Chapter 60

Warning: This chapter has sexual content. Do not feel pressured to read if you are not comfortable. Skip to the dashed line (~) for regular content.

Riley smiled as he brought his lips back to hers. This kiss was different. It was slower than the last. Right now, they have time. For now, things were okay. None of it mattered. Come tomorrow they will be separated. Eric would go to jail, and she would go to Amity.

Their noses brushed against each other, and Riley's thoughts became fuzzy. Eric's large hands cupped her thighs. At some point, they had moved to the bedroom. Riley's not sure when.

His hands traveled down her body, and his lips disconnected from hers. It's only for a moment. He needed to breathe. Eric groaned as his lips found hers again, the kiss growing more and more intense by the second. Riley's right hand was against the side of his neck.

They stayed like this for minutes, both enjoying the moment of calm. There was no rush right now. Nobody was here to stop them, at least for now. Tomorrow they would start new lives, but that was tomorrow. This was now.

The metal creaked as he shifted his weight on top of her. Without breaking eye contact, Eric pulled off his shirt. There were bruises on his chest. They were older and starting to fade. Riley wasn't sure when he got them. Her fingers traced over the injury on his head, noticing the way he winced at the contact. He watched her carefully. Almost lovingly as concern crossed her features.

Eric pushed the hair out of her face. He dipped his head and kissed her again. She gently combed her fingers through his hair, noticing how long it had gotten. Eric started kissing down her throat, taking his time with each movement. Riley took a shaky breath as his teeth scraped over her skin.

Eric gripped the bottom of her shirt and swiftly pulled it over her head. Riley watched as his eyes scanned her body. She could see the way his face twisted at the sight. His fingers first ran over the bandage on her chest. The injury was healing, but the memories were burned into his brain.

His fingers then trailed down her stomach causing goosebumps to appear. He stopped again above the scar. Weeks ago, he had given an order at Amity to shoot her down. The bullet went through her side. It was healed now. Nothing more than a scar.

His eyes went to the exact same scar on her arm. Two wounds caused by his order. He was the one that told the Dauntless to shoot. He had hurt her. It was his fault.

She smiles gently, "I'm fine, Eric." Riley knows what he's thinking. Part of him hates that. He doesn't like someone being able to tell his thoughts so easily. Moving her hands behind her back, she slowly unclasped her bra. Without looking away, she slides the straps off her shoulders and tosses the item to the side. Eric's fingers now rub at the exposed skin. Riley sighs at the contact, tilting her head back slightly.

Eric smiles to himself and slowly pulls away. Without missing a beat, he unzips his jeans and pulls them down. Riley copies his actions. First, disregarding her pants and then her underwear. She's slower with that last item, feeling slightly insecure under his penetrating stare. There was a single light in the room, along with the window. It was dark outside, but the city light gave them enough light to see each other. "Are you sure," Eric spoke in just above a whisper. His hands slid down his underwear. "That you want to do this?"

Riley hummed as his fingers trailed her inner thigh. Eric's question was twisted in a way only she could understand. He wasn't asking if she wanted to do this. He was asking if she wanted to do this with him. "Yeah," Riley said. "I'm sure." She watches as he shifts above her, moving her leg up and over his waist. He's mindful of the injuries keeping an eye out for any sign of discomfort. Eric hesitates on his next move, but Riley smiles at him. Placing a hand on the side of his face to show him that she was all right. Eric nods more to himself and slowly pushes into her. Riley instantly moans, letting her free hand grip his other arm.

Eric sucks in a shaky breath, letting his head fall forward as he bottoms out. Riley whimpered as he pulled out and slowly pushed back. His rhythm was slow, almost painfully slow. Eric wants to enjoy this for as long as he can.

He placed his left hand above her head, keeping himself situated. Using his right hand, he gripped her hip. The hand Riley had on his cheek fell, and she grabbed his back.

"Eric," she whispered. "Please." It was a plea for him to move faster, and he listened. The bed creaked loudly with every snap of his hips—the entire frame shifting. The sound echoed through the room, along with her whimpers. "Oh, god." Riley was thankful nobody else was around.

