If you check the summary, we have a new pairing. It's a new ship for me and I decided to sail it here, it'll link well with my next two stories - sequels of this one. So if you have a problem with it, skim over it, it's fine. But if you don't have a problem with Tony and Steve rutting like bunnies, you shouldn't be afraid of a little fem-slash.

The boys take their next big step, hope you enjoy it!

"God, you're beautiful."

Steve gasped when the rasp of a beard skimmed over his bare shoulder blade, warm lips and a man's deep voice bringing him from the blanket of sleep. He squirmed beneath the kisses, that distinct smell of ritzy cologne and grease telling him exactly who it was. No matter how hard Tony scrubbed he couldn't quite get all of the lab out of the creases of his skin, giving him a metallic smell no matter what. He stretched and turned, finding the genius hovering above him.c

Tony was kneeling over the soldier, trapping him between his thighs. The sheet was the only thing separating him.

"Hey" Steve croaked, throat rough "What is it? Something wrong?"

"Nope" Tony nosed at the blonde's jaw, getting him to laugh "Just admiring my favorite super hero."

"Why is it you do this on the days I want to sleep in?" Steve teased, reaching up and lacing his fingers in wild dark hair "And who said you could come in my bed?"

"Dirty talk? Why captain..."

"Tony!" Steve's cheeks tinged pink "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know what you meant" Tony growled, rearing up and taking the blonde's mouth with his own. Steve was surprised at the passion, responding as well as he could but he was almost eaten up by the force. Tony devoured him, forcing a moan from his mouth before he could stop it. Tony released his lips in favor of the curve of his neck, dragging his teeth along it and tasting it for the first time. He lapped at the hollow of his throat, hands daring to skim across the sheet-clad body.

"Tony" Steve groaned softly, clawing at the other's lower back as if grasping for control "What are you doing?"

Tony shushed him, going even lower. He shifted down the sheet, exposing the smooth planes of the captain's chest to the cool air. Teeth scraped across a pink nipple, Tony smirked when it hardened beneath his mouth.

Steve sat up and pushed him away, breath coming faster and cock hardening beneath the blanket. He fisted the sheet and pulled more of it over his lap, face hot when he realized how aroused he was just from a few touches. It was no big deal to touch himself in the early hours of the morning with these thoughts in mind, but to actually get hard with Tony here to witness it...it was downright embarrassing.

"What's wrong?" Tony eased up behind him, laying wet kisses across the corded muscle of his shoulders "Too intense?"

"We shouldn't" Steve huffed, fingers still curled in the sheet as he tried to hide the evidence of his arousal. It was too much too soon, he was barely awake and they were going to-

"Lick" Tony commanded, holding his hand in front of the blonde's mouth.

Steve turned his head away, heart pounding thickly in his rib cage, "Tony..."

"I love the way you say me name" Tony grinned against the man's neck "Be a good boy for me. Lick."

There was something in the man's voice besides lust, something that reminded him so much of love that he decided to just do it. To cast aside his doubts and his inhibitions and just let the other hero take care of him. He grabbed Tony's wrist and pulled him in close, dragging his tongue across the rough palm to slick it. He could feel his ears burning hot with blush, he couldn't believe this was actually happening. Maybe Tony wasn't going to...

Tony hand dropped to snake beneath the sheet, finding the soldier's hard flesh and curling around it expertly. Blue eyes went wide before they clenched shut, body tensing as pleasure washed over him. Steve arched into Tony's touch, letting his head drop back on the other man's shoulder. The hand was slick with his own saliva, adding an extra layer of naughty and wrong onto the whole act.

"No one's ever touched you like this, have they?" Tony nipped at the soft skin below his ear, his pulse just as fast as the super soldier's "No one's ever dared."

Steve rocked into the touch, releasing the sheet in favor of clawing at the mattress. It felt a thousand times better with someone else touching, but maybe it was just because it was Tony. Tony made everything better, from terrible movies to horribly spicy food. Sex wasn't going to be any different. Why had they waited so long?

Tony's touch was expert, the pressure...the speed...he tried not to think about how many others the billionaire had done this to. He could feel the hard bulge of the other's length pressed up against his lower back, he couldn't help but rock back into it.

