A/N Thank you for stopping by to check out my newest Merle and Beth story. We're going to try and mix a little fun with our romance in this story.

This fic was inspired by a prompt I received from LivingDeadGirl87 but I can't tell you details until the story completes. I will have some additional info for you at the end of this chapter. In the meantime, let's have some fun and love with the Big Man and Sweet Beth.

Warning: It's Merle and Beth - He's 28 she's 18.

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There was no way this was going to happen and that was that. End of story. Final. Period.

There was no way on God's green earth Hershel Greene was just going to stand back and let it happen. He was shutting it down even if it meant he had to lock her up for the rest of her life. He'd wall in her bedroom by gawd, he'd do whatever he had to do. His baby girl was not going to get herself mixed up with that lowlife redneck Merle Dixon.

Mama was in full agreement with her husband. This could not and would not happen.

Hershel and Annette Greene vowed that as long as they lived their girl would be shielded from the evil that was the Older Dixon brother.

What Mama and Daddy failed to realize was they were about to become embroiled in an epic battle of wills. Their will, their daughter's will and the biggest, baddest and loudest will of all, Merle Dixon's will.

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Merle worked at the clay and shale mine just outside of town. At 28 he was already a top supervisor due not just to his own willingness to work hard, but also his ability to run a crew, he kept his men working hard and on point. Those men didn't resent his rough ways or his high-performance standards because he worked every bit as hard as he expected them to. So whether or not they liked him they did their job and gave him their respect. That's what he expected.

He had a little house in town, a big shiny white pickup truck and a tricked-out chopper. He worked hard all week and played hard all weekend. Play consisted of drinking beer and shooting pool at the roadhouse, and if it so happened he met a gal there, well that was an added bonus. But he didn't get permanently hooked up with anyone. He liked the bachelor life and saw no reason to change anything about his single status.

He hunted and fished with his brother, rode his chopper and his life was real good. As far as he was concerned not one thing was missing and there was nothing he wanted for. Until he stopped in the quickie market that fateful Monday morning.

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She graduated from high school that spring with no particular plan in mind, no real direction she was headed. She just couldn't make up her mind which path to choose, so she decided not to choose any path at all, at least for the time being. She'd go ahead and think on it awhile to avoid making a false start. Mama and Daddy were on board with that idea, they weren't one bit anxious for their baby girl to leave home.

So it happened that Hershel and Annette Greene's sweet young daughter took a job at the local quickie market, to earn money while she debated between college and vocational school. She didn't mind the work at all. She worked the day shift on weekdays, those were the busy hours and busy was what made the time fly. First thing in the mornings it was lots of folks stopping in for coffee and rolls or donuts, microwaving breakfast burritos before work. And teenagers on their way to school who were getting big bags of chips and even bigger cups of coke. Most of them she knew and they'd beg her to let them buy cigarettes or chew but she had to say "no." If she got caught she'd lose her job. She'd never been the kind of person who knowingly did the wrong thing, and certainly not one to take a chance of getting in trouble.

Lunch hour it was always folks who seemed to be in a rush. They'd grab an order of the chicken fingers, corn dogs or some tater logs. The quickie market had all the usual premade high calorie, high fat and nutritionally questionable snacks. But the food was fast and tasty and she supposed when folks were in a hurry they didn't care much about those other things.

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The quickie market wasn't a place Merle Dixon was in the habit of frequenting. He ate his breakfast at home and packed a lunch for work, but he'd been out hunting with his brother until late Sunday evening and he hadn't made it to the grocery. He figured he could just pick up some grab and go, a sandwich and coffee for breakfast and another sandwich and a coke for his lunch. Not at all anything he'd normally care to eat but he didn't have a lot of options, it wasn't like there was a café next door to the mine. Anyway it was just for the one day, he'd stop at the grocery after work.

He walked in the joint and grabbed a couple of premade ham and cheeses from the cooler, along with a can of coke and a small carton of o.j. He stopped at the self-serve coffee counter and filled the big insulated mug he'd brought with him, then headed to the counter to pay for it all.

Just then was when it happened, when he got in line. That was when he first set eyes on her. Once Merle Dixon laid eyes on Beth Greene he was a had man. Of course at that time he didn't realize the seriousness of the situation, he thought it was just harmless lust. Little did he know she'd get right into his heart and right into his head.

He should have just handed her his ass then and there.

He kept his eyes trained on her as he stood in line waiting to pay. She was a real pretty little thing with her blond hair all up in a ponytail, and damn those were some big blue eyes. She was all sorts of fresh-faced and sweet looking, and surely way too young for the likes of him. She looked like she was still in high school. The term jailbait crossed his mind. He tried to ignore that thought. Anyway he was busy noticing she wore a name tag on her shirt, Beth. A real sweet name for a real sweet looking little gal.

