Chapter 9

Carol and Daryl were staring into the deep brown eyes of a kid. "You're so young," Carol said, while Daryl echoed with, "you're a girl."

Carol stared at her, there was something familiar…

"Well you don't look like a crazy pervert," Daryl said, some of the anger fading from his voice.

"That's it," Carol snapped her fingers. "You were in our laser tag game! On the other team." Carol had an amazing memory for faces and she knew she'd seen this girl's face before.

"You're right," he said to Carol . "You have a Cherokee rose tattoo right here," Daryl lifted her pant leg to reveal a beautiful tattoo on her ankle. "You seemed so young, I remember being surprised you were old enough to have it. And it reminded me of home," he added, with a half smile. Cherokee roses were absolutely gorgeous and only grew for a short period of time back home in Georgia. Carol was surprised by Daryl's attention to detail and that he remembered the flower tattoo on the girl.

The terror on the young woman's face was evident but she finally found her voice. "P..please don't be mad. Don't hate me," she stammered. "Here, take it," she pushed the camera towards Daryl. "Delete them, or just take the SD card if you want."

"How are you even old enough to be here?" Carol asked, while Daryl fiddled with the camera.

"I just look young," she said shyly. "Drinking age in Fiji is 18, I just turned 19." She looked away, "my parents brought me along but I've had to amuse myself while they act my age for the week."

Even though she was angry Carol felt a soft spot for the girl and her tone changed. "What were you thinking? Taking pictures of us? Why us? What's going on?"

The girl sighed. Daryl had opted to take the memory card and handed her back the camera. "I saw you guys talking the other day when he was still with that slutty blonde. Oh, sorry," she said quickly, "no offense." Carol could see Daryl was trying to hide a smile. "I was bored so I've been watching you guys."

"Stalking you mean?" Daryl interrupted.

She blushed hard, "I guess you could call it that."

Carol still had no clue why, but felt relief that it clearly had nothing to do with Amber. "Continue," Carol urged.

The young girl sighed and blushed bright red once again. "Well when I first saw him I thought he was an actor from a show I love… that's when I really started paying attention. I realized before long that I was wrong. But I was already enjoying the snooping," she looked away. Carol couldn't help but appreciate her honesty. "I was so bored and it finally gave me something to do. When it became obvious you guys were together... I was hooked. It's… it's nice to see two adults who love each other… It was like watching a real life movie unfold in front of me," she finished quietly.

Carol looked at Daryl who was now blushing just as hard as the girl. He clearly had no clue what to say, but he didn't look mad at all. In fact, as soon as he realized it was a child Carol was pretty sure he was ready to forgive her. He's got a soft spot for kids, Carol realized as the young girl's words echoed in her head… two adults who love each other...

"Hey," Carol said gently, shaking off her words and regaining focus. "Do you realize how much trouble you could have caused? You could be charged..." There were tears in the girl's eyes and Carol knew she understood. "Listen, I know you feel bad and I truly hope you learned your lesson. Come here," Carol opened her arms. It was obvious this kid just wanted a little attention from someone and her parents were just too busy for that.

"Really?" she asked, stunned. Carol nodded and gave the girl a hug.

"Now go, enjoy the rest of your vacation and no more stalking," Carol said sternly. "I saw lots of younger guys at that arcade… Challenge one of them to air hockey and kick his ass," she suggested. "Worked for me," Carol added, glancing over at Daryl.

"Okay," she nodded with a smile. She started to leave but turned around. "One more thing, I swear," she looked directly at Daryl. "She's fuckin gorgeous. Don't screw this up." Carol bit her lip to keep from laughing at the look of shock on his face. "That blonde girl is a bitch. Stay away from her." Daryl nodded slowly and they watched the young girl leave.

"What the fuck just happened?" Daryl asked when the girl was gone.

"Well I think you got a lecture," Carol replied, bumping him gently with her shoulder.

"Hey… what actor do ya think she thought I was?" he asked, looking thoughtful.