"How far can that super stamina get you?" the constant rumble of the billionaire's voice was driving him wild "I know your body must be singing right now. How good does it feel? Tell me."

"I-I don't..." Steve trailed off in a moan, heat building in his groin with each stroke.

"Love how you sound" Tony increased his pace, glancing down once and a while at those powerful thighs for signs of tremor. He leaned forward and pressed them together completely, biting down on the bulge of his lover's neck. Steve's cry was sharp, rocking harder into the touch. Tony wrapped his arm around the blonde's middle, keeping him in place. The soldier was strong and could easily twist out of his grip, but instead he melted into it. He noticed those baby blues were still closed and he suddenly had the urge to see them.

"Open your eyes" Tony pulled his teeth away, glad that the mark there was clean "I wanna see you come."

There it was, the strong muscles in the other's thighs starting to shake. Tony could feel the growing tension, the increased pitch in moans, the tightness in his groin...oh yeah, his pretty soldier was going to come so hard. The fact that Steve had never had another man touch him like this only spurred him on, working to bring him off as fiercely as he could.

"T-Tony!" Steve was practically choking on air "I think...I'm..."

"That's it" Tony bared his teeth again "I've got you."

Tony bit down on his sensitive neck again, getting a moan that was almost a scream. He could feel the warm gush of seed over his fist, tremors rocking Steve's thighs. Tony moaned against the pale neck, nearly losing it himself at the sound and feel of the hero's orgasm.

"Beautiful" he sighed, holding the older man close "So fucking gorgeous..."

Steve slumped in his grip, panting not quite as hard as a run but hard enough. That orgasm had taken most of his energy, at least for the moment, leaving him boneless.

"Still got you" Tony promised, releasing the man's softening length in favor of holding him upright.

Steve murmured something, then turned and laid down on the brunette. Tony grunted when he was found himself pinned down onto the bed, the soldier sprawled all over him. He'd expected the soldier to freak out on him but that didn't seem to be the case. Steve was actually cuddling him, pressing his face into the warm expanse of Tony's neck and breathing in his scent.

"How'd you know I sleep nude?" Steve drawled, sleepy all over again.

"You told me" Tony pet through the messy blonde hair "I take it that was good?"

"Really good" Steve slowly cracked his eyes open, a bloom of shame bubbling past the veil of bliss "Did...did we really just do that?"

Tony couldn't stop himself from smirking, "Oh yeah."

"Jeez" Steve was a little embarrassed under all that amazement "I'm sorry it was over so fast. I've just been-"

"Shut your pretty mouth before I fill it" Tony cut him off crudely, running his thumb across the other man's warm cheek "You can show me your super stamina some other time."

"You're vulgar, you know that?" Steve raised his head "Did you come in here just to seduce me?"

"Actually I came to tell you to get ready" Tony rolled out from under him, landing on his feet by the bed "We have a race track to get to."

"Wait, what?" Steve sat up, still confused "Don't you want me to...you know?"

"You're seriously precious" the genius teased, already striding toward the door "Rain check. Now get yourself all dolled up, we have a fun-filled day ahead of us. Chop-Chop, Spangles!"

The moment the door was shut between them, Tony lost his persona and did a little happy dance. He fist pumped in victory, sending a little prayer of thanks to no one in particular at his plan actually working. Getting in there while Steve was still complacent and sleepy seemed to work out just fine. He worked around the soldier's inhibitions with a little persistence and overwhelming stimuli.

He'd actually felt Steve fall apart in his arms, he'd heard those moans in person.

Tony chewed his lower lip, swiping his palm across the bulge in his pants. It had been hard to resist the urge to take it the next step, the urge to make Steve scream with his mouth almost overpowering. The soldier had smelled intoxicating, irresistible. Fuck, if that's what it was like from just a handjob, he could only imagine how explosive the sex would be.

The sex! Okay, these pants had to go...

There was no time to lose, they had an event to attend in Monaco.

xXx

"This is just too much" Steve stepped into Tony's personal jet, jaw almost on the floor "This is all yours?"

"Oh yeah" Tony lead him inside "Ignore the poles. I don't think your morals would take the dancing flight attendants."

