In a world ruled by fear, survival comes with a price.
When her brother's attempt to overthrow the Saviors fails, Tessa finds herself under Negan's watchful eye-protected, controlled, and dangerously close to the man she should hate. As violence, po...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The house felt too quiet as the door clicked shut behind them.
Negans hand slid off Tessa's back, slow enough that she felt warmth linger long after the touch was gone. He didn't look at her yet, but the smirk said he knew damn well she felt it. Judith was still asleep when he laid her in the crib. He smoothed the blanket over her belly, movements soft and careful.
Tessa couldn't stop watching. Negan straightened, rolled his shoulders, and turned toward her like he could feel her staring,
"Alright, sweetheart," he said, voice low and warm, "I need your help."
No smile. Just that focused look that made her chest tighten with something she didn't want to acknowledge. Carl stayed near the wall, silent but tense. Negan placed at him once, barely, but dismissed him easily, eyes pulling right back to Tessa like gravity.
"With what?" she asked carefully. Negan dragged two fingers along the rough stubble on his jaw, slow, and deliberate.
"This situation," he said, "figured your delicate hands can fix it."
Before she could respond, he stepped in close. Not touching her. Not quite. But close enough that she had to tilt her chin up to meet his eyes, Nega noticed that too. His mouth twitched. He reached for the razor and the purposefully took her wrist and guided her hand around it. His thumb pressed lightly against the against the inside of her wrist, right where her pulse jumped.
He felt it. She knew he did.
"Well damn," he murmured, grin curling at the edges, "you really ain't used to being this close to me, huh?"
Tessa snatched her hand back. Negan's eyes lit up like she'd just entertained him. He sat down in the chair, spreading his knees comfortably, tipping his chin up.
"C'mon, sweetheart. Don't make me beg."
Her breath hitched. Negan's eyes flicked down to her mouth for half a second retuning to her eyes.
Slow burn. Intentional. Calculated.
Tessa stepped closer. Negan stayed perfectly still as she lifted the razor to his jaw.
But his eyes...they didn't stop moving. Tracking her face. Her lashes. The way her lip caught between her teeth. He notices everything.
"You got a real serious face when you're concentrating," he whispered, voice low enough only she can hear.
She ignored him, not well.
Negan smiled like he'd won. The blade escaped softly along his skin. He inhaled, quiet, controlled.
"You're real steady," he said, eyes dropping to her hand. Then, softer, "didn't expect that from you."
That compliment hit harder than it should've. When Tessa leaned in to reach under his jaw, her knee brushed his leg. Negan's fingers lifted, barely grazing her waist, not holding, not guiding. Just a touch. Just enough for her to feel the warmth of his hand.
He didn't move, didn't apologize, didn't comment. But his thumb tapped once again her hip. A slow, absent minded circle.
She froze. Negan's voice dropped to a quiet murmur.
"Keep going,' he said, "I ain't gonna bite."
His eyes softened for a split second, just a flicker but enough to make her stomach flip. Carl shifted, arms crossed, watching but silent,
Negan didn't turn to him. Not once. His attention was locked on Tessa.
On the way she steadied the room. On the warmth building between them. On how close she was. Close enough for him to smell her shampoo. Close enough for her berth to brush his cheek.
Negan's voice lowered again, almost thoughtful.
"You're something, you know that."
Tessa swallowed hard, pretend she didn't hear it. Negan smiled, slowed and satisfied. "There she is," he murmured, eyes dragging over her unmistakable interest. And the room felt like it was holding its breath.
