IX

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Yumiko and Andrea turned to Michonne with wide eyes and opened mouths. She nodded for them to follow her to her office and the three walked there as nonchalantly as they could. As soon as they entered and closed the door they started bombarding her with questions.

"What the hell just happened?"

"Did you know Rick was here?"

"Did you know he was considering taking Negan's offer?"

"What took you two so long to get back to the conference room?"

Of course Andrea supplied the last question with a smirk on her face and Yumiko waited on baited breath for Michonne's response.

"I don't know, no, no, and…" a playful smile was on her lips and her friends quiet shouted and jumped up and down.

"Your desk is in need of a tidying up." Yumiko snickered as they went to sit on Michonne's couch near the window.

"I know." Michonne palmed her face. "I can't believe I just did that here."

"I'm so jealous!" Andrea announced and her friends playfully shook their heads at her.

"So what does this mean? If he's selling the lodge, then you can start to make plans for working out a relationship with him from Georgia." Yumiko pondered.

"How would that even work? I fly back and forth to see him and Carl on weekends, sure now I have plenty of travel points. But I won't be able to afford that while we are in our first two years of establishing our business, funds may be tight." Michonne chewed her lip.

"And he will be starting a new career in Georgia and trying to find childcare for Carl." Andrea added and Yumiko pinched her arm making her wince.

"Ignore her Michonne, this can work. It will be better to have tried then to just give up all together. He came all the way here to surprise you, that has to mean something."

"I know this maybe selfish but I really don't want Rick to sell to Negan, you already saw he's trying to low ball him."

"You can say that again, I almost laughed at those numbers." Andrea rubbed her forehead.

"Plus, Gregory is up to something with Negan. We just need to figure out what it is. He knows we know about the discrepancies in the financials."

"How?" they both asked.

"I told him right before the meeting. He came in here with his usual bullshit and I had enough."

"Michonne…" Andrea sighed but Yumiko sat forward.

"This can work for us."

"How so?"

"If Gregory knows we are on to him, he's undoubtedly trying to hide whatever it is now."

"And the sloppier he will get. Anything he looks into in the next few days will be suspicious." Michonne realized.

"And we will just need to go over it with a fine tooth comb." Andrea smiled.

"We can do this." Yumiko grinned.

"Yeah, we can." Michonne beamed.

Michonne had straightened her desk and met her girls at the elevators since the workday was finally over. She sent Rick a text a few minutes ago, asking where he was staying so they could figure out the logistics of meeting up tonight. As the elevator lowered, she checked her phone, seeing she had yet to receive a response from him.

"I called my guy, Luke in the IT department and asked him to send me everything Gregory has looked at since this afternoon, as well as anything over this weekend."

"That's great." Michonne responded while looking at her phone again. Her friends realized she was not paying them any attention, too preoccupied with her device.

"No news from Rick, yet?"

"No." Michonne huffed as they stepped off the elevator in the grand lobby.

"He'll get in contact with you soon." Yumiko assured her.

"He did say he was jetlagged, maybe he's taking a nap." Andrea guessed before she went through the revolving door.

Michonne was last out after Yumiko and was still fretting over her phone, hoping service in the office may have been the issue even though it had never been before.

"Oh shit!" Andrea exclaimed.

"Shit, indeed." Yumiko followed suit making Michonne look up.

Rick stood out front wearing a three quarter length black walker coat, black leather gloves and a cream scarf around his neck. He smiled at Michonne's shocked face and strutted over admiring her. She wore a long stylish burgundy wool coat that covered her wrap dress along with multi colored knitted fingerless gloves and a matching cowl scarf.

"You look gorgeous." Rick simmered.

"You do too." Michonne coquettishly grinned.

"Umm, we are just going to exit stage left now." Yumiko grabbed Andrea who was intently watching their interaction.

"Oh yeah, you two kids have fun." Andrea snickered before Yumiko dragged her away.

