On way up the 10 flights of stairs Carol felt immense guilt, but it was eased every couple minutes by the part of her that had decided it was all his fault they were in the predicament in the first place. If he hadn't used one of his damn conditions and forced her to go jogging she wouldn't have had to be all competitive about it. Yes, this was clearly Daryl's fault. The satisfaction she felt listening to him pant was soon replaced by the guilt though and once again she made an offer to try walking. "Maybe I can make it from here," she said, looking at the sign indicating they were on the 7th floor.
"It's okay," he grunted. "Only 3 more flights to go." He had never carried her like that before that she could remember, though she did get moved from the couch to her bed once when she was passed out from too much wine and it was very likely he'd moved her. But she had to admit she felt comfortable in his arms. Daryl was strong and never once did she worry he might drop her.
When they finally reached the landing on the 10th floor Daryl set her on her feet. She could see he was trying to catch his breath and was glistening with sweat. "There, that was probably a better workout than your jog would have been anyway," Carol said. She was back in the mood where she was mad at him, particularly since she was back on her wobbly legs again, feeling slightly dizzy and nauseous. "God, how am I supposed to work now," she moaned, following him into the apartment.
"Gimme your phone," he said. Carol dug it out of the pocket on the inside pair of pants and handed it to him, wondering what he was going to do. She looked over his shoulder and watched him scrolling through her contacts, stopping on her boss. "You think he's up by now?"
She nodded. "Yeah. But what are you doing?"
"You told him I was coming first thing this morning, right?" Carol nodded again. "Well, now I'm not." He tapped the name and she listened. "Hey Dave, Daryl… Doing great…. Listen, I told Carol I could come first thing this morning, but I forgot about an appointment. It's at 8. So I should be there by 10 at the latest." Carol sucked in a breath, she could see where he was going with the idea, but it felt so unprofessional. "Yeah, it's no problem at all… Okay. I'll ride in with Carol… unless you still need her first thing… No? Okay, I'll tell her. Thanks, see you around 10." Daryl grinned and handed her the phone. "Go have a long hot bath, you have time."
"I should go to work… this doesn't feel right…" Carol started.
"Relax," Daryl insisted. "He said he had a scene he could work on with… Kyle is it? Go have a hot bath."
"But… you lied… about the appointment…" Carol stammered. She was tired, dizzy and feeling overly moral for some reason - likely because she had such a strong work ethic. Not that Daryl didn't. He worked hard. Harder than most. What he just did was for her and she really wanted to appreciate it if the guilt would just go away.
"No I didn't," he replied. "I have something at 8am… breakfast. With you." Carol finally gave him a thankful smile. "Go. Kitchen in one hour. It won't be gourmet, but it'll be edible."
"You're gonna cook for me again? Getting pretty domestic aren't you?" she teased.
"You know I'd do anything for you Peletier," he flirted back. "Besides, if it wasn't for my
superior athletic ability you wouldn't be in this mess."
"Pfft," she snorted. "I don't remember you displaying that superior athletic ability that time we played soccer on set… or the time we shot billiards… or the time we…"
"Okay, okay, point taken," he interrupted with a laugh. "I may not have typical athletic skills… but if sex was a sport... I'd win the olympics."
"Oh, I have no doubt," Carol muttered, shaking her head and leaving him grinning in the hallway. He was right about the bath. It didn't help the dizziness at first, but it certainly helped her aching legs and muscles. After soaking for a while she let out the water and had a shower.
By 845 they were finished breakfast and headed for work. Daryl knew the traffic would be a lot worse so they headed out, hoping to make it there by 10. It wasn't until they pulled into the parking lot that Carol finally realized what was about to happen and started to freak out. "Maybe we should just tell them you couldn't make it after all," she started. "This is a bad idea. Don't you think it's a bad idea? I think it's a terrible idea," she rambled.
"It's gonna be fine," Daryl said. "We do the whole thing in one, maybe two takes, because we are rock stars, and it's over." He parked and shut off the car. "Well, except for the part where I hang around for the rest of the day, catch up with my old buddy Dave, and watch you simulate sex with some guy, practically naked." Carol gave him a glare. "What? I might get jealous Cupcake."
"How many times do I have to tell you? You're my one and only, Sunshine," Carol flirted back. It was a good distraction. Even though he'd promised not to tease her about the scene, knowing how nervous she was, the teasing was actually quite welcome because in the grand scheme of things… it made her laugh - he made her laugh. And laughter helped. "Just promise me you'll keep your clothes on for the demonstration, okay?"
"What? And not allow them all to get the full Dixon effect?" he chuckled. "Don't worry," he added quickly. "You know how easily I get a boner. Probably best to keep the Big Man covered up."
