The drive back to Monaco was quiet but happy. Pepper Potts sat next to Tony counting up her winnings from miniature golf and Tony didn't say another word about it. He just had a smirk on his face. Maybe he let her win or maybe he just enjoyed watching her beat him thoroughly? Either way, Tony wasn't going to tell and he was still going to make her pay for lunch because of it.
The car dropped them off at the Pizzeria Monégasque, where they grabbed a few slices while sitting on the terrace overlooking the ocean. While enjoying a relaxing lunch, Tony slipped the shopping guide over to Pepper so she could plan her assault. Some how, he had a feeling that once she got near the casino; Pepper was going to melt his credit card.
Pepper perused the shopping map with a mildly interested façade on the surface but underneath she was nearly ready to explode at the free reign she was about to have fun with. "We'll start slow at the Fontvieille Shopping Centre and then start working our way up to Condamine Market and finally end up in the Golden Circle. I hope you brought the big cards." She said with a calm tone that hid the intent to torture underneath.
"That was what I was afraid of," Tony sighed as he slid the bill over to Pepper as per their bet. "I've seen you shop on Rodeo and that is child's play compared to the Golden Circle but I did agree to be the jackass to pay for and haul all of this so I am only going to request that you don't break me."
"I won't break you," Pepper assures him as she paid the bill and stood up. "I'll only take part of your fortune." She added with a laugh as she headed off in the direction of the Fontvieille Shopping Centre.
The Fontvieille Shopping Centre was the smallest and would probably be the most affordable of the three. There were thirty-six small stores which could have easily been found in any American mall. To her credit, Pepper did only buy one thing there – a DVD.
Tony was distracted in looking at electronics when Pepper put the DVD in his hand.
"You have got to be kidding me with this?" Tony groaned when he looked at the title. "Pretty Woman?"
"I would think you would like that movie since a billionaire falls in love with a hooker." Pepper smirked.
"For the record, I have never hired a hooker. I like not having a veritable alphabet of diseases. I don't care if the hooker did look like Julia Roberts; there are better ways of getting laid." Tony protested.
"Yes, forgive me, I forgot the Good and Evil twins. I am sure those two were a lot better." Pepper smirked.
"You promised that you would never bring THEM up again." Tony warned as he begrudgingly paid for the DVD.
"I might have but I think my memory will be refreshed on that when we watch the movie later tonight." Pepper laughed. "Shall we head to Condamine?"
"If we must," Tony groaned.
The Condamine Market had been in existence since 1880 and was filled with many tiny shops and boutiques that were just made for bargaining, a skill Pepper proved to be quite talented with. Tony always knew there was a damn good reason why he brought her to every single deal he ever made. An hour and a half and seven bags later, Tony and Pepper emerged from the Condamine Market and headed for the final and most expensive target – the Golden Circle on Avenue Monte Carlo.
The Golden Circle was Monte Carlo's equivalent to Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue. There were plenty of places to melt Tony's credit card alongside Europe's high rollers. Names such as Hermes, Christian Dior, Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Cartier and Chopard all had a presence here. To Pepper, this was paradise while Tony deemed it hell on earth.
Store after store, Pepper filled bag after bag without even looking at one price tag. Dresses, suits, shoes, purses, blouses…you name it, she bought it. It wasn't until she stepped into an expensive lingerie store that Tony finally said something.
Sitting on a chair, surrounded by Pepper's purchases, he tried keep up some of his bravado. "How about a fashion show here?" Tony suggested with a smirk. "I see a lot of things that are small and cute here that I wouldn't mind seeing on you."
Pepper picked up a blue lace corset, just to tease Tony a little bit more. "I don't think it would be very appropriate, Mr. Stark." She said coolly as she purposely used his professional title rather than his first name as she slipped into the dressing room.
"Come on, Pepper," Tony whined. "You have dragged me from one store after another and charged at least a million dollars on my credit cards. Throw me a bone here."
"That would be the last thing I would be encouraging, Tony." Pepper said as she popped her head out of the door with a smile and just enough of a glimpse of blue lace to get Tony's temperature rising.
By the time they returned to the hotel that evening, Tony needed a porter to get all the bags up to the suite since he needed to help Pepper. She had walked all day from store to store in four inch heels and her feet were killing her so badly that she could hardly stand for much longer. Without saying a word and not listening to any potential protests, Tony effortlessly picked Pepper up and carried her in his arms back up to the suite and did not set her down until he set her on the couch.
Pepper was surprised but did not complain. She whispered a small thank you when Tony took off her shoes for her and turned on the movie that she wanted to watch and when he sat down on the couch next to her, Pepper curled into him, resting her head on his shoulder and letting him wrap his arm around her as they watched Pretty Woman. And when Pepper fell asleep half way through the movie, Tony picked her up again and carried her to bed, leaving only after he had covered her with a blanket and stole a few glances at the woman he cared very much for before going back to the living room to finish the movie, alone but happy.