Glass Heart

Their night at the restaurant continued on despite Tony and Scarlett’s meals having been long finished. As long as the alcohol kept flowing, they felt no reason to end the night early. They’d argued over dessert when the waiter had returned to a point where they hadn’t ordered anything at all and had instead been distracted into arguments about unrelated topics. Stories were exchanged became increasingly ridiculous with the additional liquor. Soon enough, it had become a contest to see who had the better stories, neither one of them winning the prize nor willing to tell their honest to goodness best stories quite yet. As far as they were concerned the night was still too young for such things. Not to mention, they were still testing each other’s limits.

“Hey, hey you! Waiter boy!” Tony pointed toward the waiter still stationed just outside the doorway of the private room they were seated in, in an attempt to get his attention. When he didn’t turn around to look at them, Tony turned his gaze to Scarlett. “Do you think he’s started tuning us out?”

“Maybe he’s just tuning you out. I mean, you have been chattering incessantly for the last hour. I’ve got to be honest. I’ve started to tune you out too,” Scarlett said with a smirk, bringing her glass to her lips. Her cheeks had become rosy from the buzz of the alcohol and she was feeling absolutely no pain. It was easier to want to drink more and more when she got to this point. Tony was obviously feeling the effects of the alcohol too, considering he hadn’t stopped smiling in a solid half an hour. Scarlett wondered how his face wasn’t in pain from smiling so much.

Ever since the alcohol had started to affect them, Tony had been calling the waiter over repeatedly for little things like his opinion on an argument or just to ask a ridiculous irrelevant question. The poor man must have felt increasingly awkward and nervous as the night went on. Scarlett couldn’t blame him since she knew Tony was a lot to handle and she’d only spent half a day with him.

“Don’t be silly, I’ve been entertaining him not chattering his ear off.” Tony waved his hands boisterously while he spoke and tried once again to call to the waiter. “Hey! I need some attention over here!”

“Like you don’t get enough attention all the time from everyone around you, you need this poor guy’s too.” Scarlett rolled her eyes, setting her scotch glass down on the table. Getting up from his spot on the couch, Tony nearly bumped into the table and spilled the remaining bottle of scotch. Scarlett grabbed his arm to try and steady him.

“Let go of me, Scarlett I’m trying to get his attention,” Whining, Tony tugged his wrist in an attempt to get her to let go.

“Oh, leave the poor man alone, Stark! He’s just trying to do his job and you’re making it that much harder on him.” Scarlett couldn’t help but laugh, giving Tony’s arm a tug to try and get him to sit down on the couch instead of chasing after the waiter.

“No! No, Scarlett!” Giggling, but faking a pouting face he tugged on her grip hard enough to lift her bottom half momentarily off of the couch. Eyes large in astonishment, she swatted at his arm to get him to put her down properly. Continuing to pout he tried to explain. “I cannot listen to this album again and again! This same mandolin music playing over and over… I mean it was pretty the first time we heard it but now? Now it’s boring a hole in my skull.”

“You’re exaggerating a little Stark. It’s not drilling a hole in your head.” Scarlett finally let go of Tony’s wrist as he pulled on her again and watched, pleased, as he stumbled and actually fell on his backside. Lying on the floor for a moment he stared at the couch and stifled his laughter. He dramatically rolled onto his back and then sat back up with the momentum of his roll, rubbing his head like he’d been hurt. Giving her the most pathetic look he could muster he widened his puppy dog eyes in an attempt at sympathy. Unfortunately, he could barely keep a straight face for more than a few seconds before bursting into hysterics.

“You’re so mean to me,” Drifting off, he cleared his throat then attempted to get back onto his feet.

“Stark, the music is fine! Wait for our waiter to come and get our glasses to clean or something. Or maybe to ask for the three thousandth time if we want coffee or dessert. He clearly needs a break from you since he’s ignoring you.”

