" so take me back to the night we met "

Chapter 16:
The Red Dress

Once in her room, Annabeth had her hair ready. She was now looking at her closet trying to decide what dress she should go in.

She looked at the clock— the event was about to start and she was still here. She was going to be late... very late if she didn't hurry up.

Annabeth looked into her closet again and she saw that one dress that she never had the chance to wear. That red off-shoulder dress that she bought as an apology gift from Tony for Pepper's birthday before all that madness and pain that was his kidnapping. It was decided. She was going to wear that dress.

She put her dress on. Made a few adjustments on her makeup and hair and she ran out of her room without encountering Tony. She had just a few minutes to get there.

Annabeth arrived at the Disney Concert Hall where the benefit was going to take place. The red carpet was a mess— full of reporters and curious people that didn't get an invitation. She decided that it was for the best to ignore the reporters, she wasn't going to talk to the press without Tony's authorization, it wasn't in her place. So she ignored the reporters calling for her insistently;

"Miss Carter, is Tony Stark making an appearance?"

"Is he really shutting down the weapons manufacturing division?"

"How is he treating his PTSD?"

"Is it true that he was in bed for weeks?"

"How long has it been since you have seen your father?"

My God! How annoying they can be? —She thought while walking inside the Hall.

Most of the guests there were High Society people, but it was full with her co-workers from Stark Industries too. Events like this were a good opportunity for Annabeth to catch up with them; since she spent most of her time at Tony's with Pepper than at the company itself.

She walked around enjoying the music, having a few chats here and there. People were complimenting her for the dress. So much that Annabeth started to feel a little bit uncomfortable— she never really liked to have so much attention on her.

"Miss Carter! Good to see you!" Annabeth turned around to see who was talking to her and she met Donald. A tall and strong colleague that worked with Happy in higher Security.

"Donald! Oh my god, it's been ages!" she greeted the man.

"Yeah well, the big boss keeps you very busy!" He looked at her, "Oh, You look quite beautiful!"

"Thank you," She said a little shy, "You look really nice yourself!"

"Not bad, huh? This," he pointed at his outfit, "Is the work of my girlfriend. Honey, come here."

He called a blonde woman closer to him and Donald started to speak again introducing Annabeth to his girlfriend. "This is one of the women behind the man. Annabeth Carter, Tony Stark's assistant."

The woman looked at her surprised.

"You are quite famous around here! Nice to meet you, I'm Riley."

"It's nice to meet you too," greeted Annabeth, "It would have been better if Pepper was here but I wanted her to have quite some rest."

"That is so thoughtful of you."

"She was a little shy to come here and meet everyone," spoke Donald looking at his girlfriend.

"I'm not used to these events," Riley replied laughing a little.

"What do you do for a living— that is if you don't mind me asking?" Annabeth asked.

"I'm a kindergarten teacher."

"I told her all she had to do is think of those people as her students. It's not that different," Donald said, trying to make his girlfriend feel safe.

"He is right," Annabeth told her smiling, "The only difference is that we are taller. You will be just fine here."

They laughed when a voice behind her took her by surprise.

"You look fantastic!" Annabeth turned around to see a familiar voice and she met with Tony Stark already on her side, "I almost didn't recognize you".

"What are you doing here?" She asked forgetting about her coworker and his girlfriend. Annabeth was surprised to see him there especially since he told her that he was going to lay low for a while.

"I'm avoiding government agents."

"Are you here by yourself?" she asked feeling even more surprised when she didn't see a women next to him.

"Yes."

She frowned at his answer as he took his time to look at her from top to bottom. Suddenly, Annabeth started to fell naked at his gaze, "Where did you get that dress?"

"I— I..." she stuttered. His presence was unexpected and he was getting closer to her almost invading her personal space, "It was for Pepper's birthday party—" she manage to answer.

"It's amazing—"

"From you actually," She told him smiling.

"I've got great taste!" he joked. His eyes never left hers and Annabeth started to feel more and more nervous around him— just like she had during her junior prom when Tony had declared her the most beautiful girl in the world.

