A/N: 4th and final installment for the Richonnefics' Date Night Series; a Speed Dating sequel.
Rick tries his best to contain his excitement but is failing miserably as the smile spreads across his face at the mere thought of spending more time with Michonne. They'd been out on three dates excluding the first night they'd met but they haven't had the chance to be alone. Sasha and Daryl always manage to fandangle their way in resulting in a double date each time. Michonne had finally made up her mind that they should have their very own date and told him to leave it all to her.
Saturday morning wasn't what he had in mind but he cleared his schedule and made arrangements for Carl to spend the day with his parents. He walks into his bedroom once again and checks his appearance. All she told him was to prepare to spend some time outside. He donned a nice but casual dark blue t-shirt, jeans, and his boots. He reached for an old cowboy hat but quickly tossed it aside, running his fingers through his hair and smoothing down his eyebrows.
She insisted on picking him up which he wasn't used to at all. Is this how women do things nowadays? Are the roles reversed? He tries not to think on it too hard but doesn't want to appear out of touch or too old fashioned. What if that's a turn off for her? He recalls their dates and she didn't seem to mind when he held the door for her or made sure she was seated first. He gives himself a mental shake, realizing that he is overthinking it all. He takes a deep breath and reminds himself to just enjoy the time with her.
The doorbell chimes and he is moving hurriedly to the living area only to pull up short seconds before opening the door. He composes himself quickly and opens the door with a small smile. She looks up with those beautiful brown eyes and smiles right back.
"Hey," she offers.
"Hey." He steps back and gestures for her to come in, watching closely as she walks past him in a clingy purple sundress. He breathes in her scent and ensures that his eyes are on hers once she faces him. "How've you been?"
"Great. You?" She looks around curiously, loving the color scheme and openness of his foyer which leads into an even more impressive living area. She remembers the box in her hand and holds it out to him. "This is for you. A little housewarming gift. I remembered you said you just bought this place. It looks great by the way."
He appears a bit taken aback by her generosity. "You didn't have to do that."
"It's fine. I wanted to. I hope you like it." She smiles as he accepts the box from her, touching her hand deliberately in the exchange.
"Mind if I open it?"
"Not at all."
They move into the living area and sit on the sofa as he places the box on the coffee table, noticing the heaviness of the wooden container. He unfastens the metal clasp and opens it to find a glass tumbler set embossed with the initial 'G'.
"Wow!" He gasps. "This is nice."
Michonne swallows nervously, wondering for the 100th time if the gift was overstepping or overstating. She just wanted to make a nice gesture and she thought a housewarming gift would be harmless. Maybe it's not. "I just….well friends celebrate friends and purchasing a house is a great achievement and I thought….a gift would be appropriate. Congratulations on your new house."
"That was awfully kind of you. I'm a little speechless right now."
"Well I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or overstep my bounds." She watches as he closes the box and turns toward her. The look in his eyes is one of awe, sincerity, and longing all melded together. If she thought her heart was racing before, it just kicked into overdrive.
His heart rate is out racing hers as he allows his eyes to devour her. He can't recall anyone being this generous towards him and especially not after knowing him for such a short time. "Thank you."
"Oh it was nothing."
He sits the box on the table in front of him, places a hand on the back of the sofa and leans toward her. "Can I thank you properly?" His eyes drop to her full red shaded lips and his mouth starts to water at the thought of finally getting a chance to kiss her.
Michonne absently allows her keys and cell phone to fall to the area rug below as she turns her body towards his. Her eyes search his before dropping to his slightly parted lips. She has thought about kissing him ever since she met him.
He watches her as she watches him move closer and touch his mouth to hers softly, gently. He closes his eyes and presses in deeper, capturing her lips with an instinctual moan.
She reaches up to cup his cheek, loving the roughness of what she assumes is a day without shaving. She wants to let him lead but finds herself opening her mouth and touching her tongue against his lips. He latches on and opens up so they can taste each other fully.
Seconds later, he is clearing his throat and rolling his shoulders, trying to gain control of his body. "I uh….would you like to see the rest of the house?"
Michonne pauses, wondering if this is code for something more. She gives him a questioning look and he picks up on it immediately.
He lets out a small laugh. "I just want to show you the house. That's all. Really."
Her first reaction is disappointment but she quickly masks it and agrees. For the next several minutes, he walks her through his home and they are both careful not to touch or stare at each other for too long. That kiss proved the undeniable attraction between them and neither wanted things to go too far too fast.
They end the tour standing on his patio overlooking his backyard.
"This is really nice Rick. Spacious and peaceful and it's just you and your son?"
"Yep. Just the two of us. I wanted Carl to have a home just as nice as before the divorce. I found out apartment living is just not the thang for us," Rick explains.
