Deception (Chapter 8)

A/N: Thank you all so much for your support and your patience. I promise I won't be as long with the next update.

Their hands rest on the seat in between them, entwined loosely, each giving a squeeze here and there. Heated glances are exchanged throughout the entire ride home. She couldn't help but notice that he pointed out different landmarks and gave her some history about his hometown on their way to The Line but was almost completely mum on their return. It makes her wonder if he is as nervous as she is or having second thoughts.

He contemplates taking a different route, a prolonged one, pondering if she had enough time maybe she'd change her mind. He looks over at her and knows without a doubt that he doesn't want her to change her mind. He decides right then and there to just turn his brain off and not think about the consequences, the what ifs. All he knows is he wants her and that's all that matters in this moment.

He parks in the exact same spot, looks around cautiously before exiting the truck and making his way to her side. He opens the door for her and they walk quietly to the house, moving inside quickly.

She walks ahead, not facing him as he secures the door and tosses the keys aside. She takes a deep breath and was just about to turn when she feels him behind her. His chest to her back, his arms around her waist, pulling her into his body. Her heart pumps even faster as her excitement grows. He nuzzles her neck, placing his mouth to exposed skin, moving her hair aside expertly. She turns her head as he moves upward, pulling her earlobe between his lips and peppering kisses along her jawline.

He turns her to face him and they share one long intense look before they both lean in and claim each other in a salacious kiss. Moans escape them both as her hands caress his broad shoulders before she slides her fingers into his soft, short curls. She palms his head with one hand while cupping his cheek with the other, stroking her tongue against his, tasting him and allowing him to taste her.

He bends down and locks his arms around her thighs, lifting her effortlessly, only breaking their kiss momentarily. He allows her to slide down his body to wrap her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck as they continue to kiss. She feels like she is floating as she can detect movement but dares not disconnect from him.

One minute, they were in the middle of his living area and the next, they were inside his bedroom. He closes the door with a small kick then travels to his bed and lowers them both, one arm stretched out for balance while the other splays across her back supporting her gently. He drags his lips from hers to explore more of her with his mouth, slowly and deliberately. Her taste, her smell, the very texture of her skin is driving him insane. His imagination could have never prepared him for the sublime sensation coursing through him right now.

Desire and instinct drive them as he plants kiss after kiss against her neck, roaming from one side to the other, suckling her skin. He gasps as she does the same to him while simultaneously pulling his shirttails out of his pants. She swiftly roams underneath his shirt, her fingers skimming his waist before sliding to his back, relishing in the warmth, the firmness of his body. Their hips roll together slowly as he brings a hand to her chest, cupping one of her breasts with a light squeeze.

He lifts up onto his knees and pulls his shirt over his head, not bothering to unsnap the buttons, revealing his smooth, muscled torso. She sits up, placing her hands at his shoulders as her eyes connect with his. The pure desire she sees there emboldens her as she allows her eyes to follow her hands, sliding down to his pecs and further down to his abdomen. She was about to grab his belt buckle, her mind solely on getting his clothes off, when he distracts her by tugging at her sweater. She lifts her hands toward the ceiling and allows him to remove her top, dropping her hands to her sides. He takes in the lacy bra encasing her plump breasts, wishing they had more than the moonlight streaming in from a window.

The rapid rise and fall of her chest matches his as he brings his hands to her chest again, caressing her softly. His fingers glide downward, spreading out against her stomach, skimming further down over her jean clad thighs and landing at her shoes, pulling them off quickly. He then reaches for her jeans, unbuttoning them, unzipping them and peeling them off of her.

She is most surprised that her need and want are outweighing any second thoughts or doubts she may have had about carrying through with this. She has never wanted anyone the way she wants him and she has never wanted to give herself completely to anyone but him. She can only watch as he stands at the foot of the bed and removes his boots and jeans, returning to her in only a pair of boxers.

They connect again, their hands touching, squeezing, caressing, their lips and tongues colliding over and over again. She wasn't even aware of her bra being removed until she felt him pulling a nipple into his mouth. She gasps and throws her head back, amazed at the heat coursing through her body. The way he touches her, kisses her, suckles her is like nothing she has ever experienced.

He removes the only barriers between them, relishing in her nakedness against his. He plants himself between her thighs, a hand moving to her core, fingering her tenderly. He takes hold of his rigid member and guides himself towards her slick opening, kissing her the entire time. He eases in slowly, quivering with the need to possess her fully but wanting to savor the moment.

She breaks their kiss and buries her face in his neck, completely aware of him and the fact that he was inside of her. She holds onto him tightly and closes her eyes momentarily. He pushes in a bit more and finally decides to slide on home only to encounter resistance. He pauses for only a second before the recognition hits him. She's a virgin? "Mi….Michonne?"

