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It’d been three weeks since Merrick had been told that Jenna was pregnant and it still didn’t fully feel real to him. But he knew he wasn’t the type of guy that could ever be absent from the life of his own child, even if he didn’t love the mother. He’d already told Jada and Karli that he wouldn't be answering or making any more phone calls for hook ups. They both seemed to accept that at this point he intended to just focus on getting ready to be a dad. Neither had the delusion that he was going to start dating Jenna or get serious about anyone. He wasn’t surprised that Jada was cool with it but he did half expect someone to explode when he told Karli. He had heard about how bad her break up with Forge had been . Maybe it was because they weren’t really a couple as she’d been with Forge that she didn’t seem to mind. The only girl he didn’t call to tell anything to was Rose. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her. He already didn’t think she’d be coming back next summer anyway with her hero work she started in Cambridge. So he’d resolved himself to the idea there was no reason to tell her something that would make her not want to come back when she already wasn’t going to. He spent most of his time working, he had started to build furniture for the nursery he was setting up at the Haven.
The downside of Jenna knowing where he lived was well she felt she could just stop in any time. So with how things were going he’d started spending a few nights a week at Zoe’s apartment. After he’d been told about Jenna being pregnant it’d been Zoe’s apartment that he’d sought refuge and despite better judgement blurred the lines of their friendship. He hadn’t intended for anything to happen with Zoe it just kind of did. And he had to admit he liked it. They hadn’t gone beyond kissing at this point, but the possibility of going further was there. Though he’d set a clear line he didn’t think they should cross and that was having sex. It kind of helped that her couch and more importantly her bed were old and rather on the small side. To really sleep in her bed on the nights he stayed he would shift to his ocelot or wolf forms to take up less space. He’d always wake up in the morning with Zoe’s arm over him snuggled into his fur. He didn’t spend his free time or the night with Zoe because he wanted her physically instead it was because he wanted her company. She was the one person in town he could talk to about everything and at the moment he needed that more than he need someone to get physical with. Zoe just had the added benefit that he could kiss and cuddle her. Though in a small way, in his subconscious, Merrick felt guilty that he was being close in this way with Zoe. Like he was cheating on Rose who’d been the first woman since Leslie he’d stayed overnight with and held in his arms just for the point of holding her.
Merrick was staying enough nights at Zoe’s she’d cleared out her bottom dresser drawer for him to keep some extra clothes so he didn’t always have to go back to the Haven to get fresh clothes and given him a spare set of keys to let himself in as he needed. The downside of staying at Zoe’s was he had to sleep in his animal form which was having an effect on him having to stay in an animal form for so many hours. For one thing he found himself waking up and having the urge to raid her fridge and eat all the meat. It was rather hard to resist that urge and remind himself he is a vegetarian and fight the animal instinct of the carnivore he had fallen asleep as. So Merrick started a side project at Aonair Mac Tíre to build her a bedroom set when not working on his customer’s orders or the nursery furniture. As with most furniture he’d made for her he worked with cherry. And on a day he had off from Wal-Mart and he knew she was going straight for classes at the community college to work down in the restaurant he brought the set to her apartment to assemble. He’d first take out all the old furniture, having talked to Alec in advance who’d given permission to toss the old worn furniture. The nightstands were easy enough and he brought them in already assembled, they were a set of twenty-eight inches tall with four drawers one was actually hidden a felt lined to to hold jewelry. The dresser he assembled on site as it was a forty-eight inch tall ten drawer dresser, two hidden and felt lined as well the other eight drawers being lined with aromatic cedar to ensure the condition of clothes, and a beveled glass mirror. Once assembled Merrick took care in putting her clothes and his back into the eight drawers. The last and larger item he had to build on site was the queen sized euro style sleigh bed. Given he couldn't re-use her previous mattress or even her bedding as they were all full size he’d gotten a new queen box spring, mattress, and bedding from Wal-Mart having gone with neutral set picking a 300 thread count cotton taupe and gold damask pattern.
He sighed after getting the bedding on and looked around the bedroom, it had never been a large bedroom but he’d measured a dozen different times before he built the furniture to ensure that not only would the pieces fit but they wouldn’t make the bedroom too crowded. And he was right, the room didn’t seem crowded instead it felt cozy there was still a good amount of space to walk around between the door and around the bed. “Well it looks good at least.”, he said with a shrug checking the time. “I’ve still got time before she’s off work. So can grab a shower, change into clean clothes because if I had sweat any more getting this together I’d say I just had one hell of a night with Rose.”, Merrick laughed talking to himself a smile on his face thinking about Rose. He went into the bathroom and leaned on the counter looking at the mirror. “I need to shave..”, he muttered opening the medicine cabinet and laughed a little. “God do I live here?”, Merrick sighed shaking his head pulling out his shaving cream and straight razor and closing the mirror setting to shaving before taking his shower and changing into a clean pair of jeans and a navy polo. He closed her bedroom door not wanting her to even get a peek at what he’d accomplished while she was at school and work. He still had enough time that he could really surprise Zoe. “She's been feeding me since May, seems fair to return the favor once in a while.”, he said talking to himself as he went to the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients to make what he knew to be her favorite spaghetti alla norma. He’d seen her make it before and remembered what went into it so figured he could give it a try.
As he was busy sauteing the onion, garlic, eggplant and tomatoes his cell phone started to ring and his shoulder sank it was Jenna’s ringtone. He picked it up only because it could have something to do with the baby. “Yeah Jenna?”, Merrick answered dropping the spaghetti into the boiling water. One thing he could always be sure of at Zoe’s was fresh pasta her ‘Uncle’ made the pasta every morning for the restaurant and would give her some. “Hi Merrick! Where are you?”, Jenna immediately greeted. “Not really your business. Why? Something wrong with the baby?”, Merrick answered rolling his eyes. “No I’m perfectly fine and so is the baby. But I went to your house to talk to you. Wanted to discuss baby names and nursery themes. Your mother said you had today off from Wal-Mart but had left early this morning and made no mention of where you were going or when you’d return.”, she answered her voice a tad high and on the verge of sounding whiny. “Well considering I’m an adult I don’t feel it necessary to check in with my mother on my whereabouts. And given you aren’t my girlfriend or wife I don’t have to check in with you either. There’s nothing to really discuss. I’ve told you that for a boy I prefer Faelan Christian or for a girl Cana Willow. And what do I care what you set up for your nursery. At my place the theme is the wilderness. I’m already building the furniture and I’m getting my artist friend to paint a mural on the wall.”, Merrick countered. He could hear Jenna rolling her eyes in her sigh of exasperation. “We are having a baby together Merrick. I think I deserve to know where you are and who you are with. Especially when rumors are going around saying you are spending nights at Zoe DeLuca’s.”, Jenna said trying to be stern. “Jenna having a kid together doesn’t mean you get to know where I am or who I’m with. That’s not how this is going to work. We aren’t together. I have no intentions of dating you and the fact you are trying to leverage our unborn child to manipulate me really is pissing me off. The only connection we have is that child. And unless it’s about that child we have nothing to discuss. So I’m going to be hanging up now. Goodbye.”, Merrick said hitting end and setting the phone to silent and putting it on the counter as he finished making dinner.
Zoe had a rather long day all things considered. She’d had early morning classes followed by a full shift at the restaurant. Her whole body ached though mostly her feet. She finally was getting ready to punch out and went into the break room to do so but stopped just outside the door hearing an exchange between her two co-workers Jada, whom she knew till recently was one of the girls Merrick slept it, and Michelle apparently a friend of Jenna. “You have got to be kidding me Michelle.”, Jada said shaking her head. “I’m not. I’m one hundred percent serious. Jenna thinks she’s in love with him. And during the summer when I made mention that I saw him on a date looking rather cozy with Rose Howlett she came up with her plan that, in her mind, would ensure Merrick became just hers.”, Michelle said. “So she planned on getting knocked up to get Merrick? Wow. That's stupid as hell. And obviously backfired. She’s knocked up, he’s not dating her and isn’t going to. The best she did was stop him from sleeping with me and possibly any other girls he’d been with while he tries to focus on the becoming a dad.”, Jada sighed. “Well it worked out for Zoe.”, Michelle said with a sly smile. Jada raised an eyebrow. “And that means?”, she asked. “That if you hadn’t noticed his car is parked in the visitors parking out back a lot.”, Michelle said with a scandalous raise of her eyebrows. Zoe narrowed her eyes and walked into the break room. “If you two are done gossiping I would like punch out.”, Zoe said going to the time clock and signing out before looking at the two of them. Both looked a bit surprised to see her and worried how much she heard. “I heard everything you said. I’m not surprised by Jenna’s actions, Merrick already had suspicions of foul play. But you’ve just confirmed him to be correct. And Merrick hangs out because we are friends, best friends. And right now he’s going through some serious things and needs a friend to talk to. And since his other best friend Malcolm is away at college in Manhattan I’m the option he’s got left. So read into it if you like but we are just friends.”, Zoe said grabbing her backpack and leaving them before they could say anything further.
Zoe went through the kitchen stopping and giving her uncle a hug good night before she went through the kitchen door that lead straight to the stairs. As she headed up the stairs she didn’t know that someone was cooking in her apartment as the stairwell smelled of all the delicious foods being made in the kitchen. But the smells did remind her she was hungry and she could feel her stomach growling. “Io darò in pasto presto pancia. (I'll feed you soon tummy.)”, she murmured in Italian to herself as she went to unlock her apartment and realized it was open. She furrowed her brow as she walked inside but found herself smiling as she looked to her right at the kitchen area and there at her stove was Merrick cooking, two plates on the island a glass of red wine at one and a bottle of heineken at the other. “You cook?”, she teased setting her bag down and walking over to see what he was making. “Spaghetti alla Norma? Aww.”, she said leaning up and kissing his cheek. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Yes I can cook. I just live at the Haven where the kitchens are mom and Aislinn's territory. And yeah spaghetti alla norma. It's your favorite.”, he answered taking the dinner off the stove and serving it up on the plates. “What’s the occasion? Not often I come home and find an extremely hot guy cooking me dinner.”, she questioned sitting down at what she assumed was her plate as he didn’t often drink wine. "You always cook so returning the favor.", he said rinsing the dirty pans before putting them into the dishwasher. "Merrick, you are awesome.", she smiled. Merrick smirked sitting down. "I know. Now eat.", he said picking up his fork to start eating. Zoe just smiled and started eating. "Mmm you aren't a bad cook handsome. You're going to make a great dad and whoever you do end up married to will be one lucky woman.", Zoe commented taking a sip of her wine.
Merrick shrugged a little he didn't particularly think he was the type to get married. Being a dad may not have been on his list of things to do, but he knew he could do it. He had helped his mom with the younger kids at the academy till they moved. "So anything interesting happen today?", he asked making conversation while they ate. "Not much. Classes and then long day at work.", she said still eating. "Though did hear something interesting when I was punching out of work.", she added. She figured it was safe to tell him what Jada and Michelle had said. After all he'd assumed that Jenna had meant this baby to trap him in a relationship. "Oh what might that?", he inquired sipping his beer. "Well for one Jada and Michelle are back on the kick that we are together.", Zoe said with a small smile eating. They weren't dating but he had clothes and some personal hygiene items at her apartment. He spent a number of nights there with her. Sure he slept in animal form so it's not like anything really happened, but he slept like that so there was room for them on her bed. Merrick shrugged but was smirking as he drank his beer. "Which would be where Jenna heard I'm spending time around you. While I was coming she called wanting to know where I was and who I'm with. She didn't seem to like when I reminded her I'm not her boyfriend so unless it's baby related we have no reason to talk.", Merrick said.
