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.
"I don't remember promising you a date."
He closed his eyes and brushed his nose against her, almost unconsciously.
An eskimo kiss.
"You don't?"
"No," she managed to breathe out before his face finally descended upon hers completely.
This was much more than what Darcy had either expected or anticipated. Kissing Thelonious was like tasting a small piece of Heaven.
His mouth moulded with hers expertly and before she knew it, her fingers were tangled in his hair as she pulled his face closer, desperate to eliminate the minute space between them.
This did not feel like it was their first kiss. It felt oddly natural.
A low, rumble sounded from his chest as he wound his arms around his waist, his hand slipping under the hem of jumper and resting on the skin above the waistband of her leggings. His hand was cool against her skin and she couldn't help but shiver at the contrast.
Sadly, she wasn't able to savour the moment as her friends had returned with all the food plated and ready to eat.
"Dinner's ready!" Alice called out, seemingly over her previous confoundment as she placed a glass in front of everybody before sitting on the opposite sofa. She pretended not to notice Thelonious spring away from Darcy in surprise. Delilah laid down all the food and joined Alice, leaving Darcy and Thelonious sitting next to each other.
Everyone just ignored the fact that her friends had walked in on them locking lips, especially after Darcy had admitted that they hadn't kissed yet.
Conversation flowed easily as the four of them enjoyed dinner, ranging from work to university and life after university. Thelonious was great at offering advice regarding applying for jobs and interviews since he had been through all of that before he started his hotel, something which Darcy was surprised to hear about.
Sadly, dinner didn't last too long and before they knew it, it was time for Thelonious to leave.
"Sorry, ladies. I have to get going." He stood up, stretching slightly.
Darcy was the first one to speak up. "Already?" She didn't even bother trying to conceal the disappointment.
"Yeah," he nodded and sighed, not wanting to leave himself. "I have a large shipment coming in tonight and need to be there to make sure everything is fine."
"Oh, okay."
Thelonious must have sensed her feelings for reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing slightly. "See me to the door?" He asked.
"Sure," she agreed, not completely oblivious.
"Ladies," he turned to the two other girls, actually having enjoyed their company. "It was a pleasure. Maybe we can do this again some other time."
"Don't be a stranger," Alice called out as Delilah smiled and waved.
"I'm sorry I dragged you away from work today." She apologised once they had reached the door and were far away enough where her friends wouldn't overhear their conversation as long as they were quiet.
"I didn't miss anything important, don't worry." He held out his arms expectantly. Darcy didn't hesitate for one second as she walked into him. He felt warm and cosy; she didn't want to leave. "How about I take you out for breakfast in the morning." His words were muffled slightly as his placed a kiss on the top of her head.
She pulled away slightly to look up at him. "I have a class then."
Thelonious paused and thought for a second. "Before then. And then I'll drop you off."
Darcy smiled and buried her face in his chest again. "That would be nice. I'd like that."
"I'd really like that too." He smiled and placed his hand under her chin to angle her face up towards him again. "And this," he hummed quietly as he leaned down and laid a peck on her. Darcy wasn't sure if a peck was all he intended but she had other ideas as she raised up on her tip toes and slipped her tongue into his mouth.
She knew she was acting wanton, but she didn't care.
"I really have to go now," he whispered between kisses. Pressing his lips against hers one more time, he closed his eyes and groaned before pulling her in for one last hug. "I'll see you in the morning." He promised her. "I'll text you. Sleep tight, my vixen!"
Her lips tingled and her eyes were glazed as she watched him walk away, only realising that he was out of sight when her friends had come to see what was taking so long.
"You never mentioned that he was that delicious!" Alice exclaimed as soon as the door was closed. She leaned back against Delilah and fanned herself with her own hands. The other two girls laughed at her antics as they walked back over to the living room. "Now I understand why you're so keen on him. If I were you, I wouldn't want to let go either."
Darcy nodded in understanding. Her lips stretched into a small smile on their own accord.
It was completely out of her control.
Delilah smirked, a knowing look in her eyes. "We saw you guys kiss."
Darcy merely winked, teasing.
She was glad Thelonious had kissed her. If he hadn't then she was sure that she would have done it at some time throughout the evening.
She fell asleep that night with both of her best friends next to her, one on either side since they both refused to sleep in the middle. On any other night, she would have argued too that she didn't want to sleep in the middle but that was not a normal night.
The brunette hogged all the covers and constantly kicked her all throughout the night, and the blonde snored louder than a dying cat, but that night, she didn't mind.
In fact, she slept rather peacefully.
Utterly and completely content.
-
"Thelonious is waiting for me downstairs." Darcy called out to no one in particular as she looked down at her phone, a smile already on her face.
"If you ever get bored of him, be sure to send him in my direction." Alice laughed, only joking.
"Not in a million years!" Darcy scoffed as she threw on her jacket before heading towards the door. "I'll see you guys later."
Opting out of waiting for the elevator, she jogged down three flights of stairs, taking two at a time. It would be quicker that way.
He had only texted that he was waiting outside for her and she was already skipping down the stairs, eager to see him already.
She just hoped that she didn't scare him away.
