Beth felt the trickle before she opened her eyes. She cautiously put her hand under her sleep shorts and drew it back to see the beginnings of her period staining her fingers. She sat up, looking around the room that was lit with morning sun, then she wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her forehead on her knees. Thank you God.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
The next few days were hectic at Whitewater, a large group had left on a supply run and the rest had to cover day and night shifts on watch. Susan, Luke, Merle and Beth all did their share and when the return of the party was delayed Luke and Merle volunteered for double shifts. Merle and Beth hardly had time to speak to each other over hurried meals, and Merle was so tired that when he did finally make it to bed he just rolled in with his clothes still on. When she came in Beth pulled his boots off and tenderly covered him with a blanket, tears dripping silently off of her chin. They hadn't had a chance to talk about the other night and the thought that she had hurt him ate at her.
With a heavy heart Beth sough Susan out and found her sorting through the food that came in from the run. "Can we talk?" asked Beth and Susan saw the pain in Beth's eyes. Susan invited Beth to sit with her. As Beth helped her sort, the story started to pour from her, and Susan comforted her as she hiccupped and sobbed. Susan hugged her tightly when she was done. "Beth," she said reassuringly. "You can't just snap your fingers and expect to immediately recover from what you've been through. Please, go easy on yourself." She looked at Beth questioningly. "Do you like it when Merle touches you?" Beth nodded sharply and Susan sighed. "Have you told him about the things that happened to you before?" she ventured. Beth shook her head. "No, I don't want to hurt him any more than I already have." Susan half smiled at her and said "Sweetie, your body is ready but your head needs more time, especially since you were scared about possibly being pregnant. There's no shame in that. I'll have a word with Merle if you like." Beth smiled gratefully then shook her head, once again feeling blessed for having such a wonderful friend. "Thanks Susan but I think this is a conversation that I need to have with him."
And the next day when Merle and Beth's schedules were back to normal and they had a normal bedtime, Beth did just that. She and Merle had settled down, his arms encircling her and her forehead tipped against his chest. She began haltingly, her body shaking and her voice quavering as she recalled her nightmarish time in Negan's harem. Merle held her stiffly and she could feel the force of his jaws clenching and unclenching as he ground his teeth in helpless anger. Starting the conversation had been hard, but as she continued to unload her burden the clenching pain in her chest that she had carried with her since their escape began to ease, and she was able to breathe more freely. When she was finally done speaking she sat up to wipe her eyes and blow her nose. She hazarded a glance at Merle who was up on one elbow staring into the middle distance. His eyes were flat and cold and his face was expressionless. Then in one swift motion he wordlessly spun off the bed and threw on his clothes and shoes. Beth bit her lip and closed her eyes as the door slammed on his way out. She knew that he needed to work it out on his own. She went to the bathroom then padded back to bed, yawning and suddenly very tired.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Merle attacked the large pile of wooden pallets with a crowbar, saliva frothing out of his mouth and woodchips flying into his face and hair. With every strike he saw Negan's grinning face. Sweat poured off his body as he howled in rage and despair.
Beth was awakened at dawn by the sound of the shower running. She remained motionless as Merle entered the bedroom and crawled into bed. When he lay down she turned over and tucked herself under his arm, snaking her arm across his chest and smiling in relief when she felt his muscles relax under her touch.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Over the next few days Beth felt her lightheartedness return. She felt as if the world had been lifted off of her shoulders and the smile returned to her face. She noticed that Merle was more taciturn than usual and she knew it was because he was still processing what she had told him. She caught up with him in the armory where he was frowning over a pile of gun parts. She cleared her throat and he looked up at her. "I want to thank you Merle. I feel so much better since I told you what was running around in my head. Thank you so much for listening," she said. Merle appraised her solemnly then snorted as he lifted his arm up for her to embrace him. "Just about gave me a heart attack," he muttered, looking down at her smiling face, "but I guess we needed to get it out there." Beth grinned up at him brightly and he bent down for a long kiss. She hugged him tightly and enjoyed feeling good. Later that night over dinner there was a new sense of ease between them and she knew that they were now heading for a new future.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Beth was having a wonderful erotic dream. She was warm and safe and Merle's body was pressed up against her in the most sensual way. His strong hand was stroking her in her most private of places and her body sang under his touch. She sighed and moved her hips in time with his ministrations and felt the warmth in her pussy intensify and spread. She shook with the pleasure of it and moaned as the waves overtook her, causing her to shudder and cry out in ecstasy. His strong arms held her gently and she lay back smiling, the most relaxed she'd ever been.
