This isn't just a one shot for those who were wondering. I plan on making it a fair few chapters. Tony has a surprise for Pepper. Would love to know what you think :)
What are you scared of Pepper? You think he's going to hurt you and that you'll just be another girl on that list. No matter how hard she tried, Pepper couldn't shake the thought of Tony from her head. She wanted him…badly. She had no idea why she'd rejected him like that yesterday but she was determined to show him that she really did care.
The thought of going back to work was a little embarrassing after yesterday's events but knowing Tony, he'd probably already forgotten.
She took a deep breath and opened the door to Stark Industries. Pepper checked her phone and almost dropped it when she saw a reminder flash up. She was meant to be in a meeting right now! How could she have forgotten? She never forgot anything. Cursing, she broke into a run, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. Focused on getting to the meeting, Pepper didn't see Tony come round the corner and ran straight into him.
Her heels slid on the tiled floor making her completely lose balance and go flying backwards. Pepper flailed about, reaching out for something to steady herself when a pair of strong arms reached around her shoulders and braced her as she fell.
Pepper managed to catch her breath and found herself staring into the brown eyes of Tony Stark. His well groomed hair had fallen out of place and was brushing her nose. She tucked it behind his ear and he caught her hand as she pulled it away. There was a few seconds where neither of them said anything and Pepper found herself moving towards Tony like that night on the roof. The night they hadn't spoken of since.
"No need to throw yourself at me Pepper!" Tony said, pulling her upright.
She was now standing in his embrace but made no effort to move. She could feel herself blushing furiously though.
"Sorry, I was late for a meeting."
"You? Late for a meeting?"
"I know, I-"
"…but seriously though, are you okay?" Tony said reaching out to brush her arm.
She shivered at his touch and couldn't help but blush again. The overwhelming desire to kiss him was too much.
"I'm fine, thank you. I really must uh, you know um."
"You must what?" he teased.
"The meeting" Pepper announced, turned on her heel and left again.
He really must find a way to make her stay he thought as Pepper turned away. He was starting to think she liked him as much as he liked her. He could see it in her eyes, the same sort of desire he shared.
He'd have to be careful how he approached this one. Pepper wasn't easily wooed. She was kind and gentle and the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. He just needed to tell her that, but how?
The meeting seemed like the longest Pepper had ever endured. The words washed over her like waves and it was almost as though they were speaking in a foreign language. Every single thought that entered her head was of Tony. Was he going to kiss her? Why had she left again? Had she missed her chance? She really hoped not.
Once the meeting was over, Pepper was the last to leave. She always ended up cleaning the meeting room, stacking the empty mugs and plates at the sides of the room and wiping the whiteboard clean. A voice behind her made her startle.
"I thought I'd find you here."
"Oh, Tony. Yes, I just thought I'd clean, you know…um the dirty plates and things".
He raised his eyebrows and smiled at the fact she was stumbling over her words.
"Miss Potts, could you just come and look over this contract for me please. We'd like your input" a colleague of Tony's interrupted them.
"Of course, since Tony's here too he can give the final say on it".
"Oh, no it's alright, it's just a draft" said Tom, or was it John? Pepper was losing track of the many employees at Stark Industries.
Confused that Tony wasn't needed, she reluctantly agreed and shot a look at Tony, who shrugged as she left the room.
What Pepper didn't know was, that whilst she was in the meeting, Tony had been preparing lunch for them outside. A picnic in fact, in a private garden behind the Stark mansion where no one would bother them.
Pepper returned to the meeting room after signing the contract on Tony's behalf. She was still wondering why he hadn't just signed it herself when she noticed something written on the whiteboard.
MEET ME IN THE GARDEN FOR A LUNCH BREAK LIKE NO OTHER…
Pepper smiled. Tony was being cryptic again. What garden? As far as she knew, there were just sprawling cliffs behind the Malibu hideout. She peeked out the door of the meeting room to see if Tony was waiting for her about to jump out in typical Tony fashion.
He wasn't there. Pepper frowned and began to walk down the corridor. As she walked down the tiled floor she spotted a lone flower lying in the middle. She picked it up and turned it over in her hand. It was a beautiful carnation. Pepper carried on walking and found more and more flowers. She was starting to sense a theme. Tony was leading her to this garden.
She eventually picked up the last flower and opened the door to the most exquisite garden she'd ever seen. Pepper gasped in wonder at the luscious trees and huge bunches of flowers in front of her. The vibrant colours made the garden pop and look ethereal in the afternoon sun.
Sat in the middle, upon a chequered blanket was Tony holding a bottle of champagne. Around him was freshly made sandwiches, salads and her favourite; smoked salmon.
"Pepper, you made it!"
Next chapter there will be fluff!