Guess whose back - only little old me. Over holiday my inbox has seemed to block out all Fanfiction notifications so i'm really not being rude if I don't answer things, many apologies. But i'll regularly check reviews and answer through that. Enjoy the story!

Pepper told herself that the kiss on the roof was her just getting caught up in the moment. It all got on top of her and Tony jumped her. She was stressed and ranting at him, therefore distracted. Therefore giving into his kiss wasn't her fault.

Rationally she knew she was completely kidding herself. She loved the chemistry and constant flirting she had with Tony. But the thing that made her want to put it off was if it was a momentary thing. If it was more the thrill of the chase than just them. If so she didn't want to wreck the comfortable, easy relationship they had. There were too many 'ifs'.

But there was something about it being her boss.

He had authority, power. He was the man; he could fire people, hire them, make people's days or tell them how it is. It turned her on to know he was in control. She knows from working for him that he wears the trousers out and in the bedroom. Well technically not in the bedroom, but he would definitely take the lead. He knew what he was doing and knew were everything was. And that's what excited her. He was clever and strong and handsome. The thought of his lips nipping and biting and his hands grazing her skin made a pleasant shiver run down her spine.

These are the types of things she had to rid from her mind though. He was becoming more and more attractive. She tried to avoid him. But it all changed. It was bound to happen, eventually.

"No!" Tony answered angrily "I don't care what you say, that's total crap."

Tony's eyes flickered towards Pepper and caught her look. She didn't see his anger coming. Everyone looked confused at Tony's outburst. He pushed himself up off the chair and stormed out of the room.

Pepper excused herself from the meeting with a nervous laugh. She headed out the door and looked up and down the hallway. She couldn't see Tony at all so she took a guess and turned left on a whim. It was a short walk and she saw the dead end that she expected. Glancing quickly she almost missed Tony especially due to his dark clothes. He was wearing charcoal slacks and a black shirt with a dark tie. He'd left his jacket on the back of his chair as he ran out.

"What was that?" Pepper made her presence known.

"I'm not sure," Tony answered truthfully pacing back and forth.

She walked further towards him "Why did you just yell at the CEO?"

Tony didn't answer for what felt like a few minutes before he stopped pacing. He put one hand in his pocket and let out a huge breath. They had just appointed a new CEO, Jake Herring. Picked by Pepper, but she let Tony take credit for him because he was a breath of fresh air for the company. And a happy Tony meant easy work for Pepper. After a few weeks Jake's dark side started to come out and he had called a meeting with the heads of the company.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

"How do you mean?" Pepper stepped closer to Tony.

"Iron Man," he answered bluntly.

"Of course you're doing the right thing," Pepper answered immediately "Despite how stupid I think you are for putting yourself in danger every other week."

Tony ignored her latter comment "Then why does everyone have a go at me for doing good things for people other than myself? I put myself in danger to help others and then get an ear hammering for it."

Pepper looked at her boss standing at the end of the small corridor. This part of the building was always deserted due to the dead end and pointlessness of that particular hallway. He looked beat and venerable. It made her want to hug him and squeeze him tight until his worries left. This was the other side of Tony which she had a soft spot part for. The gentle, calm side of him who acted like a normal guy when the stress got on top of him. He wasn't superhero Tony Stark, he was a man who couldn't handle the situation.

He rubbed his forehead with his hand and let a shaky breath out. Pepper stepped further forward to stand in front of him "Because they worry about you just as much as I do."

"I think it's more the company they worry about than my health Pepper,"

"Well they still worry about you, just like I do," Tony gave her an unconvinced look. Pepper put her hands on his shoulders and reassuringly squeezed "Hey, you're a hero. You save lives and give people hope. So what some narrow minded old men think you're sending the wrong message? The people that count know you're helping others and look up to you for it."

Tony smiled, but it faded as quick as it came "Thanks for the pep talk, but it just- it just feels like I can never do anything right with these guys. I admit I was a loose cannon for a while and went off the rails, which understandably upset the image of the company. And so when I stop messing around and try to do something for others why do I still get an earful?"

"I give up." Tony said dejectedly and tried to brush past Pepper to go back and talk with Jake about his other persona.

Pepper caught his arm and stopped him "Listen to me."

Tony rolled his eyes and so Pepper put her hands on either side of his face and shook it gently before saying "Listen. Don't be stupid. Jake Herring is clearly an idiot and doesn't appreciate what a great guy you are. Don't stop doing what you love 'cause he thinks it's wrong. Fire him for all I care."

Tony laughed lightly, he shifted closer unconsciously "I thought you hated that I put myself in danger on a regular basis?"

"I do," Pepper honestly answered, her hands still holding his face "But it's who you are."

Tony smiled again. The fact that Pepper stood up for him against executive staff made his heart swell. He couldn't have been happier when they kissed that night on the roof. It was something completely new for him to kiss someone whose name he knew, someone who he actually cared about. She had protested after and he had hesitantly accepted. He thought it was the wrong choice to ignore the kiss, but she wanted to do that.

Their relationship had taken a new turn. They were closer. They still flirted like clockwork, but it had a different meaning to it. The feelings were deeper. The attraction to each other had grown. They were a lot more touchy, feely. Innocent to the untrained eye, but to the each of them it meant so much more. When their eyes met across a room their eyes sparkled with anticipation. When their hands accidently brushed they smiled and let it linger. And when he returned from particularly bad missions she gave him comforting hugs.

After his thoughts had stopped Tony realised how close they were. Tucked away in a lone corner of Stark Industries. Slowly but surely Tony's mind whirred through the possibilities of what could happen due to his actions. If he was going to kiss her, one of two things would happen. She would either slap him, quit and never talk to him again for not respecting her. Or she would give in and surrender herself to what she truly wanted.

