With Doyle

[Lovely]

October 8, Year 1
night time
After: Running for his girl


Angel had left the Carlisle house and her beloved Doyle in order to take away the temptation of herself that had seemed to frustrate him so much. He'd held her close each night after Adams had hurt her, but it had become difficult for them both, wanting more than that and not being married. Doyle was honorable and had alot of pride, he refused to give in to his desires. Angel saw what it was doing to him and thought it best she leave and hoped that would ease him. There weren't many choices for a girl like her and upon returning to Tessa's she had decided to give into her 'fate' and start working there like the other girls. As with any small town, gossip spread quickly and as soon as word got out, Doyle came to get her. She was grateful for that as she didn't truly want to entertain men and Doyle had stopped her before she'd had the chance to take her first customer. She was still intact and back in his arms, at least for tonight.

Angel had a bit of money she'd put away from doing odd jobs for various people in town, it wasn't much at all since most wouldn't see her as anything but that little girl from Tessa's. Doyle's family had taken her in and she felt it was only right to give back to them. She'd put in a bit for food and supplies and bought a few things, ribbons for Charly's hair and some new long johns for Doyle. She gave him his present with a gentle smile, hoping he'd like it.

He looks at his beloved thread-bares. "What's wrong with these?" Her money was hers to do as she pleased with, he wouldn't complain. "Just don't throw out the old ones."

She wouldn't throw his old ones out there was really nothing wrong with them. "I don't want you to be cold if I'm not there to warm you up. And if you have to bunk with Gully.. better to have the not so thread bare ones."

"Why would he be worried if his brother was in tatters or fresh clothes?"

"He wouldn't be.. but I am.. I knows what happens when you start dreamin.." She gave him a cute little smile.

"Oh that." He chuckled a little. "Sshhhhhh that prolly runs in the family... I wouldn't worry.." He winked.

[Lovely]

********


Doyle stayed in his room with her for tonight instead of going to Gully's room though he'd moved some of his things to his brother's room earlier. Angel needed him with her and he wanted to reassure her that she was welcome, safe, and where she belonged. She smiled, feeling the cool breeze from the window and the heat coming off Doyle as her lay close to her. Angel rolled to face him, her smile becoming shy as she looked to him from beneath partly lowered lashes. "Would you do something for me?" She asked him softly, feeling her cheeks begin to warm with a blush.

"Being?"

"Let me see you without clothes." She was awfully curious with him brushing against her and since she'd been around what she'd been around but never done anything herself.

He said, "Wait until the weather warms up some... I sleep in my altogether with the window open in summer."

Angel was pouting she wanted to see him now. "By the time the warm weather comes Gully won't let us be in here together.

Doyle locked the door and pulled down the blind. ".. it's different with a girl in the room..." He peeled off the nice new longjohns she got him and shows her.. miles of reddened leathery arms and shoulders up to a bare and muscular, pale chest... on down to where he just can't hide how tickled he is that she's close by

She was quite speechless and wide eyed for a long time as she stared at him, her eyes moving slowly over his arms, shoulders and chest, lower and lower.. "Oh.. " She chewed her lip and motioned him to come closer. "Can I?" She asks softly, just reaching her fingers out a bit to him.

He chuckled and shivered. "Not a horse, Angel, you're not gonna scare me." He stepped closer, holding his hands out to her.

She nodded and glanced up to his face, her hands reaching instinctively toward his as he held them out to her. "Just.. never.. well you know.. " She smiles a little. "Not sure what is allowed and all.. don't want you to think I'm all wicked.."

"Could never think that about you," he whispered, pulling her closer for her warmth and to feel her against him. "You can do whatever you want to me anytime you want except one thing..."

"What one thing?.. tell me so I don't do that." She nodded again glancing down as the space closed between them and she could feel how he jutted against her again.

His arms folded around her as he cuddled her closely. "Give my heart back.. no one's got it but you, Take care of it," he whispered, settling a warm kiss on her neck.

She sighed closing her eyes as she felt his lips on her neck. "Can I keep it forever, if I promise to cherish it?" Her voice was a whisper as she leaned closer in his embrace. Her hands lifted and slowly ran over the skin he'd exposed for her, first his arms and shoulders learning the contours of muscle and texture of skin. Her head tipped down and her lips brushed his shoulder. "Will you keep mine?"

[Lovely]

"As long as you let me," he said, feeling more chilled from her fingers than the cool of the room and thankful for it, though he couldn't hide his reaction or much of anything from her like this. He chuckled and moved his arms behind him to catch her fingers, not stopping her, but moving her back to the warmer covers.

