Sorry for the delay, but here's a long ass chapter as a reward for waiting! I REALLY wanted Daryl and Amber to have a decent night out before shit started happening. They deserve for the day to end on a good note. And since some people felt a little cheated since I skipped the sex they had right after the proposal I give you two smuts in this chapter! I hope the date doesn't bore anybody, I just wanted them to go have some fluffy time. And I like how this chapter ended, whose thoughts we get to see a bit of. Oh, and yes, I did reference another Reedus character, just for the smuttiness of it!
The restaurant mentioned in this chapter is real, and yes, it is that good!
Let me know what you think!
Beth was sitting on the couch with Amber, admiring her ring when the men came back in, Sugar right on Daryl's heels. He stalked directly into the kitchen, jerking open the fridge.
"Baby Girl," he yelled into the living room.
"Yeah?" she answered, walking to the kitchen door curious.
"What's ya dog's favorite thing ta eat?"
"Actually..."
He didn't even bring his head over the door to look at her. "Don't ya dare say cop, smartass. This ain't the time."
"Hot dogs, bottom drawer."
Daryl jerked out a pack and slit it open quickly with his knife before dumping the contents in Sugar's bowl a few steps away. He went to growl but she was already on her way, skidding to a stop in front of her bowl as he spoke.
"Good girl. Eat, ya earned it."
She didn't wait for his permission, being muzzle deep in processed meat before he finished his sentence. He threw the empty pack in the trash as Amber eyed him carefully.
"What's this about?"
Merle and Beth joined them before Daryl answered. Merle opened the fridge, Amber noting that he pulled out a coke instead of a beer. The situation must be bad.
"Somebody was here. Watchin me an you while we was out." Daryl said, voice a level above what he usually reserved for death threats. It wasn't directed at her, just the situation in general.
"And Sugar?"
"Wouldn't have known if it wasn't for her. I was headed somewhere else, she flipped out and headed ta the back pasture. They was holed up in the woods right above."
"You SAW them?" Amber stepped to Daryl. He shook his head.
"Naw, just missed'em. Found where they was at. They took off to the back pasture, heard'em get in a car and peel off the road back there." he ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he hooked his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him.
"Call Daddy."
"Already did, on the way back down here." Merle chimed in, taking a long swig of his coke before pulling his smokes out of his leather to light one. "He said Sarge thought him and his old lady was bein tailed in town. Figured Ol' Kip was tryin to find out if his bomb did what it was sposed to. Reckon he'll be pissed now he knows Sarge and m'bro are still in one piece."
Amber laid her head in the middle of Daryl's chest. He put the hand that wasn't around her shoulders on her hip and she could feel the tension vibrating through his body. Why today? Couldn't they just have one day of joy? Of just being happy?
"S'alright, Baby Girl. I'm gonna take care of it." he said against her hair. She nodded against him, them now being past the arguing about the danger of their lives. It just was, and they just had to deal with it. He nudged her chin up. "Hey, ya show Beth ya ring?" he asked, trying to give her a smirk.
"Yeah."
"I LOVE it!" the younger woman crowed, gladly latching on to a bit of happy. She looked up at Merle, who was glaring at his brother. Daryl just held up Amber's hand for Merle. He stepped over as if to get a closer look but really was just getting closer so he could whisper to his brother.
"Ya coulda TOLD me! Gonna kick yore ass!"
Daryl shrugged. "My old lady, I'll do what I want."
Merle looked down at the ring and then at Amber. "S'pretty, Lil'Sugar, all fuckin pink like ya like. But ya gettin hitched ta a dumbass."
She gave him a smirk, pushing at his chest. He joined Beth at the island again, grabbing and opening a bag of chips off the counter.
"Do ya NOT have food at yore house?" Daryl asked.
"Yup. I eat wherever I'm at. Gotta keep up my figure." he replied. Beth rolled her eyes. "He's always eating. So what do we do now?"
"Y'all don't go nowhere without one of us, the same as b'fore. We're gonna find'em and handle it." The women knew 'handle it' meant 'kill the fuckers, probably nice and slow'.
"Mama texted me." Amber said hesitantly as she looked up at Daryl. "She's crazy excited about us. She wants us all to go eat together to celebrate this weekend."
