Been awhile, huh? I love this story, but can never seem to find time to write. (Mom life, three kids, yadda yadda). It took me a bit to churn this chapter out, but I love it. (Hint- things get a little spicy at the end). Let me know what you think! - CJ
THEN
It was early when Katie rolled out of bed, and she silently cursed Daryl for convincing her to go fishing. She pulled on a pair of jeans, and rolled her eyes. Who was she kidding? He hadn't had to do any convincing at all. She cuffed the bottom of her jeans, and then rooted around in her drawers for a t-shirt, finally deciding on an old, worn one that said "Georgia peachy." She grabbed a hoodie to throw over top and an old camo ball cap before heading into the kitchen for coffee. Lots of coffee.
The clock on the stove read 6:00. Daryl would be knocking at any minute. She quickly made some coffee and ran into the bathroom while it brewed. A few sprays of dry shampoo and swipes of deodorant later, she heard Daryl at the door.
"Ya ready?" He asked when she opened the door.
"Almost. Want coffee to go?"
"Sure." He strode in and she took a second to appreciate the specimen in front of her. Flannel shirt, dark jeans, work boots, and light stubble on his jawline. Goddamn he made her think some pretty awful thoughts.
She had no idea that while she was pouring their coffee that Daryl was having those same thoughts. His eyes traveled over the way her jeans hugged her ass, and how her fitted t-shirt was tight in all the right places. He lingered on the dip of her v- neck, and how she had pulled her hair up to reveal the expanse of her neck.
He almost groaned aloud when she pulled the big hoodie over her torso, effectively hiding herself. The camo hat was damn cute though.
She handed him a travel mug and broke him from his thoughts. "Let's roll."
Katie loved the way Daryl's truck rumbled down the back roads as he drove. She happily sipped her coffee and then started to hum the opening bars of Fishin' in the Dark.
Daryl reached over and turned up the radio.
She scoffed. "What? You don't like my singing?"
Daryl answered with a quirk of his eyebrow. "Ain't signing ya up for karaoke anytime soon."
Katie smirked. "Whatever Dixon. You know I gotta sing." Her head began to bob to the song on the radio and she quietly sang along. "American idol here I come."
"Huh?"
"American idol? The TV show?"
He looked at her like she had two heads.
Katie rolled her eyes with a smile and waved him off. "Never mind."
Over the next hour, they fell into a comfortable silence. Hugging her coffee to her chest, she propped her feet up on the dash and sunk down into the ripped bench seat. Daryl had taken them way off the beaten path and she was totally here for it. Despite his rough edges, she'd never felt more safe around anyone. He could take her anywhere and she wouldn't even think twice.
It wasn't obvious at first, but they were more alike than they were different. Shit childhoods had damaged them. She glanced at Daryl from the corner of her eye and wondered if he felt the same magnetic pull to her as she did to him. He had to. Right? He wouldn't keep coming around if he didn't. That moment from the bonfire still bugged her. What was he planning to say before his friends broke up their dance?
"Yo." The man himself broke into her thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Look alive. We're here."
"Are we even on a road?"
"Nah. Not really." He cut the engine. "Welcome to the Dixon huntin' cabin. Home sweet fucking home."
Katie glanced around her surroundings. They were deep in the woods, then grass and trees overgrown and partially hiding a shack that looked like one gust of wind would take it down. "I love it, " she said sincerely. It looked so…. Dixon.
"It's a shithole." Daryl huffed at her comment. "Boats just down a ways."
"I didn't know there would be a boat."
"Fishing ain't no fun without a boat." He threw the door open and hopped out.
Sure enough- there was a boat, hidden between the trees and under a green tarp. Daryl threw the tarp off and cast it to the side. Katie nodded in appreciation. "Nice."
The blue and white boat was small, with two bench seats and a motor, but it looked sturdy and Katie was excited to get out on the water. "You know how to drive this thing?"
Daryl's eyes rolled. "Shut up."
She watched as he loaded the gear into the boat, feeling a little helpless. Fishing hadn't ever really been her thing. Like at all. Ever.
