Within a second, Darian came around the corner, took one look at the distress on her face, and set his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
Larkin fidgeted, moving back and forth from one foot to the other, and nibbled at her bottom lip. “I can’t move.”
Darian bit back a grin. “Why, baby?”
“Because I’m so nervous, I feel like I’m going to pee my pants.”
Darian coughed to hide the different chuckles that came from the living room. He didn’t think she realized they heard everything even though she was talking just above a whisper.
“Larkin, you have nothing to be afraid of. These are a few of my closest friends.”
“Do they know about me? You know, the way I am? What if I embarrass you?”
Darian pulled her against his chest when she became more agitated. “Settle down.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “They know all about you, and there’s nothing you could do to embarrass me.”
She looked up at him with a mischievous grin. “I’d embarrass you if I peed my pants,” she murmured against his chest.
Darian huffed out a laugh. “Not even then.” He rubbed her back and waited for a minute for her to calm down. “Are you ready?”
Larkin blew out a breath and nodded. “Just remember if I suddenly run out of the room, it’s because I have to use the girl’s room.”
“I think you’re going to be fine.” He made her focus on his face. “Trust me.”
She nodded.
He knew she trusted him more than anyone else in the world, and she knew he would never let anything bad happen to her.
Darian grabbed a hold of her hand and started to lead her into the room. She took one look at the three large men staring at her and abruptly stepped behind Darian’s back.
Chuckling, he pulled her by his side and wrapped an arm around her to keep her in place. He watched as her gaze darted around the room and then down at the floor.
He decided to get the introductions out of the way so she could start to relax. “Larkin, these are my friends,” Darian said and pointed to each man. “That is Kaleb, that’s Noah, and the guy by the fireplace is Patrick.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Larkin whispered softly.
The three men smiled because even though she barely spoke, they heard her anyway.
Patrick walked up to her and waited for her to look up at him.
She slowly raised her head.
Patrick sucked in a quick breath. Her eyes were a chocolate-brown and tilted at the sides, giving her an exotic look. She was very petite, her head only coming to the top of his chest, but she had the curves. Her skin was creamy and looked as soft as a baby’s.
“It’s nice to meet you, Larkin,” he said and held out a hand.
Larkin looked up at Darian and got a nod before reaching out to shake Patrick’s hand.
Patrick dropped her hand and looked to Darian. “She’s stunning.”
Darian nodded. “Yes, she is.”
“He’s always been a lucky bastard,” Kaleb said gruffly as he stood and came to them. His gaze roamed over her before he reached and grasped her hand. “You’re a sweetheart, aren’t you?”
Larkin tried to pull her hand from his and looked up at Darian nervously when Kaleb wouldn’t release her.
Darian squeezed her waist and smiled. “She is very sweet.”
There were a few indrawn breaths from the men when she smiled brightly up at Darian.