I know it's been a while on this one, but I appreciate your patience, as always! Thank you SO much for the support, and the feedback! :D
Vanessa and I went back into the bedroom, and I tried to play it cool even though my nerves were raw. I faked a dramatic yawn, and climbed into bed. "Glad that's all straightened out," I commented, praying Vanessa would just drop it, and we could move past this whole night. Though your little maniacal tantrum didn't exactly paint you in a great light, I thought to myself. But I didn't dare mention it. I just wanted her to go back to sleep, and leave me alone.
She climbed in beside me, and curled up to my side, resting her chin on her hand on my chest. She eyed me for a long while, saying nothing.
"What?" I asked her, a lilt of annoyance in my voice.
"Let it be known that the only reason why I agreed to dismiss any of this is because Mr. Nick seems none the wiser," she explained. "Ms. Potts, on the other hand..."
"Vanessa, what are you..."I began, with trepidation.
"Ahh, ahh, ahh," she said, putting a finger to my lips to hush me. "Don't play dumb with me, Tony Stark. I'm not some oblivious git. I know what really happened tonight," she said. She climbed up on all fours, and straddled me.
I felt a jolt of panic-driven adrenaline course through my body, but I tried to remain calm on the exterior. I looked at her, bemused. "Oh, really? Then could ya' fill me in? You're a little off in the weeds, here," I said.
She slipped her night gown off over her head, and flung it to the side, to expose her body. And then, she bent down and kissed my lips, slowly and sensually. I barely kissed back, as my whole body was on high alert. I just continued to frown at her. She pulled back to look at me. "She. Knows," she said simply, deliberately. "Doesn't she."
My eyes went wide. Was my nightmare going to come true?, I wondered, in horror. "Vanessa, she doesn't," I argued. "How could she?"
She smiled a devilish smile, and sat up. "Oh, come now," she retorted. "I know it. To what extent, I'm not certain. But when I find out, mark my words- Ms. Potts won't be long for this world, Tony. And she'll have you to thank for that."
I sat straight up, and grabbed her upper arms, glaring at her, seething. "You lay a finger on her, I'll..."
"You'll what, Tony? You'll what?" she asked, taunting me with a pout. "It's no secret it's pretty easy to render you helpless. A little jab in the neck puts you out for hours. More than enough time to properly dispose of Ms. Potts. Besides, you need me, darling. That pesky little monkey on your back is going to start demanding more of what I have for you to stay righted, I'm afraid. So, you'd better play nice, my dear. I hear the more you use, the worse the withdrawals are. And this last dose was a dandy, mind you. So, I'd hate to see the mess you'd be if I cut off your supply."
"You're a demon, a monster," I spat out, to which she just chuckled darkly. I sat back in disbelief of how twisted she was, and how stupid I'd been to ever get involved with her. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she hurt Pepper because of me, and clearly that threat was becoming ever more real.
She began walking her fingers up my chest. "If you want to save your precious Ms. Potts, then you'll need to make sure Mr. Nick Green stays oblivious," she stated.
I gritted my teeth. "Then stop knocking on people's bedroom doors in a jealous rage in the middle of that night, huh? Because that didn't help matters," I replied sternly. "You looked like a lunatic out there! He'd have every right to think something is up after that stunt."
Vanessa pouted at me. "I'm sorry, love," she cooed in a syrupy sweet voice. She began to grind her body against me, and plant kisses all over my face and neck. "I just can't bare the thought of you talking to another woman! I guess I just want you all to myself," she breathed hotly into my ear.
I pursed my lips and gave her a wry look, saying nothing. Then, she kissed me hungrily, cupping my face with her hands and flicking her tongue into my mouth wantonly. "Tony," she murmured hoarsely, after breaking the kiss. "Tony, make love to me. Prove to me there is no other woman you want in your life."
Clearly, the only way I was going to successfully get through this night, appease Vanessa, save Pepper's life for at least one more day, and come out with my sanity still in tact, was to play along with this witch. The thought of it turned my stomach, but what choice did I have? I needed her to be distracted right now, in order to calm down. Pepper's life depended on it.
Pepper, my mind echoed in my ears. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to fall into the moment with Vanessa as I concentrated on envisioning Pepper, sitting at the bar tonight, in her flimsy little satin nighty, baring her long legs. I imagined tracing my eyes all the way down them, from the tops of her thighs to the tips of her perfectly painted toes. Her creamy skin was delicately dotted with faint freckles, and I smiled to myself, having drawn the conclusion long ago that those freckles could probably be found all over her body, and secretly hoping that one day I'd get to see for myself.
