Collins drifted along the edges of the party, a bottle of water in hand as she watched the proceedings with sharp eyes. She didn't like to drink at these functions - businessmen would take any advantage they could, whether it be for money or personal reasons.
It wasn't hiding, just… being smart.
Besides, she wasn't avoiding everyone.
Collins had danced with both Thor and Steve not long ago, the blonds both showering her with praises on the party and her appearance.
A touch of anxiety had eased from her shoulders under their admiration. A little more when she managed to dance with them with no mishaps or trips.
The night had gone to plan quite unexpectedly for a Stark Party.
There was still time for some wild stunt on Mister Stark's behalf.
Collins hoped she was home and in bed by the time that happened.
Two hours of uneventful mingling was enough to count as a sucess in her opinion.
A hand slipped around her waist, startling her, and Collins turned to berate the person attatched with a barb ready on her tongue.
It fell short when Cooper grinned down at her, his eyes dancing with amusement.
His blue eyes.
"Are you wearing contacts?" Collins gaped. "Oh my God, you cut your hair!"
Gone were the long dark curls that fell past his shoulders. Cooper now wore his hair short, shorn nearly to the root on the back and sides and a touch longer on the top, the curls carefully tamed into order.
And more than that, his hair was brown, a dark auburn that could still pass as black in the shadows, but still reflected warm tones in the low lighting.
Cooper chuckled at her gobsmacked expression.
"It's not the first time I've had such short hair, though it has been a while." He rubbed a hand against the short hairs on the back of his neck.
"It's so different." Collins breathed, raising a hand to touch his cheek. Her eyes widened further at the feel of stubble beneath her fingers. "And you haven't shaved. You hardly look like yourself."
Cooper smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. His hold on her loosened. "That was the idea. Do you dislike it?"
Collins pulled at the lapel of his tuxedo jacket, bringing him even closer, and ran her gaze over him unashamedly.
She was used to the suits, but there was just something different about a bowtie and a tux.
"I said different, not bad." She ran a hand down his chest, feeling oddly emboldened. "It suits you. And I like this five o'clock shadow thing you've got going here - very rakish."
Cooper's eyes darkened with interest.
"I'm glad you like it," he purred. "And may I say that - while you look beautiful everyday - you look positively divine tonight."
Collins giggled and pulled back to do a little twirl, her dress twinkling in the low light.
It was a kind of dress Collins rarely indulged in, but both Cooper and Natasha had claimed she could pull it off when she'd showed a picture of it to them before buying.
The dress was long, just barely skimming the floor, and hugged her body enough that it didn't matter that all of her curves remained covered. The silhouette was more than enough. The collar was rounded and the fabric was a pale cream with a gauzy top layer, embroidered in shiny silver, that flowed from the hem to the ends of her long sleeves.
The only adornment she wore with the dress was a pair of silver and sapphire earrings that peeked out from her waves of loosely curled hair. The studs were a family heirloom that traveled with Collins from Alabama to New York - her great-grandmother's wedding earrings.
It was beginning to look like Collins was as lucky in love as that little old lady had been.
Cooper was a catch, as her mama would say.
Collins beamed at him and swung the skirt around.
"Isn't it lovely? Thank you for helping me pick it out."
"You're quite welcome. One who put so much effort into this party deserves to shine as you do." Cooper glanced over at the happy people milling around. "You've outdone yourself, darling - in every way."
Collins smiled at the high praise, her cheeks pinkening, and slipped her hand into the crook of Cooper's elbow when he offered her his arm.
"C'mon," she gave him a little tug towards the dance floor. "I'll show you around."
Cooper listened to Collins patiently as she pointed out the party details she'd had a hand in, from the choice of intimate lighting to the little party favors that contained Stark Tech everyone was dying to try out. She even told him the story of how she came close to fist fighting a caterer in the parking lot.
That got a laugh from him, the sound turning more than one pretty head in their direction.
Cooper was an instant hit among the partygoers. He easily charmed anyone Collins took the time to introduce him to, especially the ladies from the executive offices Collins had lunch with on occasion.
