Hello, my lovelies! :D

Loving the feedback, and loving that you're following along! It means the world!

This chapter's a bit smutty, fair warning, (oh, DARN, right? lol) but I've added a bit of a suspenseful twist as well! But don't worry! It's pleasure before business, so enjoy! *wink* :D

Happy Reading!

Pepper undressed as the deep, cast iron, clawfoot tub in the bathroom began to fill. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror, and winced at the bruise on her forehead. She leaned in to examine it, noticing the edges were yellowing. "Worse before it gets better," she murmured. She grimaced in dismay at its increasingly unattractive appearance before she turned her attention back to the filling bathtub. She checked the temperature once more with her hand, and smiled, anxious to slip into the water and soak for a while. Then she reached for a bottle of bubble bath she'd found under the sink and poured a generous amount under the tap, watching eagerly as bubbles instantly formed. She replaced the cap and put the bottle back in the cabinet. Then she finished getting undressed, folding her clothes neatly, and laying them on a stool that sat beside the tub.

Soon, the water was at an acceptable level for her to enter. So she shut off the tap, then gingerly stepped over the side, and lowered herself in. An instant smile of relief spread over her lips, and she exhaled heavily, mentally thanking Tony for suggesting she do this. But the smile stayed across her lips as thoughts of him lingered and she settled into the steaming, sudsy water, draping her long hair over the end of the tub and leaning against its tall back. "Mmmmm," she hummed softly to herself, closing her eyes. She was stilled amazed at how attentive he'd been, never dreaming he'd ever possessed the ability to be concerned for anyone else's needs but his own. Not in this capacity, anyway. Sure, he'd displayed compassion in little glimpses in the past, but it was usually done in response to some kind of personal guilt for his bad behavior and a subsequent feeling of obligation to right whatever wrong he'd committed in order to save some face.

But in this case, there wasn't a perceptible angle. He'd made it clear he wasn't doing it to charm her into bed, or even for her to confess her feelings for him in return for him confessing his. On the contrary, he was being very patient with her, and her reservations. So, if there was some kind of ulterior motive on his part, her guess as to what it was was as good as anyone's. Am I just being overly cautious?, she thought to herself. She couldn't deny how wonderful it had been with him since they'd got there. He'd been a perfect gentleman, completely sweet and concerned for her well-being at every turn. From that standpoint, she reasoned, what was there not to love? And there's that word again, Pepper thought. Love.

Still, this was Tony she was talking about. Impetuous, oblivious, defiant, and, most of the time, maddeningly selfish Tony. And a few magical days alone with him wasn't going to undo any of the past. So who could blame her hesitation? Besides, the last time she allowed herself to be in a committed relationship proved to be a major mistake, and left her with a lot of emotional scars. Frankly, she was in no shape to endure that kind of pain again, let alone risking losing her heart to someone like Tony Stark.

But, at the same time, she couldn't deny her true feelings. And they MUST be true. Otherwise, why would I have stuck around for this long?, she told herself, chewing her lip in thought. Same old dilemma, different day.

Those said feelings started off as what she simply chalked up to being those of a crush. No one would argue Tony's charm or exotic good looks, so she dismissed the butterflies she felt as just being part of the spell he seemed to be so effortlessly able to put everyone under. But the problem was those butterflies never left, even as time went on. In fact, they had only become stronger. Even after seeing him at his worst so many times, she still cared for him. Deeply. So, to combat her urges, she learned to up her guard, and to rebut his flirty advances like a pro. As he volleyed them, she batted them away. And back and forth it had gone, for years. That was the game they played. That is, until now.

Being in this place, alone with him, and away from any of the world's distractions had brought all of those feelings and urges right to the glaring forefront. And she was becoming less and less able to resist them, especially since he'd displayed such caring and compassion toward her, and had been so open about his own feelings. She just couldn't help it. Plus, being in his arms felt spectacular. She felt safe there. Protected. And last night was probably the best sleep I've had in ages, she realized. Not to mention the way his kiss made her feel. Like sparks could shoot out of her toes, and from out of the top of her head at any moment. It took her breath away. Each and every time. Nobody's ever made me feel quite like that before, she admitted.

It wasn't a secret that women had always had a certain perception of him, thinking he was just overtly sexually aggressive. But the truth was, he was actually quite sensual in his methods. He knew when to be direct, yes, but that was just his way of being playful. Like with the smack on the behind, for instance, Pepper thought, smiling. It had surprised her, but it had also racheted up her desire in a split second as a result- the exact response she was sure Tony had been going for. And if he hadn't have been paying attention, and been in tune with her responses to what they were doing, it would have been very inappropriate. But that seemingly spontaneous decision was actually a well calculated risk on his part, she realized, as it had only made her want him more, even though her mind had screamed at her to slow the moment down to protect herself. But, the more she thought about that decision to stop what they were doing at the time, the more she found she regretted it.

What if I HAD let the situation progress?, she asked herself. Her body prickled with intensified arousal at the thought, as she decided to let her mind drift into the fantasy...

She could feel his hands gripping her behind as their tongues would dance in and out of each other's mouths. Their kiss, just like before, would become voracious, and fevered, like they'd devour each other if given the chance. He'd bite her bottom lip playfully, and flick his tongue into her mouth as they'd continue to make out, and Pepper would moan and grind her hips against his in response. She found herself in his lap, straddling his hips as she had been previously, with him sitting in the chair at the table. His hands would begin to move up and down her body. He'd move his lips from her mouth to her neck, cupping it in his hand to bring her closer. She'd oblige, leaning farther into him, and closing her eyes, feeling his tongue flick against her throat where he'd place soft, wet kisses on her skin.

