A/N: Happy New Year! I know many of you have been looking forward to this. I hope you enjoy it. I will apologize though because it's apparently been a long time since I've written smut or any kind of sex scenes, so I'm warning you on that lol. Please let me know what you think. Reviews really do mean a lot. Also, it is un-beta'd and I threw it up on here quickly so if you see any errors, please let me know. (Actually, if anyone wants to beta for me, let me know).

WARNING: It has come to my attention that some may see this as a healthy relationship. It is not. There is a massive power imbalance and he takes advantage of every single thing he can, including her own desires to try to forget the amount of stress she's under. He does not respect her boundaries - as seen in the last couple of chapters and really any time he shows up unwanted. He's stalked her, threatens people to get what he wants out of her and we know he's killed people to get what he wants.

It may be hot to read, but not to experience. If you're with anyone who treats you this way, get help and get out.

Thank you.

Chapter Thirty-Three

My attention was diverted from the problem of Eric with the arrival of those selected from Candor for testing. Thankfully Alethea is not present with the group. Nonetheless, that does not mean those that did arrive are any less dangerous. I could see the way they observed our faction as if looking for a weakness they can report on.

Greg and the rest of the scientists are nervous. I lectured them about controlling their emotions and settling themselves into their work, but that does not stop them from fumbling with certain things as the Candor asks questions. I try not to sigh and instead make a note to prepare for any consequences due to their ineptitude.

"Miss. Elswood?"

I look to see who is calling my name. It is one of the older candidates who seems to have finished their testing. At least, they are not in a chair with monitors on them. "Yes?" I ask.

"Out of curiosity, I have to ask does this have anything to do with the aptitude tests that are coming up?" The tests are next week. The entire process is happening faster than I need it to. It feels as if I am running out of time.

"We are not in the habit of discouraging curiosity here in Erudite," I say to the candidate. "To answer your question, it does not. The testing will continue as usual."

They nod and walk back to one of their companions. I am beginning to hate Candor. The stress that their mere presence is unneeded, especially now. Despite being safe in my faction, it almost feels as if Eric is still watching me. He has his spies but I cannot root them all out. I do not have the time.

"Miss. Elswood."

I turn at the sound of my name. One of the people from my faction is walking towards me but it is what is behind him that catches my attention. "Alethea."

The small woman smiles widely at me. "Sorry about the delay," she said. "I meant to be here when they arrived but...my faction needed me."

I nod slowly. Fear drops into the pit of my stomach. I take a deep breath. I cannot show it. "I thought you were unavailable."

"Oh, I wouldn't miss this," she says. Of course she wouldn't. There is no respite to be found anywhere it would seem. "Explain the testing procedure to me."

I am well aware of how closely she is watching me. "The machines scan and monitor the system for signs of the anomaly we have previously discussed. Since we are looking for signs, as well as any potential side effects, they are doing complete scans of the body."

"That's what all the wires are for," she says.

"If you desire further explanation into the details of the exact specifications they are searching for, I can bring Gregory over. He is the head scientist in this."

"Oh no," Alethea laughed. "That's not necessary. The jargon will be lost on me."

Silence falls between us and it takes everything in me not to shift uncomfortably. I focus on the messages I have received on my tablet in an attempt to distract myself. Unfortunately, it bears a request for my presence from Jeanine in her lab.

I send a note back informing her I will be there as soon as the testing is complete. Alethea has joined us and it is prudent that she is not left alone. I am uncertain as to how the others in the faction will do with her skill in microexpressions.

"Tell me, Amelia, have you always been Erudite?"

I glance over at Alethea. "What prompts this question?"

She shrugs. "Curiosity, I suppose. You are young and yet from my understanding, you've risen high in the ranks of your faction."

I sigh. These queries are unending.

"I didn't mean to upset you," she says.

"You did not. I have been dealing with the questions of my status since I have achieved it." I looked at her. "I am where I am because I work hard. I do not yield to my competition, and there is always competition. I am grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves, but a large part of my success is taking them. I am not a person who lets it pass by and then mourns the loss."

