Chapter 11: "So, tell me what's been keeping you from me?"
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Two nights after the Hawks game, Michonne found herself sitting in Aria – a five-star restaurant situated in the affluent district of Buckhead. Snacking on marinated olives, and nursing a glass of Rose, she waited with great patience for her date to arrive.
This was her first experience dining at that particular establishment, but it was well-known, and getting a reservation at such short notice was damn near impossible. Rick must've called in one hell of a favor – Too bad it may have been wasted though.
Fiddling with her earlobe and the gold star dangling from it, her eyes took stock of the beautiful décor surrounding her. Everything screamed pure elegance. But the upscale, Roman inspired architecture, and the extraordinary light fixtures that spanned the ceiling overhead, were not having their desired effect on her.
She didn't feel special, nor did she feel comfortable.
Rather, residual feelings of frustration swirled around inside of Michonne like thick syrup. Her mind kept switching back to earlier in the day, to when she had been in an almost similar, solitary position. The only difference was, the white linen dining table she was presently seated at, instead of her office desk.
The nagging voice in her head warned her that tonight would more than likely turn out just the same, as Rick Grimes was already twenty minutes late. Would she wait a full hour again, before calling to find out where he happened to be?
Cupping her hands around the cool glass of wine, Michonne lifted it to her lips and indulged in another long, slow, sip.
As she set it back down, a voice then came from behind her.
"Hey."
Despite her ruined mood, she let out an immediate sigh of relief. "Hi."
"Look I'm sorry, about…" As she stood to greet him, Rick was rendered speechless. The black lace dress she wore, wickedly accentuated every curve and every line. With her locs pulled in a half updo, and her heart shaped lips glossed in ruby red, Michonne was jaw-dropping gorgeous. His face burned at the sensual vision before him.
However, as he pulled her close for a kiss, he didn't miss the stiffness defining her eyes.
"About?" she asked, returning to her seat.
He cleared his throat and sat opposite her, resolved to quickly make amends. "About this. Didn't mean to be so late."
"At least you showed up," she retorted, the words jumping off of her tongue despite her wanting to be cordial.
"Don't look at me like that." He shook his head, already feeling bad for having kept her waiting. Especially after the incident that took place back at Angelo's that same afternoon.
They had a scheduled appointment with two interviewees, and he'd promised to be there to assist. But Rick never made an appearance, and he never even called. It was she who had to contact him, only to be told, by Aaron nonetheless, that he wasn't going to make it.
"How am I looking at you?" Michonne spoke softly and with deliberate intent.
Shifting his focus from her icy glare, Rick reached for his glass of water. "Like you're mad… like you wanna run me through with a sword." Thank god there weren't any sharp knives around, but he had half a mind to check beneath the table, just in case.
"Why would I be mad Rick? Tell me, what's wrong with this picture."
"Don't do that… Look, about earlier today –"
"Yes…" Her eyes widened at him, hoping that whatever explanation he had, would come up to scratch.
"Work… It couldn't be helped. Things got carried away on an acquisition I've been working on, and I'd simply lost track of time." This date was supposed to remedy that.
"I shouldn't have even agreed to come tonight with that shit you pulled," she spat out.
Rick dipped his head and narrowed his eyes at her. "You know what's been going on… what I've been dealing with."
"It's your first week as CEO…"
"That's right."
"… And you have to prove yourself. I know." She drew in a deep breath. "I see that, Rick. I get that." Moving forward, she leaned into the table, her arms stretched out before her. "But let's not forget what we're doing here... And it's not just us."
Rick's expression dulled, "Yeah I know that. I get that too."
"Do you?"
"I do, Michonne. It's just…" he sighed. "…The truth is, thangs are much more complicated than I initially thought they were. Besides… I thought you said you could handle it."
"I could handle it. And I am," she snapped. "Just don't like being set up is all I'm saying Rick. The lateness, the unreliability, having to be 'fit in'… I don't like it." She drew back as disappointment clouded her features. "Don't get me wrong. I believe in you, I trust you. And I, will do, whatever I can to support you. But let's keep this thing between us balanced. Please? This isn't going to work if it's one-sided."
"Is that how you feel? Like things are, one-sided?"
"I, I don't know, but it could so easily end up that way."
He nodded in agreement, "Okay." It was better to have that conversation early on, before everything got critical. And Rick felt that there was a chance that things were going to get critical, unless he acted with force at the company.
He then held his hand out to her across the table. "I'm sorry." He understood her frustrations. He'd let her down twice in one day – it was a bit much.
First she closed her eyes for a moment, whilst drawing in a deep breath. Then, returning her gaze to his, she leaned forward again, and placed her hand within his. It was warm and calming, and her irritableness melted away. Mere physical contact with him was like an antidote. How did that happen?
"Anyway," she began, wanting to start over. "I'm glad you could make it tonight. So, tell me, what's been keeping you from me?"
Rick lifted her hand and traced her knuckles with his index finger. "I got a lot eyes on me. All sorts of questions out of nowhere over nothing."