Zoe nodded. "Yeah, well your car kind of stands out parked next to Uncle Alec's.", she explained. "That's true. But not giving up my car just so people don't know I'm here. So what else did the gossip duo say?", he asked. "That you were right.", Zoe said finishing her dinner. "That I'm right? Well it happens. But what am I right about?", he asked getting up having finished his plate and took hers rinsing then putting them in the dishwasher. "About Jenna getting knocked up on purpose to try and trap you. Michelle was telling Jada about it.", Zoe explained. Merrick shrugged. "That figures. Rather dumb move but oh well. Didn't work in her favor. I won't date her let alone touch her. I prefer to spend my time with people that don't try to manipulate me. Like you", he said pointing at her with his beer before finishing it. Zoe smiled a little. Jenna's plan had not gone how she wanted. Instead of this bringing him closer to Jenna it brought him closer to her. And she wasn't going to complain. "Thanks for making dinner. It was good and a nice change.", Zoe said. Merrick smiled. "You're welcome. But dinner wasn't your only surprise tonight. So the question becomes... do you trust me?", he said smirking as he pulled one of her gray bandanas from his jeans pocket. Zoe blinked then smirked. "Oooh, kinky Merrick," she teased, closing her eyes. "Maybe later, current purpose isn't kinky.", he said putting bandana over her eyes.
"Let's see how many walls I can run you into.", he joked grabbing her hand to lead her down the hall to her bedroom and opened the door to see the bedroom set inside. The euro sleigh bed, the 28in tall nightstands with their 3 drawers, the right drawer dresser with its beveled mirror. He'd even gotten a queen big spring, bed, and a bedding set. "You ready?", he asked. Zoe followed after him, holding his hand and chuckling. She moved carefully and was glad she didn't bump into anything. "Yep.", she said. "Alright. One...two...three.", he said pulling the bandana off. It might have been a gamble with buying the bedding. He'd picked the taupe and gold damask pattern set. Which if she didn't like it not a big deal he could trade it at work for a set she did. "Surprise.", he announced at the reveal. Zoe blinked then laughed. "Mio Dio!", she yelled. "Merrick this is beautiful!", she exclaimed. Merrick laughed. "Glad you like it. I don't know why but seem to favor using cherry for stuff I make you. Alec said it was okay to get rid of the old miss-matched set. I even put our clothes back. I still only kept one drawer for my stuff. Doubled your storage.", he said walking around her. "Check this out.", he said pulling two narrow hidden drawers out from the top of the dresser. The thin drawers were lined with a cream felt and he had already placed some of the jewelry she'd bought from him in them. "They are for jewelry. The nightstands have them too. And the drawers otherwise are lined with cedar.", he explained.
Zoe walked into the room lightly running her fingers across the dresser. "You...you are just...wow.", Zoe said looking from the furniture to him. "So how will I ever make you enough meals to pay for all this?", she teased a little putting her arms around his neck. "Oh I'm not looking for food for making the bedroom set.", Merrick smirked putting his hands on her hips. "Oooh what do you want?", she asked faking innocence. She looked at the new bed from the corner of her eyes hopeful that's where payment might be made. "Not to sleep in an animal form just to fit on the bed with you.", he commented noticing her looking at the bed. "I think that can be arranged.", she said focusing her dark blue eyes up to his green-yellow. And looking at those unique eyes she remembered that night at the Haven when he'd come to check on her. She remembered vividly that night and not because of Geri but him and those damn eyes. And she remembered how hot his hand felt when he held her chin to make her look at him. Maybe it wasn't that he himself was hot but that him touching her made her feel that. Like right now even through the fabric of her black slacks where he held her hips she felt that heat that she felt every time he'd touched her. "Oh you think?", he teased. "Then again you could easily say you take issue having me as me in your bed at night rather than a large purring cat.", Merrick smirked.
"Nope I won't. I want you there just as much.", she smiled and kissed him. He smiled into the kiss returning it as he pulled her closer. The back of his mind his thoughts were about getting her out of her clothes and onto that bed having his way with her rules be damned. But he knew that was not on the table at least not taking her fully. He finally pulled back from the kiss with an inward sigh holding back his urge to get her on the bed. "Consolation I've been told I still purr even as myself.", he said taking a breath from the kiss. Zoe rubbed her lips together after he pulled back. Three weeks of getting to kiss him and always left her wanting more. "Then win win.", she smiled. "Indeed. And I don't have to worry about waking up and eating any meat in the fridge from that carnivore nature of the ocelot.", he shrugged his hands absently rubbing at her hips. "Suppose should be grateful that you wake up and animal instinct wasn't to eat me.", she laughed a little. Merrick smirked leaning slightly to her right ear. "Who said my own instinct hasn't been to eat you?", he whispered emphasis on the word ‘eat’ lightly nipping at her ear. Zoe felt a shiver go through her and her heart start to beat a little faster. Merrick smirked he could hear her heart starting to beat faster. He moved a hand from her hip unbuttoning her vest and reaching for the top button of her white dress shirt. "How many of these shirts do you own?", he asked unbuttoning the top button. Zoe let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding tilting her head slightly thinking. “A dozen maybe…”, she answered. “Good. So one being ruined won’t be an issue.”, he said as a claw formed and playfully plucked at the next button. “With your permission of course..”, he added looking at her.
Zoe blinked a little looking down at the claw and then up to him with a smirk. “Definitely...”, she said biting her bottom lip a little. She had boyfriends back in Florence, not many but she had them. She’d made out with them and there was some wandering hands but always outside the clothes. Maybe some people would say it was foolish to do this, to get involved physically with Merrick. And she knew it probably was foolish. He was having a child with someone else and she knew he was in love with Rose. But none of that mattered to her, it didn’t seem to faze her. Jenna would never have him. And one day if Merrick or Rose would admit how they feel Rose would have him. Right now though neither of them had him, she did. In this moment it was her that he wanted. Merrick smirked and with a tad more pressure applied popped the buttons off her shirt one at a time revealing more of her soft skin with each button that fell to the floor. Three weeks without sex a record for him probably, and right now he was just trying to remind himself of that rule he’d made and that no matter what he wasn’t to have sex with her. He looked down at the shirt as it hung open a section of her chest from throat to navel visible and a bit of her white lace bra peeking through on either side of the open shirt. He just kept looking from her throat down to her navel, he could see her pulse in her throat and hear her heart beating quickly. She was nervous or anxious probably a mixture he figured. He’d not really asked how far she’d gone with a guy having left it with knowing she’d never had sex. His eyes meandered to look at her chest seeing the subtle rising and falling of her breasts as she breathed trying to keep some amount of calm.
“So Lupo Cattivo, what’s your next move?”, she asked softly eager and afraid to know the answer. Merrick raised an eyebrow and brought his eyes up to meet hers as she addressed him. “Lupo Cattivo?”, he questioned. “Yes. It means big bad wolf.”, Zoe explained. Merrick smirked a devious glint in his eyes. “That so…. well hellraiser…”, he teased his claw pressing softly against her throat and he felt her gulp a little. “I’m not much on words. My actions tend to speak better for me. However before this goes further…”, he explained his claw moving down her neck to her chest leaving a very faint scratch in it’s wake. “You are going to need to tell me...when I should stop. If I do something…”, he drew in a breath as his claw moved over the center of her bra going lower. “That you don’t want me to, tell me to heel.”, he instructed. Zoe had closed her eyes at this point biting her bottom lip as his claw scratched along her flesh. She’d never had though being scratched could feel this good. “And...and if you do something I like? Or I don’t want you to stop?”, she asked opening her eyes. “Well if you like something...I’ll know but feel free to speak up of course. And if you don’t stop me...I’ll try to stop myself before breaking that rule.”, he said bring his claw back up and along with his other hand took off her vest and shirt letting them fall to the bedroom floor. His eyes went back down to the bra, for someone who didn’t think she had much of a body he was certainly enjoying the view. He ran his hands along her sides slipping down and starting to unfasten her pants giving them a tug as they fell off her hips and puddled at her feet.
He took a half step back from her which she furrowed her brow trying to figure out what he was doing. She felt herself blushing all over standing there in nothing more than her white lace bra and thong and having his eyes wandering over her body she felt intensely self conscious. She knew she wasn’t a very curvy girl. Merrick looked her over from head to toe, his eyes very slowly drinking the sight in. “Mio Dio…”, he murmured. He had heard her say the phrase a few times and at this moment it felt the only phrase to say. Zoe laughed softly hearing him speak her language but her blush didn’t fade at that approving phrase but deepened because of it. Zoe took a breath and reached up behind her with both hands unclasping her bra, the movement catching Merrick’s attention. She smirked a little as she alternated arms to hold the bra over her chest as she slipped one arm at a time out of the straps. She took another breath and looked at him and could see something in his eyes, like he was hungry or something and then she moved her arms to her sides and the bra fell to the ground. This time she saw the subtle movement of his adam’s apple and smiled now getting the courage together and took hold the waistband of her thongs and slid them down stepping out of them along with her pants and her black trouser socks. She bit her bottom lip hard enough she tasted blood and winced a little at the sharp pain. Merrick rubbed his lips together watching her with the intensity of a cat watching a string dangled before them, that mixture of curiosity and that subtle desire to just pounce. He noticed the wince and closed the gap between them kissing her, a hand holding the back of her head.
He licked at the bottom of her lip lightly and could taste the fresh drops of blood before her lips parted and his tongue ventured further in her mouth to rub and caress hers. He heard her moan into his mouth and he let his other hand roam across her naked body, up her side learning every subtle curve till it reached her breast and held it massaging. As they kissed he was carefully backing her to the bed. She wasn't even aware of it lost in the kiss and the feel of him touching her naked flesh, till she felt the solid wood frame and mattress against the back of her legs. It startled her a little but not quite the same as when she felt his fingers gently pinching at her nipple. She let out a startled moan bringing one arm around his neck letting her fingers tighten on his hair giving a soft tug. He pulled back a little from the kiss as she tugged. “Yeah?”, he questioned a bit breathless from the kiss. “You’re turn….”, she said pulling back further from the kiss and letting herself sit upon the tall bed. For the first time getting to feel the bedding which was soft under her bare flesh and the mattress beneath the bedding felt comfortable. He’d put a lot of time, effort and sincere thought into this bedroom set. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “My turn?”, he questioned grabbing her thighs lightly looking to part them. “Well...I… I’m naked. So you’re turn. I won’t be the only self conscious one here.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick laughed a little. “Self conscious?”, he questioned. “Yes. Not exactly any everyday occurrence that someone gets my clothes off let alone that I strip off my undergarments.”, Zoe defended. “You have nothing to be self conscious about. What’s the word for breathtaking in Italian?”, Merrick asked shaking his head softly. “Um mozzafiato..”, Zoe answered blushing a little. “Right. Mozzafiato, that’s you Zoe. So don’t ever be anything short of confident.”, he said placing his hands on either side of her thighs on the bed leaning closer kissing her softly on the lips. Zoe smiled into the kiss. “For a guy not good with words..”, she teased. Merrick shrugged. “I have my moments.”, he admitted. “Mmhmm. Still your turn.”, she agreed still insistent that the odds be evened. Merrick sighed a little and leaned back to stand up to his full six foot three inches before her. “Alright...as you wish.”, he smirked grabbing the bottom of his polo shirt and intentionally moving slowly pulled it up over his head to land on the floor with her clothes. It wasn’t the first time he’d undressed for a girl, they all seemed to like when he did that almost as much as they enjoyed taking them off him or in Rose’s case ripping them off. Zoe rested her hands back on the bed and tilted her head a little watching him. She had seen him shirtless a few times and it was always a fine sight. She smirked as he went to unbutton his jeans, he was being deliberate with his movements. “Done this before I take it?”, she teased as he let the jeans fall to the ground leaving him in just his black boxers which weren’t exactly hiding the bulge. Merrick smirked but said nothing as he slid the boxers off. And there he was completely naked. Zoe looked at him and smirked nodding a little. Merrick arched an eyebrow at the nod. “Damn... and now I see why girls have wanted on your list.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick laughed a little. “I guess. I try to be humble about it.”, he said stepping closer and leaning down kissing her. He placed his left hand on the bed to brace himself while the right massaged at her breasts before trailing lower down her body. Zoe happily returned the kiss as one hand held onto the back of his neck wanting him closer. His right hand made its way to her thighs rubbing softly as it nudged gently for her legs to part, she took the gentle hint letting her legs part. As his hands reached its destination he ran just his index finger across her lower lips toying with her getting a soft moan as her response to the touch. It was obvious she was already starting to be aroused. As his thumb lightly pressed and moved in a small circle against her clit he heard a sharp gasp followed by a moan into his mouth as his tongue moved circles against hers mimicking the movement of his thumb. “Mio Dios…”, Zoe moaned pulling back for air from the kiss. Taking the opportunity for air Merrick started to kiss and nibble at her neck and ear his thumb giving variation to its circles as it massaged adding side to side and diagonal movements to stimulate her. Pausing for a moment of teasing her clit he slid first one finger, which she moaned and he felt her shiver slightly, then a second inside moving in and out. He was enjoying hearing her moaning which between the moaning and that her hips on their own were pressing up against his hand he knew she was enjoying it to. While still moving his two fingers rhythmically he let his thumb return to massaging her clitoris. He could hear it in her moans and heartbeat and the feel her body that she was getting closer to a small release.
