#17 Rough

What matters

Pepper arrived at the mansion at 7:30 the next morning. Tony was sitting on the couch waiting for her.

"Morning Pepper." He grumbled as she walked past him.

"Good morning Tony." She had to look twice at Tony's rigid body on the couch, staring into nothingness.

"Is everything alright Tony?" She called making her way to the kitchen. "I'm going to make you some coffee." Hopefully that will wake him up a little. She thought to herself.

"No Pepper, everything is not alright." He said flatly as she placed the mug on the table in front of him. She waited for him to continue. He didn't.

"Well, if you're not going to elaborate…..I have work to do." She turned to leave.

"Did you mean it?"

Pepper stopped dead in her tracks.

"Mean what Tony." She knew exactly where he was going with this and was not ready to discuss it with him, not yet anyway.

"You know very well what Pepper."

"I don't have time for this Tony." Attempting to leave again. Tony grabbed her wrist, turning her back to face him.

"I need to know Pepper, did you or not?" She had never seen such fierceness in his eyes.

"At the moment I did yes." She sighed.

"And now?" His voice was quiet and rough, his breath smelling of scotch.

"It doesn't matter Tony."

They stood there in silence, staring each other down, both of them clearly upset but neither of them about to cave in.

"I'm going back to bed." Tony grumbled breaking their silence and pushing past her.

"Tony! You have a meeting at 10:30 and I really need….."

"CANCEL IT!" He shouted slamming the door shut.

Twenty minutes had barley passed when Pepper heard him stomping down the staircase.

"Yes Mr. Stark?" She set her laptop aside as he stopped directly in front of her.

"Maybe it doesn't matter to you Pepper, but it means a hell of a lot to me!" He spat out at her.

"Well it shouldn't." She deadpanned.

"And why not." He lowered his body down over hers, placing his arms on either side of her, pinning her onto the couch.

"BECAUSE TONY, IT WONT WORK!" She snapped.

"WHAT IF I WANT IT TO WORK?" He matched her tone.

"You think that now, but what happens when someone else who catches your eye comes walking along? Hmm? Then what Tony? I go back to tossing out your one night stands? I go back…"

Tony forcefully shut her up pressing his lips to hers. Her body went rigid, but he didn't stop. Pepper didn't hold out for long, she couldn't, she had wanted this as much as he did. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting one of her hands get lost in his dark messy curls. They fit together perfectly, and even if it had started out rough and needy, they had no problem melting into each other.

She opened her mouth to him, allowing him to deepen their kiss. Pepper moaned softly when he pressed his body closer to hers, pushing her further into the couch. Both were left breathless and panting.

"Tony….."She breathed.

"Oh god Pepper, you have no idea how long I've wanted this, how long I have waited for this."

"Tony…I don't know if I can. I don't know if we should."

"Why?" He leaned in trailing kisses down her neck line. "Give me a reason Pep."

"Its just…..I'm scared Tony."

"I'm scared to Pepper. I know I have a lousy track record and I can't change that." He pulled back and cupped her face. "But I promise to do my best, I'll be good to you. I'm far from perfect but I'm really trying to better myself for you. Please Pepper, I want this. So much." HE leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Alright." She whispered against him.

"What? Really!" He pulled back to see the smile on her face.

"Yes Tony really…and for the record I mean it now as much as I did then.

"Me too Pepper." He whispered before collapsing on top of her.

Thanks so much for reading! Now its time to show me the love!

-Shelly

By the way, my Holmes fic is up and quickly building. Go check it out!