As she couldn't start a conversation whilst she was covered in blood, Darla decided to take a warm bath to put herself in a good frame of mind in order to deal with the problem at hand.
And then as she made her way across from the living room into her room, Rhode's eyes pinned on her, it felt like a predator had set his sights on his prey. But she didn't care, she shook it off and slammed the door.
A few moments later, she emerged out of her room draped in a silk two piece pajamas, with wet hair framing her face and lining her body down to her waist. She looked so ethereal, so out of the world that one wouldn't expect that she had just finished torturing a man.
Obviously taken aback by the sight that sent his blood rushing to his head, Rhodes couldn't look away in time before he felt a downward rush of hot liquid flow out of his nose.
Darla feeling his hot gaze on her looked up in time to see the man pinching his red nose while his head up, she found it very funny she couldn't hold back the laughter that came tumbling out of her mouth.
—Back to Business—
Now it was time to have that talk with Rhodes, she didn't know exactly what explanation she wanted from him, but she knew she wasn't about to allow him into her house and life, especially if it was going to be for the long run, if it wasn't without an explanation. This had to be serious.
"Why are you back?" She asked casually, but her tone made it clear to him that she was planning on making things difficult for him.
"Are you back, for good now? Or are you going to be leaving intermittently for long periods?" She questioned as she pinned him into the sofa with her gaze.
In that moment he discovered that whether he would have a place in her life or not depends on how he answers her questions. He searched her eyes, but she gave nothing away, her demeanor portrayed how casual she wanted to seem, but he knew better than to trust her facade. Not with her biting tone.
He tried to approach her, but stopped the moment she stiffened at his approach.
This would take a while.
"Darling, I…I want to stay." He started as he found her eyes, trying to portray the sincerity in his heart.
"I had to deal with a few things…", she cut him off with a disapproving look in her eyes.
"I know you left because you had to deal with stuff, but what I want to know is if you'll have to leave me to go settle many other things in the future. I want to know if you'll stay and be with me. I want to have you to me, Rhodes! I want you for me, so I want to know if other things would be stealing you from me in the coming future. I hate not having you here, in case you haven't noticed. I want to know if my Wolf would be here whenever I need him to be! Do you understand? I don't want you here today and away tomorrow, I want you to be here always! So are you here to stay? Or will you be running off in the future?" She shouted with a crazed look in her watery eyes, she didn't even realize she'd started crying, but she refused to back down as she glared at him expecting the worst, like she didn't trust he'd choose her.
Rendered utterly speechless by her outburst, Rhodes couldn't hold it in any longer, he abandoned other thoughts and gathered her into his arms, burying his face into her neck.
"Darla, darling, I'm here to stay, for you. And wherever I go in the future, you'll come with me." He managed to rasp out.
He felt her body sag in relief, and she returned his hug.
Okay, she'd had enough, she was just a few seconds away from bruising her internal organs with how tightly he was squeezing her.
"Let go Rhodes, can't breathe!" He loosened but still didn't let go.
"I'm making up for the time I was away, don't stop me. I missed you so much, darling. Too much." He answered, blowing raspberries onto her neck.
THE NEXT DAY
The sun seemed to shine a lot brighter today, she thought. Or maybe she was just happier.
"Good morning darling, sleep well?" Was the greeting that put the first smile on her face in the morning.
And just as she finished all her must-do chores, she got an unexpected visitor.
Mason.
Her brother.
—Rhodes—
Before he could even begin to enjoy being alone with his Darla, another pest had come up, was his thought process until he heard Darla exclaim "Brother", an elated expression finding home on her face. She didn't even look that happy when he returned.
He was trying not to be jealous, as the visitor was her brother, but not when she was spending a lifetime hugging him.
"Hey, baby sis. And you are?" Mason, asked. Already glaring at the man who was practically naked in his sister's home.
He was not naked, by the way. He had on a round neck tee, and shorts, the kind that reached your knees.
"Rhodes, this is Mason, my brother. Mason, this is Rhodes…my partner." She introduced.
Mason's jaw ticked as he didn't fail to notice how his sister introduced him first to this wild man. Wait…her partner?!
"Your partner?! Darla, what is this situation? When did this happen?" He didn't hesitate to voice out his confusion.
Noticing his growing anger, even though he sensed it was towards him, Rhodes pulled Darla to him while extending his arm out for a handshake.
"I'm Rhodes, her partner. Nice to meet you." He replied, leaving Mason unresponsive.
"I'll be back", was his reply.