Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1]

15

When a knock finally sounded on the door, Darcy didn't even bother waiting as she sprung off the sofa and rushed towards it. Her friends followed closely behind, both eager to see the man whom had so clearly whisked their friend off her feet.

Quite literally now as she all but ran to the door. She told herself it was to prevent one of her friends getting there first and embarrassing her before he even managed to get into the apartment.

Darcy felt immensely nervous all of a sudden as she came to a stop in front of the door, the only thing now separating them.

She also couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.

15 minutes blended into 23 minutes, but Darcy didn't mind because she had used those extra 8 minutes to sober up by drinking what felt like a gallon of water. She just wished all that water wouldn't catch up with her as that would mean having to leave her friends alone with Thelonious as she used the bathroom. She didn't wish to walk back into the room in the middle of one of them telling him an embarrassing story about her.

She also didn't mind because he had brought food with him just like he had said he would.

"These are you for you, ladies." He handed the bag over to Darcy whom then handed it over to Alice without even glancing what they contained.

"I'm Thelonious." He reached out and shook hands with both ladies, smiling politely.

"I'm Delilah," she smiled as she introduced herself. "And that's Alice. Please excuse her." She pointed to the blonde next to her whom hadn't said a word since Darcy had opened the door. "We've heard all about you."

"All good things I hope."

"Great things," Delilah giggled before pulling Alice away whom was stood behind Darcy, just gawking at the fine specimen standing in the doorway.

Thelonious watched in amusement as Darcy gestured something to her friends when she thought he wasn't paying attention. He didn't comment on it though, just waited patiently until the girls disappeared into the kitchen to plate up the food that he had brought for them all.

He leaned down so his mouth was right next to her ear. "You're not going to invite me in?" She shivered at the close proximity.

"I am," she smiled before grabbing his arm and tugging him into the apartment. He was just able to close the door behind him before she pulled him into the apartment behind her. Or rather, he just let her think that he was pulling her.

Thelonious didn't protest. He merely chuckled and let her guide him into the living room where she pushed him towards one of the sofas. When she made a move to leave for the kitchen, he wrapped his hand around her wrist, tugging her so she fell next to him.

A little to the left and she would have fallen right into his lap Not that either of them would have minded.

"What are you doing?" She asked, surprised. She could feel her skin start to warm up.

He shrugged and snaked an arm around her waist so she was pushed up right next to him. "I want you to sit next to me."

"You could have just said that."

Thelonious merely smirked. "You left me hanging this morning." His voice was low and quiet as he tilted his face down towards her, almost as if he was afraid that her friends would overhear from the kitchen.

"Did I?" She sounded aloud; her eyes fluttered to his lips as he leaned in closer to her.

His breath fanned over her face and mingled with hers as his nose grazed hers. "You promised me a date and then didn't deliver." He feigned sadness.