~Chapter One~

~Anna's P. O. V~

I frowned at the large, flashy tower that oozed arrogant attitude and technology that was every tech lovers were dream. My big job opportunity was here? At Stark Tower?

I shook my head to dislodge the questions and entered the building. It was a job, I was out of work, so I would do it. Bills wouldn't pay themselves, you know? Didn't mean I wasn't a little wary. I knew what could happen with a John if he got the wrong ideas in his head.

I jumped when a metallic voice spoke from around me, seemingly coming from nowhere. "Sir is waiting for you on the forty first floor, Miss Shepard. Please take the elevator five feet in front of you and to your left."

"How do you know my name? Who are you?" I demanded, glancing around, half expecting Mr. Stark to pop out of some hidden door and yell.

"I am JARVIS, miss." The voice replied.

Uh huh, I just bet that's your name. I thought, not amused at all and walking toward the elevator. The sooner I get the job done, the sooner I get out of here.

I wasn't the only person there. I was well aware of the curious stare coming from the tall man behind me on the elevator. He was handsome, brown hair just a little past his chin, devilish good looks and grey blue eyes. He wore a pair of faded jeans and a brown hoodie. I raised my eyebrows when I saw the gloves, it was a bit warm in the building, after all.

He glanced over me, not bothering to hide the curiosity.

I my lips raise in a smirk, I wore a trench coat to hide the costume underneath. Mr. Stark was clear about what he wanted and I coordinated to the last detail.

"Isn't the weather a bit cool to wear such a long, thin coat?" The stranger asked, his voice amused.

"Isn't it too warm in the building to wear gloves?" I shot back, giving him a sickly sweet smile.

"Alright, doll, you got me there." He replied, grinning at me.

"Doll? Really?" I asked, snorting and crossing my arms over my chest.

I froze, forcing my body to remain still and to keep my face from showing my feelings. My words. Holy shit! Those were my words.

The stranger had also gone very quiet and imitated a statue, he was so still.

The elevator dinged and I ran once the doors opened, leaving the man behind. I sighed in relief when the doors closed and he hadn't followed me.

My mind was spinning. I had heard him say those words, the same words I had circling my left calf. I'd heard the stories, knew the person-or people-who say your words are supposed to be your soul mate. Had I met the first in my set?

I shook my head. No, it could have been a simple misunderstanding. More than one person could call a female doll, so it might have been a false alarm.

Yeah. I'll go with that theory.

I took deep breaths and entered myself, pushing open the double doors and walked in.

It was a living room, or furnished like one. A large living room. The latest in everything was there: furniture, electronics, technology period, decorative wall hangings and rugs.

A man who looked to be mid to late thirties, possibly forty, was sitting in a large leather arm chair. He was wearing an Iron Man shirt and pants that were too tight, a glass of Amber liquid in his hands. So, this was Tony Stark.

"Mr. Stark." I greeted, stopping two feet from the man. Even from here, I smelled things that belonged in a mechanics shop and alcohol.

"Ah, Miss. Shepard!" He bounded up and began walking gesturing for me to follow him. "Come on, come on. The fun is this way."

He led me to an elevator on the other side of the room, this one quite different. For one, it was very. . . Iron Man. The metallic and flesh faces plastered on the walls. "Okay, we are going to the lucky gentleman's private abode."

"Let me get this straight, you're paying me, for someone else?" I questioned, incredulous. Usually the men who buy my services want me for themselves.

"You're to dance for a friend of mine." He answered, sipping casually on his drink.

Friend? Yeah, okay.

"Lets get one thing clear, it's double for two. I also have some rules. One, no sex or sexual favors. Two, no touching. Three, no names. I am only to be referred to as Raven. Do not give my information out to anyone."

"Can do."

We spent the rest of the elevator ride in silence. When we arrived at the floor I was meant to entertain his friend on, Stark opened the door.

"You make yourself comfortable and I'll go fetch him." He grinned shutting the door behind me. The flat was modest, the bare minimum furnishings and requirements were there. Nothing else.

I settled on the battered tan couch and crossed my legs while I waited.

I let myself slip into the persona of Raven. I popped the disc in the stereo system in the left side of the television and rehearsed the dance I had in mind. A sexy, provocative little number that provided the most income at my previous work place.

The door opened and a five foot seven man entered. He had salt and pepper hair, glasses and kind brown eyes. He looked like the shy and lonely type.

He blinked in surprise when he spotted me.

I smiled, shed the trench coat and pushed play on the stereo. I smirked when the brown eyes widened at my very innapropitely short naughty school girl costume.

I took advantage of his surprise to push him onto the couch and begin, swaying my hips to the beat of the music.

I played with the front of my white, near see through school shirt, popping a button.

"Stop, please." He stuttered, pushing up from the couch. "Miss, uh, I think you should go."

I raised my eye brows, this was a first.

He grabbed my coat and handed it to me. "You're a lovely young lady, it was nice meeting you, now you should get dressed in appropriate clothing."

Okay. . . I officially felt like I was standing in the presence of a younger version of my grandfather. He was the only one who talked like that to me. I shuddered at the thought and shrugged into my coat.

"Could I have my CD?" I asked, pointing to the stereo.

"Your-wait. How did you get in here?" The young-old man inquired, frowning at me.

I placed the disc in its case and slid it into the large front pocket. "Mr. Stark let me in, I was under the impression that I was to entertain his friend as a sort of celebration."

He blushed, fair skin turning a cute shade of red. "Yes. Well."

"Goodbye," I offered, letting him off the hook. The poor thing was flustered enough as it was.

"Yes. Goodbye." He called.

I entered the elevator and pressed the button for the forty first floor. Mr. Stark had stretched things a bit. He would still pay me the full amount promised for my services, it wasn't my concern if the surprised John didn't want the dance.

I happened to spot the envelope when I glanced down to be sure my shoes were still tied securely.

I bent down to pick it up and checked the amount. Well, I'll be, he threw in a bonus.

I smiled, pressing the button for the lobby.

I could sleep easy tonight, the bills would be paid on time and an advance on the loan payment could be made. I was perfectly content.

Then I remembered the stranger from the previous elevator. The one who said my words.

Ah, shit. . .