She lifts her eyes to his, the uncertainty evident. She feels him move and pulls her legs up, the heels of her feet against the backs of his thighs in an attempt to hold him in place. He lifts up on his hands, straining not to go deeper. He frowns, unbelieving that this woman….this beautiful woman has remained untouched all this time. How could I not know?

She cups his face, giving him a slight smile. "It's….it's ok. I want this. I want you. Don't stop. Please."

"But…."

"Please Rick."

He drops his chest to hers and kisses her softly. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I'll be fine…..with you. I know that now."

He places his forehead against hers and releases a heavy sigh. She lifts up slightly and kisses him again and again. He wraps an arm around her waist, holding her in place and with one smooth thrust breaks through her barrier, connecting them fully and completely. She gasps in pain, her hands clutching him tightly.

"I'm sorry."

She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. "I'm…..ok."

"Are you sure?"

She nods before kissing him yet again, lifting her hips. The pain lingers but the more she moves, the better he feels. He takes her hint and starts to move with her, her body encasing his so tightly he has to conjure all the willpower he has to ensure this doesn't end in disappointment for her. They match each other's pace, starting and stopping until they cultivate a rhythm that evokes moans, groans, and pants of pleasure.

This may be her first true experience but she is no stranger to the ways of exacting an orgasm. She learned how to satisfy herself years ago so she automatically pulls from that knowledge, lifting her knees to his waist and grinding a bit harder against him. They both gasp, her core tingling as her body pulls at his with hunger.

His eyes remain closed. He knows one look at her while he is inside of her would be his undoing. He drops his forehead to her shoulder, thrusting into her over and over, rolling his hips as she rolls hers. He slides his hands underneath her, palming her ass, panting against her as sweat coats his body.

"Oh…..oh….oh." His eyes pop open as he feels her body stiffen, her gasps the sweetest sound he has ever heard. His heart soars as she claws at his back and latches onto his neck, suckling desperately. He lifts up, planting his hands on either side of her as he pushes into her faster. He looks down and captures her staring back at him, her expression of awe drawing him in and sending his body into spasm after glorious spasm.

Several minutes later, they lie side by side in each other's arms, both amazed by the experience they just shared.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asks softly.

"It's not something I wanted to announce to anyone."

"But….." He pauses. "…..I'm not just anyone am I?"

She looks up at him. "No you're not. Truthfully, I didn't want you to change your mind." She gives a small laugh. "You almost bolted out of this bed."

He shakes his head but laughs with her as she is exactly right. He wants to say more but decides against it. He doesn't want to think about it. Thinking about it will remind him of other things and he just wants to enjoy this while he is able.

She appreciates his silence, nestling into his arms, loving the warmth of his embrace. She smiles inwardly, remembering everything they shared. Who knew the cute could be crazy guy from the hotel gym would be one I'd fall for?

The next morning, Rick is sitting in his living area having just completed a call to Morgan from a burner phone. Turns out Daryl has been added to the payroll and returning to GA to be the bodyguard for Maggie while she recuperates. Morgan chose not to keep in touch because he knows whoever this stalker is has to be someone close to Michonne, someone she knows. He relayed all of this to Rick and told him to just keep her safe. No one knows where they are and he wanted it to stay that way for as long as possible. He also told Rick that Deanna would be looking for them in California in another week or so. The announcement for Michonne's return to TV had been postponed until a huge promotion for the show scheduled to take place in one month.

It is Morgan's hope that they will have resolved this stalker issue before that time. Rick agrees, knowing he has to be ever diligent in doing his duty as her bodyguard. He checks in with his mother, glad that his parents would be busy with other activities for the day. He blows out a breath he'd been holding, knowing what he was thinking will be the last thing Michonne wants to hear.

He makes his way into the kitchen to prepare something for breakfast.

Meanwhile, Michonne is waking slowly. She wonders at the soreness she feels then smiles as the memories come rushing back. His lips, his hands, his tongue….touching, tasting. She blinks several times and moves from the bed to the bathroom.

She emerges several minutes later to find him seated at the foot of the bed, a tray of food on the nightstand. She smiles. "Good morning." She tightens the towel around her nakedness and walks further into the room.

"Good morning." He looks up at her, making an effort to keep his eyes on her face.

Michonne almost falters when she sees his expression. Instead she takes a deep breath and says, "So what are we doing today?"

"I talked to Morgan."

She rushes on as if he hadn't spoken. "We haven't had a jog in a while. What about that park you showed me last night? Does it have a good running trail?"

"Michonne….."

"Maybe a movie?"

'We can't pretend this stalker isn't still out there waiting for another opportunity. My job is to protect you and I can't do that like this."

She walks to him, standing in between his thighs as he rears back slightly. "Don't do this." She reaches forward and cups his face. "I know we have to get back to it. I know that…..but not today. Please. Today….you're just my boyfriend and I'm just your girlfriend. Nothing else."