"Dancing girls?" Steve was red now, manhandled into his seat by the genius "Jeez, Tony!"

"All in the past" the brunette assured him, taking the seat on the couch beside him "Thirsty? Pep! Two of your finest waters!"

Pepper rolled her eyes and sat down with her tablet, looking as cool and lovely as ever, "Behave, Tony. This is a long flight."

"Where exactly are we going?" Steve inquired, getting up himself to get into the mini-fridge beside the woman "Tony didn't tell me."

"Monaco. It's in Western Europe" Pepper supplied, bringing up a picture of the race track and showing him "It's really nice. It's the first time we've had a leisure trip in years."

The soldiers brow drew, obviously curious and confused.

"Oh, you've probably never seen a race track" Pepper back-pedaled "Or know why there's one."

"Is it like that NASCAR thing on television?" Steve asked, pulling out two bottles of the mineral water "Miss. Potts, here you are."

"Thank you, Steve" Pepper glanced at the former CEO "See? He knows how to treat a lady."

Tony gave her a face, then nodded, "Just like NASCAR, only fancier. It's just a big car race that everyone who's anyone will attend. Pepper's been begging rather cutely to go, so of course I gave in. She's the boss now."

Pepper mimicked a hysterical laugh, then glared, "Shut up. You want to go as much as I do."

Happy came in, locking in the door, "We're set to go. I'm going to go tell the pilot."

He disappeared into the front of the plane, leaving them alone once more.

"I've never flown in something like this before" Steve dug through the fridge, finding a dark bottle of liquid "Tony, do you want your-"

"Yeah, hurry up with it" Tony gestured, wanting the blonde back beside him as soon as possible. Steve brought over his water and the concoction, a strange smile on his face.

"I still have no idea what this is" he sat down, popping the cap and taking a sniff "Smells healthy."

A spark of panic flared in dark eyes, "Give it."

Steve went to take a drink but had it snatched from his hands, his hand grasping at air. He looked to Tony but he was smiling, shaking the bottle.

"Nu-uh, mine" Tony set it out of his reach, wrapping his arm around the man's shoulders "You don't want it. It's full of...evil, and communism."

Steve was about to protest when the hero took his mouth in a kiss, stealing his breath and his argument. Even under Pepper's amused stare, he melted into the kiss and relaxed into the seat. It was sweet, the passion from earlier a dull ember. It was something to placate him but he didn't mind.

But there was still that nagging sensation at the back of his mind, whispering that Tony was lying to him. He pushed it down, returning the kiss to taste the hero just as thoroughly.

Pepper went back to her email, still smiling to herself.

xXx

The car pulled up, Steve was already getting cold feet.

"Here" Tony handed him a pair of shades "It's easier to keep your cool with these."

"Thanks" Steve took them, fiddling with the ear pieces "There's a lot of people here, Tony. Way more than at that party. I'm going to embarrass myself or you."

"This fake crowd-phobia you keep playing out is getting old" the billionaire teased, lacing their fingers like had that first night "Do you want me to hold your hand?"

"Depends" Steve felt a little brave "Is it going to keep all those pretty girls away from you?"

Tony pulled a face like he was thinking, "Probably not. But it will get our faces back in the papers, most likely as a couple. Think you can handle it? Might be a little intense."

"I think I'll manage" the blonde squeezed his hand "Do you want me to stay next to you or...?"

Steve left it open ended, wondering if he was technically more than Tony's date this time. Were they lovers now? Still friends? He wasn't quite sure where they stood after their encounter almost two days ago. He found that Tony touched him a lot more now, braver and bolder each time. It was actually quite nice, but it left him a little confused. He'd agreed to a courtship...this was almost a real relationship.

It was terrifying and thrilling all at once.

"No way" Tony dug his fingers into the blonde's hand "Don't leave my sight. After that leech from the model company tried to get you, I don't want you more than five feet from me."

"Your face isn't safe" Pepper slipped her own shades on, giving him a wicked smile "It's just too pretty."

"Not you too" Tony threatened, pushing down his sunglasses for just a moment to shoot her a wink "Happy, you want to get in on the America bandwagon?"

His driver flashed them a smile in the rear view mirror, grabbing the red suitcase-object off the passenger seat, "No thanks."