"Tony," I heard Vanessa moan again, as we began to make love, my imagination clearly doing it's part to ready me for the moment. I went back to my fantasy, imagining instead that it was Pepper who was moaning my name. I could taste her kiss once more, like I had in my dream, her perfect rosebud lips so delicate and soft. I envisioned holding her in my arms, protecting her from the ridiculous game Vanessa was playing with her life. I moaned, awakening myself out of my reverie long enough to stop my lips from forming her name. But then I let myself sink right back down into it, the phantom scent of Pepper's lightly perfumed skin seemingly permeating my senses, making my spine tingle with the desire to taste her. Every inch of her.
If you only knew, Pep, I thought to myself. If you only knew.
XxXxXxXxXx
I laid awake for hours after all the excitement had died down. Nick agreed now that Vanessa was certainly an odd one, with a vicious jealous streak, and I thanked him for speaking up in my defense. Clearly, his corroboration of my story was worth more than he knew at the moment, especially since I was unsure of whether or not I could reveal to him what I'd heard in the galley, which had put me on edge like nothing else. Vanessa had got Tony addicted to something, and in the course of that, I, somehow, was in danger if she knew I'd found out. But why, exactly? Why was what I knew such a threat? What proof would I have that there was anything wrong? Tony's erratic behavior? That was an old song and dance with him, in the eyes of the public. And it would hardly be a revelation that Tony had an addictive personality. So what, then, was so threatening for me to know? I had to get to the bottom of this. And fast. For both of our sakes.
Nic had fallen asleep not long after we'd gone back to bed. He'd wrapped me in him arms protectively, and I closed my eyes, trying my hardest to drift off. But it was no use. All I could see was Tony's panicked expression when he heard Vanessa coming from the bedroom, and then the grave nod we gave each other before parting ways. It chilled me to the bone. The look in his eyes was something I'd never forget.
I had finally just fallen asleep when we began the decent toward Grand Cayman hours later. Nick kissed my shoulder, telling me he'd come back with coffee, if I wanted a few extra minutes in bed. I graciously accepted, and took the time to rest my eyes. Pepper, listen to me!, I kept hearing Tony say in my mind, his eyes wide. Please! Just do what I ask!
Moments later, a knock came to the door. I startled awake, and jumped out of bed. "Coming!" I responded, before I was even fully coherent. I opened the door, thinking it would probably be Nick, with his hands full and needing help. But instead I found Tony. He smiled politely, but his eyes still held the same intensity from last night.
"Tony, what are you..." I started to say, eyeing the space around him to make sure Vanessa wasn't within ear shot.
"She's occupied for the moment. Which is why I'm here," he quickly explained. "Look, you haven't said anything to lover boy about what you overheard last night, have you?" he asked intently.
I pursed my lips. "His name is Nick," I corrected. "I know you know his..."
"Whatever, Pepper. Just answer the question. Have you?" he said curtly.
I huffed, and folded my arms. "No, I'll have you know! I'm not stupid. I know I have to be careful," I said defensively. "But Nick does think Vanessa is overly jealous, and needs to..."
"Good," Tony said, interrupting me. "Keep it that way. I'll explain later, when the time is right. Just..." he said, exhaling sharply. "Just act normal, for now. Deal?"
I smirked. "Do I never not?" I retorted.
That got him to crack a smile, and bring his guard down a little. "Okay, Potts, okay, " he said, relenting. "So, how about you? Are you okay?" he asked softly, looking into my eyes with concern. "I know last night was..." he trailed off, shrugging his shoulder. "Rough," he finished.
I softened and shrugged. "Rough is an understatement," I answered, looking at him with pity. "And I'm as good as can be expected for finding out my boss's fiance has turned him into a drug addict."
Tony worked his jaw. "Pepper, it's complicated," he murmured, his face wary and glum. "You'll see. But for now, I need you to trust me. Okay?"
I gazed at him silently. I could have said something contradictory and sarcastic, but the look of quiet desperation on his face broke my heart. So, finally, I just nodded. "Okay," I said, relenting. I had no choice but to accept his answer. I gave him a sympathetic smile. He smiled weakly back, and we shared our gaze for just a fleeting moment, before Nick was seen making his way back down the hall, coffee cups in both hands.
Tony glanced over his shoulder to see him, and then flicked his eyes back to me. Then he leaned in, and gently kissed my temple. "You're the best, Pep," he murmured in my ear. My cheeks instantly blushed at his sudden display of affection, and I smiled bashfully.
"Well," I said, sheepishly averting my eyes.
