blush creep into my cheeks as I realized that I had been staring at him for some time and he had just caught me.

Great!

"Hello….I'm sorry to disturb you. I just need to catch my breath for a moment, if you don't mind?", I added questioningly, still slightly out of breath. "It's been a few months since I ran and it seems like I may have been more out of shape then I thought."

He just stared at me not saying a word, face completely emotionless. There was no anger in his eyes that I could see, there was just nothing. It was almost like he was looking right through me...not even seeing me standing there...not even hearing me speak. He looked so lost and alone that if he wasn't a complete stranger, I may have wrapped him up in a hug to assure him that everything was going to be okay. It was obvious to me he didn't want to be bothered and despite my overwhelming desire to sit down and talk, I decided it was best to leave him be.

"I'm sorry", I stuttered. "I'll leave you alone."

Embarrassed, I pulled myself up into a standing position and turned to head back in the direction of my apartment. I froze when I finally heard him speak, the husky voice sending shivers down my spine.

"You can sit down if you want" he said quietly.

I looked back to see him scooting to one side of the bench to allow me to sit down. Shakily, I walked towards him, willing my racing heart to slow down.

"Thanks" I replied, grimacing as I attempted to sit down gracefully, ignoring the burning pain in my calves. I took the spot on his left and admired his metal arm...up close it was even more fascinating to see.

"That's quite an arm you have there. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it" I said, voice full of the fascination I was feeling. It wasn't until after I spoke that I regretted saying it...his body tensed up and by the look in his eyes, he was on full alert mode.

EDEN! Why did you just say that? IDIOT!

I saw the muscle in his jaw clench and his eyes narrowed, "You're not afraid of it?" he looked straight into my eyes as he said it, voice still low and sounding very serious. He didn't seem threatening but it sounded almost like he didn't believe me.

"No, why would I be afraid of it?", I said, tilting my head at him curiously. He stared at me for a few seconds, searching my face for any sign that I wasn't being truthful.

Goodness, is that why this guy looks like he just lost his best friend. Are people really afraid of a guy with a metal arm?

"Most people are afraid of it…..of me", he said, turning his face to look away from me. I sat in silence for a moment, gathering the courage to speak, searching for the right words to say. It was obvious the guy was upset and I had no desire to make him feel any worse. In fact, the only thing I wanted to do at that moment was put a smile on his face and see if it was possible for him to be even more handsome.

"Well I don't scare very easily and most people are jerks. You shouldn't pay attention to those kinds of people." I finally said, shrugging my shoulders.

I saw his body finally relax and I couldn't help but grin when he turned back towards me. I was rewarded with a small smile on his lips and an amused glint in his eye. I was right...once that smile appeared on his face the stranger went from handsome to downright hot! I suddenly regretted wearing my least flattering jogging clothes.

I pulled back the hood of my sweatshirt and finally introduced myself, "My name is Eden Page" I said, sticking my hand out to shake his.

He stared at me for a moment and I saw him hesitate before grasping my small hand in his large one and giving it a firm shake. His hand was warm and I felt the heat rush through me when we touched, like a jolt of electricity. I raised my eyes to his and saw a hint of surprise in his face, almost as if he had felt it too. I was disappointed when he pulled his hand away but the tingling sensation was still there, radiating where he had touched me. I placed my own hands in my lap so I could resist the urge to reach out and grab his again.

"My name is….Bucky...Bucky Barnes" he said.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Bucky. Do you live around here?" I asked, curiously.

"Yeah, I've been staying with my friend at his apartment." He turned around to point to the apartment building right next to mine. I couldn't keep the grin off my face...it was almost too perfect.

I chuckled and pointed to the building next to his, "Well it looks like we're neighbors Bucky, I live right over there."

I saw him smirk and nearly slid off the bench at how damn sexy it was. Surprisingly, conversation came easily; mostly because he let me do all the talking….he just listened. It was nice to talk to a human being again. I realized in the last two months, I had only left my apartment to get groceries and pick up the mail, which is why I think I kept droning on. It didn't hurt that Bucky was absolutely gorgeous and I was desperate to keep talking to him.

Thank goodness I decided to take a run tonight instead of watching T.V. and scarfing down those Pringles.

I told him all about my work, my life before I moved to the city, my family….on and on I went. He asked questions occasionally but for the most part, he let me babble away while he stared out into the park. I thought it odd that he didn't try to talk about himself at all, despite my attempts to ask him questions in return.

After a while, I realized I was probably boring the poor guy and he must be staying there listening to me simply because he didn't want to be rude. His body posture had relaxed the more we talked and his eyes were closed. I figured he was probably hoping I would just get up and leave.

"You must think I'm a nut, just going on and on about myself. I'm sorry, everyone's always told me I talk too much." I looked down at my hands and stopped talking. I had just decided in my head that it was time to excuse myself and head home when I heard him clear his throat.

I glanced back up to see he was looking at me intently with his blue eyes, his hair completely out of his face. He was so good looking and he stared at me in such a way that I felt my heart start racing again. He turned his body toward me and I could see the muscles in his chest strain against the cotton fabric of his black shirt.

"I like listening to you, you have a calming voice" he said, not taking his eyes off of mine.

I giggled nervously and lowered my face to hide the pink creeping into my cheeks. My bangs slipped down into my face and I nervously brushed them away, tucking them behind my ear.

Did he just compliment me?

I looked back up to see him still staring at me. We sat there, just looking at each other for what seemed like an eternity, but what could only have been for a few moments. He shifted slightly and out of the corner of my eye, I saw his hand move.

