Thank you everyone for reading this, especially to:
CerysAnneT, Leticia Gonalves, sambayar, komalsoni17nov, Caroline-Angel, alexaalex719, stylesniklaus, nancyozz, Jessy and all the Guests. I love read your review and ideas.., thank you for sharing it with me.
AN: I need to apologize with all of you for taking so long to update. I was recruited for a job last month, so I had to move to another city. For the next 6 months I'll be training and studying at their Academy. So the time to write is a little short. But don't worry… I'm writhing, And I will keep writing if you keep reading.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter, I tried my best not to make the characters too OOC. Hope you enjoy.
When she arrived at Tony's she saw the billionaire already waiting for her at the entrance of his mansion. He was also dressed casually with a blue navy shorts and grey shirt.
Before Happy stop the car the driver look at Pepper through the mirror and smiling.
"Have fun boss".
As soon as the driver stop the car Tony was already opening the door for her.
"Hi" he greeted her with a gentle kiss.
It was this amazing thing, the moment that his lips touch hers all her worries, anxiety and insecurities were gone! Just like that.
"Hi" she greeted him running her hand through his muscular chest after their kiss ended. She still could see some dark lines from the palladium poison but they were fading fast. Before she knew Pepper was running her fingers tips through one line.
"JARVIS told me that I will be free of them by the end of this weekend" spoke the genius when he realize what she was doing.
"Good! I hate to think that those things are still on you".
He smile at her.
"I'm okay now. Come on! We have a date to go". She started to walk for his house but he hold her back. "not there" he pointed to the beach. His private beach. "You look beautiful by the way" he spoke looking at her from head to toe. "Wonderful" he whispered.
"Thank you Tony. You are not bad yourself". Who she was trying to fool? He look really sexy but she just didn't want to inflate his ego even more.
"Thanks. But seriously… all these years I hardly saw you dressed casually".
"You did in some occasions"
"Very rare occasions" he complained.
At the beach, there was a white and very comfortable couch next to a small table. The light was smooth and decorate with a few flowers.
Next to them, there was another table with drinks and plates only waiting for them. When she didn't say anything Tony spoke:
"I figure it out that… I little privacy would be good for us tonight… I mean… But if you want to… I can make a call and get us a table at Capo's all-"
She saw how nervous he was and smile caring at him. All these years that she knows him, Pepper never saw him like that on a date. His reaction was pretty much the opposite. When Tony wanted to impress some random girl he took them to the most expensive place he could find, he was secure, confident and cocky. He knew that, at the end of the night, she would be on his bed.
But Pepper wasn't some random girl, and the fact that he wanted this night to be about them it meant a lot to her.
"Its perfect…" she spoke.
"Really?!" he questioned still a little unsure and she couldn't help but find his insecure behavior cute.
"Yeah.. just what I had in mind." she add. Tony's eyes light up at her.
"Really? Great! Then let's go Miss Potts".
They sat in the couch watching the ocean and the sky get even darker. Tony poured her some of his best wine as he sat next to her.
"To our official first date" he spoke grinning as he hold his glass. She smile at him clinking her glass with his.
He put himself closer to her and let his free hand rest on her thigh. It was a simple movement. He didn't make any further movements as he spoke with her about the remodel of his house, but it was enough to make her insiders go crazy making harder to pay attention in his words.
Go easy! She spoke with herself trying to remember how to breathe normally and pay attention to his story. It's Tony, and it's your first date with him.
During the night, they talk about everything and nothing. Pepper couldn't be more happy, part of her was afraid that they might lose this ability. She always love the fact that she could talk about everything with Tony, from a complex business deal to politics and nonsense, and he always manage to make her laugh at his insane ideas or theories. That haven't change, in fact it was better now. The tension of before was gone both were open and relaxed.
"So… what do you think so far?" questioned Tony as he pushed her closer to him. "Not bad for a first date uhn?"
"Not bad at all Mr. Stark" she spoke teasing him. "You are really trying to impress"
"You? Always" he murmured closing the distance between them and kissing her softly. Pepper melt into that kiss.