When Beth awoke the sun was streaming through the window and Merle was gone. She smiled, knowing he had left quietly to let her sleep in a little bit. She stretched languorously, recalling the wonderful dream, then looked down in surprise to find that she was nude. She sat up and saw that her pajamas were on the floor at the foot of the bed. She placed her hand between her legs and gasped in surprise. It hadn't been a dream! She laughed with relief and joy, then set out to find her man.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Dinner couldn't end soon enough for Beth Greene!
As soon as the door was shut Beth melted into him, her arms circling around his waist. He kissed her slowly, teasing her mouth open and leaving her breathless as he pulled her up against him. He felt a tremble of anticipation go through her and he softly bit her lower lip, enjoying her soft moan. He pulled away slightly to look in her eyes, searching for fear but finding only excitement and hope. "You want me ta make you feel good?" he asked, his voice gravelly with desire. Beth nodded and her lips were on his again, her hands twisting in his shirt. "Please Merle," she pleaded in between kisses. He pulled away again to softly kiss her neck and she ran her hand up his back to stroke his soft curls, gasping at the sensation of the bristles of his beard scraping her skin. He moved maddeningly slow and held her loosely so she wouldn't feel trapped - and when he softly squeezed her ass he was rewarded by another tremble and moan. The way she was rubbing herself all over the front of him he figured he was doin' A-OK. One of her hands was twisted in the back of his shirt and the other was wrapped in his hair and he guided her backwards to the bed then pushed her softly to sit on it.
He stood at the foot of the bed and pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it onto the floor, then toed off his boots and whipped off his socks. She watched him, eyes sparkling and he could see she wanted him...no, she needed him to take charge. He kneeled in front of her and stroked her cheek with his left thumb as he brought his forehead to hers. "I aint never gonna hurt ya. I'll fuckin' die first," he whispered and her hands came up to the sides of his face as she whispered, "I know". He claimed her mouth, teasing first then going deep as she pulled him on top of her. He braced himself on his elbows so his body just brushed hers, he didn't want to trigger her by crashing his weight down on her. She was unbuttoning her shirt and his mouth followed the trail revealed by her fingers, tasting the smooth valley between her breasts then lightly down her belly to her pants line. He nuzzled her shirt open and breathed in her scent, feeling his balls tighten and his cock swell against the front of his pants. He made his way back up to the small cups of her simple beige bra and gently pushed one cup aside with his left hand, and lifted his face to rub his nose on hers to give her time to protest. When she breathlessly kissed his mouth he softly plucked at the hard nipple, slowly pinching and pulling at the small gumdrop until she was writhing underneath him. He shifted his weight the pulled the other cup down, kissing her shoulder and collarbone while he gently tugged her other nipple. He noted with satisfaction that her thighs were feverishly rubbing together as she began to writhe. Her breath was coming in small pants and he had pleasured enough women to know that she was well on her way.
Beth's hands moved of their own accord and she haphazardly undid her belt and pushed her pants down over her hips and down her thighs. Merle rolled to the side to allow her to rid herself of her boots and pants, then she lay back down, her hands nervously clutching at herself and him. He settled in beside her as he had during the nigh, giving himself full range of motion with his remaining hand, stroking her soothingly up and down her side to reassure her. He kissed her mouth as he worked her nipples and when she began to writhe he slowly worked his way south to the waistband of her panties. He ghosted his fingers over the waistband then brushed his knuckles ever so softly against the cotton covering her mound while he played his lips lightly against hers.
"This where ya need some attention?" he whispered gruffly against her lips. Beth nodded breathlessly and arched her back to push up against his hand. He slowly traced his fingertips over her mound and between her legs, back and forth at a maddeningly slow pace until she urgently whispered his name. His touch lingered over her clit, lightly tracing circles over the damp fabric. "Right here?" he asked against her lips and Beth shook, whining in the back of her throat. He slowly drew his hand back up to the waistband then slipped his hand to stroke the silky tuft of golden hair. Beth was panting against his lips, her mouth partly open then she moaned aloud into his mouth when his fingers found their slippery target. "Touch you like this?" he said softly against her lips and he softly worked his fingers against her, maintaining a slow circular rhythm until her legs began to shake and her hands clutched his arm frantically. With a deft movement of his hand he whisked her panties down to her ankles then he trailed his hand up her leg to resume his ministrations. Her legs began to shake again and she was whispering his name. Merle pulled her knee further towards him to open her more fully. "Look at me," he said, and when her eyes opened he held them with is own. "Yeah, right there, that's what you need," he affirmed soothingly and when her legs opened further he quickened the tempo until she coiled then bucked, throwing her head back and screaming his name as the vessels bunched in her slim neck. Merle lightened his touch, tenderly caressing her clit and sucking firmly on a nipple until her spasms subsided, leaving her weak and breathless against him. Her eyes opened and he smiled. "That's my good girl," he said, and he softly kissed her nearest shoulder as she caught her breath and came back down to earth.