She'd had to hide more than one smile when they went googly-eyed over Cooper's charm and handsome visage.
Still, there was a touch of something inorganic in the way he spoke to them. He smiled and cracked a joke or two, but those eye-crinkling smiles he kept reserved solely for Collins.
She couldn't lie and say it didn't make her feel special.
A familiar face in the crowd caught her eye and she urged Cooper to pause for a moment.
"Did you sneak out of the penthouse again?" Her brow furrowed.
"No need to sneak when all of the other occupants have also left for a party." Cooper shrugged nonchalantly.
Collins pressed her lips together to hide a smile. "So Mister Stark thinks your spending the night in, right?"
"Perhaps. I don't spend my time speculating on that man's beliefs. Why do you ask?"
"Because he and Pepper are headed this way." She glanced back at the tall strawberry blonde that was moving closer and closer with every passing moment. "Beliefs aside, we should scatter."
Cooper's eyes also darted towards Pepper, his height giving him the advantage to see Mister Stark through the crowd as well, and he twirled Collins around and onto the dance floor.
"Excellent idea, darling. Our night won't be cut short so prematurely if we can help it."
Collins giggled as he pulled her close and the fell into step with the other dancing couples.
"That's why, darling
It's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too."
She could hardly see Pepper or Mister Stark through the sea of bodies.
"One might think that sneaking out is a habit of yours." She quirked a playful eyebrow at him and was pleased when Cooper laughed quietly.
"Me? Never. I am the pinnacle of good behavior." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I always follow the rules."
"Then allow me to corrupt you, Mister Gentleman." Collins pulled him away from the dance floor as the song came to an end, guiding him to a corner mostly hidden from the crowd by stage equipment.
The DJ cast them a curious look as they passed, but kept to himself.
Collins made a mental note to hire him again for the next party.
"It seems that being one of the hostesses has its advantages." Cooper observed as he leaned against the wall. He pulled Collins close again like touching her was as important as breathing.
Collins hoped it was true.
"One or two." she agreed easily, slipping her arms around his waist. "Another is being familiar with the guest list. Between all of the executives out there with their mistresses, there should be enough ensuing drama to keep anyone from wondering where I've gone. Besides, Pepper is the face of the company - they'll be more interested in smoozing her for a deal than me."
She silently sent Pepper an apology for leaving her to the corporate wolves.
"Surely someone will be missing such a beautiful lady?" Cooper pulled her closer, urging her flush against him. "You didn't promise all of your dances away to some handsome stranger?"
Collins' lashes lowered, her gaze dropping to Cooper's mouth.
She decided to throw caution to the wind.
"The only handsome stranger I want to dance with is hiding here in the corner with me."
A slow smile stretched across Cooper's face, his eyes glinting with interest, and Collins lifted her hands to his collar.
He bent willingly to her whims, sighing against her mouth as she finally pulled him in for a kiss.
He tasted of wine and dark chocolate, of mischief and poetry on the tip of her tongue. Her pulse raced as his hand slipped to the back of her neck, urging her to shift for better access, his other hand like a fiery brand against her hip.
Collins whimpered against his mouth, melting against the hard line of his body.
"Collins…" Cooper tore his mouth from hers, breathing heavily, and his hand slid up her neck to cup her cheek.
She whined at the loss, pressing her lips to the sharp line of his jaw that had always enticed her.
He turned his head, catching her lips in another passionate kiss.
Collins trembled at the intensity, Cooper's arm around her waist the only thing keeping her on her feet.
There was a clatter of heels against hardwood behind her and a nervous giggle pulled Collins from her daze like a shock of ice water.
"Oops! Sorry - didn't mean to interrupt!"
Collins turned in alarm to find Steve gaping at them, his arm wrapped around the speaker, a woman even shorter than Collins with piles of black curls that stuck out in every direction and thick, coke-bottle glasses. She couldn't seem to meet anyone's eyes and tried to hide behind Steve's arm.
"Well, this is certainly a surprise." Cooper huffed.