"I could spend the rest of my life kissing you, you know…" whispered Tony when they broke. "well…" he pressed his hand in her thigh again pushing her to his lap. She was happy to comply and let her arms rest on his neck holding him close. "kissing you and other things…" he murmured she could see the desire in his eyes making her own increase.
"Go easy playboy" she spoke happily while kissing him a little. "You have to earn that".
"That's the plan" he spoke charmingly and then add a little more agitated: "I'm doing great for the first date, right honey?"
He froze after that as if he said something he wasn't supposed to. She saw how tense he became and look at him curious. "Is it okay?" questioned Tony trying to hide his fears behind a bravado she knew very well. "To call you like that? 'Honey' I mean".
"Yes" she spoke easing his fears and he relax instantly. "It's more than okay".
His smile at her statement was one of those rare smiles of his. She always loved that smile and the way it makes her heart beat even fast, especially now, it was a side of Tony that just a few people get to see… and she was one of them, the one that saw that side of him more often than the others.
They spend part of the evening like that. Enjoying each other's company, felling the happiness to be able to touch, hold and kiss the other as they want.
"Tony" she spoke, after breaking another make out session. "I don't want to spoil this or anything… but I'm getting kind hungry".
"Right!" he spoke trying to catch his breath, letting her go, getting up and walking to the table behind them. "I have everything right… here… uhn?!"
She look at him and saw confusion and seconds later, tension.
"What?"
"I could swear that I brought the food" he murmured and Pepper had to bit her lips to hold her smile and Tony took his cellphone on his hands to speak with JARVIS.
"J, get the food ready, I'm going in to get it" spoke the man already starting to walk out.
"Tony we can eat inside you don't need to bring it here"
"No. no, no, no… its nice here and the smell of ink is still fresh there". He made a disgusted face that made her smile.
"There is no food sir" answered the AI system.
Pepper watch as the genius froze at that moment.
"What?" he questioned.
"You insisted that you wanted to order yourself".
"... and… I didn't do that?" he questioned the AI.
"That's why I said that 'there's no food' sir. I tried to remind you but you shushed me saying that you needed to get ready for Miss Potts arrival". Spoke the AI sounding hurt by his creator actions towards him – if that was possible.
"Shit!" he murmured.
Trying to support him, Pepper get up and hold him from behind resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Tony… we can always order Italian"
"No… but that's… that's…" he murmured confused. "Not what I had in mind" he pouted.
"It's okay". She assured him. "JARVIS order us some Italian food at the place we are used to".
"Very well Miss Potts"
She turns to face the billionaire playboy and he was still pouting with a confused look on his face.
"Tony?" she said hugging him by his waist. "What's wrong?"
"How could I forgot that? I was sure that I have ordered. I wanted to surprise you and…"
"Its fine… it will be here in 20 minutes"
"I never forget those things"
"Correction… I never forget those things for you… remember?" She was the one that was always behind Tony's flirting action to some random girl… not that he need much effort for it with his natural charm but sometimes, just sometimes, he likes to impress them.
He smile a little but she could tell that he was still feeling bad about forgetting their meal.
"I guess… I know what will make you feel better". She spoke seductive making him stare at her.
"Yeah?" he murmured looking at her lips.
"Yeah" she whispered kissing him softly.
She could feel Tony melt into her kiss as he hold her closer to him deepening the kiss. At the feeling of his warm body she let out a moan.
When the kiss reach it's natural end the billionaire had a smile on his face.
"See… that's why I need you with me". He spoke a little more relaxed now holding her close.
This little clumsy act of him at their date just made it feel even more special for her. To Pepper was the confirmation that he organized it, basically all by himself, their date night. Sure Happy and Rhodey helped him but Tony could easily get some professionals to think those little details for him… but he didn't. He wanted to make something for her, even if he forgot the food, it wasn't nothing like they couldn't fix it. Besides, it was still early, she was loving his company and having him all to herself. It felt amazing to be the only recipient of his attention.
"Sorry" he spoke kissing her. "I guess I was too excited about you being here that I forgot about the most important thing".