"That's to be expected," she whispered, as she watched him bring her palm up to his lips and ever so gently he kissed it, as though her skin were a rare delicacy.
"It's Phillip…" he began to explain, staring into her eyes. "He's not making things easy for me, not by any means. He's out for blood. Wants to see me burn." Placing her hand back down, he emitted an exasperated sigh. "Today, I got into a battle with this client called Semaj Consultancy. We had an agreement that six years after our initial investment, GEDC would offer their equity on a public stock exchange."
"But they want to buy it back themselves?"
"Exactly… at a lower rate of course. And my brother, is backing them up. Acting like their god-damned savior. I cannot slip up with these people. I won't. Not once… I didn't plan for this. I had to work twice as hard this week and I know, Michonne, it's not what you signed up for."
"No... but we'll get through it. This is what you do. You don't give in. It's a curse and it's a blessing." Smiling at him, Rick's ambition was what led them to becoming a couple in the first place. But then she secretly hoped it wouldn't tear them apart. "Just no more flaking out. Promise me that."
"I promise... Being here with you, tonight… well this is just everything. You look so amazing."
Her cheeks got full. "Thank you."
"That dress for me?" His eyes descended to scan the plunging neckline where a gold chain dangled tauntingly.
Michonne drew her lower lip between her teeth. "Who else Mr. Grimes?"
"Oh I like that."
She chuckled at his flirtatious tone as she threw her glance around the fancy restaurant, finally at ease. "This place… You're trying to…"
"Impress?"
"Butter me up."
"Guilty as charged." Rick grinned. "Is it working?"
Tilting her head to one side, "Doesn't matter where we are," she answered honestly. "I just like being with you." She observed how his face went red, and she simpered.
"But," picking up the menu she perused her options, "I appreciate the gesture… So I'm getting whatever's most expensive, if you don't mind."
Rick couldn't help the hearty laugh that burst out of him. "By all means." Picking up his menu as well, he felt relieved that the air was cleared between them. He would try his utmost to keep it that way. She could order whatever the hell she liked.
"Wanna tell me about your day?" he inquired, after awhile.
"No. Had enough talk about work."
He nodded his understanding. "Of course. Well what about tomorrow? Wanna talk about that?"
"Neither," she huffed at the mention of her ex's visit. "Definitely not. I've done everything in my power to avoid dwelling on seeing Daryl."
"I could be there, if you want."
"No. Too much too soon. Besides, it's about Charlotte. I have to grit my teeth and bare it."
"Okay," he said. "Well let's just order then, try to enjoy the rest of the night with each other."
"The rest of the night?" She arched her brow at him, together with a coy grin. "How late does this place open?"
He laughed at her quip. "That's not what I had in mind, Miss Des Vignes."
"Mmm." That wasn't what she had in mind either.
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Gazing at Michonne, Rick knew that she always had a strength in her eyes. It spoke to something at his very core. Something, he forgot existed. It was easy to discern that she was special. One of a kind.
"You ready to go in?" Rick asked, as he sat outside of Michonne's house with her in his truck. Having had one too many glasses of wine, he had no choice but to drive her home – Not that he had any objections whatsoever. Right now, leaning towards him, she was giving him the 'look'. He couldn't help but be amused by her squinting eyes.
"Are you trying to seduce me?"
Shrugging her shoulders, "Maybe," she replied, allowing her gaze to rake over the length of him.
"I thought you had too much to drink? That's what you said."
She threw up her palms with a naughty expression and shook her head. "I lied."
Rick chuckled even harder at her endearing mischievousness. Earlier on, she wanted to bite his head off, and now… "You want me to come in Miss Des Vignes?"
She nodded, "The thought has crossed my mind." They both had had such a topsy turvy week, and from the way things were going, for him specifically, she perceived that it would be more of the same in the days to come. "But… Carol's there. We have to come up with a story." She scrunched her nose.
"You're a full-grown woman." He peered at her in disbelief. Not to mention that that was her house.
"Yeah but still..." This was nobody's business, "…It's embarrassing."
"I know…" Resting his head back, he pondered on a solution. "Okay, okay. Here's what we're gonna do…You got a back door at least? I mean, I don't mind, long as I don't have to wait out in the cold for too long."
Michonne giggled. "It's not that cold, but no…" she sighed, thinking how he was right. They were both adults, and no shenanigans were necessary. "… We'll just go in and act normal. Just a night cap, to talk about things, business – I actually do have some ideas to run by you." Her brows shot up as she turned in her seat to fully face him. "Remember that space we talked about expanding? How long –"
"Are you serious?" Rick narrowed his eyes at her, wondering what was happening – Finding it hard to believe that she just made a switch on him, in the blink of an eye.
"I have the plans saved on my laptop..." she persisted.
"Michonne…" He shook his head at her.
"… We could take just a quick look at it…"
"Michonne…"
"…Tell me what you think about the design, about how we could make it work."
He placed his finger on her lips. "Business, is the last thing, on my mind… well at least not that kind." He cupped her face and she blushed, a bit discomfited by getting side-tracked.
Drawing closer to him, she lightly clasped her hands around his neck.
The caress of her cool fingers made a fervent sensation spread right through him. Bowing his head, Rick took a taste of her tantalizing lips.
Michonne went into a daze as Rick began consuming her, drinking her in. His hands roamed everywhere, igniting everything. And she loved it. It had been too damn long. Her brain switched off, and her body moved on instinct. Within a single moment, she found herself straddling him.
"We could stay here," she breathed. Hell at that rate she would've climbed into the back seat if he wanted to.
"No, not like this." Rick, breathless as well, found himself hypnotized by the rise and fall of her exposed chest in the silvery moonlight. Her dazzling skin was gorgeous. "Let's just go in." He was damn near pleading.
Pulling back, she bit her lower lip and did a mental check. Charlotte definitely would be asleep, but Carol…what plausible excuse could she concoct to explain Rick's visit? But like it mattered anyway. She wouldn't believe a single word Michonne said.
As she felt Rick draw her back in, flush against his chest, Michonne inhaled deeply – his mandarin and spice cologne assailing her senses.
"Hey." Waiting for her answer with his heavy-lidded eyes, his hands found their way beneath the lace fabric of her short dress. At the graze of his fingers, he watched her gasp and felt her legs quake.
"Okay yeah," she moaned, it had been too damned long. "Let's go in."
How they made it from his truck to her front door was beyond her – the memory hazed in a fog of need. As soon as they were inside, they bid Carol an extremely awkward farewell and within minutes they were entangled between her cool white sheets – Wanting, taking exploring, with such heart stopping intensity the searing pleasure made them both shudder.
Rick marveled at how this smart, interesting, and head strong woman was now so openly vulnerable with him. It made him want her that much more in every possible way. He wanted her trust, her faith, her loyalty, her love – He wanted her whole, with nothing to hide.
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Hours later, Michonne's eyes fluttered open after a heavy slumber to greet a new day. Her body twitched at the distinct warmth weighing on her lower back. Lifting her head, her neck twisted around, and through her blurry gaze she glanced behind her. Discovering Rick sleeping soundly, her mouth curved into a contented smile.
"Hey." Reaching backwards, her fingers stretched out to tousle his curly hair.
"Mmm." He only snuggled closer to her and rubbed his stubbled cheek against her skin.
Michonne giggled in response. "What time is it?" she asked, with a raspy voice.
Rick raised his head, opening his gem-like eyes to see her. "It's early," he shrugged.
"It is?" She took in how her room was awash in sunshine, "I don't think so." Her phone was left on her bedside table and so she tried to reach for it. But Rick's arms tightened their hold around her, tugging her down while simultaneously shifting himself up.
Michonne smiled as he passed his hands along the side of her hips. "Why is your skin so smooth?" he asked, with a playful grin.
Raising her hand she caressed the side of his face. "Why are your eyes so blue?"
He laughed and pinched her chin before brushing his thumb across her mouth. "Why are your lips so soft?"
"Why is your voice so husky?"
Enjoying their little game, he dragged her back on top of him. He felt like he couldn't have her close enough.
Michonne then tilted her head, and he buried his face into her neck. "Why do you smell so good?"
She sucked in her lips as his tongue grazed along her collarbone.
"Taste so good?" he whispered, before making his way down towards her chest. "Think we can go again?"
Despite her happy soreness that swept across her abdomen, she knew that they could especially as his fingers dug deep into her upper back.
In response, she found his mouth with a hungry kiss. But then, there came a knock at the door.
"Mom? Are you up?"
The timely interruption caused them both to giggle. Michonne placed her hand over Rick's mouth. "Yes sweetie."
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Not really…"
"Mom… You gotta get up."
"I know Charlotte. Could you just give me a –"
"No you gotta come down now because Dad's here. He's early."
In an instant, panic rose in Michonne's throat like bile. She flew out of the bed, her sights set on the white satin robe hooked on the back of the door. Yanking it down, in a second she pulled it on. "Charlie baby, would you take him into the living room? I'll be down in fifteen minutes," she instructed, through the door.
As her daughter's footsteps trailed off, Michonne spun around, snatched Rick's strewn clothes up from off the floor, and flung them onto the bed. "You have to go… Now!"
He stared at her in disbelief and started to laugh. "This isn't necessary." What was her plan, to sneak him out?
"Rick this isn't happening, not like this!"
His shoulders fell. The vehemence in her words had him taken aback. "Are you serious?"
"Yes." Wide-eyed, she nodded vigorously. "You gotta go… Right now."
He moved to the edge of the bed and pulled on his pants before getting up. Rick then turned to face her with a defiance in his eyes. "No… I'm not doing that," he responded, in a dismissive matter of fact way. "I'm not going anywhere."
Michonne swallowed hard against the knot in her throat, her stomach clenched and she couldn't breathe.
'Shit!'