"Ya gonna help or just stand there looking cute?" Daryl barked at her.
Katie's eyebrow quirked up, she got ready to tease him about the comment but caught herself when she saw the blush rise on his cheeks. Well damn. Maybe Daryl wasn't as blind as she thought.
She smiled. "I'll help. And look cute while doing it."
Daryl's lips quirked up and he pointed to the truck. "Go grab the rest of the shit."
In the back of the truck was a small cooler and a tackle box. Expecting to see a cooler stuffed with beer, she lifted the lid and peeped inside, and was surprised to find sandwiches and chips next to the beer cans.
Katie held up the cooler. "You packed a picnic."
"Gotta eat."
"That's some romantic shit, Dare." She teased.
"Yeah? Don't say I never did nothing nice for ya." He motioned her over. "C'mon. Give it here."
She placed it into his outstretched hand and he stowed it under the bench seat. Katie couldn't help the grin that had spread over her face. She was deliriously happy. She was alone with Daryl who hadn't denied that he was trying to be romantic. This was going to be a good day.
XXX
Once they were out on the water, Katie lifted her face to the sun before sneaking a peek at Daryl. He looked so at home out here with his beer and his boat. Who cared that it was only 8 in the morning?
"First time Merle and me was out on this boat fishing, he was drunk off his ass." Daryl shook his head at the memory. "The idiot fell in. There he was flailing and spitting. So drunk he couldn't fucking swim. I jumped in after him. Swam his ass to shore."
Katie laughed at the image.
"It gets better. After I pull him to shore he says 'Dummy, go get my beer.' Not even a damn thank you."
"Merle sounds like a real peach." Katie laughed sarcastically.
Daryl scoffed. "He's something alright. Meaner than a snake. But, he's my brother. Always has my back."
Katie nodded in understanding. "Same with Joe. I would never have survived being a kid without him by my side."
Daryl side eyed her at the mention of her brother. "Sorry 'bout …. You know."
Katie nodded and gave a shug. "Next time."
Joe had come into town the day after Katie had asked Daryl if he was gay and they'd blown up about it. When Katie had explained to Joe why Daryl wasn't with her, like she had planned, Joe was quick to laugh at his sister's dilemma. He insisted that Daryl wasn't gay, but rather in love with her. Katie had been quick to shut him down, but Joe stood by his words.
Daryl cut the engine on the boat and sat back. "Looks like a good spot."
Katie looked around at the expanse of water, wondering what made this spot any better than the others, but didn't say anything. Daryl probably knew what he was doing.
"Alright, peaches. Let's see what you got."
Katie smiled at the nickname, sure it had something to do with her shirt, and took the rod he passed over. Daryl had already baited the hook with a lure, and Katie took notice of it.
"Hey," she examined the lure more closely. "Did you make this?"
"Course. I did."
Katie nodded. "Impressive."
Daryl shrugged like it was nothing.
The sun was getting hot and Katie had started to sweat under her hoodie. Daryl must have been feeling it too. He shrugged off his flannel, going down to just a wifebeater and bare, muscular arms. On his right shoulder, she caught a glimpse of an old, faded tattoo. Unable to help herself, she let out a low appreciative whistle.
Daryl rolled his eyes. "Stop."
In response, she smirked and gave a slight wiggle of her brows.
Daryl pointed out to the water. "Ya gonna fish or what?"
"Or what." She flirted before flicking the rod and letting the line loose, only to see the line fail and flop into the water about 15 feet away from the boat.
Daryl scoffed at her sorry attempt at casting. "Seriously?"
Katie smiled and shrugged. "I haven't fished since I was 11. Maybe I need a refresher."
"C'mere." Reaching over, Daryl took the rod from her hands, and reeled in the line. Careful not to rock the boat he moved behind her and straddled the seat, his knees brushing her hips. The sun was hot, but Daryl's closeness made her shiver. His hands on her felt rough and strong as he placed her hands into the correct position on the rod.