"Good" Tony clapped his hands "Alright, crew, are we ready?"

"As I'll ever be" Steve took a few deep breaths.

"Go Team Stark" Tony pushed open the door, dragging the soldier with him. Steve stayed close to Tony's side as the cameras flashed, the crowd cheering not just for them – but it felt like it. He smiled and gave a little two-fingered salute while Tony flashed them the peace sign, he could almost feel the cover of the Manhattan lead magazine being made. The inside of the large hotel was full of people and simply breathtaking, the architecture mimicking the historical background of the city. Steve spun a little, trying to take it all in.

Pepper caught him by the arm, "Do you like it?"

"I could sketch this place for days."

While the artist marveled at the building, the second he removed his shades he counted more than twenty guards in suits lining the walls and posted at the doorways. The soldier was never far from the surface.

"By the way" Tony spoke to the CEO now "Whatever happens in the next twenty minutes, just...you know, go with it."

"Go with it?" she tucked her shades into her purse as Stark removed his own "Go with what?"

"Mr. Stark?" Natalie appeared before them, looking pleased "How was your flight?"

"Excellent, as always" Tony refused the drink that was offered to him by a waiter, Pepper gladly took it.

"We have one photographer from the ACM, if you don't mind?"

"No, not at all."

Steve and Natalie both moved out of the shot, clearly eavesdropping as Pepper and the billionaire argued about her obvious hiring.

"You look lovely, Miss. Rushman" Steve supplied.

"Thank you" her eyes didn't even flicker at his outfit "Blue is certainly your color. I see Mr. Stark decided a suit wasn't best for the occasion."

The soldier looked down at his powder blue dress shirt, buttoned almost to the neck, his white dress pants pressed and just as sharp, "I actually dressed myself today, if you can believe it."

She nodded, pleased once more, "I can."

Steve gestured, "After you."

"Thank you" Natalie gave him a look that spoke something like danger, then moved to her place at Tony's side "Mr. Stark."

"You look fantastic" Tony eyed her blatantly "But that's unprofessional. What's on the docket?"

Behind them, Pepper downed a full drink. Steve ignored Tony for a moment in favor of his only other friend, taking the glass from her and setting it on a tray. He took her arm, much like she loved to do to him, and lowered his voice.

"Don't worry" Steve assured her "Just take a deep breath and let it go. This isn't the end of the world."

Pepper glared, her voice a sharp whisper, "Steve! Look at her!"

He raised a blonde brow, "Should I be the one who's worried? Who cares how she looks?"

"I do" the ginger whined, reaching for another another only to have it taken away "She's gorgeous. And she's smart. And she's..."

Pepper dropped her forehead into her palm for a moment, sounding tortured, "Perfect. She's completely perfect."

"And?" he needled.

"Nothing" she blustered, a flush on her cheeks "Just...nothing. Drop it."

Steve backed off, "You know I won't judge any reservations you have about her."

"I wish I had more" she muttered, but he wasn't exactly sure what she meant. They found Tony heading toward the bar, Pepper pulled from the soldier's side to his own.

"Do you want a massage?" he offered like an olive branch "Cause I can get you on in minutes."

Pepper nearly took his head off with her glare, "I can't believe you hired her."

"I didn't mean to spring it on you" Tony swore "It was a thing. It happened."

"Did it ever occur to you that I'm not worried about you with her?" Pepper was almost growling, his hand on her back leading her toward the bar for another drink "That there might be other people who would be interested in her."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Because it's dangerous to get involved with a woman like that!" Pepper snapped, then reeled herself in when she leaned against the bar "She's too..."

/Absolutely perfect/ she grabbed the mojito Tony ordered for her, taking a long drink /Beautiful and wonderful and stupidly, temptingly perfect. God, I haven't felt this way since college./

"Green is not your best color" Tony teased, trying to get the real reason out of her.

"Anthony?" a man called from down the bar "Is that you?"

"My least favorite person on Earth" Tony seethed, turning around only when a hand clapped on his shoulder "Justin Hammer."

"Hey buddy" Justin was as oily as ever, Steve decided very quickly he didn't like him "You're not the only rich guy here with a fancy car. You remember – come here, darling – you remember Christine Everheart. From Vanity Fair?"