Pepper couldn't help the feeling of happiness at his statement. So he was just was excited as she was. She had some clues, Happy had told her how Tony annoyed him and Rhodey, but to hear him say it out loud it was different, a different and warm feeling spread into her chest, and she loved that.
"It's not the most important thing" she spoke with him softly and let her hand rest at his chest piece. "This is". He light up a little more.
"The good news is that I know how to spend this time while we wait".
He push her close. As the couple distract themselves with kissing, touching and talking the minutes went by fast and before they knew JARVIS was announcing that their food arrived. Tony more than fast went to pick it up leaving Pepper alone for a few minutes.
She couldn't deny the feeling of happiness she has having when she is around him. She was happily surprised to see how caring he was with her, he was respecting her trying not to push their relationship. And that make her even more crazy to be with him.
Calm down Virgina! Come on! It's your first date with him! She remind herself.
She look up and saw him coming back holding their food and smiling.
Pepper let herself smile thinking how handsome he look, especially with his hair a little messy like that.
Knowing that I was the one that cause that. She thought with pride and desire.
"Here" he offered her food. "Sorry about the mess". She smile at him.
"It wouldn't be you if we didn't have it" she tease him making him smile.
They sat there as close as they could to each other as they eat and chat enjoying the environment and each other's company for several minutes.
As the time went by the weather became a little more cold, but the couple was still ignoring the signs of the time passing. Until Pepper's eyes accidentally fell on the watch on her wrist.
"My God!" she whispered when she saw the time. It was almost midnight. Where did the time go? She questioned. Neither she nor Tony had realize how late it was already.
"Wanna go home?"ask Tony.
"I'm just scared of how the time pass by so fast!" The comment made the playboy smile with pride.
"That's what happen when you are having fun!" he murmured kissing her neck. Pepper felt the goosebumps on her stomach and let out a moan as she moved the neck to give him more access.
As the kiss became more intense Tony's hands started to wander through her body. She wanted them to move on. She needed to feel him. She wanted to feel him, to be with him for so long! But something clicked in her head.
"Tony" she tried to catch his attention but failed as her voice came out just as a moan. "Tony". This time she had more confidence in her voice and put her and on his chest pushing him away from her a little bit.
She felt the cold of the air in her skin as he let some space between them.
"I need to go".
"You can sleep here". At her look he add. "Your room, remember? I'll be a good boy, promise!" he add as he kissed her hand.
It was tempting, she didn't want to leave and their night to stop. But at the same time, she knew she couldn't trust herself alone with him now that they were dating.
It's too soon…
Tony saw her look and knew he was defeated.
"I will take you home".
"Thank you".
The ride to her apartment was in silence and slower than usual. Tony was taking his time during the ride and from time to time the genius would let his hand rest on her thigh making hard for Pepper to control her breathing.
He stop his Audi at the entrance of her building. Both were in silence neither wanting the other to go. And before Pepper could think she let herself speak:
"Wanna come in?" Tony let out a caring smile.
"Always".
They walk hand in hand to her apartment and the CEO opened the door for them.
She watch curious as Tony look around her apartment for a while. He had been in her place for a couple time in the past, but he was mostly drunk and when he wasn't it was very fast.
"This is new" he pointed at the picture in her shelf. It was an old picture of her, Rhodey, Happy and Tony. During the three months that Tony was away, with no news of him, with the world telling her that he was gone, she felt the need to put something of him in her living room. From time to time she would choose another picture with him to replace it. She stop doing that with his return.
"You didn't have a picture of me here before". He add smiling.
"How do you even know that? This picture could be there before, when you came here last time". She spoke trying to sound casually.
"But it wasn't. You had a picture of you alone here before". True. It was a picture that it was taken when she went to her mother's birthday a couple years ago.
The red haired woman look at the genius in front of her dumbfounded.
"How can you even know that?" she ask curious.
"why? Just because I was drunk the last time I was here didn't mean that I didn't pay attention". She look at him suspicious and he add: "I like to know things about you".
"Right. You just don't know when my birthday is or that I'm allergic to strawberry". Spoke the CEO smiling as she sat on her couch pouring some wine for both of them.
