Chapter Twenty-Nine
Another crash of thunder shook the old farm house and Beth jumped where she stood, nearly dropping the candle she was holding. Lightening tore across the black sky and illuminated all of the surrounding windows, brightening the room more than the candles could. At that moment both of their cell phones erupted into high pitched squeals and they rushed to grab them. A weather warning flashed on the screens for high winds, flash flooding and the possibility of tornadoes and hail. Beth raced to the front door and swung it open to see another bolt of lightning surge through the clouds.
"Beth! The hell you doin'!" Daryl called after her as he rushed to his feet.
"The horses! We need to make sure they are all in the barn!" she answered as she slid her shoes on and raced out of the door. The wind caught the screen door and flew it completely open, slamming it against the siding on the house and nearly ripping it from the hinges. Daryl was quick behind her and pulled the front door closed. Rain pelted him hard as he rushed after her, keeping her in his sight. It was difficult, high winds and heavy rain made it hard to see. Another loud boom felt as if it shook the Earth and Daryl heard a panicked horse in the pasture, seeing Beth make it to the fence and hop over.
"Wait!" he called and saw her stop to look back at him. He reached her and told her to go open the barn, walking towards the panicked horse who was rearing up on his back legs, "Easy does it now, I got you." The wide frantic eyes met his and he lowered himself, stomping the mud but allowing Daryl to pet his neck and face. Beth was quick to return with a lead rope and Daryl draped it around the horse's neck. Another flash of lightning and a quick blast of thunder spooked the poor animal and he moved to rear up again, Beth fishing sugar cubes out of her pocket and holding them out.
"It's okay." She soothed and smiled as his mouth went directly into her hand for the sugar cubes. Daryl began walking him back to the barn, Beth baiting him with the little sweet treats every time storm wreaked havoc. After a quick check of the stalls to make sure they were occupied, locked and were full of feed and water they made their way back to the house. They stood on the front porch to kick off soaked shoes and peel away drenched clothing, Beth looking up at Daryl with a grin.
"What are you smiling for?" he asked as she pushed back the wet hair that clung to her face.
"What a rush!" she cried out over the howling wind and giggled just before a loud rattling filled their ears. They looked out and saw hail pounding the ground now, Beth giggling harder as she started sliding out of wet jeans that clung to her skin, Daryl feeling the burn in his cheeks as she stripped on the front porch.
"Let's go build a fire and dry off." He offered as he slid off his socks, Beth taking them from him after agreeing and opening the door.
"Firewood is stacked by the back door, I'll help after I stick our clothes in the washer. Won't be able to do anything until the power comes back on but at least they'll be ready to wash." He nodded and followed her to the laundry room, watching her dig through the dryer and pull out clean clothes for herself. She stripped down completely and Daryl turned his head, sneaking a peek of her in the barely lit room. She tossed her clothes into the washer and slipped the dry pajamas on, turning to look back at him.
"Let me go grab some dry clothes for you out of Shawn's room. Go ahead and strip down, I'll be right back." Daryl nodded and pulled off his jeans. He made sure the pockets were empty before tossing them in with her clothes, his shirt quickly following. Beth was back in a heartbeat with some folded clothes, Daryl stripping his damp underwear and quickly dressing. He looked back at Beth who looked up at him, a small smile barely visible in the dark laundry room. He stepped out of the back door and loaded an armful of wood, Beth holding the door for him to let him back in. After locking up she made her way back into the living room where Daryl was building the fire by candlelight. She handed him a book of matches and watched him crumple a blank sheet of paper to use as a starter. Soon the logs were engulfed and a warm fire had illuminated the room. Beth went around blowing out candles and Daryl went to the kitchen to find them something to snack on. He came back with a pack of unopened Oreos and two cans of soda, sitting down in front of the couch closest to the fire and handing her a drink.
The room was quiet as they snacked, the only noise was the crackling of the logs. Beth had settled next to him and leaned back against the base of the couch, the fire warm on her skin. When he checked his phone it was later than he thought, nearing eight o clock. The thunder and lighting had eased, only soft rumbles and quick flashes. The rain wasn't as severe, just a steady fall they heard on the front porch roof. Daryl stood and stretched his stiff muscles, Beth looking up at him with questioning eyes.
