Repercussions of the Truth by AndromedaMarine
Invitation
Tony pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her fragile body as he deepened the kiss, his mind overwhelmed by the taste of Pepper. He couldn't seem to get enough of her; soon he felt the skin of her stomach beneath his fingertips and the distinct hitch in her breath as he had to get more of the intoxication... The feeling ended abruptly and left his head pounding when Pepper pulled back, breathing heavily and erratically. He leaned back in to capture her lips a second time, but his eyes flickered open when he felt Pepper's small hand pressing against his arc reactor, keeping him from claiming her again. He couldn't read her eyes.
"What?" he asked, surprised. "Pepper..."
She shook her head. "We can't go there," she insisted, pressing her forehead against Tony's chest. "I can't go there – not now." Unwillingly she pulled herself away from his warmth, stumbling to a kitchen stool. "Not now..."
Tony rubbed his chin roughly, his heart pounding madly against his ribcage. "Then we won't go that far," he whispered, moving towards her. Without waiting for her to answer he grasped the back of her neck and kissed her again, gently. When she didn't resist he pulled her flush against him, weaving his hands into her hair.
Pepper lost herself to her practically imploding mind; wondering why she hadn't kissed him ages ago...
She would have appreciated a discreet interruption, because the actual one was embarrassing. "Ahem," Rhodes coughed, his arms crossed. "You do realize I've been hammering on the front door for the better part of fifteen minutes, right?" He chuckled when Tony and Pepper broke apart, both red in the face. "Funny I had to call Jarvis ten times before he let me in..."
Pepper, who had never stammered in her life, stammered. "I – I'll j-just...j-j-just...g-go..." She straightened her blouse and brushed past Rhodes and walked to the balcony for fresh air, her face flaming.
"Honestly, Tony..." Rhodes began, the smile tugging at his lips. "It took you how many years?"
Tony choked at the colonel's words. "Excuse me?" He was still pink in the cheeks.
Rhodes burst into a fit of true laughter. "Please, Tony – you have been dancing around the fact that you love her for years... Don't tell me it's taken eight just to kiss her!" Tony's failure to answer was answer enough. Rhodes continued to laugh. "When Pepper rescued you from Stane and you told her how you really felt all I wanted to do was shout to the sky that you finally – finally – accepted what you'd denied for so damn long." He uncrossed his arms and trailed his fingers along the island countertop. He grinned. "And I'd almost forgotten why I was here..."
Tony ran a hand through his disheveled hair. His face wasn't remotely amused. He wanted to wipe the grin right off Rhodes' face. "Why are you here, Rhodes?"
"Wait – let me have another laugh." He chuckled lightly. "I'm kidding. I'll have plenty of time to laugh at you later. I want to know if you're willing to do another press conference. Someone told Jarvis to not answer the phones..." He trailed off with one corner of his mouth lifted up. He couldn't get over walking in on his two best friends making out. "Not like the last one I asked for – I'm not going to have you elaborate on Ironman. It's just that you've not been in public since you told the whole world – and I'm reminding you that wasn't a spectacular idea – that you're a superhero... Honestly... who does that? You don't see Clark Kent walking around saying 'Hey, look at me, I'm Superman.'" He crossed his arms again, and leaned against the counter. "So, what do you say?"
"You're inviting me to do a press conference? On what exactly?" Tony was glad to have a distraction from the embarrassment.
"The future of Stark Industries."
He nodded vaguely. "Well, as always I'll need my assistant's opinion. I'll call you in the morning?"
Rhodes gave an amused nod. He turned back just before he exited the kitchen. "Go get her, tiger." He winked and left, yelling back, "And somebody turn Jarvis back on!"
Tony let out the breath he'd been holding. He waited for the distant front door to slam and then made his way onto the balcony as fast as he could. Pepper was as far from the door as she could get, her shoulders shaking and a hand covering her mouth. Tony could tell her eyes were red. He stopped a few feet away from her, not sure of what to do next.
"I still can't go there..." she whispered.
"You're not...are you crying because of Rhodes?"
She shook her head vehemently. "No."
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. "He wants me to do another press conference." He felt her freeze. "Rhodey promised it's only about the future of Stark Industries – I'd never tell them more about Ironman anyway," he added quickly. "Pepper, what's wrong?"
She gave a watery laugh. "Nothing's wrong, Tony – absolutely nothing! And I can't believe that I let a silly thing – like Rhodes interrupting us – get to me." She struggled out of his hold and turned to face him, leaning against the railing. "If you want to do the conference, then go ahead. I certainly think it's time for you to get back in public." She wiped her eyes hurriedly and glanced back up at him. "Well?"
Tony scratched his head. "I'm still wondering why you were crying," he said with honesty.
Pepper stared at him. "Because I can finally hold you without beating myself up."
Tony drew her into his arms and held her close. "Now that I can understand."
