She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Tony…."
"Come on, I'll play by your rules. I promise. Just let me in for a little bit."
She searched his face, disarmed by the question and wondering what his angle was.
He reached a hand up to his face, pulling his shades off, his deep brown eyes wide as they gazed into hers. "We'll just hang out for a while. Please. Just trust me."
She nodded. "I guess I could get you a quick drink. I don't think there's much in the fridge, though. Water, three ice cubes and two mint leaves?"
He swallowed hard, watching her as she reached for the door knob. "H-how did you know that?"
She turned the knob without answering, opening the door and reaching blindly for the lightswitch, but he caught her hand in his before she could turn the lights on.
"What the-?" she asked.
She turned around, taking a step into her private space and she gasped.
The modest living area had been transformed, with flickering candles taking over every surface, carefully placed on the coffee table, lining the floor and framing the far wall. A large, thick blanket covered the space in front of the couch and a picnic basket sat atop the blanket, with two plates and glasses and silverware gleaming in the candlelight.
She covered her mouth with her hand, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
"You like?" He murmured. She felt him walk up behind her.
"Tony," she breathed.
"I did promise you dinner and drinks…."
She turned around to face him. "How on earth did you have time for all of this? With your work? And- and the meeting, and-" She stopped. "This was the plan all along," she realized.
He smiled. "I thought it would be romantic as hell."
"It is," she said seriously.
He took her hand, gesturing for her to sit.
"I really did have an unexpected meeting. Sorry it's so late."
She shook her head. "It's perfect," she insisted.
His smile widened, showing his dimples and perfect white teeth. "Dig in."
He uncovered the picnic basket, filled both their plates with food.
"Did you cook this?" She asked incredulously, gazing at the mouth-watering chicken and mushroom spread, steamed broccoli and heaping pile of mashed potatoes.
"Ssh, don't tell anyone my secret," he said, still wearing his sincere smile on his face.
She swallowed hard, looking down at the meat as she began to cut with her knife. No date had ever made this much effort for her before. "Tony, this is delicious!"
He winked at her, a sparkle in his eye. "Just wait until we get to dessert."
She tucked her legs under her, getting more comfortable as she leaned against the couch.
They ate in an easy silence, grateful for each other's company.
"Tell me something about the other reality," Tony said casually.
She looked up, wiping at the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "Are you sure?"
He shrugged. "Why not?"
"Okay." She started to tell him about the anniversary party, and the diamond gown that reflected Iron Man colors every time she moved, carefully studying his face as she talked for any subtle signs that he might be scared or uncomfortable.
"That does sound like something I'd arrange," he said with a slight chuckle.
She told him a few more stories about the others and eventually his natural curiosity won out and he started to ask more detailed questions. She could practically see the gears in his head turning as he put pieces together mentally and she was once again reminded of something she admired about him.
"I was really worried about you," he said quietly after awhile.
She reached across the blanket, covering his hand with hers.
"I was really scared at first," she admitted.
"And then?"
"And then I knew that there was someone on my side who wouldn't give up until he solved the puzzle," she whispered.
He lowered his eyes. "Be honest with me for a second?"
She nodded, trying to meet his gaze again. "Yes."
"Did you only want me to take you out because of the other me?"
"Actually, the person I just mentioned…. I was talking about you."
He reached out a hand, softly brushed his fingers through her hair before tucking it behind her ear, his fingertips lingering at her temple for a moment before trailing down her jaw.
The dim light from the flickering candles cast soft shadows and highlights across his face, framing his strong, masculine features in a sort of glow.
He tilted her head back, leaned closer until she could breathe in the mint on his breath, then lingered for a moment without moving, as if he was giving her a chance to change her mind if she was going to.
She leaned into his touch, savoring the feel of his hand on her face, thumb slowly stroking her cheek and parting her lips slightly. "Tony…" she whispered.
Then his lips were on hers, soft and supple as he kissed her gently.
She closed her eyes, raising her hand to his neck, her fingers stroking the curls at the back of his head, thumb lightly tracing the perfectly trimmed facial hair framing his jaw as they kissed softly.
First it was just his mouth pressing lightly against hers, then she parted her lips and felt the slightest bit of his tongue before he pulled away slowly.
"Good?" He asked quietly as she opened her eyes.
"Good," she agreed.
He scooted closer and his eyes were closed before his lips even touched hers again and then he deepened the kiss, slowly slipping his tongue into her mouth and kissing her more thoroughly.
She raised both hands to his head, pushed her fingers through his hair and leaned further into his touch as his fingers continued to caress her face while they kissed in the candlelight.
"Ready for dessert?" He asked with his face still close to hers.
"Sure."
She would've been content to crawl into his lap and get lost in the sweet sensation of their lips meeting again and again while he held her passionately in his arms, but then we was pulling a box out of the picnic basket and pouring some more wine.
"Wait until your taste buds get a hold of these," he said, offering her a piece of candy.
"Chocolate?" She asked, her eyebrow raising slightly.