"Who's 'all of us'?"
"The four of us, her and daddy, Norm and Kaye, and Ty and Carol. I think she thinks it'll be good for everyone to do after...the last time we were in the meeting room. Kind of like a do over."
"What'd yore daddy say?"
"He said if things lay low until then, no problems, then it's fine. But anything happens then it's off. We're safer all together anyway."
Daryl nodded.
"Where we goin? Jake's?" asked Merle curiously. Anytime food was involved he was interested. Beth groaned.
"NO! I get tired of eating where I work!"
"We're going somewhere in Atlanta. Mama hasn't made up her mind yet."
"With a bar?"
"Would daddy and Norm eat somewhere that didn't?"
Merle nodded. "Sounds like a party." he smirked at his brother. "Lil' Darylena's engagement party. We gonna get'im a little veil or somethin?"
"Fuck off dumbass." Daryl growled, not in the mood for his brothers teasing.
Merle grunted, knowing not to push him when he was this tense. He grabbed Beth's hand and tugged her toward the door. "C'mon Angel. We got business to finish up at our place."
It was quiet in that kitchen for a long while, the only sound Sugar licking her bowl clean. Finally Amber looked up at Daryl.
"Hey, why don't we go out tonight, to celebrate? I want to go out, just me and you."
"Girl, we need ta stay home."
"Daryl, we WERE home. And they came here. I'll be with you."
He sighed, and relented, wanting to set at least some of the day to rights. "Where ya wanna go?"
"NOT JAKE'S. How about the Appalachian Grille, in Cartersville? Nobody will be expecting us there, it's a nicer restaurant. Not a club hangout."
"Be almost an hour drive. It's warmed up some but not much. You wanna take the truck?"
Amber shook her head. "No. I want to ride behind you on the bike. I just can't wear my new jeans, you know, the ones my ass hangs out of."
Daryl smirked. "Yeah, cain't have that sweet ass a yores freezing off." He gripped her hips and turned, sitting Amber on the counter. Then his still gloved hands came up, one cradling her jaw and the other going to the back of her neck. He kissed her long and slow, trying to bring himself back to where he was before he found that wallow in the woods. Baby Girl deserved for the rest of this day to be good. He drew back just enough to talk, his breath warm on her lips.
"Ya gonna wear somethin pretty for me?"
"Like what?"
"Ya know what I like."
"Like club clothes? You know that's going to have people staring at me if we go somewhere that's not a club hangout."
"Let'em stare. I wanna show ya off if we goin somewhere."
Amber raised an eyebrow. "Wow. You sure have changed a lot since we first got together."
"Shut up. Ya wearing my ring now. Shows everbody ya belong ta me, just like ya ink."
"Promise you won't fight?"
"Yeah. Long as I get laid when I get home."
Amber laughed, glad to see him relaxing a little. "The camo corset?"
"Fuck yeah, Baby Girl. Go do all that fancy gettin ready shit ya do. I'll jump in the shower."
"Just to wash? No funny business?"
Daryl blushed deeply, looking down. He was still embarrassed of his 'shower time' during Amber's recovery. "Ya ain't as funny as ya think, girl." he growled.
Amber grinned, looping her arms around his neck and kissing his now hot forehead. "I wasn't being funny. Just wondered if you'd like some help."
He looked up from under his hair. "Depends on whose doin the helpin." He pulled Amber to the edge of the counter so she could feel the growing bulge in his jeans.
"I think I can work you into my schedule. To the shower!" Amber had purposely edged the conversation toward sex. She believed Daryl needed a good ending to this day too. Shower sex wouldn't solve their problems but it would help him take the edge off before they went out. He jerked her up and over his shoulder, Amber not even yelling. Instead she took advantage of the position, sliding her hand between Daryl's waistband and his skin. She continued on under his boxers as he stalked through their bedroom on his way to their bathroom. Her hand slid down over the curve of his right ass cheek, relishing the taut rolling muscle as he walked with that half stomp half swagger of his. Daryl was about to sit Amber on her feet when she squeezed hard, digging her nails into the firm flesh. He jerked and then snarled before biting her ass through her jeans like he did the first night they were together. Amber just hummed as he brought her roughly back down to sit on the bathroom counter. Daryl's hands slammed down on either side of her hips.
