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The spilling into the night is momentarily chaotic, but then gets fairly quiet as people start filtering out to other cars and places. Pepper steps up towards the long line of limos which are beginning their way around, though she does a double take back at the man who had been with her. "…Matthew… Right? Your first name is Matthew…" Please tell her she remembered that right! He wasn't Foggy. He didn't look like a Foggy, too handsome, "Do…you need a ride? My driver should be here any minute. It's better than a taxi…"
*
Matt raises an eyebrow and walks over slowly. "Yeah, it's Matthew." He turns as if looking over his shoulder, considering. "You know, my father always told me that I wasn't supposed to get in cars with strangers." He shrugs his shoulders and seems resigned, "I'm always bad at taking advice, though. You sure it's not out of your way?"
*
Hell's Kitchen? It's probably horribly out of her way, a woman like Pepper. She probably never goes north of Midtown. But her smile blossoms a bit wider, even if he cannot see it, and she gives the softest of laughs, "Matthew, call me Pepper. Please. And then we are friends and I'm not a stranger. Besides, if you can lead me around the dance floor like that, I'm sure you could over power me if I got too hand-sy with a good Catholic boy like you." Yes, she's assuming that, but she knows where he's from. Knows the type. And it's charming, in his own way. She reaches up, wrapping her arm warmly around his once more, so she can be a guide to him, utterly unaware he can follow the scent of her vanilla and rose, or the faint trip of her heart. Now she's just a warm presence at his side as well.
*
"Well, that depends on your definition of handsy," Matt says as she leans close to him. "What's the deal with you and Stark? You guys no longer a thing? Were you ever a thing? Guess I just want to have my bases covered before you get handsy with me."
*
Those words definitely stop her a moment. It's not quite a slap to the face, but there is a sting of old emotions she hasn't quite yet resolved. She keeps her arm on his and just lets out a slow breath, saying nothing for a handful of heartbeats. "Here… this is it." The sound and scent of another woman, the driver, comes around the side of the limo as the back door is open, "Victoria, we're going to be taking Mr. Murdock home, up to Hell's Kitchen. Thank you." The woman utters an asset and then Pepper leads the way into the spacious, leathered back of the limo, the scent of sealed champagne, scotch and coffee in the air. Pepper settles down into the seat before stating simply, "We have not been together for quite some time."
*
Matt nestles in beside her and collapses his cane so it doesn't become bothersome in the vehicle. He leans back in the seat before turning his head to face her. "I couldn't tell if you were happy he showed up, or mortified."
*
The fact that he settles in so close isn't missed on her. It's been a long time since Pepper even sat close to someone like this — the imposing, terrifying CFO of Wayne Enterprises isn't a woman people nestle up to these days. Something in her relaxes just a touch more, not pulling away from him but also not curling in tighter. Just leaning against. Enjoying another human… "Worried. Not mortified. He… he's not on a good path and I'm no where near to help him. We… we were a thing. It was good for a bit. But he drinks, and he likes women… lots of women. And… I… deserve more than that."
*
"I agree with you there—you deserve a lot. How do you like your new job?" Matt asks. As the car pulls away the sounds reverberates throughout the cabin of the limo, pulsating and giving Matt an idea what it "looks" like. Swanky. "You sure you want to take this ride into Hell's Kitchen? We might have it end up on cinder blocks before the night is over."
*
"Victoria is… most capable. Body guard, mechanic and driver. I have no worries." Pepper is utterly honest about that. She pays the woman well and has hired the best — and the best WOMAN — for the job. She settles back a bit deeper into the seat, popping off her shoes and stretching her toes with a few pops of her ankles. "And… yes. When I finally got free of Stark Industries I… I started to see my value a bit more. I am one of the best business minds in this city. Wayne saw that. Tony didn't." No matter how much it hurts. "And… I can use that to help a whole lot of other women. I can't take a step backwards now… No matter how much I miss him." Pepper then seems to realize she's been rambling, a nervous touch of laugh brushing her throat, "I am sorry, you don't need to know all this. Would… would you like a drink?"
*
"It's alright," Matt says with a chuckle. "I'm Catholic—admitting our sins is what we do." He ponders a bit at the idea of a drink and shrugs his shoulders, "I'll have whatever you're having."
*
The woman leans forwards, considering quietly before picking up the decent bottle of scotch. She's in the mood for it, perhaps it's talking about Tony, perhaps not. She pours them out both a few fingers and dashes just a splash of water in to open the flavor. That's all it needs. She then hands the glass in his direction, careful to wrap her small palm over his to guide it properly in place. "Here… this doesn't need any ice, I promise." There is a lot of traffic around them, the gala having caused a bottle neck, so it will be a bit getting up north.
*
Matt takes a sip and enjoys all of the smoky flavors of the whiskey. People think they're able to enjoy things in life, but they have no true idea. He can taste every twist and turn the drink takes, and has the added benefit of being susceptible to its warmth and intoxicating qualities far easier than most people too. "That's some good scotch," he says.
*
"When you have the advantages I do, there is no reason to drink poor scotch…" Pepper admits with a husky touch of a laugh, taking a good sip of the stuff herself. It hits her fast — not quite drunk, but she's had a drink at the gala and now this, making her warm and her pulse a touch quicker. After all these years, she's still a light weight. Proof she doesn't do this often. "And you? Some lady who will be horribly jealous I tempted you into my limo?"
*
"There used to be," Matt says with a smile. "But she's gone now. That was always our problem. One of us was always out the door." He takes another drink, circling the whiskey with a bit of a forlorn, almost nostalgic manner. "It's done for good this time. And it's for the best." He chuckles, "Besides, she was Russian, and with the Cold War, that's never going to work."
*
The woman recognizes that tone of voice. It's a tone she's had about Tony a lot. A deeper, slight sigh escapes her lips, sympathetic and quiet. "…I… can understand that. No matter how good it feels, how much you want it… Sometimes it's just not… Not right. Not healthy. Sometimes it makes us want it more." She gives him a ghost of an unseen smile before taking a deeper sip of her scotch.
*
"Well," Matt says with a smile. That kind of grin where he's about to disagree in some way. "That's how I felt after the first time. Now that it happened again…well, once bitten twice shy." He takes a deeper sip of his scotch and shrugs his shoulders. "Live and learn."
*
A bittersweet laugh crosses her lips, "Guess I never got a second time to learn. I keep… pursuing men that I know it'll never get serious with. People as dedicated to their career as I am. I guess it's safer to find people married to work, then I know there won't be expectations that I should step back from mine… which, of course, makes it all doomed from the start." A deep sigh as Pepper sinks a little closer against him. It doesn't mean she's not lonely.
*
"Well, it could be worse. You could not be filthy rich, riding in a limo, with great scotch," Matt replies with a laugh. "I'm sure it'll all work out for you, Pepper. Just a matter of time."
*
A deeper laugh comes. "And a very handsome man, you forgot that part." Pepper adds warmly, reaching one hand over to brush against his knee and give a little squeeze there. Almost tempting. She's definitely a bit more flushed than before. She takes another good sip of her scotch, nearly finishing the glass. The limo finally starts quicken on the road as well, heading up the West Side Highway…
*
"Unfortuantely, I'll have to rely on your judgement. I haven't seen myself since I was a boy. You seem to be wise in that department though." As she squeezes his knee he reaches his arm up over her arm rest as he finishes off his scotch.
*
There is an immediate, noticable effect on her body. A slight relaxation that wasn't there before, the sort that comes when someone has been literally touch starved for, probably, months, and then is pressed against a warm frame she oddly trusts. Pepper sinks to the side, closer to his toned body, a deeper breath escaping her lips. "I have good taste… or so they tell me." SHe confesses in a slightly too husky whisper.
*
Matt then does something odd. he rests the glass on the back, behind the head rests since it's easier. From there, his other hand, as he turns, is brought up to Pepper's cheek, to brush at it, if she lets him. And, should she let him do more, he plants a kiss on her.
*
Despite her comfort with him, the tenderness of his arm around her… That was the last thing Pepper actually expected. Men didn't do this with women like her any more, no matter how attractive she was. She was immasculating, intimidating. A career woman, practially a dirty word. The woman's breath entirely stops, heart literally skipping in her chest before double timing in surprise, enjoyment, a touch of fear… But she doesn't pull back. She leans up and into his touch and his lips. She still tastes of scotch and sweet champange from the gala.
*
Eventually, Matt pulls away and idly wonders if he's getting into trouble. And then he thinks that he's always getting into trouble, so what the hell is the difference. He's about to say something, and then doesn't, not wanting to ruin it.
*
The woman is faintly breathless when he finally pulls away, and completely flushed. It's not just the scotch, either. Her skin is almost feverish beneath his fingertips, Pepper still so innocent in some ways. She blushes like no modern woman does, but she can't really stop it either. "…t-that… was… that was lovely…" She breathes out, almost embarrassed and awkward. She sounds not even 20 years old right now, not the big corporate mogul she is.
