Carol walked around in a daze for most of the day, wondering about the change in her relationship with Daryl. She was more confused about her reactions to him, even Ed who she thought she loved, never made her feel so hungry, needy for him. She actually thought she was frigid after their brief disastrous affair, immune even to men
She thought about Ed, how it had all started, he had bumped into her in the street literally knocking her to the floor, he was so apologetic and upset that he had hurt her. After a meal and drinks they found they had a lot in common, both writers, she had not thought twice when he asked her out on a date for the following evening. Carol had always been wary of men, her mother had brought her up not to trust them, making Carol one of the oldest damn virgins in the world, then. before Ed took it.
She laughed, as for some reason Merle's face appeared in her mind, she had met him through work, almost 15 years ago, and been good friends ever since, they were so unlike each other, but clicked straight away. Then there was Daryl, he had lived with his pa when there mum died in a house fire, she had heard rumours his dad abused him, but nothing concrete, even Merle never spoke of it. He disappeared for a while finally turning up in Merle's life about 5 years ago, no one knew where he had been, what he had done, or seen. Merle never asked, he was just glad to have his lil brother by his side again.
Carol met Daryl after he almost knocked her down one dark evening in a downpour. She had crossed the road in town, well running away from what Ed had just confessed to her, not seeing what was in front of her, she ran into his path. The only sound was of screaming breaks. And a tall angry man climbed out of the truck, that was her first introduction to Daryl had ripped into her that night, whilst in mid flow of his anger, he had carefully picked her up from the floor, and laid her down in his truck. He had taken her home with him, to the penthouse apartment he had in town. Daryl had given her dry clothes. Made her black coffee and walked her until her legs ached, putting her to bed in the guest room. It was the beginning of a strange and beautiful friendship and the instant connection they felt, never stopped, the same as with Merle. It was a Dixon thing,with Daryl it had gotten to the point where he would start a sentence and she would finish it.
Her thoughts went over her behaviour last night, he was right when he sad she was jealous of Beth, and she had flirted harder than ever with Daryl. Over the years she had known him she became curious more than once what he would be like to kiss, to be held by him. Now she knew, after this morning, boy did she know. He was more selective recently as if his play boy image was getting to him. The media had gone wild over the turn around, going as far to say he had finally met someone special to settle down with, and where children on the cards?. All speculation of course, Daryl's life was private when it came to it, he only shared it with Carol. But there was a lot he kept from her to. She wanted to ask him about his childhood, his marriage then thought better of it, after all it really was none of her business.
The phone rang suddenly and she jumped to answer it, wondering if it would be Daryl. Was he already after her?
"Hello?" she whispered a loud chuckle came over the phone – no it wasn't him, so why did she feel so disappointed
"Ya sound different honey you ok?" Merle asked
"Yeah, how are you?" she answered recovering quickly
"Oh, I am just fine sweetheart, you aren't though, ya have my brother pissed as hell here. He beat the shit out of the wall, and worst ya took his damn bike. Hell Carol what is going on?" Had he hurt himself was the first question she almost asked, then stopped herself,looking out of the window, she hadn't even noticed the rain falling,as it streamed down the window panes
"He annoyed me, so I took off"
"What did he do honey that was so bad? I mean you and lil brother get on so well"
"Nothing Merle just a big misunderstanding, can we leave it at that please" her head was starting to hurt, she could feel the tension behind her eyes.
"Ok if you say so, but there is something going on here. I ain't even seen that boy as pissed as he is with anyone. But to aim it at you, ok never mind I will stop asking, why don't you join me for lunch I will pick you up in around an hour. We can go to that restaurant you like along the main drag"
"You Merle have a way with words, it will be a pleasure to join you" saying their byes she hung up, to get changed into warmer clothing. She knew Daryl hated the closeness that she and Merle had, this would piss him off more, she didn't care he didn't own her.
The skies were darker and the rain heavier when Merle picked her up, slipping into the truck she shook the rain from her hair.
"Thanks for this Merle, I need to get out of my thoughts" He moved the car into the slow-moving traffic and headed towards the restaurant, the lightning striking through the dark sky. It was a bad storm, she jumped when the first boom of thunder shattered the quietness of the car.
"It's ok sweetie, just a storm. Ya know it's that time of year" Merle held her hand, he knew her fear of storms, it steamed from her childhood. Parking the car in the covered spaces near the restaurant, he helped her out.
A week had passed since that kiss with Daryl, and no contact made, had he really took it that she no longer wanted to know him. She tried to focus as much as she could on the added pages she had completed, yet it kept going back to him, how it felt to touch him, be in his arms. This couldn't go on, walking to the phone she dialed the ranch, hearing the line connected she waited
"Hello" surprised to hear Merle answer
"Hi Merle how's things?" she had only spoken to him half an hour ago.
"Now sugar, I know damn well ya ain't calling me. Wanna know how lil brother is?" How well he read her, she almost hung up
"You know me Merle"
"He's out helping in the field with the hay"
"What? That man hates that job" she could just imagine him sweaty, his muscles straining in his arms as he moved each bale. Her body reacted against her will and a soft gasp came from her mouth
"I know, but ya pissed him off bad Carol real bad"
"How is his mood?" she knew how dark he could get, but with him doing that job, did she really need to know the extent of it
" Black is an understatement darling, why don't you come on out here see if ya can change it for him?"