"Fuckin HELL, girl! Ya start THAT shit and we won't make it no where t'night!"
She smirked up at him. She wanted him to release his tension onto her body. They both knew that if the Cannibals meant to kill them that day they would have while they were there. She wanted them to have just one good night before he started worrying again.
"Desperado, I think we are supposed to be getting in the shower." she purred, hands sliding under his unzipped leather to move over the planes of muscle on his chest over his tee. He looked over at the big tub and then back at her as his hands glided up her hips to begin lifting up her top.
"How 'bout a bath instead?"
Amber frowned as she tugged on the hair that hung down over his collar now. "I know you're just doing that so you can hear. Baby, if they were going to do something today, it would be done by now. And you'll be able to hear Sugar bark even over the shower."
Daryl looked at her for a minute before nodding and stepping back to pull off his leather and shirt. Amber followed suit, removing her top and bra, Daryl's eyes on her the whole time. Before he pulled his jeans off he grabbed two towels out of the closet, throwing them in the floor next to the tub. Amber didn't say anything when he tucked the Desert Eagle between them. If keeping his weapon close allowed him to loosen up enough to be happy for a little bit then she was fine with it.
By the time Daryl toed off his boots and got rid of his underwear and boxers Amber was naked, bending over the tub to start the water. He stepped behind her, sliding his rough palms up her sides to pull her up against him. Because of their height difference that put his cock digging against the top of her ass. Amber pushed back against it as his hands gripped her breasts. He grunted and bucked back against her as he kneaded her flesh.
"I think we're wasting water here." she said after a minute. Daryl released her reluctantly but kept a hand on her arm as she stepped into the big tub and under the steaming spray. He followed her, standing behind her again. Amber groaned knowing it drove him crazy. He jerked her back against him, her hands coming up behind his neck and into his hair again. Daryl positioned her body under the spray, letting the wet allow his hands to slide over her more easily. He cupped her breasts in his palms, rolling her nipples in his fingers making her come up on the balls of her feet and pull his hair. His chest rumbled behind her as he warned.
"Watch it, girl. Ya know pullin hair gets ya in trouble."
Amber grinned to herself as she pulled again. Daryl Dixon was the last person who needed to be telling people how to stay out of trouble.
His right hand shot down and smacked her ass hard, the water increasing the sting. Amber's back arched as she moaned. Daryl's other hand came up to grip her hair and jerk her head back. He leaned down to growl in her ear. "Ya just cain't fuckin B'HAVE, can ya?"
"Nope, not when my old man needs a good fuck." she agreed heartily. Daryl spun her around abruptly, his hands digging into her hips as he lifted her. She automatically hooked her knees up as he moved her high enough to align himself. Then Daryl dropped her onto his cock, groaning loudly as she cried out. His hands dug into her ass now as her shoulders moved back against the cool tile behind her. One of her arms was hooked around his neck while the other was sliding down Daryl's shoulder and upper arm on that side before returning back up. Him picking her up had been a big turn on ever since that first night at Jake's.
His now soaked hair was hanging in his face and she pushed it back. He growled and nipped at her hand as it passed his mouth before leaning in to lick the water droplets off the shell of her ear before he bit her.
"Old man? Girl, just cause ya got a ring don't mean I ain't still gonna fuck ya blind all the time."
Amber nodded. "Good. Now how about you fuck me now?"
He stopped stock still and grinned down at her. The look in his eyes made her shiver despite the hot water coursing over them.
"Dunno bout that. Ya been bad."
Amber groaned in frustration. She had been in charge of this just a few short moments ago. How did that change? She tried to tilt her hips against his to gain some friction but his hands held her fast. She was desperate, suddenly so sensitive that she could feel his heart beat pulsing in his member inside her.
"Daryl, please..."
He withdrew suddenly as much as the position would allow and came back hard with a grunt. Amber whined in her throat, her nails digging into his shoulders. She waited for him to withdraw again but it didn't come.
"Ya gonna b'have?" She could tell from the tone of his voice that he was barely holding on to his own control. She shook her head.
"Nope."
Daryl thrust again, so hard that it shifted her up a bit on the wet tile. Amber shrieked in pleasure but he froze again. His voice, now deeper as he spoke in her ear.
