Slow Dancing
Carol lit the lamp with suddenly awkward hands stealing a look at Daryl who looked more than slightly nervous. She sat down in her chair and Daryl automatically sat down in the other chair. Carol held her arm and admired the sparkle of the blue diamond bracelet. "It's beautiful, Daryl, Thank you. I have never worn anything like this. What are the stones"? She asked. "Tyreese and I did some shopping on our last run. We found a jewelry store that hadn't been looted. Those are blue diamonds." He hesitated a bit, "Your eyes are so blue I wanted to find something to match them." Carol looked at him and widened her so blue eyes. Daryl moved closer and moved her arm toward the light. He showed her that if she looked into the stone the light was distorted and bent to a sparkling blue. She met his eyes and smiled, "Thank you, Daryl". She kissed him lightly and then again less lightly. He kissed her back and drew her up into his arms.
Carol slowly withdrew from his arms and turning presented him with her back. He understood and carefully undid the clasp of the necklace, and then he very slowly slid the zipper down the back of her dress. Carol took off the dress and hung it back up. He had to smile that the move was so Carol, neat as always. She turned and caught his smile, and he gestured at the dress. Carol was wearing a full slip so she was still covered up. She moved toward him and unbuttoned his white shirt. She slipped the shirt off, and kissed him again. Both of his hands tugged the slip off her body and he kissed her then while his hands explored her body. She unbuckled his belt and undid his slacks. Daryl pushed his pants down and off with little regard for maintaining the crease. He undid her bra and they moved to the bunk and slid in together.
Afterward, they moved apart when Daryl asked the inevitable question, "Was it good for you?" and Carol gave her honest answer, "Best I ever had" and Daryl laughed said ,"Me too". Carol used the lukewarm water in the basin to clean them up while Daryl laughed at her while enjoying her attentions. Daryl was surprised to feel so comfortable with the nakedness and the intimacy. He teased her, "Three days ago you weren't speaking to me and now you're giving me a bath." She smiled at him, "Next time is your turn". Daryl liked to think that there would be a next time, soon.
Carol's expressive face turned pensive, Daryl was afraid that she was having second thoughts.
"Something wrong, Carol?"
"No, but I want to talk about something". He made a face, women wanting to talk all the damn time was a pain in the ass. He kept his opinions to himself and answered politely, "What is it?" Carol hesitated a bit wanting to phrase this carefully, "Daryl, you don't have to change yourself for me. If you need space, go back to your room. We can be together, but I don't want you to feel as if you need to prop me up 24/7. Just be honest with me and yourself, if you want to fool around and go back to your room I'll understand. If you want to keep our relationship a secret, I'll understand that too."
Daryl thought about it, he had just been given a "Get out of jail card". He could have Carol and his freedom, but it seemed like it had taken a long damn time to get in her bed and he was kind of hoping to enjoy it awhile. Better say something though, "I am in no hurry to run off tonight, but I do know that sometimes I am better being by myself. I am glad that you know that and it's about me not you. And I am pretty damn sure that everybody in this place knows that we are together tonight and that's fine with me."
Carol relaxed knowing Daryl was staying because he wanted to be here. She cuddled closer, "Now tell me all about how you learned to dance?" Daryl laughed and told her about his adventures with the waltz and Tyrone. He was going to tell her about how mean Michonne had been to him when he got to thinking that he would just show Carol his moves. Daryl could hear Etta James sing in his head and he hummed the song as he danced horizontally. He really loves slow dances and so does Carol.
At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