When it was his turn he gave her the biggest smile he had, "Well g'mornin' Beth, how ya doin' today?"

"I'm doing real good thanks. I'm sorry I don't know your name. Have we met?"

"We're meetin' right here an now Darlin', the name's Merle Dixon an I'm real happy ta know ya."

She'd never seen him before that morning but she'd had her eye on him since he walked in. He was big and imposing and all muscled up, and maybe just a little rough looking. She felt it right away though, there was just something about that rough looking man that got to her. She told herself to stop it right this minute! He was way too old, why he must be around 30 and he wasn't really that handsome. Okay well maybe he was that handsome, to her he was very handsome. And yes he was manly and sexy and he gave her goosebumps all over.

She smiled her biggest smile right back at him, "It's very nice to meet you Merle." And she proceeded to ring up his purchases, "That will be fourteen thirty-two please."

Grossly overpriced for the shit he was getting but he smiled as he handed her his fifteen bucks. When she made to hand him back his change he let his fingers slowly glide along her hand, "Thank ya now Beth."

Wouldn't you just know that right then those cheeks of hers turned all rosy. That sealed the deal for Merle. He knew for sure he wanted a taste of pretty little Beth real bad. She finished him off for good when she looked at him, then looked down and then back up into his eyes as she shyly responded, "You're very welcome Merle."

She was a little hottie and whether she realized it or not didn't really matter because he sure as hell did. He did stop at the grocery that night and he got everything he needed for the week, but that didn't mean he didn't stop at the quickie market every morning to see her.

He'd pick up an orange juice or a coke and wait for his turn in line. The longer it took the better, it was just more time to look at her. He'd pay for his purchases and when she handed him his change he'd take his opportunity to let his hand linger on hers. Then came Wednesday morning when she took his hand first and gave it just a little squeeze. It was only for a fleeting moment but he figured she'd let him know she was interested and that was more than good with him.

Fridays he always rode his bike to the job and as soon as that buzzer blew he'd head right on over to the roadhouse for a cold beer, a game of eight ball and maybe if the right gals were there a little loving.

Friday morning she heard the sound of the big bike coming and immediately looked up toward the noise. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was Merle. She was thrilled in a very adult way just by the sight of him, he looked even more handsome and more sexy than usual. She was feeling a little flushed.

He was wearing a black leather jacket and aviator glasses, and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she watched him dismount. The next person in line had to clear their throat and say, "Miss?" To bring her back to mundane reality.

When Merle Dixon stood in front of her with his orange juice and a big smile she could barely get out the words, "That's a real nice motorcycle Merle."

"Ya like it do ya? Well I'll tell ya what Darlin', why don't I just come on by an get ya after work? We'll go have us a beer."

She looked a little sad and a little embarrassed when she quietly responded, "Umm, I can't do that I'm not 21."

Uhoh he was on alert now, "Well are ya at least 18 then?"

"Yes, I've been 18 for a whole month."

Thank God. But still he knew it was wrong, she was so young and he could tell just in the little bit of time he'd known her she was an innocent. He should walk away right this minute, leave her be. Yeah no, that wasn't going to happen. The thing was Merle Dixon was long on desire and short on self-discipline. So he smiled and said, "Well we'll just go on ahead an have us a ride then. An a milkshake, yeah that's it. A pretty gal like you deserves a milkshake after a hard days' work." Shit if he'd ever had a milkshake he couldn't remember when that was. But he'd enjoy watching this little honey enjoying one.

"Oh yes that sounds so fun Merle, I'm off at 5:30."

"I'll be here waitin' for ya Darlin'." And this time when he took his change he didn't just squeeze her hand, he rubbed the pad of his thumb lightly along the inside of her palm, while he looked hard into her eyes. It made her kind of tingle in all sorts of personal places.

He made a quick stop at the Bike Shop after work, grabbed a helmet for her and still managed to make it by 5:25. They smiled when their eyes met and he waited there for her, leaning against the Bike with his arms folded across his chest and legs crossed at the ankle. Sweet little Beth Greene just couldn't hardly wait to climb up on that bike right behind that man who was way too old, way too rough looking and way too sexy.

When she walked out the doors of that quickie market with a great big smile just for him and her ponytail swinging side to side, he swore he felt his shorts tighten. He mentally admonished himself, "Ya ain't a fucking teenager Dixon."