Her lips pouted when he reached for her hands, thinking he meant to stop her exploration. She laid back on the bed slowly, letting her fingers brush over him lower as he came down as well.

He pulled the quilt from the foot of the bed to cover his shoulders but stayed within reach, his eyes fluttering softly as her fingers danced slowly over him. "I"m dreaming," he whispered.

"Then I must be dreaming too." Her fingers were light and gentle as she learned more of him, watching how his eyes fluttered. She was encouraged by his reaction to be more firm in her caress.

He shook his head. "Not dreamin', Angel, but this is what I do dream about," he admitted, offering a blushing grin as her fingers grasped tighter and tickled more.

"Me too." She whispered softly. "Only I didn't know what you looked like underneath." Her fingers curled and slipped over him. "..or felt like... " Her eyes shuttered as she leaned to kiss him gently.

"Hope you're not disappointed. Ain't too much to look at or nothin'," he said somewhat shyly now, Curling up more beside her and sharing the quilt.

"You're beautiful." She whispered, kissing him softly again and snuggling into the covers with him, her fingers still continuing the slow shy exploration.

"Never been called that before," he murmured, trying to lay still. "So... you ain't never... not even seen?"

"Well you are." She insisted softly. ".. and no.. Tessa and the girls were real good about making sure I was kept away from it.. " She blushed, her cheeks feeling hot.

"Cuz for never...," he swallowed hard, involuntarily shifting in her fingers, though he did his best not to become overwhelmed. He grinned, "You have softer fingers'n... " He stroked her cheek lightly, hoping his own hands weren't too rough on her fair skin.

She felt him shift and curled her finger just a little tighter. "Am I doin alright? I'm not makin things worse by doing this.. am I?" She wanted so much to keep going, exploring and touching him.

"Better'n I'd dreamed," he chuckled. He watched her eyes, trying to keep his open. His hand sifted down below the blankets to cover her fingers and guide her. "Wouldn't say 'worse' by a mile, Angel."

She nodded, kissing him again. "What can I do.. to make it better?" She breathed against his shoulder, letting his hand guide hers.

"Would you... let me see you now that you're all healed up?"

[Lovely]

She hardly hesitated for a breath, smiling sweetly. "Yes.." Her hand paused but did not leave his skin. "Do you want to.. or should I?" She asked with a slight uncertain tone, shrugging at the shirt she had borrowed to sleep in.

Doyle felt a small twinge of worry that if he did, he was no better than the ones that went visiting the girls. His eyes showed he was a little lost, not knowing what to say. "You.. this time, if that's alright."

Angel smiled and eased herself back, reluctantly moving her hand away from him. Her bare feet found the floor and she came to standing. She took a step back and her hands worked the buttons of the shirt, facing him as she did. The shirt gently fell open and her finger tips guided it apart further and then off her shoulders, the fabric pooled on the floor and she stood bare for him to see her. Her breathing quickened a bit as she let him look at her, the chill of the air evident.

A few of the marks remained, but he hardly noticed them as he looked over the rest of her softly curved features. His hand reached out to her to pull her back beside him to stay warm. "Beautiful is you, Angel... all over."

She shivered slightly as she slid beside him, her softness and curves pressing to him. "You don't think there's not enough of me?" She asked shyly, her hand running over her supple curves. She worried that her being so young.. he'd not find her attractive enough.

"What? Not enough for what?" His eyes watched her hand and found his own hand following to feel her cool skin. She'd had so many marks, he'd been afraid to touch her for fear of hurting before other than curling around her. Now his fingers sought to learn her like she did on him. "You're all I need or want. Ain't that plenty?"

"Enough for you." She admitted quietly, letting her hand drift away and his glide over her. "If you think I am.. then I am.." She brought her lips gently to brush his. "I love you, Doyle."

His hand curled at her hip and stayed, comfortably resting, but gently pulling her alongside him. She was a small girl and so much younger. He still feared breaking her and heard Pa's voice haunting him a moment that she wasn't one likely to break. The tremor of worry was brief and he let his hand shimmer back from her hip down the back of her leg, encouraging her twine against him and hold him as close as she dared.

Her breath caught and there was a pause, then her warm exhale blew over his shoulder, her leg following his encouragement and curling around his hip. The rest of her melted in silky softness against his rougher harder male form, her arm wrapping around his shoulder while the other hand slipped between them to explore some more.

[[Edited for content, unedited piece posted to our sister site]]

[Lovely]

***********************

They continued making love until the wee hours of morning, then fell into content sleep. Their activities made Doyle oversleep and they both missed breakfast but once they woke, neither seemed very eager to get out of bed. Doyle teased and asked her. "Can I squeeze you some more instead?"