From Tony's mortified look and Pepper's eye roll, Steve could tell this was one of the floozies the billionaire had paraded through his bed.

Justin looked to Steve when the blonde woman approached, then back to his rival, "Have you two met?"

Oh yes, they'd all met.

"Christine here is actually doing a big spread on me in Vanity Fair."

"Miss. Everheart actually did quite a spread on Tony last year" Pepper glanced at Steve, then to the blonde woman pointedly.

"She did a story too" Tony added "Real nice."

"Yes, very" Pepper took another long drink, then set the glass aside "I'm going to-"

"Please don't leave me" Tony pleaded.

"-go freshen up" she began to walk away "Yeah. See you later."

From there everything went downhill. Steve watched in horror as Hammer hung off Tony and set them up for pictures, his friend shielding his eyes with his shades once more and protesting lowly. That horrid wench Christine had a tape recorder out and started badgering him, even as they started to walk away. Hammer tried to corner Tony at a table, going on about how he was going to present something at his Expo and was going to "really outdo him" this year.

"Mr. Stark" Steve intervened, standing behind the man and putting his hands on his shoulders "I believe Miss. Rushman has our table ready."

"Good, good" Tony slipped out of Hammer's grip, flashing his soldier a smile as he slid behind him instead "Have fun getting that slot, Justin."

"Now Tony-" Hammer tried to come at him, but the blonde was quick to get between them "Move, kid."

"I'm sorry Mr. Hammer, I must insist" Steve smiled broadly, holding his hands to keep the man back "You know more than anyone that Mr. Stark is a busy man. You cannot hope to keep his attention long."

Hammer wasn't happy to hear that, "Tony, get back here."

It was when Hammer made a physical grab at Tony, that action too much for the soldier to take. He easily grabbed the man's wrist and twisted him around, jerking the limb up his back and holding him in place. Justin gave a girly cry at the sudden pain, struggling weakly.

"Again, Mr. Hammer, I must insist" Steve stated calmly "If you put your hands on him, I will be forced to use harsher measures. You must understand-" he twisted harder, getting the man to yelp "-that one might interpret your come-on's as threats. So if you please."

Steve tossed him aside, the man stumbled into the table and knocked over several glasses. Steve gave a nod, another at the blonde woman.

"Miss. Everheart, Mr. Hammer" he turned, circling his arm across his friend's back and leading him away.

Tony was looking at him like he was made of steel, "Wow, Steve..."

"What?" the soldier inquired "You looked like you needed a hand."

"You didn't have to" Tony assured him, a note of awe in his voice "I had it under control."

"Well" Steve pulled him closer "I didn't like him. He was a bully and he needed to be shown his place. No one should ever put their hands on you again, Tony, and it's my job to keep that from happening. That includes that fleabag Hammer."

Tony was surprised but grateful, "I've got the sexiest bodyguard ever."

The soldier let his hand drop to the dip of the man's back, "Lucky you."

"Well if I have your permission, Captain, I'm going to hit the bathroom."

xXx

Tony checked the bathroom for any other patrons, but it seemed he was alone. He went over to the sink, running cold water from the tap and letting it puddle in his hands. He cleaned his face, trying to clear his head from his encounter with Hammer. That man was such an asshat. The way he looked at Steve...it made him burn.

Tony straightened up, looking himself over in the mirror. He shucked off his tie, throwing it on the sink carelessly. He blood was burning but he chose to ignore it, focusing more on the way Steve had stood up to him and how awesome he'd looked doing it. His super soldier...he'd taken Hammer down a notch in the space of three breaths. Sometimes he forgot that no matter how shy and sweet Steve was around him he would always have the heart and sharp mind of a captain, a soldier. Those muscles he admired were those of Captain America.

Tony slowly unbuttoned the first few clasps of his shirt, a smile coming to his lips. When he was younger and would get himself tangled with the assholes from his college, he'd always imagined Captain America swooping in to save him. Even younger than that he'd pretended the super hero was watching over him, keeping him safe, ready to step in if Tony couldn't handle himself. In those darker times it was the only thing that kept him sane. He would curl up in his bed, pull his covers his head, and wish desperately for the captain to come take him away.

