AN: another chapter. I'm not feeling this one :( sorry. Let me know what you think

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 8

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The air seemed electric, he could feel a current of raw energy between the two of them. Images of their lips pressing together flashed through her mind.

"Can you read my thoughts?" She asked her voice had a breathless quality. Fuck she was so incredibly sexy and had no idea of her appeal.

He nodded and her face flushed a brilliant red. Thoughts of Ed's taunts filled her with shame. The thought that maybe she was a whore just like he said, filled her mind, as she her eyes filled. His thumb reached out and wiped a stray tear off her cheek.

"I wish I could show you mine, my thoughts. You would know you're not alone." He said hoarsely.

She nodded, "I swore when I left I wouldn't let him shape who I am anymore..." She said with a frown.

"But his voice still creeps in, no matter how hard You try to block him out." He finished for her taking her hand in his. She turned slightly and was facing him.

"I don't know what this is, but I'm not ashamed of it. Not when it saved you're life." His eyes found hers as he spoke and held them.

He leaned in towards her, his thoughts consumed withherlips when suddenly Ruby realized they had company and bounded into the room, jumping on to his lap.

"Ruby! " he growled as Carol giggled.

"Who's this?" She asked as Ruby turned her attention to Carol who was scratching her behind her ear with her good hand.

"Ruby, she's a pain in the ass." Daryl said gruffly, watching with a grin as Ruby rested her head on Carol's good shoulder. "She's a shit guard dog, too damn happy, she likes everybody." Daryl huffed.

"And you love her." Carol said with a grin.

"Thought you couldn't read my mind?" He teased.

"I should get back to town I guess." Carol said after a moment the spell from earlier broken.

Daryl bit his lip, everything about her leaving just felt wrong. She belonged with him, he wanted to take care of her. He knew that without a doubt. The thought of her alone in some motel scared, worrying about her job made him sick.

"What are you doing...about work?" He asked nodding towards her injured arm.

A cloud came over her face. She sighed "I don't know, my boss likes me but can't hold my job. I'm not sure if I can ever go back to my apartment. Things are a mess right now." She murmured.

"Work for me" the words tumbled out of his mouth. "I run a business online. I really need someone to help me organize my orders, and stuff. My books are a mess." He said.

"I'm not an accountant." She said unsure.

"Don't need one...just need someone more organized than me, so I can work on making parts. You can stay here too, there's a studio apartment above the shop. I built the shop first, needed someplace to live while a built the house." He muttered. "It ain't fancy but you can stay there rent free." He added.

"I..." She was hesitating, she wanted to say yes, Ed's voice was creeping in, as were all her insecurities.

"I would never hurt you..., don't let him win. We were meant to know each other. I know that. Let me help you, it will give us a chance to figure all this out." He whispered pressing his forehead to hers, his heart thumping in his chest. A grin spread across his face when she nodded.

She closed her eyes and touched his face "You've done more for me than anyone has my whole life." She looked into his eyes and nodded again "I trust you."