Eric gripped the thin sheets tightly as he continued his momentum. He bit his lip. He watched Riley closely. Getting lost in the sounds she made and the pure blissed-out look on her face. "I love you." The words slipped out before he could stop them.

"Eric-" she was cut off by him moving his hand. The hand that gripped her hip moved to rest on her stomach—his thumb brushing over her clit hesitantly. Riley bucked her hips, and Eric raised an eyebrow, smirking to himself. He continued to flick his thumb over the sensitive area. "Oh."

Eric moved his hips faster, feeling his heart race. Riley gripped his back tightly, letting out a loud moan as he moved his thumb faster. His head fell into the crease of her neck. Riley's eyes were still open, and she stared at the ceiling. The feeling inside of her was so close to bubbling over. She could hardly form a coherent thought. Eric's head nuzzled into her neck, and he couldn't hold back anymore. With every thrust, he let out a strangled groan—the sound alone caused Riley's head to spin. Her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into him. "Eric."

The momentum of his thrusts grew sloppy, and Riley knew he was close. She was too, and his thumb moved faster. Eric moved his head up, looking straight down at her. She stares into his piercing blue eyes, and the tension alone is enough to push her over the edge.

Riley cried out as she came, gripping onto him as if her life depended on it. Eric's forehead rested against hers as his hips lazily moved in and out of her, his body exploding as he came down from his high.

All at once he stops but doesn't move. His breathing is ragged, but so is hers. Riley tilts her head slightly, enjoying how close they were. It wouldn't last much longer. She had to enjoy it while she could.

Eric pulled out of her, dropping to her side. Riley's entire body ached in a way she had never felt before. She glanced down at her chest, making sure her injury wasn't torn. He noticed instantly. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," Riley glanced at him with a smile. "I'm fine." Eric stared back at her, outlining her jaw with his thumb. Riley leaned into his touch, but questions were knawing at her. They stare at each other for a minute. Riley hates that in the morning, this will all be gone. Eric drops his hand. Riley felt the bed shift as Eric wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. The silence is heavy. She can't tell what he's thinking. "What are you thinking about?"

"I don't want you to visit me in jail."

She tilts her head up. "Eric-"

"You have a chance to start over tomorrow. You need to take it." He means his words. "Live a good life." It's the least she deserves.

"Eric-"

"Promise me." She doesn't want to. "Promise me."

"Okay." Riley finds herself agreeing. "I promise." Eric smiles, pressing his lips against her forehead.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Morning comes sooner than either of them would have liked. Riley stands on the steps of Erudite with a heavy heart as she watches Johanna's men put Eric in the backseat of the car. He glances at her. There's a smile on his face. Riley knows it's genuine.

The car door slams closed. The windows are tinted. She can't see him, but he can see her. Riley blinks away her tears. To her left is Tobias and Christina. He's on the ground with Maddie. The train will be at the station in ten minutes.

As the car drives away, she turns towards them. Maddie notices. "Miss Riley." She runs towards her. "Look." Maddie opens her hand to reveal a flower.

"That's beautiful."

"The man gave it to me," she says. "Tobias."

Riley glances at her brother. He smiles at her. It's a nice sight to see. "You okay?"

Eric was gone. Riley knew there was a chance they would never see each other again. "I will be." He hands her a bag. "Thank you." It's full of a few belongings—anything she may need.

"I'll be by soon," he sighed. "But take care of yourself, okay?"

"You too." Riley knows this isn't goodbye. They will see each other again.

Christina steps forward. The two hug. "I'll miss you."

"I'm not far," she laughs. But still, they wouldn't be together. They had been together for a while. Now, they were starting new lives. "But I'll miss you too."

Riley steps back and slings the bag over her shoulder. Be Brave, that's the last thing Peter said to her before drinking the memory serum. So, that's what she was doing. Riley was being brave and starting the next chapter of her life. "Come on, Maddie." She sticks her hand out. Maddie happily takes it. "Let's go."

With that, she walks away from two people she loves. Riley can't help but smile. For the first time in her life, she was doing something she wanted. Riley deserved this. She deserved to live freely and without fear.

They arrive at the train station just as the train arrives. There's nobody on it, but that's expected. Together, Riley and Maddie ride the train to Amity, starting their new lives.