Carol felt her cheeks heating up. More because of her memory of his last erection… well, the last one she knew about anyway, than his comment about the size of his dick. "Let's get this over with," she said, jumping out of the car.
Carol hung back and watched as Daryl was fawned over by pretty much every person on set. She observed with a smirk of amusement, knowing he was hating the attention, though she noticed that he'd got a lot better with it than he used to be. They were actually similar in their desire to fly under the radar - but it was pretty much impossible for Daryl these days while she could still blend in sometimes. Carol avoided attention like the plague though and often wondered why on earth she wanted to be an actor, when she hated being noticed. But she knew she was good at it and she loved it more than anything she'd ever done… so she would have to deal with the consequences.
"Carol," Dave called her over as people started to disperse and get ready for the scene. "Okay, we're ready. Dixon here tells me you were perfect when you two rehearsed before… no pressure," he grinned. Carol looked at Daryl and her heart started to pound. He wasn't the least bit nervous about it. She continued to look at him and something strange happened… she felt… calm. It was like all the others were gone and it was just the two of them. "Carol.. Carol..."
She heard her name and finally she answered, "Yeah… yeah, I'm ready."
When Daryl said they were rock stars, he wasn't kidding. It may not have been final-take perfect, but it was pretty damn incredible. Just before she got in character Carol looked at him once more. He stared back and gave her just a tiny nod of encouragement. It was enough.
The room burst into applause as they finished and Carol held Daryl on top of her for a moment, finally feeling a bit shy as Angela faded away and she became herself again. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Welcome," he replied, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before untangling from her and helping her out of the bed.
The rest of the day went incredibly well. When they shot the scene for real Carol was so much more comfortable, even with Daryl right there, helping Kyle with tips and pointers in between takes. It was almost disgusting how much the guy worshipped Daryl. He was hanging off his every word to the point Carol was practically rolling her eyes. But, the fact of the matter was… it was making the scene better, and at the end of the day that's all everyone wanted.
By supper time it was done. They did it and Carol was confident it was going to be amazing when she saw it on film. "That's a wrap," she heard David exclaim as they finished the scene once again. He came over with Daryl to talk to her and Kyle. "That was perfect guys, great job." He clapped Daryl on the shoulder, "And thank you for all your help."
"My pleasure," Daryl replied, giving Carol a little look. She looked away, but knew she was smiling.
"Go get changed, I'm taking the 3 of you out for dinner and drinks," David announced. 30 minutes later they were sitting in a booth at a trendy little bar down the street. Dinner was fantastic and the wine Dave ordered for her was incredible. She finished her second glass and excused herself to the restroom. They'd been there for a couple hours and Carol knew they should all be heading out very soon. But she wasn't going to make it back to the apartment without a trip to the ladies room first.
She did her business, washed her hands and headed back towards the table. "Oh my God, it's you," a voice said from behind her as she walked by. Carol stopped, turned and looked in shock at the face of the man who had helped her with her suitcase at the airport. The suit was gone. He was wearing jeans and a sweater that fit snug in all the right spots to get her thinking of what might be underneath. He had a leather jacket in his hand and an incredibly sexy smile on his face.
"Hey," she replied with a smile. "What a coincidence this is." How was it even possible that in a city the size of New York that they'd ended up in the same little bar. "How are you?" she continued.
"Well my back is still recovering," he teased. "But I'm good. Even better now, actually." He was shamelessly flirting with her and Carol wondered again if he knew who she was. "I was just about to leave, but… can I… can I buy you a drink?" he asked, almost shyly. It was a strange contrast to the confident flirting, but it was very cute.
"I can't," Carol said, giving him an apologetic look. "I've already got one over there," she pointed towards the table where Daryl, Kyle and Dave were sitting.
"Oh, okay," he said, nodding in understanding.
"No, they're just coworkers," Carol blurted out. It sounded so desperate and she wished she could take it back.
"You live here? In Manhattan?" he asked, smiling again.
"I'm in town for a while," she replied, smiling back.
"Well," he replied, pulling out his wallet and digging out a card "If you're ever free.. for a drink… or dinner… call me." He put on his jacket and zipped it up. Damn, he's gorgeous, Carol thought. "It was good to see you again. Have a good night." With a little wave he left.
Carol was looking at the business card on her way back to the table, planning on hiding it before she got there. His name was William and he worked for some type of consulting firm or something by the looks of the card. When she lifted her head Daryl was standing in front of her.
"What's that?" he asked, nodding to the card in her hand.
"Oh nothing," Carol said, tried to hide it. But it was too late, Daryl snatched it.
"Did you just get a number on your way back from the restroom?" he asked, eyeing the card and then smirking at her. "I had no idea you had such game, Peletier." He handed her back the card. "I'm just going to pay and we'll go, 'kay?"
