A/N: This is the second chapter I'm posting today. You might have missed my other update. Check out the previous chapter, but beware, it's rated M.
After Tony ended the call with Natasha, he enthusiastically made his way back into the kitchen, only to find that Pepper wasn't there anymore. Furrowing his brows in confusion, Tony heard the water running in the bathroom. He tapped the door gently with his knuckles and peered in.
"Can I come in?" He licked his lips and impatiently waited for her answer.
"I could use a good scrubbing!" Pepper yelled from under the shower and stepped back a little, to make room for Tony, who wasted no time before wrapping his arms around her. She shuddered heavily and looked up at him from under her eye-lashes.
"Mmm, hi." He murmured affectionately and pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss, water running down his back. Pepper slid her hands up his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. "I know you're tired, but I kind of have plans for tonight."
Pepper raised her eyebrows at him and felt him nuzzle her neck. She smiled like a fool in love and stroked his wet hair.
"We're leaving the city for the weekend. I talked to your assistant and cleared your schedule, and before you yell at me, just think about it! Just you and me, France, wine and cheese. You owe me one because you turned down Venice."
Pepper didn't know how to respond because he'd taken her by surprise. She pulled his head away from her neck gently and brushed her fingertips over his cheeks. To be honest, the proposal sounded rather nice. She was tempted to give in and let herself relax for 48 hours. She figured she deserved a little break once in a while, even if the Paris event was still on roll until that Sunday.
"Just you and me, huh?" She teased him with a small smirk, feeling his arms tighten around her.
"Yes." He breathed out against her lips, eyes unfocused, mind still replaying their earlier lovemaking session. "Just you and me."
"Okay." Pepper answered simply and turned away from him, grabbing the shampoo in order to clean him up. "Come here."
They spent the next half hour huddled close in the shower, taking turns washing each other's bodies before getting ready for leaving. Tony grabbed his bag and waited for Pepper at the door, wearing jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt. He looked absolutely amazing in it and Pepper had a hard time not staring at his body when she emerged from the bedroom, wearing a summer floral dress. When Tony saw her, his lips turned upwards in a genuine smile, and he was certainly freaking out inside because his heart started fluttering rapidly. Dammit. Why does she have to be so gorgeous?
He reached out and grabbed her bag, smiling at her even wider. Pepper found him adorable, so she leaned up on her tip-toes and gave him a peck, giggling at the look on his face when she pulled away.
"Stop making me want you." Tony sighed happily and reached down for her hand, heart beating faster and faster. Holding hands isn't supposed to be awkward, nor that difficult, so he bit his lower lip and linked his fingers through hers, pulling her out into the lobby with him.
When they reached the street, Pepper was delighted to feel the soft wind blow in her face. The weather was surprisingly warm and that made her feel giddy for their trip, wherever he planned on taking her. As Tony pulled the Audi on the highway, Pepper relaxed in her seat and glanced at the stars on the sky. She'd almost forgotten about their fight and she was grateful that he'd made an effort to mend things up between them. She had to admit that the thought of getting away from the stress of the city appealed to her. She was certain that once they arrived their destination, Tony wouldn't let her out of the bed, but she wasn't exactly against that idea, especially after their sexcapade earlier that day.
"Having dirty thoughts about me, Potts?" Tony murmured softly and reached out to take her hand in his, squeezing her fingers delicately, feeling butterflies run through his stomach at the intimate touch.
Pepper chuckled and turned her attention towards him and linked their fingers together, enjoying the feel of his calloused skin against hers.
"Yes." She decided to go for the truth. He would have figured out that she was lying anyway, so there was no point in hiding it.
Tony's breath hitched in his throat and he sped up the car a little. Pepper noticed that and she kissed the back of his hand before releasing it.
"We should do this more often." He stated and held his eyes on the road in front of him. "I know you're busy and that I'm responsible for that. But as I previously mentioned, you're the most qualified person I've ever met and you're doing a great job with the company. I'm sure my parents would have loved you."
It was Pepper's turn to stop breathing at his sudden emotion display and she nodded almost imperceptibly, heart thudding against her ribcage.
"I mean… You're the best for me." He acknowledged quietly. "And I know I don't deserve you, but this is important to me. It really is. I know it might look like I don't give a shit sometimes, but I do. I always care when it comes to you, Pep."
Pepper blinked quickly, eyes downcast. A few stubborn tears slid down her cheeks and she looked away, feeling overwhelmed. She couldn't believe that from all the places in the world they could've had this discussion, he chose to tell her how he felt in a car.
"So… next time you have doubts about me, think back on what I said." He cleared his throat quickly, feeling it start to close off due to the wave of emotions that hit him. "I just want this to work."
"Me too." Came Pepper's whispered reply and she placed her hand on the back of his head, massaging him lightly. "I just want to be with you."
Tony looked at her and swallowed hard, pressing a kiss to her arm. He sped off towards the vineyard he'd chose as a destination and tried to hold back those three words he was dying to let her know.
A/N 2: Well, ta-daaaa! Review, please! They keep me motivated to write faster.