She never thought she'd be the jumpy one, out of the two of them. Daryl lay on the mattress, the sheets bunched up over his hips and thighs looking thoroughly worn out. He was pink in the cheeks, his hair all mussed and he lay back against the pillows with a satisfied expression. What was that word people used for an expression of post-sex bliss? Afterglow.
"Carol."
And here she was, looking completely ridiculous. Carol had her boots on and a comforter twisted around her like a cape, the first thing that came to hand when she went to investigate the noise outside the window.
"Carol, it ain't nothin' but someone who's supposed to be out there." He was relaxed, completely at ease. And it was all real. Not like her, the happy little housewife out there, but inside, she felt like she had a frown etched into her forehead.
"I heard someone. You brought a lot of new people today." Nevertheless, she came away from the window and pulled the curtain completely closed and let the comforter drop to the bed so she could tug her boots off.
"Yeah, I brought 'em in. So they're good."
"Exceedingly confident of you, Dixon." She chuckled a little and flopped back to lie next to him.
"Spent three weeks on the road watchin' them. I'd be doin' a piss poor job of it if they weren't good." Daryl threw his arm out and grasped her around the thigh, pulled her over to him a little. "Now quit the worryin' and welcome me back home properly."
Carol just laughed before planting a kiss firmly on his mouth.