Zoe pulled away from him a little which he stopped kissing her neck for a moment. “You alright?”, he asked softly against her ear. Zoe nodded. “Yeah just...wow..”, she answered softly. Merrick laughed softly against her neck returning to kissing along her jugular feeling her pulse under his lips. Zoe moaned softly tilting her head giving him full access to her neck. “Move up the bed…”, Merrick instructed. Zoe nodded and slid up the new bed and laid down resting her head on the soft new pillows looking at him. Merrick watched her move up the bed before getting onto the bed. He however didn’t join her at the top of the bed instead opting to slowly kiss up her leg and gently moved her legs apart. “So that was second base...think you’re ready for third?”, Merrick teased pressing his fingers back into her while he kissed and nibbled her inner thighs. Zoe moaned her hips rising slightly. “Si...dios...si. When do I get to give?”, Zoe answered in a moan as she looked down at him. Merrick continued his movement his with hand but looked up from where he’d left a faint hickey on her inner right thigh. “Soon...promise.”, Merrick said kissing a little higher. Moving her legs over his shoulders bringing his fingers out of her and instead running his tongue along the length of her entrance. Zoe moaned rather loudly her hands reaching down one finding his hair and lacing her fingers with his hair holding tight. The tugging at his hair just made him growl low and deep while his tongue continued it’s work trying different things such as spelling the alphabet with his tongue, sucking, licking, and flicking while his hands were roaming along her legs and higher massaging her breasts. And he kept going knowing she was enjoying herself by the cries of his name and some other things in Italian. “MIO DIOS! MERRRRIIICCCKKK! OH MIO DIO CAZZO!”, she cried out not caring that her Uncle could possibly hear her in his apartment upstairs. After her body had stopped shaking and her thighs relaxed on his shoulders he finally stopped.
He kissed the insides of her thigh fighting for restraint. The entire time he was pleasuring her all he kept thinking was wanting to stop and just be inside her to fully take her. He could hear her heart and breathing still slightly irregular but starting to normalize as he moved to stretch out on the bed next to her. Zoe sighed a little rolling to her side to and looking at him a wide smile on her lips. “That was… stupefacente.”, she said running a hand along his chest. “Stupefacente?”, Merrick asked with a light laugh. “Amazing. Does this mean it’s now...my turn?”, she asked biting her bottom lip as her hand trailed down his chest tracing out his muscles. “If you want it to be.”, he answered his eyes closing just a little liking the feel of her hand on his chest. “Do you want me to?”, she asked her hand getting lower brushing past his groin and lightly touching his thighs. “Yes...god yes and then some.”, Merrick groaned. “And then some?”, Zoe teased bringing her hand up and brushing him again. Merrick growled low biting on his bottom lip. “You know what I mean, but I’m not going to do that.”, Merrick said. Zoe smirked lightly taking him in her hand starting to stroke. “Well I won’t make you break your rule till you choose to. Just know…”, she paused and kissed him. “That if I choose to break the rule you’ll be here willing to break it?”, Merrick finished. Zoe laughed and kissed his neck as her hand continued its motion. “Now who’s finishing whose thoughts..”, she teased as she kissed lower to his right shoulder. Merrick growled again a soft moan. Zoe laughed a little kissing lower down his chest biting as she went, if there was one thing she figured was a safe bet it was he liked a pain. Merrick growled a little louder at the bites.
“God Zoe….”, he moaned as she licked up his erection. Zoe laughed a little. “I’ll take that as a good sign.”, she smirked. Merrick lifted his head up slightly to look down at her and moved a hand to run it across her head. “God yes...for someone who’s never done this you are off to one hell of a start.”, he smirked. Zoe smirked leaning back down to take him into her mouth using her tongue massaging around then back up toying with the tip. “Mmmm...Zoe..”, he growled low his hand tightening in her hair the other holding the bedding resisting the urge to let his claws sink into the new material. There was something about hearing him moan/growl her name, she held the power right now. Before when it was him bringing her to that brink and beyond he’d had the control over her and now the table was turned. At a point there was no real words that she could understand he was just moaning but mostly a combination of a moan with a growl and she knew that it was a good growl by how his hand would tightening on her hair or move down her neck wanting to touch her. “Oh...God..Zoe..”, he moaned through gritted teeth. Any other circumstances he’d be trying to stop her, not wanting to finish like this but he knew that wasn’t an option this time he kept reminding himself of his rule about not having sex with her. “Okay...Zoe...mmm...stop... Oh God… unless you want..”, he moaned/growled trying to piece together a sentence not certain if she’d rather stop before he released. Zoe heard him but didn’t stop till she gave him the release he’d given her. “Ooooohhhh Zoe…”, he called out. His grip loosened on her hair, his breathing still slightly off and his heart rate was still fast. She sat up on the bed and looked over at him a hand resting on his thigh.
“So I did…. alright?”, she asked a little timid. Merrick took a couple breaths opening his eyes and looking at her. He smiled a little at her and reached grabbing her arm lightly and pulled her up closer placing her hand over his chest where his heart was still beating fast. “What do you think?”, he teased. Zoe smiled a little feeling his heart beating quickly in his chest. “Come here..”, he said rolling to his right side pulling her up to the pillows and wrapped his arms around her to hold her close. She laughed lightly being pulled up to the pillows and sighed softly cuddling into him. “Merrick?”, she asked softly bringing one arm over him letting her hand lightly pet his back. Merrick was purring softly with his eyes closed but opened them to look at her. “Yeah Zoe?”, he asked. “I just...I wanted to say I really enjoyed that, and I’m enjoying this part too.”, she admitted with a small smile looking at him as they laid eye level. “I think I’m going to like you laying in bed as you maybe more than when you were an ocelot.”, she added. Merrick laughed a little and squeezed her gently in his arms before kissing her. “I enjoyed it too. Now let’s get some rest.”, he said moving a little to get the blankets out from under them and then pulled the blankets over them. Zoe sighed and cuddled close listening to him purring. She knew well enough that him cuddling was not something he did with most women, so she did feel part of a very short and special list. “Good night Merrick..”, she whispered and kissed him lightly. “Night Zoe..”, he murmured. If this was what being with him was like, she could see why some girls had done some extreme things to have this level of intimacy with him.
The nights that followed the he stayed with her didn't always include sexual pleasure. Many of the nights he stayed they kissed but mostly they just laid in bed cuddling talking about anything falling asleep like that. Neither of them talked about or even mentioned Rose. Zoe had some auditions and did get a role though it was minor. Which Nana Hazel came down from Boston for opening night, Merrick ended up having to work that night but did send lotus flowers for her. After the opening night performance Hazel took Zoe out for dinner. “I’m so glad you were able to come down from Boston. I was afraid the weather would be too bad for you to make the drive, well for Michael to make the drive.”, Zoe said as she walked alongside the matriarch of the Frost family following Jada to a table along the far wall of Two Brothers. “No amount of snow can stop a Frost.”, Hazel said her voice oddly sweet for a woman of her age and each word seemed to be highlighted by the sound of her hickory cane tapping on the hardwood floor as she walked. Unlike some women of her age and health Hazel didn’t hunch even a little her posture was perfect the cane was only there because her hip had recently been replaced and it helped keep her stable, plus she liked having a weapon that no one would expect a little old lady to use as one. She’d dressed up in a nice dress in a dark violet color that she’d paired with a set of pearl earrings and necklace though the outfit itself was set off by a bird brooch that had golden/yellow stones of various sizes and shapes with a purple amethyst as the eye. Those who knew Hazel knew that the brooch was special to her and worn on special occasions.
“Well either way I’m just glad you came. This was my first performance here in America. I expected to see my parents, my sister, and my Uncle in the crowd. I didn’t however expect to see you there, I’d half hoped to see a different Frost but I knew he had to work tonight.”, Zoe said sitting down. Jada raising an eyebrow as she silently listened to the conversation setting menus down. “It was a pleasure to meet your parents, well your mother. I’ve met your father on previous occasions when he and my grandsons worked together. Your Uncle was very charming, which this is his restaurant correct? And I did enjoy your younger sister, Merrick tells me she is dating our young Sebastian. That's a fine match.”, Hazel said taking her seat and resting her cane against the wall. Her cold blue eyes turned to Jada who seemed to be waiting to speak. “It’s rude to eavesdrop young lady. No part of our conversation is any of your business. Gone on and scat while we take a few moments to look at the menu.”, Hazel said her aristocratic Boston accent heavy and stern as she looked at Jada. Jada blinked and nodded walking away while Zoe covered her mouth to not laugh at Jada being dismissed in such a manner. “Yes this is my Uncle Alec’s restaurant, I also work here and live upstairs. And oh you should see Gina and Sebastian together, they are just adorable. They are supposed to come over to my apartment soon to watch some movies. They only recently let parents know they are dating and dad would rather Gina’s dates be chaperoned. He apparently fears Sebastian to be like Merrick. Which is just silly because Merrick is a very sweet man.”, Zoe laughed a little. Hazel smiled looking over her wine menu. “Well of course Merrick is sweet, to those deserving his kindness. I take that to imply my favorite great grandchild has been being rather sweet to you.”, Hazel said slyly looking over the menu. Zoe smiled a little not needing to look at the menu knowing it by heart.
