Shock colors his expression, eyes wide for the sudden press of her mouth to his, melting so briefly beneath her warmth, her taste, her touch until it's gone.. Even as Pepper draws away, he'd like to pursue, and stops himself, settling his hands at her waist.

"Now we're really delving into cliche," Stark tells her, even as he smiles, and it's his turn to be fondly exasperated. "And you gotta go."