(A/N-Special ty to Bekki for beta reading this. Also ty to those who read, review, follow, fav this. So why does Tris run from Four? A little gets revealed.)
The next day Tris was a bundle of nerves as she got ready for her dinner date with Four, she just wanted to get her bracelet back and go home. Whatever this thing that was happening between Four and her would never go anywhere she felt sure of it. How could it? Yet here she was going to meet up with him, as she got ready she made sure to put on plenty of makeup to help disguise herself from him recognizing her hopefully. She had been so afraid the other day that he had recognized her in the restaurant with Christina. But luckily she had been dressed in her 'boring' clothes. She wore a pair of black skinny pants, with a white blazer that had a black stripe in it, and a pair of black pumps to finish the look. She curled her hair and left it in flowing down pass her shoulders. Looking over at herself in the mirror she quickly grabbed her clutch and headed out before she lost her nerve.
Four arrived at the hotel twenty minutes before they were to meet he wanted to be there early in case she was one that liked being early. He was taking no chances in meeting her again. He booked them a table at a nearby restaurant and took a seat at the bar, thinking how a few short days ago how they had spent some time at this hotel and could not help the smirk that appeared on his face. He took a sip of his whiskey and looked for her. One of his hands went into his pocket and he felt the bracelet in his pocket, he let his thoughts roam to the point of he hoped that the bracelet was just from an old flame that she wore because she liked it, not because of who had given it to her. Robert, well Four knew if this man was still in Beatrice's life than he was going to have a fight on his hands with him. Four had felt something spur to life that night he had met Beatrice and he was not going to loose his chance upon being the only man in her life. Was that cocky? Sure it was, but Four also knew Beatrice had felt this connection between them that night. One last thing crossed Four's mind and that was he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something familiar about Beatrice, like he had met her before. But where?
Four had just taken another sip of his drink when he felt this electric buzz hit him. He closed his eyes as he knew who had just entered the bar. He turned around to see her standing there, looking around for him. His heart was hammering against his ribs, as a fierce sense of joy flooded through him. She showed up. "Thank God." He murmured as her eyes found him, he couldn't help the smile that settled on him. She was as graceful, as lovely, as he remembered. She slowly made her way to where he now stood. He could tell she was wearing more makeup then the night he had met her, his mystery woman was still being mysterious. But he didn't care. She was back, and that was good enough for now. He sat his drink down on the bar as he walked to meet her.
She was small, her pumps giving her several inches, and he now remembered how tiny her waist had felt between his hands as they danced, and how slender her shoulders had looked in the dress. To see her again, to refresh his recollection, was like a drink of cool water on this warm night. An unexpected gift.
A part of him, wanted to demand why she's run away, where she'd been and why she hadn't come back to him before this. But he didn't do any of those things. Instead he let his better instincts rule. Without thinking, he bridged the short distance between them and hauled her into his arms.
"I can't believe it," he murmured, pulling her closer still, wrapping himself around her as he lifted her into the air. "You're really here."
Setting her down, he ran his hands over the outline of her hips. She felt warm and alive...and real. Astonishingly real. He'd almost convinced himself she was only a fantasy.
"I need to-" she began, in that hot, husky little voice that unwound whatever good intentions he had left. She took a breath to continue but instead of that she grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss, Four instantly responded to her kiss with an intensity to match hers.
She was back in his arms, and he had no intentions of letting her run from him again. Not to this Robert, not to any other man. He would be all she would ever need, as their kiss continued Four couldn't help but have thoughts cross his mind. Was he already in love with her? Did he truly believe in love at first sight? If the fast beating of his heart was any indicator then yes, he was falling in love with her.
"Wait, wait," Tris said breathless between kisses. "I didn't come for here for this." She looked around and saw that a few were watching them kiss. She was embarrassed on how she had acted, she didn't know what had come over her. But seeing him standing there waiting for her, something had taken over her.
"Ah, way to break a man's ego," Four said.
"I hardly think your ego is in any danger of being threatened," Tris shot back. "You said you had my bracelet."
"I did," Four confirmed with a nod.
