#thehappyegg

Pepper had arranged the little lunch, and she was glad she had picked the more upscale place that provided a bit more privacy. Plus, she really enjoyed the way Darcy’s legs looked in the skirt and heels she had worn to match the dress code.  Of course Pepper had considered that, too, when picking their lunch destination.

“Wow Pepper,” Darcy said with a soft, happy sigh as they were seated.  “This place is amazing.  Are you sure you meant to bring me here and not some business contact?”

“Of course I meant to bring you here,” she said as her eyes flicked over the menu.  “However, I must admit that this is a more than friendly lunch.”

“Oh?” Darcy asked, looking up from her own menu.

“That part can wait until our food arrives. I suggest the salmon, if you enjoy fish.”

“Is his going to be a business meeting that I am woefully underprepared for because I didn’t know what was happening?”

“Of course not.  I said more than friendly.  It has nothing to do with business.” Pepper gave a small smile as she enjoyed her little play on words.

Darcy frowned a bit but went back to her menu.  Once their orders were placed, they chatted about everyday things - how Darcy was enjoying the city, how Pepper liked the office redecoration she had completed, how the labs were.

As soon as their waiter dropped their food and left, Pepper got straight to the point. “Darcy, I’m sure you’ve noticed how Tony looks at you.”

“I don’t know how to make him stop,” Darcy said immediately.

“Oh, that’s not why I asked you here.”

“Are you going to make me leave?” she asked in a small voice.

“Heavens no.  I’m wondering if you’re interested too.”

“In Tony?”

“In both of us.”

Darcy stopped for a moment and considered Pepper’s words.  Pepper appreciated that she was giving it thought rather than answering straight away.  She was certain this meant that whatever answer she received would be more than just hormones talking.  Eventually Sarcy looked her in the eye and said, “Yes, I would be.”

Pepper smiled.  “I’m so glad you said yes because as much as I enjoy looking at you in that skirt, I’d love to watch you take it off.”  Darcy blushed a soft pink. “I’m also curious how far that blush covers,” she said calmly, taking another bite of her salad.

Darcy’s blush ran hotter, but she wasn’t going to back down from this clear challenge. “I’m certain you have some excellent lingerie.  I’d love a fashion show sometime.”

Pepper gave a soft laugh.  “Oh, we’re going to get along just fine. Now then, there’s just the small issue of Tony…”

Darcy had ended up agreeing to be the one to talk to Tony.  They had decided that Pepper’s acknowledgement of his attraction to Darcy might seem more threatening than if Darcy tackled the issue.  This was how she found herself inside his lab a quick hour later.

“Busy,” Tony called over his shoulder, not bothering to look at who was actually there.

“I think you’ll have time for this conversation,” Darcy said as she made her way over to him, the soft click of her heels lost in the sound of the pounding music pumping through the lab. Tony turned to look at her as soon as he heard her voice.

His eyes quickly raked over her body.  “What can I do for you Lewis,” he said with a small lick to his lips that she was sure he didn’t realize he had done.

“I’m not blind, you know,” she started. “I can see how you look at me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, turning away.

“You’re not the only man to have ever looked at me like that, Tony.”

“I’m with Pep.  Love her too.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then why are you here, Lewis?”

She stepped closer to him, and took a step back, almost bumping into the lab table behind him.  “Have you ever seen the way she looks at me?”  This seemed to freeze him.  She was a touch worried that she had broken him. “What about the way that I look at her?” she pressed on.

That seemed to kick him back into gear.  “So, what?  You’re going to steal her from me?”

“No, no, no, I like us much better all together.”

“Like a threesome?”

“I’m not talking one night of sex, Tony.  I’m talking about a relationship.  All of us, together.”

“Is that?  Can…?  But…?”

“It’s called polyamory, Tony.  I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it.”

“But that’s just being selfish.  It isn’t fair to Pepper.”

Darcy smiled and pulled out her phone, flicking to a picture and then turning it toward him.  “Does this look like a woman that thinks it’s unfair?”  His eyes practically bulged out of his head as he took in the picture they had taken before she had gone to the lab. It showed a smug Pepper taking the photo while Darcy kissed at her neck.  Pepper’s pupils were dilated, clearly enjoying the moment.  “Anyway, I’m heading back up to finish what I started.  If you’re interested in something more than just one night, you know where to find us.”