Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1]

11

His tall, dark figure stood out to him as she approached him, tugging out her earbuds from her ears once she got close enough. He stood out like a sore thumb; a head taller than everyone else and the darkest hair she had ever seen.

"I didn't think you'd remember to actually turn up today."

"Why's that?" She asked, slipping her hands in the pockets of her jacket due to the light breeze that promise cold, menacing temperatures would soon follow.

Thelonious shrugged and pushed himself up from the wall. "You were pretty hungover." He smirked to her, stopping just in front of her.

Darcy had to angle her head upwards to look at him. It was only when her nose brushed up against hers did she realise just how close he was standing. "I was hungover, not passed out." She defended herself weakly.

"Well, you were technically passed out before you woke up hungover." His minty breath fanned over her face as she spoke. His mere presence was such a distraction that she had to concentrate really hard to pay attention to what he was saying to her.

"I didn't agree to meet with you so you could make fun of me." She rolled her eyes, fighting back the smile that threatened to take over her face. "Have you got my ring?" She asked, subtly moving back a few steps to put a little space between them. It wasn't that she didn't want to be plastered up against him with nothing but a few wisps of air between them, but having this close to her, especially after having spent the entire weekend thinking of him was turning out to be doing a number on her insides.

He seemed thoughtful. "Have you had lunch yet?"

Darcy blinked once in surprise. "Not yet but what does that matter? I'm here for my ring."

A slow, small smile crept onto his face. "Have lunch with me."

"I can't." She shook her head. She didn't trust herself to be alone with him, especially not after she had basically molested him. The fact that he didn't mind in the least didn't matter. "I have a lecture."

"When's your lecture?" He persisted.

"In an hour."

"I'll have you back in less than that." He promised.

She pursed her lips, not enjoying the way he was manhandling her with his words. "Who says I'll have lunch with you when you won't even return me my ring?" The words rolled off her tongue sharper than she had anticipated.

"I'll give it back after lunch." He emphasised on the after, grinning as he already knew that he had her right where he wanted her.

Darcy hesitated, unsure. She had planned on retrieving her ring and perhaps even flirting a little in the few minutes that she would spend with him. Having lunch with him; being alone together for a whole hour hadn't been part of the plan. But she would be lying if she said she was completely opposed to the idea.

"I'll even escort you back here," he gestured towards the university building behind them.

Darcy snorted before securing the strap of her satchel higher up on her shoulder. Turning on her shoulder, she began walking in the direction of a local casual restaurant that a lot of university students often ate lunch. As much as she secretly enjoyed his dominating demeanour and demanding behaviour, a part of her was irked with being told what to do.

There were too many conflicting emotions for a Monday morning.

A few seconds passed before they were walking side by side; Darcy leading the way and Thelonious following obediently without so much as asking where she was taking him.