“We are friends Hazel so of course he’s nice to me.”, Zoe defended. “Yes...friends…”, she said rolling her eyes with a soft laugh. “So what do you recommend my dear?”, Hazel asked setting down her menu. “Well given that you aren’t Merrick and therefore do eat meats...I’d recommend the steak gorgonzola-alfredo or the chicken & shrimp carbonara, which is what I’m getting.”, she recommended. Hazel nodded. “Sounds good then. I’ll trust you and go with the steak. Now just to get that girl back over here. Might I ask before we beckon her her forth why she was so interested in our conversation?”, she asked looking around the room for Jada. “Because she used to sleep with Merrick till he found out that Jenna was pregnant and decided to give up sex. And she’s got a bad habit of gossip and the fact I’m friends with Merrick I think bothers her.”, Zoe explained. “Oooh I see. Well too bad for her. Though honestly child how long you plan to give white lies to an old lady?”, she asked with a smile. “What do you mean Nana?”, Zoe asked sipping her water. “I may not have telepathy or any other mutant abilities that my children, grandchildren and great children have but I do know when someone’s keeping a secret. So want to just come clean about it?”, she asked. Zoe laughed a little. “Nothing much to come clean about. Merrick and I are friends, very close friends.”, she said not fully making eye contact. Hazel laughed. “Oh ‘very close’ indeed, My understanding from my grandson is that Merrick doesn’t sleep most nights at home. Makes one wonder where he is resting his head…”, Hazel smirked before raising a hand to get Jada’s attention so they could order. They didn’t directly get into what was or wasn't’ going on between her and Merrick. Hazel left it just at her suspicion and they enjoyed their meal and discussed the play and other things.
The final night of the performance Merrick was able to make it. It was a musical called Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and she'd gotten the role of Alice a young female who is one of the brides. He watched but his ears twitched through many of the singing parts. But he told her he'd go to at least one performance as it was the first part she'd gotten since coming to America. He was told since it was the last performance they were going to club 21 after for a wrap party so the carrot at the end of the stick was supposed to be alcohol. Which that was a factor but he also planned to stay at her apartment so the carrot was her. Once the performance was over he went to find her in the back but was told he wasn't allowed in the back. So Merrick waited by the exit for her. He leaned against the wall and watched as other cast members came out he pushed off the wall seeing Zoe walk out with the actor who he couldn't remember which brother he played talking. Well Zoe was talking but Merrick could hear it in the tone of the guy that he was trying to flirt with her as he was complimenting her performance and voice. "So do you need a ride to the club? I've got my car we could maybe go to the wrap party together.", the guy offered not realizing that Merrick was standing behind him.
Zoe however did see Merrick and smiled. It was rather amusing the musical was supposed to be about seven brothers described as 'tall as church steeples' yet Merrick towered over Justin though Justin was 5'10". "She has a ride.", Merrick stated. Justin blinked turning a little hearing the voice behind him and looked up seeing Merrick. Justin had graduated three years before Merrick so he didn't really know of him. "And you are?", Justin asked. "I'm Merrick Bryant-Frost. And I'm her...well friend.", Merrick smirked as he paused with a shrug. Zoe smiled and stepped around Justin and kissed Merrick on the cheek looping her arm with him. "I'm glad you made it. We'll see you at the wrap party Justin.", Zoe said nudging Merrick in the direction of the parking lot. Merrick smiled to Justin and walked with Zoe to the car. "You do realize he wanted to go with you to this party as a date. You sure I should actually come? Can drop you off.", Merrick asked opening the door for her. Zoe smiled and leaned up giving him a quick kiss before getting in the car. "I know he was. I just didn't care because I know who I'm going home with tonight. You did say you are staying tonight right?", Zoe asked. Merrick laughed getting in the car driving to club 21. "Yeah I'm staying tonight.", Merrick assured as they arrived at the club.
She wasn't old enough to drink but because they had booked the club for the party she was able to get in despite being underage. She just had to get an 'X' stamped on her hand. She of course had to make her rounds and hang out with cast members and the director and Merrick chose to make his way to the bar to get a drink. He leaned against the bar with beer in hand watching the room though mostly watching Zoe. She had the biggest smile on her face as she moved around the room talking to people. It was easy to see that this was her element weather it was on the stage or off being involved with a performance is where she belonged. As he sipped his beer he was mildly aware of a brunette who'd taken up a space next to him. "Hi. I'm Kayla Peabody. I don't recall you being part of the play. Because you have the height and build to have been one of the brothers.", Kayla smiled up at him. Merrick glanced at her taking a long sip of his beer. "I wasn’t involved with the play. I don't act, dance and certainly don't sing. I think I remember you from tonight's performance though. Your voice wasn't bad but could be improved.", he commented. "Oh. Well I could think of perhaps a different setting for you to better assess my vocal abilities.", she smirked giving him a wink. Merrick raised his eyebrows with a smirk. "I'm not going to lie, you are good looking and it’s tempting. But I've gotta say, nah I'm good. I am leaving with Zoe.", Merrick said declining the offer. Kayla looked over at Zoe and then at Merrick. "You're Zoe's boyfriend? Didn't know she had one.", she questioned. "Not her boyfriend. I'm her friend and at the moment bed warmer.", he answered pushing away from the wall and making his way back to the bar grabbing a water bottle and moving through the crowd to Zoe.
Kayla was left blinking shocked at the interaction. Merrick walked up being Zoe as she talked to the director and a couple of the male actors and reached around offering the water. "So your cast members seem...friendly.", Merrick commented looking over at Kayla. Zoe was startled for a moment at a bottle of water suddenly being offered from being her but smiled realizing it was Merrick. "Oh. How friendly we taking?", she teased taking the water and opening it. "Proposition level friendly.", Merrick whispered leaning close to her ear figuring the others didn't need to hear that. "And you're still here?", Zoe teased leaning back a little against him. Merrick smirked a little putting his free hand on her waist as she leaned against him. It was mildly amusing to see the expression of a couple of the guys she was talking to when she leaned against him. "I declined the offer. Said I was good since I'm leaving with you.", Merrick explained. "Aww I'm all special.", she laughed taking a sip of water. "Apparently you are. Kind of left her a bit shocked explaining I'm your friend and current bed warmer.", he explained. "Bed warmer... You little...",she shook her head and chuckled. "True. You are just pillow fluff.", she smiled. "What? Figure it's an actuate description. She doesn't need to the details of what we do in your bed.", he smirked and sipped his beer.
She chuckled and shook her head, smirking slightly. "So about how long are we staying at this party?", he questioned. "How long can you stand it?", she countered as her castmates and director had moved along. "As long as I'm not left alone to the hyenas I'll be okay.", he answered. "Aww I promise, your big old lioness will scare those scary hyenas away.", she joked. Merrick laughed a little. "Oh I'm sure. Feel much safer now.", he teased kissing her neck. The first time he'd actually given PDA beyond cheek kisses and hugs. Zoe blinked then grinned, tilting her head to show more of her neck. "Oh, tease.", she smiled. "It's only a tease if I don't intend to follow through. Well to the extent of follow through the rule allows.", he whispered. "So again I ask, how long are we staying?", he asked with a smirk. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, leaning into him. "Mmh... Finish the water and beer, and go?", she suggested. "I like that plan...", he smiled kissing her neck a little more before drinking the rest of his beer. Zoe giggled a bit and finished her water quickly, lacing her fingers with his. "Come celebrate the end of the play with me.", she said leading the way out of the club and to his car. Merrick smirked following her out of the club and to the car driving to the apartment. The restaurant had closed for the night, but neither of them cared. Zoe unlocked the lower door and the pair went inside. Merrick wrapped his arms around her keeping her close as he kissed her neck and let his hands wander over the outside of her blouse. They got up to her apartment door Zoe getting the keys in to unlock it, however found herself turned around by Merrick. She was about to say something but was cut off by Merrick’s lips on hers, so instead her words melted into a muffled moan.
Merrick gripped her waist lifting her up pressing her against the door deepening the kiss growling a little. Zoe gasped a little being lifted up being just wrapped her arms tight around his neck and brought her legs up around him as well. Neither were paying much attention to the fact they were in the hallway, after all it was exactly a public space. It may not have been a public space but Alec did still have to use the stairs to get to his apartment on the third floor. He’d spent the last two months trying to ignore some of the sounds that came from his niece’s apartment when Merrick was over. Tonight as he made his way up the stairs from the restaurant it wasn’t something he could just ignore it was literally in front of him. He was a bit startled to see his niece pressed against her apartment door by Merrick. Alec couldn’t decide if he should say something or just try to sneak around them. He opted for trying to get past them however he was carrying some groceries with him and bumped into Merrick. Merrick pulled back from the kiss a little to look at the interruption and smiled a little. “Evening Mister D’Amour.”, Merrick greeted. Zoe pouted a little when he pulled back but then saw her uncle and blushed a little. “Hi Uncle Alec…”, she said quietly trying to not laugh. “Evening...um I’m just going to go to bed. Night.”, Alec said trying to get to the stairs. “That’s where we were going too..”, Merrick smirked turning the key in the lock. Alec shook his head muttered in Italian about feeling like he was living above Isadora and Damon again twenty years ago. Merrick kept one hand on Zoe to make sure she didn’t slip as he opened the apartment door and closed it behind them. They didn’t exactly wait to get to the bed to enjoy each other a trail of their clothes from the front door to the bedroom.
The next morning Zoe woke up first finding herself trapped, well maybe not trapped but still in his arms. She had learned since he’d started sleeping over in human form that he was a cuddler at night. It was rare while they slept that she didn’t feel the weight of his arms around her and the warmth of his body pressed close. She smiled a little thinking to how he’d described himself to Kayla as her ‘bed warmer’. He certain did do that. The heat in the apartment wasn’t the best but with him to cuddle to she didn’t really care how cold it got outside the blankets. She rolled in his arms to look at his face and smiled seeing he was peacefully asleep and purring softly. She sighed and lightly kissed him. “So cute…”, she said softly. Merrick smirked a little his eyes half opening to look at her. “Hmm same could be said for the view I get.”, he teased half asleep. Zoe laughed a little. “So what’s the plan for today, lupo cattivo?”, she asked. “Hmmm..”, Merrick thought rolling her to her back so he had her pinned under him, one leg carefully placed between her thighs and otherwise propped himself on his forearms. Zoe giggled shaking her head as he pinned her and raised her hips a little to press against him. “God you are tempting…”, Merrick murmured kissing her neck. “Glad to be of service. Now my question what’s on the agenda today?”, she repeated. Merrick sighed and rested his forehead on hers. “Shower, preferably together.”, he started giving her a light kiss. “Then I’ve gotta go to my shop and get an order finished for Fedex to pick up.”, he continued with another kiss. “After that is ultrasound appointment at the Hamilton clinic, find out gender today.”, he said followed by a slightly longer kiss. “And then I pick up Sebastian then Gina and bring them back here to watch whatever movie Gina is bringing and eat dinner, and later I return our siblings.”, Merrick finished going over what he knew was happening today.
Zoe laughed a little at each kiss which seemed to be bullet points to each item. “Oooh baby gender. Cool. Can’t wait to hear that so I know if I buy a blue or pink collar for your lupacchiotto.”, she half teased. “But seriously that’s cool you will find out if you are having a Faelan or a Willow.”, Zoe said. Merrick shrugged a little and kissed her neck. “Well at least those are the names I like. It’s still up for debate with her.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe sighed and lightly touched the side of his face before giving him a kiss. “You’ll get it all figured out handsome. Now come on let’s go take that shower and get today started.”, she encouraged. Merrick nodded giving her another kiss before getting out of the bed not caring about being nude walking to the bathroom. Zoe laughed a little following along behind him, he was certainly comfortable in her apartment and with her at least. She enjoyed the nights he stayed with her not even just for their intense foreplay, because that didn’t happen every night not she enjoyed when he stayed because she got to spend time with him. After their shower he headed out to take care of the items he needed to and Zoe just picked up around the apartment as they’d left a trail of their clothes from the door where everything started after the wrap party. And otherwise she got stuff ready for snacks and dinner later when he returned with their siblings. She made sure to have some sodas and everything she needed to make an herb de provence and asiago cheese popcorn to munch during the movie and then she was making two kinds of couscous stuffed peppers, some had beef which she put on a separate cooking sheet and the others used tofu for Merrick.