"Even I know better than to leave well alone when he is like that"
"Sugar you got him in this mood and you know damn well ya the only one who could get him out of it. Come on it will be good to see ya haven't seen ya for a week. Think ya avoiding me to"
"Ok, I will, guess I can bring his bike over, seeing as he hasn't picked it up yet"
"That's my girl, see ya in a while" Carol started at the phone, wondering what she had just agreed to. She stopped by the store on her way over, grabbing some cold beers to slide in her rucksack, knowing the men they would be thirsty with all the hard work, the sun was beating down, yes the beers would be a great ice breaker or so she hoped.
When she approached the field the men were working in, she could see them tossing the bales of hay in the trucks. The clouds were coming in, signalling rain was due, the job needed finishing and the hay in before the heavens opened. Parking the bike, she walked over glad there were only six men, she had enough beer for a bottle each.
Daryl didn't see her at first, when he did he made a bee line in her direction. He had his sleeveless leather vest on, his hair-matted chest and flat stomach slick with sweat. His hat jammed down on his head, to cover his eyes. He was peeling of his thick work gloves as he came towards her, his face almost as dark as the storm clouds in the sky. He sat down on his bike, his jean-cald legs on either side. The scent of hay and all him filled her nostrils
"Hi" she said nervously, feeling so shy of him.
"Hi yourself" he said as he rested his arms on the handlebars of his bike "What are you doing here?"
Her thoughts going on how it felt to be kissed by him, the feel of his lips on her sensitive skin, the desire she saw in his eyes.
"I brought some refreshment" his mouth twitched and he studied her smiling face, as if he hadn't seen it for years.
"Really? It's damn hot out here" he removed his hat, wiping his forearm over his brow. His hair soaked from sweat.
"Do you want one?" she asked reaching for the frosted bottle
"No, I don't want a beer" he spoke softly "Not yet, You don't like the taste of it do you?"
She shook her head at the strange question. Feeling oddly breathless at the glowing darkness in his were hidden from his work hands in a corner of the field, dropping his hat to the floor, he leaned closer to her, his eyes focused on her soft lips
"I'm going to kiss you first" his hand slipped around her neck pulling her to him "It's all I have thought about for days!" Her fingers moved into his damp hair of their own accord, their lips a hair breath away from each others.
"I thought... you'd be angry" she whispered to him
"Enough talk, open your mouth for me" he said as his lips parted to take hers. She felt the kiss deep within her, like a bolt of electric running through her. She moaned into his mouth, as she moved closer.
"You fucking wanted it as much as I did didn't ya?" he almost growled at her. He crushed her mouth under his again, his tongue darting possessive in her mouth, his hands pulling her body tighter to his, feeling the brush of his scruff as his mouth moved with ability against hers. His fingers trailed down her throat to her breast, outlined in the yellow blouse she had on. He traced the low neckline with a caressing touch that caused her to dig her fingernails into him. His mouth brushed at hers softly, teasing, his knuckles skimming the soft skin exposed by her neckline, barely touching, yet tormenting her until she arched toward him, with a faint cry that was muffled under his hungry mouth.
"I can't touch you like this" he whispered against her bruised lips "Not in front of my staff. Is that what you want Pixie, to feel my hands on you under your top, against your bare skin?"
"Daryl!" she cried out burying her face in his throat. Her hands moved down his chest helplessly touching him, loving the fact he was letting her. She felt soaking for this man, would let him do what he wanted here in front of everyone. He held her closer, as they both tried to get control of their emotions.
"I shouldn't have done that" he whispered in her ear "We both need each other too damn much. Carol I hurt so bad baby, you got me on fire for you"
She looked at him stunned never would she have expected that, seeing the raw need in his eyes, "I missed you"
"I know I missed ya too" he brushed his fingers through her short hair "Thought i'd fucked it all up, scared ya off for good. I didn't know what the hell to do about it!.Her fingers slid along his soft mouth, feeling his scruff, loving that she could touch him so openly
"If ya don't like it I can shave it off"
"No never , it is you".He kissed her hungrily, his hands running down her denim covered legs
"You've got gorgeous legs pixie, would be nice to see them in a short skirt"
"You pervert"
"So I can't help it if I find ya sexy"
"So are you" she whispered her fingers now in his hair
"Remembered that from sponging me down?"
"Yes" her words came out on a soft breath
"Well, that's a surprise, didn't think ya noticed I had a body"
"How can I not" her eyes were dreamy, still not quiet believing this was happening
"Kiss me" he mumbled bending towards her, his mouth brushing hers, as she placed her arms around his neck, her eyes closing as he crushed her mouth to his, roughly. He finally moved back from her
"Can I take ya out tonight?"Her face lit up, he wanted to take her out, little Carol.
"I would love to"
"I'll pick ya up at six, we will go where you want. Could even have dinner at my apartment in town then do the bars?" she nodded as he leaned forward kissing her some more.
"Oh and pixie never take my bike again or me and you will have words" slapping her ass, he walked towards his men beers under his arm
"How do I get home then?"
"I will let you borrow if you ask nicely?" without thought she ran up to him , her hand going inside his vest, stroking along his taut stomach, His sucked his breath in, her hands felt so good on his skin, so damn good.
"Yeah ya can borrow it, now go before I changed my mind and fuck ya where ya stand"Carol looked at him shocked, did she really effect him that way?
"Pixie if ya moved ya hand a little lower ya would know I am more than ready to take you. So if you don't want to put on a show for my work hands then leave NOW!"