It's not like his home life was terrible. But between his neglectful mother, his dad's drinking, and the company – there was little time for him. He was almost blatantly ignored, and the times he did force his dad to pay attention to him never turned out well. One time he smashed his dad's newest motherboard because he didn't come to one of his award ceremonies, and for that he received a quick fist to the mouth. He'd laid in bed, pressing ice to his lip, and pretended it was the captain holding it. He had closed his eyes then and pretended the captain was talking to him, whispering words of comfort and strength while soothing his wound.

God, he'd been one lonely kid.

Tony tapped the reactor once it was revealed, frowning at the dimmed light. He really needed to make a filter for this thing, it was getting a little problematic to have it glow brighter or dimmer with his stronger emotions. It made sense, the rate of his heart linked with the power of the reactor. The faster the blood flowed the harder it had to work. Speaking of 'work', it looked like it was doing a number on the skin around it. He touched the dark lines, wincing at how far the lines were extending. They were almost up to his neck, swamping his chest in a way that had stopped him from stripping the other day and climbing into bed with his soldier.

Tony pulled the med scanner from his pocket, taking a deep breath before pushing his thumb onto it. The nip was sharper than usual, making him wince and pull away. He shook his hand before popping the digit into his mouth, sighing around it when he tasted the strange new flavor to his blood. The display lit up red, giving him the results.

Blood Toxicity: 58%

"Fuck" he muttered, teeth digging into his skin. That was ridiculously high for just a few months.

"Tony?"

"Steve?" Tony grabbed the device and shoved it into his pocket, turning around to see the super soldier entering the bathroom and locking the door behind him "What's up?"

The soldier's brow gained a crease, "What are you doing?"

"Just checkin' my little buddy here" Tony touched his knuckles to the glass in his chest "It's just a little hard to breathe in there."

"I know what you mean" Steve came to another sink, fixing the collar of his shirt "I haven't seen so many people in one place since I was on base. Some of them are quite handsy. A very lovely drunk woman at the bar tried to put her hands up my shirt. It was flattering but unnecessary."

"You're just too pretty, Cap" Tony washed his hands, cleaning away the evidence of blood on his fingers "Cougars should be right up your ally."

Steve leaned against the ledge next to him, one hand braced on the granite, "Is that another thing I don't get? Because I'm sure we're not talking about mountain-dwelling cats."

Tony smiled to himself but didn't bother to correct the soldier. There was almost a full minute of silence, the billionaire finally broke and looked at his lover through the mirror. Steve was staring at his chest with a fond smile on his face, inching closer as if to better inspect it.

He went to cover it up but the soldier grabbed his wrist, gently stopping him.

"It's fascinating, you know?" Steve turned him, blue light bathing his face as he leaned down "Can I?"

/Please don't./

Tony nodded despite his reservations, hoping the blonde didn't notice how bad the lines were with his shirt as covering as it was.

"I think it's your best invention" Steve breathed, gently trailing his fingers across the surface "Without this we wouldn't have met."

"Steve" Tony wet his lips, trying not to be touched by the words "It's a metal core in my chest that keeps shrapnel from shredding my heart."

Steve's eyes widened at the news, but he took it in stride, "Then it really is the best thing you ever made. Good thing you're so brilliant."

/Yeah, if I'm so fucking smart, why is it killing me?/

Steve pulled him closer, lowering his head more, "It's so warm..."

"Wait, don't-"

Steve kissed it softly, melting the playboy's heart. He let it full lips linger against the device, and when he pulled away they were tingling from the sheer power just beneath the surface. They both found themselves a little hotter under the collar than they would have intended. Steve's pants weren't exactly meant to hide such an incident like this and he quickly turned around, trying to breathe the problem away. Tony found himself a little breathless as well, struggling to button his shirt back up. He grabbed his tie and looped it around his neck but didn't make a move to tie it.

"I think it's almost time for the race to start" Steve stated, though he wasn't sure "I'll go find Pepper. I'll see you in a little while?"

"Yeah."

"Good, okay" Steve hurried to the door, a little embarrassed about his reaction.

Tony got the sudden urge to tell him everything, "Steve?"

"Yeah?" the soldier turned around much too quickly.