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It’d been three weeks since Merrick had been told that Jenna was pregnant and it still didn’t fully feel real to him. But he knew he wasn’t the type of guy that could ever be absent from the life of his own child, even if he didn’t love the mother. He’d already told Jada and Karli that he wouldn't be answering or making any more phone calls for hook ups. They both seemed to accept that at this point he intended to just focus on getting ready to be a dad. Neither had the delusion that he was going to start dating Jenna or get serious about anyone. He wasn’t surprised that Jada was cool with it but he did half expect someone to explode when he told Karli. He had heard about how bad her break up with Forge had been . Maybe it was because they weren’t really a couple as she’d been with Forge that she didn’t seem to mind. The only girl he didn’t call to tell anything to was Rose. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her. He already didn’t think she’d be coming back next summer anyway with her hero work she started in Cambridge. So he’d resolved himself to the idea there was no reason to tell her something that would make her not want to come back when she already wasn’t going to. He spent most of his time working, he had started to build furniture for the nursery he was setting up at the Haven.
The downside of Jenna knowing where he lived was well she felt she could just stop in any time. So with how things were going he’d started spending a few nights a week at Zoe’s apartment. After he’d been told about Jenna being pregnant it’d been Zoe’s apartment that he’d sought refuge and despite better judgement blurred the lines of their friendship. He hadn’t intended for anything to happen with Zoe it just kind of did. And he had to admit he liked it. They hadn’t gone beyond kissing at this point, but the possibility of going further was there. Though he’d set a clear line he didn’t think they should cross and that was having sex. It kind of helped that her couch and more importantly her bed were old and rather on the small side. To really sleep in her bed on the nights he stayed he would shift to his ocelot or wolf forms to take up less space. He’d always wake up in the morning with Zoe’s arm over him snuggled into his fur. He didn’t spend his free time or the night with Zoe because he wanted her physically instead it was because he wanted her company. She was the one person in town he could talk to about everything and at the moment he needed that more than he need someone to get physical with. Zoe just had the added benefit that he could kiss and cuddle her. Though in a small way, in his subconscious, Merrick felt guilty that he was being close in this way with Zoe. Like he was cheating on Rose who’d been the first woman since Leslie he’d stayed overnight with and held in his arms just for the point of holding her.
Merrick was staying enough nights at Zoe’s she’d cleared out her bottom dresser drawer for him to keep some extra clothes so he didn’t always have to go back to the Haven to get fresh clothes and given him a spare set of keys to let himself in as he needed. The downside of staying at Zoe’s was he had to sleep in his animal form which was having an effect on him having to stay in an animal form for so many hours. For one thing he found himself waking up and having the urge to raid her fridge and eat all the meat. It was rather hard to resist that urge and remind himself he is a vegetarian and fight the animal instinct of the carnivore he had fallen asleep as. So Merrick started a side project at Aonair Mac Tíre to build her a bedroom set when not working on his customer’s orders or the nursery furniture. As with most furniture he’d made for her he worked with cherry. And on a day he had off from Wal-Mart and he knew she was going straight for classes at the community college to work down in the restaurant he brought the set to her apartment to assemble. He’d first take out all the old furniture, having talked to Alec in advance who’d given permission to toss the old worn furniture. The nightstands were easy enough and he brought them in already assembled, they were a set of twenty-eight inches tall with four drawers one was actually hidden a felt lined to to hold jewelry. The dresser he assembled on site as it was a forty-eight inch tall ten drawer dresser, two hidden and felt lined as well the other eight drawers being lined with aromatic cedar to ensure the condition of clothes, and a beveled glass mirror. Once assembled Merrick took care in putting her clothes and his back into the eight drawers. The last and larger item he had to build on site was the queen sized euro style sleigh bed. Given he couldn't re-use her previous mattress or even her bedding as they were all full size he’d gotten a new queen box spring, mattress, and bedding from Wal-Mart having gone with neutral set picking a 300 thread count cotton taupe and gold damask pattern.
He sighed after getting the bedding on and looked around the bedroom, it had never been a large bedroom but he’d measured a dozen different times before he built the furniture to ensure that not only would the pieces fit but they wouldn’t make the bedroom too crowded. And he was right, the room didn’t seem crowded instead it felt cozy there was still a good amount of space to walk around between the door and around the bed. “Well it looks good at least.”, he said with a shrug checking the time. “I’ve still got time before she’s off work. So can grab a shower, change into clean clothes because if I had sweat any more getting this together I’d say I just had one hell of a night with Rose.”, Merrick laughed talking to himself a smile on his face thinking about Rose. He went into the bathroom and leaned on the counter looking at the mirror. “I need to shave..”, he muttered opening the medicine cabinet and laughed a little. “God do I live here?”, Merrick sighed shaking his head pulling out his shaving cream and straight razor and closing the mirror setting to shaving before taking his shower and changing into a clean pair of jeans and a navy polo. He closed her bedroom door not wanting her to even get a peek at what he’d accomplished while she was at school and work. He still had enough time that he could really surprise Zoe. “She's been feeding me since May, seems fair to return the favor once in a while.”, he said talking to himself as he went to the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients to make what he knew to be her favorite spaghetti alla norma. He’d seen her make it before and remembered what went into it so figured he could give it a try.
As he was busy sauteing the onion, garlic, eggplant and tomatoes his cell phone started to ring and his shoulder sank it was Jenna’s ringtone. He picked it up only because it could have something to do with the baby. “Yeah Jenna?”, Merrick answered dropping the spaghetti into the boiling water. One thing he could always be sure of at Zoe’s was fresh pasta her ‘Uncle’ made the pasta every morning for the restaurant and would give her some. “Hi Merrick! Where are you?”, Jenna immediately greeted. “Not really your business. Why? Something wrong with the baby?”, Merrick answered rolling his eyes. “No I’m perfectly fine and so is the baby. But I went to your house to talk to you. Wanted to discuss baby names and nursery themes. Your mother said you had today off from Wal-Mart but had left early this morning and made no mention of where you were going or when you’d return.”, she answered her voice a tad high and on the verge of sounding whiny. “Well considering I’m an adult I don’t feel it necessary to check in with my mother on my whereabouts. And given you aren’t my girlfriend or wife I don’t have to check in with you either. There’s nothing to really discuss. I’ve told you that for a boy I prefer Faelan Christian or for a girl Cana Willow. And what do I care what you set up for your nursery. At my place the theme is the wilderness. I’m already building the furniture and I’m getting my artist friend to paint a mural on the wall.”, Merrick countered. He could hear Jenna rolling her eyes in her sigh of exasperation. “We are having a baby together Merrick. I think I deserve to know where you are and who you are with. Especially when rumors are going around saying you are spending nights at Zoe DeLuca’s.”, Jenna said trying to be stern. “Jenna having a kid together doesn’t mean you get to know where I am or who I’m with. That’s not how this is going to work. We aren’t together. I have no intentions of dating you and the fact you are trying to leverage our unborn child to manipulate me really is pissing me off. The only connection we have is that child. And unless it’s about that child we have nothing to discuss. So I’m going to be hanging up now. Goodbye.”, Merrick said hitting end and setting the phone to silent and putting it on the counter as he finished making dinner.
Zoe had a rather long day all things considered. She’d had early morning classes followed by a full shift at the restaurant. Her whole body ached though mostly her feet. She finally was getting ready to punch out and went into the break room to do so but stopped just outside the door hearing an exchange between her two co-workers Jada, whom she knew till recently was one of the girls Merrick slept it, and Michelle apparently a friend of Jenna. “You have got to be kidding me Michelle.”, Jada said shaking her head. “I’m not. I’m one hundred percent serious. Jenna thinks she’s in love with him. And during the summer when I made mention that I saw him on a date looking rather cozy with Rose Howlett she came up with her plan that, in her mind, would ensure Merrick became just hers.”, Michelle said. “So she planned on getting knocked up to get Merrick? Wow. That's stupid as hell. And obviously backfired. She’s knocked up, he’s not dating her and isn’t going to. The best she did was stop him from sleeping with me and possibly any other girls he’d been with while he tries to focus on the becoming a dad.”, Jada sighed. “Well it worked out for Zoe.”, Michelle said with a sly smile. Jada raised an eyebrow. “And that means?”, she asked. “That if you hadn’t noticed his car is parked in the visitors parking out back a lot.”, Michelle said with a scandalous raise of her eyebrows. Zoe narrowed her eyes and walked into the break room. “If you two are done gossiping I would like punch out.”, Zoe said going to the time clock and signing out before looking at the two of them. Both looked a bit surprised to see her and worried how much she heard. “I heard everything you said. I’m not surprised by Jenna’s actions, Merrick already had suspicions of foul play. But you’ve just confirmed him to be correct. And Merrick hangs out because we are friends, best friends. And right now he’s going through some serious things and needs a friend to talk to. And since his other best friend Malcolm is away at college in Manhattan I’m the option he’s got left. So read into it if you like but we are just friends.”, Zoe said grabbing her backpack and leaving them before they could say anything further.
Zoe went through the kitchen stopping and giving her uncle a hug good night before she went through the kitchen door that lead straight to the stairs. As she headed up the stairs she didn’t know that someone was cooking in her apartment as the stairwell smelled of all the delicious foods being made in the kitchen. But the smells did remind her she was hungry and she could feel her stomach growling. “Io darò in pasto presto pancia. (I'll feed you soon tummy.)”, she murmured in Italian to herself as she went to unlock her apartment and realized it was open. She furrowed her brow as she walked inside but found herself smiling as she looked to her right at the kitchen area and there at her stove was Merrick cooking, two plates on the island a glass of red wine at one and a bottle of heineken at the other. “You cook?”, she teased setting her bag down and walking over to see what he was making. “Spaghetti alla Norma? Aww.”, she said leaning up and kissing his cheek. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Yes I can cook. I just live at the Haven where the kitchens are mom and Aislinn's territory. And yeah spaghetti alla norma. It's your favorite.”, he answered taking the dinner off the stove and serving it up on the plates. “What’s the occasion? Not often I come home and find an extremely hot guy cooking me dinner.”, she questioned sitting down at what she assumed was her plate as he didn’t often drink wine. "You always cook so returning the favor.", he said rinsing the dirty pans before putting them into the dishwasher. "Merrick, you are awesome.", she smiled. Merrick smirked sitting down. "I know. Now eat.", he said picking up his fork to start eating. Zoe just smiled and started eating. "Mmm you aren't a bad cook handsome. You're going to make a great dad and whoever you do end up married to will be one lucky woman.", Zoe commented taking a sip of her wine.
Merrick shrugged a little he didn't particularly think he was the type to get married. Being a dad may not have been on his list of things to do, but he knew he could do it. He had helped his mom with the younger kids at the academy till they moved. "So anything interesting happen today?", he asked making conversation while they ate. "Not much. Classes and then long day at work.", she said still eating. "Though did hear something interesting when I was punching out of work.", she added. She figured it was safe to tell him what Jada and Michelle had said. After all he'd assumed that Jenna had meant this baby to trap him in a relationship. "Oh what might that?", he inquired sipping his beer. "Well for one Jada and Michelle are back on the kick that we are together.", Zoe said with a small smile eating. They weren't dating but he had clothes and some personal hygiene items at her apartment. He spent a number of nights there with her. Sure he slept in animal form so it's not like anything really happened, but he slept like that so there was room for them on her bed. Merrick shrugged but was smirking as he drank his beer. "Which would be where Jenna heard I'm spending time around you. While I was coming she called wanting to know where I was and who I'm with. She didn't seem to like when I reminded her I'm not her boyfriend so unless it's baby related we have no reason to talk.", Merrick said.
