Thanks again to all who are reading and following this story! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know what you think ;)
Two nights later, Rick reluctantly agreed with Michonne that it was time for them to spread out between the several houses they'd been given. Claire wasn't sure whether she'd drawn the short straw or was in luck as she turned to look at her new roommates, making out on the couch like they were horny teenagers. Daryl sighed next to her where he lounged against the counter as she made pasta for dinner. "They make me feel old," he grumbled with a smirk at her, and she flashed him a grin as she sliced up the onion Carol had given her and dropped it into the pan to sizzle.
"What kinda pasta ya makin'?" He asked her, leaning over her shoulder to scope out the ingredients on the counter.
"Well, let's see." She picked up the jar of pasta sauce she'd gotten from the pantry they had down the street. "It looks like I am making spaghetti with Chunky Garden Veggie Delight sauce," she raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes as he snorted and shook his head.
"What a treat," he drawled sarcastically, before leaning with excitement. "Whatcha got there?"
She was pulling a few more ingredients out from where she'd stashed them under the counter, and was holding up a cheap bottle of red wine with a little smirk on her face.
"Is that wine?" Maggie called from the couch, leaping up as Glenn followed quickly and they slid into the two bar seats at the island.
Daryl huffed in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Ya didn't think to hide that so we didn't have to share?" He teased, eyes glinting down at hers while she chopped up the few herbs she'd gathered and threw them in with the onion simmering.
Her pasta started to boil over as she poured in the jar of sauce, and she quickly drained it and stirred it all together.
"Alright!" She said proudly, spreading her arms wide. "Bon Apetite!"
Glenn and Maggie wolfed down their pasta before snatching up their glasses of wine and tearing up the stairs. "Going to bed early, good night!" Glenn called over his shoulder as he chased her down the hall.
Claire giggled as she heard the door slam shut and music turn on. She ate with Daryl in comfortable silence before placing the dishes in the sink and starting to wash them. To her delight, he came up beside her with a smile and a dish towel, taking the dishes from her hands to dry. "'M thinkin' they are on dish duty from now on when you cook. What d'ya say?"
She giggled, nudging his shoulder with hers as she finished the last bowl. "I'm thinking that's a fine idea, Mister Dixon," she teased, chuckling as he rolled his eyes and placed the last clean bowl on the counter.
As he reached for the wine glasses to wash them, she shook her head and wagged her finger, eyes sparkling up at him. "And where are you going with those?"
He shot her a questioning look while she reached into the cabinet and pulled out a second bottle of wine, this one a nice Reisling. His grin was practically wolfish as he reached over to uncork it. "You didn't think I'd really only grab one bottle with those two around, did you?" She teased, batting her eyes at him.
"Ya had me worried, I'll admit," he said with a grin, handing her a now very full glass of wine before taking her other hand in his and pulling her towards the back of the house and out onto the patio.
"Daryl," she breathed, looking at the candles sparkling around a wicker patio couch he'd cushioned with a few thick blankets.
"Ya ain't the only one with surprises," he said proudly, pulling her towards the couch.
He reclined on the corner and threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her up to his side as she rested her head on the inside of his shoulder and tucked her feet up, knees curling as she cuddled into his side. "Why, Mr. Dixon," she teased a bit breathlessly. "Are you trying to wine and dine me?"
He snorted, his shaggy hair shaking as he shook his head and leaned down to lightly bump his forehead against her. "Ain't you the one wine'n 'n dinin' me, girl?" He drawled, clinking his glass as proof against hers.
She giggled, leaning her head back to look up at the stars as she took a long sip of her wine. "Why, I suppose I am," she said with a smile. She licked her lips and then turned to look up at him. "Then what is it you're doing?"
He smiled a bit bashfully as he shrugged his shoulders. "Don' really know, t'be honest." His confidence faltered a bit as he turned down to look her in the eyes. "D'ya like it?"
She smiled wide, eyes sparkling as she nodded her head and leaned up to cup his cheek gently. "Very much," she whispered, before pulling his head down to hers.
He tasted like wine, smoke, and the woods, and as he parted her lips and his tongue slid in to dance with hers, she decided she'd never tasted anything better in her entire life. He was heat and fire, rolling into her as she held his cheek and kissed him back, pouring everything she had into it while she felt herself falling into the flames. His hand reached for her glass and pulled it from her fingers, and before she knew it he'd pulled her flush against his chest, holding tight with one arm while his hand buried itself in her hair, pulling her head up to his as his lips ravished hers.
His tongue and teeth grazed over her jaw and down her neck, nips and licks setting her skin on fire. "Daryl," she breathed into his ear with a moan as he sucked her pulse point and smoothed it with a long lick.
Her head was spinning, arms shaking as she held on while he kissed his way back up to her lips, claiming them in a bruising kiss with his own. "Claire," he groaned her name like a prayer as he pulled back for air before diving in for more. His tongue was thrusting into her now, and as she slid hers against his she closed her lips around to lightly suck when he started to retreat.
His entire body shuddered while a growl tore out of his chest and his hands flexed tightly as they held onto her lips. She was panting as he pulled his head back to look into her eyes, his gaze hot and hooded beneath thick lashes. "We should probably stop," he breathed, voice like sandpaper and sending shivers down her spine.
"Yes," she said with a moan, before sliding her hands back up his chest to fist in his hair and pull his lips back to hers.
She was hungry, starving, and her lips devoured his before sliding down to pepper kisses along the thick muscle of his neck. As she licked her way up to his ear and grazed his earlobe with her teeth, he groaned low and squeezed so tight she was sure her hips would be bruised in the morning. "Claire," his voice was taunt, laced with need as he said her name like a prayer.
"I know," she whispered, pressing her face against his cheek before leaning back to rest her forehead against his as she pressed her eyes shut. "I know," she said again, before pulling back to rest her hands on his chest as she looked into his eyes.
That was the moment, she'd reflect later. That was when she knew she couldn't just get up and walk away. That was when she knew that she was his and she'd do whatever it took for him to be hers.
His eyes were stormy with heat and need, his face almost pained with how much he wanted her. He clenched his jaw, tight muscles flexing as he fought for control. "Don't wanna rush ya," he said quietly, and the gravelly tone made her head float up in the clouds.
"Daryl?" She said softly, fighting against the spinning in her head and the ache between her legs.
He hummed in response, and she could see the desperation in his eyes as he tried to hold on. Her heart fluttered in her chest as her eyes looked into his. "Take me to bed?"
He visibly shuttered, his muscles flexing and pulling while his fingers tightened and released on her hips. "Whose?" he forced out, sounding almost pained. They hadn't talked about this since they were moved into this house earlier, hadn't discussed whether there would be a his room, a her room, or just one for the two of them.
She swallowed, sliding a hand back up his chest to tangle in his hair and force his eyes to hers. "Ours," she whispered softly, need in her eyes as she stared up at him.
His smile was almost feral as he stood and pulled her along while he blew out the candles. As he led her into the house, locking up and double-checking all the doors and windows while she waited by the stairs, he looked almost predatory, all long limbs tight with muscle and grace. Finally, with everything secure, he walked slowly up to her, eyes glinting and a small smile tugging at his lips. Without a word, he leaned down to hook his arm under her legs while the other came around her back, and he scooped her up and carried her up the stairs and down the hall, kicking open the door as he leaned down to capture her lips in a searing kiss.
Don't worry, I'd never leave you hanging on the smut. Next chapter will pick up right where we're leaving off! :)