A/N Thanks so much! Rick is reluctant and Beth got bold and things are about to go somewhere neither of them planned on, at least not yet.

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He was only ten steps into their stroll and already ruining it for himself. It was the usual. Thinking. He tried to think about the good, he really did, and at first he succeeded. Like how damn cute she looked for one. He'd never seen her in anything but a conservative business skirt and blouse or women's trousers and a sweater. He suspected this was more the real her, she looked so natural and he liked it.

Her jeans sat somewhere just below her waist and the pant legs were rolled to mid-calf. She had on a tight pink t-shirt, tennis shoes and rather than her usual up-do her hair was in a simple ponytail. None of that could compare to the smile though. That damn smile of hers, it ought to have a warning label. She was adorable. Adorable trouble.

He should have never agreed to this. He could have made up an excuse about having somewhere else he had to be. It was just that when her arm slipped around his and he quickly turned to see who was touching him, all he could see was the smile and the warm blue eyes. He'd momentarily lost his mind.

Something came over him and his arm pulled away from hers, but not far. He took her hand instead. He felt the need to be holding at least some part of her but he was still determined, they'd walk a short way and then he'd make some excuse about why he had to say his goodbyes. He'd go home with his Danish and celebrate the fact he'd avoided danger. Alone in his empty house. He was always a little lonely but it was far worse when Carl wasn't home. This weekend his son was off visiting his maternal grandparents.

He was just about to make some lame excuse about how he had somewhere else he needed to be when she squeezed his hand. She smiled that damn smile and suggested, "It's passed lunchtime and gosh I'm hungry. Shall we grab a bite to eat?"

It was obvious he'd lost control, he knew that when he heard himself say, "Great idea. I'm just sorry I didn't think to ask first. Do you have someplace in particular in mind?"

He saw that sparkle in her eyes and just a hint of pink on her cheeks when she answered, "As a matter of fact I think I know the perfect spot, my place." He swallowed hard and the warning lights were flashing before his eyes, but she just kept smiling and talking, "I've got all these lovely greens and I roasted a chicken last night. If you'll eat it, I could make us a chicken salad."

He couldn't believe it when he heard himself respond, "That sounds great, I mean if it's not too much trouble," He knew he'd lost what little sense he had when he felt his mouth break into that stupid smile he used to wear and he added, "We can stop on the way and I'll pick us up a bottle of Proseco. I mean, if you like."

"I would like, it sounds perfect. So you drove?"

"Yeah, I don't live in town anymore. After…um Carl, my son, and I live a couple of miles out." Shit, this was just one more reason to stay away from her. He couldn't even form a complete sentence when she was around. "Did you walk?"

"Yes, I'm not too far, just a mile or so."

"If you don't mind riding in a Wrangler with the top off I'm happy to drive. Like I said, we can stop and get that wine."

"A Wrangler? Really? That's my dream car."

Now she almost had him laughing, she needed to quit that shit. "Beth you're a very different woman. I wouldn't have expected a Wrangler to be any woman's dream car."

"I like to think I'm not just any woman."

Right in that moment he went completely nuts and he spoke his mind, "I'd be willing to bet on that. You're certainly not like any woman I've ever known." And shit, he could feel it happening again, the smile he'd managed to hold back the past three years was spreading across his face.

When the day began there was no way either could have imagined, much less predicted, how it would turn out. All they could do when it ended was to try very hard not to judge themselves or each other. For now though, it was all fun and all good. The mood was light and happy and as much as he wanted to hate it, he was having the best time he'd had in years. The best time he could ever remember having with a woman.

While he opened the wine she put together a plate of cheese and crackers. Instead of the lunch they'd planned they sat in her living room snacking on the cheese a little, talking a little and drinking a lot. They ended up drinking the bottle of wine and then they ended up in each-other's arms.

Maybe later they'd think about it. Neither had eaten much that day, there had been the warmth of the sun that always enhances the effects of the alcohol. Plus, the wine had gone down so quickly. By the time they'd drained the bottle he had one arm around her shoulders and his other hand had slipped inside her t-shirt, gently moving along her tummy and her ribs until it reached her breast. His lips were on hers and his tongue was in her mouth, and when she made no objections he popped the clasp of her bra.