Her eyes landed on him immediately once she had walked into the parking lot. He was leaning against his car with his arms folded. A smile broke out into his immediately once he saw her.
When he held open his arms for her, she ran into them, weaving her arms around his waist and under his black denim jacket which he had left unbuttoned.
"Don't you look absolutely radiant this morning?"
"I don't know, do I?"
"Oh, you definitely do." He chuckled before pulling her back into his arms, burying his face in her hair. He loved the way she smelt.
She fitted perfectly into his arms. Almost as if they were created just to hold her.
Thelonious trailed his lips down until they pressed against her temple where they lingered for a few more moments than necessary. "Come on," he began pulling away. "Let's get some food in you." He held out his hand, his lips twitching slightly when she accepted gladly.
"We aren't going to take your car?" She asked as he began leading her away from his car.
"I was thinking we could get breakfast in one of the cafes nearby and then I can drop you off at uni afterwards, if that's okay?"
"That sound greats." She replied happily.
Thelonious smirked before providing her with three different breakfast spots, all of which were perfectly adequate for a quick breakfast for various different reasons.
Darcy didn't have to think for too long. "Let's get an acai bowl."
Thelonious turned his nose up at that. He wasn't a fan of yogurt but the lady would get what she wanted. He just hoped that he would be able to get something a bit heartier.
Yogurt and fruit were more of a light snack than a breakfast. That wouldn't keep him full for more than an hour and he had a busy day ahead of him.
It took less than five minutes for them to walk to the café of choice and be seated.
A sigh of relief emanated from him once he noticed the large range of breakfast options available on the menu, including the full English that was looking particularly good that breezy, autumn morning.
Darcy bit into her thumb as her eyes scanned the menu too. "The eggs on toast are sounding better than the acai bowl right now." She mumbled, her eyes still glued to the menu.
She was better at making big decisions in comparison to the small, everyday ones.
Thelonious smirked as he leaned back in his chair, already having decided what he was going to get. "You can always get an acai bowl the next time we get breakfast together." He offered.
Her eyes trailed up to meet his, but she didn't say anything. She liked where he was going with his words.
She ended up getting the eggs. The acai bowl would just have to wait until their next breakfast date.
If this was even a date, she thought to herself. She didn't have the courage to voice her thoughts aloud though.
Sometimes, she wished she was more out-spoken like her friends.
There wasn't much conversation as they both enjoyed their breakfast. Neither of them minded though.
Once they were finished, they both headed back to the car which he had left outside Delilah's dorm building. It was a five-minute walk but since breakfast Thelonious had arrived earlier than she had anticipated, there was still plenty of time before her first class so they took their time, just enjoying each other's company.
"What class do you have today?" He asked, clenching and unclenching his fist. Not because he was agitated or angry, but because he wanted to hold her hand.
She thought for a second, trying to remember her timetable for the day. "A lecture on Network Security in the morning and then a programming lab in the evening."
"Do you sit and code in the lab?" He asked, curious.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I think I'm just going to work on my project during that time since I finished the lab work last week."
"Smart girl," he praised her, his hand reaching out for hers as they walked. He tried to play it off casually, but he knew he had been caught when she looked up at him in wonder.
"What about you?" She asked, smiling softly at his antics.
He sure wasn't as smooth as he liked to think himself to be.
He used his free hand to brush away some hair that had fallen into his eyes. "I think I need a haircut." He chuckled. "I've just got some standard work at the hotel. I'm expecting a large group of guests today so I'm going to have to handle that. Other than that, my evening is pretty free."
"I like your hair the way it is." She noted aloud without thinking.
"You do?" He mused, almost as if he was speaking to himself. "Then I guess it's staying like this for a little longer."
She shrugged. "You should get it cut if you want it shorter."
"I'll think about it." He smiled and shook his head. "When do you finish with uni today?"
"Around 5."
"Can I see you again tonight?"
Darcy turned to face him with a smirk already on her face. "It depends. What do you have in mind?"
"Another date."
"Another date?" She repeated, kind of trying to fish the words out of his mouth.
Thelonious chuckled, and roped her closer to him. Her arms now rested against his chest, sandwiched between them as she looked up at him.
"This was a breakfast date. I'm hoping for a dinner date tonight, if you're up for it." The words rolled off his tongue quickly, in fear that he would bottle it.
"I have to think about it. I'm kind of busy."
He flicked her nose at that. She loved teasing him. "Well, you let me know if you're able to pencil me in to your busy schedule."
"I will," she smirked, enjoying the light banter between them.
"Come on," he tugged on her hand, pushing her towards the car. Holding open the door, he smirked when she looked back at him. "Let's get your day started, you vixen."
-
NOTE - not edited
The next chapter will be uploaded on 07/02/2020
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Chapters of Beating Hearts [Knight's Rest #1] will be uploaded on Inkitt a week earlier than on Wattpad as well as exclusive bonus chapters at the end of the story. So, be sure to check out Beating Hearts on Inkitt here: https://inkitt.app.link/RA__illuminating_
Chapter 16 is available on Inkitt NOW!
Layla Knight
05.09.19