"I have a selective memory". He answered trying to sound confident as he sat next to her making the redhair laugh.
They were in silence for a moment, Tony still staring at the newfound picture and Pepper felt the need to explain it to him.
"I needed something of you there… when you were gone… I just…". She spoke honestly avoiding his eyes as the memories came back to haunt her, but not really knowing what to say anymore. "Do you still think about it?"
"All the time". He spoke quietly in a low voice that sounded like a murmur. "Sometimes I think that I'm still there".
"You're not. You're here. With me". She tried to reassure him. That make the genius look at her serious for a few moments and then smile caring at her as he hold her hand on his.
"Did I told you that I heard your voice while I was there?" At her confused face he add. "More than once actually. First time was during one torture session they were making. I heard your voice so clearly like I'm hearing it right now".
"What did I said?" she asked quietly.
"Tony, it was always 'Tony'". She look at him surprised by what he was saying. He had a distant look on his face, like he was seeing things that only he was able to see.
He probably is.
"Sometimes" he spoke again, " I would hear your voice when I was overworking myself to finish the suit... Sometimes when I was waking up… I thought about you all the time. To see you again, it was one of my main motivations to get out of there".
"Tony" it was all she could say at that moment. She couldn't trust her voice right now. All Pepper could do was stare at him, and she did it not realizing that her eyes were full with tears.
"I don't want to make you cry" he spoke holding her hand closer to his body tying to comfort her. "I'm just telling you this because I want you to know, how important you are for me Pep". He confess and she could tell that he was nervous. Tony was ever someone to confess his feelings, so she felt the need to reassure him.
"So are you" she spoke running her hand though his chin feeling his goatee. "You are the most important person for me, you know". She spoke looking him in the eye hoping that he understand her feelings too.
He seem relieved, happy and push her close to kiss her.
The wine was forgotten as the couple stay there too involved in each other's embrace and kiss. They both could feel their need, their desire, their love and their tension. A ten year old tension and desire that just now they are being able to overflow it.
They don't know how long they stay like that, kissing, touching, exploring each other's reactions. The world outside seems irrelevant for them, so was the time way pass the midnight by now.
She felt his hand under her dress on her upper thigh as the kiss became more passionate making her desire for him increase. Her mind was blank, she was involved in him and everything about him, his smell, the feeling of his lips on her skin, how talent he was with his hands as they explore her body.
As he held her closer and she was able to feel his desire for her and how ready he was. Pepper wanted to go further with him and it took every fiber of her being to push herself away from him finishing the kiss.
Both were heavily breathing and he rest his forehead on hers before asking:
"Whats wrong?"
It took her a few more seconds to calm herself before answering. "Nothing"
"No. Seriously. Did I do something wrong?" he asked gently
"No… I'm loving this… this night, being with you…" she told him looking in his charming brown eyes.
"There is a 'but' right?"
She hesitated and bit her lower lip a little before answering: "but I want us to go easy, it's a new territory for us… you mostly…"
"And..?"
"… and it's been very hard for me not to go further with you… right now" she finish as a whisper.
He smile caring at her and let his hand rest on hers. "I'm having a very, very hard time too… just like that you know?" he said deviously making her slap his arm playfully making him laugh. "I want you". He spoke seriously. "You know that, but more than have sex you with you Pep, which I want, like a lot" his comment make her blush a little. She knew that feeling too, she was dying to have sex with him. "I want us to work, like I never want something before in my life".
She took a few seconds trying to remember how to breathe after his confession.
"You are not mad at me?"
"Never". He answered kissing her trying to assure her. When he broke the kiss, he had a mischievous smile on his face. "I'll be thinking about you… a lot… in the shower mostly… when I get home though".
"That's not new". She tried to say with an annoyed face that only make his smile grow.
"No it's not." He gave her a peak before speaking playfully. "You knew about that? Kinky Potts! You are always welcome to join me in the shower… just saying…" he add fast at her look. The billionaire her close to him. "Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Yes". She answered immediately
"Good". He walk to her door and add before opening. "I'll be here then".
"Okay"
They stay there, at her door, too involved in their good-bye kiss. Neither want the night to end but eventually their kiss had to end. They both need some air.
