SEVEN

NAMES

She walked tentatively into the lounge, stomach fluttering at the nervousness that she felt easing through her body. She could barely remember the last date she had been on in one of her few failed attempts at more than a casual relationship. It had not gone well, and she desperately hoped that she would not embarrass herself in front of Tony.

From her vantage point just outside of the lounge, she could see him gathering glasses for wine before going back to a selection of bottles. He stood before them for a moment, his shoulders stretching the crisp crimson shirt, his hips hugged tightly by neat pants. Even though he seemed to wear everything so casually, her feeling of being underdressed intensified, making her want to turn tail and run.

No, she thought, no, you're fine. Just smile.

She stepped into the lounge and he turned to her, a bottle in hand and a smile lighting his lips.

'I thought we might skip straight to the wine.'

'And what are we having tonight?'

'A lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from a lovely little vineyard in the Bordeaux region,' he said, presenting the bottle to her before reaching back for a corkscrew.

'The last glass of wine I had was from a five dollar bottle that I picked up about six months ago on my way home from my mechanic's workshop,' she said, feeling her mouth water for a taste of the fine red liquid that swirled within the bottle, 'let's just say it was less than… pleasant.'

She sat on the couch before the wine glasses. He joined her, his leg brushing against hers as he reached for a glass.

'Well, we better make the most of this bottle. And the next, and the next,' he said as he cupped the large glass in his hand, pouring a taste for her. She took the glass, anticipation heightening within her as she swirled it gently. She inhaled the rich aroma, noting fruits and spices, allowing it to distract her from the sensation of his leg against hers, the heat of his skin seeping through her jeans.

'If it tastes even half as good as it smells I'm going to be in heaven,' she said, letting her eyes close before she enjoyed her first sip, 'oh yes, that's a little piece of heaven right there.'

'Just wait until the pizza arrives.'

He poured a glass of his own, leaning back against the plush couch. He placed his arm over the back, his legs crossed loosely before him, the picture of contented comfort. He held her gaze and she watched emotions dance within his dark eyes – anticipation, and maybe the same hint of nervousness that she felt – before she allowed herself to settle back against his arm. She leant into his embrace and he smiled at her, reaching up to brush a strand of hair back. He tucked it behind her ear.

'No mask, no contacts,' he said, his thumb trailing down her cheek, 'just you.'

'I wanted you to know that I feel comfortable with you,' she said, 'you knew who I was as soon as you brought me here, but I wasn't letting you see me because I felt more secure hiding behind that mask. I guess I just got used to being anonymous.'

'I've never been good at anonymous,' he said with a shrug, no doubt referring to his very public announcement of "I am Iron Man".

'Well, as good as I am at it, I don't want to be here. When you said my name… I know I told you not to call me that, but I hadn't heard anyone say it for two years. I liked it. It felt familiar, natural, even if it scared me,' she said, staring into her glass, watching as the liquid swirled with the slightest motion before she caught his gaze, 'Pepper and Happy might drop in on occasion, but mostly we're alone here. I feel safe here, safer than I felt even in my own apartment which I knew couldn't be traced back to me. And I know I'm a very different person to who I used to be, but I guess I just…I guess I just want to be Danielle again.'

He placed his glass on the table, holding her gaze captive as he leant back to her, his hand reaching to cup her cheek.

'It's nice to finally meet you, Danielle Brooker,' he said, his nose brushing against hers.

She felt her breath hitch and was sure that, had she still had a normal heart, it would have faltered in its beats as he claimed her lips. His kiss was just as thrilling as it had been in the pool, soothing her soul and igniting her passions all at once in a well of emotions. She knew that he was being gentle with her, his touch bordering on tender as he deepened the kiss, but she caught herself wondering if…

They barely noticed the chime of the door. Tony only reluctantly dragged himself away from her lips when a voice called over the intercom, announcing the arrival of the promised meal.

'I'll be right back,' he whispered, stealing one last kiss before he rose from the couch and strode toward the entry hall.

She watched him retreat past a wall before she settled further into the couch, releasing a contented sigh as she brushed her fingers over her lips. Although he was gentle now, she had the distinct feeling that he would not be the type to hold his passions back in the bedroom.

Her cheeks flushed further at the thought, a tingling sensation settling through her body as she allowed her imagination to explore the tantalising possibilities until she heard his footsteps coming back toward the lounge. The scent of pizza filled her nose as he neared and her stomach growled in answer.

'I hope you're hungry because I couldn't decide what would be the best choice and got a couple,' he said as he placed the boxes on the table, careful to dodge the wine. He topped up their glasses as they flicked the lids off the boxes, heat radiating from the delicious array of pizzas.

'I'm feeling very spoilt right now,' she admitted as she selected a piece of the meat lovers, nibbling the cheesy tip and savouring the bite.