Rick and Michonne stood there for a moment just looking at one another before they both went to speak at the same time.

"I wanted to-"

"What are-" They both giggled.

"You go first." Michonne waited.

"Surprise." his eyes twinkled with delight.

Michonne walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. He squeezed her back, letting his nerves dissipate. He was honestly nervous about just showing up here to see her. Their conversations had lessened and he was wondered if she was losing interest. Or worse, losing hope.

After he left the building earlier, he thought about how he didn't give her a chance to adjust to his sudden arrival before they were intimate in her office. He deliberated over if she was just caught up in the moment and now with time she'd send him packing. Seeing her joyous smile and tight embrace meant everything to him.

"I want to take you somewhere. Do you need to go home and change first?" he looked to her heels.

"No, where are we going?" Michonne was positively giddy as they intertwined fingers.

"It's another surprise." Rick giggled and pulled out his phone to order a rideshare.

Michonne tried to get a glimpse of the destination and Rick pulled his phone away, chuckling at her antics. And she pouted making him want to kiss her lips, so he did quickly. Michonne felt her stomach flip as she couldn't control her glee.

"Behave." he instructed her.

"Maybe I don't want to. What are you going to do about it?"

Rick groaned at her taunt, then yanked her to him and leaned close to her ear so that his lips lightly brushed it. "Don't tease me. I only got a taste earlier, just wait until I get you back to my hotel."

Michonne nearly melted into the pavement and a huge part of her wanted to forgo the surprise and head straight to the hotel. But before she could suggest that, Rick took her to the curb as a car pulled up.

"Rick?" the driver asked.

"Yes."

Rick opened the door for Michonne and swatted her behind as she climbed in, making her yelp then giggle. She watched him jog around and get in on the other side.

"Hi." she greeted the driver.

"We're going to Brooklyn?" the driver confirmed.

"Yes."

The driver pulled off into traffic and Rick watched Michonne's eyebrows raise in thought.

"Brooklyn?" Michonne wondered aloud making Rick snicker.

"Yep, Brooklyn. I heard its where all the hipsters live now."

Michonne laughed. "You're not wrong."

She turned her body sideways to face him. "When did you arrive in New York?"

"Around one this afternoon, had to get to my hotel and check in. I just had enough time to shower and make it to your office."

"So you've decided to take the deal and sell to Negan? Come to think about it, how did you even get in contact with him?"

Rick chuckled. "Michonne, we have time to take about all of that tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to enjoy this." he pointed between them.

"Us." Michonne whispered.

They rode in happy silence for a while unless they'd pass some landmark Michonne deemed worthy of pointing out to him. As they neared the bridge, Rick stared out the window.

"Is this the Brooklyn Bridge?"

"It is." she smiled as she took it in herself.

Years of living here still hadn't dulled the wonder of seeing the bridge's suspension cables brightly lit at night. Rows of cars, taxis and buses glided down the no pass lanes with views up and down the East River. Even in the colder weather people walked and biked on the higher elevated pedestrian lanes in the center, bound for Brooklyn or Manhattan.

Once they were across, Michonne waited for Rick to turn back towards her.

"Is there anything you want to do while you are in town?"

"I'm not sure. Should I do the cliche tourist attractions? Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty?"

"Well, the Statue of Liberty tickets are usually sold out months in advance."

"Really?"

"Yup, but the Empire State Building is an option." she shrugged noncommittedly.

"What were your plans for this weekend?" he reached over to caress her hand and she looked down at it and grinned.

"Nothing, really. Just staying in to relax and unwind. Watch some movies, order take out and drink wine."

"Let's do that."

"You sure?"

"Of course, I don't mind as long as I get to spend time with you."

Michonne's cheek muscles were now impossibly high no matter how hard she tried to relax them and she just hoped the dark backseat was giving her some camouflage. When she looked over, Rick was smiling just as hard as her making her less self-conscious.

