Gentle pressure of a hand on her lower back directed her inside the dark abode. A fireplace with a few weak wooden embers flickered in a desperate attempt to sustain their fiery glow. Christine jumped a little as she heard the door being shut and the hinges being turned to lock them both inside...alone. She blinked her eyes several times trying to adjust to the dark. This part she had grown used to from all the time she spent with Erik in his residence beneath the opera house. She felt Erik brush past her to the fireplace and brought the dying embers to life with fresh wooden logs bringing light and hopefully some warmth to the room.
Christine looked around. It was not what she expected. Of course, she wasn't sure what she expected. She was in the living room with a couch behind her. To her left was a small dining room table with two chairs. Paper was sprawled all over the table with one large bowl sitting in the middle. It was filled with bread and fruit. Christine had never seen food in Erik's presence. Perhaps he was eating better which explained his lean muscle she felt earlier. Scattered around the room were several bottles of liquor. Some empty while others held onto half their contents. Christine tried not to think about the reason he felt the need to drink so much, but wasn't stupid enough to put the thought completely out of her head. Christine crossed her arms and began to shiver as if she just now noticed how cold her wet clothes were pressed against her skin.
Erik stroked the fire for a bit until he was satisfied with the amount of light and heat it gave. He turned and looked toward Christine. She was looking around nervously while shivering. Her curls had fallen due to soaking wet hair. Erik walked towards her and brushed the tip of his fingers gently down the side of her face pushing her hair out of her face tucking it behind her ear. He guided his fingers down her neck to her collar bone. Christine's breathing increased and Erik took notice. He untied her cloak and withdrew it from her. He went back to the fire and hung the cloak up over a metal rack. He turned back towards her. "I'll get you something dry for you to put on. I apologize I do not own any women clothing, but my clothes are clean and dry. You're more than welcome to use them as you need, though I'm afraid my pants may be too large for your waist." He disappeared out of the door behind the dining table. He returned shortly with a black button down shirt and a pair of his pants and gave them to Christine. He directed her to the restroom on the other end of the room.
Christine went into his restroom and lit a few candles before shutting the door. She pealed her wet dress from her cold body and slipped on his shirt that was too big for her. His tall body required longer shirts that went down to just above Christine's knees. She pulled the soft material up to her nose and took in his scent. He always kept a slight scent of mildew, but now they only smelled of soap. She tried on his pants, but their length would have her tripping over her feet and the waist had no chance of staying up. She just wore the shirt and buttoned it up looking for a mirror. Of course it was covered with a towel. Christine removed the towel and stared at her reflection in the mirror. "What are you doing here Chris? Why did you follow him?" He was right. Perhaps she did only want what she couldn't have in a sense. Christine looked down at her left hand staring at her engagement ring. It really was a beautiful ring. It was just a center diamond with a gold band. The diamond, however, was much too big for her small hands making it look almost gaudy. She twirled it around and around. The ring that is supposed to be a symbol of her everlasting love for Raoul had turned into her new nervous habit to twirl and twist around when needing to distract herself from her own thoughts.
Christine snooped around the restroom just a bit. It was simple enough. A bathtub with clawed feet and a toilet. The sink had the covered mirror above it and a cabinet beneath it. There was no closet for towels. She bent down and opened the cabinet noticing three liquor bottles. Christine felt her own alcohol wearing off as her nerves were starting to ramp up higher. She grabbed one of the bottles filled with whiskey and took two large gulps. She loved the burning feeling roll down her throat. It immediately helped her feel more at ease. She had to keep up her confidence in front of Erik so that he didn't see her completely crumble to pieces from her life that felt like she was losing more and more control of. Christine took her torn dress and placed it in the sink. She turned on the water and tried her best to wash the blood out of it. She was able to get most of it out, but blood stains were impossible to completely wash away. She looked up at the mirror staring at her pale face and dark circles under eyes. A small knock on the door pulled her out of her own thoughts. "Everything alright, Christine?", Erik asked politely. "Yes, I'll be out in just a moment", replied Christine trying to sound as bravely as she could.