She knew she should stop him. She wanted him but this was happening way too fast. It was too soon. She didn't just want sex with Rick Grimes she wanted a relationship with him. But she couldn't seem to stop herself, much less stop him. Her head was light, the mood was mellow and his hand and his lips felt so good.

He knew it was wrong, this was the last thing he should be doing with Beth Greene, or any woman he wasn't paying for. Trouble. Trouble. Trouble. The trouble was he wanted it and he had more desire than he had good sense or willpower. In his head he'd played a little fantasy game involving her more than once. In his mind she'd been his warm and ready companion on many sleepless nights and in just as many morning showers. Now she was here and she was real and even though he knew he should get up and get the hell out of there, he just couldn't seem to make himself do the right thing.

Instead he took her glass from her hand, set it on the table and then slowly slid open hands up her t-shirt and slipped it off her, casting it and the loosened bra aside. She was leaned back on the sofa now exposed to him, her head resting on a pillow while he sat watching her. He began to unbutton his shirt but she pushed his hands aside and took over. As she was busy with her task he was busy pinching and playing with her nipples while she softly moaned "mmm." There were no words, they simply looked that knowing look in each-other's eyes.

When the buttons were loosened she pushed the shirt from his shoulders and he quickly shook it off. He bent forward sucking and nibbling at her breasts like he'd done so many times in those fantasies stopping just long enough to ask a one-word question, "Bed?"

She answered only, "Yes." He stood and she started to stand but he had other ideas. He picked her up in his arms and she silently pointed to the bedroom door before wrapping her arm around his neck and nuzzling her face into his chest. This was it and she knew it. It shouldn't be happening, she knew that too. But dammit, what if this was her only chance? She thought if she could have him at least once maybe that would satisfy this hunger she had for him.

He was gentle as he lay her on the bed but a lot more aggressive as he hurriedly removed her shoes, undid her pants and pulled them off her. He was still standing above her and there wasn't anything shy about the way his eyes slowly moved up and down her body as he took in every inch of her. She should have been embarrassed by the close scrutiny but it was only making her hotter.

By the time he finally started removing his own shoes and pants she heard herself beg, "Hurry." He smiled as he did just that and surprised her completely when he climbed on the bed and his mouth went right between her legs. Even if she'd wanted to she couldn't have protested, she couldn't get enough air to speak. Besides, whatever he was doing with his lips and his tongue felt way too good to ask him to stop.

Her legs were draped over his shoulders and her fingers were tugging at his curls and she felt herself give into it completely. She was lost in the bliss and lost in the moment and when his hand reached for her nipple and pinched almost too hard, but not quite, while his lips were sucking on that oh-so-sensitive little bump she felt her body start to tremble. Even the air seemed hot and there wasn't quite enough of it to fill her lungs, and if she'd been even halfway in her right mind she may have been ashamed at the way she called, "Oh Rick that feels so damn good, oh my gawd," As she came.

He never stopped what he was doing, he didn't shy away from that cum. When her body seemed to collapse he started kissing his way from her pussy up that little mound, over her pelvic bones and her tummy and her breasts until they were face to face, and then he smiled, "You taste so fuckin' sweet." And his mouth was on hers and she could feel herself and smell herself in his beard and it seemed so weird that it turned her on.

She was sure she was done though, she was weak and ready to rest. Then his hand slipped between her legs and she couldn't believe how quickly he had her wanting more. His fingers knew just what to do as they poked and played and teased. She felt her hips raise against his weight and he was rubbing himself against her while his fingers kept up their play. Then he suddenly stopped, frozen in place, "Shit, I don't have a…any protection."

"I do. In the drawer." She pointed toward the night table. He gave her a kind of surprised look but he reached in and got what he needed. She'd had the box since Amy gave it to her their first week away from home at Columbus. She'd been angry with her friend, "Geez Amy what do you think I'm going to college for, to entertain some string of men in my apartment?"

"No but it just takes one man and one hot minute to make a new life or far worse, catch a disease. If you don't need them don't use them, but a smart girl keeps them handy." The box had never even been opened, until Rick Grimes opened it.