"Uh" he shook his head, dislodging the ridiculous thoughts "Nothing. Go ahead."

The blonde disappeared with a brief nod, closing the door behind him. Tony growled and scratched a hand through his hair, turning back to the mirror. He looked at his reflection, wondering when he had become such a coward.

He tried to grin but it looked more like a sneer, "Got any other bad ideas?"

xXx

Pepper braced her hands on the sink, letting her head hang. She needed to compose herself, she was starting to crack. She'd managed to keep these feelings or whatever locked down since she'd met the woman, and no matter what she couldn't let it consume her like it had earlier. She was so sure she'd never see Natalie again, and now that she'd be Tony's assistant...

Pepper raised her head, pushing away from the sink. She dug into her small purse, pulling out her compact. She needed to put her game face back on, this was no time to lose it. She was swiping powder across her nose when the door opened, none other than Tony's new assistant slipping inside. Pepper felt her heart jump up a few notches but she tried desperately not to show it. Her eyes betrayed her, dancing down to the younger woman's chest to catch the glimpse of the lace bra peeking out from her dress. Pepper had never before been so turned on by the sight of lace against pale skin, but on Natalie it was almost too tempting.

The CEO cleared her throat and put away her compact, smiling through the sexual tension.

"Miss. Potts" Natalie approached, coming up beside the taller woman and offering a small bottle of water "You should stay hydrated if you're going to take drinks like that."

"Thank you, Miss. Rushman" she accepted the drink "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Natalie tucked a curl behind her ear, "I'm sorry if Mr. Stark's actions upset you. I told him I wouldn't accept the position unless you agreed. He lied, obviously."

"He does that, you'll learn soon enough" Pepper set the water aside, hands coming up to smooth and fix her hair "I promise you, I have no problem with you being his assistant. You're quite qualified."

Natalie watched her closely, cat-like green eyes sharp over her boss's figure, "You don't need to do that. You already look stunning."

Pepper froze, staring at the shorter woman with wide eyes. For just a moment a look of surprise passed over Natalie's face, as if she hadn't meant to say it. But it was gone as quick as it came, replaced with a calm smile and tilted head.

"Is there something wrong?" Natalie asked, covering her compliment with concern "I hope me being hired behind your back didn't upset you so much. Back there you seemed..." she bit the inside of her cheek as if struggling with whether to continue or not "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Actually" Pepper felt a little bold, she pulled some lip gloss out of her purse "You can answer a question for me."

"Anything" Natalie answered immediately.

"Have you ever dated a co-worker?" Pepper kept her tone casual as she supplied the sheen to her lips. Natalie was quiet for quite some time, enough time for the CEO to touch up all her make-up and wash her hands.

"Once" Natalie blurted out, reluctant "He was a nice guy...his eyes were...kind. He had a smart mouth. He kind of saved me."

There was a fondness in that tone, "You sound like you still like him."

"No" there was a raw honesty to her tone "We're just friends. We're still close, though."

The older woman raised a pale eyebrow, "You didn't work out?"

"Not in that kind of way" Natalie admitted "We wanted different things."

Pepper turned, trying not to let her tone get flirty, "What did you want?"

"Domination" her tone was lower, lips curled in a wicked smile "I think we were both looking for softer things."

Pepper felt pure heat curl between her thighs, her knees threatening to quiver and give beneath her. She shifted her stance, trying to keep the blush from her face but failing. She could only imagine how good this woman was in bed, let alone how dominating she could be. It was a thrilling daydream she would have to indulge in later.

Emerald eyes saw right through her, surprise and heat filling them.

Much, much later.

"Would you ever do it again?" Pepper asked before she could stop herself "Date a co-worker, I mean."

"Probably" Natalie turned to look at the mirror, slowly smoothing her palm down the front of her dress "If the right opportunity comes along."

Pepper's smile came easier this time, pleased with the answers if not a little turned on by them. Who knew that Natalie had a kinky side to her? She'd always considered herself vanilla but she wasn't above trying new things.

Wait, what? No, no!

Pepper dislodged the thoughts, snatching up the water and downing half the contents to soothe her libido. There would be no 'trying new things', there would be no 'she'd probably into it', and there would be no trying, that was for sure. She didn't have the time or the nerve to go after her best friend's new assistant. No matter how perky or fiery haired she was.

