" Mummy you have to see my room" Sophia was bubbling with excitement when they entered Daryl's apartment. Letting her daughter pull her towards the door next to, what she knew to be Daryl's bedroom, having cleaned it once or twice over the last year or so. Ignoring the weird feelings in her stomach about the man,and what had gone on earlier in the car. She waited for Sophia to open the door. Her eyes widened, when she saw how beautiful it was, from the pink carpet, to the soft cream walls. She looked at the princess bed he must have got someone to sort out, not knowing, he had done it all himself. The curtains had purple and pink butterflies chasing each other over green fields, they matched the duvet corner and pillow set she had on the bed. Even her lamp, night light and rugs co-ordinated. She was about to congratulated him on his choice then stopped remembering that Karen had helped choose this. Sophia went to the large window, which was over looking the beach where she had been on earlier, pointing the café out to as she showed her where they had found the shells.

Carol could feel her heart sink, Sophia would not want to leave when the time came, Why had he gone to so much trouble and expense, for only a few short weeks?. Pushing the thought aside, she noticed the Television he had installed on the wall, with Sophia's favourite movies and shows in various DVD's. Sophia guided her to the over sized wardrobe full of clothes and shoes that were way beyond Carol's budget. Was he trying to buy her daughter's love? Leaving Sophia to play with the toys she had, Carol went to search him out. She needed to put some ground rules in, no better time than now.

Checking the large apartment, she could not see him, glad in a way it was open planned, the door to his bedroom was ajar, dare she go in?. Arguing with herself for a few moments, she found her courage and walked in hoping he was in there and not in the adjoining bathroom. It had changed since she was last in. The darkness of the room now replaced with blues, and creams, giving it an airy feeling. Yet she still loved the reds' and greens that were toned in to make it warm.

"Thought it would take more persuasion to get ya in my bedroom" his voice came from behind her, she had passed him without noticing. Hearing the soft click as the door shut, she felt trapped, her breathing becoming deeper, surely he would not attempt anything whilst Sophia was around.

"Takes a lot more than that Dixon for you to get me in your bed" his eyes became predatory at her words, had she no idea that she was in his territory now, he was in charge. Seeing her finally realize what she had said and the predicament she was in, he almost licked his lips, at the images coming into his mind. She stepped back, her eyes darting to the door and then to him, he could almost see the wheel's in her mind turning, as she judged the distance.

"Never make a threat like that woman, if you don't expect consequences" moving forward Carol flinched, waiting for him to strike, that was when he knew that she needed to be dealt differently. Moving back he opened the bedroom door, giving her space to escape should she choose, he was going to lead her into what he wanted. Tease her, then stop, make her feel he wanted her, until the time came when she begged for his attention. Then and only then would he see how far he could push her. Baby steps to get what he wanted, smirking at her when her shoulders relaxed, laughing inside , mistake number one, trusting him.

"I...um" getting her thoughts together, she glanced out of the door, remembering why she had come in his domain in the first place

"Thank you for what you did for Sophia, and thanks for making it worse for me when we leave"

"What?" now he was confused, Sophia was happy in her room, she had chosen it all, Hell he even decorated it himself.

"You inconsiderate bastard. you know damn well what you have done Dixon" now she was pissing him off, all he had done was make sure Sophia was happy, whilst she came to terms with her mummy being in hospital, and she was talking to him like shit.

"Can't fucking win with ya can I woman. If I'm nice to Sophia I get called a bastard. If I ignored her ya would still be pissed at me"

"Daryl can't you see it's going to be hard for me to take Sophia from here , she will not want to leave, buying her love is not the way to go" his head hung at the hurtful words she had thrown at him, clenching and unclenching his fists he lifted his head to look at her

"HOW DARE YOU THINK I WOULD STOOP THAT LOW" His anger causing him to lash out shouting at her, forgetting for a moment that Sophia was in the next bedroom

"I don't know how low you would go Daryl to get me in bed" she finally spoke her fears that had been playing on her mind so much over the last few days.

"YA FUCKING BITCH. I DIDN'T WANT HER TO FEEL SCARED UNLOVED LIKE I DID!" Storming out the door, passing, a crying Sophia, which tore at his heart, he had to escape the pity in Carol's eyes had not gone unnoticed and he hated it. Slamming the door behind him , he left his apartment knowing if he stayed he would have hurt her, or brake down and confessed all. Locating his bike and helmet in the underground car park, he roared out onto the street, ignoring Dale's shout, his mind on one thing only he needed the open road.

Carol cuddled Sophia to her, not sure exactly what had just happened, the sound to the door opening, disappointment ran through her when she saw Dale.

"Honey are you alright?" seeing Sophia sobbing and Carol on the verge of tears, he brought his arms around them both, hugging them tight reassuring them with comforting words. Once they were calmer, he sorted out a delivery of food for them both, after they ate, he left them to rest. Sophia was restless, unable to settle in Carol's arms, asking constantly for Daryl before she fell asleep. Carol tried for another hour watching the dusk turn to dark, eventually Carol sneaked into the kitchen locating her phone she sent a quick text to him, not having the strength to call him. Hearing her phone go off expecting him to tell her where to go, she breathed a sigh of relief when she read 15 mins, nothing else. Confirming this to Sophia, glad to see her relax, leaving her for a moment to go to the bathroom, she never heard him sneak in. As she came out, she could hear his voice talking softly to Sophia, not wishing to intrude, Carol waited near the door, not letting them see her.

