Daryl tore through the cell block, gathering a few supplies and shoving them into his bag before rushing to his bike. He was so focused, he didn't even hear Rick calling after him as he started it up and rode down to the gate. Carol was already waiting for him there, hands on her hips.

"You said five minutes," she said, scowling. The angry crease in her brow made his heart pound relentlessly.

"Hop on," he told her. There was no time for arguments. Fortunately, she wasted none of it, quickly sliding in behind him. "Goin' on a run," he told Carl who opened the gate. "Back tomorrow."

"Maybe," Carol added saucily over his shoulder.

Reaching behind him, Daryl swatted her knee. He could feel her giggle rumble through his chest and fought a smile that was pushing at the corners of his lips. Holding on to his waist, Carol snuggled against his back as he throttled the bike, peeling away from the prison like there was a herd of walkers behind them. Once they made it to the main road, he eased up, reaching one hand behind him to caress Carol's thigh.

That was a mistake. She retaliated by nibbling on his ear.

The bike wobbled as he nearly lost control, forcing him to release her to straighten the wheel. Fuck, this woman was dangerous. Throttling the bike again, he sped up, racing for the nearest abandoned subdivision. It seemed like forever before he finally pulled into the driveway of one of the two-story houses he'd cleared with Michonne and braked, killing the ignition when they rolled to a stop. They both climbed off the bike, and he grabbed her hand, towing her behind him as he hurried them inside.

As soon as the door was closed and locked, she was all over him, pulling at his clothes as she claimed his lips. Unable to resist, he struggled, nearly giving into the urges that were rapidly overwhelming him. Somehow he found his strength. "Hey, hey, slow down," he begged her, pulling away with a chuckle, kissing her forehead when she groaned at him. He smiled. "Jus' wanna make this nice for you."

Daryl took her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist. "Trust me?" He searched her eyes.

Carol melted, her shoulders relaxing as she conceded. "Of course I trust you."

Guiding her to the sofa, he compelled her to sit down with a kiss. "Wait here," he instructed, before taking off up the stairs.

Fifteen minutes later, he bounded down the steps, whistling at her. "C'mon," he called, extending his hand.

"Do we get to make out now?" Carol asked, walking towards him, waggling her eyebrows.

"Stop," he told her, hoping she wouldn't. He slid his fingers along hers and squeezed, and they ascended the stairs together.

"Really, Daryl, you didn't have to go through all this trouble for me."

"Hush now," he said, silencing her when they reached the top by sweeping her off her feet.

"Oh!" Her arms naturally fell around him, letting him kiss her as he carried her into the bedroom.

"Oh," Carol cooed again when she saw the room shimmering with candlelight.

He put her down on the floor beside the king sized bed, which was neatly made with clean sheets, the cover turned down at the pillows. Watching as she eyed the tight corners with envy, Daryl felt a bit of pride that he knew a thing or two. Something shiny was resting on top of one of the pillows.

Her face lit up as she dropped her jaw. "Is that chocolate?"

Daryl nodded, his cheeks glowing hot as he glanced down at his boots. "Saw it in a magazine once. Been meanin' to give it to you for a while now. Hope it's not melted."

Carol moved about the room in wonder, taking it all in. "Oh, Daryl, it's just lovely," she stated tearfully.

He stepped closer to her, his hand at her back. "You deserve it."

She flung her arms around him. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

His hands drifted to her hips as he bent to kiss her neck where it met her shoulder. "Want you to be happy," he confessed, his lips blazing a slow trail up her neck. "Want you to feel good." He nibbled on her earlobe, feeling her quivering at his touch.

She smelled really good. Not quite floral, but sweet with just a hint of spice. Holding her in his arms he realized how petite she really was. Her freckled skin was so soft and delicate; sensitive, prickling just from his breath.

His fingers moved slowly to the buttons on her shirt. One by one, he undid them, kissing her exposed skin as he unwrapped her. Daryl felt his confidence grow as she surrendered to his caresses.

He walked her slowly backwards towards the bed as he kissed her. Her hands pushed his vest over his shoulders and down his arms. Giving her that much, he let it fall to the floor, then pulled her hands from him, clasping them gently without breaking the kiss. It was only when her legs met the bed that he drew back, letting her go. His fingers curled around her shirt, dragging it down to reveal her milky shoulders. He'd seen them before, but the sight of them here, now, was quite titillating, sending an excited tingle to his knees. He bowed again, worshiping her, placing a soft kiss upon each shoulder, before sliding the shirt off her completely.

She shivered, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively. Her fingers wound through his hair, and when she pulled him towards her eager mouth, he felt a jolt of electricity shoot to his core.

Daryl growled, pulling her up against the ache swelling in his groin. Incited by her mewls, the heat from the friction only distracted him. He lost himself in the excitement of her proximity. The buzzing heat surged inside him. Sliding his tongue in her mouth, he jutted his hips against her, feeling himself losing control. It took everything he had to release her, letting her fall to the bed with a bounce.

Her eyes were dark as she gazed back at him. A rosy blush streaking across her chest as she crawled backwards towards the center of the bed. Slowly, he followed, stalking on his hands and knees like a predator until he was kneeling between her legs. His fingers skirted along the bottom edge of her tank top, teasing across the bare skin of her abdomen. He watched as she arched her back, wanton in her kiss-drenched haze. His heart throbbed, taking in her lithe beauty. She was absolutely stunning. His breath caught in his chest. How many times had he fantasized about her, jerked himself off thinking about her pure blue eyes? It was nothing compared to the way she was looking at him now. Blue-hot, her eyes burned straight into his soul, branding him.