Chapter Six
Temptation and Surrender

Erik was unsure which was worse. The feeling of being layered in sweat and grime or burning with desire. He felt as if at any time he might stop off into the underbrush and do as his body had been demanding.

Now he was sure desire unsatisfied was more torturous than a little discomfort from filth. He would rather wallow in a heap of garbage than suffer as he had suffered all of his adult life. As he suffered now. The constant rub of her against him stoked a flame that was about to burn out of control.

If his memory served him well and he was sure it did, there was a copse of trees with the ruins of a cottage beside a small creek. Not far from there was a hot spring. The former occupants had made a rock reservoir that would contain the warm water. It had sloped at one end to drain off into the creek. Quite ingenious really. Genius Erik could appreciate.

The scent of sulfur did not permeate the area as many other places in France blessed with this phenomena. Erik guided the horse to the trees. Stopping the horse he put out his hand without saying a word. Without any hesitation Trinity placed her hand in his and allowed him to lower her to the ground.

She waited for him to dismount. Her eyes admired the tight fit of his trousers stretched over his taught backside. Regardless of what men thought women did enjoy ogling them as much as they did women. Women were just more subtle than men.

Having both feet on the ground Erik turned around and faced Trinity. The level of her eyes was somewhere below his waist. His imagination took flight tightening his trousers as his flesh began to swell. He could feel the blood filling what had been soft flesh only seconds before. He felt each hot pulse beat surge into the hard flesh of his manhood.

So much for women being more subtle anyone could have pointed out if anyone dared or indeed cared. No one present cared a fig. If Trinity thought his backside view was impressive the front held her rapt attention. Warm wetness flowed into her most intimate area. She swallowed hard with a little difficulty. The man was a menace to her virtue as no one had ever been before. Mangled face and all. Her eyes darted to his face in hopes that seeing his bruised and swollen face would dampen the growing need to jump him at any moment.

She saw his damaged face. She also saw the handsome man behind all that damage. The open sores on his face had begun to dry. The fresh air had begun to heal them already. They no longer oozed from open wounds and some places looked to be from long duration of some type of irritation rather than any wound inflicted in the fight with the men. His lips still had a healing cut at one corner. That in no way detracted from the sensual set of his bottom lip.

She remembered well the feel of those lips on hers and the powerful response they coaxed from her. His bruised face did not look pleasant nor did the reddened flesh with unseemly bumps.The thiness of his hair only covered the area at his temple and above his right ear. The length and thickness everywhere else covered the sparse side while the dishevelled mess was quite attractive. She could well imagine her own fingers combing through those thick silky strands of hair. Indeed they had done so already in her dream.

Clearing his throat to regain her attention above his waist Erik began to speak, 'I remember a hot spring being here the last time I rode through this area." He did not care to remember it was when he first decided to leave the opera house bringing Christine with him as his wife. Having liked the privacy and relative close proximity to Paris he had Nadir buy a sizeable amount of land then began construction on the home he had designed.

A home now waiting complete with servants. Nadir would stay on as his liaison between him and the men he conducted business with on a daily basis.

"The last time I rode through this area I saw a hot spring here. If it has not been disturbed there is a rock basin we may use to bathe."

"A bath? An honest to goodness warm bath? Don't just stand there. Let's go."

She grabbed his right hand with both of hers and began to walk backwards tugging him along with her. She reminded him of a little girl dragging a parent on Christmas morning begging to open the gifts under the tree. As least he imagined that is what it would be like. He had never in his life received a gift or celebrated Christmas. He had only what he observed from the shadows of the opera house and his imagination and what he could see with his own eyes to use as a guide.

Beginning to feel a little of her excitement he took the lead pulling her along behind him. The reins he put in one hand in the other he held her hand. Her pleased giggle lightened his mood even more.

Trinity let go of his hand once among the sparse trees. She ran toward the pile of stones that had once been the walls of the cottage. Standing in the middle of the rubble she twirled around with her arms outstretched. The skirt of her dress fanning around her.

"Erik do you think they were young or old? Did they have children? Were they happy? Why would they leave such a perfect place? It's simply beautiful."

