Guarded Heart

Everyone sat at the table, Y/N's father making sure to sit Bucky next to her and keep Nat as far away as possible. 

Nat sat back with an angry look on her face, throwing back vodka shots as fast as they were poured, until Bucky gave her a look. He didn't need her getting plastered and causing trouble, this situation was stressful enough as it was. When she saw his face, she switched to water.

Y/N chatted with her mother about Destry and how to get him past the water features, practically ignoring Bucky next to her, until he gently touched her arm.

"So, Y/N, I take it you're into horses?"

She looked him up and down "I'm beyond 'into' horses. They aren't just some past time or hobby. They are my life, my best friends and closest confidants. It's hard for someone in my position to find trustworthy friends. I'm aiming for the next Olympics. My trainer thinks I have a good shot.

Do you ride?"

Bucky chuckled "No, not since my ma took me to the pony rides at the park"

She sighed "I didn't think so. You're missing out, horses are good for the soul."

"Really? Maybe you could teach me to ride?" He asked.

Natasha scoffed and tried to cover it up with a cough, looking at everyone with wide eyes when they turned to look at her.

Bucky looked in her eyes "You ok, Natty?"

Nat nodded her head, "I'm fine, just drinking too quickly."

Y/N rolled her eyes. She knew this woman would be a problem if she married James.  Luckily Thor and Clint had taught her how to fight and handle multiple weapons so she wasn't concerned.

She also knew she would have to request some stipulations, in writing, to protect herself. She wasn't going to be some housewife popping out kids while he runs around town partying and screwing whoever. The negotiating she learned from her father. Since he never had a son he had raised her to be strong and independent.

Y/N put her hand over James's and fluttered her lashes "I'd love to teach you to ride, James." She lowered her voice "I hope you don't mind getting dirty" which flustered James and enraged Natasha. Hearing her scoff she turned to Nat "Are you sure you're alright? You look awfully flushed. Theres a restroom down the hall on the right if you need a minute" she smirked.

Nat slammed her drink down and knocked her chair over getting up, distracting James from Y/N which earned Nat a dirty look from him. Nat stomped down the hall.

James returned his attention to Y/N and spent the hour flirting with her and working to charm her mother. Her father didn't care about charm, only what he would get out of this arrangement. James was the most powerful of all the bosses that had come sniffing around his daughter and dear old dad was practically salivating at the thought of combining their families.

Once everyone was done eating, her father stood which caused Bucky and Clint to stand as well. "Ladies, we'll leave you here to finish your coffee and go to my office to hammer out the details."

Y/N stood up "Excuse me? I don't think so. You aren't going to plan out my life without me there."

Her father tried to protest but James interrupted "It's only fair that the lady have some input regarding her own future. I have no problem with her joining us."

Y/N rolled her eyes "That's mighty big of you Mr Barnes." She snapped sarcastically.

Her father reprimanded her "Y/N! Watch your manners"

James chuckled "It's quite alright sir, I prefer a woman with some fire.

Which way to your office?"

Y/N grabbed his arm to lead him away from the table.

Nat stood up to follow them but Y/N stopped her "This doesn't concern you, Natasha. I'm sure Clint would be happy to keep you company while you wait."

Nat protested loudly, insisting she was always by Bucky's side for business discussions and against Y/N's protests was allowed to join them with a warning look from Bucky to behave.

Y/N, James, Nat and her father sat down in his office.

The men started talking about the business side and who would handle what territories.

When they were done, Y/N spoke up "I have some requirements before anything is signed."

James and her father looked at her and waited for her demands.

"First, I need to know if you have equestrian facilities."

James looked confused "What facilities?"

She rolled her eyes "For horses. I need a 6 stall barn with an office, an Olympic sized jumping arena, an indoor dressage arena and a guest house for Thor."

James looked confused "Who's Thor?"

"He's my trainer and stable manager. We are at a critical point in my training and I need to be able to practice daily without driving across town."

"I live in a penthouse in Brooklyn so no place for horses but I'm sure we can figure something out."

She shook her head "No, I'm not interested in living in some tower. You'll have to find a house that meets my needs. Before we are married.

Second, this is a business arrangement so I'm not expecting a doting husband and I don't care what kind of trash" she looked down at Nat, who was fuming, with a smirk "you fuck but not in my house. You will be discreet. I won't be made a fool by anyone. And I won't be sharing your bed while you are fucking someone else."

