This is going bad, Pepper thought as she watched Tony going onto the dance floor of the Marlon Club, situated in the farthest part of Los Angeles. Of course this was going bad. It was Tony’s idea, and just to make it worse, now he was approached by a crowd of good-looking ladies.
Rhodes wanted to come as well. It was fun seeing Tony like this after a long, long time. But also, it was confusing because Tony’s behavior till - let’s say, last month was okay.
“You know, I think I’m going outside. It’s a little too hot here.” Pepper admitted wryly.
“No. You are not.” James said, pointing at her.
“You are going to watch him doing this.”
Pepper turned to watch James turning a great shade of red. His eyes weren’t looking at her. He was looking towards the dance floor. And that meant that - Oh my God, Tony is doing something. ‘I am not going to watch that.’ She muttered to herself as she slapped James.
“What’s wrong with you woman?” He asked, rubbing his cheek.
“What is he doing?”
James’s fingers slowly directed Pepper’s face where Tony and the ladies were.
“Oh no.”
“Told you.”
Tony was having real fun onto the dance floor. He was performing a very provocative dance. He was stripping right there, and right now, in the front of those whores.
Pepper’s world stopped when she saw this. It shouldn’t be happening. Not now, when he confessed his love to her.
No.
She should’ve never believed him. And she should’ve never confessed her love to him.
But this was already done. And now, Tony was stripping in the front of her eyes. He threw his jacket over the very aroused ladies, who battled for a couple of seconds for it.
“Calm down, ladies.” Pepper heard him say.
“You shouldn’t be this excited… yet.”
Now Pepper was really having a hard time breathing. Rhodey noticed that and took her by the hand and lead her outside.
When they were safely outside, Pepper closed her eyes for a second and looked at him.
“You’ve seen him doing this, it’s not such a big deal.”
“Sure it is. He didn’t do this since… well Afghanistan.”
“Don’t you think it’s quite the time for him to get back on his tracks?”
“No.”
Her negation came as a whisper.
“Why?” Rhodey asked curiously.
“He’s changed.”
“Okay, that is true. But I saw in him so much determination before he closed the door of the plane.”
The air suddenly changes and Pepper notices that. James took her in his arms and she cried like it was the best thing after all that happened lately.
This was getting very ugly by every second. Firstly, a blonde flirted with Tony all the evening and now - now, she took him by the arm and led him outside. Pepper hissed in frustration as James passed her, his scotch even if she didn’t like it.
It reminded her of Tony.
After a couple of minutes Pepper decided that it was time to get home, finally. James told her he was staying with one of his colleagues from the Air Force.
When she left the club she noticed something strange. Tony’s Audi R8 was standing in the same place he left it. So, that means that they’re just talking or - or… she doesn’t want to think about it.
Pepper walked towards her car and suddenly heard someone fighting.
“I’m not going to have sex with you.” Tony’s voice snapped from behind one of the trees.
Somehow those words managed Pepper to calm down, even for a second. The thought of him, having sex with a random bimbo.
When Tony saw her, his eyes widened.
“Mmmm… Pepper?”
She turned to face him.
“Yes?”
“What are you doing here?” He asked.
“I’m trying to find the keys for my car. I’m going home.”
He looked her in the eyes and took her by the hand.
“No you’re not.”
“Tony!” She heard the blonde call him.
“I need you to fuck me.” The blonde whimpered under her breath.
Tony turned Pepper to him.
“I’m not… I won’t. Know what?” He turned to that blonde.
When she saw Pepper standing in Tony’s arms, her face fell.
“I’m not what I used to be anymore. Go away. “
The blonde just nodded and went inside the club.
“Let me go.” Pepper said in a low tone, looking at his arms around her waist.
“Fine.”
He looked more than disappointed as he walked towards his car. ‘I’ve lost my mind.’
Pepper stood there looking at him, walking away - from her, again.
I won’t let this happen.
“Stop.” She said.
“What?”
“Can I come with you?”
A true smile covered his lips.
“Sure.”
She was the one this time, taking the initiative. She took his warm hand in hers.
“Wow, last time you were like, ‘no’ to this.”
“Just shut up, Stark.”
“Okay, I’m shutting up.”
The walk was quiet and lovely and before they’d know they were in the front of Pepper’s apartment.
The view was spectacular. You could notice the ocean and those lovely palm trees, slowly moving in the wind’s power.
They stood there for a couple of minutes before Pepper pulled him close to her.
“Want a coffee?”
She asked.
“I want you.”
Then her lips are over his.