Not wanting to be dragged into a long winded pointless discussion he simply replied with four words, "I do not know." Turning away from her he went to find the spring. He tied the horse to a tree.

Continuing on he found the spring. It was only a few yards from the ruins of the house. The trees around it had been cut down many years ago. Rotting tree trunks could be seen peppered around the area.

"As you are a lady I will concede to you bathing first. I will sit on that tree trunk with my back to you. You have my word as a gentleman I will honor your privacy."

Giving his an assessing look she seemed to come to a satisfactory conclusion. He almost imagined he saw a nod of her head.

"If you wouldn't mind would you turn your back for just one moment?"

He did as she requested wondering what she had to do that could not wait until she was undressing and in the water for her bath. He turned around and soon heard the rustle of material. He could only assume she was rummaging around in her magic underskirts. His imagination ran ramped wondering what she might pull from them this time. From there his mind moved on to his hand working its way under those pristine petticoats.

"All done. You may turn around now."

Damned if the woman didn't have a small bar of soap and a woman's handkerchief in her hand.

She held them up for his inspection then unnecessarily explained, "Lavender soap and a handkerchief. I don't have a towel as well. I'll have to give that some thought."

He couldn't decide if she meant to decide what she would use to dry off or if she would contemplate whether or not to place a towel up her skirts.

She walked to the edge of the steaming water. Her nimble fingers began to unbutton the top of her dress then her shoulders began to shrug out of the sleeves. Erik hastily turned his back. Walking to the stump he sat down.

His mind did not need to imagine her stepping into that warm water. He could hear every little ripple as she stepped down into the soothing warm water. He heard her sigh as she sank into the water. His mind imagined her sinking into that warm water. He envied each droplet of water caressing her soft skin. He heard her soft sigh. That sigh shivered along every nerve ending straight to his overly stimulated manhood. He nearly groaned out loud in frustration. Another deep moan of pleasure drifted to caress his ears with her soft sighs. When she lathered the soap on the tiny handkerchief she moaned as she smoothed the soap over her skin. A third sensual moan nearly sent him over the edge.

The splash of water indicated she was leaving the water. His mind had all too vivid pictures skittering through his mind. He licked his dry lips imaging her hands drying her skin. His mind went further imagining his own hands and lips ridding her fragrant skin of every droplet of water.

Harsh reality returned when her heard Trinity's voice. Erik felt as if his whole body was vibrating with some odd current racing along every inch of his skin. He felt hot and cold shivers ripple down his spine. God if she could do this to him with only what he imagined she might just kill him if he ever actually possessed her. A possibility he considered mute at best. His fevered lust crazed mind begged to differ. He always had his dreams.

"I am almost finished Erik. Just give me a minute to dry off and dress then you may have a turn. It was simply heavenly. The water is so warm. Almost as warm as the water from the tap of my Aunt's house."

Erik had only been half listening to her as his mind replayed the last few minutes. His thoughts had still been fixed on imagining her body wet with lathered soap and water slowly gliding down her body. In his mind his hands followed each wet rivulet along her smooth skin.

His daydreams were forcibly brought back to reality when he heard the sound of many hooves on the road. Standing up he hid behind a tree. He saw around twenty or thirty gendarmes.

They were headed toward Paris. Erik wondered if the trouble that had been brewing had finally broken out in violence. The people of the streets knew more about what went on in Paris then any bureaucrat. If in need of information the best could be bought from the most unsavory looking characters who made the back alleyways their home.

Erik's source of information came from the many connecting tunnels that ran underneath all of Paris. He could access almost any official office if he wanted. He never had need to enter. He had only listened for information. Many of his investments were made because of information he had obtained while patiently listening while in the tunnels rife with sewage mixed with water from rain runoff.

The homeless beggars he shared the tunnels with knew the exchange of violence was inevitable. Many began to hoard food items.

Erik had advised Nadir a few months ago that he should be certain to buy extra provisions. Not too many at a time or from the same supplier. He wanted no undue suspicion cast his way. His servants would have already harvested all the fruits and vegetables from his vast orchard and garden. He did not only grow roses. He had a man to take care of all the stock. He was responsible for the feeding and butchering of livestock. Erik had wanted his home as self sufficient as possible.