She turned toward the door and turned the handle opening it. She stepped back into the living room. Erik had changed into dry clothes as well with his sleeves rolled up. He had a bowl of what seemed to be hot water with a cloth along with a bottle of whiskey and iodine. He sat them down on the coffee table and came towards her and retrieved her wet dress. She also shyly handed him her wet panties with a blush on her face. He hid his internal shock of touching something so delicate of hers and turned around quickly before she could see him come undone. He went and hung them over the metal rack with the rest of the wet clothes.
Erik turned towards her and just stared for a moment. Her hair was starting to dry bringing curls back to life around her face and shoulders. She was only wearing his shirt. He couldn't help but notice her thin pale legs. Oh how he wanted to run his hands up them to find what was hidden beneath his shirt. Though she wore a black shirt, he also noticed her hard nipples poking through. She had larger breasts compared to her petite stature, but they seemed to compliment her large brown eyes that stared so intensely at him; or maybe that part was just his imagination. "I'm sorry for the mess. I wasn't expecting company", he spoke unapologetically.
He walked towards her. "Its time to take a good look at that cut and get it cleaned before a fever sets in, if you don't mind." Christine nodded her approval as Erik guided her to the couch. She laid back crossing her legs in an attempt to maintain some sort of modesty. Erik pulled up a chair next to her. He slowly started unbuttoning the shirt. Christine did not miss the heaviness of his hands on her breasts as they slowly moved down making her toes curl. Erik stopped when the shirt had given enough slack to slide down her left shoulder revealing the cut, but still covering her nipple. Erik's mind wandered, but he forced himself to focus on the task at hand. It didn't help that Christine was breathing so heavily and staring at his every move in anticipation. Erik handed her the bottle of whiskey. "You may want to take a big swallow. This iodine is going to burn like hell, but it needs to be done." Christine didn't want to tell him of her restroom exploration where she found and drank some of his liquor, so she took the bottle and took a big drink keeping her eyes on him the entire time. "Hah, that is a bit impressive my dear", he chuckled. Christine smiled seductively at him. "I believe that's the first time I've heard some sort of laughter escape you." She settled down on the couch feeling a bit more relaxed with him. "I'm trying to find reasons to laugh these days, Christine."
He took the wash cloth and dipped it into the bowl with hot water wringing it out before placing it over her wound and letting it sit with his hand resting on her breast. He could fee her hard nipple pressing against the palm of his hand. Christine winced from the sting. "Christine if that hurts then you may need another drink of whiskey before I apply the iodine." Christine shook her head no. "It's okay. I can take it. Do what you have to do." Erik removed the cloth and opened the bottle of iodine applying it to the cloth. He took the cloth and slowly ran it over the cut trying to keep the yellow staining to a minimum. Christine cried out but stopped herself by biting her lip. She wrung her legs together while gripping Erik's strong arm. Erik took in her response hungrily. In any other circumstance, he would of lost control and devoured her. He took a different approach. He removed the cloth and leaned down to her chest and gently blew cold air over her cut. Christine seemed to relax and rested her hand on his shoulder. He was leaning dangerously close to her breasts. He raised his head and looked up at her and she gently smiled at him. "Thank you for taking such good care of me." Erik pulled away from her and sat back in his chair. "I will be here as long as you need me, Christine." Erik noticed her cheeks starting to turn red again unsure if from shyness or the alcohol and deciding to quickly change the subject. "You must be hungry. Hell, I know I am." Erik walked into the door behind the dining table and came back with a platter of cheese and a pitcher of water with two glasses. He placed out the bread and fruit from the bowl on the table. Christine assumed the door must lead into the kitchen and still wondered where his bedroom was. "Come Christine, but keep your shirt unbuttoned. You need to let your wound breathe." Erik wasn't wrong, but he also selfishly didn't want her to completely cover herself back up just yet. Christine pulled the other chair to sit next to him rather than across from him. She noticed that he had removed all the scattered papers that were on the table while she was in the restroom. She was still unsure what they had consisted of. She took some grapes and cheese eating hungrily not realizing how famished she was then drank down a whole glass of water before hiccuping making Erik laugh a heartily. It made her own heart swell as a big grin came across her embarrassed face. For the first time, she shared a meal with Erik and actually saw him eat and drink. He was more human tonight than all the years she had known him. His black hair was let down and rested just below his shoulders. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned revealing some of his chest hair. He was incredibly sexy and she scolded herself for having such thoughts.
