A/N Thank you all so much! I think we can agree the party turned out a lot better than either Rick or Beth expected it would. We're picking up where we left off, I hope you enjoy!
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It had been a big day and an even bigger night. He was so ready for a good night's sleep but apparently sleep was having trouble locating the sheriff. His mind was in overdrive. This evening had turned out so differently than he'd anticipated it would.
As they made the drive to Atlanta he'd actually started to regret inviting her. He was so certain they'd both be uncomfortable, not just with each other but with the party in general. But yes mostly with each other.
He'd behaved so badly when they'd had dinner at her place, and things hadn't gotten better between them. He should have apologized to her the first time he saw her after that night, but foolishly he hadn't. Instead he'd hoped it would go away and in doing that he'd allowed it to fester and cause them to be so uneasy around each other.
He owed his current state of happiness all to her, she was the one who had straightened his ass out. Before they ever left the hotel room for the party she'd made it perfectly clear to him exactly how she expected him to behave. She shouldn't have had to, but then again the way she told him was kind of sexy and the look on her face was a look he didn't want to forget.
All evening she'd surprised and delighted him. She was so smart and so clever and really funny. And gracious, she'd been so kind with Lori and even Shane. When she rejected the governor's attentions it was one of the best rebukes he'd ever seen. She'd played the part of the southern belle like she was starring in Gone with the Wind.
The entire evening had been wonderful but nothing had been as wonderful as when she told him to shut up and kiss her. Or when she'd let him know without doubt, not only in her actions but in her words that she cared for him. As hard as it was for him to believe what she said, he wasn't going to question it. He wasn't going to take a chance of screwing things up with her again by doubting either her actions, or her words.
Tomorrow was another day and he hoped they'd spend it together. For now he needed rest but what Rick Grimes needed and wanted weren't the same thing at all. What he wanted was to slip through that adjoining door and slip into bed with her. He wouldn't do it, she wasn't the kind of woman a man behaved that way with. And he was hoping for so much more with her than just that. But that didn't lessen the fact that he wanted to.
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She was lying in bed and she could feel herself still smiling, the sheriff had finally gotten his confidence in working order. She'd been waiting all night for him to kiss her. There had been so many times when she thought he would. When he held his face so close to hers, after they'd talked with all those many "powerful" people in attendance. She thought he was going to kiss her then, but he didn't. When they danced there was that moment when his hand had slipped just a little lower than the low of her back. She was so sure he'd kiss her then. But no. When they were out on the balcony and his arm was around her, and she slipped an arm around him then rested her cheek on his shoulder. She was sure he'd kiss her then. But no again.
When they got to the room she'd been brazen and forward but it had to be done. When he escorted her to her room, and he was still apologizing for all those things that no longer mattered, she just couldn't take another minute of it. She realized Rick Grimes needed one more set of instructions. One more firm push.
She was so glad she'd given those to him because when the kisses finally came she discovered the sheriff's kisses were worth the wait, and then some. They were both tender and deeply passionate and they'd definitely gotten a fire started in her. Just thinking about it made that fire heat up again. Thank goodness he was such a gentleman and still kind of shy. She knew she'd have a lot of trouble saying no to Rick.
Right now she was also aware she needed her rest. She was having breakfast with the handsome sheriff and they'd be together on the long drive home. Maybe, hopefully, even after that. She wanted to look good for him. He always looked so darn good to her.
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He'd gotten up at 7:30 and the lateness surprised him, he was usually such an early riser. He didn't hear any noise coming from her room, nothing that would indicate she was up. He made a cup of crappy coffee with the little machine in the room, and when there was still no sound from her he took a shower.
He was dressed, repacked and ready to start the day but there was still no hint she was awake. At nine he thought he'd better check on her. He quietly walked in her room. The heavy drapes covering her window weren't quite meeting in the middle, and the bit of sun that was filtering in illuminated the room enough for him to clearly see her laying there in bed.
