Author's Note: I'm dedicating this chapter to one of the most amazing women I know. I told you that I'm not always good with knowing what to say to make a person feel better and that I had to help in my own way - so this is what I have to give. I hope you can take some time to enjoy this chapter and I hope it brings a smile to your beautiful face. Love you lots!

Chapter 11

"Oh my God," Carol said, her eyes shining brightly. "That was the last one… we're done." She bit her lip. "But uhhh… I do have a waiting list of very interested clients if you want to work through it."

Daryl shrugged, "Maybe a little slower. Do a couple a week?" They had worked hard, really, really hard, over the last 6 weeks. She had been absolutely amazing and he couldn't have done it without her. It wasn't just that the whole thing had been her idea and she had to be there because it was at her work, it was more. She was there for him emotionally. She was his rock and his inspiration. Those nights he was exhausted and just not feeling it… one look or smile from Carol and he was right back on track.

"Yeah, I like that idea," Carol said, stifling a yawn. "I'll call them tomorrow and start putting together a schedule." They had already long surpassed the money he would need for tuition, but Daryl knew things would always come up and he could use the extra money. "You ready to go?" She asked.

"Nope," Daryl shook his head. There was something he'd been waiting to do since the very first night they started the project. There was a new technique he wanted to try and there was only one possible model he wanted to try it with. "Take your clothes off."

"Uhhh, we can go home and do that," she replied with a little smile.

He shook his head again. "I wanna paint you," he said softly. "I've wanted to since the first time I saw you naked," Daryl admitted, with a light blush. He'd sworn when he saw her perfect, gorgeous body, that he would paint her one day.

Carol was staring at him and he started to feel nervous. Was she going to say no? "You can't show anyone," she replied, already starting to take off her clothes. "Promise?"

"Promise," he agreed. "I get it… but you shouldn't be shy. You're so sexy." Daryl watched her undress and felt a stirring in his loins. He wasn't sure how he was going to get through the painting with her delicious body on full display - Daryl realized he hadn't thought this idea through. But it was too late.

"How, um… how do you want me?" Carol asked, looking at him shyly over her shoulder. He hadn't seen that look from her in a while, the shy demure side she'd exhibited early on. Daryl let his eyes wash over her and realized the way she was standing was almost perfect. There was just enough breast showing, her perfect ass, and the pose showed off her lean body and soft curves. There was just one thing missing.

Daryl walked up to her slowly then circled her body, letting his fingers graze her skin lightly as he did. He knew he was going to have a raging hard on when he was done with her, but there was a look in her eye that he needed to see before he started. "Don't move," he whispered before bending his head to take one of her nipples in his mouth.

"Oh," she gasped, followed by a sweet sigh. "I thought… I thought we weren't…"

"We're not," Daryl said as he released her breast. Carol shifted and he knew she was squirming. "Don't move," he said again. He moved around behind her and slid his hand down her tummy until his fingers were between her legs. "You're so beautiful," he whispered as he lightly touched her. Carol trembled against him and Daryl knew it was going to be absolute torture to not finish the job when he was so turned on already. She whimpered when he moved a little deeper, stroking with a bit more pressure.

"Daryl?" she said. "What… what are you… oh God…" She never finished her sentence as he brushed her clit.

"Open your eyes," Daryl instructed. When her lids fluttered open he knew it was time. "I'm gonna stop now," he explained gently. "But I don't want you to lose that look okay?" Carol nodded - she understood. "Keep thinking about how good that felt and how much you want this," he added, pressing his hard dick against her ass.

"Paint fast," Carol replied as he stepped away. "You started something that you need to finish."

Daryl set to work. Surprisingly, once he got started and was completely focussed on getting her likeness onto the canvas he momentarily forgot about how completely turned on he was. All he could think about was making it perfect, more perfect than anything he'd ever done before. This wasn't something that was only going to take a few hours - he planned to work on it for a couple of weeks to make sure it was just as spectacular as she was.