"Well? Give it back to me," Tris said as she put her hand out for it.
"All in good time, all in good time," Four said as he motioned for them to sit at the bar. He waited a few seconds and watched as she finally walked up and had a seat there, he carefully sat down beside her.
"Would you like something to drink?" Four asked.
"No. I just want my bracelet back. It doesn't belong to you," Tris said.
"I'm no thief, I found it. Be grateful that I did, someone else could have found it and never told you," Four said.
"Well thank you for finding it, now please give it to me," Tris said.
"On one condition," Four said as he turned to look at her with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm not going to sleep with you for it," Tris said as she crossed her arms at him.
Four smiled lightly as he moved closer to her, stopping only inches from her face, enough for her to feel his breath on her but not feel. "I'm not asking you to, when we make love it will be of your own free will."
"And what makes you so confident we will?" Tris asked.
"This, this link we have between us," Four said as Tris just took a deep breath and turned her head from him. Four brought up one hand and placed it under her chin to get her to look at him. "Deny it all you want, you know this is true."
"I can't deny their is an attraction between us, but that's all there will be," Tris said confidently as she moved her head fro him.
"And why is that? Because of Robert?" Four asked as his words caused her to look back at him.
"How do you know about him?" Tris asked, feeling the sharp pain of hearing Robert's name.
"I can read," Four said as he pulled out the bracelet. Her bracelet.
"Give it to me, please," Tris said holding her hand out to him. Four could see she was obviously upset and he had no desire to upset her any further. He gently placed the bracelet in her open palm, watching as she immediately closed her palm over it.
"Thank you," Tris said as she put it on her wrist.
"He means a lot to you doesn't he?" Four asked as he could tell she feeling a lot of emotions right now.
"He meant everything," Tris said. Four caught the past tense word she used. Meant, this Robert was someone from her past, not her present.
"What happened?" Four asked.
"He died," Tris simply answered.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Four said truthfully. A part of him was relieved there was no man that held her heart but the other part of him was saddened by her loss.
"You said you wanted something for giving me this back. What was it?" Tris asked.
"A simple dance, after dinner," Four said. "I have us a table booked close by." He put his hand out to her as he stood and after a few seconds she put her hand in his and together they headed to the restaurant. Once inside they were shown immediately to where Four had the table booked. As they walked, Four had his hand on the small of her back lightly touching her. He pulled out her chair for her to seat, and they looked over the menu before deciding their order for the waiter.
"You look beautiful milady," Four said as they sipped on their wine.
"You don't look to bad yourself," Tris said.
"I have to, to be beside such a stunning young lady," Four admitted. He would have to use all his charms to get this one to not take wings.
"You ever stop flirting?" Tris asked.
"With you? Never," Four answered as they started to eat their food. They conversed as they ate, Four asking her lots of questions and Tris being a little coy on his questions about herself directly.
"Tris, I have to admit to you I feel like I know you already from somewhere," Four said after he had paid and they went out onto the small patio on the side of the restaurant, it was private from the city, but just enough where you could still feel the city.
"Maybe in another lifetime we did," Tris said.
"So you believe in fate milady?" Four asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Tris answered.
"Then I'll do what I can to change your mind on that," Four said. Just then the music from the restaurant floated out to them.
"May I have this dance?" Four asked as he placed out a hand for her to take, after a few seconds Tris placed her hand in his. Four smiled as he took her in his arms to start dancing with her.
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all
I'll never know what the future brings
But I know you're here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?
When the song ended, Tris pulled back slightly from Four as they stared at one another deeply in the eyes. The intensity in his eyes as he looked at her, the longing, it almost made her loose her strength.
"I need to be getting back home," Tris said as she started to pull away from him.
"Wait," Four said as he put a hand on her arm, causing her to turn around to him. "When can I see you again?"
"Never," Tris answered as she tried once again to leave, but he wasn't going to give up that easy.
"I can't accept that. Beatrice, look me in the eyes and tell me you're not feeling this spark between us," Four said as he looked down into her beautiful eyes.
"It's complicated," Tris said finally.
