I'm Iron Man, And I'm Agent Coulson

Chapter 7 The Stupid Benefit Party

"Pepper please, don't make me do this," I whispered, as I fidgeted in the deep blood red dress she had bought me, "you know, I have a lot of work to do at the facility, and I have nothing to say to these people, I never have."

Just like the blue dress she'd bought me months ago, this one was also open back and hung in a noticeable V down my ample chest. It was borderline inappropriate, but there I was. Pepper helped straighten my layered hair, and added a touch of lipstick and eye shadow. I thought it made me look a little risque, but whatever, I couldn't go back now, although I was exhausted from another sleepless night.

"No you don't, besides, you look amazing, I'm so good at shopping for you, it shows all your assets, and the dress makes your new dye job and eyes pop," she giggled, referring to the blood red streaks in my hair, "nice try, by the way."
I had dyed it earlier this morning hoping it would be too ballsy for a gathering like this and Pepper would change her mind about me accompanying her, but I was so wrong. I huffed when Happy opened the door to the car, and extended his hand.
"Doesn't she look great Happy?" Pep reiterated, and snickered as I growled.

"You do clean up good, you both do," Happy smiled when he took my hand and led us both inside. Pepper always looked good, but in the deep navy blue dress she had on, she looked ravishing, "that tat just an added bonus, I've always liked the wings, and I'm sure these people will appreciate'em. Go get'em ladies," he snorted, leaving us just beyond the wide glass doors.

"You're all assholes," I growled through a fake smile, and rubbed my nervous stomach, "and I hate you."
I hated these stupid events, nothing but overly rich people showing off their money by betting on shit or donating to these charities. Sure, it was for a good cause, but did we really need to throw a ridiculously expensive party to get people to donate money? Plus, these people seemed to know I didn't belong, as they eyed my tattoo, and colored hair, in disgust. I was never comfortable in these types of situations, board rooms I could handle, flying an F-22, definitely, but pretending to be at ease with people who made their dislike of me so obvious wasn't easy.
Of course it didn't help once Pep left my side almost as soon as Hap let us go. She excelled in this environment, and always knew what to say and talk about, plus she was so comfortable in her evening dresses and mile high heels.
After twenty minutes of forcing a fake smile over my lips, I was already contemplating escape routes, but a male voice called out my name from behind me, "Ms. (L/N)?"
I turned and familiar soft grey eyes met mine, "Agent Coulson, right?" I smiled, and extended my hand. At least there was one familiar face besides my own here at this stupid party, but he was distracting me from leaving.

"Yes, that's right," he replied, shaking my hand, and blatantly letting his eyes slowly look me over, "I was hoping to catch Mr. Stark here, since we seemed to have missed our appointment earlier this week."
"Oh shit, I mean... um..I'm sorry Agent Coulson, we've been having a hard time trying to get him out of the lab, and to be honest I completely forgot," I stuttered, and looked around the room for Pepper, "there's so much going on right now, and Pep and I are trying to filter through all of it."

"That's quite alright, I'm sure I'll catch him sooner or later, but since you forgot our appointment, how bout a dance instead?" He asked, and smiled at me.
My mouth dropped open from shock. It wasn't the first time a handsome man had asked me to dance, but one of the few times my stomach fluttered.
"Uh, I'm not much of a dancer, but, sure," I quipped finally, taking his hand and letting him pull me onto the dance floor. I tensed a bit when his hand touched my bare back, but soon relaxed once his warmth seeped into my skin.
I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was something very interesting about Agent Coulson. Sure he was handsome, and his eyes were bright, but there was something else, something calming about his presence, and it peaked my curiosity, urging me to find out more about the man holding me in his arms.
The uncomfortable silence made the air almost shimmer between us, but I cleared my throat and gave him a small smile.