“Hey, you’ve been sitting with me for hours and you seem to be doing just fine and you can’t stand me, remember? Besides, I’m going to give this guy the most amazing tip and… and it’s only fair that I get to listen to music I actually like if I’m paying all this money.” Tony argued, and stumbled to his feet at long last. It wasn’t that he was so terribly drunk that he was falling over himself, he was just drunk enough to have a hard time regaining his equilibrium after having tumbled onto the ground.

“You better give him a really fantastic tip just for putting up with you, with the way you’ve been behaving.” Tony turned around to face Scarlett and walked backwards toward the door, pointing a finger in her direction.

“Hey, hey now… I plan on doing just that, thank you very much, but it’s definitely not the same kind of tip I’m planning on giving to you for putting up with my behavior.” Winking and making a clicking sound with his mouth, he stumbled and turned around to walk properly. “Now, if you leave me alone for a few seconds, Black Sabbath can happen. I know it’s hard and all, but keep your panties on.” Tony stopped walking for a moment and turned to flash Scarlett the smile that had gotten a thousand women in his bed before her. “Oh wait, I’m the one hard up right now, aren’t I? My apologies.” Running his tongue over his bottom lip he finally turned away from her and started toward the waiter. “Hey, can you hear me?”

Scarlett looked around for something she could throw that wouldn’t cause him too much pain. Finally she picked up one of the small ruby colored ornamental pillows on the couch. Tongue between her lips in concentration, she threw the pillow at the back of Tony’s head. It bounced off the top of his head and flew across the room behind the bar at the other end. Standing still in shock, Tony stood with his head cocked to the side before sliding around on one shoe to look at Scarlett.

“I’m pretty sure you don’t have any tips that would interest me anyway, Stark.” Scarlett started and when Tony opened his mouth to respond to the contrary she continued talking over him as he had done to her so many times. “Plus, Black Sabbath? Really? You really think that Ozzy Osbourne fits the mood right now? On top of that, Blue Oyster Cult is obviously a far superior band.” Her eyes were sparkling mischievously.

“Oh you did not just start that old argument up with me.” Tony couldn’t resist the temptation of the conversation she’d dangled in front of him. He retrieved the pillow she’d thrown from behind the bar and walked back over to the couch, temporarily distracted from his attempts to gather the waiter’s attention. “Black Sabbath revolutionized the music industry. Think of all the metal bands today that are influenced by them. Name a single band that Blue Oyster Cult inspired.”

“Revolutionized the music industry? Hardly. Are you brain damaged? Alice Cooper was pulling those stunts on stage long before Ozzy was and Iron Maiden, musically, has influenced metal far more than Black Sabbath could ever dream of!” Scarlett scoffed, swirling the scotch in her glass she retrieved while she spoke. It wasn’t that she wanted to drink anymore, but she needed something to do with her hands. Sitting down next to Scarlett once again, Tony tucked one leg beneath him and held the pillow in his lap.

“Alice Cooper was a completely different style of music so you can hardly compare them. Have you even listened to a Black Sabbath album? Or am I going to have to school you?”

“Me? Have you?” Scarlett argued, putting down her glass once more and pointing an accusing finger. “I’m sorry, but Tony Iommi’s guitar was pathetic in comparison. Come on, can’t the guy play more than three chords in a song outside of a solo? And don’t get me started on the drums. Blue Oyster Cult wins musically all the way.” Amused, Scarlett continued on. “Admit it. Blue Oyster Cult was at least superior when it came to musical talent.”

“And aside a few completely diehard fans like you, apparently, they didn’t achieve the level of stardom Black Sabbath achieved and continues to achieve over the years. Staying power goes to Ozzy.”

“Oh, so you’re saying they’re a lot like you?” Scarlett pursed her lips, trying to hide her smile. Tony’s eyebrows rose high on his brow out of curiosity.