"Fine. Be a dirty little bitch. Touch yaself, ya know I like that shit."
Amber snaked a hand down between their wet bodies, sliding down to where he was in her to move her fingertip over her clit. Daryl groaned and began to thrust, moving her hips back against the tile behind. He was hitting her hard, releasing his tension and worry into her body. Amber took it gladly, feeling herself held up and controlled by slick hard muscle and the rock hardness that filled her again and again. She worked her clit in time with his thrusts and quickly became close. Daryl nudged her face with his until their mouths met, his hungry tongue demanding entry. It matched the method of his cock, fast and deep. After a minute he pulled back.
"Baby Girl..." he groaned out, long and low behind clenched teeth. He was warning her that he was close.
"I'm there. Just GO..." she urged him, the beginning bloom of her orgasm already upon her, low in her belly. Daryl actually went first, driving into her hard and pinning her to the wall with his body as his head dropped so he could bite her neck. She jerked when he did and came hard as he filled her. Her voice rebounded on the tile and filled the bathroom.
Afterward Daryl just let her slide down the wall as he went down to his knees in the big tub. He sat back on his heels, keeping her against him with an arm around her waist. When she came back to herself he had her jaw in his hand, tilting her head so he could kiss her deep and slow, the hot water raining over both their bodies. Finally she pulled back and grinned at him.
"We better wash, Desperado, before the water gets cold."
She went to move off him but Daryl held her fast. "Hey" he said tenderly, a rare occurrence even when he was being gentle with her. Amber stopped and looked up. Daryl rubbed his thumb across her cheekbone. "Thank ya."
She nodded, kissing his soaked scruff softly. She knew that he meant to thank her for helping him refocus and regain some happiness. "Anytime, Desperado."
TWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAU
Amber slipped in her earrings as Daryl snapped on his fidget band and put on his leather.
"You know we did it backwards." she said, looking at him through the bedroom mirror.
"What?" he asked absentmindedly as he checked his smokes in his inside pocket.
"We had sex before going on a date. I think I'm supposed to make you at least buy me dinner before I let you in my panties."
"Pfffft." he scoffed, giving her a smirk as he slid behind her. "Ya don't even wear panties half the time. 'sides, I am gonna buy ya dinner, just so I can get laid after. Already told ya, just cause we gettin married don't mean I'm gonna slow down any on fuckin." As if to prove himself, Daryl brought a hand up to grip her breast through her camo corset while dropping his head to suck on his bite mark on her neck.
"Well, you did get a late start. I guess you have time to make up for." Amber said smartly as she adjusted her pendant. Daryl glanced up at her, red creeping into his cheeks. She knew the fact that he didn't lose his virginity until he was twenty five was an issue he tried to forget.
"Girl, ya about ta let ya mouth overload ya ass again." he warned before returning his mouth to her skin.
"Besides, after a year or two I'm sure you'll slack off. I'll probably have to go back to letting Mac help me out."
Daryl raised up and met her eyes in the mirror, his interest piqued. "Who the fuck is Mac? Some DEMON in another chapter I need ta go gut?"
"I'll give you a hint. He's pink and takes double A batteries."
A wicked grin of realization spread across Daryl's face. "Hell, yeah, girl. Ya shoulda told me about Mac long time ago. Can he come over and play? I wanna watch."
Amber chuckled and slipped out of Daryl's arms to grab her cane and leather jacket from the bed. "I'll think about it, you nasty fucker."
He called after her as she made her way down the hall to the front door. "You gonna at least tell me why ya named it Mac?"
Amber shook her head. "Desperado, you can't handle the truth. Come on, I'm hungry."
TWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAUTWDAU
They pulled into a parking place in front of The Appalachian Grill at a quarter till six. They were able to snag one close to the door since it was a Monday night. Daryl tied down the helmets as Amber pulled her cane out of the new saddlebags.
"You wanna smoke before we go in?" she offered, breath coming out in white puffs in the cold. Considering that this was an actual restaurant and not technically a bar like Jake's, it fell under Georgia's no-smoking laws. Daryl shook his head, guiding her towards the door with a hand on her back.
"Nah. Too cold for ya ta stand out here. I'll wait till after we eat."
"You ever eat here?"
