Daryl's eyes slowly peeled open as the soft breeze exhaled through the windows in the room. He had a thumping head and he didn't even know why - he didn't drink much last night.. he had finished his shift and…

Carol.

Daryl felt beside him for any sign of a warm body led next to him but the space was completely empty. He sat up quickly scanning the room. Carol's room. He frowned as he began to rub slowly at his tired eyes.

He led back with a soft thump against the pillows. His mind started to wander and his arms soon rose in goosebumps as he had quick flashbacks of what occurred the previous night. He remembers the bar.. and the cool jazz singer. He also remembers the various shots they had ordered. It had started out as a quiet casual drink and then.. the walk back to hers. Here. He remembers the taste of sambuca against her tongue, the smell of strawberries in her hair and the way his hands felt every single curve and dip of her body. His eyes flickered shut and the image of Carol riding him slowly appeared in his head. Fuck. It was a pretty wild night. He remembers feeling completely on fire and thought how he'd never been so intimate with anyone in his life.

The rattle and clanging of plates and cutlery from downstairs were brought to his attention and he soon gathered up his boxers, trousers and kept his shirt in his hands as headed down to the sounds coming from the kitchen. Peering around the frame of the door, he sunk in her appearance. There Carol was, stirring her cup of coffee with a cigarette in the other hand and very much in a world of her own. A plain black vest covered her top half that also did wonders to her chest and her panties were just about covering her derrière.

So sexy. he thought smiling to himself.

He finally cleared his throat and made his appearance known. "Morning," he said before clearing the harsh grogginess from his sleepy voice.

Carol turned her head and smirked. "Good morning. You sleep okay?" she said taking another drag.

"Yeah, best sleep I've had in a while." he winked as he neared toward the kitchen counter where she stood.

"Good." she replied. "You might wanna cover that up in work tonight," she said huskily and pointed at the dark purple patch of flesh on his chest above his nipple that she had obviously caused.

Daryl looked down and grazed the mark with the tips of his fingers. "Aw shit," he laughed. "Doesn't matter.. it will give 'em something to talk about."

She laughed with him. "I.. uh.. I didn't make you coffee." she said randomly. "I got work in like half an hour and I.. To be honest, I don't really make a big thing of this whole situation the morning after.." she said referring to their activities from last night.

Daryl was actually shocked. "Are you throwing me out?" he frowned.

"Look, sweetie.. I've done this a million times and it's just not how I work. No cuddling, no coffee, no calling each other back.. none of that bullshit." she explained carefully.

He laughed but soon stopped when he realised she was point blank serious about what she had just said. "Wait, are you kidding me right now?" he said. "So.. you just used me?" He felt hurt, actually hurt.

"No, of course not. I didn't exactly use you.. we both wanted it and it was amazing, really it was. But after my marriage, I've just never wanted to make more of something that happens in just one night." she explained again.

"So, you're a love 'em and leave 'em type then? So, whatever happened last night.. its done for you. Nothing more?" he said feeling a burst of anger rising from his gut. "I thought we hit off right away.. our late night chats from behind the bar.. getting to know each other all week. And now, your just kicking me out as soon as you got what you wanted?!"

Carol never flinched. She looked so calm and collected as she took another drag from her cigarette and she could tell Daryl was beginning to get frustrated.

"Daryl, I'm not trying to make you feel unwanted or anything.. But it was just one night, okay? I just don't do the relationship thing anymore. I like you.. I really do. You're a great guy and last night was incredible but it's just not me anymore-"

"Do you know what.. save it Carol!" he interrupted her and swung his shirt back around his top half and buttoned up the front. "I know where I'm not wanted."

"Daryl.. wait!" she yelped but it was too late. He found his way to the front door and with a slam, he was gone.

Carol sighed in exhaustion and crushed the cigarette butt in the dish on the counter.

She couldn't start feeling these emotions for a man again.. not after her marriage. She stood there for a minute and realised how much her marriage had ruined her ability to trust again. She thought Daryl was amazing and she knew she had just hurt his feelings but could she really find love again? After everything that happened before? After her bastard of a ex-husband put her through so much pain?