Avengers Imagines

Ch. 11~Escort Part One-Tony Stark

My cheeks hurt from smiling.

Fake smiling sure, but still. The man dragging me around the ballroom probably hasn't put a smile on a woman's face in years, except maybe his mother. That's most likely why he had to pay me to come. Yes, I'm an escort. Nice to meet you. He's one of those guys too lazy to charm his way into a date, not rich enough to attract some leech, but with enough money in his pocket to pay for me. Ernest Greene. That's right. Ernest. I've been resisting calling him Ernie the entire night.

"Well, with my new patent coming up I really think the industry is about to turn around." He continues. I've tuned him out and now am having a non-verbal conversation with the woman on the other pompous guy's arm. A little eyebrow waggle and a wink has her giggling, which causes both men to face her. Since neither man has said anything remotely entertaining in the past twenty minutes, this is a little suspicious.

We're saved from having to come up with a lie by a slight ruckus at the entry doors. "Stark." Ernest states with distaste and that only makes me perk up a bit more. Of course, I know who Tony Stark is. I've been to a few parties that he was at, but he's never attended one without a date. An unpaid date, I might add. Tonight seems to be the exception, however, since he swaggers in wearing an impeccable navy suit, staunch white button down, navy tie with red polka dots, and without a girl on his arm. And he looks damn fine.

"Little boy's sitting on a throne a little too big for him if you ask me." The guy Ernie's been talking to, Wilson, I think, speaks up and my gaze breaks away from the enticing sight of Tony to look back at him.

Ernie laughs and tightens his arm's hold on me, tracing his hand just a little too close to my breast. "You've got that right. Shocked the company's still afloat, really." Ernie leans towards Wilson conspiratorially. Ugh. He should have invited Wilson here as his date. "I heard he's taking a page out of his secretary's book. You know, sleeping his way to the top." Both men laugh as I gawk, incredulous. "Well, sucking. Heard he isn't big downstairs, if you know what I mean."

"Oh, then he's got a few more inches than you do, right sweetie?" I snap in my best innocent voice. The men's smiles drop while the pretty girl on Wilson's arm covers her mouth to stop her laugh. "I'm getting a drink. Fend for yourself, hon?" I pat Ernie's shoulder and walk with a purpose towards the bar while he stares after me with an open mouth. The bartender is a cute brunette with sparkling green eyes and an easy smile. He turns towards me and instantly grabs a glass. Huh. Must have that look. "I'll have an I'm-stuck-with-an-asshole-and-I-want-to-die drink please. Straight-up."

The cutie laughs. "You got it." He nods and I turn back to the ballroom. It is really beautiful, I'll admit that. The floor is white marble and has gold stripes cutting it into perfect squares. White columns line the edges of the room to match the ones outside and hold up the glass, domed ceiling. Chandeliers send sparkling, golden light across the room in every direction as if champagne covers every surface. The walls are a soft cream that makes me think of how much I'll be needing a cup of coffee after this. "Miss?" I turn back to Mr. Cutie and take the drink gratefully.

"You're my favorite person in this room right now...?"

"Carter." He supplies his name as if surprised I asked him for it. I suppose a lot of people just don't care. What shits.

"Carter." I affirm and throw back whatever he's handed me. I wince when the liquid hits my tongue and swallow quickly. "Tequila. Damn, you really know what to give a girl." He chuckles as I suck on the lime he set on the edge of my glass.

"Is it already that bad of a night? My usual on the rocks, Carter." Someone asks to my left, but my eyes are still closed as I get used to the bitterness in my mouth. Note to self; surprise tequila isn't the best of ideas.