Erik pulled out a deck of cards and showed her a magic trick which left her giggling. Her laughter thrilled him to his core. "Ever played strip poker my dear?", he asked smugly. "Though it wouldn't be in your favor considering your only piece of clothing would put you at a disadvantage." He raised an eyebrow at her. She met his challenge daringly. "If I lose a hand, I'll let my shirt drop down to my waist." She slowly ran her hand from her neck down her right breast. "But if you lose a hand then you must remove your mask for me." She tried her best to keep his determined gaze. "Touché", he replied coolly staring at her hand resting on her breast. We'll just stick to regular poker and use grapes as chips. Christine smirked to herself for her small victory.
They played several hands of cards while they ate and drank water to help sober up. Christine hadn't laughed this much in months maybe years. They both had wins and losses, but it didn't matter. Christine reached over the table and took one of Erik's "winning" grapes and threw it in her mouth smiling at him. "Christine don't make me extract my precious grape from your pretty mouth." He stared at her in a poker face that was impossible for Christine to read. She teased him by showing the grape through her lips before sucking it back in and sticking her tongue out at him playfully. Erik's chest filled with heat. Moving quickly, he picked her up and sat her on the table giving Erik more of an advantage with her being closer to his height. "Last chance little nightingale. Give up my prize." He stared at her deeply as me moved incredibly close to her. Christine wrapped her arms around his waist pulling him closer than she had really intended, but didn't care either way in the moment. His crotch was between her legs and her shirt was pushed up to the top of her thighs barely covering her privates. "Come and get it if you dare monsieur." She kept her fingers at his waist running them from his lower back to his side teasing his waist line. Erik's eyes were on fire. He cupped her face and pressed his lips against hers hard this time using his tongue to push into Christine's mouth in search for his sweet grape. She gave it back to him willingly where he swallowed it quickly before entering her mouth again dancing a slow dance with her tongue. He ran his hands down her neck to her shoulders gripping her tightly. Christine ran her hands up his back feeling every muscle before reaching around and running her hands up his chest gripping his shirt greedily. Erik felt blood rush down to his cock as he pressed it against her unclothed vagina. He greedily ripped down the shirt over her right shoulder. He kissed down her neck to her collar bone to the top of her halfway revealed breasts kissing and sucking hard enough to leave a mark. He stopped to admire it before giving it a warm lick and looking back at Christine who's eyes were closed breathing heavily. He placed his hand on her knee and slid his way up her thigh as he leaned in close to her ear; licking it slightly while whispering his hot breath into it. "I can't help but wonder how slick you must feel between your folds my dear Christine." Erik was becoming lost in his lust and reached under her shirt and ran one finger up her folds feeling her wetness. "Yes that is exquisite." As if Christine was suddenly broken from the lustful spell, she instinctively closed her legs with his hand still between them. He pulled it out dragging his fingers across her again making her almost lose control of herself. Erik pulled away from her completely. "I'm sorry Christine. I went too far. It was not my intention to take advantage of you." his face flushed red with embarrassment as he turned away from Christine and walked towards the fire and stared into it. Christine saw the red on his face before he turned away. She took a deep breath to calm her hormones before hopping off the table and adjusting her shirt to cover most of herself again.