Zoe nodded. "Yeah, well your car kind of stands out parked next to Uncle Alec's.", she explained. "That's true. But not giving up my car just so people don't know I'm here. So what else did the gossip duo say?", he asked. "That you were right.", Zoe said finishing her dinner. "That I'm right? Well it happens. But what am I right about?", he asked getting up having finished his plate and took hers rinsing then putting them in the dishwasher. "About Jenna getting knocked up on purpose to try and trap you. Michelle was telling Jada about it.", Zoe explained. Merrick shrugged. "That figures. Rather dumb move but oh well. Didn't work in her favor. I won't date her let alone touch her. I prefer to spend my time with people that don't try to manipulate me. Like you", he said pointing at her with his beer before finishing it. Zoe smiled a little. Jenna's plan had not gone how she wanted. Instead of this bringing him closer to Jenna it brought him closer to her. And she wasn't going to complain. "Thanks for making dinner. It was good and a nice change.", Zoe said. Merrick smiled. "You're welcome. But dinner wasn't your only surprise tonight. So the question becomes... do you trust me?", he said smirking as he pulled one of her gray bandanas from his jeans pocket. Zoe blinked then smirked. "Oooh, kinky Merrick," she teased, closing her eyes. "Maybe later, current purpose isn't kinky.", he said putting bandana over her eyes.
"Let's see how many walls I can run you into.", he joked grabbing her hand to lead her down the hall to her bedroom and opened the door to see the bedroom set inside. The euro sleigh bed, the 28in tall nightstands with their 3 drawers, the right drawer dresser with its beveled mirror. He'd even gotten a queen big spring, bed, and a bedding set. "You ready?", he asked. Zoe followed after him, holding his hand and chuckling. She moved carefully and was glad she didn't bump into anything. "Yep.", she said. "Alright. One...two...three.", he said pulling the bandana off. It might have been a gamble with buying the bedding. He'd picked the taupe and gold damask pattern set. Which if she didn't like it not a big deal he could trade it at work for a set she did. "Surprise.", he announced at the reveal. Zoe blinked then laughed. "Mio Dio!", she yelled. "Merrick this is beautiful!", she exclaimed. Merrick laughed. "Glad you like it. I don't know why but seem to favor using cherry for stuff I make you. Alec said it was okay to get rid of the old miss-matched set. I even put our clothes back. I still only kept one drawer for my stuff. Doubled your storage.", he said walking around her. "Check this out.", he said pulling two narrow hidden drawers out from the top of the dresser. The thin drawers were lined with a cream felt and he had already placed some of the jewelry she'd bought from him in them. "They are for jewelry. The nightstands have them too. And the drawers otherwise are lined with cedar.", he explained.
Zoe walked into the room lightly running her fingers across the dresser. "You...you are just...wow.", Zoe said looking from the furniture to him. "So how will I ever make you enough meals to pay for all this?", she teased a little putting her arms around his neck. "Oh I'm not looking for food for making the bedroom set.", Merrick smirked putting his hands on her hips. "Oooh what do you want?", she asked faking innocence. She looked at the new bed from the corner of her eyes hopeful that's where payment might be made. "Not to sleep in an animal form just to fit on the bed with you.", he commented noticing her looking at the bed. "I think that can be arranged.", she said focusing her dark blue eyes up to his green-yellow. And looking at those unique eyes she remembered that night at the Haven when he'd come to check on her. She remembered vividly that night and not because of Geri but him and those damn eyes. And she remembered how hot his hand felt when he held her chin to make her look at him. Maybe it wasn't that he himself was hot but that him touching her made her feel that. Like right now even through the fabric of her black slacks where he held her hips she felt that heat that she felt every time he'd touched her. "Oh you think?", he teased. "Then again you could easily say you take issue having me as me in your bed at night rather than a large purring cat.", Merrick smirked.
"Nope I won't. I want you there just as much.", she smiled and kissed him. He smiled into the kiss returning it as he pulled her closer. The back of his mind his thoughts were about getting her out of her clothes and onto that bed having his way with her rules be damned. But he knew that was not on the table at least not taking her fully. He finally pulled back from the kiss with an inward sigh holding back his urge to get her on the bed. "Consolation I've been told I still purr even as myself.", he said taking a breath from the kiss. Zoe rubbed her lips together after he pulled back. Three weeks of getting to kiss him and always left her wanting more. "Then win win.", she smiled. "Indeed. And I don't have to worry about waking up and eating any meat in the fridge from that carnivore nature of the ocelot.", he shrugged his hands absently rubbing at her hips. "Suppose should be grateful that you wake up and animal instinct wasn't to eat me.", she laughed a little. Merrick smirked leaning slightly to her right ear. "Who said my own instinct hasn't been to eat you?", he whispered emphasis on the word ‘eat’ lightly nipping at her ear. Zoe felt a shiver go through her and her heart start to beat a little faster. Merrick smirked he could hear her heart starting to beat faster. He moved a hand from her hip unbuttoning her vest and reaching for the top button of her white dress shirt. "How many of these shirts do you own?", he asked unbuttoning the top button. Zoe let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding tilting her head slightly thinking. “A dozen maybe…”, she answered. “Good. So one being ruined won’t be an issue.”, he said as a claw formed and playfully plucked at the next button. “With your permission of course..”, he added looking at her.
Zoe blinked a little looking down at the claw and then up to him with a smirk. “Definitely...”, she said biting her bottom lip a little. She had boyfriends back in Florence, not many but she had them. She’d made out with them and there was some wandering hands but always outside the clothes. Maybe some people would say it was foolish to do this, to get involved physically with Merrick. And she knew it probably was foolish. He was having a child with someone else and she knew he was in love with Rose. But none of that mattered to her, it didn’t seem to faze her. Jenna would never have him. And one day if Merrick or Rose would admit how they feel Rose would have him. Right now though neither of them had him, she did. In this moment it was her that he wanted. Merrick smirked and with a tad more pressure applied popped the buttons off her shirt one at a time revealing more of her soft skin with each button that fell to the floor. Three weeks without sex a record for him probably, and right now he was just trying to remind himself of that rule he’d made and that no matter what he wasn’t to have sex with her. He looked down at the shirt as it hung open a section of her chest from throat to navel visible and a bit of her white lace bra peeking through on either side of the open shirt. He just kept looking from her throat down to her navel, he could see her pulse in her throat and hear her heart beating quickly. She was nervous or anxious probably a mixture he figured. He’d not really asked how far she’d gone with a guy having left it with knowing she’d never had sex. His eyes meandered to look at her chest seeing the subtle rising and falling of her breasts as she breathed trying to keep some amount of calm.
“So Lupo Cattivo, what’s your next move?”, she asked softly eager and afraid to know the answer. Merrick raised an eyebrow and brought his eyes up to meet hers as she addressed him. “Lupo Cattivo?”, he questioned. “Yes. It means big bad wolf.”, Zoe explained. Merrick smirked a devious glint in his eyes. “That so…. well hellraiser…”, he teased his claw pressing softly against her throat and he felt her gulp a little. “I’m not much on words. My actions tend to speak better for me. However before this goes further…”, he explained his claw moving down her neck to her chest leaving a very faint scratch in it’s wake. “You are going to need to tell me...when I should stop. If I do something…”, he drew in a breath as his claw moved over the center of her bra going lower. “That you don’t want me to, tell me to heel.”, he instructed. Zoe had closed her eyes at this point biting her bottom lip as his claw scratched along her flesh. She’d never had though being scratched could feel this good. “And...and if you do something I like? Or I don’t want you to stop?”, she asked opening her eyes. “Well if you like something...I’ll know but feel free to speak up of course. And if you don’t stop me...I’ll try to stop myself before breaking that rule.”, he said bring his claw back up and along with his other hand took off her vest and shirt letting them fall to the bedroom floor. His eyes went back down to the bra, for someone who didn’t think she had much of a body he was certainly enjoying the view. He ran his hands along her sides slipping down and starting to unfasten her pants giving them a tug as they fell off her hips and puddled at her feet.
He took a half step back from her which she furrowed her brow trying to figure out what he was doing. She felt herself blushing all over standing there in nothing more than her white lace bra and thong and having his eyes wandering over her body she felt intensely self conscious. She knew she wasn’t a very curvy girl. Merrick looked her over from head to toe, his eyes very slowly drinking the sight in. “Mio Dio…”, he murmured. He had heard her say the phrase a few times and at this moment it felt the only phrase to say. Zoe laughed softly hearing him speak her language but her blush didn’t fade at that approving phrase but deepened because of it. Zoe took a breath and reached up behind her with both hands unclasping her bra, the movement catching Merrick’s attention. She smirked a little as she alternated arms to hold the bra over her chest as she slipped one arm at a time out of the straps. She took another breath and looked at him and could see something in his eyes, like he was hungry or something and then she moved her arms to her sides and the bra fell to the ground. This time she saw the subtle movement of his adam’s apple and smiled now getting the courage together and took hold the waistband of her thongs and slid them down stepping out of them along with her pants and her black trouser socks. She bit her bottom lip hard enough she tasted blood and winced a little at the sharp pain. Merrick rubbed his lips together watching her with the intensity of a cat watching a string dangled before them, that mixture of curiosity and that subtle desire to just pounce. He noticed the wince and closed the gap between them kissing her, a hand holding the back of her head.
He licked at the bottom of her lip lightly and could taste the fresh drops of blood before her lips parted and his tongue ventured further in her mouth to rub and caress hers. He heard her moan into his mouth and he let his other hand roam across her naked body, up her side learning every subtle curve till it reached her breast and held it massaging. As they kissed he was carefully backing her to the bed. She wasn't even aware of it lost in the kiss and the feel of him touching her naked flesh, till she felt the solid wood frame and mattress against the back of her legs. It startled her a little but not quite the same as when she felt his fingers gently pinching at her nipple. She let out a startled moan bringing one arm around his neck letting her fingers tighten on his hair giving a soft tug. He pulled back a little from the kiss as she tugged. “Yeah?”, he questioned a bit breathless from the kiss. “You’re turn….”, she said pulling back further from the kiss and letting herself sit upon the tall bed. For the first time getting to feel the bedding which was soft under her bare flesh and the mattress beneath the bedding felt comfortable. He’d put a lot of time, effort and sincere thought into this bedroom set. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “My turn?”, he questioned grabbing her thighs lightly looking to part them. “Well...I… I’m naked. So you’re turn. I won’t be the only self conscious one here.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick laughed a little. “Self conscious?”, he questioned. “Yes. Not exactly any everyday occurrence that someone gets my clothes off let alone that I strip off my undergarments.”, Zoe defended. “You have nothing to be self conscious about. What’s the word for breathtaking in Italian?”, Merrick asked shaking his head softly. “Um mozzafiato..”, Zoe answered blushing a little. “Right. Mozzafiato, that’s you Zoe. So don’t ever be anything short of confident.”, he said placing his hands on either side of her thighs on the bed leaning closer kissing her softly on the lips. Zoe smiled into the kiss. “For a guy not good with words..”, she teased. Merrick shrugged. “I have my moments.”, he admitted. “Mmhmm. Still your turn.”, she agreed still insistent that the odds be evened. Merrick sighed a little and leaned back to stand up to his full six foot three inches before her. “Alright...as you wish.”, he smirked grabbing the bottom of his polo shirt and intentionally moving slowly pulled it up over his head to land on the floor with her clothes. It wasn’t the first time he’d undressed for a girl, they all seemed to like when he did that almost as much as they enjoyed taking them off him or in Rose’s case ripping them off. Zoe rested her hands back on the bed and tilted her head a little watching him. She had seen him shirtless a few times and it was always a fine sight. She smirked as he went to unbutton his jeans, he was being deliberate with his movements. “Done this before I take it?”, she teased as he let the jeans fall to the ground leaving him in just his black boxers which weren’t exactly hiding the bulge. Merrick smirked but said nothing as he slid the boxers off. And there he was completely naked. Zoe looked at him and smirked nodding a little. Merrick arched an eyebrow at the nod. “Damn... and now I see why girls have wanted on your list.”, Zoe explained.