The cab began to slow to a stop in front of a glassed in shop with a red and white striped awning. "We're here." the driver announced.

"Thank you." Rick replied excitedly then got out and came around to assist Michonne in stepping out.

He thanked the driver again before closing the door while she looked around in confusion.

"Is this where we are going?"

"Yep." Rick snickered at her lost expression.

"Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard?"

Rick nodded, taking her hand to get her to walk past the red metal bench that sat out front. He held the door open for her as she stepped inside. It was the quintessential ice cream parlor with the tiled floor and bright cap lighting and posters of different frozen confections lining the walls. The shop had a few people inside, a family of four sat in a booth eating a large shareable sundae. Some teens were drinking soda floats at another table, laughing and talking loudly.

Rick and Michonne approached the glassed in display of ice cream drums with scoopers at the ready. Her eyes went right to the chocolate ice cream and she nearly pressed her face to the glass. But she didn't want to let her stomachs usual tastes dictate what she ordered so she looked up at the black chalkboard. The menu was written in white calligraphy and as she scanned it something immediately popped out at her, making her cover her mouth and giggle.

"You said you couldn't find a place with Slush Puppies, so I did a little research. It is harder to find them in the winter though."

"I can't believe you did this." Michonne still covered her mouth because her jaw refused to shut.

"I owed you one, since my coat soaked yours all up."

They both laughed as the attendant came over waiting expectantly for their order.

"Two rainbow slush puppies." Rick ordered.

"Will that be all?"

"I think so." Rick paid for their treats while another worker prepared them.

Once the order was ready, he carried them as they walked over to a table against the window but in the corner, away from the other patrons. Rick watched the excitement on her face as she removed her bag, winter accessories and unfastened her coat to get comfortable. Then she rapidly grabbed a straw plunging it into the perforated hole in the lid and leaned forward to draw in a large gulp.

Rick chuckled from Michonne's deep sigh before she continued her giddiness and took another big sip. Her body relaxed and she closed her eyes while she remembered this familiar feeling. Then she realized Rick still hadn't drunk any of his.

"Want me to help?" she offered since he just stared at her.

"Sure." he cheekily replied so she removed the paper from his straw and pushed it inside his cup and slid it to him.

Rick took off his scarf, gloves and coat first then he took a small pull that didn't gratify her. "More."

"It's cold."

"It's ice, duh." they laughed. "You have to pull hard to trigger that satisfying pain."

"So I should want to get brain freeze?" Rick scrunched his eyebrows together.

"That's like the best part."

"Umm…I don't think that's right."

Michonne chortled. "I know, I know. It's just something I used to do with my dad."

"He'd punish you with brain freeze?" he joked.

"Ha Ha. My dad worked a lot but he always made time to take me to our favorite pizza shop. Even though it was in Georgia, it claimed to have New York style pizza…it didn't."

She giggled far off in the memory. "We'd have a competition as to who'd get brain freeze first."

Rick smiled and listened to her nostalgia happily. "Whenever I get my hands on one I do it, even if I'm alone."

"It reminds you of your dad and your childhood." Rick mused.

"Yeah, so you have to try it with me."

"Okay."

They picked up their cups and put the straws to their lips. Rick waited for her cue to start then Michonne winked and they both drew hard. The first gulps were cold but not enough to generate the desired result so they kept at it. Suddenly, a sharp pain he'd likened to lightning shot through his jaw and up to his temple. He shook his head and gasped for the warm air of the restaurant to help alleviate the pain. Michonne was sort of jealous but his reaction made her want to fall over laughing. She laughed so loud and uncontrollably the others inside turned to look at them but she didn't care. She continued until Rick joined her and his eyes teared up from laughter. They finally calmed because their sides and stomachs hurt too much to go on.

"I can't believe I'm here in my fanciest suit torturing myself on purpose." he wiped his eyes.

Michonne chewed her straw while looking at him. He did look damn good in his suit.

"Do you approve?"

"Very much so."