"Now princess why ya not sleeping,? You're mummy is worried and ya need ya sleep so ya can play again tomorrow. Bet you'd love to see Carl again?" not hearing Sophia's reply she continued to eavesdrop

"Daryl why did you shout at mummy? Daddy..." Daryl closed his eyes, wishing he had not raised his voice, stopping her as she spoke.

"Kinda lost it. Not going to happen again baby girl. I promise, now ya promise me to sleep and I will take ya to the beach again. Ok honey" his fingers running through her hair, as she fought to stay awake. Kissing her on the forehead when she lost the fight, he silently moved out of the room

"She's asleep" he mumbled at Carol, unable to look at her, heading towards his room

"Daryl, I'm sorry. I..."

"Yeah keep ya damn apology's to yourself woman ain't interested" bitterness clear in his tone

"Please I..." grabbing her arm he moved her,away from Sophia's room not wanting the little girl to hear them. He had spent most of his childhood listening in fear to his parents arguments. Happy they were far enough he turned on her, not caring what she thought

"I said forget it" he spoke soft between gritted teeth. Carol could see she had upset him and wasn't going to settle until she had sorted this out.

"Let me please make it up to you Daryl, I never...: Pushing her into the wall, he towered over her.

"Oh so ya wanna make it up to me do ya? Think a quick fuck will do it?" her face draining of colour, he knew that was not what she had planned, disappointment ran through him. His hands now on the wall next to her head, he trapped her against it.

"It will take a more than a quick fuck to make me forgive ya disgusting accusations woman. All I have done these last few days is protect that little girl in there, treated her as if she was ma own. So yeah I think ya have some making up to do, on ya back would be a damn good start" lips taking hers in a heated kiss., his mouth hot and demanding, forcing her to open up to him. Carol allowed him to taste her for a few moments, she was sorry but not that sorry. Her body was heating up, she had to fight him, stop herself from going under, before it was too late. Her hands reached up threading through his hair, feeling the softness, as he moved even closer. His head was pulled back harshly the pain she was inflicting as she pulled his mouth from hers. Both were breathing deeply, caught up in the moment, time stood still.

"Stop fighting me Carol," his eyes running over face, seeing her fight her desires, fight him. He moaned in pleasure when she pulled harder on his hair, his hips thrusting into her. Carol couldn't miss the erection he had, a virgin could not miss the hardness. Pushing her hips into his, she felt powerful when he groaned again. Biting the exposed skin between his open jacket, she felt his body shudder, as she left her mark on him.

"Ya pay for that woman, the pain I will enforce on ya will have you submitting to me. You ready for that Carol, feel you can take me on?"

"Dixon it will take a cold day in hell before I ever submit to you" she smirked as she saw his eyes darkening, she could just imagine where his head was going. Taking his bottom lips between her teeth she bit hard, tasting blood, his groan coming from deep within him.

"You are not ready to play with the adults Daryl, go find Beth and sate yourself in her. Now get the hell away from me I want to check Sophia" snapping he pushed her body towards the unnoticed door in the corner of the room unlocking it he thrust her inside, and hit the light

"Does this show you I am more than ready woman? Question is are you ready, to play with the adults Carol?" she looked around the dimly lit room, things she had only read in books years ago, spoken about behind closed doors, were in that room. A shiver of excitement ran through her blood heating her, making her blood turn to lava.

"Interesting Dixon. Must admit I didn't see this coming."

"Guess you wouldn't I'm giving ya warning Carol before ya leave, if ya leave this apartment, I plan on taking you in this room, using these on you" Carol shivered at the roughness in his voice.

"Oh sweetie do you really think I will allow you?" her confidence sent him over, slamming her against the wall, he silenced her words with his lips. Taking what he wanted, forcing her moans back down her throat with his tongue. He was losing it and fast, she didn't need it just yet, she had only just come out of the hospital, Sophia was unsettled. Tonight wasn't the right time, soon though, he would release his animal. Then he would see who was laughing then. Pulling his lips away from hers, his mouth found her pulse point at her neck, sucking hard he left his mark, licking it with his tongue

"Ya won't have any choice Carol, when I decide the time is right it will happen. Oh and ya might want to cover that mark on ya neck don't want Sophia seeing it. Now get the hell to bed woman and leave me alone" turning his back on her, he waited with baited breath to see what she would do. Hearing the soft click of the door, he couldn't decide if he was disappointed or glad she had done what he asked.

Carol walked on stiff legs towards Sophia's bedroom, Daryl had not even shown her, where she would be sleeping, thankful Sophia's bed was larger than a single, she slipped under the covers cuddling up to her daughter. Annoyed at the way her body had betrayed her in his arms, her mind curious about the contents of the room, closing her eyes she allowed herself to dream.