Merrick laughed a little. “I guess. I try to be humble about it.”, he said stepping closer and leaning down kissing her. He placed his left hand on the bed to brace himself while the right massaged at her breasts before trailing lower down her body. Zoe happily returned the kiss as one hand held onto the back of his neck wanting him closer. His right hand made its way to her thighs rubbing softly as it nudged gently for her legs to part, she took the gentle hint letting her legs part. As his hands reached its destination he ran just his index finger across her lower lips toying with her getting a soft moan as her response to the touch. It was obvious she was already starting to be aroused. As his thumb lightly pressed and moved in a small circle against her clit he heard a sharp gasp followed by a moan into his mouth as his tongue moved circles against hers mimicking the movement of his thumb. “Mio Dios…”, Zoe moaned pulling back for air from the kiss. Taking the opportunity for air Merrick started to kiss and nibble at her neck and ear his thumb giving variation to its circles as it massaged adding side to side and diagonal movements to stimulate her. Pausing for a moment of teasing her clit he slid first one finger, which she moaned and he felt her shiver slightly, then a second inside moving in and out. He was enjoying hearing her moaning which between the moaning and that her hips on their own were pressing up against his hand he knew she was enjoying it to. While still moving his two fingers rhythmically he let his thumb return to massaging her clitoris. He could hear it in her moans and heartbeat and the feel her body that she was getting closer to a small release.
Zoe pulled away from him a little which he stopped kissing her neck for a moment. “You alright?”, he asked softly against her ear. Zoe nodded. “Yeah just...wow..”, she answered softly. Merrick laughed softly against her neck returning to kissing along her jugular feeling her pulse under his lips. Zoe moaned softly tilting her head giving him full access to her neck. “Move up the bed…”, Merrick instructed. Zoe nodded and slid up the new bed and laid down resting her head on the soft new pillows looking at him. Merrick watched her move up the bed before getting onto the bed. He however didn’t join her at the top of the bed instead opting to slowly kiss up her leg and gently moved her legs apart. “So that was second base...think you’re ready for third?”, Merrick teased pressing his fingers back into her while he kissed and nibbled her inner thighs. Zoe moaned her hips rising slightly. “Si...dios...si. When do I get to give?”, Zoe answered in a moan as she looked down at him. Merrick continued his movement his with hand but looked up from where he’d left a faint hickey on her inner right thigh. “Soon...promise.”, Merrick said kissing a little higher. Moving her legs over his shoulders bringing his fingers out of her and instead running his tongue along the length of her entrance. Zoe moaned rather loudly her hands reaching down one finding his hair and lacing her fingers with his hair holding tight. The tugging at his hair just made him growl low and deep while his tongue continued it’s work trying different things such as spelling the alphabet with his tongue, sucking, licking, and flicking while his hands were roaming along her legs and higher massaging her breasts. And he kept going knowing she was enjoying herself by the cries of his name and some other things in Italian. “MIO DIOS! MERRRRIIICCCKKK! OH MIO DIO CAZZO!”, she cried out not caring that her Uncle could possibly hear her in his apartment upstairs. After her body had stopped shaking and her thighs relaxed on his shoulders he finally stopped.
He kissed the insides of her thigh fighting for restraint. The entire time he was pleasuring her all he kept thinking was wanting to stop and just be inside her to fully take her. He could hear her heart and breathing still slightly irregular but starting to normalize as he moved to stretch out on the bed next to her. Zoe sighed a little rolling to her side to and looking at him a wide smile on her lips. “That was… stupefacente.”, she said running a hand along his chest. “Stupefacente?”, Merrick asked with a light laugh. “Amazing. Does this mean it’s now...my turn?”, she asked biting her bottom lip as her hand trailed down his chest tracing out his muscles. “If you want it to be.”, he answered his eyes closing just a little liking the feel of her hand on his chest. “Do you want me to?”, she asked her hand getting lower brushing past his groin and lightly touching his thighs. “Yes...god yes and then some.”, Merrick groaned. “And then some?”, Zoe teased bringing her hand up and brushing him again. Merrick growled low biting on his bottom lip. “You know what I mean, but I’m not going to do that.”, Merrick said. Zoe smirked lightly taking him in her hand starting to stroke. “Well I won’t make you break your rule till you choose to. Just know…”, she paused and kissed him. “That if I choose to break the rule you’ll be here willing to break it?”, Merrick finished. Zoe laughed and kissed his neck as her hand continued its motion. “Now who’s finishing whose thoughts..”, she teased as she kissed lower to his right shoulder. Merrick growled again a soft moan. Zoe laughed a little kissing lower down his chest biting as she went, if there was one thing she figured was a safe bet it was he liked a pain. Merrick growled a little louder at the bites.
“God Zoe….”, he moaned as she licked up his erection. Zoe laughed a little. “I’ll take that as a good sign.”, she smirked. Merrick lifted his head up slightly to look down at her and moved a hand to run it across her head. “God yes...for someone who’s never done this you are off to one hell of a start.”, he smirked. Zoe smirked leaning back down to take him into her mouth using her tongue massaging around then back up toying with the tip. “Mmmm...Zoe..”, he growled low his hand tightening in her hair the other holding the bedding resisting the urge to let his claws sink into the new material. There was something about hearing him moan/growl her name, she held the power right now. Before when it was him bringing her to that brink and beyond he’d had the control over her and now the table was turned. At a point there was no real words that she could understand he was just moaning but mostly a combination of a moan with a growl and she knew that it was a good growl by how his hand would tightening on her hair or move down her neck wanting to touch her. “Oh...God..Zoe..”, he moaned through gritted teeth. Any other circumstances he’d be trying to stop her, not wanting to finish like this but he knew that wasn’t an option this time he kept reminding himself of his rule about not having sex with her. “Okay...Zoe...mmm...stop... Oh God… unless you want..”, he moaned/growled trying to piece together a sentence not certain if she’d rather stop before he released. Zoe heard him but didn’t stop till she gave him the release he’d given her. “Ooooohhhh Zoe…”, he called out. His grip loosened on her hair, his breathing still slightly off and his heart rate was still fast. She sat up on the bed and looked over at him a hand resting on his thigh.
“So I did…. alright?”, she asked a little timid. Merrick took a couple breaths opening his eyes and looking at her. He smiled a little at her and reached grabbing her arm lightly and pulled her up closer placing her hand over his chest where his heart was still beating fast. “What do you think?”, he teased. Zoe smiled a little feeling his heart beating quickly in his chest. “Come here..”, he said rolling to his right side pulling her up to the pillows and wrapped his arms around her to hold her close. She laughed lightly being pulled up to the pillows and sighed softly cuddling into him. “Merrick?”, she asked softly bringing one arm over him letting her hand lightly pet his back. Merrick was purring softly with his eyes closed but opened them to look at her. “Yeah Zoe?”, he asked. “I just...I wanted to say I really enjoyed that, and I’m enjoying this part too.”, she admitted with a small smile looking at him as they laid eye level. “I think I’m going to like you laying in bed as you maybe more than when you were an ocelot.”, she added. Merrick laughed a little and squeezed her gently in his arms before kissing her. “I enjoyed it too. Now let’s get some rest.”, he said moving a little to get the blankets out from under them and then pulled the blankets over them. Zoe sighed and cuddled close listening to him purring. She knew well enough that him cuddling was not something he did with most women, so she did feel part of a very short and special list. “Good night Merrick..”, she whispered and kissed him lightly. “Night Zoe..”, he murmured. If this was what being with him was like, she could see why some girls had done some extreme things to have this level of intimacy with him.
The nights that followed the he stayed with her didn't always include sexual pleasure. Many of the nights he stayed they kissed but mostly they just laid in bed cuddling talking about anything falling asleep like that. Neither of them talked about or even mentioned Rose. Zoe had some auditions and did get a role though it was minor. Which Nana Hazel came down from Boston for opening night, Merrick ended up having to work that night but did send lotus flowers for her. After the opening night performance Hazel took Zoe out for dinner. “I’m so glad you were able to come down from Boston. I was afraid the weather would be too bad for you to make the drive, well for Michael to make the drive.”, Zoe said as she walked alongside the matriarch of the Frost family following Jada to a table along the far wall of Two Brothers. “No amount of snow can stop a Frost.”, Hazel said her voice oddly sweet for a woman of her age and each word seemed to be highlighted by the sound of her hickory cane tapping on the hardwood floor as she walked. Unlike some women of her age and health Hazel didn’t hunch even a little her posture was perfect the cane was only there because her hip had recently been replaced and it helped keep her stable, plus she liked having a weapon that no one would expect a little old lady to use as one. She’d dressed up in a nice dress in a dark violet color that she’d paired with a set of pearl earrings and necklace though the outfit itself was set off by a bird brooch that had golden/yellow stones of various sizes and shapes with a purple amethyst as the eye. Those who knew Hazel knew that the brooch was special to her and worn on special occasions.
“Well either way I’m just glad you came. This was my first performance here in America. I expected to see my parents, my sister, and my Uncle in the crowd. I didn’t however expect to see you there, I’d half hoped to see a different Frost but I knew he had to work tonight.”, Zoe said sitting down. Jada raising an eyebrow as she silently listened to the conversation setting menus down. “It was a pleasure to meet your parents, well your mother. I’ve met your father on previous occasions when he and my grandsons worked together. Your Uncle was very charming, which this is his restaurant correct? And I did enjoy your younger sister, Merrick tells me she is dating our young Sebastian. That's a fine match.”, Hazel said taking her seat and resting her cane against the wall. Her cold blue eyes turned to Jada who seemed to be waiting to speak. “It’s rude to eavesdrop young lady. No part of our conversation is any of your business. Gone on and scat while we take a few moments to look at the menu.”, Hazel said her aristocratic Boston accent heavy and stern as she looked at Jada. Jada blinked and nodded walking away while Zoe covered her mouth to not laugh at Jada being dismissed in such a manner. “Yes this is my Uncle Alec’s restaurant, I also work here and live upstairs. And oh you should see Gina and Sebastian together, they are just adorable. They are supposed to come over to my apartment soon to watch some movies. They only recently let parents know they are dating and dad would rather Gina’s dates be chaperoned. He apparently fears Sebastian to be like Merrick. Which is just silly because Merrick is a very sweet man.”, Zoe laughed a little. Hazel smiled looking over her wine menu. “Well of course Merrick is sweet, to those deserving his kindness. I take that to imply my favorite great grandchild has been being rather sweet to you.”, Hazel said slyly looking over the menu. Zoe smiled a little not needing to look at the menu knowing it by heart.