Katie could hear his voice in her ear, but had no idea what words were coming out of his mouth. Did she imagine it or had his thumb just caressed her hand? She closed her eyes, trying to focus but it was hopeless. Daryl Dixon was doing things to her.
When he moved away, and cracked another beer, Katie took in a deep breath. "Easy killer," she teased to break her tension, "we're going to be out of those by noon."
"Nah, got more in the truck. Who do you think I am?"
"Good point. A Dixon would never be caught dead without beer."
"Damn straight."
Katie felt the rod tug downwards and she gasped.
"Bring it in!" Daryl commanded.
Katie reeled the line in like her life depended on it. When the fish was close, Daryl leaned into the water to grab the line. He hoisted up a brown speckled fish.
"No way." He laughed. "Got yerself a trout, Peaches."
She grinned at him. "I had a good teacher."
xxx
The rest of the morning rolled by slowly, while the pair contentedly fished side by side. Katie was four beers in and feeling great, she couldn't stop smiling at Daryl.
"How'd you learn all this?" She asked, while twirling a stick she'd found between her fingers.
Keeping his eyes focused on the water, Daryl shrugged. "My dad, uncles, Merle. When they were around. Mostly just figured it out on my own."
"Will you teach me?"
Daryl squinted at her. "Wha?"
She gestured to the woods across the water. "Teach me all this stuff. How to hunt and fish."
"Ya really want to learn?" His voice held a hint of disbelief.
She nodded. "Yeah, I like being out there with you."
He chewed on his lip, considering her words and then gave a brief nod of consent. "Already did good. Caught three damn fish." He paused and then reeled his line in. "We should head back."
Daryl expertly steered the tiny motor boat back to shore while Katie lounged and watched him. She admired the way his muscles bunched under his shirt as he moved, and how his face was set in concentration.
A sudden wave of magnetic attraction hit her. Keeping her hands off Daryl was getting harder and harder. Her fingers itched to reach out and grab him, pull him close and see if he tasted like he smelled. Smoke and sunshine.
Daryl was pulling up to shore, she groaned inwardly and tried to shake the intrusive thoughts as he cut the engine.
He had parked a few feet from the dock, and made the jump from the side of the boat to the dock look easy. Katie stood up, between her sea legs and the beers she was feeling unsteady. She swayed and gripped the side of the boat to steady herself. "Whoa."
"Easy." Daryl held his hand out to help her out.
She reached for it, but in a fraction of a second felt herself slip and plunge into the cold water.
Surfacing with flailing arms, she gasped for air. "Holy shit!"
Daryl was belly down on the dock, laughing his ass off and reaching for her. "C'mon."
This time her hand found his and he swiftly pulled her out of the water. Soaking wet, she sprawled herself out on the dock and took a deep breath. "Whoops."
Daryl kneeled beside her, but he couldn't stop laughing. "Ya okay?"
"Never better." She deadpanned.
Daryl bit his bottom lip in a lame attempt to stop his laughter.
"It's okay," she waved her hand in the air, "Laugh. It was funny."
"Funny as hell."
She burst out laughing too and he pulled her to her feet. "C'mon. I got some dry clothes in the truck."
xxx
Daryl's extra flannel was soft and felt warm against her cold skin. However, the pants he had given her were too big. Without a belt they were useless and kept sliding down to her knees. She felt the hem of the shirt, checking the length. It fully covered her ass. She'd just have to go without until her pants dried in the sun.
She gathered up her wet clothes to hang out. When she stepped outside, Daryl did a double take, and his stormy eyes traveled the length of her legs. She breathed a sigh of relief that she had remembered to shave the night before.
"The pants were too big." She said casually, while throwing her wet t-shirt over a tree limb.
Daryl made a noise that sounded very similar to a moan in response.
He'd started a fire in the pit while Katie was inside and she moved in close, letting it warm her skin. An old camping chair sat waiting for her and she sat, smoothing the flannel down on her thighs. Wordlessly, Daryl cracked open a beer and placed it in the chair's cup holder for her.
"Thanks."
"Yep." He moved, crouching in front of her to stir the fire.