She laughed, "I have no idea… but I bet he's sexy."

Daryl snorted, but his face flushed slightly. When that happened and she was reminded of his shy side she actually missed it. But she knew it was still in there and she would enjoy both sides of him whenever they appeared. "I don't know about you, but I think I'm ready for somewhere a little more private," he said. They ran back through the rain, to the lobby. It was raining even harder by that point and they were dripping wet on the elevator. The second they got safely inside the room they were both peeling off wet layers as quickly as they could.

There was something about almost getting caught that was kind of erotic. Part of her had wanted to start things again back in the gazebo but her sanity won for once. Pretty soon there was a wet pile of clothes on the floor, Daryl was naked, and Carol was in her bra and panties. "Heyyyyy, why aren't you naked?" Daryl whined, reaching for her.

"Apparently I'm not as adept at stripping as you," Carol replied.

"Ohhhh stripping, that's a great idea," he said, letting go of her and jumping onto the bed. "Okay, I'm ready, go."

"Go where?" she asked.

"Go, strip for me," Daryl grinned. She stared at him, wondering if he was serious. "What are you waiting for? Music? Dollar bills?"

"Oh if I'm stripping you better have twenties," she replied with a laugh.

"Mmm, high class stripper, I like it," Daryl chuckled. He scooted to the edge of the bed and reached for the waistband of her panties, pulling her closer. "Will you do it?" He kissed her tummy and rubbed the silk between her legs.

"Oh fine, but if you laugh I will kill you," Carol sighed. She shoved him back onto the bed and channeled her inner actress for the best seductive strip tease she could manage. It went far better than she expected it would. Daryl was hard by the time she finally took the bra off, just from the way she gyrated and touched herself. She couldn't believe how bold she was with him. Who is this woman? She wondered. It had to be the freedom of being so far from home.

When Carol spread her legs slightly and bent over, facing her ass in his direction, Daryl had enough. She felt his hands on her, tugging her panties down and he shoved into her with a grunt. He pushed deep and Carol groaned. Every time he moved back into her it felt like he was somehow burying himself even deeper.

Daryl put his hands on her hips and spun her around. "Get on the bed," he commanded her. She climbed up on all fours, kicking off the underwear as she went, with him still tight inside her. When she was settled Daryl started to fuck her again, faster this time. "God I love your ass," he growled, lightly squeezing her cheeks. He pinched a little harder and she cried out. "Fuck, I'm sorry," he apologized quickly.

"No, it felt good," she sighed. "Jesus, I'm so close," Carol groaned as he pounded her, hard and quick.

"Me too," Daryl replied reaching under her to cup her breasts, ceasing their ability to bounce as he slammed his body against hers. A few more strokes and she was done. Carol clutched the bed sheets, balling them in her fists as the orgasm ripped through her body. Sometime during her release his strokes shortened and stopped completely. "Oh God," he got out, as he emptied deep inside her.

"Fuck, I'm still not used to this no condom thing," Daryl said, releasing her. "That was pretty quick," he apologized.

Carol flipped onto her back and grinned at him. "Do you see me complaining?"

He smiled back touching one of her nipples with a fingertip. "How does it get better every time?" Daryl asked. Carol knew he was right. Somehow each time was just a little bit different and a little bit better. "We should stay here longer," he joked.

"Seriously, you have to come to New York for New Years. It'll be the most mind blowing sex ever to start 2017." Carol studied his face. She knew it was all about the sex for him and she was definitely flattered that he considered her better than the young things he normally fucked. But she couldn't find a hint of anything more than sex and friendship from him and she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing – because she wasn't entirely sure what she wanted from him anyway. Daryl had been sweet and romantic, yet she still didn't get the sense of any sort of connection beyond the bond of friendship they had. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, noticing her stare.

Carol moved off the bed so she could get in again under the covers and Norman joined her. "I was just thinking that I'm glad I stayed," she lied. "I had a lot of fun today."