“We are friends Hazel so of course he’s nice to me.”, Zoe defended. “Yes...friends…”, she said rolling her eyes with a soft laugh. “So what do you recommend my dear?”, Hazel asked setting down her menu. “Well given that you aren’t Merrick and therefore do eat meats...I’d recommend the steak gorgonzola-alfredo or the chicken & shrimp carbonara, which is what I’m getting.”, she recommended. Hazel nodded. “Sounds good then. I’ll trust you and go with the steak. Now just to get that girl back over here. Might I ask before we beckon her her forth why she was so interested in our conversation?”, she asked looking around the room for Jada. “Because she used to sleep with Merrick till he found out that Jenna was pregnant and decided to give up sex. And she’s got a bad habit of gossip and the fact I’m friends with Merrick I think bothers her.”, Zoe explained. “Oooh I see. Well too bad for her. Though honestly child how long you plan to give white lies to an old lady?”, she asked with a smile. “What do you mean Nana?”, Zoe asked sipping her water. “I may not have telepathy or any other mutant abilities that my children, grandchildren and great children have but I do know when someone’s keeping a secret. So want to just come clean about it?”, she asked. Zoe laughed a little. “Nothing much to come clean about. Merrick and I are friends, very close friends.”, she said not fully making eye contact. Hazel laughed. “Oh ‘very close’ indeed, My understanding from my grandson is that Merrick doesn’t sleep most nights at home. Makes one wonder where he is resting his head…”, Hazel smirked before raising a hand to get Jada’s attention so they could order. They didn’t directly get into what was or wasn't’ going on between her and Merrick. Hazel left it just at her suspicion and they enjoyed their meal and discussed the play and other things.
The final night of the performance Merrick was able to make it. It was a musical called Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and she'd gotten the role of Alice a young female who is one of the brides. He watched but his ears twitched through many of the singing parts. But he told her he'd go to at least one performance as it was the first part she'd gotten since coming to America. He was told since it was the last performance they were going to club 21 after for a wrap party so the carrot at the end of the stick was supposed to be alcohol. Which that was a factor but he also planned to stay at her apartment so the carrot was her. Once the performance was over he went to find her in the back but was told he wasn't allowed in the back. So Merrick waited by the exit for her. He leaned against the wall and watched as other cast members came out he pushed off the wall seeing Zoe walk out with the actor who he couldn't remember which brother he played talking. Well Zoe was talking but Merrick could hear it in the tone of the guy that he was trying to flirt with her as he was complimenting her performance and voice. "So do you need a ride to the club? I've got my car we could maybe go to the wrap party together.", the guy offered not realizing that Merrick was standing behind him.
Zoe however did see Merrick and smiled. It was rather amusing the musical was supposed to be about seven brothers described as 'tall as church steeples' yet Merrick towered over Justin though Justin was 5'10". "She has a ride.", Merrick stated. Justin blinked turning a little hearing the voice behind him and looked up seeing Merrick. Justin had graduated three years before Merrick so he didn't really know of him. "And you are?", Justin asked. "I'm Merrick Bryant-Frost. And I'm her...well friend.", Merrick smirked as he paused with a shrug. Zoe smiled and stepped around Justin and kissed Merrick on the cheek looping her arm with him. "I'm glad you made it. We'll see you at the wrap party Justin.", Zoe said nudging Merrick in the direction of the parking lot. Merrick smiled to Justin and walked with Zoe to the car. "You do realize he wanted to go with you to this party as a date. You sure I should actually come? Can drop you off.", Merrick asked opening the door for her. Zoe smiled and leaned up giving him a quick kiss before getting in the car. "I know he was. I just didn't care because I know who I'm going home with tonight. You did say you are staying tonight right?", Zoe asked. Merrick laughed getting in the car driving to club 21. "Yeah I'm staying tonight.", Merrick assured as they arrived at the club.
She wasn't old enough to drink but because they had booked the club for the party she was able to get in despite being underage. She just had to get an 'X' stamped on her hand. She of course had to make her rounds and hang out with cast members and the director and Merrick chose to make his way to the bar to get a drink. He leaned against the bar with beer in hand watching the room though mostly watching Zoe. She had the biggest smile on her face as she moved around the room talking to people. It was easy to see that this was her element weather it was on the stage or off being involved with a performance is where she belonged. As he sipped his beer he was mildly aware of a brunette who'd taken up a space next to him. "Hi. I'm Kayla Peabody. I don't recall you being part of the play. Because you have the height and build to have been one of the brothers.", Kayla smiled up at him. Merrick glanced at her taking a long sip of his beer. "I wasn’t involved with the play. I don't act, dance and certainly don't sing. I think I remember you from tonight's performance though. Your voice wasn't bad but could be improved.", he commented. "Oh. Well I could think of perhaps a different setting for you to better assess my vocal abilities.", she smirked giving him a wink. Merrick raised his eyebrows with a smirk. "I'm not going to lie, you are good looking and it’s tempting. But I've gotta say, nah I'm good. I am leaving with Zoe.", Merrick said declining the offer. Kayla looked over at Zoe and then at Merrick. "You're Zoe's boyfriend? Didn't know she had one.", she questioned. "Not her boyfriend. I'm her friend and at the moment bed warmer.", he answered pushing away from the wall and making his way back to the bar grabbing a water bottle and moving through the crowd to Zoe.
Kayla was left blinking shocked at the interaction. Merrick walked up being Zoe as she talked to the director and a couple of the male actors and reached around offering the water. "So your cast members seem...friendly.", Merrick commented looking over at Kayla. Zoe was startled for a moment at a bottle of water suddenly being offered from being her but smiled realizing it was Merrick. "Oh. How friendly we taking?", she teased taking the water and opening it. "Proposition level friendly.", Merrick whispered leaning close to her ear figuring the others didn't need to hear that. "And you're still here?", Zoe teased leaning back a little against him. Merrick smirked a little putting his free hand on her waist as she leaned against him. It was mildly amusing to see the expression of a couple of the guys she was talking to when she leaned against him. "I declined the offer. Said I was good since I'm leaving with you.", Merrick explained. "Aww I'm all special.", she laughed taking a sip of water. "Apparently you are. Kind of left her a bit shocked explaining I'm your friend and current bed warmer.", he explained. "Bed warmer... You little...",she shook her head and chuckled. "True. You are just pillow fluff.", she smiled. "What? Figure it's an actuate description. She doesn't need to the details of what we do in your bed.", he smirked and sipped his beer.
She chuckled and shook her head, smirking slightly. "So about how long are we staying at this party?", he questioned. "How long can you stand it?", she countered as her castmates and director had moved along. "As long as I'm not left alone to the hyenas I'll be okay.", he answered. "Aww I promise, your big old lioness will scare those scary hyenas away.", she joked. Merrick laughed a little. "Oh I'm sure. Feel much safer now.", he teased kissing her neck. The first time he'd actually given PDA beyond cheek kisses and hugs. Zoe blinked then grinned, tilting her head to show more of her neck. "Oh, tease.", she smiled. "It's only a tease if I don't intend to follow through. Well to the extent of follow through the rule allows.", he whispered. "So again I ask, how long are we staying?", he asked with a smirk. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, leaning into him. "Mmh... Finish the water and beer, and go?", she suggested. "I like that plan...", he smiled kissing her neck a little more before drinking the rest of his beer. Zoe giggled a bit and finished her water quickly, lacing her fingers with his. "Come celebrate the end of the play with me.", she said leading the way out of the club and to his car. Merrick smirked following her out of the club and to the car driving to the apartment. The restaurant had closed for the night, but neither of them cared. Zoe unlocked the lower door and the pair went inside. Merrick wrapped his arms around her keeping her close as he kissed her neck and let his hands wander over the outside of her blouse. They got up to her apartment door Zoe getting the keys in to unlock it, however found herself turned around by Merrick. She was about to say something but was cut off by Merrick’s lips on hers, so instead her words melted into a muffled moan.
Merrick gripped her waist lifting her up pressing her against the door deepening the kiss growling a little. Zoe gasped a little being lifted up being just wrapped her arms tight around his neck and brought her legs up around him as well. Neither were paying much attention to the fact they were in the hallway, after all it was exactly a public space. It may not have been a public space but Alec did still have to use the stairs to get to his apartment on the third floor. He’d spent the last two months trying to ignore some of the sounds that came from his niece’s apartment when Merrick was over. Tonight as he made his way up the stairs from the restaurant it wasn’t something he could just ignore it was literally in front of him. He was a bit startled to see his niece pressed against her apartment door by Merrick. Alec couldn’t decide if he should say something or just try to sneak around them. He opted for trying to get past them however he was carrying some groceries with him and bumped into Merrick. Merrick pulled back from the kiss a little to look at the interruption and smiled a little. “Evening Mister D’Amour.”, Merrick greeted. Zoe pouted a little when he pulled back but then saw her uncle and blushed a little. “Hi Uncle Alec…”, she said quietly trying to not laugh. “Evening...um I’m just going to go to bed. Night.”, Alec said trying to get to the stairs. “That’s where we were going too..”, Merrick smirked turning the key in the lock. Alec shook his head muttered in Italian about feeling like he was living above Isadora and Damon again twenty years ago. Merrick kept one hand on Zoe to make sure she didn’t slip as he opened the apartment door and closed it behind them. They didn’t exactly wait to get to the bed to enjoy each other a trail of their clothes from the front door to the bedroom.
The next morning Zoe woke up first finding herself trapped, well maybe not trapped but still in his arms. She had learned since he’d started sleeping over in human form that he was a cuddler at night. It was rare while they slept that she didn’t feel the weight of his arms around her and the warmth of his body pressed close. She smiled a little thinking to how he’d described himself to Kayla as her ‘bed warmer’. He certain did do that. The heat in the apartment wasn’t the best but with him to cuddle to she didn’t really care how cold it got outside the blankets. She rolled in his arms to look at his face and smiled seeing he was peacefully asleep and purring softly. She sighed and lightly kissed him. “So cute…”, she said softly. Merrick smirked a little his eyes half opening to look at her. “Hmm same could be said for the view I get.”, he teased half asleep. Zoe laughed a little. “So what’s the plan for today, lupo cattivo?”, she asked. “Hmmm..”, Merrick thought rolling her to her back so he had her pinned under him, one leg carefully placed between her thighs and otherwise propped himself on his forearms. Zoe giggled shaking her head as he pinned her and raised her hips a little to press against him. “God you are tempting…”, Merrick murmured kissing her neck. “Glad to be of service. Now my question what’s on the agenda today?”, she repeated. Merrick sighed and rested his forehead on hers. “Shower, preferably together.”, he started giving her a light kiss. “Then I’ve gotta go to my shop and get an order finished for Fedex to pick up.”, he continued with another kiss. “After that is ultrasound appointment at the Hamilton clinic, find out gender today.”, he said followed by a slightly longer kiss. “And then I pick up Sebastian then Gina and bring them back here to watch whatever movie Gina is bringing and eat dinner, and later I return our siblings.”, Merrick finished going over what he knew was happening today.
Zoe laughed a little at each kiss which seemed to be bullet points to each item. “Oooh baby gender. Cool. Can’t wait to hear that so I know if I buy a blue or pink collar for your lupacchiotto.”, she half teased. “But seriously that’s cool you will find out if you are having a Faelan or a Willow.”, Zoe said. Merrick shrugged a little and kissed her neck. “Well at least those are the names I like. It’s still up for debate with her.”, Merrick sighed. Zoe sighed and lightly touched the side of his face before giving him a kiss. “You’ll get it all figured out handsome. Now come on let’s go take that shower and get today started.”, she encouraged. Merrick nodded giving her another kiss before getting out of the bed not caring about being nude walking to the bathroom. Zoe laughed a little following along behind him, he was certainly comfortable in her apartment and with her at least. She enjoyed the nights he stayed with her not even just for their intense foreplay, because that didn’t happen every night not she enjoyed when he stayed because she got to spend time with him. After their shower he headed out to take care of the items he needed to and Zoe just picked up around the apartment as they’d left a trail of their clothes from the door where everything started after the wrap party. And otherwise she got stuff ready for snacks and dinner later when he returned with their siblings. She made sure to have some sodas and everything she needed to make an herb de provence and asiago cheese popcorn to munch during the movie and then she was making two kinds of couscous stuffed peppers, some had beef which she put on a separate cooking sheet and the others used tofu for Merrick.