The breeze tickled her nose and blew her hair into her face. She rolled down her sleeves so they covered the entirety of her arms.

Looking up from her laptop screen for the first time in around an hour or so, Darcy was met with a pair of striking blue eyes whose owner was currently taking long strides towards her, walking with a purpose. Her breath hitched in her throat at the sight of him; almost as if forgetting that she had only seen him a few hours ago.

His smouldering gaze didn't waver nor abate as he got closer to her. Rather, it intensified and his pupils dilated as a slow smile crept up on his face. She wasn't even sure he was aware that he was smiling.

Her skin tickled. The warmth of his gaze caressed the exposed skin of her face, neck and collarbone, leaving behind a sizzling sensation.

Her stomach twisted and her throat felt parched as he leaned forward on the receptionist's desk that now separated them. His head hung just above the screen of her laptop.

She didn't complain when he shut it slowly and her eyes didn't dare leave his.

"Where's Romeo?" He asked, his not once wavering from hers.

She sat higher up in her chair. "He said he was meeting someone."

Thelonious scowled at her answer but leaned it closer, putting more weight on the desk. Angling his head, a pleasurable shiver passed down her spine as his breath fanned out against the side of her neck, only travelling upwards. "He left you here by yourself?" His lips pressed against the shell of her as he whispered the words into them. There was a hint of annoyance in them, though she knew it wasn't directed at her.

She shrugged and tugged at one of her sleeves to pull it up slightly. It was starting to get hot all of a sudden. His lips brushed just under her ear at the sudden movement and she felt her core pulsate in wanton need.

"I hung out with Max and the others in the kitchen for a bit." She explained, her voice quiet. He was so close that she could have whispered and he would have heard her perfectly. "But then Romeo asked me to stay at the desk until he got back."

He pulled away slightly, just enough so that she could see his face. She wasn't sure if she was grateful for this or if she should demand he return to his previous position.

"So, now you're doing his job for him?" He raised a questioning brow.

"I guess," she replied nonchalantly, her eyes fleeting across his face, lingering on his plump, bottom lip. "There was only one person that checked in."

"A walk-in?"

"Yeah," she nodded. She turned the work computer slightly so he could view the entry she had put in for the guest. He finally pulled away from her to lean over to get a clear view of the computer screen. "He paid upfront for a week. Mac told me to put him on the second floor. Did I do it right?" She looked up at him, eager for reassurance.

Thelonious' eyes dances across the screen as he inspected her work. "You've done it perfectly." He sounded aloud, impressed. Usually he was the one who handled the guest log, not fond of the manner in which others filled it in. "You didn't carry his cases up there by yourself, did you?"

She shook her head. "He only had one with him and one of the kitchen staff offered to do it for me."

"That's Romeo's job." He pursed his lips, annoyed again, though made a mental note to thank that particular kitchen staff later. It was difficult finding good, loyal employees that were willing to do more than what their job description entailed.

She shrugged, not really bothered. "Where were you?"

Thelonious didn't answer her straight away as he walked around the desk so now he was standing behind, the desk no longer acting as a barrier between them. He leant forward again but this time bent his head; essentially resting his head in the crook of neck. He didn't move at first, cautious that she would push him away; afraid of rejection. But when she didn't refuse him, a tired sigh escaped him and he nuzzled his face further into her neck, his arms crawled around her waist, pulling her back flush against his chest.

His breath fanned over her skin and his lips brushed against her neck as he spoke. "I was at some tech company discussing a possible website that I wanted to get built for the hotel." His words were all business but his tone and behaviour flirty; lazy almost as he stroked the exposed skin just above her leggings.

"You need a website?" She questioned, interested. Tech was her thing. Building a website for him would be a pretty simple task.

"Yes." He affirmed. "I already have one but it seriously needs to be replaced. The hotel has been doing much better lately so it's about time we get a proper website for it."

She wiggled in his arms so she was facing him now, not noticing the way his arms tightened around her. She didn't have any choice but to place her arms against his chest as she leaned into him, looking up at him. "Did you manage to decide on what you want?"

Another sigh escaped his lips; tickling her. "No."

"Why not?"

"They didn't really understand what I wanted."

"And what did you want?"

"Just something simple and modern." He groaned under his breath before pulling away. One of his hands reached forward and held hers in his softly, his thumb stroking the back of it gently. "Have you had dinner yet?"

She nodded. "Mac made me a bagel earlier."

"Come on," he tugged at her hand, leading her behind him towards the double doors of the kitchen. "Let's get some food in you."

She glanced over her shoulder, making sure that her laptop was shut. "What about the desk?"

"I spoke to Tom. He said he'd keep an eye on while we get some food." A small smile graced his lips when he noticed the confused look on her face. "He's the doorman."

"Oh," she sounded aloud in realisation.

He froze and his body stiffened when she pulled away from him. Staring at her from over his shoulder, relief washed over him as he watched her place her laptop in her bag and zip it closed before placing it under the desk where no one would see it. She turned around and rushed back to him, slipping her hand into his as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"And what about my ring?"