James interrupted "Just a minute, part of this arrangement is making an heir to take over when I can't anymore." He looked her over lecherously "If you won't give me one then there's no point in going forward"

She shook her head "I didn't say I won't give you an heir but it won't happen while you are fucking other women. I'm not interested in any STD's. I have a reputation and am very active in the community, people expect quite a bit from me and I'm not going to be your side piece while you flaunt some other woman around town."

She looked at Nat

"Why don't you just marry her? Seems strange that you have to go outside of your established relationship for marriage and kids. Daddy doesn't approve?"

Nat stood up and moved towards Y/N with murder in her eyes. "I'm sterile. Had to have a full hysterectomy after a bad car accident" she spat out.

Y/N smiled "Well that's a shame for you. Oh and, James, keep your whore out of my sight, she tries to hurt me and all bets are off." She looked Nat in the eyes "I'm not afraid of you Black Widow, I know your rep, you let me know when you want to go and I'll be happy to show you I'm no shrinking violet."

Y/N's father stood up "Alright, alright we don't need to be nasty about this. I'm sure James and Natasha won't start any trouble. Sit down." While he was frustrated with his daughters willfulness he was proud of her strength and negotiating skills. Those traits made him more comfortable with this arrangement, knowing that she wouldn't allow anyone to  treat her poorly.

Y/N cleared her throat. "I'll need my own, large suite and a pool/jacuzzi, preferably indoor. One of those swim spas will do if that's the best you can manage. Clint will be my personal protection with a room next to mine. I also require a room for Wanda, my personal assistant, near mine mine."

James looked at her "anything else?"

She smiled sweetly "In addition to paying Thor, Wanda and Clint AND for all the care and anything else my horses need, I'll need an allowance. $20k a month should suffice"

"You're very demanding, doll. 20k a month is quite a bit"

She smirked "If you're a decent businessman it's a drop in the bucket. It's less than my father spends on me.

Those are my demands for now but I might add more before the wedding. We can get into wedding plans and expenses at another time. If my needs are too much for you just say the word and I'll forget this ever happened.

Now, I need to get back to the stable."

Her father stood up "Y/N don't be rude, you can stay until our guests leave."

She rolled her eyes "I'm sure you have crime business to discuss, that's of no interest to me. I need to get back out while there's still light." She turned to James and smiled "It's been a slice. My father can give you my number and we can start planning the wedding. Brace yourself, I love a big party." Bucky stood when she did and she kissed his cheek then looked down at Natasha and nodded "Romanoff"

Nat just glared at her.

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Bucky finished discussing business with her father and excused himself and Natasha.

Once they were in his car, Nat let Bucky have it. "What the fuck do you think you're doing "James"? I'm not going to be pushed aside for some stuck up princess. You better get her worked out before I have to hurt her."

Bucky rolled his eyes "Just stop, Nat, this isn't the best situation but I need an heir that you can't give me. My father won't step down until I'm married with at least one kid. He's even threatened to make Steve his successor if I don't. You'll just have to suck it up."

Nats eyes teared up "Why can't we get a surrogate or something? Why do I have to tiptoe around that bitch while you get to fuck her? And why did you agree to stop fucking others while you try to get her knocked up? How could you just agree with her terms without even talking to me? I thought you loved me Bucky. Why are you doing this? It's not fair?"

Bucky growled "What part of stop don't you understand? Life isn't fair, Natasha. You of all people should know that. Do you think shes happy with this? Being married off to a stranger who already has a girl?"

Nat snapped at him "I don't give a fuck how she feels, that bitch is trying to push me out and you are just going to let her? I saw how you looked at her, you want to fuck her!"

"ENOUGH!" he roared. "This is most likely happening so you better shut up and get over it. I love you Natasha but this is business. And don't you dare think of hurting her. Anything happens to her and I'm holding you responsible, understand?"

Nat gulped and nodded then crossed her arms, staring out the window silently, on the drive back to Bucky's penthouse. She was already making plans to get rid of Y/N as soon as she had a kid.

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Y/N hurried back to the barn, making sure no one was there and snuck into Thor's guest house

"Thor" she sang out. He didn't respond and she heard the water running. She locked the front door and headed for the bathroom, removing clothing along the way. She opened the shower door.

"Well, hello there my lady" Thor looked her naked body up and down hungrily then pulled her into the shower, flush against him and kissed her hard.