Chapter 14 - Bedroom Hymns
Kate looked around the room. There was a television, VCR, and a stack of VHS tapes. Two bookcases framed a window, full of novels. There was even a record player and some vinyls. She gently thumbed through the selection and pulled a disk from it's dusty jacket. She placed the disk on the turntable and flipped the switch.
Blues music played and Kate closed her eyes. She'd always loved the blues, and it always took her to her happy place.
"BB King. Good fucking choice." Negan purred in her ear.
He gently pulled down her ponytail and kissed her shoulder. He inhaled the scent of her hair as he gently ran his fingers through it. Negan wanted her - all of her.
Kate could feel the heat of desire rising in her chest. She was torn apart inside. Today's events had left her mentally drained. She'd seen two sides of Negan, and she honestly wasn't sure what she wanted.
Negan moved his hands to her breasts and gently squeezed. He could feel Kate shake and lean her body back against him. He kissed her neck again, and raised her shirt over her head.
"Please," was all he said to her.
Kate wasn't used to seeing a kinder side of Negan. She wasn't sure if she could trust him. She kept questioning every touch, every breath. She knew that there had to be a motive on his part. Kate turned to face Negan.
" Why?" She questioned.
"Do I need a reason?" He answered.
" Yes. I need to know why you're doing this. Is it just to piss Simon off? To prove something?"
" My fucking reason is that yeah, I did want to prove I'm in charge. But you fucked that up when you kept showing me that you weren't a coward. That you were strong. And that's why I want you. Well, that and the fact that you are seriously a fox in the sheets."
Kate was blushing, and smiling. For a split second, she thought that maybe he's not as bad as it seemed. That there was a man behind the monster. Maybe there was more to him than she realized.
Negan moved his hand to unbutton her jeans, when he was startled by a loud banging at the door.
"Negan! Negan, open up! Open the God damn door!"
Simon was back, and he was furious. He pounded on the door with both fists. When he realized that no one was going to open the door, he drew his gun and fired at the lock. It worked, and he kicked open the door.
"Simon?" Kate was shocked. She scrambled to put her shirt back on.
"Kate, get away from him." Simon demanded.
"Simon, I don't know what to say." Kate trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.
Simon kept his gun aimed at Negan, who started laughing.
"You know, I get it. You see something you want, and you take it. Hell, I've done the same thing myself. But why her? Is it just because she's mine? Are you truly that much of a fucking asshole?" Simon asked Negan.
"I've been good you, Simon. I've always put your ass above others."
"That's not the point. Look, let Kate go. Let me go. We'll leave. You'll never have to deal with us again."
Simon held his breath, gun still pointed at Negan. He had no idea what had possessed him to ask for such a favor. Negan wasn't a man that dealt mercy with a free hand. But seeing his leader make a move on Kate had put his mind in a place that he'd never thought he'd go.
"So, that's it? You'll just leave and everything will be hunky fucking dory? Simon, I thought you were smarter than that."
Negan pulled Kate in front of him, placing a firm arm around her.
"Now, why don't we ask Kate what we should do. Sweetheart, what do you think? Should I let Simon live, knowing that he'll never be with you again? Or do I fucking kill him now, in front of you?"
Negan was enjoying this. This look on his face said it all. As he stared down Simon, wicked smile across his face, he knew that he wouldn't be shot. Not with Kate in front of him.
Kate pushed Negan's arm away, and stepped forward. She walked over to Simon, and took his hand.
"I love you, Simon. Don't forget that. Never doubt that."
Kate kissed Simon on the cheek, then returned to Negan's side.
"Well, there you have it. Simon, get the fuck out." Negan pointed to the door.