On one level, it's not quite as satisfying. He likes it when they're scared, when they struggle, when they believe he's going to kill them because that primitive fear drives away all thought of any other possibility. In that respect, Tony's limp acceptance is somewhat lacking.

In every other way, this is exactly what he wants. He's fantasized about Tony's throat under his fingers for a long time, and it seems as though there has never been a time when he hasn't craved a Stark's complete submission in one way or another. There are any number of ways in which Tony has made up for everything Obadiah could never get from Howard; this is easily the best item on that list. He squeezes harder and harder, cutting Tony's air off completely this time, and counts down the seconds in his head, and never once stops looking into Tony's eyes.