BROKEN

Chapter 37 - Lauren

"Charlie, we have friends with us. Daryl and I left them at Big Jim's cabins. This is great news, and I can't wait to tell them." I give Charlie another big smile while sitting on Daryl's lap.

Charlie looked at me with excitement in his eyes. "Is Big Jim there too? He was always nice to me and didn't treat me like I was stupid the way the others did."

Sadness immediately filled my heart. "No Charlie he isn't. I don't know where he or my mom is. I wasn't home when all of this craziness happened."

"I'm sorry Miss Loren. I liked your Daddy a lot."

I gave him a sad smile, "So did I." Daryl gave a little squeeze of support.

The three of talked for a little while at that old kitchen table. Charlie told us how he plants a garden every spring and between the vegetables and the meat he hunts for he's fairly self-sufficient. He and Daryl talk hunting and Charlie told him that he would show him the best place for turkeys and game birds.

When Charlie announced it was time for him to go to bed, I asked him where Daryl and I could sleep. He brought us to what I assumed was his mother's old room. It was clean but had that older woman feel to it. "Thank you, Charlie. We appreciate you letting us stay tonight." I gave him a kiss on his cheek.

He blushed under that bushy beard. "I enjoyed the company. Good night," he said before hurrying into his room.

"Looks like you made an impression on the big guy," Daryl laughed closing the bedroom door behind us.

"There's only one guy that I want to make an impression on and that's you." I give Daryl a quick peck on the lips. "God, this has been one crazy day!" I sit on the edge of the bed and lay back. "I am so emotionally drained."

Daryl lies down on his side next to me. "I'm sorry I let him get the jump on us. I was careless, and that put you in jeopardy. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you." His left hand was unconsciously caressing my arm sending tingles throughout my body.

"C'mon, let's get comfortable," I tell him shifting so we both are relaxed on the bed. We have pillows under our heads and are on our sides facing each other. My fingers are playing with the button on his shirt. "Daryl, this wasn't your fault. I know you feel responsible for me, but I can take care of myself. Haven't I proved that to you and everyone else? I'm not a damsel in distress. Charlie caught me just as unaware as he did you. We both fucked up. For a big guy, he sure is quiet and fast. I'm just glad it ended up the way it did. I...was so afraid when he was choking you." My voice cracked there a bit with emotion. I brushed his long bangs out of his eyes once again. Losing this man would just kill me.

"Let me tell you, it was none too good to be on the receiving end of that. He's one strong guy." Daryl gives me a gentle kiss. "You saved me tonight. I don't think Charlie realizes his strength. I owe you my life, Lauren."

I give him a big smile," You can pay me back in kisses...lots and lots of kisses."

Daryl puts his rough hand on my cheek. "That'll be tough, but I guess I can suffer through some kissing with you. A debt is a debt."

I start to laugh. He has the most playful look on his face. It's so good to see this side of him. Daryl leans in and starts kissing me and my pulse automatically quickens. The kiss deepens with silent promises of more...much, much more. My heart beats faster as the passion of the kiss takes over. I feel Daryl's fingers exploring my face, my neck and finally get entangled in my hair. He pulls the scrunchy off that is holding back the ponytail, and my hair falls down around us. Just the way he likes it.

The kiss told me of Daryl's many emotions. I recognized his passion, his happiness, his uncertainty and his need for love. One kiss, one long kiss told me so much about him. I wondered if he felt my love from my kiss. His lips eventually moved on to my cheek then my earlobe and finally my neck. I tilted my head back to give him better access, shivering when he found the sensitive spot below my ear. His hand moved under my shirt to the bare skin of my shoulder, slowly caressing it. We kissed and kissed and kissed, never going any further. It was like he read my mind that I would not be comfortable going any further with Charlie in the next room.

Finally, I snuggled into his hold on me, and there's no other place in the world I would rather be than in his arms. We both slowly drift off to sleep.