"Made this afternoon and delivered just as you got to SI."
She reached into the box, already she could tell from the texture that he'd spent a large dollar amount.
"Slowly now," he said softly, watching as she put the small square into her mouth.
"Mmmmm," she said, closing her eyes as the chocolate started to melt away on her tongue to reveal a warm, creamy center. She took her time as she chewed, savoring the sensation of each burst of flavor until she had to swallow. "Tony, this is exquisite! You always do get the good stuff, don't you?"
He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling merrily. "The way to a woman's heart is with chocolate, right?" He took another piece from the box, held it out to her.
She glanced from the tiny piece of candy in his hand to his eyes. "Is it my heart that you want, Stark?" She said in a lower voice, keeping her eyes locked on his as she ducked her head to eat the candy out of his hand, letting her lips brush lightly against his fingers and the tip of her tongue ever so slightly touch his palm.
He swallowed hard as he watched her devour it, reaching into the box for another piece for himself.
She sidled up to him, leaning against him.
"Guess it worked then?" he asked, tilting his head down to place another kiss on her lips.
"For now," she said, the corners of her mouth tugging upwards.
He laughed, and she laughed too as they sat with their backs against the couch, eating candy and sipping wine between kisses.
His hands played with the ends of her curls, her hands gripped his shoulders and their kisses gradually grew more passionate until it was less laughing and drinking and more kissing.
This time he closed his eyes first and she tilting her head back, leaning into the feel of his hands getting tangled in her hair as he held the back of her head.
She let her hands wander slowly down his arms as they kissed, let them get sandwiched in between his sides and his armpits and then she moved them down to his waist as their kisses grew more heated.
He lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing hungrily, the feeling of the coarse hairs of his goatee under her chin making her shiver.
She sighed softly, her breath a little shaky as he sucked her earlobe into his mouth and nibbled the side of her neck. "Tony…" she breathed, tilting her head back, exposing more of her throat.
"Like that?" he murmured before dipping his tongue into her pulse point, his warm breath causing goosebumps to appear on her sensitive flesh, wet from his delicious assault.
"Mmmhmm," she said, turning her body into him as she shivered again.
His hand continued to move through her hair, pulling it away from her neck as his kisses grew more intense.
"Don't- don't leave any marks on my skin," she whispered while she still had the sense to warn him.
"More rules? Mmmkay," he said, trailing kisses along her jaw.
She tightened the grip of one hand on his waist, slipped the other hand just below his shirt and scraped her nails lightly along his side before letting her finger tips explore his skin.
He made a soft sound of approval as he slid a finger into the neckline of her shirt, tugging it out of the way of his wandering mouth and she moved her hand over his stomach, feeling his muscles contract every time he moved.
She let her hands inch upwards as she continued to map his skin, warm and smooth over hard muscles. Her skill in observation taught her a few things even as she found it difficult to concentrate on anything else while they were kissing; his belly was ticklish, his abs were more toned than they appeared, his ribs were a possible erogenous zone.
She moved her hands higher, pausing when her fingertips touched the bottom edge of his arc reactor.
"I know. Total buzz kill, right?" He said, pulling his face away from hers and placing his hand over hers.
His eyes were wide and vulnerable when she looked into them, framed by long, thick lashes that were slightly moist, his pupils still a little dilated from the steamy makeout session.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, it's not a buzz kill."
She lowered her hand to grip the hem of his shirt and tugged it up, keeping her eyes on his face for any sign that he was uncomfortable with her touching the device. He made no move to stop her, he even reached to help her and she realized that he was more self conscious about it than uncomfortable.
He leaned forward as they pulled his shirt off together, pressing his body against hers and placing his hands at her back, holding her in his strong arms as he slowly lowered her into the blanket.
She looked up at him, moved her hands over his body, gently caressing his chest while he got her on her back.
"Good?" He murmured, those big brown eyes holding her gaze.
She nodded. "Good," she whispered.
He moved his head to blow out the candles immediately surrounding them on the way down, leaving only the ones against the far wall to flicker as he positioned himself on top of her, once again pressing his lips hungrily against hers.
She bent her knees, holding his torso between her legs and wrapping her arms tight around him as they kissed.
She tried to recall a time when she let a man climb over her, but her memory returned nothing. She'd never had a man's body, at least not a live one, on top of hers before, but this… this felt good. His weight pressed against her felt good and she felt warm and secure in his strong arms and for now she was content to let him take the lead while they continued their heated kissing.
She was distracted from her thoughts when she felt his hand slide under her clothes, felt his palm move over her stomach and his fingers brush against her scar. She froze for a moment, her body tensing and her breath catching.
"It's okay," he whispered, pressing a soothing kiss to her temple as his fingers caressed the raised bits of scarred flesh.
Her stomach quivered as she realized that felt good too.
"So, who's a better kisser?" He murmured, his lips claiming hers. "Me, or the other me?"
"Definitely you," she whispered back as his tongue darted into her mouth.