He smiled at her as he bit into his own slice. They each ate their fill, chatting as they sat, enjoying the view from the lounge. They steered away from a conversation about the past, the APRDC, and the clockwork heart, instead focusing on what they liked: television shows, movies, hobbies, and music. It was easy conversation to make, not because of the topics, but because of the company. Although Danielle still wanted to retain some secrets, she felt as if for the most part she could talk freely with Tony, and Tony talked freely with her.

After an hour of lounging on the couch and whilst halfway through their third glass of wine, Tony rose, going to the corner. Music filled the room and he walked back to her, dancing comically and making her laugh before he extended his hand.

'Would you honour me with a dance?' he asked, wiggling his eyebrows for the briefest moment, 'or shall I continue to be fabulous all by myself?'

She couldn't help but smile as she slipped her hand into his, gasping as he pulled her tight against his chest. An arm wrapped around her waist, his other hand grasping hers to pull it to his chest as he began to move with her. He led her through each step, smiling at her as they danced through the room, making her laugh as he dipped her before he brought her tight against his body once more.

As the song changed to something slower, she tucked her head against his neck. His arm tightened around her and she felt a surprising shiver roll down her spine. She could feel the hard lines of his body fit so perfectly against hers, his breath falling against her ear. His hand flattened on her lower back to press her closer and he dropped his head to place a kiss on her neck, causing her to worry her lip. She knew his reputation with women, knew that he intended to seduce her.

Knew that her body was keenly anticipating his seduction.

Would I be another one night stand? She thought to herself as they continued to dance, am I worth more than that?

Her anxiety was trying to drown her in doubt, but she refused to let it win. She ground her teeth against her darkest emotions. She was a fighter, would always be a fighter.

Of course I am worth more, she thought as she lifted her eyes to his. Her fingers tangled in his hair and she rose to kiss him, felt a thrill of desire when he readily accepted her advance, both hands dropping to meld her tighter against him.

She felt electricity spark over her skin, the passion she felt within igniting physically. Tony startled a little, breaking the kiss to pull back.

'I guess I'm not the only one feeling a spark,' he said and she laughed, pulling him back for another kiss, only for him to pull away again.

'Listen, Danielle,' he said, his voice rough with the desire that she saw reflected in his eyes, 'you are bound to be aware of my past with women and–'

She shook her head, 'Tony I know and I don't care. I'm no angel. My colleagues, myself included, we were married to our work. We didn't have time for a serious relationship between the endless hours of research, so friends with benefits arrangements were pretty normal for me.'

'But that's not what I'm trying to say,' he said, pursing his lips for a moment, 'I want you for more than a night. I've always picked the women I have because I knew that they weren't interested in a commitment, because it was easy, but I feel normal with you. I don't have to constantly watch what I say or do for fear that you will run off and tell a reporter about your night with Tony Stark, and not because you have to hide for your own safety. To you I'm not a famous conquest, I'm just a man. I might be highly intelligent, articulate, and handsome, but I'm still just a man to the point where I'm actually nervous about being with you. I've never felt that with someone before.'

They stopped moving and Danielle forced him to meet her gaze.

'Why are you nervous?' she asked, her fingers untangling from his hair to trace a soothing pattern on his neck.

'What if I'm not as good as I've always been told I am? What if we do take another step and you wake up in the morning wishing you hadn't let me touch you because I was no better than any of those scientists before me... because I was… lacking?'

'Oh Tony,' she said, 'you and I know that sex can be exciting when there are no attachments, but surely you know that there is more to it? I'm not looking to get laid, I'm looking for the intimacy that I've spent so many years craving, an intimacy that I can already feel with you,' she said, 'and you're right: you are just a man to me, but you're the most wonderful man I have ever known. That's the man I'm craving, the man I want to be with, not the face that they show on magazine covers and TV.'

He claimed her lips for a searing kiss, one that was so much rougher than the others they had shared. She knew that he was struggling to hold himself back but she wanted every ounce of passion he possessed. She wanted to claim him for her own and be claimed in return, to leave marks on his skin and feel the heat of his body against hers.

Tony took her hand, leading her through the house as far as he could manage before he found his back against a wall. Her touch was filled with electricity, the energy that sparked over her filling his body as she pulled his shirt from the waistband of his pants to delve beneath it and caress the hard plains of his stomach. In her distraction, he turned them, lifting her by her thighs to pin her, a thrilling gasp escaping her lips as their bodies met.

She unbuttoned his shirt, the motions tantalising, her rings cool against his skin as she pushed the sides away from his chest. Her eyes were alight, the red seeming to glow as they surveyed every inch of his skin. She intended to strip him, to explore him, and the knowledge was thrilling in a way he had never imagined. He had always been dominant in bed, but he knew that she would challenge him.