She was curled up on her side with her blond curls spread across the pillow. From his vantage point she couldn't have looked more sexy. He took in the nearly translucent quality of her delicately beautiful skin and he was transfixed. He wanted so much to lightly brush his fingertips along her cheek, and all the while he stood there he'd swear her pretty pink lips held just the hint of a smile.
As much as he hated to do it he thought he'd better wake her. Check out time was eleven and he knew women needed their time getting ready. He didn't want her to feel rushed. Plus she'd clearly said she wanted room service and that always took a while. So yes, he'd better wake her. He hoped she wouldn't be angry with him.
He stood by the side of her bed, leaned over and gently brushed the hair back from her face as he softly whispered her name, "Beth, Beth."
She emitted a soft "mmmm" sound as she rolled over on her back, slowly opening her eyes to see him there. Her smile grew as she quietly said, "Good morning Rick," that's when he learned her voice was deeper, a bit rougher, and very sexy in the morning. What she did next was undoubtedly an innocent move but the sheriff nearly lost all self-control. She stretched like a cat as she held her arms straight up and arched her back. It took every ounce of restraint he could muster not to get in the bed with her then, to say and do whatever was necessary to convince her she should let him make love to her.
"Good morning Beth," He smiled broadly hoping the look in his eyes didn't give away the the thoughts going through his mind. "I'm so sorry to wake you but I'm afraid we may not have enough time to have breakfast if we don't order soon."
"Is it that late?" She glanced at the clock then, "Oh my gosh it is. Will you order for me please? I'd like pancakes and bacon, coffee and orange juice please. And can you ask for extra butter and extra syrup, pretty please? As soon as it gets here I'll get right up. I promise." She rolled back over snuggling into her pillow, and once again he wanted her in every way a man desires a woman. Instead he took his hand and smoothed it over her hair, "Of course I will Sweetheart." Oops, he'd let that slip out.
Room service delivered the meal to his room, rolling the small table over near the window. It looked inviting with the bright white linens, sparkling glasses and a crystal vase with a red rose in the center. He walked back in her room and he was sure she hadn't moved. He got a little bold when he bent down and kissed her cheek, "Breakfast is ready."
She smiled at him sleepy-eyed and oh so sexy looking and damn if she didn't stretch again, and then responded in that morning voice of hers, "Okay good I'm starving." She didn't hesitate, he'd planned to leave the room and give her privacy but she was too quick. She threw the covers back and stood and the sheriff saw quite a bit of Beth Greene. He felt certain she didn't realize her gown left so little to the imagination. He was taken aback. He could see exactly what she was wearing under that gown, nothing but what were surely the world's tiniest pair of panties. The rest of her was exposed and he could see her perfect little breasts. As difficult as it was in that moment he tried to be a gentleman as he quickly turned away. That didn't really matter. He knew the image of her breasts was permanently and forever imprinted on his brain. Not that he objected, quite the contrary it was an image he planned to revisit many times.
"Let me get the hotel bathrobe for you Beth, it's a little chilly in the room."
"Thank you Rick it does feel a bit cool." Yeah that sold him, he felt 100% certain she was completely innocent to the fact she'd exposed herself to him. He held the robe while she slipped her arms in, and as much as he loved that image of her that was emblazoned on his mind he couldn't deny she looked adorable in the oversized bathrobe.
"Rick! You ordered us a mimosa! I love them! Thank you so much for thinking of that."
"Well I was hoping you wouldn't think if I had one my driving would be impaired."
"No I think I know you well enough now to know you wouldn't take chances."
"I'd never put you at risk Beth." He pulled her chair out and when they were both seated he lifted his glass, tipping it toward her, "To the most beautiful woman I know."
She felt herself blush, "Thank you Rick, I thought I must look a little disheveled and sleepy eyed right about now."