"Be right back." He reassured her and walked down the hallway. He opened the door to the closet under the stairs and pulled out two thick blankets and their spare pillows, walking back to the living room to find Beth missing. He set the bedding down and peeked into the kitchen to see her throwing the empty cans and cookie package away, digging in the pantry for waters. He turned to go back in the living room and saw out the window as lightening flashed again, illuminating a large fallen tree in the driveway. He'd have to work on that first thing in the morning when the storm had passed.
Beth took a sip from her water bottle as she looked out the kitchen window, seeing the large tree. Hopefully there wouldn't be any emergencies tonight since there was now no way in or out. She picked up Daryl's water and headed back to the living room, seeing him lay a thick padded blanket out on the floor by the fireplace.
"We sleeping down here tonight?" she asked and he nodded as he put the pillows down.
"It will keep us warm." He answered and watched her walk back to where she had been sitting, plopping down in her spot. He sat back down and turned to look at her. The soft glow from the fireplace reflected off of her skin and hair, bathing her in a warm orange glow. Her eyes met his and their gazes locked, neither one looking away from the other.
"Daryl?" Her voice was quiet, soft, his name sounding like warm honey on her tongue.
"Yeah?" His voice was raspy, low, making a shiver run up her spine.
"What…what do we do now?" Her gaze moved to his lips then back up to his eyes and Daryl felt the distance between them growing smaller. He reached for her and placed a hand at the back of her neck. His lips crushed down against hers as he pulled her to him. She fisted her hand up into his hair and tangled her fingers in the damp locks, moving to her knees and pressing her body against his. He grabbed her hips and pulled her over into his lap.
"Daryl…" she murmured softly and he pulled his head back.
"I'm sorry, this isn't taking it slow at all." He said and began to move his hands from her.
"Don't…please don't…" she begged and pushed her body against his, his hands stopping and gripping her hips firmly, "I have to say this though. I have to. I'm not trying to freak you out and if it does just know that I'm sorry but I can't hold it in anymore."
"Beth." He whispered and she lowered her head for another soft kiss, breaking it after only a few seconds to rest her forehead against his.
"I think I'm falling in love with you, Daryl. No, no I am. I have fallen in love with you. I love you, Daryl." He felt his heart hammer in his chest, felt his body still under her touch as he tried to process what she had just told him. His breath caught and his hands felt as if they were shaking.
She just…admitted to loving him. Sweet, beautiful Beth Greene.
"Daryl…?" He grabbed her face and crushed his lips against hers once again, his arms wrapping tightly around her and holding her to him as he deepened the kiss. Her lips moved with his, his tongue sliding against hers and a small whimper of need escaped the back of her throat. He placed his hands on the bottom hem of her shirt and she broke the kiss to nod with a breathless smile. He slid her shirt up to expose the milky white skin, the mix of cool and warm air in the room raising goosebumps and causing her nipples on her bare breasts to harden.
Sweet, beautiful Beth Greene. His Beth Greene.
He laid her back on the comforter on the floor and stripped his shirt, settling between her legs and letting his bare torso press against her own. She let out a soft sigh as he moved to the hollow of her throat. Her nails dug into his back as he moved slowly down to her breasts, kissing and nipping the tender flesh as his hands hooked into the top of her pajama pants. He slid them down her long legs as he trailed kisses one by one down her stomach until he had settled his head between her thighs. He held one and turned his head, kissing and nipped down the inside of her thigh. Her breath hitched, every kiss leaving her skin burning when his lips left.
"Relax, Beth. Close your eyes and relax. Let me take care of you." Because I love you too.
Beth nodded and lay her head back, closing her eyes and feeling his mouth inch closer and closer. The ache between her legs was growing more and more with each gentle touch, with each caress of her skin that by the time his mouth was near it the rush of his breath on her nearly sent her over the edge. When she thought she couldn't handle him dragging it out any longer and torturing her with the wait she was met with his mouth on her, his tongue moving slowly to get every taste of her. Her hips bucked, her eyes opening wide before rolling back in her head. Her back arched as he tasted her, stopping at the little throbbing bud and swirling his tongue around it. She grabbed for the pillow and put it over her face to muffle her moans and whimpers as he spread her legs wider.