Alethea grinned at me. "Now that I understand. There are always those who will be upset when someone else takes power. I have had my share of competitors for my position."

"It grows weary."

"I know, but at least we have the satisfaction that we won."

I do not respond. There is little satisfaction in my position. I strove for it out of fear and the blood on my hands has yet to end.

"Miss. Elswood!" I try not to sigh as I turn to see who is calling for me now. Gregory stands to the side. He is looking at us nervously and for a second I am grateful that Alethea did not want to speak to him. "We are finished."

I nod. I turned to Alethea. "You are welcome to take your people back to your faction. We will inform you if we find anything to be concerned over in the results."

"And if you need another sample, of course."

"Of course."

She watches me for a moment before she nods with a smile. "I will be in contact," she says to me before turning to the small crown of Candor. "Let's go."

I walk with them to the front door and then watch as they disperse. A tension loosens in my chest and I feel as if I can breathe for a moment. Nothing went amiss, despite the surprise of her presence.

My tablet chimes and reminds me. I have an appointment.

oOo

"Is she causing you problems?"

I look over at Eric who is leaning against the wall next to me. The Dauntless are building the room to my specifications. It is far more open than the last one.

"Who?"

"The Candor." That answers my theory on if he was watching me.

"No."

"I can get rid of her if she is," Eric offers.

"I do not need more blood spilt," I say. "I have no issues with Alethea. Should I do so, I will solve it." Eric moves closer, coming to stand in front of me.

"You don't need to."

I looked past him at the Dauntless in the room. No one is watching and yet I am unsettled. Any observer can be the cause of many problems if they spread word of what they see. I have enough rumours against me. I do not need more.

"I will," I say, trying to remain steadfast despite the way he is looking at me. Eric has a way of feeling like he can see through me.

He glances behind him before he grabs my arm. "Come." He strides off, dragging me behind him as I struggle to keep up. My heels do not allow me the same speed he seems to demand.

"Slow down!" I snap. "Why are you pulling me?" Eric doesn't offer me a response. "Eric!"

He stops suddenly and yanks me into his chest. "I can't get enough of hearing you scream my name."

I try to shove him off. "What are you doing?"

"Bringing you here." He opens the door behind him and practically shoves me inside.

I stumble but manage to catch my balance. The lights turn on. It is an office. There is a desk with papers and a computer. The shelves against one of the walls have books on them. I am tempted to browse to see what they hold but I stop myself.

"Where are we?"

"My office."

I turn to him. "You have an office? Why have none of our meetings been held here?"

"Because I don't like it. I prefer to be out there," he nods towards the door. "Right now though, it serves our purpose."

I cannot help but frown in confusion. "What purpose?" I should not have asked.

Eric moves in front of me, faster than I anticipate and before I can stop him, he kisses me. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me up against him. My hands spread across his chest before I try to push back.

"Eric, wait."

"No," he murmurs against my lips. My mouth opens automatically and he deepens the kiss. His hand goes lower and squeezes my ass. I cannot stop my yelp of surprise. His grip is harder than before. He grins against my mouth.

"Eric…"

He pulls back slightly. "Let me help."

"Help? How is this helping?"

"Trust me."

As much as I wish I could, it is not a good idea. I cannot give myself to this man. Not how he seems to want. He picks me up suddenly and I grab his shoulders out of fear. I do not like my feet off of the ground. There is no safety in it.

"Sit." He drops me on the desk. "Don't make a noise."

"Eric, don't."

The look he gives me stops me from going further. There is danger in those eyes and I am hesitant to push him. He is not a man to be trifled with.

He kneels on the ground in front of me. His hands trail up my calves. It is warm enough that I am not wearing stockings though I am unsure if that would have stopped him. Eric pushes up my skirt.

"Wait," I try to push it back down. "We can't!"

"We can," he says. "Don't move and don't make a fucking sound, unless you want someone to find us?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Of course not," I say.

