Fall Out
Chapter Nine: Time to Think
Disclaimer: I own nothing…
Author Notes: Within the next two chapters… you all are going to hate me. But! I will fix the drama I promise. goes to find the perfect hiding place and fast.
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It seemed like forever, the sky endless as the ocean below him. He wondered if he would ever get back. Every few minutes Jarvis would update him on his location, and how many minutes and miles left. He pushed the sub-sonic flight, the jets almost whined in protest. His eagerness to get home puzzled him, and worried him. The need however was familiar, instinctive and hungry.
His lips were still so very warm.
He landed inside the shop, he was getting better at landing, it was almost effortless now. The face plate lifted and he breathed in the familiar smells of oil, machines and her. Her scent lingered in the air, trying to intoxicate him more than any drink ever could.
He held still as the suit was removed from his body, he felt the few bruises that were already blossoming in blue, purple and red. He stripped the black under suit from his body and went for the shop's shower. It was decidedly a cold one.
What seemed like hours later, but only minutes he padded upstairs on bare feet and paused, she had fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for him. And in that moment he realized, saw how fragile she truly was. How delicate, how easily she could be broken apart. His heart gave and uncomfortable twinge.
Before he knows it he's standing next to the sofa, looking down on her as though she belonged to him. He smirked a little knowing she would call him a complete Neanderthal if she could witness his thoughts at the moment.
Next thing he knows, he's sitting down on the edge next to her, she stirs, her eyes fluttering and she meets his gaze.
"You're back." She looks him over slowly, "Are you okay? Do you need some ice. Something—"
His finger on her lips silences her, "I'm okay. A few bruises." He smiles, "And I told you that I'd be back."
She feels his other hand at hr side, lifting her towards him, and she can't look away, her eyes are locked with his, her heart rate increases and then she places a hand on his chest, "No." She breathes.
He stops, her hand on his chest keeping his lips mere inches from hers, "No?" He pushes against her hand, the feel of her breath on his face maddening.
"Yes." She closes her eyes a moment, "No."
He chuckles, "Make up your mind Miss Potts." His other hand trails along her ribs.
She bites her lower lip, her eyes open and she fully grasps how close he truly is to her, his arms lifting, her legs trapped between him and the back of the sofa as he holds her upper body seconds away from his. Her hands come to rest on his shoulders, the muscles beneath the black shirt intimidating. She hesitates, her lips part…
But Tony's patience wore out, "No martinis to save you this time."
And his mouth crashes against hers, his kiss intense, desperate. She has no choice but to melt against him, she sees no other way. Her body moves on its own, her fingers digging into his hair, the kiss grows harder, she drives it there. She lets him pull her against his body, the arc reactor hums softly against her, and her lips part invitingly.
It was good to know he wasn't alone, that she wanted this as much as him. Why had he fought something that felt so right, so good for all these years? Oh, yeah, because he thought she didn't want him. Now he knew better, he had wondered that night on the balcony, but she had dismissed it quickly two days later outside the conference when he changed his life forever.
He slowly pulls back, disengages and stares at her swollen lips, the skin around them red from his facial hair, in that moment she had never looked more sexy to him, "Breathe Potts." He laughed, laughed like he had when she had had her hand inside his chest, " You don't strike me as the sort of woman who swoons."
Her eyes narrowed at him, "I'm not."
"Glad to hear it." And he moved in to kiss her again when she pulled back.
"Tony... I..." Pepper took a deep breath, " I need time to think."
He let her go, he let her go and moved away, " There's nothing to think about."
His sudden shift in mood caused worry to swell in her, "Yes, there is." With that she stood and gathered her things from the coffee table, "Have a good night, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Whatever."
She went to say something and then stopped and sighed and headed for the door, she could feel his eyes watching her, burning with hurt now and not with the passion that had been there moments ago. She didn't look back as she slipped out the door.
Tony sat there for several minutes after Pepper had left him, his body ached in so many ways now. His heart felt heavy and alone. She had to think? What the hell did she have to think about? There was nothing to think about, nothing to analyze. Damn her.
He shot up from the sofa and went into the kitchen, there was a moment that the sound of cupboards slamming open and closed filled the air and then a glass smacked against the counter and amber liquid was pour and then drank.
"Aah." The sound was anything but satisfying. He threw the glass into the sink shattering it, took the bottle and stormed back into the living room and sat back on the couch and drank until he felt nothing. Then he proceeded to drink until all rational thought was lost. He drank and drank.
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Free cookies. Seriously I luff you all.
