For once in his life, Tony planned the return to LA without Pepper's help, though Jarvis had helped him nonetheless. He realized how much of a difference was now, when he didn't have a PA to help schedule him things. He'd appreciated Natashalie's help in the beginning, but that was when she was still someone with a decent reputation – not a triple agent or something. Not that Tony minded that, of course, but over the years, he'd learned whom to trust and whom to ignore, and he'd learned that the hard way; with Obadiah having played the dotting father figure for almost twenty years, then suddenly deciding to have him murdered by a group of terrorists, Tony really didn't have much of a choice.
He'd learned that the only person whom he could genuinely put his life on the line for, was Pepper. And that she'd do the same for him. He hadn't known that Pepper's father had died when she was only thirteen and he found that out by accident one day, when he'd jokingly asked her if he could meet her parents.
It was getting dark outside and planes kept on taking off and landing in the distance, but that didn't seem to matter that much to Tony, who was checking his watch every minute, wondering if Pepper got stuck in traffic. It wouldn't be the first time that happened, Tony reasoned, so there was really no need to worry. Something clicked then and Tony realized that that's how people in love felt like. They worried about things and got all fidgety whenever their significant other was not in their presence. Frankly, that terrified him. He wasn't good at this. He couldn't play the worrying boyfriend, because that was Pepper's role. She was going to be playing the worrying, yet proud girlfriend from now on.
That thought brought him to another realization. Tony looked at his watch again and sighed impatiently, crossing his arms over his chest. He came to the conclusion that he hadn't once asked Pepper how she felt about what they had done, about kissing and cuddling and gah! Why did he have to use cheesy words? Why?
What seemed like an eternity later, the Rolls Royce came into his view and Tony sighed happily. When the car stopped next to the jet, he strode over to Pepper's side and opened the door for her, grinning wildly when she stepped out of the car, wearing that secret smile that had always captivated him.
"You're late." Tony pointed out and gave Happy a look.
Pepper suppressed a heavy shudder when Tony wrapped his arm around her shoulders in front of their chauffeur, effectively sending him a non-verbal message that stated that she was taken. She turned her head towards him and closed her eyes for a few seconds when his scent invaded her nostrils, making her knees buckle slightly.
"We're not late. You're early." She replied and lightly touched his arc reactor through his shirt. "Surprisingly, I might add."
Happy watched them quietly and tapped the roof of the car with his fingers, heart breaking at the sight of his idiotic ex-boss now holding Pepper close to him. He was fully aware that something was going on between them and he didn't like it. Happy was pretty certain he loved his boss. Virginia Potts was a beautiful, fully-competent woman and she clearly deserved better. The chauffeur looked at them and sighed deeply before pulling out Pepper's luggage from the trunk and loading them into the jet.
"Am I not allowed to be early for once in my life, Miss Potts?" Tony murmured and felt her hand sneak down to his before some warm fingers interlaced with his. His eyes fluttered quickly for a few moments, heat rising in his cheeks.
"I think it was nice of you to take care of things." She retorted and tugged him towards the steps of the jet. Tony let his thumb stroke her knuckles softly and felt her entire frame shake. It amazed him how much he could affect her by just touching her.
"Anything for you, Miss Potts." He whispered and remained silent as they rode the steps into the jet. Once the door was closed behind them, Pepper excused herself and entered the bathroom to freshen up a little bit.
Tony exhaled softly and took a seat, relaxing slightly. He licked his lips and felt a light shiver run down his spine in anticipation. He was going to ask her on a date in a few minutes and he had all the reasons in the world to be nervous about it. Hell, he could use a shot of something, tequila maybe, but he reasoned she wouldn't agree with that, so he began tapping his foot against the floor repeatedly.
"Why are you burning holes into the floor, Mr. Stark?" Pepper asked playfully once she exited the bathroom, looking more relaxed than ever.
"Huh?" Tony hummed and looked at her, eyes slightly big. "'S nothing. I was just thinking…"
"About what?" Pepper teased him with a smile and approached him. She watched as his pupils dilated and felt him snatch her down into his lap.
"Tony!" She shrieked and wrapped her arms around his neck in order not to fall on the floor.
"About how lucky I am to have you." He confessed breathlessly as his hands massaged her hips. Pepper shivered and closed her eyes, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by his whole being. She felt him breathing down her neck and she made an effort not to jump out of his arms.
"Miss Potts?" He inquired gently and looked up at her flustered face, hand cupping her cheek.
Pepper opened her eyes and stared down at him, hands sliding into his hair. She played with his soft hair and leaned her forehead against his, heart hammering wildly in her chest.
"Will you go out with me, on, like a date or something—" Tony stammered nervously, hands pulling her closer to him.
The redhead closed her eyes and nuzzled her cheek against his, entranced by his behavior.
"I mean, if that's what you want, because if you don't, that's fine, too, but you know, you're my everything and all and I would want you to want this too."
Pepper bit the inside of her cheek from laughing and covered his lips with hers in a soft kiss, trembling from head to toe when he opened his mouth and licked her lips, turning up the temperature in the jet a few degrees more.
"Please." He whispered against her lips, feeling dizzy and breathless at the same time.
"Please what?" She teased him with a giggle, tugging on his hair lightly as his goatee brushed down her long neck.
"Be mine." She heard him rasp against her skin. In that moment, her insides turned to squish.
Pepper stroked his head and pulled him to her chest, pressing a kiss to his hair.
"I'm yours." She breathed out and felt him smile widely against her collarbone, before squeezing her tightly against him.
"Mmm, good." Tony hummed and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the base of her neck, tongue darting out to taste her skin. He heard her gasp in surprise and he proceeded to make his way up to her lips by kissing her neck slowly, breathing heavily. When he reached her lips he opened his eyes and stared into hers for a moment before slowly kissing her jaw, cheeks and temple, savoring the taste of her sweet skin.
"Tony, please stop." She begged him in a breathless voice, fingers tugging on his hair.
He pulled away quickly in confusion and stared at her.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm afraid we'll both have trouble with control if we keep this up." She explained, pupils dilated.
Tony cleared his throat and looked out the window for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Okay." He agreed gently, much to her surprise. He let her slide off his lap and into her seat, crossing his legs casually before tugging on his collar slightly, feeling beads of sweat starting to fall down his temples.
This was going to be harder than he'd expected. He tried to take slow breaths, in order to stop himself from snatching her again and drag her to the bedroom where he'd love her so hard. The sweet taste of her skin lay on his lips, reminding him with every passing second of how much he wanted her. He watched as she pulled out her BlackBerry and began tapping away, completely oblivious to his inner-struggle.
Five minutes later, the pilot walked into the room and asked if they were ready to take off. Nodding his head in approval, Tony relaxed against his seat, brushing away the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand.
This flight was going to prove if he could restrain himself or not…
A/N: Thanks guys for all your reviews! They were very much appreciated. How about you leave some more? :D