"Oh, Tony!" she'd moan breathlessly, her insides igniting.

"Oh, Pepper!" he'd moan back, his voice muffled as he worked. He'd nuzzle her neck, in the space just below her ear, and then raise up to nibble her earlobe before whispering in her ear. "Do you want me?" he'd ask.

"Mmmmm, yes. Yes, I want you," Pepper would moan in reply.

"Then let me make love to you, baby," he'd urge, in a low, gravelly murmur. Her favorite, as it was the same tone he'd used on many occasions before that had always turned her insides to jelly. He'd pull back to look at her, his eyes dark and dancing with obvious arousal.

Pepper's chest would heave breathlessly, as she'd gaze back at him, searching her heart for any lingering reason for hesitation. Not finding a single one, she'd slowly begin to nod. "Yes," she'd agree, all sense of caution immediately melting away as soon as she'd uttered the word.

Tony would growl in approval, and crash their lips back together, hungrily kissing her mouth for a moment before she'd feel him shift underneath her, and suddenly stand up with her in his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist, and him bracing her behind with one arm, so that her upper body was slightly higher than his, giving his lips direct access to her throat, on which he'd begin to leave even more playful, little nibbly kisses. Pepper would giggle, both in ticklishness and delight, and Tony would chuckle back, loving what it was doing to her.

They'd make it to the living room, and her eyes would be closed, enjoying his efforts, but she would pop them open when she felt Tony shift his weight again, bending down to his knees and a depositing her gently onto her back on the rug on the floor in front of the fireplace. He'd then position himself between her legs, leaning his weight onto one arm to be able to prop himself up over the top of her. He'd give her a smoldering smirk. Then she'd giggle, and bite her lip coyly in anticipation.

"Wait," Pepper murmured out loud, opening her eyes and frowning. Our first time would be on the hard floor?!, she thought, with a grimace. Then her lips curled with a sly smirk when she quickly devised a solution. "What the hell. It's my fantasy," she cooed, shrugging. She closed her eyes, and floated back into her imaginary world.

They'd pile together the bedding from the bedrooms and the quilt from the couch onto the floor, deciding they'd be MUCH more comfortable there than in one of those cold rooms. Then, they'd eagerly peel each other's clothes off, but not without continuing to make out all the while, before Tony would lower her onto the blankets, careful to ensure her comfort before they began.

"Foreplay. Can't forget foreplay. Surely, he'd remember that," Pepper whispered knowingly.

She imagined his fingers expertly working her center, bringing her to a brisk, head-spinning climax in no time, leaving her breathless and light-headed, and making her gain a whole new appreciation for the strength and dexterity of his hands. Next would come the use of his mouth, covering every inch of her body, tantalizing her senses once more, practically making her beg for him to taste her. And just when she'd think she couldn't take anymore, he'd engulf her sex with his lips and tongue, devouring every inch of her, making her instantly writhe with searing desire as she pleaded for him not to stop. She imagined he'd continue until she was completely spent, drawing every ounce of ecstasy from her she could muster. But he wouldn't stop there. No way. Because NEXT would be the main event, where she could only imagine that all of the rumors she'd heard about him as a lover would be called into reckoning. The stories about his stamina, his endurance, not to mention his...anatomy...would suddenly be there for her to witness in living color.

Their bare skin would glisten in the fire light as their bodies would move in tandem, Tony thrusting inside of her, completely filling her up again and again, his motions commanding and deliberate, building the orgasmic tension in her body once more with each pass. They'd grunt and groan with animal-like lust, moaning and murmuring to each other lurid phrases meant to tease each other's desire as they made love. She imagined his hands running up and down her body- gently squeezing her breasts, and toying with her nipples, then running down her spine to cup her behind.

Maybe I'd get another little smack on the rear, for good measure? Hmmmm,Tony?, she thought, with a, teasing, deviant smirk. By this time, Pepper's body was positively tingling with arousal, leaving her to realize she'd brought herself to a very precarious state. And if she didn't do something to...alleviate the situation...before ending her soak in the tub, she'd run the risk of not being able to contain herself the next time she and Tony were face to face. "And that won't do," she resolved. "We have to take this slow. Even if it's becoming difficult."

Pepper exhaled, her cheeks blushing, as she leaned back against the back of the tub again. It was embarrassing, if she was being honest, that she found herself in this old, familiar place. It had been quite a while since she'd found the need to give herself some relief as a result of fantasizing about her boss, and she admonished herself for letting it get so out of hand. She had become secretly proud of herself for being so adept at heading her arousal off at the pass when needed, before her thoughts of she and Tony together caused her imagination to run away with her. But, all of that aside, this wasn't going to end well if she forced herself to linger in this present state of sexual limbo. So with that, she surrendered, closed her eyes, and took her mind back to the thoughts of them completely, and passionately, intertwined. Once the image was brought vividly back to life, she slid her hand down her body to begin.

But it was at that moment when she heard the sound...

Pop!

Pop!

Her blood instantly froze, and her eyes suddenly flew open in alarm. "Oh my God! Gunshot!" she gasped. She clamored to raise herself up out of the tub, and reach for a bath towel. Snagging one from the rack, she hurriedly wrapped it around her body, and bolted for the bathroom door. She yanked it open, and ran down the hallway, scrambling to get to the front door. Fumbling with the handle in her panic, but finally jerking it open, her wide eyes scanned the distance for any sign that her worst suspicions wouldn't somehow be confirmed- that their nightmarish adversary, the mountain lion, had returned, and Tony was forced to fight for his life.

"Please, God! No! Please let him be okay!" she begged the heavens breathlessly, as hot tears welled in her eyes, and threatened to spill down her cheeks. But eons seemed to pass, and still, there was no sign of him.