Chapter 14: Livin' in Sin

"Miss Carol?"

"What is it, Sam?" Carol asked, placing the last pie on the cooling rack. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand before moving to the sink to wash her hands. Daryl sat on the counter munching on left over apples so they wouldn't go to waste. The community kitchen seemed to be rampant with traffic today, and Daryl rarely visited Carol at work, so having him there along with the amusing little Sam was an extra treat today.

"Are you and Daryl getting married?" the precocious young boy asked, looking up at her innocently. Daryl choked and coughed, and Carol hurried over, slapping him on the back to help him breathe again. Sam's eyes went wide.

"The hell kind of question is that?" Daryl asked, taking a gasping breath. Sam cocked his head to the side as he watched them. "What're you starin' at?"

"The boy asked a question," Carol said, concern creasing her brow. "You ok?"

"I'm good," he muttered. "Kid needs to learn to mind his own business."

"Well, are you?" Sam asked, getting a glare out of Daryl. The boy snuck one of the apples and took a juicy bite before blinking up at Daryl.

"Sam," Carol chided.

"Well, I saw you guys kissing behind the kitchen, and you live together. My mom says the Christian thing to do when two people want to live together is get married."

"Not everybody believes that," Carol pointed out. "Just because two people live together doesn't mean they want to get married."

"So you don't want to marry Daryl?" Carol felt her face grow red as the attention turned to her. She looked up at Daryl who quirked an eyebrow and smirked. She made a face at him and reached into the cabinet, pulling out a bag of cookies.

"If I give you cookies, will you go home?"

"Ok!" Sam said with a wide-eyed expression. "Thanks Miss Carol!" He grabbed the bag of cookies and rushed off. Daryl snickered and Carol tossed a towel at him.

"What's so funny?" She eyed him as he turned the lock on the door, shutting them off from any further interruptions.

"You thought I was gonna be the only uncomfortable one. Looks like it ain't so funny when the tables get turned on you." Carol turned to wipe down the counter behind her, and Daryl hopped off the counter across from her. He moved up behind her, pressing into her from behind, pinning her to the counter. She moaned softly when she felt his hot breath against her ear. She turned to face him, and she leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lips, her hands trailing up his bare arms before she began to at his shirt. Daryl pulled back, a devilish gleam in his eye. "Better not."

"Why not?"

"Ain't the Christian thing to do."

"Stop," Carol laughed, swatting his arm. He grinned and put his hands on her hips, tugging her close.

"Whaddya say you clock out early, and we go home and keep on livin' in sin?"

"You're awful," Carol snorted, burying her face against his neck as he made a grab for the button on her jeans, slipping his hand down the waist band. Her laughter soon turned to moans, and all thought of work went right out the window.