"You can call it what you like Beth, I call it sexy." He could feel the back of his neck warm but he didn't care. He was turning over a new leaf with her. She was going to know just how he felt.
"Well I think you cheated. You got yourself all cleaned up and dressed before I got a chance to see your morning look."
"I'm sorry, I suppose I could have wakened you sooner but I didn't think I was a worthy sight. Sometime soon okay?" He made them both blush with that remark.
He was a little amazed as he watched her spread what seemed to him an enormous amount of butter on her pancakes. She was even more generous with the syrup. She took a couple of fast bites and then giggled, "I'm sorry I know that probably looks terrible, like I have no table manners at all. I have to slow down. It's just that I'm always so starving when I first wake up and unlike you Rick, I love sweets in the morning. And butter, lots of butter."
He was sitting across from her with a big grin and his half a grapefruit, a poached egg on wheat toast and black coffee. "Please don't apologize Beth, if you're happy then I'm very happy. If you want we can even stop and get you some pop tarts and gummy bears for the ride home."
"Are you making fun of me Rick Grimes?"
"Not at all, it's actually a pleasure to watch you eat. Besides I've already told you I'd buy you all of those you wanted."
It was when she went in the bathroom to shower she realized what he'd seen. She took off the big fluffy robe and hung it on the back of the door, and when she saw her reflection in the mirror she let out a quiet gasp. She'd bought the gown especially for the trip. She knew it was a delicate fabric but she had no idea how see-through it was. Oh dear, Rick had gotten an eyeful and with that thought she could swear she felt every bit of her skin turn pink. Then she smiled, he really was the perfect gentleman. He'd never mentioned a thing or tried anything. He simply suggested the robe to keep her warm. Rick Grimes was the real deal, a real man.
He'd made this morning so special for her and he was so attentive to her wants and needs. She wondered if he'd always be so sweet and thoughtful, she really couldn't imagine he wouldn't.
When they were ready to go he began to open the door but then stopped. He turned to her and took her in his arms, "I don't think I've ever spent a more enjoyable evening and morning. Thank you so much Beth. It was by far the best favor anyone has ever done for me." He smiled at his little joke and she did as well, and then he gave her one of his heat filled kisses. She could swear she really did feel her knees weaken.
As soon as he had the car headed for home she scooted as close to him as the seatbelt would allow. She laid her hand over his, "Would you like to do something this afternoon, I mean with me?"
He made every effort to keep his thoughts and his words pure as he replied, "I'd like nothing better than to spend the day with you. Is there something particular you have in mind?"
"I thought maybe we could go back to my place and I'd pack us a picnic. We can go out to the lake and spread a blanket. Maybe take a little walk if we wanted to, or maybe just sip wine and talk. I could even bring my guitar and sing for you."
He took his eyes off the road just long enough to smile over at her, "That sounds wonderful, let's do all of those things."
They were at her place and he was trying to help her get the picnic ready but it was tough on him. Between those tight jeans she had on and the image of her in her nightgown that was permanently emblazoned on his brain, combined with her happy and exuberant personality, all he could think about doing was holding her. He wanted to touch every part of her, he wanted to intimately know every part of her.
She could feel it. He was being helpful, sweet, polite, all the things that made him Rick Grimes. But she could feel it from him. He had his mind on her and she knew what he was thinking, what he wanted. She was relieved he was such a gentleman because she knew she wanted what he wanted. One of them had to have a little self-discipline, this relationship was just getting started.
He drove them out to the lake and they found a perfect spot. It was shaded by a big weeping willow with a soft layer of earth and grass below it. He laid the blanket down and set the cooler next to it. "Are you ready for a glass of wine?" He smiled that smile that had gotten to her from the minute she first saw him.
"I'd love one thank you." He reached in and got the container of cheeses they'd packed setting it between them, and then poured them each a glass of the Cab.
"This is perfect Beth I'm so happy you suggested it." They sat quietly sipping their wine, nibbling at the cheeses and taking in the beauty of the shimmering lake water.
