Chapter 26: Insomnia
Carol fell asleep fast. It hadn't taken much time at all. She'd rolled onto her side, and he'd spooned up behind her and pressed kisses along the back of her neck, absently running his hand up and down her side until her breathing slowed and she was fast asleep. He held her long after that, feeling the rise and fall of her back against his chest, and he still couldn't believe what had just happened.
It had been a long time since he felt anything close to what he was feeling now, but he wasn't sure, even in the early days with Lucy, he had ever felt like this. And he wondered if maybe part of that reason was because he had spent so much time longing to feel needed and wanted. Was he feeling this way because Carol hadn't been disgusted when he'd finished faster than he'd wanted? Was he feeling like this because they were friends and had a good time and decided to take it further. He didn't even know what it meant. He'd told her he didn't want it to just be sex, and she seemed on board with that, but what if she woke up in the morning and looked at him differently?
He knew it was the past talking. He knew Carol was different. Still, Lucy had pounded it into his head for so long that he was worthless, and while he knew the only person who could determine his worth was him, it still sunk in from time to time just how bad things were. And when he felt Carol in his arms sleeping so comfortably and soundly, everything just seemed better. He liked who he was with her, and she seemed to like him just the same. And being with her had been incredible. He hadn't felt anything so intense in his entire life, and he only hoped that was just the beginning.
He was still wide awake when his bladder started talking back to him, so he quietly crept out of bed and made his way down the hall to the bathroom. When he was finished, he looked at himself in the mirror, rubbing his hand over the stubble on his chin. He noticed little bruises along his shoulders from her fingernails and probably her teeth. He couldn't help the little grin that spread over his face.
With a heavy sigh, he decided if he was going to try to get any bit of sleep, he needed a hot shower to settle himself down. He was still worked up, his dick semi-hard, and the thought of Carol sleeping naked just down the hall wasn't helping matters at all.
He turned the shower on hot and let the water warm up before stepping in under the stream. He closed the shower door behind him and leaned into the water, groaning softly as he passed the wash cloth down his stomach and over his groin. He was almost painfully hard, and after he finished washing, he wrapped his hand around his dick, giving it a few strokes. He tilted his head back, letting the hot water run down his neck and chest, and as he stroked his cock, he tried to mimic with his hand the way her pussy had clenched around him so tight when he was thrusting into her.
He pressed one hand against the shower wall and groaned softly, thinking of the little pants and mewls she'd made against his ear. He was close to the edge when he heard a soft knock on the bathroom door.
"I'm sorry, but I really have to pee," she called, opening the door and slipping inside. Daryl paused under the hot water with his hand still on his dick, and he could barely make out the shape of her through the fogged up glass. A few moments later, he heard her put the toilet lid down. She was courteous and didn't flush to save him from a torrent of freezing water. But, she didn't quite leave.
"You ok?" she called softly.
"Uh, yeah. Couldn't sleep."
"Really? I was sleeping like a rock," she laughed.
"I noticed," he snorted. He saw her fingertips trail over the glass shower door.
"You want some company?" His mouth fell open and a dry, choked cough came out, and he opened the door for her. She stepped in then, and her gaze was immediately drawn down to his erection. "I see I'm interrupting."
"Rather have you than my hand," he replied with a smirk. He saw her shiver, and he closed the shower door. She stood on her tip toes to kiss him, and he pulled her under the hot spray of water. She sighed against his mouth and reached down to curl her hand around his dick. Daryl groaned, breaking the kiss only to see her looking up at him with fire in her sleepy eyes. "Shit, Carol." His head dropped forward when she began pressing open-mouthed kisses to his chest. Before he knew what she was doing, she was going to her knees, and he opened his eyes to see her staring at his dick, considering her next move.
She gave his dick a couple of strokes before she flicked her tongue over the head. He reached out to grip the soap ledge for purchase.
He felt exposed and vulnerable, and when he looked down at her, she was looking right up at him, and he let out a slow breath, letting himself enjoy the moment with her mouth wrapped around him and her hand gripping him at the base. She was amazing, and she took her time, and when she felt him start to tense, she pulled back and stood up, finishing him off with her hand while pressing hot kisses to his neck and shoulder.
