~Invigorate~

Michonne rested flat on her back in a queen-sized bed with sheets and pillows for the first time in what seemed like forever, but instead of luxuriating in the sensation of warmth and comfort, her mind was consumed with thoughts of the man on the other side of the wall. Rick Grimes had a clean shaven face and fresh hair cut. She remembered how his blue eyes darkened when he handed her the towel. He should have left soon after. She should have told him to, but she didn't. He wanted her to stay in the house with them. Although she had already made the decision, hearing him say the words…

God, how I needed him to say the words, but he didn't just say them, she thought. Rick issued a demand. For them, that was uncommon. They negotiated and compromised. Only when necessary were demands issued like when she stated the group's need to check out Alexandria, just to be sure.

She heard movement on the other side of the wall. The thud of the wooden bedpost hitting the wall. His low moan of contentment following soon after. She imagined him relaxing enough to remove his jeans. He had been bootless when he found her in the shower. Would he discard his shirt, too? She was down to a tank top and panties. Both were becoming a tad uncomfortable, as images of Rick proved too invigorating for sleep. She wondered what would have happened if the situation had been in reverse. If she had found him in the shower instead.

"Girl, get a grip," she murmured.

She rolled onto her side and tried to will sleep to come, but it refused. Her new constable uniform captured her attention. It hung on the closet door. Black and blue. A pair of sensible black shoes rested against the wall. Deanna's suggestion came as a surprise. Of course, it made perfect sense for Rick.

A tap sounded at her door. She wrapped the sheet around her waist and answered the knock. Rick stood in the doorway. His hair was ruffled, his t-shirt wrinkled. He was still bootless.

"Did I wake you?"

"No," she said. "Something wrong?"

"Can't sleep." He looked away for a moment as he rubbed his jaw. "Too quiet."

"You miss Eugene's snore?"

Rick laughed. "Not exactly. That's not what I miss."

His stare caught her off guard. Her bedroom was dark, but a nightlight lit the hall. It was enough to illuminate the want in his eyes. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. He responded with a low groan. The sound rippled through her. She clutched the doorknob and pulled it back an inch.

Rick lifted his eyebrows in acknowledgement of her silent invitation. The house was silent except for their loud breaths. He brushed a loc from her shoulder. "Come with me downstairs."

"Okay. I'll meet you—"

"No," he said, reaching for her hand. "Now."

With her free hand, Michonne secured the sheet tighter around her waist. At the landing, he released her and she followed him down the staircase. She thought maybe he'd lead her to the kitchen or dining room, but he headed straight to the sofa and indicated for her to join him.

"This'll be the second night we can't sleep," he said, giving her a sheepish smile.

"What kind of law will that make us?" she asked.

"The sleepy kind."

"Wonder what she expects from us," Michonne said.

"She's lucky she has us," Rick said. After awhile, he added, "I'm lucky."

"We finally have a roof over our heads. It feels good—"

"I'm talking about you," he said, shifting on the sofa to look her full in the face. "Make no mistake. I need you to hear me."

She nodded. "I'm listening."

"I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing you in that shower. In that towel. Your smile. Your eyes. Your everything. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I don't want you staying here under false pretenses," Rick stated firmly. "I want you. If that makes you uncomfortable, or if tha—"

Her mouth on his silenced whatever else he intended to say. The kiss began hard. Their lips, teeth, and tongues plundering until he pulled her close. One of his hands splayed the small of her back while the other tangled in the sheet to cup her rear. He squeezed until she moaned and he growled. Frenzied hunger gave way to passionate, deliberate exploration. When the kiss ended, she was straddling his lap and she felt as if she had been reawakened from a long, dark slumber.

"I want you, too," she said.

He smiled and drew her to him again.

To be continued…

[A/N: Thanks for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing! Short chapters! Yay!]