"Mmmhmmm.." She hummed in return, she was sore and tuckered, yet so happy.

"Won't be helping with the house today.." He warned her with a gentle sigh. "Might not be standing up." He'd heard her sweet cries through the night, probably some of the rest of the house did too. She'd never and she was just a tiny girl..

"Ohh of course.. I hope that doesn't bother you so much that..." She blushed and cleared her throat softly. ".. you won't touch me again."

*ahem*.. whispers. ".. nah.. that part I'm sure is ok... I seen Liza and Lily around here in the morning.." He nods.

She blushes and hides her face in his shoulder. "Wish you didn't have to leave today."

He yawned. "It's only for a few hours. "Cides, you need some rest."

Kisses his shoulder and works over his neck, moving towards his lips. "But I'll miss you.."

He smiled and groaned. "Not half as much, I'll bet you," he turned to catch her kiss. He lay there quietly a few moments, content and calm, curling around her and nuzzling as if he could stay and entertain her for days and days. "Love you, Miss Angel."

She put her finger to his lips and smiled. "Stop calling me miss Angel.." She replaced her finger with her lips in a soft kiss. "I love you too.."

"Well.. you're not a missus... and you're too grown for 'little'.. and calling you 'my Angel', though I'd like to, makes it sound like you're a horse... something I own and I don't like that either.... Angel... sounds bold but if you don't mind... it's just Angel," he winked and teased. "'My' Angel."

"I don't mind.. you calling me your Angel.. it's nice.. doesn't make me feel like a horse." She giggled softly. "I don't feel like a horse to you do I?" Her eyes sparkled with affection for him. "Just Angel is fine too.. "

"Never looked at a horse that way, so I can't really say, but I'm sure you don't and you're not," he chuckled. "You laugh like an angel, too."

She laughed again, softly and almost shy, hiding her blush with kisses to his shoulder. "I like hearing you laugh."

[Lovely]

"Guessin' I'll need to do more of that then. Maybe more of this too," he beamed, kissing her more while she snuggled.

The knock came, heavily rapped on door by more than just a knuckle. Something someone was carrying was used to thump the heavy wooden door.

"Yes, I'd like both.. very much." Her arms were tightening around his shoulders when her lips turned down in a frown as the knock was heard on the door.

He sighed. He'd locked it so whoever it was couldn't just open it and the door was too thick to talk through. "Hold your water, mister," he called out, giving her an apologetic grin as he left her the blankets and pulled the quilt around himself to hide his nethers and keep the chill off as he padded across the floor.

It wasn't lightning that would strike him, but another blanket holding the sum of Doyle's things from the other room, thrust toward him as the door opened. The courier looked away, not wanting to see in or know more than he'd already heard throughout most of the night. "It appears I'll be sleeping alone again, lad."

Hearing the voice in the hall, her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. She swallowed waiting for some kind of scolding or something of that sort and was confused as none came yet.

"Gully, what...," he 'oofed' slightly as the bundle was pushed more toward him. "What in blazes... just one night. What are you doing?"

"No, Doyle, not just one night. Have some sense. Your carrying on last night is only the beginning. This isn't the church and I'm not about to give you a sermon, but I will give you some advice.. as your brother. Treat her with every respect a lady of honor deserves and every ounce of dignity in your soul as a Carlisle. You keep your head about you in public, but what happens here is your business alone. You tend to her, treat her right and god help her," he winked, finally turning to look at Doyle directly, his own cheeks furiously red with embarrassment. "Don't lose sight of what's important, Doyle."

Doyle grappled the bundle of items, nearly dropping the blanket that covered him. “Gully... I.. I don’t understand. You’re not mad? An... and you heard... oh lord, what about Rory... and... please tell me Pa didn’t stay last night.”

Angel could hear what Gully said and she curled into the covers, listening to the change in tone of Doyle's voice... maybe a scolding would have embarrassed him less.

Pa stepped down the hall coming up behind Gully with an amused grin, his 'old eyes' alight with the famous Carlisle gleam. "Doyle.. " He pretended to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. "It's about damn time."

Few things could have mortified him more with the exception of his suspenders breaking in the middle of church chorus, which was likely more gracefully stepped from than the bundle he juggled causing him to lose the wrap around his waist as Pa’s voice startled him. “Pa! Please?!” Doyle, in his altogether, scrambled to pick up scattered items from the floor and gather himself in the process.

Pa laughed and patted Gully on the back. "My boy is finally growing up.. I'm so proud.." He bent to pick up the quilt and help Doyle gather his things. "She didn't break.. did she?" He whispered softly, his smile and eyes were full of warmth as he gazed on Doyle's face.

