Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1]

25

Blinding light poured into the room despite the cool air that surrounded it. She groaned and rolled over in his arms, burying her face in the crook of his neck to escape the light. He merely threw an arm over his face and used the other to bring her closer to him.

They must have forgotten to close the curtains before they had collapsed onto the bed the previous night.

Hell, she was still dressed in her dress from last night.

Thelonious reached out and looped an arm around her waist as she attempted to get away from him. Pulling her back to him, she landed on his chest with an 'oof!'. Giving in, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment for a little longer.

He smirked; his eyes still closed. "And you thought you could get away."

She pouted and gazed up at him lovingly. "I need to get ready." She glanced down at her attire, scrunching up her nose in distaste. "And I want to get out of this dress."

"I could help with that." He offered, his intentions far from pure or innocent.

"Oh, I'm sure you can." She pulled away from him reluctantly and got off the bed before heading into the shower. Since they had slept together a little over a month ago, Darcy had been spending more time at the hotel and so had left a few outfits and necessities which allowed her to get ready in the morning. Rocking up to uni with the same outfit two days in a row was not something she wished upon herself, especially since she was sure that most people would figure out the reason why.

Darcy was in and out of the shower within fifteen minutes.

It was only when she had finished drying her hair and already started her makeup for the day did Thelonious finally decide to get up. She heard some ruffling behind her but didn't bother to turn around to see what he was doing.

A laugh escaped as he brushed past her with his naked behind on display to her. It was only when he got to the doorframe of his walk-in bathroom did he turned around fully to give her eyes something rather delightful to feats on. Thelonious winked before closing the door and disappearing behind it. A short few moments later and she could hear the shower running.

She instantly regretting not taking him up on his offer earlier.

Once she was finished getting ready, she waited for him to get dressed so that they could get breakfast together. Lying down on the neat bed which she had just made, she stretched her arms above her head and yawned. It was ironic since it was only the beginning of the day and she had just woken up. "I'd like you to meet my dad." She didn't really think about it, the words just left her mouth but she meant every word.

It was about time her dad met Thelonious, especially since he heavily suspected that she was seeing someone. Darcy wouldn't even contemplate introducing her father and Thelonious to each other if she didn't truly believe that they would go the whole way, if she didn't know that they would be end-game.

Thelonious froze with his back to her, surprised. Turning around slowly, he stared at her. "You really mean that?" He asked, surprise and a hint of fear – or worry, she couldn't exactly tell – evident in his eyes. He finished buttoning up the black shirt he had chosen to wear today in haste.

She nodded and offered him a small smile. "I'd really like for the two most important men in my life to finally meet each other." She couldn't help but grin at the dazed look in his face.

He wasn't scared.

Nervous would be a mild description of what Thelonious was feeling in that moment. It wasn't that he wasn't excited to meet Darcy's father, especially since she had spoken very fondly of him whenever she did speak of her father. It was evident that Darcy absolutely adored her father and vice versa, and he couldn't help but worry that her father would disapprove of him. Thelonious had never had a relationship get so serious that they were ready to meet each other's parents, so this was a first for him, especially since he was lacking in the parent department.