He spilled over her hand, and the cooling water washed everything away down the drain. Daryl pulled her in close then, and she started to shiver, this time from the cooling water.
"Best get outta here before we catch a cold," Daryl murmured.
"I don't mind a cool shower," she said with a little shrug. "I'll finish washing up." She kissed him again, and Daryl grinned, reaching for the wash cloth.
"Let me wash your back?"
"Mmm," she smiled, turning and raising her face to the water as Daryl began washing her back. He helped her clean up quickly, and by the time the water was completely cold, they were shutting it off and stepping out to towel off. A few playful touches later, they were heading back down the hall to Daryl's room, both naked, both keenly aware of each other's nakedness.
Daryl noticed the way Carol carried herself was a little different than usual. She walked a little slower, and when she got back into bed, she winced. He stood there at the side of the bed for a moment before he got in beside her.
"I hurt you, didn't I?"
"No," she offered with a tired laugh. "I promise you didn't."
"Why do ya look like you're in pain then?" Carol narrowed her eyes at him. "What?"
"You do know you're above average, right?" She looked down at his dick which twitched in interest. Daryl snorted, and Carol raised her eyebrows. "I'm not even kidding a little bit. It wasn't some put on to stroke your ego. You're big, Daryl. I mean, not impossibly big. I can work with it. But lube and foreplay aren't just fun. They're necessary." She watched the redness return to Daryl's face. "It's nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Trust me." She bit her bottom lip to suppress a grin. "Didn't anybody ever say anything to you before?"
"I mean, yeah, but I just thought…"
"Ego stroking," Carol said with a little nod. "Got it." She shook her head.
"It ain't…too big, right? Like I ain't a freak or anything?"
"No," she insisted. "I've just never, uh, climbed a mountain like that before. Before tonight, anyway." She cleared her throat and rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm fine. Just a little sore, but it's not the end of the world. Besides, I hope we're gonna do this again."
"Yeah. I mean, I wanna keep seein' you. I like bein' with you, and not just like this. Even if it's just watchin' a movie and eatin' pizza. I want ya in my life." Carol smiled then, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Daryl's lips.
Within moments, he was rolling her onto her back, kissing her hungrily, and when he pulled back to look into her eyes, he chuckled.
"What?" she grinned.
"Nothin'. You're beautiful."
"Stop."
"You are." He kissed her again. "Wanna make this good for you."
"It's good," she promised. "It's really good." She ran a finger down his jaw and smiled up at him.
"Wanna make it better than good." He kissed her neck and then down her chest, and in a moment, he was trailing his tongue around the outside of her belly button. She gasped at the sensation, and he nudged her thighs apart, settling down between her legs.
"Daryl?"
"Want ya to come for me."
"Oh, God," she panted, gripping the sheets and arching up as he pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. "Daryl? What are you…ohhhh…" She fell back against the mattress the moment his tongue teased her clit.
He'd done this more than a few times, and he'd never gotten any complaints. But, he was nervous about doing it for her, though it was already his favorite thing next to being buried inside of her. Her hands reached for him, curling through his hair when he slipped his tongue into her. He was gentle with her, teasing her to the brink until her thighs were trembling on either side of his head. And when she arched back and came with a loud cry, he relished every bit of her taste.
When he crawled back up to rest beside her, he placed his hand just beneath her breast, and he watched as her breathing finally returned to normal. When she opened her eyes to look at him, she let out a little laugh.
"You're full of surprises," she whispered.
"Just gettin' warmed up," he murmured, claiming her lips in a hungry kiss. She moaned against his mouth, tasting herself on his tongue, and when he finally pulled back to catch a breath, she chased his lips again. "You ain't too tired?"
"Catching my second wind," Carol grinned. "Now, let's focus on wearing you out."
"Think I like that idea," Daryl laughed as Carol reached into the drawer by his bed. This was a night he wouldn't forget, alright, but he certainly didn't want it to end.
Author's Note: Thanks again for all the wonderful feedback, guys! Keep it coming! I really appreciate it.