She leans in, kissing him softly, successively. "I'll listen." Kiss. "I'll talk." Kiss. "Whatever you want but not now." Kiss. "Right now, I want to make love with my boyfriend again." Kiss. "That's all I want." Kiss. She pulls at her towel, allowing it to drop to the floor, standing before him completely nude.

He sighs heavily, dropping his head to her chest, rubbing his face against her, relishing in her softness. His hands seem to move of their own volition as they caress the backs of her thighs, sliding up to cup her ass, squeeze her ass. He wants to deny her, he should deny her but her scent, the silkiness of her skin is beckoning him and he can't resist. He makes a deal with himself right then and there. One last time. We make love one last time and then I'm back on the job.

He lifts his head and latches onto a breast as she runs her fingers through his hair. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her even closer. He moves from one breast to the other, suckling her soundly. He turns his body swiftly but carefully, bringing her with him, laying her down gently. He kisses her with complete unrestraint, smiling as she grabs his ass and grinds against him. He breaks away to tongue her body, moving lower and lower until he is at her core. He spreads her wide and touches his tongue to her.

She gasps and slides up, not sure what to expect. He grabs her hips and pulls her back to him, covering her clit with his mouth, flicking his tongue against her repeatedly. Uncertainty tries to cloud her thinking but her body has a mind all its own as her hips move upward to meet his caress. Another gasp escapes her as she closes her eyes and loses herself to his amazing ministrations.

An hour later, they are in bed laughing as they partake of the reheated breakfast he had prepared earlier. She wants everything to be ok between them so she tentatively asks after Maggie and offers to discuss his conversation with Morgan but surprisingly he declines.

"Let's take that jog you mentioned. Then we'll go to the movies or to that antique store you saw. Whatever you wanna do."

She got what she wanted but it wasn't a jog. It wasn't a visit to an antique store either. They spent the rest of the day in bed, loving each other and where he was all too happy to give her instructions on the art of fellatio.

Later that night, he filled her in on his talk with Morgan and asked if she wanted to visit with her parents before they make their way to Los Angeles. She only gives it a moment of thought before she tells him they should go to Columbus. She also wanted to visit Maggie who had returned home with her parents, Glenn, and Daryl but decided against it. She had done enough harm when it came to her friend and didn't want to be the cause of even more.

The next morning, Michonne packs what little she has and Rick gathers a few extra items of his and they make their way to his parents' house where they have breakfast with them before getting on the road.

Ms. Gladys is sure to hug them both, telling them to return home soon. Michonne smiles, noting that she included her in that statement. Arthur shakes hands with his son and gives her a hug as well. All too soon, they are in the truck and traveling to Columbus. She feels herself getting a bit choked up and she's not sure if it's leaving King County, the small place that offered her the opportunity to experience what she never knew she was missing or going to Columbus and seeing her parents after so much time had passed.

She feels a hand on her knee and closes her eyes to relish his touch. She looks over at him and he's wearing that handsome smile of his, a smile that instantly makes her feel better.

He understands her apprehension and wants her to know that he is there for her no matter what happens. He gives her a nod and turns his attention back to the road.

Almost two hours later, they arrive in Columbus and Michonne is giving him directions to her parents' house. She takes a few deep breaths as her old neighborhood comes into view. Everything almost looks exactly the same. Her offers to buy them a new home, a larger home were ignored so she finally stopped offering. She checks her watch and wonders if her dad would be there. Things may be easier if it's just her mom for now. She always had a better rapport with her mother.

No cars are in the driveway but they could be in the garage. The doubts crowd in. Everything that could go wrong, all the not so nice things that could be said…..what if they don't even want to see me?

"Maybe this isn't a good idea. I don't know what I was thinking. Let's just go."

"What's the house number?"

"Rick didn't you hear me? I don't want to do this anymore."

"You're nervous. It's fine. I'll be right there with you and everything's going to be ok."

She looks at him anxiously. "But how do you know that? I….if they….refuse to see me…..I….."

He grabs her hand and gives a firm squeeze. "You're going to see your parents. They aren't going to refuse to see you. Ok?" His look is one of reassurance as he asks for the house number again. They had passed it but he promptly puts the truck in reverse and pulls into the driveway.

He puts it in park and kills the engine. He then turns to a shivering Michonne and gathers her into his arms, hugging her tightly. He kisses her softly and asks, "You ready?"

She leans back to gaze at him, giving a slight nod, drawing the courage she needs from him. They exit the truck slowly and make their way to the front door. She presses the bell and takes a deep breath. Moments later, the door is opened by her mother. Both women falter, their first meeting in over four years jarring for them both. Her mother hasn't changed much at all. Maybe a little more gray hair but she still looks the same.

"Hello mother."

Ms. Mae is so surprised to see her daughter that she is speechless. She peruses her from head to toe, memories of her little girl in pigtails flooding her mind. Tears well in her eyes as she gives a small smile. "Michonne….." She takes one step, then another and pulls her daughter into her arms, hugging her fiercely.