"Hey there Darlin', I sure hope they didn't work your pretty little self too hard today." He'd already wrapped an arm around her shoulders and he was leaning in and smiling that big old smile. Beth didn't mind one bit as she cozied right into his side wrapping her arm around his waist. That made his already big smile get even bigger, and his shorts a bit tighter. "C'mon now Darlin', we best get ta gettin' gone before ya get this old man here all worked up. Ya know how ta ride on a bike do ya?"

What he said excited and embarrassed her. She was confused by her feelings, she'd never been anywhere with a real man. She'd only been allowed to go to school and church functions with boys her age and usually one or both of her parents were there. But never had she been out with an older boy, much less a man. She looked so worried when she said, "Gee, no but I'll try to learn."

He cupped her chin in his big hand tilting her sweet face toward him, "Now don't ya worry none there Darlin', Merle here's gonna show ya an I'ma be just as patient with ya as ya need me ta be." Teaching the sweet young woman how to ride on that bike was only one of a few things he had a mind to teach her. And he meant just what he said, he'd be just as patient as she required him to be. "You're sure you're 18 now, right Darlin'? I can't be gettin' arrested."

"I promise, please don't change your mind about taking me." The little pleading in her voice did nothing to lessen the tightening of his shorts. He felt he had to pull her in for a full-on hug, what else could he do? He held her for a minute before leaning back a little and placing his open hands to either side of her face, "Beth now Darlin' I ain't ever changin' my mind about ya. Don't ya change your mind about me neither, k?"

She smiled a nervous little smile but she was oh so flattered, and flustered and mighty impressed with the smooth talking, motorcycle riding and well-muscled older man.

They took off on the bike and she was hanging onto him nice and tight, just like he told her too. As they rode along she was loving every minute of it and Merle was loving every bit of it himself. There was somewhat of a problem though, and the problem with the problem was Merle didn't know a thing about it. The problem being that Beth Greene was supposed to have been home by six o'clock. She was to attend the chili dinner over at the Bible Church with her Daddy and Mama. Beth knew good and well where she was expected to be, but the sweet girl who never knowingly did anything wrong or risked getting in trouble, didn't care about any of that now. All she was thinking about was how much she wanted to be spending her time with Merle Dixon.

After an hour or so of riding he knew he'd better let her get off that bike and stretch her legs some. He pulled over at one of those 50's style burger joints. The ones that try and make you feel like it's still 1958. He reached around and took her hand as he advised, "Now Darlin' take it slow an easy gettin' off, your legs are gonna be a little weak feelin' for a minute or two." She did like he told her and when she'd gotten off she went to rubbing her hands up and down her thighs to get the circulation going, it was getting something going for Merle and it was all he could do to behave himself.

He put his arm around her shoulders, smiled and then took her by surprise when he leaned in and gave her a big old kiss. That kiss was filled with what even she in her innocence knew was a hunger. A hunger for her.

They walked in the place and every teenage eye in the joint was on Merle Dixon and Beth Greene. There were boys and girls she went to school with just sitting there with their mouths hanging open. Wondering first, how the heck Beth ever managed to get away from her folks long enough to get out of the house, and second what in the world she was doing with some hard-case looking older man.

She was so wrapped up in that older man she didn't even notice all those eyes on them. All she could think of was she was pretty sure she was feeling hungry for him in the same way he was feeling hungry for her.

They sat down in a booth but he didn't sit across from her. No, he slid right in next to her and he kept that arm around her shoulders. "Ya probably need ta have ya sumthin' ta eat don't ya Darlin'? I'd be a pretty terrible fella if I let ya go without your supper now wouldn't I?"

She was hungry and maybe not just for food, but they were starting with food. "Is it alright if I have a cheeseburger and a strawberry milkshake?"

He laughed a little at that, most women he kept company with didn't ask all sweet like that, they were a little more demanding. "Darlin' I'll buy ya all the cheeseburgers and strawberry milkshakes ya want."

The waitress brought her the cheeseburger and shake, and him his burger and coffee and that's when he got a real treat. He'd never seen anyone go about eating a burger in such a dainty way. Of course he was used to going for a burger with his brother, it only took Daryl three bites to down one.

He was holding his burger with just one hand while he ate, his other hand was now on her slim thigh and he may have been massaging it, just a little bit. "We'll have us a real date next time Darlin'. We'll get all dressed up an I'll take ya out for a proper supper, get ya a steak. Would ya like that?"

"I'd like to do anything with you Merle. I like you a lot." And there it came, cupid's arrow had pierced the heart of Merle Dixon.

Before they got back on that bike he asked her, "Did ya have a car in town?"

