Chapter 2
Staring up at him, she sang softly, "Love me, that's all I ask of you"
All the air went out of Erik's lungs with a whoosh, and the strength left his legs. His knees buckled, and he sat back down, hard. His hand still over Christine's heart, he could feel it pounding in rhythm with his own. He was paralyzed with dread, terrified the next words he would hear would be the ones telling him goodbye. She didn't want anything more from him now, he knew. The words she had just sung said as much. He closed his eyes against the blow he knew would be coming, pressing his face into the gentle swell of her breast, as though to shield himself from the agony of what he knew her words had in store.
Christine tenderly wrapped her arms around him, leaning her body into him, and drew his head between her breasts. Softly, with one hand she stroked his hair, while with the other, she roamed over his shoulders, marveling at the warmth and restrained strength she felt beneath her fingers.
Erik could take no more, being so close, and not holding her. With a deep moan of anguish he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her as close as he could. His tears returned undiminished, his body wracked with sobs. He held her tightly, as he wept, heartbroken. She was leaving him. If only she would allow him this last moment, then he would release her. She could depart, taking his broken heart with her.
"Sshhh now, my angel", she softly murmured, holding him as the torrent of his anguish raged on. She held him tightly, kissing the top of his head, nestling her cheek in his hair, and waited for the storm to calm. Minutes passed, and his sobs became sighs. Gently clasping his chin, she lifted his tear stained face and began to rain soft kisses on his forehead, his eyelids, his cheeks, his lips. Tasting his salty tears, she was shaken to her core with her love for this man. "Ssshhh, my darling" she whispered. "Don't cry, love. Open your eyes. Look into my eyes and see all that I feel for you."
Erik slowly opened his eyes, and saw the gentle smile on Christine's face. Hope stirred again in his chest. A single tear escaped her eye, and he traced its path down her cheek with a fingertip. His eyes were drawn to her lips, and he tenderly brushed the plump bottom one with his thumb. Christine lovingly cradled his face in her hands and kissed him. Softly. Gently. As though not to startle him out of this strange, new dream.
Erik could not hear, for the roaring in his ears, or the hammering of his heart.
She came back! His beloved had returned to him. Of her own free will she had chosen him. And now she was kissing him, cherishing him, treasuring him. Never in his life had he felt such an outpouring of love from another. He reveled in this new sensation. The joy he felt was overwhelming, his heart was full to bursting. Christine kissed him again, and then pressed her forehead to his and rested there for a moment, their breaths comingling.
"Erik, I love you" she sang, echoing his song from earlier.
He released a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and the dam within him burst. His smile was as the sun coming out from behind the clouds. His love shone in his eyes, as he pulled her onto his lap and captured her lips in a fiery, heated kiss. His hands were in constant motion, as though seeking to memorize every inch of her skin. Running his hands down her arms and up her back, he couldn't stop touching her. Branding her, learning every dip and curve, making her his. He trailed his fingers across her collar bone and across the upper swell of her breasts. His breath caught in his lungs when he felt her silky skin, and his throat grew tight as he felt her softly moan.
He tenderly cradled her face as they kissed. Her beautiful, angelic face, that had haunted his dreams and tormented his waking moments. He thrust his hands deep in her tresses as he trailed kisses across her jawline and down her neck. Christine gasped and gave a small whimper as new sensations sprung to life. Her soft cries of pleasure were almost Erik's undoing, setting fire to a passion long suppressed. He could not help but return to her mouth, moaning aloud when she took his bottom lip gently between her lips, lightly grazing it with her teeth. His tongue sought entrance to her mouth, and he was rewarded with louder whimpers upon gaining said entrance.
Christine's senses were in a maelstrom. What was happening to her? She felt on fire, as though everywhere Erik touched was bursting into flame. Her stays were too tight and she couldn't catch her breath, her heart thundering in her breast. His kisses were driving her mad, making her yearn for something more, although she knew not what. She returned his kisses with a fire she didn't know existed, relentlessly running her hands through his hair, under his shirt, over his shoulders, and down his chest. At last she pulled away, panting, laboring for breath, and gazed at him in astonishment. What have you done to me?
Oh! So this is what the older dancers in the opera company meant!
Christine had never paid much attention to their silly giggling and gossiping about this man and that man in the company. But now understanding dawned. Passion.
L'amour.
Erik took note of the dazed look of wonder in her eyes, the flush of her skin, and her swollen lips, and his heart skipped a beat. Or perhaps stopped altogether for a moment or two, he couldn't be sure. All he knew was that he was the one who had made her look like that, wanton, and filled with desire, and staring at him with such love in her eyes that he wanted to drown in their depths and never come up for air again.
"Christine… I… why…" Erik stammered. He was afraid to know, had to know. He swallowed, began again. "Why? Why did you come back?"
Christine leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. Then she kissed all of his beautiful, horrible scars. Slowly, gently, her eyes never leaving his. "You are my Angel. My heart. I gave it to you long ago, and I never wish it to be returned."
Erik's throat closed and tears threatened again. He nodded for her to continue, for he could not yet speak.
"I love you. I wish never to be parted from you again. Wherever you go, let me go too." Christine's voice broke, "That's all I ask of you."
