Chapter 21
It was Monday morning and Pepper pushed Tony’s meetings back so he could have a little more rest. He finished his antibiotics for his staph infection and he was going to have to keep changing bandages on his skin graft and his pain was only minor now but he was still going to take a few weeks to heal. Pepper helped him through the door and everyone stared at them.
Do they know? She wondered.
Surely they couldn’t have seen anything. Only Dean and their close knit circle knew about them. She really didn’t want people thinking she was sleeping her way to the top. They got into the elevators and once the doors shut Tony pulled Pepper in for a passionate kiss and he wrapped his hands under her and squeezed her butt. She pushed him away just as the doors opened and he was still plastered against her and they got some strange looks from some of the employees that got in the elevator.
“Thank you Miss Potts. I’m still unsteady on my feet” Tony said not being able to hide the desire in his eyes.
They had not made love since that first night. Pepper insisted no sex until he was better. But he had other plans for tonight.
“Of course Mr. Stark” she said not meeting his eyes.
Pepper could feel the eyes of everyone else in the elevator watching them. Once they got inside Tony’s office she was gonna let him have it. The elevator opened and she helped Tony out. They walked over to his office and as they passed the receptionist she grabbed the mail off the table. Tony who had the attention span of a child had wandered off to eavesdrop on a group of his interns who were arguing. He was listening so intently that Pepper startled him when she grabbed him.
“You know she’s right. I don’t pay you guys to stand around. If you can’t find work to do the door is that way” Tony said to the group of interns causing them to scatter.
“Inside NOW” Pepper said grabbing him and pushing him towards the door to his office.
They got inside and he shut the door behind him.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Why because I told the lazy interns to do something? They deserved it” he said with a shrug.
“I’m talking about the elevator Tony” she said.
“Pepper I need to use the elevator. I can’t walk” he said knowing he’d get a rise out of her.
He smiled as he waited for her explosion.
“Keep it up and you won’t get laid again for the rest of the month”
“Never gonna happen I’m too irresistible” he said giving her the eyes that made him look like so adorable.
“Tony that was too close. We keep things professional at work. People have been staring and whispering since we got here. They already think I slept my way to the top. If you keep touching me and looking at me like that then they aren’t going to take me seriously” she said.
“Have you looked at me? That’s nothing new”
“You don’t respect me at all. I don’t know what I thought this was going to be but I didn’t think it was going to be this” Pepper said as she headed for the door.
“Wait” he called.
Pepper turned to look at him half expecting an apology.
“I called for a press conference for two o’clock don’t be late” he said.
“Of course not Mr. Stark” she said knowing how much he hated when she called him that and walked out the door.
Tony was sitting at his desk looking at pictures of Pepper when he got a text on his phone. It was from Tiffany.
Hey Dad remember the talk we had where you told me that a boy had to come meet you and ask me on a real date? Well I have a friend Tyler coming over after school. We have a project but I think he wants to meet you. Will you be home?
Tiff I got a press conference at 2. Have Happy take you guys to McDonald’s or something until I get home. I don’t want you home alone with a boy I’ve never met Tony texted back.
Tony was stressed. He really wasn’t prepared for this.
What do you say to the guy that wants to take your daughter out? He thought.
Tony typed another text in the box.
Is it a science project?
And hit send. He was hoping he could really help her with something.
No it’s history her text back read.
Tony sent a sad face emoji and then focused on getting the necessary papers ready by two pm. It was time to hand the torch.
He went through his desk again and he found the picture of him and Rachel.
I hope you think I’m doing a good job with Tiffany he thought.
The thought of Rachel hurt him deeply now that she was gone and he never got to say the things he wanted to say. But it just occurred to him how he could. He pressed the intercom and called Pepper into his office.
“Yes Mr. Stark” Pepper said with a poker face.
Tony knew she was still angry with him.
“Do we have anything going on over the weekend?” he asked.
“We have a few client meetings on Saturday ” she said.
“What about Friday?” he asked.
“The meeting with the clean energy people at four” she said.
“Reschedule everything Saturday and anything after two-thirty on Friday” he said.
“What? Why?”she said.
“We’re taking a trip” he said.
“Is it work related? Or personal?”she asked.
“Why?”he asked.