"You said you liked me in blue so…"

She glowed at the thought of him wearing the color just for her.

"Besides, you said I have a specific esthetic, I wanted you to see me in something different then my usual trusty boots, jeans and plaid shirts."

"Well, I appreciate your versatility but I love the way you dress." she went to take another sip of her drink.

"Even the bike shorts?" he asked making her nearly spit her mouthful out.

He quickly gave her napkins just in case she couldn't hold it in and after she swallowed they both laughed.

"Even the bike shorts."

"Good to know."

They drank some more before Michonne thought about the reason Rick and her even met in the first place.

"How's Carl? Is he staying with Carol while you are out here?"

"Yeah, he wanted to come so bad. I told him next time."

Michonne felt her stomach flip yet again. Was he suggesting him and Carl coming to New York to be with her permanently or just for another visit? The prospect of them coming to be here with her was overwhelming.

"Where'd you go just now?"

Michonne shook it off. "Nowhere, just can't believe you are actually here."

"Does that make you happy?"

"Yes, Rick."

It was still amazing to him that his one syllable name being uttered from her lips could send his heart racing.

Michonne gazed at him. "But I know where I want to go."

"I thought we could take a walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park."

Michonne slowly looked him over. "I don't want to walk through the park, Rick."

He immediately pulled out his phone and ordered an Uber to his hotel, glad it said it would arrive in five minutes. Michonne had already begun to stuff her gloves in her pocket and loosely hang her scarf around her neck. Rick stood, put his coat and scarf on and pocketed his gloves as well. He carried the slushies as Michonne gathered her bag and got up before they headed to the door.

Once the car pulled up they went out and both quickly climbed in. They greeted the driver and when they pulled off it only helped to build the anticipation of their journey's end. Rick now knew what scenery would be passing him as they ventured back into the city. This allowed him to concentrate his attention on Michonne as they rode. He couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and have her all alone. All of the ways he missed her body ran through his mind. But he needed some contact to temper his urges now so he laid a hand on her thigh.

The temperature in the car seemed to rise with each squeeze of her leg. Michonne was wondering what he would do in the shadowed backseat of this car, but when he just kept his hand there she grew frustrated. She quickly looked at the driver whose eyes were on the road before she inched closer to Rick. His body started to heat from the salacious look she was giving him.

She ran a hand up his leg squeezing his thigh and his cock automatically jumped. She came in even closer sticking her tongue out, running it across his bottom lip before she nipped it. Rick had to remember where they were because every part of him wanted to pull her on top of him. But he resisted, even when she sucked his lip into her mouth. She followed it up with the next one and a groan rumbled from his throat unbridled.

Her heart shaped lips were soft, engaging him in an unhurried kiss. Her fingers tangled in his curls and Rick happily reciprocated. Michonne being a bit of a voyeur was not something he expected in the least and he had to admit he could be a jealous man especially when it came to her. But he wanted to experience whatever she was game for. When her hand made it to his groin he didn't stop her. In his haste to taste her earlier, she must have missed the opportunity to grasp what she had been thinking about, because she was tugging him through his tightening slacks.

Rick peeked an eye open to make sure the driver wasn't watching them before he slipped a hand into her open coat to massage her breast. He grew more excited that her nipple was already hard through her bra and dress. Michonne moaned into his mouth tucking his hair harder. For now, the tangle with her tongue would have to satisfy his desire to feel the hardened peak rubbing against his tongue. He sucked hard drawing her lips into his mouth and she juddered him faster.

"Chonne, you have to stop."

"Yes, stop or I will pull over and put you two out!" the driver commanded.

Michonne and Rick looked at each other and instantly burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, it's all her fault." He slid away from her pretending offense making her mouth drop open.

"Wow! It's like that?"

"Yep." Rick snickered.

"We apologize, Sir and my boyfriend here will be giving you a sizable tip as compensation."

Rick's mouth dropped open from her payback while Michonne laughed.