"This look like a place me an' Merle woulda hung out?"
Amber shook her head as they walked in the front. "Daryl, it's not fancy. Just because it has tablecloths and the waitresses have all their teeth doesn't make it a country club."
The lobby was done in stone, a bar to one side and the restaurant to the other. Amber took off her jacket as soon as they got in and Daryl did the same, slipping his colors back on over his tee. The hostess's eyes widened. This may not have been a club hangout but most people in the area knew who the DEMONS were. Also, a woman wearing a revealing corset, thigh high boots, with a full back angel wings tattoo was an attention getter, not to mention the bite mark on her neck. Daryl just slipped his arm around Amber's back and looked back. He might have gotten embarrassed over himself, but when it came to her he dared somebody to say something.
They were seated quickly, in a booth at Amber's request. Daryl went to sit across from her but she tugged on his hand until he slid into the seat beside her. He ordered a beer and then raised his eyebrow when Amber ordered a white wine with a long ass name he couldn't even begin to pronounce.
"Since when do you drink that shit?" he asked low, after the waitress left for the bar.
Amber put her hand on his thigh and pulled his hand over her head to put his arm around her. "Since about ten years ago. You don't know everything about me yet, Desperado. Plus, me kicking back straight Jack in places like this makes me look like a drunk."
Daryl scowled. "I don't..."
"I know, you don't give a fuck what people think. I honestly like the wine with good food. You might too, it you tried it."
Daryl rolled his eyes. "I don't think so. That's girly shit."
The waitress came back with their drinks, giving them both a long look before she left.
"I think I'm gonna tell her to take a picture, it'll last longer." Amber said drily as she took a sip of her wine.
"Calm yore ass down. Yer the one that said no fightin. 'sides," Daryl cast a long look of his own down Amber's corset. "She's just jealous she ain't got yore titties."
"Whatever. I think she wants my man."
"Bullshit. I ain't nothin."
Amber looked up at Daryl with her eyes narrowed. "You know I've got my blade in my boot, right?"
"Girl, I'm still gettin useta ya wantin ta be seen with me, much less wearin m'ring." He snagged her left hand with his free one, taking the opening to change the subject. He still found it odd at times how much he talked with Amber, more than he ever had even with Merle. It was like they just fell into a cadence and he could respond with his thoughts comfortably for the first time in his life. He held her hand up a little to look at the ring. "Ya really like it?"
Amber nodded as she lay her head on his shoulder. "I love it, it's perfect. What did Norm think when you picked it out?"
Daryl took a drink of his beer before he answered. "Said it was different, like you. That it fit ya, fit us."
She looked up at him suspiciously. "I'm different? Like, riding the short bus, different?"
Daryl snorted. "Hell no, smart ass. Ya all soft and shit, with ya pink and cookin all the time. But then ya handle a blade like fuckin Rambo. He said ya was a tough little piss ant." He reached up and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear before ducking his head to murmur in it. "Plus ya ain't big as a minute but ya bought break my ass ever time we fuck. That enough reasons?"
Amber snickered and nodded. The waitress came to take their order and they realized they hadn't even opened their menus yet. Amber sent her away for a few more minutes as they made their decisions. When she returned Daryl ordered a steak (his go to choice when they went out) and Amber ordered a salad and the shrimp bisque.
"Oh, and we'll need extra EXTRA bread please." she added.
The waitress nodded and left. Daryl turned back to Amber with an amused look. "Ya like bread t'night or somethin?"
Amber nodded. "Oh my god, wait until you try it. It's cornbread and it's shaped like little fish, with cranberries and pecans in it. It's almost better than sex."
Daryl shook his head. "Girl, cornbread ain't sposed ta have berries and nuts in it. And it sure as hell ain't sposed ta be shaped like little fish." he dropped his voice. "AND ain't NOTHIN almost better than sex."
The topic of their conversation arrived then, the basket piled high as Amber requested. She immediately snatched one, slathered it with butter and popped it in her mouth with a groan. Daryl still looked at them suspiciously so she fixed him one and dangled it in front of him. He took it, eyeing it carefully before putting it in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully as she looked on expectantly.
"Soooo? Good huh?"
He shook his head, washing it down with a drink before answering. "Nope."
