The next morning, they both got up refreshed and happy. Their interactions were definitely more natural and sweet.
Rhodes sighed, smiling at how their future days would only get better, looking forward to having her being a part of his life.
"Hey, what are you smiling at! Help me out here!"
Darla called out to him, meanwhile a knowing smile was also making it's home on her face. She knew why he was so happy, she was happy too. Even if they were not official in a sense yet, having someone close to her approve and acknowledge their relationship made her excited. Now it's for the rest of the world to know that he belonged to her, just in case he wanted to leave again.
"Darling." He called out, reaching out to hug and her and nuzzle her neck.
Just as they were getting lost in their own little world, a knock at the door broke the spell. Darla's eyes widened slightly as she recognized the voice on the other side.
"Hey, Darla! It's been ages!" The voice was familiar, and Darla's expression changed from relaxed to cautious.
Rhodes noticed the shift and raised an eyebrow. "Who's that?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Darla hesitated before responding, "It's just an old friend from childhood, Jon. We grew up together."
As she spoke, the door opened, and Jon walked in, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Darla. A charming smile spread across his face as he strode towards her.
"Hey, Dar," Jon exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. Darla's body language was stiff, but she didn't resist the embrace. Rhodes watched the exchange, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the familiarity between Darla and Jon.
As Jon released Darla from the hug, his gaze met Rhodes', and a flicker of something crossed his face. It was a momentary flash of competitiveness, but it was enough to make Rhodes wonder if there was more to Jon's arrival than met the eye.
Rhodes found it particularly annoying how Jon called Darla "Dar". It was a term of endearment that seemed too familiar, too intimate. Rhodes' possessive nature rose to the surface, and he felt a surge of irritation at Jon's casual use of the nickname.
As the conversation continued, Rhodes found himself feeling increasingly uneasy. Jon's charm and charisma were undeniable, but Rhodes couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to his friend's intentions.
As the conversation continued, Jon seemed to be reading the room, but he refused to take a hint. "So, Darla, I'd love to catch up with you more," Jon said, his eyes locked onto hers. "Maybe we could grab dinner or coffee sometime?"
Darla's response was immediate and clear. "I appreciate the offer, Jon, but I'm afraid I'm not available," she said, her voice firm but polite.
Jon's eyes flicked to Rhodes, and for a moment, he seemed to understand the situation. "Ah, I see," he said, his voice a little too casual. "You have an intended, I presume?"
Darla's nod was decisive. "Yes, I do. And I'm happy," she added, her eyes flicking to Rhodes, who was watching the exchange with a keen eye.
Jon's smile faltered, but he recovered quickly. "Well, I wish you both all the best," he said, his voice a little too smooth.
Despite the clear rejection, Jon refused to take a step back. "I'm sure you'll be very happy together," he said, his eyes lingering on Darla.
Darla's expression turned sweet, but her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. She knew exactly how to handle Jon's stubbornness. "Jon, I'm so glad you're doing well," Darla said, her voice dripping with sincerity. "But I really must attend to some things now. Would you mind terribly if I showed you out?"
As Jon hesitated, Darla stood up, her movements fluid and confident. "I'll walk you out," she said, her voice a gentle but firm command.
As they walked towards the door, Darla's pace was deliberate, her body language clear. Jon seemed to sense the subtle cues, but he still tried to linger. As they reached the door, Darla's smile turned sweet once more. "It was great seeing you, Jon. Take care of yourself," she said, her voice warm but final.
As the door closed behind Jon, Rhodes' eyes locked onto Darla, his gaze intense and possessive. Rhodes' expression was unreadable, but his eyes seemed to bore into Darla's very soul. He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, but his emotions were complex and multifaceted.
Darla knew exactly what Rhodes needed. She could see the tension in his body, the possessiveness in his gaze. She took a step closer to him, her eyes locked onto his.
Darla's hand reached out, her fingers tracing the contours of Rhodes' face. Her touch was gentle, but firm, a reassurance that she was his, and his alone.
Rhodes' voice was low and husky, his words barely above a whisper. "You're mine, Darla," he said, his eyes burning with intensity.
Darla's smile was subtle, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. She knew exactly what Rhodes was saying, and she was more than happy to play along.
"I'm all yours, Rhodes," Darla said, her voice soft and melodic. "And you're all mine."
However, instead of a kiss, Darla leaned in and pecked Rhodes on the cheek, her lips brushing against his skin in a gentle, affectionate touch. This was their first kiss, and Rhodes' eyes widened in surprise as he felt Darla's lips on his skin. The touch was brief, but the impact was significant.
Rhodes' expression softened, and a small smile played on his lips. He reached up, his fingers tracing the spot where Darla's lips had touched his skin.
"I'm glad you're mine," Rhodes said, his voice low and husky. "But I have to say, I'm not a fan of Jon's little nickname for you."
Darla's eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched Rhodes' reaction. She knew him better than that. "Oh, you're just being petty about a childhood nickname," she teased, her voice playful.
Rhodes' eyes narrowed, his expression mock-offended. "Petty? Me? Never," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I just think it's interesting that Jon still calls you 'Dar' after all these years."
Darla chuckled, her eyes shining with amusement. "You're just jealous of a little nickname," she said, her voice teasing.
Rhodes' expression softened, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Maybe a little," he admitted, his voice low and husky. "But only because it sounds like something I'd call you."
Darla's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll let you call me whatever you want, Rhodes," she said, her voice soft and melodic. "As long as it's just between us."