Chapter 8
“Oh god,” Darcy groaned into the pillow. The sunlight was streaming through her blinds and was making her head combust. She struggled against her blankets, kicking off her dress from her ankles. Apparently through the night she had been too hot and had undressed herself. She mindlessly wiped some drool from her cheek and slowly made her way off her bed.
“Darcy?”
“Ow,” she whimpered, his voice amplified in her head.
“Sorry,” Steve cringed. “Just making sure you’re okay.”
Darcy sighed, slightly opening her eyes. She slowly stood from her bed. “I’ll survive.”
“Should I say thank you for the headache?”
Darcy frowned. “Sorry, Stevie. Honestly didn’t think I drunk that much.”
“I’m okay, worried about you though.”
“I’ll feel like a million bucks once I get the taste of old socks out of my mouth.” Darcy scrunched her nose.
Steve couldn’t stop the chuckle. Darcy made her way slowly to her sink, ready to wash off the stale makeup. Usually she didn’t like people around her when she woke up the next day from drinking, but Steve’s warm presence in the back of her mind calmed her more than anything. She grabbed a makeup wipe and looked up into the mirror. Steve’s gasp reminded her of her state of dress.
“Oh shit,” she muttered.
“Darcy,” He choked.
Darcy grimaced, she didn’t really look that great this morning. Sure she had worn her awesome red lace bra that pushed like nobody’s business and it’s matching pure lace underwear. But her hair was also now a burrows nest and her makeup looked leftover from a Kiss concert.
“Darcy, um, maybe you should…” Steve suggested.
“Right,” she muttered, reaching for her robe.
“I’ll let you get yourself situated. Can we talk later, though? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Sure. I have a study group thing tonight at dinner, but I’ll get in touch with you after, okay?”
“Right.”
Steve took a deep breath and cleared his head. Skin, so much skin. He always knew something like this was going to happen. Darcy made his mouth water like no other woman ever had. He wondered briefly if she might be the death of him.
Darcy huddled deeper into her sweater. Fall weather kind of sucked sometimes to her. She would be able to wear short sleeves during the day, but at night if she didn’t have a coat or sweater then she was royally screwed. She grumbled under her breath about the stupid study group taking forever. They had started at six right after dinner in the library and at ten none of the material had been covered. Darcy, still grouchy from the night before and was ready to talk to Steve before bed, had called outie. Now she was trekking her way back to her dorm.
“Steve, can you talk?” She paused on the sidewalk.
“Darcy? You okay?”
“Yeah, um…”
“Why are you walking by yourself in the dark?” He asked.
“Everyone was wanting to stay to ‘study.’” Darcy snorted. “I just…”
“Hey Darcy!”
Darcy forced a bright smile as David jogged up to her. “Hey David.”
“Hated you ditched out on us so early.” He commented.
“Yeah, well some of us have class at eight in the morning.” Darcy snarked.
He gave a deep chuckle. “Yeah, those suck. You mind if I walk you to your dorm?”
Darcy hesitated, but Steve replied first in her head.
“Go ahead, Darce.” Steve said softly. He curse himself for not being able to be there to protect her.
Darcy gave a loud sigh. “Sure.”
Steve sat back and listened in to the conversation.
“So when are you going to make up that coffee date with me?” David teased as they started walking.
“Look David, you’re really nice but…”
“Oh don’t give me that bullshit!” David said.
“Watch your language in front of the lady, bud.” Steve growled.
Darcy rolled her eyes at the both of them. “I think I can walk by myself, thanks.”
“Darce, come on!” David took her arm. “I’m just confused as all. Last month you were giving me eyes all the time and wearing those cute little shirts just for me, and now I’m supposed to believe you don’t want anything to do with me?”
“You think I did what for you?” Darcy scoffed. “Sure, maybe I flirted with you a bit but I did none of those things, David. I think maybe you should go now.”
Steve felt the arm grip. “He needs to let you go now, Darcy.”
“Uh huh,” David inched closer to her, his arm gripping just a little tighter. “You’ve been nothing but a tease this whole semester and I don’t like teases.”
“Let her go,” Steve stood, ready to take on this guy. He momentarily forgot he was another time away.
“Let me go,” Darcy echoed Steve’s sentiment.
“Just admit it, Darcy, you want me.” David breathed.
“Let go of my girl, bastard.” Steve growled lowly, his knuckles whitening in his grip.
Darcy’s back straightened, her other hand slowly reaching into her pocket. “I’m already taken, David, so I suggest you let go right now.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Get away from her!” Steve yelled.
Darcy then yanked out her taser and set it loose on David. She let out a deep sigh as he twitched onto the ground letting out groans of pain. Already done with this scene, Darcy stepped over him and began to walk quickly. Steve was still shocked, but deeply pleased, with what had just happened.
“Your girl, huh?” Darcy teased breathlessly.
“What did you…?”
“Oh, just tased him. He’ll be fine, probably pissed himself though.” Darcy noted. “You never answered my question. Am I really your girl?”
Steve let out a breathless laugh. “I want you to be. Don’t know how helpful of a guy I can be. I mean, you were just assaulted and I was here…I couldn’t help you.”
“I can help myself, Steve. I’m not a damsel in distress.” She reminded him gently.
“And I’m proud of you.” He smiled. “Yeah, I want you to be my girl. Who else would I want? You’re gorgeous, strong, self-capable, and smart as a whip.”
“I guess this means I’m rationed.” She teased giddily as she walked into her dorm hall.
“Do they still say that?” He questioned.
“Well, no. I kind of looked it up.”
“You’ve been thinking about this too?” Steve asked, pleased.
“Yep, for a while now. Gotta say Steve, you were a little slow on the uptake.”
“Sorry, it took me a while to get over the fact that I live in another time than you do.” He replied cheekily.
“As long as we are on the same page now. I’m yours and your mine.” She said softly.
Steve gulped, feeling the pleasure of those words. He had to admit to himself yet again, he had one hell of a gal. Not only was she a looker, but she was also a fighter. Pride bloomed in his chest.
“All the way, doll.”