When he finally released her thighs she dropped and ducked under his arm. She slipped a finger beneath the waistband of his pants, her tongue darting over her lips as she lead him further through the mansion. When they stumbled into his bedroom he kicked the door closed behind them, stripping the shirt from his body and throwing it carelessly across the room, his attention locked on her as her cardigan fell to the floor. She reached for the hem of her singlet top, lifting it slowly before she stripped it from her body. Her hands slid down to her jeans. When she popped the button open he felt himself throb and closed the distance between them, pushing her back against the massive bed before he pushed her hand aside. He kissed the soft skin of her stomach, kissed the scar that was still raised and red before he dropped his head lower to pull the zip of her jeans down with his teeth.

She trembled as he stripped the denim from her skin, his breath ragged as he stared down at her wicked curves and athletic legs. His gaze darted to the soft outline of her breast that rose above her bra, his tongue begging to trace the line and delve beneath the cups. Although her bra and panties had no lace, no thrills, they were sexier than all the lingerie he had seen simply because she was the gift that was inside them.

When he settled above her, claiming her lips as their heated skin met, he felt her hands snake from his side to his hips. Her fingernails dug into his flesh as he rocked against her, a moan spilling from her which he eagerly devoured with his kiss until her hands travelled between them. She undid the top button, slid the zip down and dipped her hands beneath the waistband, a smirk lighting her lips as she groped the firm cheeks, using her grip to pull him closer. His eyes closed at the sensation and sparks danced between them, a moan falling from his lips as she ground her body against his until he was forced to pin her hips to the bed.

He kicked off his pants when she pushed them down to his thighs and rolled them so that she straddled his waist. When she unclipped her bra and shrugged it from her shoulders he felt another desperate throb, his body aching for her as he cupped her supple skin. His fingers teased her pale pink nipples at her urging, her hands cupping his to show him how she liked to be touched, her body rocking against him. She was passion incarnate and for at least this night she was his.

She slid down his body, her skin caressing every inch of his as she stripped his tight boxers, his erection standing proudly, awaiting her attention. Another ragged moan escaped him as she stroked his shaft with her hands, the cool rings and her heated skin sending pleasure spiralling through him. When she traced her tongue over the tip his eyes shot open, his back arching as she tasted him. No woman had ever bothered to tease him so thoroughly, the sensation of her hands and mouth almost unbearable as she cupped his heavy sack while she sucked and tongued his shaft. His back arched as she took him deeper, tasting him until he had to pull her back into his arms for fear that their night would end earlier than intended.

He stripped her panties eagerly, his fingers delving between her fine curls and slick folds to tease the centre of her need. Her legs fell open as he caressed the tight bud that begged for his attention and he watched as she writhed beneath his touch, the touch of the first man to pleasure her for over two years. When her breath became heavy, her hips undulating to his fingers as she neared her climax, he reached for the bedside table and found the closest packet. He tore the corner with his teeth as he continued to stroke her, dipping a finger into her slick, tight opening and revelling in her heat. He rolled the condom down his shaft as quickly as his trembling hands could manage before he settled over her, teasing her with only the tip. Her hands reached for his hardened cheeks once more, gripping tight with her nails, urging him to plunge deep within her.

His body trembled as he entered her and she clenched around him. He wrapped his arm beneath her waist, desperate to be closer to her, to feel her skin against his. A husky moan tumbled from her lips as he ground against her. She reached for the metal bedhead, clinging to it as the sensations wracked her body, using it as an earth to release the energy that sparked from her skin. The room lit up with the sparks that danced around them, and he heard something shatter nearby as it was hit with a stray bolt, but he didn't care. He was lost within her embrace and her passion but could sense that she was nearing her climax as the room glowed with the electricity that danced over her skin, nearly singeing him.

He gripped the nape of her neck to force her gaze to his, the red glowing in the light that radiated from her. As she clenched around him he claimed her lips, riding her through her climax. She screamed his name as fire flooded through her, another stray bolt hitting the window and shattering it as he joined her in ecstasy. His back arched as he thrust deep, a rich moan wrenched from within him as he released.

He collapsed against her, chest heaving. When he brought his lips to hers the kiss was languid, as if savouring their passion. Her eyes still glowed, filled with desire, a sated smile on her lips. It took all his strength to pull himself away from her, even for only a moment as he stripped the condom and fell back into her arms. He pulled her thigh over his hip, his hand resting on it, tracing soft patterns over her skin.

'I think I broke your house a little,' Danielle said between kisses.

'Don't care,' Tony mumbled, despite the distinct breeze that drifted over his exposed ass, 'worth every second.'

He pulled her tight against his chest, shivering as she traced her finger around the outside of the arc reactor that protruded from it. He reached to pull the covers over them, not wanting her to get cold as she slept. When he settled back down with her, her breath fell softly against his skin, quickly synchronising with his own. Absently, he kissed her forehead as the pull of sleep had them drifting off together.

Next update: Wednesday the 9th of September.