She was powerless, and without thinking reached out, letting her index finger travel over the tattoo on his shoulder. He froze underneath her touch, but didn't flinch away. Katie took it as permission to move his shirt to the side to get a better look at his ink. His muscles bunched under her finger as she traced the lines.
"Demons or angels?"
He stood up so quickly, her hand was left hanging in the air. "Both."
When he didn't offer any more explanation, Katie spoke. "I only have one. Tattoo."
Daryl sat back in his own chair, and stretched his legs out. He hadn't ever seen it, and figured it must be hidden pretty good. "Where?"
She laughed. "A regrettable place."
He smiled and quirked an eyebrow. "Show me." It was a challenge.
Slowly, Katie stood in front of him. She lifted the corner of the flannel shirt, revealing a star on her left hip…. as well as her black panties. Daryl visibly swallowed.
"An 18th birthday present to myself. I clearly didn't put much thought into it."
Because she had touched his, he only felt it was fair to touch hers. The skin of her hip bone was soft under his hand as he ran his thumb over the small black star. "It's cute."
Katie shivered, and felt her breath hitch. His touch caused an intense pulse between her legs and she felt herself moving towards him. The pull was magnetic. When Daryl dropped his hand she wanted to protest and beg him to keep touching her. Daryl shifted uncomfortably in his chair and then it clicked for Katie. If she wanted Daryl Dixon, she had to make the first move.
Before she could lose her nerve, she touched the small X on his collarbone. "Tell me about this one." Her finger slowly, tantalizingly slow, traced the faded lines.
His eyes had turned a dark shade of blue and when met her own eyes Katie knew there was no turning back. They had entered into dangerous territory. Daryl felt it too. What had she expected walking out here in just some black panties?
"Don't remember getting it." He confessed. "Drunk off ma ass."
A smile hit Katie's lips at such a typical Daryl response. Her fingers slowly trailed from his collarbone down to his inner bicep. "What about this one?"
Daryl swallowed and answered quietly. "Demon."
"Why so many demons?"
He involuntarily fisted the bottom of her flannel, pulling her closer. "It's what I know."
His answer cracked Katie's heart and she felt herself being pulled down. She swung a leg over his thighs to straddle him before finding herself planted firmly in his lap. Face to face, she watched his eyes drift to her lips and lower to where her cleavage peeked through the V of the shirt. Underneath her she felt him. The same pulse she was feeling.
Katie dipped her head and captured his lips in her own. Immediately, a moan escaped from her mouth as she discovered just what Daryl tasted like. She had been right. Smoke and sunshine.
What happened next was frantic. The bottled up tension they'd both been carrying for months had finally erupted. Lips and teeth crashed together as the pair gave into their desires. Katie felt Daryl's rough hands slide up her thighs, his thumbs ghosting over her most sensitive area. She whimpered into his kiss and her hips involuntarily rocked against the hardness beneath her. Her movements caused Daryl to grab her hips, his fingertips digging into her flesh. She wanted to feel those large hands everywhere, on every inch of her skin.
She tore her lips away from his and set her attention on his neck, his jaw and right below his ear. Sucking on his earlobe made him moan loudly, and Katie whispered. "I want you."
In response, his grip on her tightened and he pushed her down, grinding into him. Katie leaned back, and made him watch as she undid the top buttons of the flannel. She desperately wanted to feel those lips on the delicate skin of her breasts. Pushing the fabric away from her body, she cupped her breasts and offered them to him.
Daryl didn't hesitate. When his mouth captured her nipple and his teeth grazed her, she cried out at the mixture of pleasure and pain. He sucked hungrily while Katie reached between their bodies for his belt. As she began to clumsily undo the buckle, Daryl froze.
"What?" Katie asked through heaving breaths.
Daryl stood up so fast, Katie almost hit the ground. "Cain't do this."
Her body still humming, and panties wet, Katie was good and frustrated. She pointed to the bulge in his pants. "That says otherwise."
Daryl shook his head and turned away, stalking into the cabin.