Spiced Molasses

Chapter 18

Daryl didn't come out of the room for the rest of the evening. Beth lamented his hasty exit and the loss of her dessert. She wasn't sure she could accurately describe what had happened but it wasn't nothing. She had seen how his eyes had burned hot for a second and the way all the oxygen seemed to vanish from the room. The path his thumb had taken across her mouth tingled.

No, Beth couldn't describe it but she couldn't ignore it. It took a while for her colour to settle and her breathing to regulate. She turned on the TV, desperate to distract herself from how very badly she had wanted him to close the distance between them. It had nothing to do with their play acting either.

When Beth woke up she was in the bed, even though she knew for sure she'd fallen asleep on the couch. If she strained, she had a vague recollection of Daryl scooping her up, holding her easily in his strong arms.

She had a ghostly memory of telling him with a mumble that she could walk. Daryl had just chuckled and clutched her a little closer. Maybe that last bit was a fabrication or a dream but it made Beth smile and nestle into the pillows.

That moment of comfort only lasted as long as it took to remember that today was the birthday party and if she wanted some space from Daryl to clear her thoughts, she would have none.

Beth rolled out of the bed. Daryl was standing by the kitchen bench looking like he'd come back from a run. He was just pouring out two mugs of coffee and Beth wondered if he just had an innate second sense that allowed him to know where she'd be at all times.

Beth took it and sipped it black, needing the undiluted burn of the caffeine to kick start her brain. Daryl crossed his arms across his chest and she noticed the way his biceps bunched and tensed. He looked strong and capable.

"Big day today, Beth Wallace," Daryl said. If he was nervous then he certainly wasn't showing it.

"I feel prepared though." That wasn't a lie. The part she was unsure about was her ability to act but it was becoming increasingly easy to pretend that she was attracted to Daryl. And she knew why.

"I have a friend coming over to help you get ready."

This was the first Beth had heard of it. "Why do I need help?"

"Because you look like the farmer's daughter," Daryl pointed out. Beth made a face at him over the rim of the coffee mug. He didn't look in the least bit contrite about his words.

"I do not." Even as she protested she knew he was right. A blush spread across her cheeks and for the first time she felt self conscious. She'd been popular at high school, never giving much thought to what she would wear but she supposed she did look like a teenager.

Daryl smirked as she flushed. "You look innocent, not the type of girl who would take up with a criminal like me."

Not like a girl you'd take up with either, Beth added in her own mind.

Beth was saved from having to make a comment by a knock on the door. Daryl raised his eyebrows and went to answer it.

There was no form of greeting. "Were you seen?"

There was no answer but obviously whoever was out there wasn't impressed by the question because Daryl hastily added, "I suppose not."

Beth took another huge mouthful of coffee, feeling the way it scorched down her throat, before following Daryl.

There was a striking black woman in the room, her expression severe until she spotted Beth. She offered the girl a small smile and Beth relaxed a little. She had the same piercing eyes as Daryl and when she smiled she was beautiful. Beth immediately wondered how Daryl knew her.