Amber's jaw dropped open but then Daryl reached out to quickly butter another one and start in on it. She slapped his arm and he just playfully pushed her hand away as he ate. Then their real food came and the next half hour was quieter. Daryl ended up nursing his second beer as the waitress brought Amber a cappuccino and a slice of cheesecake.
"You and yer pussy coffee." he said shaking his head.
"Shut up." Amber took a bite of the cheesecake, then offering him some.
"Fuck no. I don't see how you got any room left."
"Because I didn't eat half a cow and a loaded baked potato the size of a football like you did." she countered.
He shrugged. "It was fuckin good."
She leaned into his shoulder. "This is nice."
"What?"
"Just being by ourselves, on a normal date. Not at Jake's, not at the clubhouse. Just us with no drama."
He nodded in agreement. The waitress brought the check and he paid in cash, telling her to keep the change. Amber grinned.
"You must be having a good time."
"Why?"
"Because you just gave her a twenty dollar tip."
"So? Maybe I am. 'sides, I might not get laid if m'girl thinks I'm cheap."
"You think you'll still be up to it? I mean, we did this morning and then in the shower before we left." Her hand traced his thigh and he gave her a warning look.
"Don't ya dare, girl. I gotta stand up here in a minute. And fuck yes, I'll be able to. Three is still less than our record."
Amber nodded. "True. That's what, four plus an oral only?"
Daryl blushed and shook his head as he looked around. "Ya just don't fuckin care what ya say in public, do ya?" His thumbnail went to his mouth and Amber picked up on his sign of nicotine withdrawal.
"Go on. I'll finish my cheesecake and 'pussy coffee'."
He stood and slipped on his jacket. "Ya sure? I'll be back in a minute ta get ya."
Amber shook her head, setting down her cup. "No. I'm almost done. I can walk from here to the door. I've got my cane."
Daryl nodded reluctantly and headed out to lean against one of the stone pillars that supported the roof of the entranceway as he lit up. At first he just watched the cars passing by on the highway as he thought about the day in total. Baby Girl was right, tonight was good, very good. And that morning, hell that might have been the best moment of his whole sorry life, so far. Only the middle marred it. But he knew how to handle that now. He wasn't the same man he was the previous summer, walking uneasily in the world of killers, kidnappers and rapists. He was a DEMON now and would protect his own, not only his woman but the whole family he acquired through her and the club. Then his eyes caught sight of a motorcycle and rider sitting at the far end of the lot. The rider was wearing all black, no colors evident but Daryl didn't recognize the bike. He didn't really think nothing of it at first. There were plenty of people who just rode in the area for pleasure with no MC affiliation. But he almost could remember that same bike and rider coming past them as they walked in. That didn't make sense, they had been in the restaurant an hour and it was fucking cold. No body would sit out in that for an hour unless they needed to. Daryl quickly pulled his gloves out of his pocket and slipped them on as he watched, careful to make it look like he was looking elsewhere casually. He was pretty sure he saw the guy turn his head in his direction every once in a while as if confirming he was still standing there. He was just about to go in and get Amber when he heard the door open behind him. As always, he could tell it was her by the slight unevenness of her footsteps and the addition of the click of the cane.
"Bike. Now." he said commanding yet quiet, turning to put his arm around her waist. She fell in step beside him instantly, understanding something was up by his tone.
"Where?" she asked, not daring to look around.
"Far end of the lot." He answered, making himself not hurry as he flicked ash to the sidewalk and took another long drag off his smoke. He would rather them think they hadn't been spotted.
"How many?"
"Jus saw one."
"You sure?"
"Got a feelin, s'all."
She nodded. Daryl waited until an SUV blocked them from the man's sight for a moment and let his step falter long enough to pull the Eagle from his waistband and slide it under Amber's coat and into hers.
"Ya good?"
"Yeah. Guess it'd be easier for me to shoot if you're driving, huh?"
"Yep." He flicked the butt of his smoke away as the came out the other side of the SUV and to the Scrambler. He swung his leg over, grabbing his helmet and handing Amber her's like always. "Prob'ly fine. Even if it is them, w'just one it's likely just a tail like they put on Sarge and Kaye today."
"okay."
