Setting his empty plate aside, Daryl extended his arm and pointed to the sky. "See, that row of stars there forms the belt of Orion."

"Where?"

He leaned closer to show her. "Right there."

Carol leaned back, her head barely touching his shoulder. "The ones close together?"

"Mm hmm."

"I see it now," she said excitedly.

He turned to look at her at the exact same moment she looked at him. Her eyes were wide and full of joy. Daryl felt something pulling at his chest.

She hadn't moved and was staring back at him intensely. He could feel the heat from her body rising off her, the pleasant scent of her enveloped him, paralyzing him. She seemed to build a cocoon around them with her beauty. His breathing hitched as a he gazed at her pale face subtly illuminated by the milky light from above them. Her eyes searched his face.

There was a slight movement at her lips as she bit them, drawing down his gaze. He felt a warm rush of energy surging up his body.

"Daryl," she said so quietly, the hairs on the back of his neck rose, sending a tingle down his back.

Closing the distance between them, she leaned forward, kissing him gently.

He froze even as the heat of her burned on his lips.

She pulled back; her eyes pleading with him. "Daryl."

His name on her lips again spurred him forward, heart racing as he caught them, thrilling him. He clung to her soft warmth as the electric buzz began to spread throughout his body. He pulled back, breathless.

There was a magnetic charge pulsating between them as they both breathed heavily. She reached for his face, caressing his cheek with her fingers. He closed his eyes, appreciating her soft touch, awestruck by his own yearning. Then, her lips were on his again, her fingers twisting in his hair, pulling him closer.

He let himself fall forward, craving the feel of her pressed against him, her lips locked on his. It seemed like they were moving in slow motion. And he savored every glorious moment. Opening his mouth, he drew her lower lip in, her tongue cautiously exploring him. Daryl felt something hard crumble inside him, unleashing the energy that had been building inside him. His arms encircled her, pulling her tightly against him, feeling himself melt against her.

A sudden crash in the courtyard jolted them apart. "What's that?"

"I think that was the sound of two worlds colliding," she teased.

He looked at her, his desire still coursing through his veins. "That what that was?" he said pushing back, brow raised in curiosity.

She giggled, making him smile in return.

Voices called out from below. "Goddammit. Carol? Where are you?"

She frowned, picking up his plate. "Thanks for the astronomy lesson."

"Anytime." He blushed, realizing he meant it.

She stood up and started for the watchtower stairs. "I'll take you up on that," she said, glancing back at him with a smug grin, sending a rush of heat to his groin.

He stared after her, wanting to follow her and finish what they started. An ache straining in his pants, he stood up, letting the night air soothe him. Peering over the edge of the tower, he watched her walk back towards the prison, a feeling of light expectancy simmering inside him.