I've decided to change the rating because the plot seems to demand it. Chapters with mature content will be marked clearly in case anyone wants to skip them.
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Eric's mood remained dark for the rest of the day. He hated looking at Tris and seeing her black eye, the proof that another man had put his hands on her. And not just any man. Four.
It felt as though she had betrayed him somehow, though logically Eric knew that Tris hadn't chosen to train with Four. That was all Max's doing.
Still, his jaw tightened every time he looked at that bruise, and he bit his tongue to stop himself from chewing her out again.
It wouldn't do any good.
In the back of his mind he knew that Tris was no match for Four, no matter how well Eric had trained her. She simply didn't have the experience.
With her attention on the computer screen, Eric ran his gaze over every bit of her skin that was visible to him, checking for bruises and abrasions.
He found what he was looking for on her arms, in the form of a collection of small black and blue circles that were almost certainly from fingers. Four had grabbed her with enough force to bruise, and he had done it more than once.
Eric clenched his fists, trying to ignore the burning in his gut, and trying not to think of the cause.
It didn't work.
Eric was jealous, plain and simple.
He had known that Tris was starting to get under his skin, but he hadn't imagined that the sight of a few bruises would enrage him so.
It was by sheer force of will that he refrained from grabbing the computer chair and spinning her around to face him. He wanted her to explain how she had gotten each and every one of those bruises, wanted to hear what she had to say. Had she been so distracted by finally having Four's attention that her defenses were down? Did she secretly enjoy having Four's hands on her skin?
Eric gazed down at the darkest of the bruises, a thumb print, judging by the location of the mark in comparison to the others.
His temper flared for a moment as he imagined Four's fingers wrapped around her arm and he had the sudden urge to cover those bruises with his own marks.
Instead, he put his hand on her shoulder as gently as he could.
To her credit, Tris only paused in her typing for a split second before resuming her work, though Eric felt her tense under his touch.
Had he not been in complete control of his emotions, Eric might have spun the chair around right there and demanded his answers.
Rather than frighten her, he began stroking the bare skin of her shoulder with his thumb. She continued typing, seemingly oblivious. Eric knew better. This was the girl who used almost every moment of their time together to seduce him. She wanted him, and he knew it. Why she was ignoring him, he couldn't say for sure, but he guessed it had something to do with her little crush on Four.
He longed to squeeze her, digging his fingers into her flesh until she acknowledged him, yet something held him back.
With his free hand, he brushed away a loose tendril of hair from her neck, taking pleasure in the way she shivered in response to his fingers on her skin.
Still, she did not stop typing, though she had slowed her pace considerably.
Getting agitated now, Eric began massaging her shoulders, forcing himself to be gentle, though he wanted nothing more than to dig his fingers into her skin until she bled.
A huge part of him wanted to punish Tris for letting another man touch her, but the voice of reason prevailed and he resisted.
She had stopped typing now, and Eric was satisfied. He paused in his ministrations, but Tris protested in a whisper.
"Don't stop," she said, turning her head so that she could look him in the eyes. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were hooded.
He resisted a smirk and continued to rub her shoulders, allowing himself to be a little rougher than he had before.
"You like that?" Eric asked, watching as the girl seemed to melt under his touch. She didn't answer, but she didn't have to. The little moan she let out was answer enough.
Tris wiggled in her seat, squeezing her thighs together. The sight made Eric chuckle. He was getting to her, as he knew he would. It was too easy with this girl.
He ducked his head low, bending so that he could take the tender skin of her neck inbetween his teeth. She actually gasped, both surprised and apparently pleased by his actions. He sucked on her skin for a long moment before releasing her. While admiring the small bruise he had left, he ran his tongue over the abused flesh, tasting her salty skin.
"Eric," she called, louder than was wise, considering they were in the middle of the leadership offices. Max was right across the hall.
"Quiet, Tris."
He shushed her with lips on her ear, gently nipping at the lobe.
Her breath came in pants now and Eric was momentarily distracted by his own arousal. In his haste to get her to lower her defenses, he had forgotten how much he wanted her.
"Please," she called, still too loudly.
Eric covered her mouth with his hand and bit her neck again, hard. It wasn't enough to break the skin, but no doubt there would be a ring of bruises from his teeth. She moaned against his hand as she tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
Though he was suprised by her behavior, he tried not to show it.
She likes it rough, Eric realized.
Perfect, he thought, running his tongue over the indentations his teeth had left in her skin.
She was perfect. Dauntless incarnate. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she had to go and prove him wrong.
He hoped she would prove him wrong in what was next.
Eric spun her chair around so that they were face to face and he kissed her roughly. Her hands tangled in his hair and she pulled him closer even as she returned the kiss.
It took everything he had to remember the purpose of his actions.
"Tris," he whispered, holding her chin in his hand. She stared back at him with wide eyes, her gaze falling to his mouth. Unable to resist, he took her bottom lip between his teeth and bit down. He tasted blood and remembered their very first kiss on that rooftop so many weeks ago.
This one was better.
"How did you get these?" He ran his hands down her arms, fingers stroking her soft skin with lazy intent.
She was silent, and confused by his question. Expecting her reaction, Eric covered her bruises with his own fingers and dug in. A startled gasp escaped her as he pressed on the marks, reminding her of their existence. They would be much darker by the time he was done.
"The bruises, Tris. How did you get them?"
"From Four." Her voice was steady when she spoke, leaving him impressed, but also disappointed. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Do you like it when he puts his hands on you? Is that why you let him mark you?"
"No. It's just from training, Eric."
"I don't believe you."
She huffed indignantly and pushed him away with her palms against his chest.
He allowed her, only because he wanted to see her face.
She was scowling as he had hoped, but better was the line of blood that ran down her chin from her split lip. He resisted the urge to lick it away, but only just.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want Four. I want you. I want you to-" She stopped short and looked up at him with emotion burning in her eyes.
"Go on," he said, suddenly feeling impatient.
"I... I want it to be you. For my first time."
He wasn't really surprised by her words, but rather by her audacity. He hadn't thought she would be brave enough to come out and say it.
"You assume a lot," Eric told her, trying not to appear as shocked as he felt.
"I know you want me too. It's obvious."
"Is that so? I believe we've had this conversation before."
She rolled her eyes and Eric had to fight back a frown. This wasn't going at all like he had thought it would.
"You don't have to pretend with me. I won't tell anyone."
He considered her carefully before choosing his next words. It wouldn't do to let her know that she was right. He wanted her so badly that he dreamed of her on occasion, but he wasn't about to tell her that. Better to play it off, pretend that he didn't care. Save his dignity. At the same time, he couldn't over sell it and pass up on the prize she was offering. He was walking a thin line.
"So you want me to pop your cherry," he crossed his arms over his chest smugly, taking pleasure in the sight of her flushed cheeks. "And then what? Am I supposed to deal with you trailing after me like a lost puppy afterwards? You want me to tell you that you're something special? Ask you to be mine?"
She was quiet for a long time as she regarded him and Eric grew worried that he had crossed the line.
"I understand what this is," she said suddenly. "The lust. It's just chemical. I'm not going to fall in love with you after one night."
Eric laughed heartily, with genuine humor.
"Don't be too sure about that."
She blushed again, yet gave him a small smile.
"I hope you're not making promises you can't keep."
Unable to help himself, Eric grinned back.
"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
"Is that a yes?" Her eyes were so full of hope that he had to laugh.
"One night, Tris. Then I expect you to forget this whole mess."
Her whole face brightened and Eric was struck. She was so damn beautiful, so innocent. Like a tiny angel, sent to become his personal nightmare. If she was his test, he knew he was failing miserably.