Her hand was offered and of course Steve took it without hesitation. Hands were easy, and safe, and just touching her reassured him that she was whole and healthy. Or on the way there, at least. Which was the only thing he really cared about. Hoping for the future, letting himself imagine what it would be like to really have her in his bed, not just because it was better recovery than his couch would have been, could all wait for another time. His only concern for the time being had to be caring for her.

She deserved better than him letting his own feelings and desires getting the better of him.

Smiling at her teasing, he shifted a bit closer all the same, her hand small in his in a way that always felt comfortable and right. "You caught me," he joked right back. "This is all just an excuse to get you where I wanted you."

There was no use denying it was, pretending that he wasn't completely interested. He never pressed for more than she was willing to give at any given moment but he'd never shied away from wanting her, letting her know with looks and touches if not with words that he did.