Deciding to act on what he wanted. Tony leaned forward, he saw her eyes flutter closed before his lips met hers. Intending to make the kiss last, Tony's hands rested on her ribs to keep her in place. Pepper welcomed the light kiss as ease for Tony and pulled away as to not complicate their relationship anymore than it already was. As she pulled away Tony's mouth caught her bottom lip and pulled her back for another, deeper kiss. Her mouth instinctively opened, her tongue caressing his.

"What are you doing?" Pepper asked breathlessly.

"Making up for lost time,"

Tony answered before rushing into another kiss. He needed to show her what she was missing and not let this be a repeat of the roof. He wanted this to stick and so he put his all into it. He felt it working already as Pepper enthusiastically responded, her hand tugged his hair and then slide round his neck to tug his collar.

"We shouldn't be doing this-"

"Yes we should." Tony cut her off "We really should."

His hand slid down her thigh before it reached her knee. He bent it and held it so he crossed his hip, giving him better access to show her how much he wanted her. She moaned and gripped a fistful of his shirt before snapping back to reality.

"No Tony," Pepper looked up at him, he was looking positively gorgeous "At least not now. Jake or anyone from that meeting could come round the corner looking for us any minute."

Tony knew deep down she was right. Even though he was finding it bloody hard to stay away from her. Her lips were looking plump and inviting. He could feel her hot breath on his face and could still taste her. He leant forward for one more firm kiss against her lips.

"Later," he mumbled.

Pepper couldn't really believe where they day had led.

They had returned to the meeting a few minutes later as Tony had to calm his junior down before being seen in bright lights again. She had laughed at his uncomfortable faces as he tried to think of anything other the woman standing in front of him. He had complained and said she could easily get rid of the problem within thirty seconds. Earning him a glare and playful smirk.

They finished the meeting, Tony standing up for himself with the backup of Pepper. Forcing Jake Herring to recall the meeting in a few months and see if either of them had changed their minds about Iron Man going more low key. Tony had sarcastically agreed and reluctantly shook his hand.

After dragging Pepper into agreeing to go to his house for dinner, the day started to look up for Tony Stark. He had made her a delicious meal and had been a perfect gentleman to her all night. He was pressuring her into anything, just his usual flirty self. But after they moved to the balcony to enjoy a few glasses of wine he had made a move to kiss her. And being the master he was, she had given in easily, especially with three glasses of wine down her.

Now she was currently lying horizontal with Tony Stark between her legs. Her nails dug into his shoulder blade, hard. She definitely made imprints in his skin. A wave of pleasure passed through her as she thought about who was doing what to her. Tony pushed deeper inside her, making Pepper's stomach drop and her body fill with new arousal. She felt herself reach her end and her toes curled as she went over the edge.

The only noise filling the room was the pair of them panting. After regaining enough energy to roll off of Pepper, Tony lay next to her. They lay as two separate individuals on the bed, both physically exhausted. Their arms are the only thing close to touching - the bed is big enough for them to lie apart from each other. It was intense and full of passion. It was everything Pepper expected it to be. Tony had control, set the pace, made it mind-blowing.

"That was-"Pepper wasn't sure how to end the sentence and so let it hang in the moment.

Tony simply nodded his head in agreement "Yeah. It was."

He turned his head to the side so he could see Pepper. Her profile stood out against the windows view of the ocean. She looked flawless. He raised himself on his arms again and came into her eyesight. She studied him for a minute before a smile broke out on her face. He smiled back, not really knowing what at in particular, but he joined in.

They both fell asleep satisfied and content that night. Not in each other's arms, but in each other's presence. Which was enough for them for now. During the night they both moved and swivelled around. As they woke at near enough the same time Tony kissed her bare shoulder and ran his hand down her hip, thigh and then back up. She was lying with her back to him, when she felt the kiss she fidgeted until she was curled into his chest. They both fell back asleep for a few more hours.

Pepper's phone alarm went off for her normal work day. She usually set it early so she didn't have to rush meaning it was set at the perfect time for sleep over's at Tony's. After pulling themselves out of bed, Pepper put on her dress from the night before while Tony settled for a pair of shorts. He walked her to the door.

"You know I really don't think your boss would mind if you wanted to call in sick," Tony pleaded again, he hung off the open door while Pepper edged out and turned to give him an amused look.

"I'm sure he wouldn't," she played along "But unfortunately my inbox is already overflowing and I don't want to get too snowed under."

"Fine, fine," Tony looked mock-hurt "I know where I stand."

"Well as i'm putting work first, and you technically are my work then you're top of the list,"

This made Tony's smile grow twice the size "I knew I hired you for something."

They both laughed again.

"We should do this again some time,"

"Hmm," Pepper moved to stand close to him again "I'd like that."

Tony was paused by the proximity of them, her nose brushed his. As she was holding her heels in her hand to just jump straight in her car she was smaller than him. Not too much smaller, but the lack of heels made a difference all the same. She reached up on her tip toes and leaned to kiss him once more before leaving. It was gentle, loving, passionate and sexy all at the same time.

"I'll see you later," Tony mumbled against her lips as she pulled away.

She was biting her lip "See you in a few hours boss,"

She turned and sauntered her way down his front steps and across the drive. Tony watched her go and grinned at the way her hips swayed. He was loving every bit of it. One minute she was telling him them being together wasn't a good idea and the next she was agreeing to a second date after spending the night. Things had really brightened up.

Three a.m? Man I need to sleep, apologies for the end if I lost it, very tired girl right here. Oh well enough with the excuses, how was it my lovelies? (: AnnaTW