He gave her a look. "Gonna cut off the highway onto Abrams, try to lose'em on the backroads around your folk's place. He's ridin a cruiser so I'm sure we can."
"I'm fine. Let's go." Amber said firmly, taking his hand to swing on behind him, stowing her cane and pulling on her helmet. Luckily the parking spot in front of them was open so they could just pull out. Amber kept a watch but didn't notice anyone pulling out behind them. They were a couple miles outside of Cartersville, headed toward home on the highway when she glanced back and saw a single headlight a good ways back. She tapped on Daryl's stomach and he looked down in the mirrors, gave her a single nod and then moved to the left lane. The tension in his body instantly went up about two notches, and it was pretty high to start with.
They got to the turn off for Abrams road a minute or so later, Daryl taking the turn a bit faster than he usually would. He looked back over his shoulder after about a mile on the winding road and Amber looked back to see that single headlight still behind them, though further back. She nodded her helmet against Daryl's shoulders and scooted around him even closer. He opened up the throttle, pushing the bike. It wasn't as fast as he rode the night of the kidnapping, he didn't dare ride like that with Amber with him. But it was still fast, the bike leaning deep during turns. As usual, she rode with him like she was born to and even in that tense moment he was proud of that. He brought them through some of the real backwoods roads, knowing someone not from the area would quickly become lost. Plus, with the curves their tail probably wouldn't be able to follow when and where they turned off. It wasn't like they were trying to keep them from knowing where they lived. That day's events proved they already knew that. He just was keeping from them getting close enough to shoot or corner them somewhere. They saw the last of the other rider halfway between Debra and Barry's and the farm. When they pulled into the main driveway, the gate was slightly open, Silas knowing when he went to shut it that evening that they were gone on the bike. Daryl drove through the opening and Amber jumped off as soon as he stopped on the other side. He put his hand out for her keys, preparing to get off too but she shook her head. She took the two steps behind the Scrambler to shut the gate fully and pull the heavy padlock through the chain. Now if someone came onto the farm it had to be on foot, unless they happened to carry a welding torch with them.
A couple of minutes later they pulled in front of their porch, Sugar barking at their arrival like usual. When Amber unlocked the front door Daryl pushed ahead of her, pulling the Eagle from her waistband, and put a finger on her chest, telling her silently to let him clear the house first. Sugar rocketed out, heading immediately to pee, which Amber took as a good sign that no one was there that shouldn't be. A minute later Daryl came back, flipping the living room lights on. She walked in, heading straight to the bedroom as he stoked the fire in the wood stove back up. By the time he did that, let Sugar back in and locked the front door Amber was already naked and in the bed. Sugar jumped up on the bed as he came through the doorway of their bedroom.
"You gonna kick her out to the living room for a while?" Amber asked, making sure that he saw she was topless. Daryl shook his head.
"Need ta leave the doors open so I can hear and she has the run of the house."
Amber waited until he got rid of his pants and boots, laying his gun on the nightstand as he grabbed his pack of smokes that sat there. She crawled up behind him, pressing her bare body to his inked back. Daryl sighed and leaned back as he handed his smokes and lighter to her over his shoulder. Amber lit his cigarette and then wound her arms around his neck to stroke his chest as he smoked. He was halfway done when she spoke.
"Please baby, I need you."
Daryl sighed, reaching out to flick his ash to the ashtray as his other hand came up to take her left one from his chest. He brought it to his mouth, pressing his lips to the knuckle right below where her ring rested. Then he nodded in the dimness.
"Yeah. Me too."
He finished his smoke and stubbed it out, rising to scoop Sugar off the foot of the bed and set her outside the door and shut it quickly. She only scratched at it for a minute before laying down against it, having already figured out they would let her back in after the funny noises stopped.
Daryl returned to the bed, getting rid of his boxers before he slid in next to her. He immediately pulled her body flush with his, moving her up so that their heads were level.
"I love ya, pretty girl. Ya know that?" he asked quietly as he traced the back of his knuckles down her jaw. Amber nodded, her hands smoothing over the planes of his chest as her legs tangled with his.
"Yeah. I love you too."
Daryl pushed up on one elbow, pushing the sheet off her body so he could run his hand down it, over the curve of her ass and back up. Amber shivered and goose flesh rose up. Daryl smirked down at her as he did it again.