After some time had passed he set his now empty glass next to him in the grass, and lay back on the blanket with his eyes closed. She followed suit, except she laid her head on his shoulder. He smiled as he felt her move into him and his arm seemed to know on its own to wrap around her shoulders. He softly told her, "I thought it was nice out here before but it just keeps getting better."
They lay there quietly just enjoying the peace and the closeness and the time together, and soon they'd dozed off. She woke first, realized where she was and leaned over with a smile as she kissed his cheek. She sat up and stretched, then turned to look at him. He lay there wide awake and watching her with a smile, "Well hello Beth."
She smiled back, "Good afternoon Rick. What would you say to taking a walk?"
"I'd say yes." They stood and he took her hand as they set out for their walk along the lakeshore. There was just that one little thing still bothering him. Something there that was kind of nagging at the back of his mind. Everything suddenly seemed to be going so well, but he had one big concern. Maybe it was needless worry but it still needed to be addressed. "So Beth do you have a plan to pursue your art studies career? I know you said if you moved you might have much better luck finding work in your field."
She stopped and looked at him, "I do have a plan and I happen to think it's one where I would find a lot satisfaction. I'd be pursuing my first love art, and my new loves baking and running a small shop. Do you want to hear about it?"
"I do, very much."
"I haven't shared this with anyone else Rick so I'm putting my trust in you when I tell you. I've been working on it awhile, finding out exactly what I'd need for space and the financial aspects of course, and trying to decide if it would really have the broad appeal that I'm hoping it will."
"Now I'm really interested."
"Dale and Erma want to retire completely in two years, we've already discussed it in detail. They gave me the first opportunity to buy the business and I took it. I'm already making payments. The the building that houses the shop is included in the sale, and it has a large open area in the back. They didn't need the space for the shop and so that area has always remained as just empty unused space. My vision is to open up the entire space and have one large shop, separated only by design elements. I'd like to have an area where I bake and sell pastries just like I do now, but I'd add a limited variety of fresh sandwiches. I imagine a setting with tables and chairs resembling a comfortable old school coffee shop / reading room. Something from the 60's but with more modern aspects too, like WiFi. A large part of the shop would be devoted to regional art, with everything from paintings to handcrafted jewelry."
"I'd also offer some art books, music books and periodicals, along with poetry and even self-published novels by regional writers. There would be a sort of 'open mic' area for poetry reading or singing and recitations, that sort of thing. So in other words a blend of eating, reading, performance and art enjoyment. Hopefully customers would be inclined to purchase the art and books. I thought if it takes off I could start offering seminars or presentations on art history, even music history. What do you think?"
"First I have to admit that I'm very biased. I have all kinds of personal interest and ulterior motives. Aside from wishing you great business success, honestly Beth? More than anything I want you to stay here, not move to some faraway place to pursue a dream. But being as non-biased as I can be I think it sounds wonderful. Artsy and cool, pleasant and certainly different than anything else available around here. The coffee and pastries are already a huge draw so you have a strong base to build on. I especially like the idea of the regional art and the different types of art. I would promise to be your best customer."
"Be careful what you wish for and what you promise, I just might put you to work. And when I say work I mean physical labor."
"I'd be more than happy to help Beth, and I do know my way around a hammer and nail." His hands had moved to her low back and he gently drew her into him, kissing her deeply, "Right now I can't think of a thing I wouldn't do for you Sweetheart."
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A/N I'd say Rick found his...shall we say manhood? Our couple seems to definitely be moving forward with this relationship, including some discussion of future plans. There also seems to be plenty of chemistry. Thank you so much for reading along and please leave a review / comment. x gneebee
The chapter photo is posted to my tumblr blog bethylmethbrick and gosh, they're just so nice looking. Again I thank you all very much and I hope to see you back here next Monday. Until then, remember I love ya large! xo gneebee