*
Matt seems remarkably at ease. It's probably because of all the signs he gets from her. And also because he's rather laid back as it is. "Glad you liked it," he replies, not quite sure if that was the thing to say, but he doesn't seem to worry about it too much.
*
"I… Matt… I'm not that kind of girl. Who…just goes home with a guy, you know. I know people say things about us career women but…I… I'm not loose. No matter what the press says." Pepper admits, half stammering, trying to convince herself of that as much as him, even if it is true. Hear enough slanderous articles and be a good girl who popped her cherry before marriage? Well, there is a part of her who thinks she is a slut.
*
Matt nods, "That's not a problem. I won't invite you up, then. But I'll take you up on the coffee sometime soon if it's just the same to you."
*
That seems to surprise her a bit, Pepper studying his handsome features, even if he cannot see her critical, thoughtful gaze. "Is this coffee about… business? I mean, you can just come down to the office…" CLearly, Pepper thinks a man can't be interested in her if it's not for immediate sex.
*
"No, not really. I mean, I already tried to get your business and failed, remember? I was thinking more about a coffee date. But if that doesn't work for you, I understand," Matt says, trying to be diplomatic.
*
The woman is genuinely confused, staring at Matt a few moments, "Uh… that was with… Stark. I can probably get you in with Wayne Enterprises. I just have to figure out which… well… what project we can put you on and not have the corporate lawyers squawk." Pepper is genuinely not getting it.
*
"Sorry, I can't accept. I don't date clients," Matt replies. "Although do me a favor and don't tell Foggy. He'll probably kill me."
*
The woman falls dead quiet for a heartbeat or two, blinking at him. "…Date. You… actually want to go… on a date?" Pepper asks softly, trying to taste the words, figure out where the joke here is.
*
"Yeah, sorry if that's forward. I mean, I don't kiss people just randomly," Matt says with a chuckle. "If you're busy I get it."
*
The lawyer might notice that they've been going in slow circles around the vague area of Hell's Kitchen for a few minutes now. Victoria knows enough not to interrupt to ask for an address, and they have money to spend on gas, so the chauffer just keeps driving. Slowly but surely. They'll stop eventually. Pepper hasn't noticed, though. She's still staring at him in shock, her heart in her throat. "I…I am… busy. Horribly so. I'm a horrible person to date. I stay at the office until 8 most nights and… I'm up at dawn. I sleep there half the time, truthfully. And I'll make more money than you. The world finds that to be horribly embarrassing and I won't apologize for it. I might be the worst person to date ever… just a warning."
*
"I really don't care about any of that sort of thing. But the ball is in your court, not mine," Matt says. "44th and 11th, please," he calls out to the driver.
*
The call of the address is enough to make Pepper blink forward, realizing that they are almost there. "Oh… I didn't realize… I've been keeping you, haven't I?" Pepper admits, blushing again. She's still trying to process his interest. "…what… ARE you interested in, then?" SHe finally dares to ask, as Victora turns up 11th.
*
"Well, like I said, I was going to invite you up. Being a woman of business acumen, I think you can figure that out. But I'd also like to take you out for something nonthreatening. Like coffee. That sort of thing. That's what I'm interested in," Matt replies as he reaches for his cane.
*
Soon enough, they are coasting to a stop outside of his building. There is no pressure, though, the blinkers on and Victoria waiting with silent loyalty. Pepper studies Matt's features, trying to piece it all together, before she finally stammers out a quiet, "A-alright… alright. Coffee, then… or a nice dinner. I can pay. Whatever you like. Your favourite food. Someone like you deserves to be spoiled sometime…"
*
Matt chuckles, "Well, I'm into the cheap stuff. So, jeans, mexican food and beers over at Hector's in Midtown." He tilts his head, "And if there's a second one, you'll get to pick."
*
THat makes Pepper laugh a bit, but it's a relieved laugh. The laugh of a woman who is into cheap and casual herself, just hasn't been able to show or do that in ages. "…Hector's sounds… damn nice, actually. When shall we?"
*
"Whenever you return my call," Matt opens the door when the car comes to a stop and looks back into the car with a grin. "Have a good night, Pepper."
*
A wider smile crosses her lips and she leans up, daring to steal one more kiss from him, this one all her idea. Pepper lets it linger a bit longer than is proper before finally leaning back into her car. "I'll see you before the week is out then, Matthew Murdock…" And, while a little terrified at that, Pepper also sounds genuinely happy.