She walked over to the fire and stood next to him wrapping her arm around his holding it close to her heart as she leaned her head against it. "You didn't take advantage of me Erik. If anything I may be trying to take advantage of you. I can't seem to figure out what it is I want and tonight has done nothing but confuse me more." Erik shrugged and melted into her embrace. "I should be getting some sleep Christine. I have some drawings to drop off at the office early tomorrow." Christine looked up at my him curiously. "Drawings of what?" Erik looked down to meet her eyes. "Architectural drawings. They keep my mind busy while allowing me to make a good amount of money along with other investments and shares." He spoke so plainly like he had done this his entire life not like he had been haunting an opera house just six months prior. He walked away from her to a closet and pulled out blankets and a pillow laying them on the couch. "You should be comfortable enough here tonight. Christine my place is always open to you. You may stay here as long or little as you like." He kissed her on the forehead gingerly but meaningfully then turned and walked back into the kitchen. Christine assumed his bedroom must be past the kitchen. She sighed with mental and sexual frustration. She tucked herself in on the couch and listened to the rain beat itself against the window while she stared at the fire thinking. She was so tired of thinking. She laid there for a few hours listening to the rain and crackle of the fire. The wind was whistling its haunting tune. Lightning shined through the window mixed with the fireplace's fire creating strange shadows on the walls followed by thunder professing its shaking love by singing only for the lightning.
Christine hated storms. She wanted to be held and told everything was going to be alright. She wanted to feel protected by her angel. She sat up and stared at the door leading to the kitchen trying to decide whether she should risk it or not. She stood up and glided her way quietly to the door opening it slowly. She stepped into the kitchen trying hard to find another door in the dark. The door was located to the far left. She tip toed her way to the door and slowly turned the handle halfway surprised it was unlocked. She opened the door and stepped inside. The room had a smaller fireplace with a much weaker fire. It was cold, but that was usually how Erik liked his residence to be. She stared at a big canopy bed taking up most of the room with the curtains drawn back. Erik laid there still and she hoped he was asleep. Christine twirled her ring nervously as she inched her way to the bed. She stood over him. He still had his mask on and Christine wondered if he ever truly took it off. His chest was rising and falling steadily. She reached out her hand and pressed it gently on his chest.
Green eyes shot open and grabbed her wrist flipping her over onto the bed pinned down with Erik heaving over her. Erik stared at her and shook his head. "Christine?! What are you doing? You can't keep sneaking up on me like that!" Christine's heart was pounding. She should of learned her lesson by now trying to sneak up on a man such as Erik. Hell, she had the wound on her chest to prove it. "I'm sorry. Really I am. It's just...I'm terrified of this storm", she replied meekly. Erik let out a laugh and dropped his weight collapsing on top of her and nuzzled into her neck. "You silly girl. You're scared of some thunder so you come to the beast for protection?" Erik kissed her neck and started unbuttoning more buttons on her shirt while slowly moving his way down the middle of her chest until he reached the center between her breasts then licked her cleavage all the way back up to her neck again where he gave her a light bite. Christine thought her heart was going to explode. She didn't want him to stop, but Erik rolled off of her and laid on his side facing her leaving enough distance to prevent his temptation further. He reached out and pulled her left arm towards him planting small, slow kisses up her forearm to her palm before turning her hand. Christine felt that warm place between her legs start to wake up again. Erik kissed the top of her fingers making his way to her wrist. He stopped suddenly when his lips felt the hard, cold metal that was strangling her delicate finger. It was like reality had washed over both of them. Christine was engaged to another man. She was going to be another man's wife. The mother of his perfectly formed children. Erik felt his stomach twist in a sick knot at the thought. Christine recognized immediately what he was thinking and froze. Erik laid her arm back to herself and rolled around with his back turned towards her. "You may stay in here if you wish to, but please stay on the other side of the bed", he spoke out dryly hating every word as it crossed his tongue. Christine turned her back towards him without saying a word as silent tears rolled down her cheeks until she finally gave into sleep.
She woke up to continued rainy, gray skies. It really was not ever going to stop raining. Erik had already left as he said he would. She stared out of the bedroom window with a blanket wrapped around her contemplating her life choices while twirling the hard, metal ring around her finger.