Meet Me Under Our Willow (A Daryl Dixon Pre-Apocalypse Love Story)

Chapter 17 - Short Tempers

After I took Noah home and changed into more comfortable clothes, Daryl pulled into the driveway to pick me up. I told Noah that there were leftovers in the fridge or he could put in a microwavable meal, and I wouldn't be too  late. I walked down the porch to Daryl's truck, and opened the passenger door to get inside.

"So, where are we going?" I asked, shutting the door behind me.

"Somewhere special." he smirked, putting the car in reverse and backing out of my driveway.

I don't recognize the route he's taking, so I have no clue where he's taking me. But, I like this whole surprise thing, it puts me on edge. We had our windows rolled down, and my hair was blowing swiftly off my shoulders. I felt Daryl grab my hand and bring it up to his lips, kissing my knuckles. My stomach fluttered and he held my hand the rest of the journey.

He pulled into this path off of a dirt road that went through the woods. It was big enough for this truck to fit through. I sat up in my seat, intrigued. A clearing came ahead, and I could smell the water before I saw it. We pulled up to this beach, and he backed the truck up into tall grass by the lake. Not a single soul was here, but I figured not a lot of people knew about it. Daryl shut the truck off and got out, grabbing blankets and pillows out of the back seat and heading to the bed of the truck.

I watch in the mirror as he gets up on the bed and spreads the blankets out and places the pillows down. I smile, this is a wonderful surprise. Some alone time by the water under the setting sun. He comes around to my door and opens it for me.

"Thank you." I grinned, taking his hand. He lead me to the bed and helped me up onto it. He jumped up behind me and sat down into the pillows.

"Ye like it?" he asked while watching me admire the water.

"This is incredible, Daryl. I love it." I said, sitting back into his open arms. We sit there in a peaceful silence, watching the beautiful sun set and the stars arise. I feel Daryl kiss the top of my head, and I turn to face him. I connect our lips in a sweet kiss.

I feel his tongue slide across my bottom lip, begging for entrance, and I instinctively grant it. My hands find his hair and my fingers get tangled in it. I've ended up in his lap somehow, his arms hold my body close to his, so there is no gap. I feel his rough hands slide down to my butt, squeezing it. I moan into his mouth.

Wait, what am I doing? This is not the time or place to do something like this. My body doesn't stop though, I want to keep going, but I can't. I pull away from him, and his lips immediately latch onto my neck, sucking lightly. I throw my head back and breath heavily, biting my lip to suppress a moan. I grab his face in my hands, pulling him up to face me. His eyes search mine in confusion.

"Thank you for bringing me here. It was wonderful." I said, catching my breath.

He goes to kiss my lips again, obviously not understanding why I stopped. I tilt my head so he kisses my cheek instead.

"Do ye want to?" he voice wistful and gruff at the same time.

"I think...I think I should head home. I have papers to grade." I said softly and politely. He looks at me, annoyance and anger slowly rising.

"So ye can have sex with yer teacher boyfriend but not me?" he spits, pushing me off of his lap.

It feels like my heart was just ripped out of my chest, "W-What? Daryl, I did not have sex with him. Hell, I didn't even kiss him! And he was never my boyfriend, not even close."

He scoffs, "Whatever. Come on, lets go."

He roughly gets out of the bed of the truck, not bothering to help me down. I slide off and close the gate, going over to the passenger door as he starts the truck. As soon as I shut the door, he takes off back down the path.

The rest of the drive back to my house is silence, and it isn't comfortable. I can't believe he though that of me. I mean, I don't have sex with every guy I meet. I've never been intimate with a man, because I'm still a virgin. It's embarrassing, and I don't tell anyone. I'm on the verge of tears as we pull into my driveway.

Daryl switches the truck off and we sit in silence for a few minutes, "Jus' thought ye two were together from the looks of ye at the bar."

"He was just being friendly, Daryl. You know, two friends going out for drinks after the first week of their jobs." I explained, getting mad, "And if you must know, I'm a virgin."

He whips his head over to look at me, his eyes wide. I scoff, opening the door to the truck, "Oh, don't look so surprised. You don't even know me."

I got out and slammed the door behind me.