"Beating my ass in the arcade? Or me pounding your ass just now?" he asked.

Carol laughed, "Both were equally satisfying." She covered her mouth to hide a yawn.

"Will you snuggle with me?" Daryl asked, surprising her.

"I didn't take you for the snuggling type," Carol replied.

"I like being the snuglee, rather than the snuggler," he said, turning his back to her. "Ya know, the little spoon," he said over his shoulder. "I have to really love you to be the big spoon," he teased her.

Carol shook her head with a smile and moved closer, pressing her naked body to his back and snuggling in tight against him. She adjusted the blankets over them and closed her eyes. Before she could fall asleep she heard Daryl snoring softly. Carol wondered how it could feel so good to be a world away from home, cuddled up with someone she'd only ever thought of as a work friend. And she wondered how it would feel when it all came to an end…

DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL

The next morning when they woke the storm had cleared, other than a strong tropical breeze. It was sunny and gorgeous. "Wanna spend some time on the beach after breakfast?" Carol asked. "I know you want to get out on the bike again, but I haven't been in the ocean yet. Have you?"

"No, that's a great idea," Daryl agreed. "Then we can hit the market this afternoon and maybe find a nice local place for dinner."

They dressed for the beach and headed downstairs to one of the buffets for a quick breakfast. Carol enjoyed a plate of fresh fruit and a dish of yogurt with granola. He had a ridiculous amount of food. With the way he ate it was surprising he wasn't 300 lbs. Daryl knew he was obviously blessed with an insane metabolism. "Should we let your food settle before we hit the ocean?" Carol asked him, as he polished off a second helping of bacon.

"Pfft, I'm fine," Daryl brushed off the suggestion. "I'm sure it's an old wives tale anyway."

They headed for the beach. The white sand sparkled, but it was the gorgeous colors of the ocean that caught Daryl''s attention. It was so beautiful, a blue green like he had never seen anywhere but there. They found a spot to leave their towels and clothes and headed for the water. The sand was hot on their feet and he heard Carol sigh with relief when they reached the ocean. It was warm, but far cooler than the blistering sand.

The water was quite choppy with the wind still so strong and there were some big waves coming in. "Come on," Carol said, moving deeper into the water. She told him that she loved going a ways out and then letting the waves carry her back towards shore. Daryl had told her earlier that he was a good swimmer as well, so they went a little farther off shore than they probably should have. A huge wave came crashing over them, pulling Carol under the water. She popped back up with a huge smile. "That was amazing," she said, smiling brightly. "Let's go out further and try it again."

Daryl nodded. He wasn't sure it was such a good idea to be out so deep with the huge waves, but Carol looked so happy and carefree. They swam out and waited for another wave.

"Here it comes," she giggled, a look of excitement on her face as the swell built, approaching them. Daryl braced himself for the wave to hit and held his breath as it came crashing over his head and sucked him under the water. He relaxed and rode with the wave for a bit before swimming up towards the surface and escaping the water. He shook his hair and wiped his eyes, then looked to see where Carol had ended up.

He couldn't see her anywhere. Daryl spun, a sense of panic settling within him. He looked in every direction but he couldn't find her. He dove back under groping around, feeling for her. He opened his eyes, the salt stinging and burning them, but he couldn't see a thing. He popped up and looked around again, still nothing. Daryl dove under and reached around in every direction. His lungs were burning, but he stayed down.

Finally, just as he was about to go back up his hand touched something. It was her. He grabbed her and pulled Carol to the surface. She was completely limp as he flipped her over. Daryl scrambled towards shore, tugging her body through the water. "Help," he screamed at the top of his lungs. "I need help, please…."

By the time he got to the shallow water and started to carry her towards the beach a man was running at him. "I'm a doctor," he said, with an aussie accent. "Come on, lay her down, quick." Daryl put her down and stepped back, feeling bile rising in his throat. He had never been so terrified in his life as he looked at her motionless body sprawled on the white sand.