“How so? Obviously staying power…”

“What I meant was they’re popular and overrated.” Scarlett grinned then put her hands up in defense as Tony swatted at her with the pillow.

“That was below the belt!” He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Isn’t that how you like it?” Scarlett stuck her tongue at him and grabbed at the pillow, trying to tug it closer to her to keep him from swatting her with it.

Tony actually stopped trying to swat at her and thought about that while trying to tug the pillow back from her grip.

“I guess you’re right about that.” Letting go of the pillow he watched Scarlett lose her balance just as he had when they’d been fighting earlier and nearly fall off the couch. Tony grabbed her arms and helped her right herself.

“You’re making it worse!” Scarlett shoved at his hands and ignored the sudden stinging of the scrape on her arm.

“I was just trying to help.” Tony reached for his bowtie and started to loosen it a little once he was sure she was properly seated upright.

“It was your fault that I was falling off the couch in the first place.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t help me off of the floor before when you knocked me on my ass so I figured I’d be the better person.”

“You are a far cry from that.” Scarlett laughed, clearing her throat. Things quieted between them for a moment and all they heard was the clinking of glasses and the sound of the mandolin playing over the stereo system. Tony got up again, continuing to be frustrated by the music overhead.

“That’s it.”

“No, don’t torture me with Ozzy!” Scarlett whimpered pleadingly. Unable to resist this new and completely intoxicating sound she’d made, Tony stopped and looked down at her from where he stood. When she pouted he felt something churn in the pit of his stomach and reluctantly sat back down.

“That’s just evil, for the record.” Tony picked up his glass of scotch and instead of taking a drink, looked through the glass at the very small amount of liquid left within it. Setting it back down, he looked back to Scarlett. “Fine, if not Ozzy, then what?” She opened her mouth to speak when he interrupted. “If you even suggest Blue Oyster Cult I will assault you with a pillow again. I will not listen to any of that Don’t Fear the Reaper garbage…”

“That’s not fair, that song was grossly overplayed and far inferior to any other song they came out with!” Scarlett laughed and held her hands up in defense again, not wanting to take another beating with the pillow.

“I thought we were judging on popularity!” Tony laughed, swatting at her hands so they wouldn’t obscure his view of her face any further.

“I wasn’t going to suggest them anyway!”

“Well then what were you going to suggest then? I swear if Alice Cooper is your next suggestion…”

“What’s wrong with Alice? Welcome to My Nightmare is a great album.”

“It was, but I refuse to sit here and try to argue music with you any longer. You’re impossible.”

“I’m impossible?” Scarlett’s mouth hung open in awe. “Did you honestly just say that after all that we’ve gone through today? You kidnapped me!” Tony threw his hands over her mouth, eyes wide. He glanced over at the waiter who was still continuing to ignore them for the time being.

“Get me arrested, why don’t you?” Tony pulled his hands away before she could bite him as she’d done last time. “And yes, you’re impossible! Every little thing has to be an argument with you.”

“Maybe that’s because you keep talking over me and I have to fight with you to get a word in edgewise!” Scarlett laughed, wiping her mouth on her arm.

“What is this now? Do I have cooties or something?”

“What, are we twelve?” Scarlett scoffed then wiped her mouth again, laughing after a quiet moment. “For the record, yes, you do have cooties and I have not been properly immunized since I was… eleven.” Tony couldn’t help but laugh. “You interrupted me again, you know.”

“Fine, fine why don’t you just say what you intended to say before I interrupted you.” Tony waited for her to open her mouth before talking again, purposely. “Though, I doubt I’m going to agree with you about anything musically.”

“Oh I swear to god Stark if you interrupt me again…” Scarlett made a fist and shook it threateningly. “Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!”