When her breathing stilled he reached over to pull the cups of her bra back over her exposed breasts then kissed her mouth gently. Her face was flushed and glowed with the sheen of well-earned sweat. The musky smell of her was everywhere and his cock strained against its prison, his balls already aching. He was going to have to take care of this because he sure as hell wasn't going to haul a set of blue balls around for another few days. She smiled at him and he traced the swell of her hip with his free hand. "Be back in a minute," he said, kissing her slowly then rolling off the side of the bed. The front of his pants tented painfully but at this point he didn't give a shit if anyone saw him in the hallway, he needed to get to the bathroom.
He stopped when she called his name and he turned back towards her. "Please don't go," she said, sitting up. Her pupils were shrinking, bringing her eyes back to deep blue and her face was concerned. He took a breath to reply but she stopped him. "Merle, make love to me. Please." He shook his head, remembering her panic attack the last time they'd tried. He didn't think he'd ever forget the terror in those blue eyes. "Merle," said Beth, breaking him from the memory. Tears were building and spilling over onto her face. "Please", she whispered.
She looked at him as he grimly approached the bed. She scooted to the other side to make room for him and smiled as he uncertainly undid his belt and dropped his pants. He kicked out of his underwear and she looked at his nude body for the first time. Everything about him was so different than what she knew, from his scars to his scent to his battle worn body. She knew enough of him now, enough to know who he was, enough to know that she was ready for this. As he climbed cautiously back into bed she unhooked her bra, dropping it to the side and reaching for him. They lay on their sides, facing each other and she smiled at him. She felt better when he was close. He ran his hand through her hair as she leaned in to kiss him, gradually scooting closer to touch her body to his. She ran her hands up his bare chest and around his shoulders, down his muscular forearms, then over his flat stomach and around his waist to his lower back, caressing every inch of him and thanking God for the gift of him.
She kissed him deeply and felt the tension building in his body, so she rolled onto her back and tugged him on top of her. She closed her eyes and kissed him, drawing him in to settle between her bent legs. Merle paused for a moment to look deeply into her eyes to search for any fear, then satisfied that she was OK, dropped his head to suckle one nipple then the next, groaning with pleasure. Beth gasped then smiled as her fingers wove into his short curly hair. Definitely Merle and not anyone else, she thought. He kissed his way down her tight belly and inhaled deeply when he nuzzled the patch of blonde fluff that was calling him home. The smell of her filled his nostrils and he couldn't take the torture anymore. His forearms slid up the sheets and under her shoulders as his mouth sought hers once again.
He gently pushed partway in, waiting to feel her reaction. Beth was surprised when the wave of pleasure washed over her and she heard herself moan breathlessly. Merle stopped, legs trembling and waited for her to open her eyes. When she did she nodded and he pulled back and pushed back in excruciatingly slowly, not taking his eyes off of hers. When he slid back deep into her G spot she felt a rush of dampness and moaned his name. Merle swore softly, he wasn't going to last in her sweet tightness but he had to make this happen. "I got you baby," he said, keeping his gravelly voice low. He kept the rhythm going by pulling out only a little then slowly sinking deep, and every time he hit that sweet spot she twitched and groaned. Soon Beth's legs were shaking just like his were and she was clutching at him...fuck he wasn't going to last... then the timbre of Beth's voice changed and she called his name urgently. Fuck that was enough to make him come undone. Merle lost control and thrust raggedly as he stiffened and shot into her, again and again, hearing his own voice hoarsely swearing into her neck, unable to control his movements. As he came down he realized that Beth's hands were on his ass, pulling him further into her as she ground against him and he found the strength to give her the final few thrusts that finally put her over the edge. Her young body twisted under him as she rode out her pleasure and she called his name over and over as her tight pussy twitched around him. He dropped his forehead onto her chest, spent, then when she quieted he rolled onto his back, pulling her up onto his chest. He mouthed her hair for a few minutes until she looked up at him, her eyes big enough to drown in and her hair spilling over her shoulders. She smiled at him and he grunted in return. The last thing he remembered before nodding off was her hand gently caressing his chest and her sleepy yawn.
Author note: reviews keep me going, please let me know how you like the new developments! - AG
