A/N: I'm sorry for the extended wait. I haven't been doing well lately, but I decided I want to live, so here I am trying to keep pushing through. I hope you enjoy this chappie and that you're all safe and well. Thanks.

Soft country music played as Rick and Michonne drove back to town along the red dirt road. He spoke a little about townspeople she may have remembered as they turned onto the asphalt and made their way through the sleepy streets. He spoke about where people had moved to, what had changed. She listened, but her mind kept drifting to the possibilities of getting Rick's hands and lips on her body again. He kept one hand on the steering wheel, and the other placed on her thigh: Firm and assured. It made her skin feel warm once more.

He traced small, invisible circles with his thumb and she allowed him to. He honestly could not stop smiling. Though it was dark inside of his vehicle, Rick still turned his head to glance at Michonne. It did something to his heart when he saw, in the sparseness of the passing streetlights, that she was wearing a smile, too.

…..

Once the pair arrived at Rick's home, the desire was still there, simmering away, but it was not like in the movies. There was no crashing into the door, ripping clothes from one another's bodies, and fucking up against the wall in the hallway. No. Nothing like that, but the anticipation was still there. Even as Michonne helped Rick to bring the picnic basket and other items inside.

She watched as he put the perishable items away and then poured her some cold lemonade. Rick placed a hand to Michonne's upper arm as she finished her drink. He rubbed her gently, staring into her eyes. It felt like he was peering into her soul.

"You need anything else?" he asked in his slow southern drawl.

"Just you," she replied, as she placed the empty tumbler down on the tabletop. "Now, you gonna take me to bed or what?"

….

Rick led Michonne by the hand to his bedroom. He pointed out the bathroom for her, asking if she needed to freshen up before anything else happened. Michonne said that she was fine and thanked him for his hospitality. He gave her a smile, a quick peck to her lips, and then excused himself.

"Get comfy," he said as he walked toward the bathroom door. "I'm just gonna wash up a little and I'll be right back."

"Okay," she replied with a smile. "Don't be too long."

He returned her beam and then walked to the adjoining room. While in there, he searched the cabinet under the sink for the box of condoms that one of his asshole friends had gifted him one Christmas. They were unopened. Checking the use-by date and seeing they were still good to go, he let out a sigh of relief, placed the box down on the sink, and then removed his shirt. He splashed his face with water, towelled himself dry, and then returned to his bedroom.

He grinned for the hundredth time that night when he saw Michonne sitting on his bed. She was removing her earrings. He leaned against the doorjamb and watched her. It looked like such a domestic scene: A woman coming home from a night out, getting ready for bed. There was a tugging in Rick's chest at the sight. When she turned to look at him, he smiled at her and pushed off of the doorframe.

"Need some help with that?" asked Rick, referring to the small silver chain Michonne was trying to remove from around her elegant neck.

"Thanks," she replied, shifting so that her back was to Rick.

He sat behind her on the bed and reached up to undo the clasp before pressing a soft kiss to Michonne's nape. After he unfastened the piece of jewelry, he then kissed the spot on her neck where it had just been. She had enough presence of mind to place her necklace on the side table with her earrings just as Rick wrapped a strong arm about her tiny waist and began to lick and suck at her neck. She titled her head to the side to afford him better access to her sensitive skin. He kissed his way up to her ear and then whispered, "Come on. Let's get you outta this pretty dress."

…..

The soft light from the bedside lamp filled the room as Rick undressed Michonne like she was a beautiful gift that he was unwrapping: With care and reverence and his fingers ghosted lightly over her smooth skin. It was almost maddening for her to feel his light touches as he removed her clothing slowly, as if he were savoring the moment. When Michonne was completely naked, he kissed her again and then laid her down on the bed.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, as he stood up and peered down at her. "Even more lovely than I remember."

She smiled up at him coyly and said, "Yeah, so are you."

Rick took the rest of his own clothing off hurriedly. Tossing his belt aside and stepping quickly out of his jeans. Michonne took in his appearance – he really did age like fine wine and she was drunk on him. Soon, he was back on the bed, hovering above her, pressing wet, hot kisses to her neck and collarbone.

He really had gotten better at that, Michonne mused as Rick continued touching and kissing her. His hands, calloused from years of hard work, sought every inch of her exposed, soft skin. She didn't need much to get going. When his hand travelled between her thighs, he found that she was still moist from his attention earlier in the evening.

"Hmmm still so wet," he murmured against her warm skin, feeling himself set hard at knowing her body craved his as much as he craved hers. He ran his finger over her slit, trailing her juices up to her pulsing little bud. He then slipped it between her engorged folds, eliciting a little moan from her.

"Gonna need more than your fingers," Michonne stated, her voice gone deep from arousal once more as she reached down to take hold of Rick's erection.

He let out a loud breath and sucked at her clavicle as she stroked his length.

"Fuck," Rick managed while Michonne strummed his cock more ardently. "I'll give you whatever you want, darlin'. Whatever you want."

…..

They started off with Rick sliding inside of Michonne, rocking between her legs, and drawing pleasured whimpers from her perfect lips. He set a steady pace, thrusting his hips with fervor. She still felt good after all of the years that passed between them. She still looked like the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, as she writhed and moaned underneath of him.

Michonne dug her fingernails into Rick's back, scratching at his searing flesh, adding to his pleasure; she was trying to pull him closer. Have him go deeper. Feel more of him. Their lips stayed connected as his deft strokes inched both of them nearer to their release. He struck at her spot and she clenched around him.

"Oh, God," said Michonne against Rick's lips. "Hold up. Hold up."

Rick slowed his movements until he was still and deeply rooted inside of Michonne.

"You okay?" he asked, pulling away to glance down at her. He placed his palm to her face.

"Yeah," she breathed while running her fingers through his damp curls. "I just wanna get on top."

He let out a little chuckle, kissed her mouth quickly, and then rolled onto his back while pulling her on top.

"Take what you need," he said while gripping her thighs.

Michonne straddled him and then leaned down for another kiss before she began to roll her hips. She slid up and down Rick's hardness. His eyes closed a moment. The change in position was good, so good. She was setting the pace, and Rick was about to come undone. He forced his eyes open so he could watch as she bounced on top of him.

The lamplight set against Michonne's sweat-covered skin caused her to shimmer. Rick watched her with hooded eyes, unable to draw his gaze from her. Her own eyes were blown wide from arousal as she angled her hips and felt her orgasm course through her body. She cried out and then collapsed on top of Rick. He began to thrust up into her and found his release soon thereafter.

They clung to one another as they tried to steady their breathing while letting their pleasure wash over them. After a moment, Rick gently rolled Michonne onto her back and withdrew himself. He kissed her lips once again, discreetly removed the condom, and then sat up.

"You want somethin' to drink?" asked Rick, as he swung his legs over the bed and went to the bathroom to discard the used rubber and splash himself with some water. When Michonne did not answer, he turned off the bathroom light and traipsed back into the bedroom. Michonne was still lying there looking completely blissed out.

"Hey, you okay?"

"I'm great," she replied, smiling up at him.

"You want some water or lemonade?"

"No, thank you," she answered, patting the space beside her on the bed so that Rick knew she wanted him to be near.

He climbed on the bed, laid down beside Michonne, and then entwined their fingers together. They lay staring at one another in silence, sated and happy. Rick kissed her temple and then her bare shoulder before whispering, "You gonna stick around?"

Michonne reached up to cup his face before kissing his lips softly and replying, "Yeah, for a little while."