"Thank you for this wonderful date, Mr. Stark".
"My pleasure Miss Potts". He gave her one last kiss. "See you tomorrow".
As he walk down the hall of her floor Pepper watch him leave and had to fight the urge to call him back.
Calm down… tomorrow you will see each other again. She told herself.
Am I doing the right thing? she questioned for a second when she close the door and leaned against it…but that doubt was soon put away at the image of Tony a few minutes ago. He seems happy to try this relationship thing; the words that he said to her a few moments ago came back to her mind and did his confession about Afghanistan. He wanted her. He wanted to make them work. He want them to be a couple, a real couple.
Pepper had spent years and years fantasizing about sleeping with him, and now he is here offering her a relationship, something that he never offer to any woman before.
It's a good thing. He respects you! He likes you. A warm feeling spread to her body along with the happiness of the realization and her love for him.
Tony... My Tony... Tony Stark is my boyfriend. She thought smiling picturing the playboy and everything about him, how smart he was, handsome, crazy, sexy and caring. My good! I'm acting like a fool in love. She knew she was in love with him for a while now and to be in a relationship with him was beyond her dreams.
Once inside her room, Pepper changed her clothes for her pajamas and gave a quick look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess, thanks to Tony's hands, her lips were swollen and red just like her neck when he dedicate an amount of time teasing her there.
She bite her lip and smile proudly at the image of Tony, her Tony, kissing her not some random woman. Her. Their night together and how perfect it was. A noise of the phone bought her back to reality.
From: T. Stark
"Still thinking about you – not in the shower this time but no promises for later ;p
I see you tomorrow."
-o-
The next day, Pepper woke up still early in the morning, and the first thought that came to her mind was Tony and their date the night before. She look at the clock as she ask herself if he was already awake and when he was coming to see her. The CEO fought the urge to call his house and decided to focus on her emails while eating her breakfast.
There was a recent email there from their PR informing her that Washington wanted to honor Tony and Rhodey for their work protecting the people against the Hammer's droids at Stark Expo.
Pepper made herself a mental note to find Tony a new assistant. There were a few emails in her account about his agenda. With Romanoff not working for them anymore, people at Stark Industries started to send her those emails.
She contact those women that she had interview before to see if they were still interested in the job and was surprised that she had a positive answer of them. Now she needed to talk with Tony about it.
Without realize, Pepper manage to distract herself with that work and around 9:30am Tony send her a text message asking if he could pass by. He didn't take 20 minutes and was already at her door while Pepper was still getting herself ready.
Tony drives like a mad man!
She put on a red smock shirt on and a jeans short and, barefoot, went happily to answer the door.
She found Tony smiling at her dressed with a gray jeans and a Stark Industries sweater, shaved and looking stunning as he only could.
He look at her from top to bottom and bit his lips.
"Amazing" he spoke in a low tone that made her heart beat even fast. "I can easily get used to see you only dressed like that". She blushed at his compliment.
"Thank you… You are not bad yourself Mr. Stark". She tease him making him smile proudly.
"Please.. I'm hot" he spoke cocky. "I'm every woman's dream".
"Right… come in Playboy".
"Hold on" he hold her hand and push her closer for a sweet and passionate kiss. "Morning" he whispered when they broke up.
"Very good morning". Once he was inside her apartment she asks "Have you eaten your breakfast yet?" she asks while walking to her kitchen knowing that he was following her close.
"Yes" he answer fast and she look at him suspicious.
"French fires and old pizza are not breakfast Tony" she told him with a flat face that made him frown.
"How did you-? Did JARVIS-"
"Nope". She spoke popping the "p". "Experience". Pepper put a plate in front of him with a few food and some juice.
"The fact that you know me so well is going to be my death in this relationship stuff right?" he asked once he drank the juice.
"Or it can play in your favor if you play your cards right".
"Humph… how about that" he murmured sounding surprised.
They chat while Tony eat the breakfast. She told him about the new assistant and Washington. He was just surprised as her for this honor event.
