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They chit-chatted on the way to Pepper's house, their hands entwined but there was no more contact. As they reached her apartment, Tony exited the car first, holding the door for her and telling Happy that he was walking her up to her floor and would be back.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked as they waited for the elevator.

"Sleeping in," she said, stifling a yawn.

"Hey, me too. Why don't we do it together?" he tested and she shot him a look with a raised eyebrow. He chuckled and squeezed her hand saying that he was just kidding. In silence they stepped into the lift for the short ride to the fifth floor. Tony had been to her building a couple of times but had never really been inside her apartment. At least past the front hallway anyway.

"Spend the day with me tomorrow," he said as the doors opened and she smiled at him, pursing her lips in thought before nodding her head and saying okay. When she asked him where they were going, he shook his head and told her it was a surprise. And it would be, he hadn't thought that far ahead so he didn't know where they were going just yet.

She stopped outside her door, fishing her key from the small bag she carried. Smiling, she looked up at him.

"I really enjoyed tonight Tony. Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for accepting," he said quickly, suddenly feeling awkward. This was unknown territory for him – walking a woman to her door and not following her inside. Looking down he reached to run his index finger over the back of her before taking it and pulling it up to his lips to place a kiss on her knuckles.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked suddenly, and very much to his surprise which obviously showed on her face because now she was the one looking at the ground. He smiled and reached to tilt her chin up with his finger.

"Pepper...I get it. This is...maybe a bit weird. But I'm not joking around here. And for that reason I'm going to decline your offer, kiss you goodnight, and go home. But I can't wait to see you tomorrow, just like I can't wait to see you every other day for the last 10 years."

She chuckled and reminded him that she'd been working for him for 11 years. He forwned at that.

"Well, you spent the first year threatening me so that wasn't as much fun..."

"I've spent the last ten years doing the same thing! I've done nothing but..."

He silenced her with a kiss that she promptly melted into, bringing her hands to his chest as his found her hips, pulling her close to him and drawing a soft moan from her. He deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue over her lips and slipping it inside to mingle with hers as he stepped closer to her, resulting in her being backed up against the door. He brought a hand up to her face as they devoured each other and he stifled a groan of his own as her hand trailed to his waist by his belt buckle.

Finally, they had to break for air, both breathless.

"Wow," she said again and Tony groaned, telling her that he was vetoing that word from now on. She chuckled and kissed his lips again, more chastely this time. He accepted it happily, leaning his forehead against hers when they broke.

He took a deep breath before saying that it would be a long time until the next day. She smiled and turned to open the door to her apartment. Turning back to him, she kissed him softly again before telling him to call her after 11 the next morning.

"10:59," he said, grinning. She scoffed.

"You early? I'll believe that when I see it."

They bid goodnight and Tony waited until the door was closed to exhale the breath he seemed to have been holding forever. He walked to the elevator, a smirk on his face and pushed the button. Yes, it would be a long night until tomorrow morning.

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