Declarations

Part 20: Running Wild Again

A series of blizzards kept them in the mall for over a month. Having shelter was a relief, but more than that Sasha appreciated the pause in time. There was no rush to get to the next place or to avoid a herd or scavenge for food and supplies. For a change, she could burrow deeper in the blankets and bask in the warmth of Daryl's body against hers.

"Not yet," he murmured against her ear. "Too soon."

She shifted around to face him. Her hand cupped his face. The bristles of his stubble pricked her palm, and she enjoyed the sharp contrast of the tiny hairs in comparison to the smoothness of his cheek. In the brief moment of distraction, he pulled her close.

"You're playing dirty," she said.

"Whatever it takes to keep my woman in bed."

She giggled and his responding deep chuckle sent shivers through her. She should have known things would be like this between them. So deliciously irresistible.

"I've been late 3 times and you have been late 5—"

"Ain't nobody keepin' track," Daryl argued, moving in to nuzzle her neck.

"I am," Sasha responded with a faint moan as he focused on her sweet spot. "I'm...I'm k-keeping track. Dammit, Daryl."

"You'll stay?" He nibbled her earlobe. "You'll stay."

She dug her fingers into his biceps, enjoying how they contracted under her grasp. They knew and were learning so many things about each other. These quiet moments were the best, but the timing was the worst, especially now when she was so determined not to set a record for tardiness.

"I can't. My shift...gotta go." She tugged free of him but not before giving him a kiss that left them both very dissatisfied. "Remember that."

"Hard to forget."

He adjusted the lantern to watch her dress. Light spilled into their sleeping quarters in the store formerly known as Aéropostale. She avoided the seductive gleam in his attentive blue eyes by pulling on 2 pairs of thermal tops and bottoms before the jeans and lined flannel shirt.

"Wear a cap, too."

"Yes, sir!" She saluted, tugging the cap on.

"Don't 'sir' me," he grumbled. "I don't like this shift. It's dark."

"I've had worse shifts. Remember the guard tower at the prison?"

He frowned. "I didn't like when you did overnight for that either."

She paused as she collected her flashlight and weapons. "You never said anything."

"Wasn't my place."

"Oh, but since you're my man, you can dictate—"

"I don't dictate," Daryl corrected. "Just want you safe, Sasha."

"I'm staying inside. Abraham's on, too. Should be a breeze," she assured him.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right."

$%^&

Rick and Carl claimed the upper level while Sasha and Abraham went downstairs to begin their rounds of the first floor. The others on shift—Nik, Bob, Carol, and Tara—were on roof duty. Despite the size of the mall, the group had developed a rhythm to maintaining safety and creating an organized scheduled. If they had not planned to continue north to Noah's home, Rick and Michonne had briefly discussed the possibilities of this site as a potential new home. Of course, there were a few kinks that needed attention, but given the severity of the winter storm, the building had provided everything they needed.