"No, Beth, let me hear you." He muttered softly and she swallowed hard, moving the pillow off of her face before he went back down. He moved his tongue slowly, Beth's body shaking and writhing as he held her hips still. She gripped the blanket, her nails nearly ripping the cloth as she felt it, that wonderful pressure building and her body began shaking more. He knew it to, the way her breath hitched, the way her whimpers and moans grew louder. He didn't change his pace. He kept it slow, steady, feeling her hips buck and her legs quiver. It finally crashed over her, her body stilling as she arched her back again and pulled hard at the blanket under her. Her cries filled the empty house, her whimpers soft as she came down off of her high. He moved back up her body, kissing his way back up and kicking his sweat pants off. Beth was trying to catch her breath but grabbed his face and pulled his lips to hers. He pressed his hips to hers as they kissed, Beth moaning softly at the feel of him hard against her. He reached up blindly onto the coffee table and found his wallet, pulling it down and snagging a condom out.
"Oh…god…" he groaned as she reached up and took a firm grasp of him once he sat up on his knees. He looked down at her flushed and smiling face, looking down to watch her slide her hand up and down him.
"Please…don't make me wait…" she whispered and he tore open the pack, tossing the foil wrapper aside as he reached down and slid the condom on. Her arms wrapped around him when he moved back down to her and in one easy motion he had buried himself deep inside her, her legs wrapping around his waist as she took him all in. He rocked his body against hers, sliding an arm under her and hooking his hand on her shoulder. His other arm lay next to her head, his hand tangled in her silken locks as he shoved himself as hard and deep into her as he could. The heat from the fire only fueled them, Daryl claiming her lips again as both bodies began to glisten with a thin layer of sweat. Before she knew it she was nearing the edge again, eyes closed tight as she buried her face in his neck. His thrusts were growing harder, faster, his hand moving out from under her shoulder to grab her leg and hold it up so he could get in as deep as he could.
"D-Daryl…I…oh…oh!" she cried out and bit down on the ridge of his shoulder as he pushed her over the edge, her muscles locking and squeezing around him. Two more thrusts and she took him with her, his cry out a guttural groan as he dug his fingers into her thigh.
"You're gonna kill me, Beth." He panted as he lay against her, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her own breath.
"I think…I'm already dead…" she whispered with a laugh as he slid out of her, laying down and resting his arm over his eyes. He reached for her a wrapped her up in his other arm, pulling her against him as his breathing began to even out. She grabbed the other blanket and pulled it over them, tucking her body against his as her head lay down on his chest.
She smiled as his breathing returned to normal, closing her eyes and listening to the crackle in the fireplace. The rain was still a steady fall but there was no more thunder, no more lightening. Her body had quit shaking and she could breathe again but she still felt like she was on that high.
"Beth?" he murmured a few moments later, his arm still laying over his eyes.
"Yes, Daryl?" she asked as he fingers danced softly over the firm muscles on his stomach.
"I love you too." She looked up and he moved his arm away, a smile on her face as he turned and propped himself up on his elbow. She kissed him again, cupping his cheek in her palm and feeling the roughness of his stubble against her skin. "I really do love you, Beth Greene."
They made love again that night in front of the fire, their bodies completely spent of energy by the time they settled under the blanket to sleep. He ran his fingers through her hair, watching her eyes slowly close as her naked body pressed against his own. He rolled onto his side, wrapping her up in his arms and feeling his own fatigue take over. With the fire almost out Daryl felt himself fading until finally sleep consumed him, his lover wrapped tightly up against him.
A/N: If you guys are mad at me for taking so long I completely understand and I am so so sorry! Life has been crazy. To catch you all up, we have a second child now, I'm now a stay at home mom, my tablet broke, I got a smart phone and I have a word processor on it so I can write now! My mom is not doing better, in fact she is now in hospice care, the cancer is just too much. I'm back writing, I still will be slow, but I love you guys, I miss you all, and I'm back now! I hope you are all still there! Thank you for your continued love and patience with me. You guys are amazing.