"Ya sure ya wanna marry me? I ain't nothin, Baby Girl."
Amber frowned. "Why? Are you trying to back out?"
He shook his head. "Fuck no. Just wonderin."
Amber looked at him seriously. "Daryl, I wish you could understand. To me you're EVERYTHING."
"Ya batshit crazy, ya know it?"
Amber grinned up at him, glad the conversation was growing lighter even as something else grew heavier against her. "You knew that when you asked me."
"Don't remember ever gettin around ta askin."
Amber nodded. "Well, you kinda just told me why we SHOULD. You gonna ask me now? Kind of a cop out, though, since you already know my answer."
"I ain't above cheatin on the test, girl." He grew serious again. "Ya wanna marry my redneck ass?"
Amber looked up as if considering the question before she replied. "Yeah. We're already living in sin, might as well let you make me an honest woman."
Daryl snorted, muttering about "living in sin".
"What do you think about April fifth?" she asked.
"For what? THAT?"
"Daryl, can you actually say the word wedding?"
He dismissed her question with a roll of his eyes. "S'fine by me. That's what, little over two months? It's almost February."
"Good. Me and Beth looked at it while y'all were out. It'll be warm enough without being hot."
Daryl nodded in agreement, leaning over to put his face over hers. "So I reckon I best do all the sinnin I can 'fore then, huh?"
He didn't wait for an answer, getting directly to the sinning. He dropped his head to hers, kissing her warmly his tongue gliding against hers in their dance of hot against cool, smoke mixing with water. The hand Daryl wasn't supporting himself with cupped her breast, rolling the nipple with his thumb until it was rock hard and she was mewling into his mouth. He just smirked against her, moving to give the other one the same treatment. By the time he moved lower Amber already had her knee hooked up over his hip, opening herself for him. He groaned when his fingers slipped into her wet heat. He jerked when her hand encased his cock, being so intent on his own work he missed where she was headed. She began to stroke him and Daryl dismissed any thoughts of teasing, immediately slipping his two middle fingers into her and beginning to work her clit with his thumb. Then it was her turn to shudder and he grinned against her mouth. He brought her to edge quickly, his own need growing. Thankfully, she released him when she got close, or the whole thing would have been over quickly. She clutched at his shoulders, her body stiffening against his as he worked her. Daryl murmured against her mouth as she keened.
"That's it. That's m'girl. Come for me, Baby Girl."
When she came she buried her teeth in his shoulder and he groaned in pleasure. That was the kind of pain that helped center him, reminding him what was important, what was real. As soon as her body relaxed he withdrew his fingers, Amber grinning lazily with her eyes still closed when she heard him sucking her off them. Then he brought his hand back down to hook under her knee, bringing it higher so he could move his top leg between hers. He angled his hips over and then up, sliding into her easily. This way didn't allow for the deepness or hard thrusting that her legs on his shoulders did, but it did allow him to hold her close, which was what he was wanting. Amber nodded in approval against his shoulder, moving her arms up and around his neck as Daryl wrapped his top one around her waist and began moving against her. They were pressed together, from where her head rested on his shoulder to her pink tipped toes curling against his muscled legs. Daryl reached his end quickly, Amber urging him on by rolling her hips in time with his and murmuring things in his ear that she knew drove him on. He ended up gripping her hip so tightly that she would find bruises the next day as he gasped and moaned low against her hair. He bucked against her until he just fell back a little with a contented sigh.
They nearly fell asleep that way, still entangled with one another, but Sugar began to scratch at the door again. Amber chuckled quietly as Daryl cursed, rising to pull on his boxers and let her in. He left the door open, checking the clip in the gun before laying it back on the nightstand. He rejoined Amber, pulling her back into his chest, the puppy wedging herself against her lady's back, knowing the man would not let her try to get between them.
They all three slept well, Daryl and Amber content, for that night, even though danger lurked. Sugar sensed their happiness, despite that bad thing she had smelled in the snow earlier that day, so she slept. She knew the man wanted to kill that bad thing just like she did. She could tell by how his smell had changed and his body tensed out in the snow, his growls sounding like hers. That was good.
The bad thing had come to their home, close to the lady, and Sugar knew the man would not tolerate that.