“I know this is new but when we’re not working you can’t just book trips without asking me” Pepper said.
“Ok then I’ll ask you now. I was going to take Tiffany to her mother’s grave so she could get closure now that it’s safe. I would like for you to join us” he said.
“Ok. See? Is it really that hard?” Pepper asked.
“No but something else is” he said as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She made a face and turned to leave.
“You still mad at me?”he asked.
“Just a little” she said holding her fingers up to indicate that while she smirked at him.
Tony made a kiss face at her in response. And she blushed which was Tony’s favorite thing about her.
Two o’clock finally arrived and Pepper was anxious. She never knew what Tony was up to and it gave her anxiety. As soon as they walked out the reporters were yelling things out. Pepper could hear parts of questions about her relationship status with Tony and questions about their living situation. She tried to keep a straight face and not indicate any truth to the crowd. Tony shushed them momentarily and he took the podium.
“I called this press conference today to announce my successor as CEO of Stark Industries” he said and the room went wild.
Pepper walked up ready to do damage control. She covered the mic with one hand and turned to face Tony.
“What the hell are you doing? You’re giving away your company? Why didn’t you talk to me about this?” she said angrily.
Everyone’s eyes were on them.
“Just relax. You didn’t let me finish” he said gently taking her hand and moving it off the mic.
“To continue where I left off, this person has really been running this company for the last ten years anyway. So congratulations Miss Potts” he said as he turned to her.
Pepper didn’t know what to say. She stood there for a minute in shock and then smiled. She came up to the podium to speak.
“Wow thank you.Tony loves to surprise people. I don’t know what to say” she said as she looked over at the sea of reporters.
“I can take a few questions” she said.
“Is it true that you and Mr. Stark are in a romantic relationship?”one of them asked.
Pepper froze. This was her worst nightmare. She looked over at Tony who was giving her that look full of desire again. Tony stepped in.
“Everyone knows my reputation with women and Pepper is the only one to turn me down. She knows me better than anyone else and takes care of me. She’s a true friend and because of it I’ve fallen madly in love with her” Tony said genuinely.
A ton more of the reporters hands shot up.
Pepper felt her face blushing again. She was staring at Tony who was beaming. He didn’t really care what the world knew about the two of them as long as she was his.
“We’re out of time” he said as he put his hand on the small of her back to lead her out.
They got back to the house and text Happy to bring Tiffany and her date home.
“What’s going on in that brain of yours Pep?” he asked.
“I don’t know what to say Tony. First you make me CEO and then you profess on television that you love me. It’s a lot to take in” she says.
“I think I deserve a reward for being a good boy” he said giving her the puppy eyes and walking towards her and putting his face against hers.
He pressed his lips to hers for a long passionate kiss. His kisses were so intense they left her a bit dizzy at times. He began to kiss down her neck to the spot that he knew got her to squirm. She was putty in his arms. She kissed him back and reached down to squeeze his butt. Tony picked her up and laid her down on the couch where he continued to kiss her neck. He ever so slyly reached up her pencil skirt and rubbed over her clit vigorously.
“Tony” she said breathlessly.
“Gonna have to wait. Tiffany is bringing home a boy to meet me” he said as he stood up.
Pepper gave him a look and then softened.
“Are you going to behave or scare the hell out of the kid?” she asked.
“Should I wear the iron man suit?” he asked.
“No Tony do not put that suit on”
But it was too late he was already downstairs. Pepper just sighed. Tony came back up the stairs in the iron man suit.
“Tony you’re going to traumatize your teenage daughter” Pepper said just shaking her head and just then the front door opened and Tiffany walked in with Tyler.
“Stand down”Tony said from inside the suit.
Tyler froze.
“DAD” Tiffany yelled. She was mortified.
Tony popped the suits faceplate open and started cracking up.
“The look on this kids face”
“Hello it’s nice to meet you sir” Tyler said extending his hand to Tony.
Tony got out of the suit and shook Tyler’s hand.
“Come on downstairs with me and let’s have a chat” Tony said leading him into his workshop.
“Ok” he said as he gave Tiffany a look.
“DAD” Tiffany yelled after them.
“I’m just going to talk to him. I’ll have him back to you in five minutes” he said as he keyed in his code for the workshop.