Michonne smiles, realizing that was one of the reasons she chose to buy a house for her and Andre. Of course he spends the weekends with his dad and the house seems awfully empty when she's alone but she wouldn't trade it. They are happy despite the fact that their lives changed with the divorce. "It's amazing how much your life mirrors mine. I'd like to invite you and Carl over for dinner soon. Well, if that's ok with you." She pauses. "Maybe we shouldn't meet the kids just yet."
Rick smiles at her uncertainty, actually delighting in the fact that this well put together female gets a little shy and unsure around him. "I think that's a fine idea. I'll look forward to it."
Michonne can't express how his simple words bring her such comfort and ease. She also can't help wondering where he has been all this time. "Well…..are you ready?"
"Let's go."
He climbs into the passenger's side of the luxurious sedan and enjoys the ride as she pulls away from the curb and takes them out of his neighborhood and onto the nearby highway.
Almost forty-five minutes later, they are driving down a dirt road surrounded by nothing but land and trees on either side. He wasn't sure what their destination was but he liked the obscurity of this location already.
He gives her a look and she smiles, knowing exactly what he wanted to ask.
"We're almost there. I promise."
She smiles as the serene view of the expansive lake surrounded by nothing but greenery comes into sight and is thankful Maggie's family takes such good care of their land. She remembers coming here as a kid and for some odd reason, she wanted to share this special place with Rick. She slows down considerably and drives onto the grass to get them closer to the water.
"Wow! This place is beautiful."
"It really is. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I thought this would be a nice back drop for a picnic," she shares.
"So this is your land?"
"Oh no. One of my best friend's family owns this place. They've had it for years, passing it down from generation to generation. This is basically my second home." She breathes a sigh of contentment and pops the trunk as she exits the car.
He follows and helps her unload the supplies. They work together seamlessly spreading out the checkered blanket and unpacking the basket. His stomach growls at the sight of all the food she brought.
"I'm starving. I kinda skipped breakfast coz I was so excited about today," he admits.
She laughs. "Me too. Good thing I packed plenty."
They pounce on the food enthusiastically, talking and enjoying each other's company. Afterwards, they walk around the lake, tossing rocks and sticks into the water.
"So did y'all ever swim here?"
"All the time when we were kids. I haven't done that in ages though," she answers.
"Well how about today? The weather's nice…." He shields his eyes from the sun with a hand, looking all around. "…..no one's around."
She scoffs with a slight giggle. "You can't be serious."
He reaches down, lifting a knee, and pulls one boot off and then the other.
"Rick…..we don't have suits. We….."
"And we don't need 'em," he states as he lifts his shirt over his head and tosses it to the side.
She holds in a gasp as her eyes connect with his solid wall of a chest and flat abs. "We are not doing this."
"What's the matter? You afraid?" He teases.
"I'm not afraid of anything," she retorts. Except you.
"Well in that case…I dare you." He smiles as those luscious lips of hers drop open with surprise. He remembers Sasha saying her friend never backs down from a dare.
He watches as her eyes take on a determined glint and she kicks off her sandals before pulling her dress over her head to reveal a lacy strapless bra and matching panties underneath. He wastes no time in getting the rest of his clothes off, standing before her in a pair of boxers.
She puts her hands on her hips and says, "I guess you wanna race now too?"
"Naw. That wouldn't be fair," he returns.
"And how is that?"
"Coz I'm just gonna beat you anyway."
They both take off at a sprint, laughing as they race neck and neck. The splash they make breaks the quiet serenity surrounding them as they both resurface, gasping with the unexpected coolness of the water.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this."
"I didn't talk you into anythang. You're the one who can't back down from a dare," he reminds her.
She rolls her eyes heavenward. "One of my many flaws."
"You're flawless."
The atmosphere changes slightly as he looks at her with admiration and longing. She recognizes it immediately and knows her expression mirrors his.
She reaches forward and brushes a pesky insect off his shoulder but doesn't pull her hand away. She likes the warmth, the firmness of his skin. She gasps when she feels an arm encircle her waist and finds herself flush against him.
"I wanna kiss you again."
She doesn't answer just slowly but surely places her lips on his, pressing in bit by bit until he responds, opening his mouth to allow her inside. Moments later, they are breathless and holding each other tightly.
"I don't think we'll get to the horseback riding today," she informs.
He gives a small laugh. "We'll save it for next time."
She pulls away to look into his eyes. "Next time?"
He nods. "Yeah. We're here together now and I'm already looking forward to the next date and the one after that and the one after that." He smiles. "You're having that effect on me."
"Well I hope that's a good thing."
"Oh it is. It's a very good thang."
She kisses him one last time before challenging him to a race. Any more time spent in his arms would result in them getting naked and having sex in the lake. She muses that it's not a bad idea but for some reason she believes this one is a keeper and she doesn't want to rush it.
He accepts her challenge, conflicted because he knows they shouldn't take it too far but wouldn't mind if they did. He looks over at her as they swim further out and knows without a doubt that she is someone he could be with for a very long time.