"Then un-complicate it," Four said.
"This has to stop," Tris said.
"But you know there is something between us, why deny yourself this?" Four asked. He knew she felt something, otherwise she wouldn't have come up and kissed him tonight.
"Because my heart is dead and buried in the ground." Tris said.
"With Robert?" Four prompted.
"Yes, he's the only man I ever trusted and will always be the only one I'll ever trust," Tris said.
"You trusted me enough to kiss me the other night, you trusted me enough to meet me here tonight and you trusted me enough that you kissed me tonight. Let your heart trust again, I'm not asking you to marry me, not yet. But to give a chance with you, we all get a second chance, let me be yours Beatrice," Four said. She was stubborn, he could see it in her eyes.
"And what if I have a husband back at my home?" Tris asked, knowing how weak it sounded even to her. "Did it occur to you that I might already be taken?"
"Yes it occurred to me, but you were not wearing a wedding ring the other night, you're not wearing one now." Four answered confidently.
"I wouldn't have come to the ball, and I wouldn't have kissed you. If I was married or engaged...or anything," Tris said.
Intuitively he'd known that about her, even if he'd doubted his faith on occasion. "I know. Tell me your full name, since you know mine already."
A ghost of a smile played across her lips. "That's not all you want."
"No, it isn't. But it's a start," Four said. He dipped his mouth to the slope of her neck, nibbling gently, and she trembled in response. She was warming up nicely, leaning into his caress, feeling very pliant and very agreeable. "Trust me."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "No."
"Yes."
She shook her head slightly, but it only lifted her ear closer to his mouth, and her delectable body more firmly into his embrace. He was heating up himself, and he had to slow down or risk loosing control completely. But she was so tempting, so responsive. And for this one moment in time, she was all his. He'd been trying to tantalize her into giving him the information he wanted, but he seriously wondered who was seducing whom here.
"Your name," he coaxed, easing her up against him.
She gave no answer. She just closed her eyes and anticipated his touch.
"Your name," he repeated, sliding one hand up, ever so gently, to graze the swell of one of her breast, and the other down, ever so slightly, rounding the curve of her beautiful little bottom.
"Your name," he whispered, brushing his thumb over the nipple he could feel rising to greet him through her clothes.
But she didn't answer. All she did was make an incoherent little moan that sent new flames of desire licking over his body. He was already rock hard, and he'd barely touched her. "Tell me your name," he said quietly, trying to rein himself in. But her breast was warm and perfect under his hand, and he couldn't resist teasing that impudent little nipple. Again, it felt more erotic to play the game his way, to take his time, to touch her and taunt her through the fabric.
He knew, from somewhere deep within, what her skin would taste like under his fingers, and what she would taste like when he lowered his head and flicked his tongue...
He groaned. "Please tell me. Please. I have to know."
"No, Four. I can't tell you," she said again. She walked away from him, she felt his frustrations, they matched her own. "I promise you, that if I could, if I did, it would ruin everything. You wouldn't want me anymore." She wasn't this woman of the world, she wasn't some super model he was used to having on his arm. She was just a plain woman who had once had an adventurous side until the man she loved had died, died in her arms one night.
Four didn't understand. What she said made no sense to him, as if she were speaking in riddles. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "This is nonsense. If there's someone hurting you or holding you back-they will no longer exist. Whatever the problem is, I can fix it. Just tell me what I can do."
But she was as stubborn as he. "The problem is me. You can't fix that."
"Let me try," Four said.
But she shook her head. "If you push me, I will have to leave."
"I don't want you to go," Four said.
"I don't want to go either. Not yet. Not when things are like this between us," Tris said, then winced at what she finally admitted to him and to herself.
Four smiled with the arrogance of a man who knows when a woman is completely his. He turned her gently until she was facing him. "Glad to have you admit it finally." And he kissed her, full and deep, branding her with all the frustration. It was hard and hot this time, no meeting of minds, just a clash of wills and violent storm of passion, until finally they had to break away to take in some air.
Breathing raggedly, he clasped her shoulders hard, holding her away. "I still want you, whatever you name is. But I will find out what this game is all about. You know I will."
"This is no game," she returned. And then she kissed him back. She was as brutal and as single-minded as he had been, wrapping her arms around his neck to drag him down to her. As she hit him with everything she had, opening her mouth to him, urging him inside, she also held him so close, fitting her body to his. As he was about to deepen the kiss he heard the sound of her ring tone on her phone. She pulled away from him suddenly, holding onto his arms to steady herself.
"Excuse me," Tris said as she turned and pulled out her phone. "Hello? Hi, yes I can come over, give me about ten minutes. Okay, see you then." She ended the call and turned around to see him wiping her lipstick from his mouth.
"I have to go," Tris said.
"Someone has your attention I see," Four said as he walked up to her again.
"A friend," Tris said.
"Will you call me again?" Four asked.
"Four," Tris said.
"Can't blame a man for trying, but I'll try to put no pressure on you. But please don't just fly out of my life." Four said. "Don't make your number private, give it to me."
She nodded then added, "I'll call you on your word that you will not follow me tonight," Tris bargained with him.
"Fair enough, call me and let me know you made it home safely," Four said as he leaned down to kiss her lips once more, a gentle kiss this time as she knew her lips would be swollen in the morning. "Good night Beatrice,"
"I will, Good Night, Four." Tris said as she left him on the patio. Once she was in the taxi, she looked at herself in the mirror of her compact, her lips were already swollen from his kisses. She looked around and saw no sign of him following her, she smiled as she thought of how things had been between them tonight.
Half an hour later, Four was standing in his bedroom looking out onto the city. Seeing the lights, and all the buildings, he couldn't help but wonder where Beatrice lived. He had asked her to call him once she got home, but evidently she wasn't going to.
He turned and started towards the the bathroom when he heard his phone. He quickly went to answer it, he saw a number he didn't recognize, and knew it was her. "Beatrice?"
"I made it home safe, so don't worry," Tris said.
"I'm glad. You had me worried you weren't going to call me," Four said.
"I said I would, and now I have and I must get ready for bed," Tris said. Her words conjured images into his brain of her slipping into something silky and slipping into bed...his bed.
"I like that thought," Four said.
"What going to bed?" Tris asked as she realized what she said. "Oh, I didn't mean.."
Four couldn't help the laugh that escaped him, "I know you didn't, but you're just too enchanting to me to be a boy scout right now."
"At least you're honest," Tris teased him.
"Anything else you'd like to share?" Four asked.
"I think I've shared enough," Tris said.
"You're right, it's my turn," Four said. "I'm standing in my bedroom, thinking about you."
"Four, don't," Tris stopped him.
Four let out a sinister laugh, "You naughty girl, I like it. But no, I'm not doing that."
"Not even if I wanted you to."
At the awkward silence, Tris realized she had said her thoughts out loud. "Wait, I didn't mean that."
"Tris, there's nothing wrong with wanting that. And I would do that for you, but I want there to be an us. As I was saying, I'm thinking about you, I want to know more about you. Tell me four things about you," Four said.
"Four things? Really," Tris asked, laughing. "Four things-well one is I love being outside, another is I love amusement parks for the thrill, another is I love to travel, and another is-"
"Me," Four interrupted causing them both to laugh.
"As I was saying, another is I love to cook," Tris said.
"Well, that certainly helped me out," Four said.
"How? With what?" Tris asked.
"Let me take you out Friday," Four said.
"I can't," Tris said.
"Beatrice," Four said.
"I really can't, an old friend is back in town and we're catching up at dinner," Tris said thinking about Uriah.
"A female friend?" Four asked.
"No, but other females will be there," Tris said. "It's just dinner with old friends."
"Alright, what about Saturday then, say around four?" Four asked.
"I don't know," Tris said.
"Beatrice, just give it a chance. Give yourself a chance to get to know me some more, see if this spark that is between us is real," Four encouraged her.
Tris thought it over and over and of the two of her, Beatrice who was the boring one, and Tris the one who had walked up to Four Eaton tonight and freaking kissed him!
"Beatrice?"
Who was going to win?
