In the weeks that followed, Tris finds herself wondering if it all hadn't been an eloborate dream, because Eric sure wasnt behaving like he had agreed to take her virginity.
Perhaps it was the effect of his still healing gunshot wounds, but Eric was in an incredibly sour mood all the time, snapping at her often for her obvious distraction which led to many mistakes in her officework.
He did not join her for meals, still refusing to let all of Dauntless see him at anything other than his best.
Four accompanied her to lunch more often than not, but they spoke little outside of their private training sessions.
Their friendly banter was one thing in the privacy of the gym, but quite another in front of the many eyes of Dauntless. She kept her distance to be safe, never quite feeling comfortable enough to cross the invisible line between them in public.
That suited Tris just fine. She spent most of her time thinking about another man, and was thankful that her companion usually didn't bring up her distraction, because it was painfully obvious that her mind was elsewhere.
She didn't feel much like eating her lunch so she just used her fork to push the food around on her tray, her thoughts occupied by the handsome, scowling face of her trainer, whom she would be seeing quite soon.
She was excited, as always, though little had happened between them since she had convinced him to give up the fight. He hadn't kissed her again, but she got by on innocent touches. An accidental brush of fingers when she handed him a report, the way he placed his hand on her lower back to usher her from the office when it was quitting time. It wasn't much, but she lived for these moments.
"What do you see in him?"
It took Tris a few moments to realize that Four had spoken to her, and even longer to interpret his question. She blushed a little, though deep down she knew that her infatuation with Eric was obvious and she should have expected someone to notice the dreamy look on her face every time she thought about him.
"Why do you ask?" She countered, hoping to buy some time to think.
"You seem... happy. How does a guy like that make you happy?"
"He... he treats me like I'm normal. Even though everyone thinks I'm a whore and a cheat, he doesn't feel sorry for me and he doesn't treat me differently than anyone else. He's just the same hard ass that he always is, barking out orders." Her lips quirked up in a small smile, as with most every time she thought about Eric.
"Most people dislike him for that same reason," Four said, his face as blank as ever. "It's got to be hard to be his subordinate."
"Not as hard as you might think. He's very goal oriented. He makes it easy to take direction."
"You think he's a good leader," Four sounded surprised. "Even after... Even though he's making you..."
He trailed off, but she got the gist of what he wanted to say.
"Eric isn't making me do anything," she replied hotly. "In fact, he's turned me down so many times I've lost count." She blushed at the admission, and consoled herself with the memory of his beautiful, plush lips against hers.
"Yet you're still holding out for him. Why? If he's not interested, maybe find someone who is."
"I didn't say he wasn't interested. He just has his priorities, and losing his leadership position isn't among them."
"Then what good is it doing you? You know you two can never be. Why are you wasting your time?"
"Why the sudden interest, Four?" Tris asked him with barely concealed venom in her voice. His line of questioning was getting dangerous. She couldn't exactly admit that they had been sneaking around practically since her initiation ended, going back and forth between kissing and fighting.
He stared at her with that stony, expressionless gaze she knew so well and for the first time in a long time, Tris wondered if maybe Four did have feelings for her.
"Eric doesn't deserve you, that's all," he deadpanned. "You're so much better than that asshole."
"Please go on, Four," drawled an icy voice that Tris would know anywhere. Her heart leapt in her chest at the sight of him, all scowls and cold eyes. "I'd love to hear more."
Four's expression tightened as he clenched his jaw, but otherwise he gave no indication that he was bothered by the other man's presence.
"It seems lunch is over, Tris," Four said calmly, standing from his seat.
And so it was. She was so focused on their conversation that she had failed to notice the time. She was supposed to meet Eric in his office fifteen minutes ago.
As Four walked away without another word, Eric turned his cold gaze upon her and she flinched.
"I'm sorry-"
"Don't," he snapped, interrupting her apology. He turned on his heel and left the cafeteria and Tris found herself scrambling after him, as was most certainly his intention.
The moment she entered the empty hallway, he was on her, fingers digging into her upper arm as he dragged her towards the elevator.
"I was sticking up for you, you know," Tris told him as she tried her best to keep up with his long strides.
"Why would you do a thing like that?" He asked sardonically. "Number Boy is finally making his move on you. You can have what you've been waiting for."
He all but threw her into the lift, where she stumbled slightly before regaining her footing.
Eric stepped into the elevator, looking everywhere but at her as he jabbed the proper buttons to take them to the offices.
"You always do this," Tris complained, using all her strength to push at Eric's exceptionally well built chest. He didn't budge, but then she hadn't really expected him to. She had just wanted to get his attention, which she had succeeded in doing.
He captured her wrists in his hands, squeezing hard enough to serve as a warning. Her back was against the wall and she was reminded of the last time she and Eric had shared an elevator.
"Careful, Tris." He muttered, his hot breath caressing her cheek. It seemed that he too was remembering that ill fated elevator ride, because he was doing his best to recreate it.
This time she didn't panic as he slid his leg inbetween hers, his thigh rubbing sinfully against the juncture of her legs. The material of her pants was simultaneously too thin and not thin enough as he moved his leg slowly between her legs to stimulate her. Though her hands were still in Eric's grasp, her fists were clenched so tightly that her fingernails were leaving crescents on her palms.
"I want you," she whispered, suddenly very hot and bothered.
"Are you sure?" he asked, pressing his thigh harder against her body. She bit back a moan.
"Right now, Eric." Her voice was dangerously close to a whine as she rubbed herself against his muscular thigh.
He laughed. He actually laughed, and Tris was enraptured by the sound of it echoing off the steel walls. It was a beautiful sound, full of humor and mirth, and accompanied by a genuine smile. Perhaps he wasn't as angry with her as she had thought.
"We have a full stack full of paperwork to get through today. There won't be time."
She wanted to groan at the thought of paperwork at a time like this, but she found that she was just angry.
"Why are you teasing me then?" She snapped, no longer interested in rubbing herself on Eric's thigh, which was still inbetween her legs. With her bound hands, she shoved at him again, this time succeeding in pushing him back a few inches. It was enough so that he had to withdraw his leg to catch himself, but not enough that he let go of her wrists.
"Just reminding you of what you stand to gain if you're patient." The smug prick didn't even try to hide his amusement.
"How patient do I have to be?! It's been almost two weeks, Eric."
"If you recall, I was shot in the chest a few weeks ago. Or did you forget?"
"No, I didn't forget," Tris mumbled. He leaned forward and put his mouth on her ear.
"When I fuck you, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. I'm not going to stop for anything, especially not because I'm in pain."
"Are you in pain now?" Tris asked, thinking of the way she had pushed on his chest, twice now.
"No." His smirk was back and it made her legs weak. "I think we're due for an appointment soon."
"Tonight?" Tris asked hopefully. He laughed again and let go of her wrists just as the elevator doors opened.
"Tonight," he confirmed.