"Then lift up your hips."

I hold myself up as much as I can with my hands as Eric pushes my skirt up to my waist. It catches on my hips. I try not to relish in the frustrated expression on his face before I hear something rip. I drop and look down in alarm. He has ripped up the seam, just enough to get the skirt higher.

"You ripped it!"

"Don't wear things you don't want destroyed," he says as if it's that simple.

I smack him on the shoulder before I can stop myself. "Do not destroy my clothing!" He grabs my hand, his grip tightens on my wrist and I realize my mistake. His eyes are dark.

"Don't."

I swallow dryly and nod. All of my arguments are lost at the threat. I do not doubt the man who acted as though he would throw me into the chasm when we first met. He goes back to kneeling.

His hands are heavy and warm on my thighs. Eric lays kisses, slowly making his way up. It should not have such an effect on me, but my mind and body remember the things he has invoked from me before. My breath hitches as one of his hands go higher and I lean back holding myself up with my hands.

Eric's fingers push against the underwear. "Still so fucking wet for me, aren't you?" He grabs the fabric and pulls it down. I try to push myself up so it's easier to remove but the material still drags harshly against my thighs. I do not know what Eric does with them as he hooks one of my legs over his shoulder and grabs my hips. He yanks me closer to him.

His mouth is on me before I can react. The grip on my hips tightens as Eric uses his tongue to push in. He uses one hand to spread me more open. The man knows how to wield his mouth and fire spread through my stomach. He sucks hard on my clit and my head falls back. Everything except Eric and what he is doing between my legs is driven out of me. This is why he is so dangerous. I cannot bring myself to care though. Not now.

"Please."

He doesn't respond. He pushes a finger in, then two and whatever he does sends sparks down my spine. I cannot stop myself from crying out at the feeling.

"Shh," he grins at me.

I cannot hold myself up any longer. I lay against the desk, one hand covering my mouth to try to stop myself. I cannot make noise. We cannot be found.

Eric's tongue and fingers do not stop. The tension that grows in me snaps and I feel my body tense as the release rushes through me. Eric doesn't slow, dragging it out as long as he can. It becomes too much.

"Stop, stop, please, Eric," I beg, the overstimulation becoming too much. Surprisingly, he listens. He pulls away and my leg is moved off of his shoulder. Before I am granted any relief, he leans over me. His arms cage me in as his chest presses against mine. He kisses me hard and I cannot recoil from the taste of me that he shares with it. I am lost to him. I want more.

I reach up, trying to keep him against me as my legs wrap around his waist. I need him closer. I need him to drive out all thoughts again. The stress of speaking with Alethea and meeting Jeanine is fading and I feel desperate to keep it gone.

Eric's hand grabs mine and pins it to the desk next to my head. He pulls back from kissing me and I look at him in confusion. Is this not what he's been after?

"No," he says and for a second it is almost as if he can read my thoughts. "A taste until I get those days, Amelia."

I stare at him in shock. "What?"

"You promised me two nights. I want them."

I swallow dryly, finally feeling like I am catching my breath. "So that's what this is?" I ask. "A way of ensuring your demands are met?"

"I know you, Amelia. If I fucked you here like you want me to, you'd use that as a reason not to grant me those nights."

He is not wrong. I have to use everything I could to save myself. Even from him.

He moves back, away from me. "Fix your skirt. It's time for you to go back to your faction," he nearly snarls the last words.

I glare at him as I shift off the desk. I need a washroom. I have to clean myself up. I pull the skirt down and check the damage. It is not nearly as indecent as I thought, but I would still need to change. I hold out a hand. "My underwear, please."

"No," he says. "I'm keeping them."

"You cannot!"

"I can." He moves towards me. "Consider it insurance. I expect the notice of those nights by tomorrow." He turns and opens the door to the office. I refrain from snapping at him. While I do not see anyone passing by, I cannot take chances.

I storm out and Eric's laugh follows me before he does.

[tbc]