Arranged Affair

Chapter 10:So, With Me?

Part Ten

For the first time in over a year Tony was happy. He was so happy that he began singing while he was tinkering with useless pieces of his suit. He didn't realize it until Jarvis informed him that Iron Man was needed in Siberia. Several dangerous prisoners escaped the highly secured prison which was located approximately eighty kilometers from the Arctic Ocean.

He'd been kind of reluctant to leave home because he knew that he couldn't be too far away from Pepper. He didn't want to be away from her anymore. He needed her like he needed oxygen, but he'd sacrifice a few hour's worth to catch those criminals.

He came home tired and bruised sixteen hours after. He'd managed to catch five of the criminals but three of them escaped. He couldn't find them because of the darkness that claimed the Siberian land.

He was pretty sure that he had cracked a rib or two. His head also hurt like hell and he believed that he had a minor concussion. That would heal in a few days, but he literally itched to touch and kiss Pepper again.

First he would need some rest. Pepper can wait for a couple more hours.

---

"Honey...?"

Pepper recognized her husband's voice because no one else would call her like that in private. She was cooking some pasta when he suddenly came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She gasped a little and allowed him to scoop her up in his arms and carry her to their bedroom.

She cupped his face with both her hands and pressed a kiss to his nose. A sense of guilt washed her over because she'd have to decline his invitation for sex because her period had just begun.

She waited until he laid her against the sheets to take his hands in hers.

"I'm sorry but I'm not up for it... for a week, at least."

Harvey raised an eyebrow, not understanding its meaning at first but then he nodded and kissed her temple tenderly. Pepper sighed at the feel of his lips against her temple but it wasn't because she liked it. Nor she disliked it. But anytime she was touched by him she'd imagine Tony instead of her husband.

She didn't know why but she felt guilty. She would have to figure out how she was supposed to have two relationships at the same time. It didn't feel right, but she needed to be loved by the man whose heart she had broken several times, as well.

She loved Harvey but she would never love him like she loved Tony.

---

Tony woke up and straightened. A sudden pain in his right side made him gasp for air. He'd registered the pain last night but he'd been too tired to worry for it. He had cracked ribs before and Pepper was always there to patch him up. He didn't love the idea of taking a trip to the hospital. He'd check it out with Jarvis and he'd gladly hear him out about what he was supposed to do next.

Jarvis had insisted for a trip to the hospital, but he'd ignore his AI as usual. He would call Pepper. She'd know what to do and god help him, he really ached to see her and breathe her in.

---

Pepper was startled to hear her phone ringing, but she checked it out nonetheless.

"Potts..." Tony croaked out, his voice unusual breathless.

"Tony?" Pepper asked back, unable to hold back her panicked question.

"I nngh... need you here." He muttered.

Pepper checked her watch, took her coat and put her phone on speaker.

"Are you hurt, Tony? Please respond me."