“Are you secretly a fifty year old man?” Tony laughed, his face starting to hurt from smiling so much. It had been ages since anyone had entertained him for such a long period of time without becoming boring. Scarlett was a pistol, a regular ball of fire and a refreshing change to the stiffs he’d found himself hanging out with lately. It wasn’t that Pepper was boring. It was just that she was constantly on the lookout for his wellbeing when Tony just wanted to have a bit of fun. It was the same with Rhodes and Happy. They were his friends but at the same time they treated him like a ticking time bomb. And maybe he was a time bomb of irresponsibility and immaturity, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t allowed to have any fun at all.

“What, no love for the Honeymooners?”

“My mom loved that show.” Tony smirked and shook his head. “But no, I was just surprised, that’s all.”

“Now before you interrupt me again, I was going to suggest we try to come to a compromise about the music before you drive the waiter out of his mind.” Scarlett poked the pillow that now rested between them in a neutral zone.

“I already told you that the likelihood of the two of us actually agreeing over a band is pretty nonexistent.” Tony scolded, taking her arm and looking at the bandage that had been wrapped around the minor wound there. He had noticed her wincing when he’d tried to prevent her from falling to the ground earlier.

“It’s not my fault that you have terrible taste.” Reaching for a sip of her water to try and clear her head, she watched Tony the entire time.

“Terrible taste? Impossible!” He looked truly insulted and narrowed his eyes. “How can you say that I have terrible taste when you’ve seen my house? Observe how I dress.” Standing up again he tugged off his sport coat and showed off the classy button up he was wearing. “Not to mention that stunning little number you’re wearing was something I picked off the rack.” Tugging her by her wounded arm, he urged her off of the couch and made an attempt to spin her around to show off the dress she wore.

“Just because you can afford Armani and Versace doesn’t mean you have impeccable taste. And I’m sure someone else decorated your house, not you.” Scarlett argued, swatting his hands away and keeping him from completing her spin. “Even if it is your taste, it doesn’t mean that your good taste reflects everywhere. You obviously lack when it comes to music.” Scarlett laughed and sat back down but Tony tugged her hands again to try to get her to stand up.

“Come on Scarlett do a little turn on the catwalk for me…” He laughed, but pouted to try and get her obey. Scarlett would’ve if she hadn’t been so stubborn. He was like an adorable puppy dog with those big brown eyes looking at her with such need and want. But, it was too much fun to tell him no.

“Stark, sit down!” Scarlett patted his spot on the couch and pulled her hands away quickly when he nearly sat on them. It was astonishing that she could get along with him at all. When she’d started out the day she hadn’t been sure she could tolerate him long enough to fake a friendship. Now that the day had progressed and the alcohol had melted the stress from her experience in South Africa, it was far easier to handle anything Tony could throw at her. In fact, he was more than tolerable. She was enjoying herself immensely. How long had it been since she’d laughed like this without being completely wasted? She couldn’t recall a time since her youth. Despite that she’d had a lot to drink she definitely wasn’t wasted but rather delightfully buzzed.

Even then, she still reasoned that alcohol had been the key to learning to deal with Tony Stark. Tony sat down on the couch again, picked up both her hands and got very close to her, pleading with his eyes.

“Stark, I’m not going to do parade around for you in this dress. It’s completely out of the question.”

“Please… please Scarlett, call me Tony. I need you to call me Tony.”

“We’ve been through this already.”

“I know and I swear I’m starting to lose my mind if you don’t listen.” Tony pled.

“I think we’re well past that point.” Scarlett smiled and pulled her hands away from his when she started to feel uncomfortable being that close to him again.

“You know, I really thought that spending an entire night out with you would be like pulling my teeth out with rusty pliers.” Tony straightened his back and then started to look around for the coat he’d discarded.

“Oh, thanks.” Scarlett laughed, reaching for her scotch again, even though she was honestly growing bored with the drink.

“No, no hear me out!” Tony continued on and snatched her glass right from his hands for about the thirtieth time. “Just, listen to me for a second.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m actually having a really nice time.”

“So?”

