I love Pepperony, nuff said.

I fell in love with Tony Stark. I couldn't help myself (but neither could any woman in the Western hemisphere), and now I'm the only girl who's made it beyond a one-night stand. Tony is absolutely, without a doubt, the most infuriating and irritating and self-absorbed man on the planet; yet, his charming smile still knocks my knees and his soulful brown eyes still melt me into a helpless puddle. That's what I hate the most about him - how he has such a grip on me. Putting my heart - my whole, fragile heart - into the hand of the world's most infamous playboy is not a risk that I like to take every day, but I still do it. Oh, do I do it! For most of Tony's life, women were the hangers and his arm was the closet rack; not that I minded, since I was only his assistant after all. But now, now that I call him mine and he calls me his, an entire load of complication has been loaded onto my back. I know it can't be easy for Tony to break the backs of his old heartbreaking habits, especially whenever he sees a girl that's prettier than me. Can I really trust him to be faithful to me every day for the rest of his life? It's the question I ask myself every day.

"Pep?"

The delicious sound of Tony's voice coaxes me out of my thoughts, and his hands gently grasp me by the shoulders.

"Mm?" I murmur as I look up dreamily at him.

"Are you okay?" he asks me concernedly. "You looked a little dazed."

"I'm all right," I mumble as I rub my eyes tiredly.

"Why don't you take the day off?" suggests Tony.

"Tony, you can't afford for me to take the day off," I dismiss. "You don't even know your Social Security number."

"I'll manage," assures Tony. "I just hired a new intern to help out."

I raise my eyebrows. "You hired an intern without consulting me?"

"Well, you're always saying you have too much work on your hands, and I figured you would need someone to help you clean up my messes. The intern's name is Sam Duncan. He had a spectacular resume and I'm sure you'll like him."

I had already forgiven Tony about halfway through his spiel, but I still feign annoyance as I cross my arms and sigh.

"I'd better like him," I state threateningly.

"Sir, Sam Duncan is here," JARVIS informs Tony.

"Let him in," Tony responds casually.

"Him, sir?" JARVIS says confusedly. "Sam Duncan is - "

"Right here!" announces a gorgeous blonde with high cheek bones, big breasts, and a generously rounded rear end.

I am painfully aware of the up and down flick of Tony's eyes as he absorbs her small waistline, obvious cleavage, and beautiful face. He frowns at Sam and scratches his head like it has been infected by lice.

"Hm, well this isn't what I expected," he mutters.

"Oh, it isn't?" I question sarcastically.

Perplexed, Tony looks at me bizarrely and redirects his attention to the attractive young intern.

"I had the mistaken impression that you were…" Tony trailed off, cleared his throat, and clapped his hands together. "You know what? It doesn't matter. Meet my girlfriend Pepper."

Glad that he hadn't forgotten me since she entered the room, I stiffly shake her hand and notice that she keeps her gaze set toward Tony the entire time. Just my luck.

"So, Sam, Tony told me that you just joined the team," I say with forced cheerfulness. "I could use an extra set of hands around here."

Sam finally looks at me and smiles sweetly. "Yes, I imagine that he can be quite a handful."

"Don't get Pep started," jokes Tony. "Otherwise she might wise up and finally ditch me."

My eyes of cold stone soften, and I wrap my arms around his neck. "That will never happen."

Tony kisses my nose, leaving behind a burning sensation that I can't ignore, and turns to Sam.

"We'll show you the ropes tomorrow," Tony tells Sam. "I just arranged this meeting today so that you and Pepper could meet."

"It's been a real pleasure," Sam replies genuinely as she continues to stare at him with come-hither eyes.

Finally, Sam leaves the building, allowing me some longed for one-on-one time with my beau. Even as Tony smothers me with kisses, I can't shove Sam far enough into the back of my mind no matter how hard I try. I can tell this is only the beginning of my troubles.

Well, whaddya think? Is this a nice start?