"Go."
"But-" Christine watched him as he strode away from her. He clutched his cheek as if he had been scolded in pain. "I agreed to disregard my brunch with Raoul. I agreed to stay here with you. I did nothing wrong."
Erik turned, his gazing falling heavily on her. How could she not understand what she did to him? Did she ignore the torment in his eyes? Did she misread his longing gazes and agony? "You did nothing wrong."
Christine bit her lip. Why did he have to be so flat when he was angry? She couldn't tell if he was agreeing or mocking her. She didn't dare to ask. He didn't like questions. She knew this and yet she still tempted her fate. "If you want me to go, then I will." With a gulp and a lingering look Christine turned away from him. Barefoot she stepped over the rocks as she made her way towards the coast.
"Christine." Erik wrenched from his gut, following after her. "I do not want you to leave." I never want you to leave.
Christine stared at her hands, wringing them together nervously. "I don't purposely anger you. You never let me know what I'm doing wrong until I've angered you." Her voice was no more than a whisper, terrified that she would frustrate him further.
Erik closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. This was the fear that he saw on her face that tore him in two. He didn't want her to live in such a fear of him. To see her trembling and cowering at his shape. "Then do only things you know that please me."
"Then I will be limited to singing for you."
"And so much more." Erik tempted his own fate as he reached out and skimmed his hand along her shoulder.
"I only wish to please you," Christine fumbled at the words. "Erik."
His eyes darkened at her words. Did she not understand how powerful words were? Already she had sworn that she would do anything for him and now she said she only wished to please him. He would resist the dark deeds he longed to do with her. Christine in her silken white gown was like a pearl with in the darkness of his lair. He would do nothing to tarnish her. Not unless she pushed him to it. He had killed as though it was second nature - taking her would be no more than a blink of an eye.
"You please me far more than you are aware." Erik rasped, moving his gloved hand down her arm until he reached her hand. He grasped, entwining their fingers together. Repeating the motion with the alternate hand. He raised their clasped hands up, glancing between them.
"Why must you wear gloves?" The question fell from her lips without hesitation. She cringed, fearing a torrent of impatient words.
"I shield myself from feeling the silken touch of you."
Christine shook her hand free of his, attempting to jerk the leather from his hand. "But why?"
"Christine." Erik warned, releasing her other hand and turning away. His head was reeling with thoughts of her. Thoughts of one day being allowed to feel her soft, perfect skin beneath his hands. "Lessons."
Watching after him she wondered why the mystery of him was so beguiling. She wanted to know his every secret. No matter how dark. No matter how deadly. Once she was in his lair, there were no second thoughts. Raoul was an aftertaste while Erik flooded her every sense.
"Come, Christine, you need to begin practicing for Il Mutto if you expect to outshine Carlotta." Erik beckoned her to him as he sat down at the organ.
With sure steps Christine found herself standing behind him. Tonight's lesson felt surreal. It was unlike any lesson that she had even been through. Something brimmed just below the surface of their every word and every gaze. Had one tender kiss electrified them so? It was almost unbearable.
Did he feel that overwhelming blooming in his stomach? The all consuming fire that had begun to burn stronger each time their limbs bumped against one another.
A single touch had unhinged him. Had a brush disturbed him so it was only reasonable to expect that the feel of her precious lips pressed to his skin would drive him past the point of return. How could he ever let her go now? In theory admitting that the Vicomte would be a better choice for her life was easy, but in reality the thought of her marrying, bedding, and vowing her life to another man was sickening.
He was the one who had been there for her all of the years. He was the reason for her success. Everything she had, she could owe it to him. Did she honestly expect that the wealthy fop would have remembered his childhood friend if she had merely been a chorus girl? No. Her rising fame had restored some buried memory in him. He only wanted her for her appearances, her status, her outer beauty.
Did the Vicomte know her soul? One look within her hazel eyes, drowning in the light and the beauty that flooded every inch of her and he could read her. She was like an exquisite statute that a sculptor had worked his life to perfect. Her voice was like a chorus of angels.
How could anyone appreciate her the way he did?
"You should rest." Erik said as he finished the piece they had been practicing. The warm pressure of her hand on his back had finally become too much to bear without consequence.
"I will see you in the morning?" Christine whispered, stepping away from him reluctantly.
Erik rose to his feet, his mismatched eyes met hers and he lost track of what they were even talking about. Their gaze never separated as they stood there in silence. How could he control these urges that coursed through his veins, replacing any sense he had ever claimed to have?
"Christine." His eyes grew heavy as his hands unconsciously reached for her petite waist. He mentally urged her to push him away. But she stayed in place, doe eyes staring up at him. He glanced at her lips, breaking the eye contact. He wanted to posses her lips and prove to her who he was.
But there was fear that he would never be what she truly desired. Only in the sanctuary of his underworld did she seem to be lured to him. Those lips were lips that had kissed the Vicomte de Chagny. The young handsome lover he would never match.
"Goodnight." Erik turned abruptly, clenching his fists at the lost feel of her petite body. "Until the morning."
"Goodnight." Christine whispered, feeling the air she had been holding release from her lips.
