It's always maddening how perfectly they fit together. He actually lets out a sigh when she denies him, shaking his head so his nose brushes against her pulse-point. He knows this is partially a ploy to keep him sober enough to pick up where they left off, later, and another part because she doesn't want to mess up her hair. Always thinking ahead, that Pepper. But it still stings, and he still wants her -- desperately.

"They'll wait for us. I'm usually way later than this." Which really ought to be tacky at a certain point, to your own party. But he'd always made sure it was interesting enough for people to stick around. And if anyone leaves this shindig before the finale they're going to feel mighty foolish, that's for sure.