Chapter 7
After Tony had paid the bill and left a more than adequate tip, we stepped back out onto the chilly London streets. We had whiled away a lot more time than I thought in the restaurant so when we got back outside, it was even colder than before. I was now seriously beginning to regret my choice of attire.
"So, what do you wanna do now?" Tony asked, grinning down at me and rocking on his heels.
"Um... I thought it was just dinner?" I felt immediately stupid realising I didn't want to leave him so soon. It was the first good night I'd had in ages.
"Oh, well, it can be if, like, you have to get back. I can call Jarvis back with the car..." He paused and, to my huge surprise, actually looked nervous about what he was about to say. "But I'd actually hoped, since I've had such a great time with you tonight, you might wanna take a walk. Or something. With me." He blew out his chest before exhaling a long plume of steam. I stood in stunned silence knowing exactly what I wanted to say but struggling to force the words out, this felt like a good dream. Tony gave a nervous laugh and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Kinda cold to be standing around like this, dontcha think?" I was snapped back to this planet.
"Yeah, I'd love to take a walk with you. Even though it's freezing and I'm wearing perhaps the world's most ridiculous dress." I giggled.
"Oh! Yeah, um... hang on." Awkwardly, he shuffled himself out of his suit jacket and held it up for me to put on.
"But you'll freeze." My idiocy flared. State the obvious why not?
"Yeah, I will. But if it means you'll take a walk with me, it's a small price to pay." His eyes looked so honest and sweet, it made me want to melt, despite the subzero temperatures. Thanking him profusely, I slipped myself into the expensive tailoring. Slowly, not knowing whether to move first or wait for him to lead the way, I proceeded to walk. Tony quickly appeared at my side.
For a while, we walked together in silence, only the clip-clop of my shoes on the concrete keeping it from being awkward. So wound up was I in whirling thoughts of all the right things to say, it startled me when Tony tentatively placed a hand on the small of my back. He must've felt me jump as he went on to say "Don't freak out." In a gentle, soothing voice "There somewhere I want to show you." I was about to remind him that I lived in London and that there was nothing I hadn't already seen but let him steer me to the destination anyway.
Eventually, we arrived in some public gardens, flurries of dense perennials scattered at various intervals, punctuated by small lanterns emitting a delicate, hazy glow. It had a bewitching feeling of calm about it. Tony continued to lead me toward a wooden bench secluded by greenery. He sat and, with an adorable smile, patted the space next to him. Obligingly, I sat.
"How did you know about this place? I've lived in London for four years and I've never seen it. It's pretty." I looked at Tony who had taken up a relaxed pose on the bench and was staring directly at me.
"I found it today. Got nervous before the ceremony and took a walk, ended up here. Also, I can see it from my hotel window. " It was refreshing to know even the great Tony Stark got a touch of the jitters every now and again.
"Where are you staying?" I asked, not thinking that perhaps it seemed nosey to ask.
"Why? You thinking of sneaking into my room?" He winked and the butterflies which had previously settled began to unfurl themselves once again. Luckily, just as I was about to attempt to protest, he started to laugh and I twigged he was joking. "But seriously, my hotels that one right there." He pointed off into the darkness in front of him. I craned my neck but couldn't see anything.
"Where?" I piped up, still sticking my neck out.
"Look, come here." I shuffled closer to him compliantly. "There." He pointed again. Then I saw the large building and felt slightly foolish.
"Oh yeah, looks like a nice place." I replied turning to him. My breath caught as it became apparent how close to him I now was, our faces mere inches apart.
"It is." He uttered, swiftly catching my mouth. My instant reaction was to recoil- I shouldn't be doing this- but I soon found myself submitting entirely to him. The soft swell of his lips gently persuaded mine to part and before I was really aware of it, I was kissing him back.