A sudden burst of laughter from a group of people walking by finally brought me out of the spell he had me under. Bucky had frozen too but had a rather annoyed look on his face. I looked down at my watch and realized it was nearing 10:00pm. We had been talking for nearly two hours and I was sure he had other places to be.

"Wow, I didn't realize how late it was. I'm sorry I kept you so long." I said, the words coming out rushed.

"You apologize too much, it was a pleasure to sit and talk with you", he said with another small smile at his lips.

I nodded my head quickly before lowering it, hoping he couldn't see my cheeks flush.

I stood up quickly, which was a mistake after the strenuous run I had taken earlier. Apparently I had pushed myself too hard and I didn't drink any water once it was over. I felt the cramp in my calf as soon as I put my foot on the ground. It shot up my leg and brought a gasp from my mouth. I felt myself falling over but instead of the cold, hard concrete, I felt a warm muscled arm snake around my waist and lift me back upright.

Well, you wondered what it would feel like to have him wrap his arm around you and now you know.

Both of my hands grasped on to Bucky's chest to steady myself and I felt the muscles right under my fingertips. It took every ounce of strength I had not to let my hands roam across his body. I realized I had judged his height correctly, he loomed over me. I could imagine how nice it would be to lay my head on his chest and stay wrapped in those arms all night. I looked up at his face and he stared down at mine. Being this close almost distracted me completely from the pain radiating from my leg...almost, but not quite.

"Thanks" I stuttered, looking away, flinching at the pain radiating my calf.

"Need some help getting home?" he asked.

I knew there was no way I was going to be able to limp home by myself...at least not without embarrassing myself greatly. The cramp was so bad that I felt tears prickling at my eyes.

I will not cry in front of him!

"Yes please, if you don't mind" I asked shyly.

Before I knew what was even happening, he had scooped me up in his arms, wedding style. His chest was just as warm as his hand had been and he carried my weight with ease. I was trying hard not to giggle like a school girl.

"Put your arms around my neck" he said quietly.

I wrapped my arms around him and he set off across the street to my building. I laid my head on his shoulder and enjoyed those few moments it took to reach the front door of the complex. I struggled to get my keys out my sweatshirt and realized he would need to put me down in order for me to unlock the door. I smiled to myself when I realized he wasn't going to set me down unless I asked.

"Bucky, you'll have to put me down so I can get the door" I said with a smile.

He let me down gently onto the doorstep but kept one hand on my back as I pulled my keys out and opened the door. He instantly scooped me back up into his arms and lowered his mouth to my ear before speaking again.

"Which apartment?"

I swallowed hard, hoping he didn't notice how I had shivered when his warm breath hit my neck, "Second floor, apartment 2C"

He nodded and carried me easily up the stairs to my front door. He let me down again so I could unlock my door. As soon as it was opened and I had flicked on the light switch, I felt myself lifted back into his strong arms.

He carried me into my living room and laid me gently on the couch before stepping back and looking down at me.

"Water?" he asked me.

"Yes please, in the kitchen, through that door" I pointed to my right. He made his way quietly into kitchen and I could hear him open my fridge door.

I looked around while I waited for him to return.

Good thing I cleaned my house this afternoon.

I should have been nervous, having a complete stranger in my home…someone I just met an hour or so ago. But I wasn't…for some reason I trusted Bucky. In fact, I was going to do everything I could to be friends with him. It seemed like that was what he needed and honestly, I could use a friend right now. My closest friend, Jill, lived three hours away. Brooke was just as far, working at a museum in New York.

I heard him enter the room again and looked up to see him carrying a bottle of water.

I grabbed the bottle and took a long swig. He sat beside me as I drank and looked around at my apartment, taking it all in. I reached down to rub my calf and was relieved that the cramp had started to ease up. While I sipped on my water, Bucky began asking me a few questions, which I gladly answered. I liked how he sat there, listening to me so intently and nodding his head as I spoke. I couldn't help but think he was flirting with me and I absolutely loved it. After he was sure I would be okay and I had finished my water, he sat up to get ready to leave.

"Thank you Bucky, I'm glad you were around" I said, sitting my empty bottle down on the side table before looking up at him. He smiled at me, his blue eyes brightening and an insanely sexy smirk ghosting across his lips.

"Any time Eden. You shouldn't push yourself too hard...I might not be around next time to save you" he said, giving me a cheeky grin.

I let out a light chuckle and patted my stomach, "Well, I definitely do need to push myself a little harder. I'll just have to make sure you're there to rescue me" I flirted back.

He nodded his head at me and turned to the door to leave. I honestly didn't want him to go but it was late and I barely knew the guy.

What if you never see him again!?

I think I surprised even myself when I suddenly called out his name, "Bucky?"

He turned back to me suddenly, as if he had hoped I would speak up and was eager for it.

"Do you have any plans tomorrow?" I asked, suddenly feeling very shy.

He just stared at me, wide eyed and I swallowed nervously. Maybe he hadn't been flirting with me...maybe I had been reading the signals all wrong and had just embarrassed myself.

Uh oh!

"I mean…I was only asking because I don't….and uh…I was thinking maybe we could get to know each other some more….I mean…if you want….we don't have to if you have plans" I could feel myself babbling again.

He put his hand up in a stop motion. "What time?"

I felt the smile on my face, from ear to ear. "Noon? Maybe we could have lunch and then go from there?" I asked hopefully.

He nodded, "I'll be here tomorrow at noon. Be careful on that leg. Goodnight"

He gave me a quick smile before he walked out and closed the door gently behind him.

I laid my head back and pulled the couch pillow up to my face and screamed into it my delight.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for reading, I promise the story gets better as it progresses. Keep reading and enjoy. Lots of nice fluff and smut as you continue. Everyone seems to like Chapter 24 ;)