His lips twitched. "After food. I promise this time."

She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, just sighed and allowed him to pull her along behind him.

Food sounded pretty good, right about now.

The kitchen had quietened down and some of the staff had already left, but a few remained behind with Mac as they tidied up and finished off the preparation for the next day.

Thelonious nudged her towards the left over food that Mac had kept out for them. "Help yourself."

"You're not going to get anything?"

"I just need to speak to one of the guys," he gestured towards the man whom she recognised from earlier. He was the one that had helped her with the guest.

"Okay," she nodded, understanding. "I'll make a plate for you."

He sent her a devilish smirk, reaching out to stroke her cheek with his thumb. Her skin hummed in anticipation but he merely pulled back and walked away.

She found herself watching him, but blushed lightly when a cough sounded behind her.

Turning around, she was faced with the chef, Mac, standing with two plates, one in each hand. She took them graciously and thanked him.

Darcy's eyebrows knitted together at the sight of only two plates. She looked around her to find that all the other kitchen staff were in the process of leaving, Mac being the only one from them left. "You're not going to join us?" She asked just as Thelonious returned to her side, his hip brushing against her as he took one of the plates from her.

Mac answered with a sly smirk. "Not tonight," he turned around and headed towards the door. "But you two kids have fun."

Neither Darcy nor Thelonious commented on what Mac had said or the knowing look that he had sent Thelonious when he thought Darcy hadn't been looking. Instead, they chose to ignore it and just enjoy their meal. It was late and they were both tired, and there was also the fact that Darcy had yet to get the train home.

She was just glad she didn't have a class scheduled until later in the afternoon tomorrow.

The steak was still warm when she lifted it to her mouth. So warm in fact, that she felt a small part of her mouth burn as she chewed and then quickly swallowed.

A big gulp of cold water felt good against the sensitive flesh. It eased the pain a little, but not by much.

Her eyes drifted up as she placed the glass down. Thelonious watched her with a large smile, affirming that he had just watched her burn her mouth on a big piece of steak.

She rolled her eyes and cut another piece, clearly not having learnt from her mistake. She hadn't realised how tired she was until now.

He soon followed and before they knew it, they both had polished their plates clean, though Darcy hadn't touched any of her broccoli. She sat back and sipped at her water as he finished her greens for her, not at all bothered by the silence that engulfed them.

In fact, it was rather refreshing not having to feel the need to fill any and every bout of silence with unnecessary noise.

"I suppose you would be wanting that ring now." He stated, already reaching into his jeans pockets to retrieve the ring.

She nodded, her lips twitching at the edges.

Holding the ring between his thumb and forefinger, his other hand reached across the table and laid on top of hers. Her breath hitched as she realised what he wanted.

Allowing his hand to take a hold of hers, he slipped the ring onto her middle finger; the one which he had seen her wear it on last.

It would have been more romantic if one of the kitchen staff hadn't just run by then, mumbling his apologies under his breath, claiming to have forgotten something earlier. Why he hadn't just taken the door near the reception, she had no idea.

She cleared her throat, her eyes now downcast. Not feeling uncomfortable, just shy. Which was pretty unlike her. Darcy wasn't overly confident, but she didn't feel shy and timid often either.

This man had her feeling all sorts of emotions.

She hadn't decided if that was a good thing yet.

"It's pretty late." She noted aloud as her eyes noticed the time on the lock screen of her phone.

"It is," he nodded.

"I should be getting home." She stood up, reaching down to grab her empty plates.

"Leave them," he stopped her, having stood up as well. "I'll get them later."

She nodded and followed him out to the main reception where she had left her bag under the desk. Grabbing her charger and notebook and placing both items into her bag within a few short moments, she was all ready to go.

"I can't persuade you to spend the night?" He asked once she was done, stood casually against the desk with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes following her every movement. He quickly clarified when he noticed her unease and evident hesitation. "I meant that you could take one of the rooms."

"I kind of told my dad I would be home tonight." She shrugged as she slipped her bag onto her shoulder. "Plus, I don't have uni until the afternoon tomorrow so I was planning on getting some work done in the morning."

He nodded in understanding. "I'll drop you off at the station."

"You don't have to. I was planning on getting the tube anyway." She explained. "I don't want to inconvenience you."

He smiled a lopsided smile, tired. "You'll never be an inconvenience. I could do with a drive before bed anyway." He dug his keys out of pocket and jangled them in front of her. "Come on." He urged her, smiling wider when she headed towards the front doors with him trailing behind her.

Thelonious drove Darcy to the station, dropped her off, and waited until she had texted him that she was on the train before he drove back to the hotel, no longer feeling very sleepy.

He had a certain redhead to thank for that.

-

NOTE - not edited!

The next chapter will be uploaded on 24/01/2020!

All my stories can be found on Inkitt for FREE: https://inkitt.app.link/RA__illuminating_

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 14 is available on Inkitt NOW!

Layla Knight

04.08.19