While they were chatting, Pepper took a moment to look at him. The dark lines under his skin were barely visible now, the bags under his eyes were gone.
Good. The palladium is finally leaving his body. She thought relived that Tony soon would be free from this poison.
They spend part of that morning in her apartment and decided to leave only for lunch. In the afternoon, they decided to spend in a park in LA. They sat there, watching the people around them from a certain distance, Tony didn't want to take the risk to be recognized… and they stay like that just enjoying this new proximity of them together.
Everything was good until Tony's phone rings. It was a call from SHIELD. Apparently, the director of the agency wanted to speak with Tony as soon as possible.
"Tony, we can meet later" spoke Pepper after the Playboy explain to her the situation.
"Negative. You are going with me".
"They will not let me in you know". He knew that, still insisted.
To Pepper, the place where Tony and the Director of the SHIELD should meet seems innocent. It was an old factory. The building was just another one in LA's collection of old buildings.
Tony went inside and, as she expected, she had to wait in the parking lot.
Inside Tony's Audi she turn on the radio to listen Tony's playlist. A few minutes passed when she was bored and decided to step out of the car for a little fresh air.
"Hello again" she turn to look and met the polite smile of Agent Coulson. "We finally met on a place without a press conference or some kind of drama". Spoke the Agent walking closer to her.
"That's true!" she spoke smiling happy to see someone in this – apparently – empty parking lot.
"I heard things turn out quite well". Spoke the Agent.
"As well as it can be… your boss was in a quite hurry to speak with Tony".
"hum.. He has his reasons".
"Secret reasons?" she questioned teasing knowing that he wouldn't answer. As expected Agent Coulson just smile. "How was New Mexico?" he look at her puzzled by her question. "Tony told me that you were 'babysitting him' and then were reassigned. His words, not mine". He smile probably already knowing that.
"Enchanting!"
"Did you had the chance to visit the Aztec Ruins?" she questioned, knowing that he couldn't speak about his job there, so tourism was a safe subject.
"No, don't think so"
"Oh it's a great place! Even more if you like History".
"I have to go back and try then. I'm graduated in Ancient History".
"Really?! Then you definitely should visit it…"
Pepper started to tell him her experience with the place. They spoke a little about places that both of them have visit and their impression of the local sharing experiences and small funny stories. The CEO was quite surprised of how easy it was to talk with Agent Coulson.
They chat for a while until another agent, one that Pepper knew very well, approach them.
"The Director needs you inside" spoke Agent Romanoff for Coulson.
The male Agent then looks at the ginger in front of him.
"I'm sorry Miss Potts.. But I have to go".
"Of course. Don't be a stranger though, if you are in town show up in the office. It was great talking to you".
"I will… and it was my pleasure".
They exchange smiles and the Agent start to walk away. Leaving the two women alone.
"Miss Potts" spoke the other redhair.
"Agent Romanoff" spoke Pepper smiling. "Is Natalie your real name?"
"It's Natasha. I want you to know that I was assigned to get close to Mr. Stark and find the reason behind his odd behavior".
"Tony told me it was something like that" spoke Pepper. "I can't say that I wasn't surprise… but thank you. If you haven't find out what was going on with him Tony would be dead by now".
Agent Romanoff gave her one last nod before walk away leaving Pepper alone.
She didn't wait much longer after that when a noise of the metal door opening catch her attention and Pepper look to find Tony walking out of the building with a devilish smile on his face…
Oh God! What did he do this time?
"Got tired of waiting?" He spoke with confidence but he didn't let her answer and spoke again getting inside his R8. "Those guys are idiots they should have let you in with me".
"It's a confidential matter Tony… they want to talk to you and only you…" she spoke siting on the passage seat. At her words Tony let out a small laugh.
"Like they don't know that I will tell you everything that happened there…" she couldn't hold her smile at his words.
"You shouldn't" she spoke teasing him.
"But I will.." he spoke driving away from that area as fast as he could to spend the rest of their day together..
AN: I remember that Agent Coulson said in one of the episodes of Agents of Shield that he was studying History when he was recruited… but anyway, forgive me if I was wrong.
I'm waiting for your review. ;)