The CEO tossed the bottle in the trash, grabbing her purse, "Ready? Let's go."

Natalie followed her obediently, staying close to her back. But inside that pretty head, the mind of the true assassin was racing.

Natasha scolded herself thoroughly. Not only had she flirted with the CEO of Stark Industries but she'd revealed personal information, giving up her past relationship with Barton like she talked about it everyday. Technically they'd been together undercover on a mission, they'd agreed to a physical aspect of it, but by the end of it they realized they were too dominant for one another. Damn it, she'd said that too! How could she tell her boss that? She was losing her touch, this woman made her sloppy. Sure she found Potts attractive, how could she not? But to blatantly flirt with her and be suggestive? To flutter her lashes and flip on the charm? Why was she trying so hard to blow her cover?

On the outside, 'Natalie' pushed her curls back impatiently, fire in her eyes.

She needed to stay focused. She needed to concentrate on the mission and the objective, not the long-legged vixen in front of her. The looks Pepper gave her didn't help her cause, the woman was either unaware or very crafty with her heated looks. After observation, Natasha was sure Pepper was just conflicted about what she should do. If she wasn't actually a spy, this would a precarious position indeed.

Natasha knew she should stop now. If she started something with Pepper and then the CEO found out she was actually a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, it would break all trust and probably the woman's heart. She couldn't imagine letting someone hurt sweet Pepper, not even herself.

Natasha's steps faltered, damn near falling off her heels.

That sounded too close to 'love' for her liking. This was lust, plain and simple. Maybe some protective feelings at most, but only because the woman was strong minded but physically defenseless. She wanted to wrap the woman up in velvet and silk and just-

/Focus/ she hissed /Just...focus. Don't reveal anymore personal info. Don't flirt. Don't look at her./

But her eyes weren't listening, they found the outline of the woman's curves and followed them. Those legs went on for miles, her waist slim but no less sweet. She was sure she could fit her hands along those hips just perfectly, her thumbs sliding perfectly just under her hipbones. She could imagine the freckles that would decorate Pepper's skin, the sweet smell of her flesh, the warmth that would pour off her. Natasha had never been with someone that slim before but she was sure they would fit together perfectly.

The fantasy came to her before she could stop it, cheeks flushing pink and eyes glazing over.

Natasha could see them tangled together in silk sheeted bed, the slender woman pinned beneath her easily. She would pin her wrists high above her head and attack her throat with precision, assaulting the sensitized flesh until she got her to moan. She would tease her with sharp bites, commanding her to keep her wrists still while she focused on the rest of. Pepper would obey and keen so nicely, arching up into each touch like an eager virgin. Natasha could almost taste the hot flesh of her breasts on her tongue, the skin would be soft beneath her palms. Pepper would be responsive, thrusting and writhing and just begging for more.

"Sit beside me."

Natasha blinked, slipping 'Natalie' back on like a glove. Pepper was sitting down at their corner table, hand held out to the seat beside her. She pulled out the chair and sat, smoothing her skirt down, ignoring the heat between her legs.

She added 'fantasies' to her list of things to stop doing.

Pepper grabbed the menu, folding it open and scanning the contents, "Are you hungry, Natalie?"

The switch from 'Miss. Rushman' to 'Natalie' was surprising but no unwanted.

"What looks good?" the CEO looked up, ready to take a suggestion, but her eyes caught the screen. There, on the TV, was Tony...dressed in track-gear...talking about driving the car. Her first reaction was to drop the menu and bristle up like a cat, the next to grab Natalie's hand and squeeze.

"Nat" Pepper rasped, unable to rip her eyes from the scene on the television "Natalie! What's going on?"

Natalie looked to the screen, wincing, "This...is the first I've heard of it."

"This cannot happen" she looked to her, desperation in her vivid blue eyes "This so cannot happen."

"I understand completely" Natalie returned her stare "How can I help?"

"Where's Happy?"

"Waiting outside."

"Get Happy" Pepper squeezed the younger woman's hand, then let it go "I need Happy. Please, Nat."

Natalie was already up, "I'm on it."

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