Chapter Four Meetings

"How do I look?" Christine asked. Erik looked up from tucking his shirt into his trousers and found his mouth go suddenly dry at the sight of the woman before him. Her black dress was strapless and clung to her curves alluringly and fell just short of her knees. Her heels were held onto her feet by a single strap that wrapped itself around her tiny ankle. Her chocolate curls tumbled all around her shoulders and back and he suddenly wondered what type of idiot her ex was to have given this up.

"You look wonderful," he murmured huskily. She smiled.

"Of course you are going to say that, I am paying you!" she said with a small laugh. He did not reply, to caught up in the fantasy of her beneath him in bed. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and began working on his tie. Christine came to him and began to help. Erik let her, too surprised to do otherwise. Buster watched them from the bed with round, insightful eyes. She was so close he could smell the light perfume she wore and it made his body harden to unbelievable proportions. She glanced up at him and her blue gaze met with his intense green one. He saw something flicker in her eyes but could not figure out what it was before she smiled and looked down.

"There are a few people I should warn you about," she said as she finished, unconsciously smoothing her hand down the front of his shirt.

"Like your ex?" he murmured, unable to hold back the bite in his voice. She simply smiled.

"No, he is pretty typical, but Meg's cousin Jammes is someone you need to watch out for," she said, giving herself one last check in the mirror.

"Why is that?" he wondered, putting on his jacket.

"She is a man hound," Christine said. Erik frowned.

"To put it buntly, she loves men and she will be sure to let you know that," she said. Erik felt readily warned. He wanted no one taking undue liberties with his person.

"I am your date tonight, there is no doubt of that," he murmured as she took his arm. She smiled.

"Good, I feel much better."

When Erik had told Christine that they needed to behave as lovers she never thought he would go through so much trouble to do so. He was definitely worth his 6,000. He kept his hand at the small of her back and any opportunity he was allowed he caressed her rear, sending a chill down her spine. A good chill. He constantly had his mouth at her ear, whispering sweet nothings to her that made her smile and laugh. To anyone looking they could have been lovers for years. Jammes had been stalking Erik with her eyes for most of the evening and Christine knew that if she did not watch closely Erik might be trapped into a corner. Mrs. Giry had seemed surprised to hear that Christine had a new boyfriend and even more surprised at Erik's appearance.

Christine had yet to see Raoul and she were both glad and disappointed at that. Erik watched Christine, his eyes hardly leaving her as she enjoyed the evening, talking with old friends and meeting new ones. Everyone seemed impressed by Erik, And Christine fairly glowed. He used the excuse that they needed to look lovers in order to touch her when that was not at all the reason he did so. He had not even known her three days and he already wanted her in his bed. She practically radiated sex and Erik was extremely aware of it. How was he going to last for the next few weeks if he was not even able to think about anything else but fucking her? She turned to him at that moment and smiled.

"Would you excuse me? I need to go to the ladies room," she said. He nodded and she loosened herself from his arm. As she walked Erik became aware of the young man who was watching her, and slowly followed her out of the room. The ex. Well Erik would give him something to think about.

Christine dried her hands before leaving the restroom, only to run into Raoul. She gasped and backed away, her heart suddenly beating frantically. She did not want to face him right now. His handsome face and smiling blue eyes were nearly her undoing. Not to mention the fact that he looked good in his tux.

"Raoul..." she murmured, unable to say anything else. He smiled charmingly. That was Raoul, always charms and smiles.

"Christine, you look...beautiful," he said with meaning, because she did.

"Thank you," she replied. This was so awkward Christine had to keep from squirming. Christine was spared having to say anything else when Erik seemed to appear out of nowhere. Before she had time to draw breath he had grabbed her waist and pressed her into the wall behind her, his body molding into hers.

"Darling, there you are," he murmured, more than aware of the man behind him.

"Erik..." he allowed her to say no more before his mouth crashed on hers, causing her to moan in surprised pleasure. He pressed his hips into hers and Christine could feel his hard arousal pressing into her. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and the kiss was hot and demanding. Christine's hands slipped into his hair as she pressed him closer. Finally, when she could not breath any longer, he pulled away. His eyes met hers and his own were cloudy with desire.

"I was looking for you, are you ready to go to bed?" he murmured huskily. Raoul cleared his voice behind them and Christine blushed, realizing that she had completely forgotten he was there.

"I do not believe I have met your friend, Christine," Raoul said. Erik turned to him.

"Erik."

"Nice to meet you, I am Raoul de Chagny," he said. Erik simply nodded and took Christine's hand, pulling her down the hallway as if he would die if he did not get them alone. Christine would never forget the look on Raoul's face as she walked away from him.