"Fine, we are almost to your destination." the driver grunted.

Rick went in the app and added the tip as they drove the last few blocks. They pulled up to the Millennium Times Square Hotel and quickly clambered out not wanting anymore of the driver's ire.

"Again, we are so sorry!" they both shouted but the car sped off in a hurry making them laugh even more.

"Shit, I forgot the drinks!" Rick exclaimed and they continued to chortle.

"You still owe me then."

"Huh? They were nearly done."

"I don't make the rules." she shrugged.

Rick took Michonne's hand and they giggled walking into the lobby and straight to the elevator banks. He pressed the call button and they watched the dial light up showing a lifts near arrival. The doors opened and they stepped in, standing close to each other after Rick pressed for his floor.

The doors were sliding closed and they could feel the suggestive situation from the cab was about to reemerge. They'd finally be alone with one another even if for just a few moments while the elevator rose. But then an arm stopped the doors from closing and a bunch of excited tourists scrambled in. They carried shopping bags, wore cameras around their necks and were dressed in 'I Love NY' merchandise. Rick and Michonne moved back further sighing at the intrusion from these loud travelers.

Rick intertwined their fingers making Michonne smile. As soon as the doors opened for their stop, Rick navigated them threw the other guests to exit. The walked down the hall hand and hand, chuckling at their exasperation over the intrusions on their near intimate moments. Once they arrived at his door, he slid the key card in the slot and opened the it for Michonne to enter first. She looked around the classic king deluxe room while he closed the door.

"Let me take your coat." Michonne shuffled out of her wool garment as he assisted and took it to hang in the closet along with his. She pulled off her scarf and bag laying them on the chair as she walked further into the king room.

"We should get room service for dinner." Rick suggested as he hung his suit jacket with the other items.

Michonne picked up the book from the desk and found the menu section. "What should we get?"

"Whatever my girlfriend wants." Rick smirked at her, making her blush and avoid his gaze.

"Did you mean it?"

She shrugged trying to downplay. "I mean…it was the easiest way to define us to a stranger."

Rick walked over to her gently taking the menu from her hands. He tipped her chin up so she'd have to make eye contact with him.

"I want that."

"Rick-"

"Say yes." his eyes implored.

"Yes."

Rick swooped in clasping her face pressing his mouth to hers. He sucked on her lips so hard his cheeks hollowed out. While Michonne kissed him back, she didn't waste any time untying the strap to her dress. Rick's hands were greedy, helping her pull the flaps open before pushing the fabric off her shoulders to pool at her feet. He took in the sight of her amazing body since he hadn't seen it in so long and noticed something was different from earlier.

"You changed your panties?"

"Someone got them all wet." Rick groaned. "Luckily, I keep a backup in my bag."

Michonne devilishly grinned and moved in to undress him. With each button of his shirt she undid she nipped at the skin of his chest and neck. His head swooned but he still managed to unfasten his belt and undo his pants.

The energy between the two was charged, realizing they'd finally be connected in mere moments. Michonne took off his cufflinks and pushed his shirt off, letting her fingers run across his toned back muscles. Rick let his trousers drop and frantically kicked them off. He swiftly pulled his red socks off while Michonne's chest rose from the size of the bulge in his navy boxer briefs. She could feel her inner walls moisten readying her for his invasion.

"Did you bring condoms?"

Rick immediately walked to his suitcase and shifted through the contents to pull out the box of condoms. He removed a strip and detached one then walked back over to Michonne. He handed it to her and laced his thumbs into the sides of her seamless thong. Sliding them down her legs stopping to quickly kiss her mons, making her quiver. Michonne stepped out of the thin material but kept her heels on. The tickle of his fingertips lightly caressing her skin on the way back up had her trembling.

As Rick stood, he attempted to lift her planning to put her on the table but she stopped him and his eyes question her motives. Michonne smirked, handed him the condom and turned around bending over, placing her hands on the edge of the desk. The sight of her delectable ass propped up waiting for him, had him scrambling to unleash his thickness and roll the condom on.