She didn't want him to think she was just a dumb kid so she didn't tell him yes, she didn't tell him it was Mama's car and that it was stashed behind the quickie market. Just like she hadn't told him about the chili dinner at church. She wanted him to see her as an adult, a woman. She just smiled and said, "Yes I do have a car but I could leave it."

"Alright then, I'll run ya out ta your place an how 'bout I come get ya in the mornin' an bring ya back ta town?" What Merle was thinking was he'd be giving her that ride home, one thing would lead to another and he'd be staying the night anyway.

He asked her where she lived and she gave him the directions, but she neglected to tell him it was her Mama and Daddy's farm. He was still living under a lovely illusion that they'd be getting back to her place and getting real friendly.

All the way home she held on to him real tight enjoying everything about the way Merle Dixon felt, while praying to the Good Lord Above that Mama and Daddy were still eating chili over in the church social hall.

He roared right down the dirt driveway of the old farm kicking up plenty of dust when he brought the big bike to a squealing stop. He held a hand out to her and she got herself off the bike, and she was rubbing those legs again. Tempting him. He gave in to that temptation immediately. I think it's safe to say Merle had never gotten off the bike quite that fast. He practically ripped his own helmet off, before quickly but gently removing hers. He just took right ahold of Beth and he pulled her into his body with those big strong arms, one hand slid up into her hair and he clutched gently at the back of her head, twisting his fingers all up in those curls. He wasn't playing. He was a man feeling some serious lust while experiencing some kind of other feeling for her he knew nothing about. He dove right into that kiss in a powerful display of passion and she responded, seeming to melt right into him.

That's when the screen door slammed and Hershel and Annette Greene stood on the front porch. Mama gasped, Daddy he was fired up and yelling ta beat all, "What in tarnation is going on here?! You step away from my daughter right now, and Beth you get in the house with your Mama, I'll be dealing with you next."

Beth was frozen in place. Merle he tried to behave, he tried to be understanding, he tried to be reasonable, "Now see here, ain't no call ta be yellin' especially not at this sweet young lady here. Why all we was doin' was havin' us a little goodnight kiss. Ain't nuthin' wrong with that." And he smiled that big old Merle Dixon ear to ear smile.

Daddy clued in right then, "Why you're the older Dixon boy, aren't ya?"

"I damn sure ain't no boy, I'm a full grown man just like your girl here is a full grown woman. But yeah, I'm Merle Dixon. I'ma just assume you're Beth's Daddy."

"I am and I'm also the man telling you to never set foot on my property again. I won't have the likes of you anywhere near my daughter. I know about you, I know about your family and as God is my witness I WILL NOT HAVE IT!"

Merle didn't budge, "Now see here, I ain't one ta care for bein' judged. Dixon's may not be the cream a the crop but I happen ta think my brother Daryl an me are pretty good fellas. I ain't here ta hurt your daughter, I'm here cuz I got me a serious attraction ta her an all. I plan ta be datin' her."

"That will never happen as long as I draw breath, you will not come to my property again and you will stay away from my daughter, or I'll call the sheriff."

It was right then that Merle's personality kicked into high gear. He smiled that smile, he threw an arm around Beth and he pulled her right in for a hot, fast and passion-filled kiss. Then loud enough for her Daddy to hear he told her, "I'll be by ta get ya first thing in the mornin'. Merle Dixon don't give up on what he wants Darlin'."

She couldn't speak but what she knew was she didn't want him to give up, not now and not ever.

He climbed up on the bike, revved that engine just as loud as he could, smiled as he waved goodbye to all and tore down that drive like he was running from a fire, dirt just a flyin' everywhere.

Hershel didn't know, Annette didn't know either. When Merle Dixon made up his mind it stayed made up and he'd already made up his mind he wanted her.

Sweet little Beth Greene owned his ass and that was just fine with him.

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A/N It seems Merle and Beth are having a real serious attraction and Mama and Daddy are not one bit happy about that. We'll see who wins this war. I hope you enjoyed it and I also hope you'll take a moment to leave a comment / review. Thanks! x gneebee

The chapter photo is posted to my tumblr blog bethylmethbrick. Please check our couple out, Merle's got a real nice head of curls. Now back to the prompt. When LivingDeadGirl87 sent it to me it was a Bethyl prompt but my mind immediately went in three different directions, Daryl, Rick and Merle. So I asked if she'd mind if I did Merle and Rick stories as well as Bethyl and she said no problem. So I thank her very much for the fun prompt and for being so agreeable. As I said, I'll tell you exactly what that prompt was at the end of this story. Chapter Two will post next Thursday. In the meantime thank you all so much for reading and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee