CHAPTER FOUR
LINKED TOGETHER
Almost three months in their relationship, it still hadn't progressed much, physically speaking. On the other hand, even without speaking about it, they both acknowledged to themselves that they had grown to be close, couple-like. In the past, Tony had said that the word itself irked him. Now, he was all into it, like, instead of studying quantum physics at MIT, he'd studied a so-called 'relationships' subject.
For Pepper, seeing him so attentive and tender with her was weird. Often times, he'd pop in before her meetings just to give her a soft kiss, or a piece of candy. You have to admit, it was weird.
But then again, she enjoyed it thoroughly. She loved him even more every day, if that was even possible. She still hated it, though, when he had to do 'consultant' work for SHIELD, just because that meant being away from him for days, or even weeks. Tony's jokes about Fury being a 'pirate' would only get her angrier and jealous because he would get to see Tony more than she did all week long.
Physically speaking, they had grown to be more comfortable with each other's needs. For example, Pepper would not jump upright every morning when Tony's hardness would press into the small of her back while he slept and snored. Quite loud, even. She quickly learnt that Tony's hands would roam aimlessly all over her body while he slept (yet the first time it had happened, Pepper had to slap his hand away, resulting in a sleepy Tony waking up and asking her what was wrong). Of course, she couldn't really say that she didn't like it, but she preferred him being awake when he touched her.
His hands – god, his hands… No other surface or material would ever manage to get such a response from her body, as his hands did. No matter where he'd put them, her heart would always start drumming like crazy. She enjoyed the warmth of his hands throughout a rough day. They healed worries and dark thoughts and made her mood instantly ten times better.
The first time he had held her hand in public was when she had just gotten from one of the worst Board meetings of her life. Her head had been throbbing like crazy and she had felt drained of energy and life. But then, Tony had been waiting for her downstairs, next to Happy's limo, fidgeting with his tie nervously. He must have noticed her 'oh god, kill me now' facial expression, so he'd walked to her and took her purse from her before quietly lacing their fingers together. One thing she will never forget about that night was Happy's face as he saw Tony holding her hand.
Then, at other times, whenever they were in the limo, or even his own car, he'd find the oddest timing possible to hold her hand and rub her knuckles with his thumb. Its warmth would always set butterflies flying through her stomach, but Pepper knew she was the owner of an excellent poker face, so she wouldn't let him see how much everything he was doing influenced each nerve in her body.
Speaking of nerves and awkward situations, the funny thing was that whenever they were alone, something would come up. No longer than the previous week, they were watching a movie in their bed, oblivious to everything that was happening on the screen. Somehow, Tony managed to convince her, wordlessly, of course, that making out with him would be a better idea than watching a movie. They'd twisted and turned in bed, kissing each other with pent-up frustration (he had just arrived from a few days long mission somewhere in South America). From their previous experience, they had this feeling that, by the time they supposedly ended up half naked, someone would either barge in the room, or the phone would ring.
Feeling relieved that, okay, nobody's trying to reach us at the moment, Pepper had even ventured as far as slipping her hands beneath his cotton shirt, sliding her slightly cool hands over his sides and back, gently scratching his warm skin when he'd thrust his tongue too insistently into her mouth. He had hummed and did the same, stroking her navel with the tip of his thumb, shifting slightly so he'd lie half on top of her.
"Yes… mine." He whispered and moved his lips to her jaw, pressing wet open-mouthed kisses to her skin, making her squirm beneath him with passion. She lifted his shirt and took in a breath at the feel of his lips sucking on her neck.
"Oh, Tony…" She whimpered and pulled him closer.
But then the door opened.
"Oh, shit—" Was all that Phil Coulson managed to articulate as he took in the sight.
"Jesus, can't you just knock?" Asked a very angry Tony, turning so that he'd face him. "I get to spend twelve fucking hours with my girlfriend after that stupid mission that Fury gave me, and you decide that now's the best time to come and ask for another favor?"
"Hi, Phil." Pepper said from beneath the covers, flushed up to her hairline.
"Phil?" Tony exploded. "His first name is Agent!"
She bit her lower lip, still savoring the taste of him as it lingered on her lips and snickered lightly, watching as Tony sat up, not minding his one foot long erection that was clearly visible through his sweatpants. As soon as Tony disappeared out of the room with the SHIELD agent, Pepper relaxed back against the pillows, smiling slightly at the irony. She was beginning to think that, with all the chaos in their lives, they wouldn't be able to have a night for themselves in the near future.
Close to their three months anniversary, Pepper had announced him that, in honor of the company's new approach towards clean energy, there would be a party. She had also told him that its president was also invited. Tony had smirked.
"I'll only come if you dance with me."
Rolling her eyes, Pepper couldn't stop the grin from forming on her face.