“I’m not bored at all. These types of places usually bore the hell out of me.” Tony grinned, trying to make get his point across. He was hoping that Scarlett would give him confirmation that she was enjoying herself just as much.

“Wow you are easily entertained.”

“Oh admit it, you like me and other than you not calling me by my actual name, I like you.” Tony set down her glass on the table again.

“Why do you keep taking away my drink?”

“Because I want you to listen to me for ten seconds without scotch in your mouth!”

“You’re the one with listening problems here, not me.” Scarlett argued. Tony laughed and shook his head. It was obvious that he wasn’t going to get her to admit a damn thing.

“Come on, let’s figure out music we can agree on.”

“Fine, but let’s stay away from metal and rock because we obviously don’t agree on that.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like Blue Oyster Cult, just that I liked Black Sabbath better.” Tony countered but continued before she could argue over it. “But, I agree. Let’s try to agree on something else.”

“What about the blues? Or jazz?” Scarlett was clearly done arguing the subject. It was hard for her to even admit to herself, but she really was having a good time.

“How about Nat King Cole?” Tony suggested right off the bat, though music was the last thing on his mind. He was honestly just saying the first few names that came to mind.

“Jimmy Thackery.” Scarlett scowled at his suggestion. “His voice is shit, but his guitar is just amazing.”

“It’s not all about the guitar. I’m starting to think you’re a bit of a slut for the guitar. BB King?” Tony was lost in thought. “Can’t we have some good piano?”

“I am not a slut for the guitar. I’m just as slutty for good piano jazz. How about Ella Fitzgerald? No one can argue with Ella’s voice…”

“I’m not a big fan of scat.” Tony saw Scarlett immediately become defensive. “I’m sorry I’m just not! I know she has a great voice and all, but I’m just not in the mood.”

“Fine, fine no blues or jazz then it seems…”

“Then what’s left that isn’t boring as hell?” Tony sighed heavily. “Oh wait, hey… what about Elvis?”

“That’s fun and all but there are crooners far superior to Presley.” Scarlett pointed out, having given up on retrieving her scotch glass since Tony seemed to be doing his best to keep her away from it.

“Ah the crooners, now you’re right up my alley. I was always a big fan of the rat pack.” Tony smirked, feeling like he’d finally found some common musical ground with his companion. Leaning splayed against the couch he tapped his fingers on the arm of it.

“Yes, that I can agree with you on Stark. Finally.” Scarlett turned on the couch and watched him in amusement. Even splayed out undignified on the couch, he looked classy.

“So, we’ll have them put on some Frank Sinatra then? Sound good?”

“Sinatra was good but overrated, as is the trend I’m finding here with you Stark. Dean Martin was far better.” Scarlett argued.

“Are you seriously arguing with me over Sinatra and Dean Martin?”

“I’m not arguing, I’m just stating what is obvious to everyone else on this planet!” Scarlett was amused that he’d become so defensive.

“You’re arguing. Must you make everything incredibly difficult?”

“As far as I’m concerned, this is a learning experience.”

“And what are we learning?”

“That you have terrible taste.” Scarlett stifled her amusement. “Fine, fine… I don’t dislike Frank Sinatra. If that’s who you want to put on then go ahead. Anything is better than Black Sabbath.”

“Look, let’s compromise and put on Bing Crosby.” Tony suggested, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Sound fair?”

“Oh yes, definitely.” Scarlett nodded to agree. “That man can sing me to sleep any day.” Tony got up from where he sat on the couch and started toward the waiter at the door who had actually turned to watch their hilarity. Turning around halfway through his walk, Tony pointed a threatening finger at Scarlett as he’d done earlier.

“Keep all pillows to yourself this time.” Tony smirked and then went to speak to the waiter to convince him to change the music playing overhead.

“Just go!” Scarlett chuckled and looked around the room, deciding to refill her glass of scotch while she had the opportunity. Tony spoke with the waiter at the other end of the room then after he’d disappeared, Tony closed the door to give them more privacy. After a moment the music started playing overhead.

“Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven…” Tony snapped his fingers and sauntered back toward Scarlett, singing the lyrics to the song that had started to play overhead.

“You’re ridiculous.” Scarlett shook her head but was actually surprised that Tony knew the words and didn’t sound terrible singing them on top of that.

“So I’ve been told.” Pointing to the glass of scotch she was sipping from he shook his head. “No more scotch, I think we need some red wine.”

“What? Are you getting a little too drunk, Stark? Are you worried that I’m going to take advantage of you?” Playfully joking, Scarlett took a sip from her scotch glass.

“No, red wine fits the music choice better now…”

“Scotch was Dino’s drink of choice and you’re going to tell me that red wine is more ideal for this type of music?” Scarlett watched him as he started back across the room to the unmanned bar. Getting up from her spot on the couch, she set down her glass and started after him. “Get out of there, Stark you’re not supposed to go back there.”

“So? I’ll pay for whatever I take.” Tony shrugged and instead of walking the length of the bar, climbed on the bar stool, slid his butt onto the counter of the bar and stood on top of it.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to touch that stuff. These places have rules and such, you know.”

“I will touch whatever I want. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” He jumped off of the bar and onto the other side then started to browse through the wine selection available to him. “And if we were listening to Dean Martin I’d let us keep drinking scotch but we’re not. We’re listening to Bing Crosby and his voice makes me want a nice cab…”

“At least you didn’t say merlot. I’d have to tell you how cliché you are.” Scarlett sat back down, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing with Tony over. He grabbed two bottles of wine after browsing through them, bobbing his head to the beat of the song overhead.

“Merlot is overdone. I’ll take a nice cabernet any day over merlot. How about some Amarone to shake up our evening?” Tony turned around to face her, holding up each bottle in his hand, then maneuvering himself back onto the counter of the bar.

“I can’t argue with a good Italian wine.” Scarlett shook her head in dismay. “You know there’s a way to go around the bar.”

“There is, but this is much more fun.” Tony smirked and stumbled as he jumped off of the bar. He put both bottles down on the table in front of Scarlett then held up a finger as he sat lost in thought. “Forgot a corkscrew…”

“What, not going to pull it out with your teeth and try to impress me?”

“Not unless I want to break my teeth.” Tony laughed. “Which I’m sure you’d love to watch.”

“Oh yes, I think that would be my favorite thing right now.”

“How would I charm you without my million dollar smile?”

“Oh, get over yourself already. I’ve dated way hotter.”

“Honey, there’s no one hotter.” Tony searched around the bar, leaping on top of it easily this time.

“Your ego is unbelievable.” Scarlett picked up one of the wine bottles and looked over the label in Italian.

“That’s not the only thing that’s unbelievable about me, Scarlett.” Finding a corkscrew and returning to the table, he stole the bottle from her hands and twisted the curved metal piece into the cork of the wine bottle. “Oh and for the record, if you wanted to take advantage of me, sweetheart I’d be more than happy to let you ride in the rodeo.” A smirk on his face he popped the cork of the bottle and then poured them each a glass of the red wine into the glasses that had been left for them at the table.

“I already told you, Stark. You’ve talked yourself up so much that you are bound to be disappointing and I’m far more dangerous than you can handle.” Scarlett picked up her glass and swirled the wine around to let it breathe. She knew the longer that it stayed out of the bottle the more it would open up and the better it would taste.

“For someone who didn’t want my wine, you sure are eager to drink it.” Tony picked up his own glass and swirled it around in a similar manner. Still standing up he tapped his feet to the music and took a sip of the wine. “The Italian’s sure now how to make a good glass of wine.”

“That is what they do best.” Scarlett took a sip of her wine and then leaned back comfortably on the couch, crossing her legs and bobbing her head to the new music he’d put on. “Are you starting to get antsy?”