Carol stood, holding the pose he wanted without complaint for a long, long time. He worked furiously, trying to capture not only her beauty, but the emotion on her face and in her eyes. The look she held was one of passion and it was so erotic - even without her entire body exposed. It was probably a good thing no one else would ever see the painting because Daryl knew he wanted to be the only one who ever saw that look in her eye.

"Almost done," he said, wanting to let her know she wouldn't have to stand there much longer.

"Really?" Carol asked. She knew from all the sessions they had done so far that it usually took him quite a bit longer.

"Just wanna get the basics done and I'll finish it up in the studio," he explained, focussing on the canvas. In only a few more minutes he had what he needed. Daryl stepped back and set down the brush. Carol released the pose and shook her arms and legs. One bounce of her tits and Daryl was gripped with the furious need and desire to be with her.

He walked straight towards her and she knew exactly what was coming. Without him even realizing it the room had filled with sexual tension. It hung, heavy in the air and by the time he was in front of her Daryl could barely breathe. Carol took a step backwards, with a little teasing smile on her lips. He narrowed his eyes and closed the gap again. The pattern continued until he had her backed up against the wall. "Now what?" he asked, knowing he'd won.

"You know," Carol replied, her voice so smooth and sultry it made his knees weak. He did know. They were both so ready. He ran his hands over her body and was struck with a strange desire to sculpt. It wasn't something he'd ever tried - though he was hoping to take a class if he was accepted to the art school. It felt so good to touch her smooth skin and the artist in him knew he could easily memorize every curve of her body and replicate it with clay. This woman - she inspired him in so many ways. She made him want to be not only a better artist, but a better man too. He wanted to be everything she wanted and everything she needed.

When he dropped his pants to the floor, pressed her up against the wall and slowly eased his dick into her Daryl knew he was in love with her. He would tell her. One day soon... he would. But the emotion that had overcome him was too much and there was no possible way he could speak. So instead he looked into her eyes while he moved in her and Carol looked right back at him. That look in her eyes that he'd been painting was back. It was gorgeous and there was a vulnerability that struck him so deeply it made his body feel weak. She was giving him all of herself, letting him see right into her soul - and Daryl knew he'd never been that connected to any human being in his entire life.

The entire experience was exquisite. Their eyes never left each other, right through her orgasm and moments later his own. Daryl knew they had shared absolutely all of themselves with each other - like never before. It was the perfect end to a perfect night and the completion of all his scheduled sittings. He would still finish up the waiting list, but it wouldn't be quite the same as what they'd been through the past several weeks.

"I wanna see it," Carol said once she was dressed.

She took a step towards the easel before Daryl grabbed her. "Nope, no way," he said, holding her with an arm around her waist. "Not until it's finished. Not until it's perfect."

"Daryllllll," she whined. "Please? I bet it's perfect already. I know you."

"Nope," he shook his head. "You gotta wait." He snuck past her and quickly covered the painting, making sure he was careful as the paint would still be wet. "Come on, let's pack up and go get some rest."

Carol sighed, "Oh fine." She was still pouting and it was absolutely adorable. "So what are you going to do with all your free time?" she asked, as they started clearing things out.

"Gotta get my portfolio finished up… only two weeks left to get my application in," Daryl replied, feeling butterflies creep into his stomach. He couldn't believe it was really happening. He was sending his best stuff to the school in Savannah, but he was also applying to a couple other schools so he needed enough pieces to create portfolios for them as well. Daryl knew only the best of the best would be offered positions in Savannah so he couldn't help but have a backup plan. He'd chosen much closer schools instead of the original plan to head way up north. There was one in Alabama and another near Nashville. Not close enough to commute every day, but at least close enough to come home and see Carol on the weekend. His heart was set on Savannah though and now that it was financially possible and even though he had backup plans… he would be devastated if he didn't get in.

"Hey," Carol said softly. "They will take you. I have no doubt and you shouldn't either." Daryl allowed himself to smile at her confidence in him. For once in his life he had someone on his side - completely. He had someone he could trust and someone he could depend on. She would never let him down - and Daryl vowed in that moment that he would do the same for her… Always.