[Lovely]

Feeling an extreme need to use the water closet at the moment, Doyle stood slowly and gave his father a look to end all embarassed looks. “No, sir,” he mumbled quietly as if he’d been scolded and sent to the corner. He swallowed and shook his head. “She... she’s right fine.”

Gully winced on Doyle’s behalf and again as the pat on his shoulder came. It was only a matter of time before Pa’s eye turned on him as well and he’d be the brunt of the tease. For now, Gully quietly gathered what was left on the floor and piled it all just inside the door, refusing to look toward the bed, though he was cordial, just the same. “Morning, Miss Angel. Hope you’ve rested well.”

He shook his head at the look on Doyle's face and his eyes cast upward. "Good.. You're not going to be all funny and broken acting on me are you?" His hand came down on Doyle's shoulder and he let it rest there a moment. "I might tease you something fierce.. but I like what that girl has done to you.. and from the sounds of it.. you both like what you do to each other." He couldn't help himself with teasing his boys, but was genuinely pleased to see it when they were happy.

Angel bit her lip as she heard Gully address her as he set the things inside the door. "I.. ah.. yes sir.. thank you." She murmured softly, trying to curl more and wincing as she did, she was pretty sore from her and Doyle's actions last night.

From down the hall, Alexander couldn’t help but nudge in his own commentary as he was headed out to work. “Never mind ‘im, lads... give ‘im the day off since he’s been up all night. At least one of us got some sleep.”

Doyle’s face was fully drained of every bit of color now as he leaned on the door. His voice was soft for the briefest of moments. “Will y’all excuse me just a moment, please.”

Pa sighed.. there was just no hope for some of his boys, he'd have to be content to have his only grand children from Patrick, by the look of things. "Fine.." He turned from Doyle and his eyes fell on Alex, the Carlisle gleam in his eye and a smile which hinted at where his boys got theirs from, on his lips. "Morning Alexander.. and how is that pretty shop keeper, doing?"

He was halfway down the stairs in his usual spry fashion when Pa called after him. Knowing better than to move an inch further, Alex stopped and turned. “Bright and lovely as a morning dew-flower, Pa,” he beamed.

Pa looked to Doyle. "Take some time to 'tend' to your gal.. You and I can talk later." He nodded and turned to follow after Alex, the younger boy about to get the brunt of his teasing now. "Such pretty words my boy.."

“For a pretty girl worthy of them,” he nodded, staying on the stair.

“Yes, Pa,” Doyle said quietly moving around his brother and padding quickly to the WC. He was thankful for the house being so modern and plumbed so he didn’t have to face worse torture by going through the house and outside. He was only gone moments and Gully was already out of sight when he returned, slipping in the room and relocking the door behind him. “Angel, I am so sorry.”

Angel glanced up at him and pulled the covers in her fingers under her chin, looking back down again. "I had a feeling you would be." She assumed he meant about what they had done, after listening to the teasing and his tone of voice with his brother and father.

“What? No.. no no, not sorry about you, never,” he apologized further, coming back beside her and moving the blanket from her face. He shook his head, “Not sorry about any of that or you or me... I meant them, keeping me away from you for all that. Don’t know how much you heard, but ... well that’s just their way... saying ‘welcome to family’ I’m guessin’.” He winked, showing a similar gleam to Pa’s in his eye. He leaned to whisper, “Love you too much to ever be sorry.”

She swallowed and looked up at him as he pulled the cover away, her eyes lighting up slowly as he spoke. "Oh Doyle.." She breathed, leaning up to wrap her arms around his shoulders. "Are you sure.. you seemed.. I'm not sorry either.." Her cheek rested against his and her eyes were closed, she'd feared he was going to be too embarrassed and turn her away or away from her.. either way it would have torn her heart apart.

He let loose of the quilt that covered him, feeling far warmer now. He clung to her as she hugged him, not wanting to ever let go and his other hand shifted the blankets back that covered her. “Not sorry. Let them think what they want,” he grinned, offering to keep her in bed a while longer.

Angel felt her heart soar, unbelievably happy in that moment. She shivered as the cool air hit her skin when he shifted the covers away, but she did not pull them back. Kissing Doyle with gentle tender whispers, she pulled him down to cover her, sore from the night before but not caring. She loved him and she'd gladly let him keep her in bed even if it meant she couldn't get out of it for days after.

In the morning light, nothing remained hidden or whispered now as Doyle leaned her back to the pillows in kisses and nudges, careful against her tender spots.