She was ready for his cock but instead his fingers surprised a hiss from her, slipping in between her wet lips testing that she was ready. Rick lined himself up and had to take a second to compose himself. He wanted to be engulfed in her fully but it had been a while and he didn't want to hurt her. Slowly sinking into her was testing him, her muscles clenched him every step of the way. The sounds of ecstasy that emanated from her lips spurred him on and he couldn't help but to piston in fully for the last of the plummet.

"Shit." they moaned for different reasons.

Michonne was overwhelmed by the exquisite feeling of fullness and Rick by the incredibly snug grip. He quickly withdrew needed to escape for longevity but also the desire to relive that experience. He plunged back in quicker this time, more ready for her pull. He pulled back again without removing himself wholly and slammed in once more.

"Fuck."

Michonne's body craved this rough completeness more than she thought. She gripped the edge of the desk more firmly and crashed her ass back into his pelvis with each of his strokes. She fought to keep stable in her heels and give him something he could feel. His pants on each clap back, excited her making her clutch him further. Until the sensation of his fingers slinking up her back to unclasp her bra set her nerve endings ablaze. She removed one arm at a time from her hold on the furniture to allow the bra to fall.

Rick dug his fingers into the curve of her hips and pounded into her harder. Her grunts every time he filled her to the hilt kept him gratified. Sweat began to bead on their skin in spite of the air conditioning. The mirror on the desk allowed him to see her eyes were closed, fully ensconced in the pleasure. He didn't want to risk that ceasing but the ricochet of her breasts called to him.

Rick halted his movement and wrapped his arms around Michonne waist pulled her up to stand firmly against him. She was momentarily confused but caught on when he shuffled them back to the bed. He sat putting her on his lap while he was still inside her. The height her shoes gave her was perfect for the leverage she needed to rebound on his dick. With her doing most of the work it granted Rick the freedom to explore her body. He cupped her breasts pinching her dark nipples making her cry out. He kissed the skin of her back while he reacquainted himself with the erotic pebbling of her peaks.

Michonne was fighting to roll her waist into him but every squeeze was making her tremble. He kept one hand on her breast and the other smoothly moved between the apex of her open thighs. She watched in the mirror as he strummed her jewel. Her mouth went slack as he quickened his pluck of her nipple and her clit. Her increasing pulses pushed him to the brink and he bit into her soft skin. All of his precision combined with the deepness of his cock and she couldn't hold back. Her hands gripped his keeping them right where she wanted them as she rode out wave after wave that hit her.

"Rick."

His voice was garbled against her back but she could assume what he was saying. He was about to come and he did promptly. Stilling her moves was all he wanted to do to stop his body from responding with forceful spasms. But the euphoria that came with it made him hold her less firmly. It felt as though the blood was jutting back through his body after all being in his groin. The way he'd been remembering how she could make him feel was nothing compared to the real thing.

Rick collapsed back on the bed and Michonne giggled at his gasps for air. She winced slightly as she slowly disengaged, Rick moaned when she carefully removed the condom. She stepped out of her shoes to throw it in the trash and came to lay next to Rick who was still recovering. Eventually, he calmed and pulled her to him giving her a few pecks.

"Did I earn my right to be called your boyfriend?"

Michonne giggled and ran her fingers through his damp tousled curls. "Hmm…I think I was doing most of the work in the second half."

"What really?" he eyed her unconvinced.

"Yep."

"Damn, I owe you again?"

"Well, at least it's not an apology this time." she grinned and he chuckled.

"What will I have to do to make you accept it this time?"

Michonne started to get off the bed but he caught her wrist stopping her.

"Where you going?"

"To get the room service menu. You are going to need all the energy you can get to earn it."

Rick laughed but released her to get the menu. He definitely knew he would do anything to earn it tonight in this king sized bed.