Lost Romance // Tony Stark

Part 11

"Goodnight Mr Stark.." those words replayed in his head as she walked away, he stood watching for a moment before he felt the instant regret.. he gave his head a shake before.. running out after her..

For a moment he thought he was too late, until he saw her waiting for the taxi, resting against the concrete wall.. he walked over to her, as the rain poured down.. his hair was now soaking wet, but he didn't care.. he started to take his jacket off so he could give it to her..

"You really do like running away from me don't you?" He softly spoke as he approached her.. trying to make light of the situation. She turned her head to see Tony walking towards her with his jacket held out.. before he gently placed it around her shoulders.. "You shouldn't be stood out here in the pouring down rain just because you don't want to spend any more of the night with me.."

"If you think that.. then what are you doing here?"

"Well considering I have a reputation to protect.. and girl has never, ever stood me up like that before.." Tony tried to joke but Miss Taylor wasn't playing.. "I didn't like what you said.." he firmly said before leaning back against the wall next to her..

"Remind me.. because I seemed to have said a lot back there.." she asked, holding onto his jacket.. the smell of cologne was strong even as it got soaked with rain..

"You said it was pathetic.. wearing a beautiful dress, trying to impress a guy you love.. or once loved.." Tony swallowed hard.. "But I think you're wrong.."

"Why? It is pathetic! Everyone you know is.. some rich, handsome man or beautiful girl who looks like they belong in there.. me? I don't.. this is so not me.. as hard as I try.. I'll never live up to those girls you truly want.."

"Wow! Talk about low self esteem.." Tony commented.. before turning directly to her.. his hands resting on the concrete wall behind her.. she looked up nervously at him.. "You know, if I remember correctly.. you were just like this before.. always putting yourself down because others don't see you.. the way you want them too.."

"Can you blame me? That guy in there.. instantly compared me to Pepper.. in front of both of us..he made me feel worthless Tony.."

"I know, but you said you'll never live up to the girls that I want.." he repeated her choice of words, before shifting a little closer.. "Exactly, what you would say before.. you always compare yourself to others, you listen to cruel people because you don't believe in yourself.." 

"I don't know what you're trying to say Tony.."

"What I'm trying to say.. Miss Taylor.. is.. you always believe the words of others.. but not the words that matter most.."

"I don't follow.." she tries before Tony shifts a hand of his to softly stroke her cheek.. "I.."

"I don't think it's pathetic that you're trying to impress me.. and I do believe you're too hard on yourself, comparing yourself to Miss Potts all the time.. of course she was great, and on occasion I will miss her work.. but that does not mean.. that you won't live up to her.. I've already seen traits of how brilliant you can be.. if you just believe in it.. I know you can do it.."

"Tony.. I.."

"Shut up and listen ok?" He demands before continuing.. "I know we've got a lot to discuss.. but if you wanna know the truth.. ever since you came back, I've tried to ignore it because I thought you wouldn't feel the same.. but.. I can't ignore my feelings for you any longer.. every day that I'm with you.. every second you're sat with me going through work.. I've thought about kissing you..wondering what you would do if I did.. I've spent endless nights thinking about telling you how I truly feel.. how I still love you after all these years.. because that love will never go away.. you're my girl Miss Taylor.. you always have been.. and you always will be.."