“Very.” Tony put down his glass and held his hand out to her. “Come on, I love this song… Dance with me?” Narrowing his eyes he dared her to get up and join him, hoping to make the offer sound appealing.

Scarlett merely stared at his hand and then shook her head in a negative manner after thinking about the proposition.

“Come on, this song is fantastic. You’re missing out on a once in a life time opportunity.”

“A once in a lifetime opportunity that so many women have experienced you probably can’t keep track of how many.” Scarlett laughed condescendingly.

“Scarlett, come on…” Tony grabbed her wrist and tugged her up and off of the couch against her will.

“Stark, you’re going to spill wine all over me.” She laughed, trying to pull away and take another drink of her wine before he stole it from her which seemed inevitable at this point. Tony did as she guessed and grabbed the glass of wine, prying it from her fingers before setting it back down on the table. “Why do you keep pouring me alcohol only to take it away from me?”

“You’re paying too much attention to it. I need your attention on me right here, right now.” Tony turned back to her and saw her heading back to sit on the couch. “Oh, no you don’t. We’re dancing.”

“Stark…” Scarlett rolled her eyes and tried to maneuver her hands away from him.

“Just one dance, I swear! Then I’ll let you drink your wine.” Tony spun her around and pulled her into his arms with the momentum of the turn. She couldn’t help but laugh as she tried to squirm away. After a moment of struggle Tony managed to lace his fingers with hers and keep her in his arms for a moment. They swayed together for a few seconds before Scarlett renewed her attempts at tugging away from him.

“I told you no already!” Despite her insistence that she didn’t want to dance, Scarlett couldn’t stop smiling at that point. They were practically doubling over struggling for dominance in the middle of the room.

“Do you not know how to dance? Don’t worry I’m an excellent lead. All you have to do is follow along.” Tony urged her hand to his shoulder, slipping his on her waist afterward.

“No, I just don’t want to dance with you!” Scarlett cleared her throat to stop giggling and finally stopped her struggling so she could probably look up at Tony.

“Cut a guy a break just this once. All I want is to dance to Bing Crosby and you wanted me to leave the waiter alone so you’re all I’m left with.”

“Oh, so I’m a last resort now am I?”

“I can’t win with you, can I?” Tony chuckled but had found that she wasn’t arguing that much anymore or tugging to try to get away. Finally, he had her attention and was even getting her to sway with him a bit.

After a moment of silence, Scarlett pulled her hand away from his shoulder and made to walk away. Hand still in hers, Tony tugged her back to him, causing her to spin around and fall into him.

“Stark!” She scolded, looking up at him at him, the back of her head leaning against his chest from how he’d twisted her. He helped her straighten up then spun her around and put his hand back on her waist.

“One song. It’s not torture.”

“It’s a completely different song now.” Scarlett scoffed after a moment left to think. Tony didn’t argue but merely looked at her pleadingly. Finally, she sighed and put her hand back on his shoulder, practically hitting him as she did so.

“Rough, I like it.” Tony whispered in her ear, while leading her around the room to dance with him. The music slowed down and he pulled her closer to him. “See, this isn’t so terrible now is it?”

“I guess if nothing else you don’t have two left feet.” Scarlett sighed heavily and did her best to avoid eye contact. He was far better at this seduction thing than she was willing to admit. She wasn’t ready for this part of her plan yet, not ready at all. On top of that, she was finding herself wanting it to come faster and knew that was a bad sign. She needed time to remove herself from the situation with Tony so she could properly take advantage of the situation.

“Scarlett?” Tony attracted her attention and finally captured her in his gaze. Her blue eyes were cold and confused. Whatever was going on behind them had lured him in and trapped him entirely.

Scarlett’s stomach turned uneasily as she looked into his honey brown eyes, no longer able to pull away. Why did she have to actually like him? Why couldn’t it be as easy as every job before it? Tony more than deserved the revenge she planned on dishing out so why couldn’t she just get it over with since the opportunity had arisen?