Tony turned to greet Nick. "Hey! There's the man of the hour!" he bellowed with a wide grin, patting him on the back jovially.
Nick inhaled sharply, as he was nearly scalded as a result of the tremors of Tony's greeting. "H-hey, Tony! How are you this morning?" he replied good-naturedly, handing me one of the cups. I gladly accepted it, and took a long sip. But it was black, and it made me grimace from the bitterness.
Nick noticed. "What? Too regular?" he asked.
"Potts likes hers like a milkshake, I'm afraid. Strange, I know, to want to out and out ruin a perfectly good cup of joe," Tony joked.
I smirked at his teasing me. "Oh, haha," I replied wryly. "Two sugars, heavy cream, just for future reference. But thank you, though. I needed the pick me up," I said to Nick.
"Well, duly noted for next time, then, honey," Nick purred affectionately, before leaning in to softly peck my lips. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tony noticeably bristle.
"Yeah, so, I was just telling Pepper, here, that I wanted to apologize for Vanessa's little rant, last night. I hope she didn't cause any trouble," he explained. "She and I had a little disagreement of sorts, and she was a tad fired up as a result."
"Understandable," Nick said, shrugging away Tony's words in dismissal. "No harm, no foul, huh?" he said, patting him on the back hard. Tony gritted his teeth as he bristled again, and flicked his eyes to mine. I just smiled warmly, knowing full well Nick's embrace wasn't at all welcome. But Tony swallowed his ire, and smiled back.
"Well," he said, clasping his hands together. "I'll leave you two to it, then. Nick, Ms. Potts," he said, nodding in farewell, and swiveling around on his heels to walk away.
"Poor sap," Nick muttered when Tony was out of eyesight, and ear shot. "Something tells me he's gonna have to make a lot more apologizes in the future for that woman."
More than we probably know, I thought, sipping from my cup again. But hopefully not for long.
XxXxXxXx
We'd landed not long after, and disembarked from the plane. Vanessa wore a long sundress, with big, gaudy sunflowers all over it and wide straps, giant bug-like, Jackie-O style sunglasses, and an over-sized floppy straw sunhat, with a massive woven striped tote bag slung over her shoulder. The whole tacky ensemble begged onlookers for attention, and practically screamed tourist.
On the other hand, Pepper wore a long, flowered wrap skirt, and a white buttoned down shirt, tied at the waist, with a pale blue tank top peeking through from underneath. Delicate strappy sandles adorned her feet, and her hair fell long down her back, already perfectly sun-kissed from the California sun, and glimmering in the Caribbean sunlight as a result. She was the last one to leave the plane, and I smiled at her when she appeared in the doorway, and made her way down the stairs. She noticed me, and smiled back.
Vanessa saw the exchange, and tightened her grip around my arm she'd curled herself around, glowering at me. I felt her eyes staring daggers into the side of my head, and I glanced sidelong at her, immediately clearing my throat and wiping the smile off my face. She nodded in approval, and smiled her fake shark-like grin as Pepper approached.
Nick opened his arms to pull Pepper to him. She giggled, and allowed it, and he planted an affectionate kiss on her temple. "There's my beautiful girlfriend! Look at you! You're looking ravishing this morning!" he cooed.
Girlfriend? Who you calling "girlfriend" pal?, I thought. Oh, you're in for it now! Pepper won't take that. You barely know her last name! You watch. She'll put a halt to it immediately, and you're going to feel like an ass. Prepare to be in the doghouse for the weekend, buddy! Nice knowing you! In 3, 2...
But Pepper just blushed, and looked away. "Oh, Nick. Stop," she said, bashfully, with a flirty smile.
I just stared, dumbstruck. Then I frowned. Is she for real with this guy?, I asked myself. A little bile rose in the back of my throat at the thought of her actually allowing him to act all cutesy with her. So I shifted my eyes instead to the ocean, not far from the airstrip on which we'd landed.
"Boy, that water looks nice, huh?" I commented, nodding in that direction, and attempting to make small talk in order to distract myself from my thoughts.
"Mmmmm hmmmm. I can't wait to dip my toes in it," Pepper replied, turing in the direction of my gaze, and shielding her eyes from the sun.
Both Nick and I whimpered at the image of Pepper in some little skimpy bathing suit on the beach. He must have heard the same thing, because his eyes instantly shot to mine, and he frowned defensively. I cleared my throat, ignoring his questioning look. "Well, if we intend to enjoy any of this, then we'd better get a move on, huh?" I urged.
"Hear, hear!" Vanessa chirped, and we made our way for the limo waiting to take us to our hotel.
