Tony offered Vanessa his arm, and she accepted it. They began to meander through the crowd, and Pepper intended, like always, to follow behind. But suddenly her phone began to ring. She dug it out of her blazer pocket and looked at who the caller was. It was Obadiah. She quickly answered it, glad that he'd saved her from the third wheel position she was about to have to put herself in.
"Obadiah," she said. "You're a welcome relief."
"Oh? What's going on, kiddo?" he asked.
"Just...It's...," Pepper started, reconsidering her words. She knew Obi could relate to her frustrations with Tony. However, in the name of professionalism, she never liked to gripe to him. "It's...been a long day," she finished.
"And am I correct in assuming that a certain someone, who shall remain nameless, has succeeded in making it extra long for you?" he answered.
Pepper smiled. "You could say that, yes," she replied. "All though you should be happy to know that he's currently networking with the future CEO of Matthews Energy," she said, trying to sound optimistic, though her distaste for said future CEO made it difficult.
Obi chuckled. "Ah yes, Vanessa Matthews, correct? I am quite aware of Miss Matthews. And if I know our boy, his style of networking probably won't end up being that helpful. But, I say let him have his fun."
Pepper scowled, secretly wishing Obi would give her the directive to go pull Tony away from Vanessa. But she was also a little surprised that he was being so casual about Tony's latest conquest. She figured he'd at least show some disappointment, given Vanessa's title and social standing in the nuclear energy world.
"Let's just hope he behaves himself," Pepper said doubtfully. "You want to hear something unbelievable? When have you ever known Tony to be kept waiting while someone was on the phone? Especially by the person standing in front of him. Never, right?" Pepper said.
"Right, never. Don't tell me..." Obi said.
"Yes! She took a call while he was trying to talk to her! And he just stood there, listening to her babble in Korean to the person on the other end! I couldn't believe it!" Pepper spouted. She watched as they moved through the room, Vanessa flashing Tony frequent coy smiles, and tossing her hair flirtatiously. And by the looks of it, he was eating every bit of it up. Pepper shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Korean? You don't say," Obi replied.
Pepper chuckled. "I suppose that's a bonus to you, right?" she said, commenting on the fact that Obadiah also was fluent in Korean.
He chuckled. "Sounds like she must really be something," he joked. "Tony will have his hands full with that one, I imagine. And speaking of Korean, I'm heading out to meet with our customers in Seoul day after tomorrow. So, as always, try your best to keep Tony in line, and keep fighting the good fight, my girl. And we'll see you in few days, yeah?" he said.
"Okay. See you then," she responded. They hung up and Pepper scanned the crowd again for Tony. But he was no where to be seen. She sighed heavily. "Well, terrific," she grumbled, well aware of what the usual outcome was when he left the room with a woman.
XxXxXxXx
Tony watched, enthralled, as Vanessa made her way through the room, as graceful and socially adept as anyone could ever be. He marveled at how quick-witted she was with their colleagues, and after a time, it was he who was beginning to feel like the arm candy, as it was Vanessa who had done the vast majority of the talking.
Vanessa breezed through yet another quick conversation, and she smiled slyly at Tony. "You must be tired of listening to all of this babble. It can get so mundane, wouldn't you agree?" she purred.
"I've actually enjoyed listening to how you handle yourself. You're a force to be reckoned with, Ms. Matthews," he purred back, smirking.
They both chuckled softly, and Vanessa fiddled with his lapels. "I..." she started, and then stammered, blushing. "No, no. What kind of girl would I be if I asked you that..." she muttered.
Tony cocked an eyebrow. "Ask me what?" he asked, leaning closer to her and gazing into her eyes.
She smiled bashfully. "I was just going to say," she said, drawing even closer to him. "That I think I've had enough shop talk for one day."
Tony frowned. "So this is goodbye?" he asked.
Vanessa scoffed and shook her head. "On the contrary, darling. I was just going to invite you to come with me to somewhere perhaps a bit more..." she inhaled slowly, and inched her lips close to his. "Private?" she purred, flicking her eyes up to his, and wantonly biting her lip. "We could get a drink, and..."
"Yes," Tony squeaked out hoarsely. He cleared his throat, and regained his composure. "I mean, yeah. Let's get outta here, huh?" He held out his hand, and she grasped it, as he led the way to the exit.
XxXxXxXxXx
It had begun to rain, and the steady drizzle outside against the windows of the quiet bar they'd found, mixed with the dim lighting and the crooning house musician on the stage at the front made for a cozy, romantic atmosphere. The tinkling sound of Vanessa's soft laughter occasionally drifted up into the rafters as Tony had been doing his level best to charm and amuse her for the last couple of hours. They were sitting in a booth, half circle in shape, and both of them were sitting in close proximity and facing each other, with Tony's arm draped over the back of the seat. She'd laughed at every one of his jokes, and he threw in a few flirty compliments just for good measure, which she gobbled up happily while trying to play coy. In the course of their time together, she'd gradually slid closer to him, and every once in a while, a lull would come in the conversation, and they'd gaze into each others eyes. She'd lean closer and tease him with the idea of a kiss. And, just as Tony would reciprocate, she'd back away, and he'd be left hanging, awkwardly trying to recollect his thoughts and move on. And so it would go, back and forth, as cat and mouse, teasing and tantalizing. And it was leaving Tony more and more aroused each time without any semblance of relief- not a position he was used to being in.
After the last faked attempt, Vanessa sighed heavily. "Well, love. It's been fabulous, but I really must be on my way," she said.
Tony frowned. "So soon? The night's young, Vanessa."
"But my stamina is not, I'm afraid. Not tonight anyway," she said. She scooted away from him to the edge of the booth, and moved out. She extended her hand formally, and Tony stood up and exited the booth as well. He grasped her hand and they shook. "Adieu, Tony Stark," she said. "Though I do hope we can do this again sometime?"
Tony gave her a polite smile. "Of course. Any time, Vanessa. Call when you're in town next time, huh?" he said, which felt strange to him to hear those words exit his mouth.
She nodded and smiled. "Certainly," she said. "Walk me out?"
Tony nodded and followed her to the door.
Vanessa moaned with disapproval at the sight of the rain once they exited the bar. "Oh, damn," she whined. "Certainly didn't expect this."
Tony squinted and looked upwards briefly. "Let me call my driver, and he'll take you to wherever you are staying. I hate to see you try to hail cab in this." He pulled out his phone and he led her underneath the awning of the building next door to gain shelter.
"Yeah, Hap. We're at the Rococo lounge, and need a lift," Tony said.
Vanessa heard Happy acknowledge the request, and Tony bid him goodbye.
"Brilliant. What would I have done without you?" she cooed.
Tony gave her a bashful smile. "It's no problem. I just, uh..." He stopped talking, as, once again, he found they were standing close to each other, and gazing into each others eyes. She bit her lip coyly, and saw her lean in again, and he mentally rejected this move, as he didn't want to get jilted once more. "Vanessa," he warned in objection, but his words were halted by her lips on his. She kissed him soundly, and his hands went up defensively, but then he let himself melt into her embrace.
She kissed him firmly, yet smoothly and with slow, burning, desire, igniting his own passion immediately. He heard her moan into his mouth, and her tongue darted in to meet his, where their collective tango only ramped up their heady lust. But slowly she broke the kiss, and Tony reluctantly opened his eyes, not wanting the moment to end.
Just then, his town car pulled up in front of them, and he saw Happy climb out of the drivers seat, and open the back passenger door. Tony motioned for Vanessa to enter the car and she obliged. Happy gave Tony a knowing smile, and he smirked back at Happy before climbing inside beside her.