“Do you think I’ll remember how you looked when you smile?” Scarlett was nearly shaken when Tony started singing along with the music overhead. Cursing mentally she tried to look away but found that instead of looking into his eyes she was now watching his lips and dreaming of what they would taste like against hers. “Only forever that’s putting it mild…” Tony lowered his voice, wanting to draw her in closer.

His gut was telling him to pull away now. He could hear Pepper warning him that this woman meant to do him harm. After a moment he realized that he didn’t care if she did. The song stopped and transitioned to the next on the album and it took them only a moment to realize that they had stopped dancing entirely somewhere along the line and were simply staring at each other.

Scarlett’s heart was pounding in her throat and as much as she screamed internally to turn away she found her thoughts completely fixated on his lips. Now her thoughts were much more fixated on the hand that hand that had crept to the small of her back and was slowly tugging her closer to him. When had she moved her hand onto his chest and tilted her head to the side? She didn’t remember doing that and it made her nervous.

Tony knew it was now or never and bridged the increasingly small gap between their lips. As his lips barely brushed against hers for a single second he felt the lump in the back of his throat swell.

Then a shrill ringing came from his pocket. The tension momentarily broke while both Tony and Scarlett tried to find the source of the sound. Tony realized after a moment that it was his cell phone ringing and opted to ignore it. Scarlett was far more distracted by it than he was it seemed. Her heart was racing and her breathing elevated far beyond what she wanted it to be. Somewhere along the line she’d lost control of her emotions and needed to desperately regain her composure.

“You should answer that, Stark.” Scarlett pulled a few centimeters away from his lips, which was all she could seem to manage. Despite the incessant ringing that came from his pocket, the tension was still thick between them. Tony shook his head no, the slightest hint of a smile hanging on his lips.

“I’m too busy answering to something else right now, Scarlett.” Tony tugged her closer and leaned in to find her lips again. Scarlett turned her head to the side and narrowly avoided his kiss. Instead she risked slipping her hand into his pants pocket and fished around for his cell phone. Tony’s eyes widened and he attempted to squirm away but Scarlett had found what she’d been searching for.

Turning away from him she studied the phone’s interface and then answered the call, putting it on speakerphone. Tony reached around her waist to try and grab at the phone to get it away from her, but also to maneuver her back into his arms.

“Give me that! Come on, it can wait. Nothing could be that important…”

Scarlett elbowed Tony in the ribs and held the phone out of his reach so he couldn’t steal it.

“Hello?” Scarlett responded once the connection had been made, continually swatting at Tony’s hands as they attempted to reach around her to grab his phone back.

“Give it!” Tony laughed, though his thoughts were reeling. What was he doing? Seducing the potential enemy! Of course, he’d been trying to get her into bed since the moment she’d woken up but this was something entirely different than a good lay. That uncontrollable desire to kiss her lips, it was more than he’d expected it to be. Something different was going on in his mind than ever before. Maybe it was because she’d told him no so many times? It wouldn’t be the first time that’d happened to him. That had to be it. She’d rejected him and now he needed her. At least that’s how he rationalized it.

“Stop it Stark! Hello? Hello, can you hear me?” Scarlett brought the phone closer to her when she hadn’t received an initial response. There was still no voice coming out of the receiver. Scarlett looked at Tony over her shoulder then pulled the phone away as he made another mad grab for it.

“Wait, I hear something!” Tony shouted and the two quieted down, finally stopping their arguing over the phone. There was some kind of mechanical whirring on the other end of the line. They both winced when there was a shrill scream coming from the speaker very abruptly.

“Tony!” The familiar but now frantic voice of Pepper Potts came on the other line of the phone.

“Pepper?” Tony and Scarlett said in unison.

“Tony! Tony help!” There was another panicked scream from the other end of the phone.