"You... you wanna dance?" he asked and in those few seconds Annabeth's mind reminded her what it was like to dance with him. She had done it way more than once— whenever they were alone in his huge mansion while his parents were out or in parties. To this day, Annabeth could remember Tony's breath on her neck as he told her about the future he imagined.

"Oh no!" she was more than fast answering him. She was not going to do the same mistake again— as much as she wanted it, it never ended well for them.

But that didn't make any difference for Tony Stark who was already walking her to the dance floor. Annabeth looked around nervous and saw a few of her colleagues staring at them. She tried to smile and show confidence but she knew she was failing.

Tony didn't seem to care for the people around him. Why would he? He is Tony Stark!

Seconds later, she felt his arms on her lower back.

His hands are on my exposed skin at my lower back thanks to this stupid sexy dress, she thought nervous at the feeling of his warm hand on her skin as he pulled her close to his chest.

Annabeth could smell his perfume.

Why is he doing this to me? Can't he see the effect that he has on me?

She knew he couldn't. Annabeth could hide her feelings towards him very well.

She was looking around trying to make this look just like a casual dance and nothing more than that. She made sure her face was away from his neck this time. She couldn't make the mistake to be caught up by her feelings for him and ending up showing him more affection than she should— especially in front of everyone.

He was staring at her. She could feel his eyes studying her and she made the mistake to look back at him. His gaze was so intense that she felt the need to break it, and the brunette smiled looking down for a few seconds trying to remember how to breathe.

All the walls she has against his charms was starting to fall. Especially those last few days where she was able to see a new side of him. More honest and caring, than she ever remembered he could be.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" He ask in a low voice that made her heart beat even faster and fueled her imagination.

My God! This man is going to kill me— "Oh! No! No! No!" she reminded herself to answer him. She was babbling again.

Lately he started to have this effect over her again, "I always feel as if my breath is stinking which is embarrassing..." she joked. "And dancing with my boss in front of everyone that I work with in a beautiful dress and the boss is who everyone knows is also my ex-fiancée is kind of crazy."

She finished talking and look around at people showing them concern. But again, he didn't seem to care and kept looking at her with a new intensity in his eyes that was familiar and yet unknown to Annabeth.

"You look great and your breath his great," He kept talking to her in that lower voice. Annabeth felt the need to look down a little embarrassed for his compliment.

I swear he is doing this on purpose.

"But I could fire you if that would take the edge off," He joked and it worked. At this little joke, Annabeth felt a little more relaxed and confident enough to tease him back. Its amazing the power that he had to distract her.

"I don't think you could tie your shoes without me," She told him, still with a smile on her face, "And Pepper would never let you fire me."

Whenever she was near him, it was always easy to smile like that.

"I'd make a week at least," he said with such a confidence that Annabeth felt her smile grow at his attitude. In those few seconds, teasing each other like that, she started to feel like they were the only ones there.

"What's your social security number?" she teased him knowing very well that he had no idea what it was. After she questioned him, he avoided her eyes but still had a poker face on.

Annabeth had to bite her lip trying to hold her smile. Tony took a few seconds to look around still thinking. He was trying. She couldn't deny that. And that made this whole situation even more funny to her.

"Five," he finally answered.

"Five?" she repeated unable to hold her smile any longer. He looked back at her.

"Almost there" she teased him, "You are missing just a couple of digits."

"The other eight?" he asked and she laughed at him.

It was so easy to laugh carefree around him, he seem pleased with her reaction and spoke again, "I got you for the other eight."

"And Pepper," Annabeth noted.

"And you."

There it was again. That irresistible charm and honesty of his— plus that super sexy voice. Their eyes met again but this time they held their gaze for a while longer.

Annabeth felt her eyes drift from his brown chocolate eyes to his lips so close to her. He was doing the same. She had to remind herself that they were in public and as much she will always love him, he was still her boss, Tony Stark, the womanizer, the playboy. Annabeth felt the intensity of the moment and again the need to break eye contact so she started to look at anywhere but him.

Tony probably realized that too because he suggested, "How about a little air?"