"Sure," she replied. She went back to the table to say goodbye and collect her things.
Daryl didn't speak again until they were in the car, heading home. "You gonna call him?"
"What? Who?" Carol tried to play dumb, even though she'd been thinking about the handsome stranger for the entire drive thus far.
"What's his name again? William?" Daryl replied. "You know, the pretty boy with the great hair, big broad shoulders, leather jacket…" Carol was surprised. She hadn't realized that Daryl saw them talking.
"Oh I don't know," she sighed. "What's the point? I'm only here for a few weeks and he obviously lives here…"
"Might be a good fuck," Daryl replied, with a shrug. "I mean, he was hot, right? You thought he was hot didn't you?" Carol looked at him. She couldn't believe they were having this conversation. But it wasn't like they'd never had the same kind of talk, in the other direction.
"Uhhhh, yeah… he was pretty sexy," she replied, keeping her eyes trained on Daryl's profile as he drove. She was almost positive she saw something change in his face at her reply, but as quickly as it was there, it was gone and she decided she imagined it. "But random hookups aren't really my thing," she added. It wasn't that she'd never had a one night stand or even a short term relationship that was all about sex, but the whole situation was just not conducive to something like that happening. She was there to work and then she would go home. Carol hadn't intended on having a roommate, but she was thankful for Daryl's hospitality and didn't want to be intrusive in anyway.
"You're gonna go 2 months without getting laid?" he asked as they pulled into the parking garage.
"That's none of your business," Carol replied. It sounded so sad. She could go 2 months if she needed to, not that is was preferable… but she would survive.
Daryl parked the car and looked at her. "What color is your vibrator?" Carol smacked him. "I'm serious, I read this poll once… you can apparently tell a lot about a woman by what color vibrator she chooses." He was giving her his best sexy grin. "I don't remember all of them… but I'm pretty sure pink was your all-american girl, fairly average, not overly adventurous. Red were dominatrix type chicks. But purple… I remember purple… those were the freaks. The dirty, kinky little freaks."
"What makes you so sure I even own one?" Carol asked, getting out of the car.
"Pfft… if you're not concerned about not getting fucked for several weeks then you have to have a vibrator. And you must have packed it," he said confidently, joining her to walk to the elevator. "Hope you brought spare batteries." Carol smacked him again, but laughed.
"Seriously, what color is it?" he asked again.
She pushed the number 10, thankful the elevators were working again. "I will never tell," she replied with a smirk.
It wasn't super late but by the time they were inside the apartment they were both ready for bed. Daryl followed her down the hallway. Carol stopped at the door and turned to face him. "Seriously Daryl, thank you for today. You didn't have to do that, but it meant a lot to me and Dave and Kyle…" She stood up on her tiptoes, closed her eyes and leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek.
But when her lips connected it wasn't with the rough stubble of his cheek. Her lips were on his and Daryl was kissing her. And it wasn't a friendly kiss - at all. She could feel his tongue licking at her lips and she curiously opened her mouth. Sure enough he dipped his tongue inside and Carol instinctively met it with her own. She felt his arm circle her body and draw her flush against him as they kissed.
The had kissed a lot that day, in character, but this was different. It was them. It was real. And it wasn't supposed to be happening. Yet Carol didn't want it to end, and clearly neither did Daryl. There was a wild stirring inside her that was almost terrifying in its ferocity. She couldn't hold back the moan that escaped her and she couldn't stop herself from reaching her arms up around his neck. Her heart was pounding wildly and her body felt like it was catching on fire, from the inside, initiating somewhere very low in her belly.
Daryl was a good kisser. Daryl was a great kisser. No, Daryl was an amazing kisser… Daryl. Daryl. Daryl. Oh my God, she thought, her eyes flying open. Carol pushed back, tearing her lips away and instantly regretting the loss of contact, even though she knew it was the right thing to do. "What… what was that?" she said, breathless, looking up at him in shock, with her cheeks flushed.
"Shit, sorry…" Daryl said quickly, rubbing his face with his hands. When he moved them away he was smiling. "Guess we've just been pretend kissing so much lately, I kinda got carried away. Night."
With that he left her standing in the hallway, in front of her door, with his kiss still burning her lips. "What the fuck?" she whispered, still completely mystified. "What. The. Actual. Fuck."
Suddenly he popped his head back into the hallway. "I am going to use one more condition before we go to bed and I lose them." Carol felt her heart start to hammer, wondering what it could be. "Go get it. I wanna see for myself what color it is."
"Ugh," Carol groaned, feeling her cheeks burning already. She went into the room, found the bullet and stuck her hand out into the hall.
"Fuck, yes, I knew it," she heard him say with delight, before she shut the door and put the little purple toy back where she got it from.