He didn't just jump right to it, the mood had been broken for a moment and he wanted to get it back to that place. His mouth was on her body sucking, licking and kissing the soft white skin of her neck, her shoulders her collarbones and her breasts, while his fingers went back to doing things to her that were making her feel like she'd never felt before. "Rick, you…oh my gawd you make me feel so good."

He nuzzled into her neck and he was sure it was just the heat of the moment, otherwise he never would have told her what he told her. It was true, but he still wouldn't have told her because this would have never happened, it was never supposed to happen. But it did and he said it, "I've wanted this with you for so long Beth. I can't look at you without thinking about holding you."

With those words his body slid down hers and his mouth teased that little bump for just another minute. He moved back up her body just as he had before, with his mouth leading the way. When they were eye to eye he gave her a last chance, "Are you sure Beth?" She was sure. She let her last chance slip away as he slipped in.

It felt so good. Rick Grimes knew just what to do and how to move, he had it down. He was taking it slow as they both reveled in the steady motion of his strokes, while his hand and his mouth were busy on her neck and breast.

As their passion rose his strokes became faster and deeper. He had a hand tangled in her hair and the other was between their bodies where his fingers had again found that sensitive nub. Her legs were wrapped around his hips as if she were trying to pull him closer and deeper, while her hands clasped his face and her fingers wove in his curls.

They were on the edge of ecstasy as he hoarsely whispered her name, "Beth, Beth you're…you feel so good, so fuckin' good."

She could only respond with a low groan and, "Please Rick, please, I need…please…" as she begged for her release. He was so hard and he went so deep as he bit softly at her nipple and his finger rubbed the little bump so intensely and the release she begged for came as she called out, "Yes, oh Rick yes…" He let himself go there with her and he answered back, "Beth, oh fuck, Beth. So good."

They both simply collapsed as they tried to catch their breath and slow their heartbeats. She thought everything between them, not just the sex but everything, was all good. Of course it wasn't perfect, they'd let the sex happen too soon, but she was sure the feelings were there and that they were real. They were real for her. But he suddenly rose from the bed and without a word grabbed his clothes before hustling into the bathroom. He came out dressed except for his shirt and and his face was expressionless as he looked at her. The tone of his voice held no emotion, no love, no caring, no nothing. It sounded like he was making a statement at a business meeting, "I'm sorry. I should have never let this happen. It's all my fault. I'm sorry Beth."

She didn't respond, she couldn't. She had no idea what to say or any words to express her feelings. She heard the front door shut and her tears came instantly. What just happened? She didn't know.

She felt cheap, dirty, used. She couldn't get in the shower fast enough and she scrubbed herself nearly raw while her tears fell. She knew now she'd read everything completely wrong. She'd been stupid enough to think he cared but all she'd been to him was just some afternoon delight. There were no feelings there, at least not on his part. For him it had simply been about getting laid by a woman he knew was crazy about him. He probably knew before she did that she'd give in easy.

She changed her sheets, she didn't want to smell him in her bed. Then she opened another bottle of wine and she didn't bother with a wine glass, she poured herself a tumbler full and called her sister. She cried as she told Maggie the story and her sister cried with her, but then reminded her. "You wanted him any way you could have him Bethie, even if it was only temporary. Just one time. I don't think it's that he doesn't care, I think he's afraid to care. But whatever Honey, you have to move on. You deserve so much better than that. And quit hating yourself. It happened and now we move forward."

She drank herself to sleep and in the morning she showered again. After a half quart of orange juice, two cups of coffee and a real breakfast she started to feel human again. She got herself dressed, getting out in the fresh air would do her good. She was walking toward the front door when the doorbell rang. She wondered who in the world it could be.

She'd barely opened it when he practically pushed his way in, "I'm so fucking sorry Beth. I'm a goddamn asshole and I know it."

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A/N Well that had some twists and turns. Please leave a comment / review. If you'd like to see the chapter photo of our thoroughly confused couple it's posted on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I'll be back next Tuesday with more of Just Playin'. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee