Sorry about the long wait. Had a truly horrible family crisis and writing has been the last thing on my mind.
xxxxx
Tris woke up with Eric wrapped around her, his arms encircling her tightly, one of his legs shoved inbetween hers and his head resting on her shoulder.
He slept on, oblivious to it all.
She didn't dare move, knowing that when he awoke he would just push her away, and it would be the last time he allowed her to stay in his bed. Better to just enjoy the moment while it lasted.
Already, she felt as if she was pushing her luck. What was supposed to be a one time thing had happened several times now and it was getting harder to keep herself emotionally disconnected.
Tris didn't exactly know what she wanted from Eric, but during moments like these it became a little clearer.
She just wanted him, however he was willing to let her have him.
He was wondurfully warm and pressed up against her in a way he would never allow were he conscious, which was a shame because she could get used to the feeling of him next to her.
Tris knew that would never happen.
As much as she might have enjoyed being Eric's girlfriend, he had already warned her that he wasn't looking for a relationship and that was before he had found out about her divergence. Now, he had even more reasons to keep her at arms' length. Namely, that she was the enemy.
She couldn't imagine what had possessed him to lie to Jeanine. He couldn't possibly care that much about her to have put himself at risk. Yet, he had. Against all odds, inexplicably, Eric was protecting her.
Tris looked down at his sleeping profile, silently thinking that he was even more handsome like this, relaxed and without any posturing. Without thinking, Tris ran her fingers down his cheek, loving the rasp of his stubble against her skin.
The absurdity of the moment struck her just then, right as he opened his eyes.
He wasn't hers. He never would be.
"What are you doing, Stiff?" His voice was rough and sleep affected and made her thighs clench.
"Nothing," she told him, dropping her hand onto his shoulder.
They regarded each other in silence for a few long moments, then, realizing how intimately he was holding her, Eric pulled away just as she had expected.
Her expectations didn't make the reality hurt any less.
Still, she knew she couldn't let it show. Should he get wind of her growing attachment, Eric would surely never touch her again.
It was time to disconnect.
"What's on the agenda for today?" Tris asked, pretending that she wasn't shy and pulling the sheets off her body.
She was acutely aware of her nakedness in the morning light, but tried to fake enough confidence to look for her clothes. They were no where to be found.
Eric didn't reply.
When Tris turned around, he was staring at her naked body with a small smile on his lips.
"You know, it's early. You could come back to bed."
Her heart sped up. She couldn't think of a more appealing idea.
"Unfortunately, I need to go back to my apartment before training begins. I need a shower and some clean clothes. Where are my clothes?" She asked as an afterthought, scanning the floor.
"In the living room," he answered through a yawn. He got out of bed and Tris smiled shyly. His body was truly perfection, perhaps that was why he had no shame. At any rate, it was endearing.
"Ah yes, you're right."
She blushed, remembering last night's events. Fortunately, she had a perfect reason to turn her back on him without suspicion.
Her clothes, and Eric's, were thrown all around the living room, illustrating just how much of a rush they had been in last night. Her bra was in the kitchen where he had literally thrown it.
When Eric emerged from the bedroom, he had on a pair of sleep pants slung low on his hips. Tris was dressed now and ready to go, but it seemed wrong to just leave without saying anything. He had risked his career to hide her secret and she thought maybe he deserved her gratitude.
She stood in front of him, on the tips of her toes, and kissed him softly on the lips. He didn't stop her, but he didn't react either.
"What was that for?" He asked quietly.
"I just wanted to say thank you."
He laughed.
"You don't have to thank me, Stiff. In fact, I should be thanking you. Who knew you could suck dick so well?"
"I'm not thanking you for the sex," Tris said, feeling her cheeks color at his backhanded compliment. "Though it was great too..." He smirked at her, but she was too flustered to give an appropriate response. "I meant thank you for... for protecting me from Jeanine. I was wrong about you and I'm sorry."
Eric was silent for a few long moments, then he leaned forward to kiss her firmly on the mouth. She was pleasantly surprised by this show of affection, but guessed it had more to do with his desire to shut her up than anything else.
"Don't mention it," he whispered against her lips.
"Eric-"
"I mean it. Don't mention it."