Tyler followed him inside.
“Why Tiffany?” Tony started with as he stared him down.
“Because she's really smart and beautiful” he said quietly.
“Yeah she is. And I bet you want to get her in bed too huh?”
“No sir I’m a virgin. I just want to take her to the movies. I’d like to take her tonight after we finish our project if that’s ok with you” he stammered.
“This is my workshop. I have a lot of things in here that could seriously hurt you should anything happen to Tiffany. That includes making her cry in anyway” Tony emphasized as he pointed out the areas around him.
He stared at this kid and wanted to see what he would say.
“That won’t be a problem sir”
“You can take her out tonight but it’s a school night so I want her home by ten sharp. and I’ll be generous and have my driver take you guys. I suppose you’ll need money?” Tony asked.
“No sir I’ve got it covered” Tyler said.
Tony was impressed by that. He seemed like a nice respectful kid.
“Let’s go on up”
Tiffany waited anxiously at the top of the stairs and Tyler smiled.
“You’re the best Dad” Tiffany said hugging him.
Tony kissed the top of her head.
“Homework first” he said leaving them be and joining Pepper on the couch. He put his arm around her and pulled her close.
“Wanna makeout?” he asked.
She smiled at him and kissed him softly. He put his hand on her face to make the kiss go deeper but Pepper pushed him away.
“It’s gonna have to wait. We have company” she said.
“Ouch I deserved that” he said.
After an hour or so Tiffany bustled into the room.
“Ok Dad we’re leaving”
“Ten sharp” he repeated.
Once they were out the door Tony was on Pepper’s neck.
“Come on let’s go upstairs” he said as he breathed into her neck.
“Tony you’re still injured” she scolded.
“Not my mouth and my hands” he said as he continued roaming her body.
Pepper looked at him.
“I made you CEO and told everyone on tv that I love you” Tony said.
“Fair point” Pepper said as she helped him up.
When they hit the bedroom Tony was eager to get started.
“Pep I need to make up for the other night. After all these years of wanting you and that was not the best. You haven’t even seen my best work” he said as he crawled on top of her.
“Oh yeah? Well I haven’t even shown you any of my moves yet” Pepper said as she pulled his jacket down and started to unbutton his shirt.
“Don’t toy with me Pep” Tony said feeling himself become aroused.
“Mr. Stark I hardly think this is appropriate” she cooed.
Tony was frantic with desire. He pulled Pepper’s shirt over her head and started prying her bottoms off.
“Remember the night you got drunk and tried to seduce me and you were sitting on my lap trying to grind on me with your legs wrapped around me?”
“Yeah” she said as she undid his belt and zipper and forced his pants down.
“I need more of that” he said as he unsnapped her bra with one hand.
“Yes Mr. Stark” she said as she went into his drawer for a condom.
Tony sat up and put the condom on and watched as Pepper inserted him inside of her and his breath almost caught in his throat.
“That’s the hottest thing I have ever seen” he said.
Pepper grinded in his lap with her legs wrapped around him. It was like the night she got drunk only this time it was real. And it was so amazing. This time they did it for what seemed like hours and they were tangled up with each other when he heard a car door and looked at the clock.
“It’s 9:50. Ten minutes early, I like this guy” Tony said.
“You’re handling this really well” Pepper said as she lay on his chest.
Tony heard Tiffany trudging up the stairs.
“Tiff come in here”
“Tony we’re naked” Pepper said.
“So what were covered up” he said.
Tiffany appeared in the doorway.
“Eww are you naked?” she asked.
“Why are you making such a big deal? How do you think you got here?”
“Because you’re my dad and it’s gross” she said.
“Tyler seems alright but don’t make plans for next weekend. I have a surprise for you” he said.
They said goodnight and she went off to bed.
“I don’t know about you but I could go for another round” Tony said.
“Tony sex with you is amazing but-
“I told you years ago I could rock your world” he said as he kissed her again.
“You did rock my world. I was just going to say that I was tired”
Tony made a pouty face.
“I love you Tony. I should have said at the press conference. I’m sorry I didn’t” she said as she snuggled deeper into him.
“It’s ok Pep. Like I said I will never deserve you” he said as he pulled her closer to his chest and they curled up to go to sleep.