Three
I had dressed in my grey Armani suit, with a black t-shirt on underneath. I wore my trademark sunglasses, even though it was ten at night. Hair all spiked up with gel. Had to make a good appearance for the press.
I had joked my way through the press conference, something Fury would yell at me for later. Probably something about keeping up images. Or paying the FCC a lot of money to overlook the amount of swearing.
I'm now sulking at the bar, thinking about Pepper again. She would have been here to support me and keep my mind off that horrid image of Spangles and Fury. Making sure I didn't act like an ass in front of this many people. Bruce had disappeared someplace, hopefully not as the other guy. Natasha was whispering something into Barton's ear.
What did she see in that guy? He sulked more than I do. He looked like he was sulking tonight too. He was clearly not enjoying himself. Cap still looked like he was trying to get into Fury's pants, so that image remained in my head. And Thor had his little fan club gathered around him, touching him, petting him, praising him, oohing and awing over him. Where did my fan club go? I used to have women fawning over me all the time. I loved women fawning over, touching me. It would it at least distract me from my thoughts about Pepper. Tonight, they're all over Thor.
I poured myself another drink. At this rate, I won't remember much of what happens tonight.
"Whiskey on the rocks." Came a voice from just behind me. A soft feminine voice.
"Such a strong drink for such a pretty voice." I murmured. I didn't think she heard.
"And a pretty face to go with it." She returned, rubbing a hand along my slumped shoulders. "Is this seat taken?"
"Yes, no. I mean, please won't you join me?" I stumbled. At least she giggled at my mistake. "I'm…" I started.
"You're the great Tony Stark, savior of New York." She mused, rolling the tumbler of whiskey between her palms. It was my turn to laugh at her.
"No, I really didn't do that much, only save the world." I sipped my drink, "So, why whiskey?"
"What do you mean?"
"No fruity mixed drink?" I asked.
"Never been my style. What's got you so down?"
"Nothing now." I pulled my glasses down and finally got a good look at the woman sitting next to me. She had beautiful raven hair, high cheek bones, pouty lips and the most gorgeous green eyes: like two perfect emeralds. Her breasts pushed up and perky in the green cocktail dress she wore. Her alabaster skin smooth and flawless. "I never got your name," I wondered, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into my caress. She downed her glass of whiskey and signaled for another.
Thor had came up along side me, accidentally pushing me closer to this green eyed woman. I swayed slightly, tipsy from the vast amount of alcohol he had already drunk.
"Bar keep! Another!" He bellowed. "Man of Iron, why sit here and feel sorry for yourself? There will be other women. It is sad that Pepper left, but you must come join us."
"I'll be fine Thunder Pants. You go back to your little fan club. Have fun." I waved him away. He took his beer with him, shaking his head.
"Thunder Pants…" My green eyed beauty giggled. "I've never thought to call him that. This Pepper he spoke of, your spouse?"
"No," I sighed. "She was my girlfriend. She's gone now."
"I'm sorry for your loss." She apologized.
"No, she's not dead. She cheated on me with someone else." I sighed again.
"You loved her?"
"Yes, why aren't you over there fawning over Thor like every other woman in this place?"
"I don't like blondes." She simply put. She knocked back her glass and signaled for more. I shook my head. She's now two drinks to my one. I quickly finished mine and asked the bartender to leave the bottle.
"Are we playing who can get more smashed?" She pursed her lips.
"Speaking of pants." I pushed up my glasses and leaned on my elbow trying to hide from Nick Fury who was approaching with Steve close in tow.
"Pants?" She asked. I whispered my thoughts from earlier about Fury and Steve. She burst out laughing and I couldn't help but to laugh along. Maybe the joke was funnier than I thought. She placed her well manicured hand on my hand, petting the fine hairs on the back of it. Fury just shot me a glare before returning to the other side of the room.
She wiped away a tear and then pulled my glasses off, grazing her fingertips across my cheeks.
"Why hide such a handsome face? Did you want to be left to your thoughts of your lost love?"
I turned to my drink, swirling it around in the glass, before drinking it.
"She said she wanted some space. I don't know if it's over or not." I said, pouring myself another drink.
"Then give her some space, but that shouldn't stop you from having a good time." She flirted placing her hand on my inner thigh. She leaned in to kiss me, her lips just barely grazed mine. She stopped suddenly and pulled herself back in her seat. Thor had come up along side us and ordered another beer. She quickly removed her hand.
"See friend, you look like you're having a good time now. And with such a beautiful woman." Thor butted in. He was standing between us, a hand on each of our shoulders.
"Let's go someplace more private." She suggested, sneering at Thor in disgust. I grabbed her hand and the bottle of whiskey, pushed past the God of Thunder and led her to the elevator. She took the bottle from me and took a swig from the bottle. I don't know why, but I was so drawn to this.