Since these men were not headed toward Paris they could not know what had taken place there. They must have been recalled to Paris in anticipation of trouble. That did not mean they would ignore a man who looked as he did with a beautiful woman. One who was obviously beyond his social status.

He quickly backed up a couple of steps then whipped around heading in Trinity's direction.

Trinity had just picked up her pile of clothing when Erik came rushing toward her. She had opened her mouth to scream. Before one could leave her mouth he clamped his hand around her mouth. He dragged her backward with a hand around her waist. He pulled her back flush against his front. He dragged her backward behind a tree as she struggled uselessly. Once hidden behind the tree he watched the soldiers as they filed slowly by. His eyes went to the horse who was contentedly nipping grass.

"If I remove my hand from your mouth do you promise not to make a sound?" His whispered words tickled her ear while ruffling the hairs at her temple.

She shook her head yes. As soon as his hand was removed she was whispering questions. So much for her silence he mused.

"Why are we hiding from soldiers? They man be able to help us."

"Gendarmes are a part of the French military. They are used to aid in matters concerning the populace. Let us just say gendarmes and I are not on friendly terms. The police and I are even less friendly. I am not welcome in Paris at this moment."

That was as much as he was willing to tell her. He had no doubt she would hear the whole sordid mess if she stayed with him. It made him uncomfortable to have her know what he had done in Paris. It was especially distressing for him to imagine what she would think of him and his association with Christine.

Trinity only heard about half of what he said. Her mind was occupied with the sensation of her backside flush with the front of him. His warm hand on her bare stomach had her muscles clenching in response.

That same hand began to stroke in soft circles around her stomach. When it headed toward her bared breast her breath stilled in her lungs. That frozen organ refused to release or take in another breath. That hand touching her bare breast squeezing gently forced the breath to leave her in a hot whoosh of released air.

This was no dream. This was all too real. The gendarmes were forgotten. Everything was forgotten. Chased away by hot burning desire.

Trinity threw her head back as his lips touched her neck. She felt the flick of his tongue against her neck. The stubble on his face rubbed across her sensitive skin. Her knees almost buckled in anticipation of pleasure.

His hand trailed down to the tight cluster of curls at the juncture of her thighs. He hesitated with his fingers tangled among those swirls of curly hair.

"Yes or no? Yes or no Trinity?" Erik was nearly beyond the point where rational thought controlled him. He had the presence of mind to ask if this was what she wanted. If she refused, which he was sure she would, he did not know if he could get back on that horse with her again. If he were denied he may well go insane with unsatisfied desires.

His warm breath in her ear made her shiver. Tingles radiating from her ear down to her toes rippled along her flesh. Waves of heat travelled along her body. The man had hardly touched her and already she was shivering in delight. She wondered what would happen when he actually possessed her.

He had begun to think she would not answer. His hand was already sliding away when he finally heard her reply.

'Yes. Oh God yes Erik."

Her permission fueled his need. He thrust his manhood against her bared buttocks. His left hand fingered the tip of her breast beginning to caress it. His thumb and finger gently pinched the puckered tip. Erik moved his hand to those enticing curls. The warm wetness between her thighs called to him for his touch. Trinity spread her legs to accommodate those gently probing fingers.

Erik had read extensively on the subject of sex but nothing compared to warm willing woman.

The people of India had the Karma Sutra. He had commemorated each word and picture to memory. Trinity was different from the woman who he had hoped to share his new knowledge with.

When his middle finger glided over her little bud a shock wave went throughout her body. A low moan escaped from her parted lips. He raked his finger back across eliciting another tortured moan.

If Erik had not read about such things or heard many couplings in the backstage area of the opera house he might have mistaken those sounds for moans of pain. Indeed they were derived from pain. A painful rush of intense pleasure. The end result of this pain many countries referred to as "the little death". A pleasure so intense as to be almost painful. Erik wanted that painful pleasure. Longed for it. Dreamed of it.

His caresses became desperate. His mouth moved over her neck kissing each inch of flesh under his lips as his teeth nipped at her skin. Each nip was followed by his tongue stroking over the punished skin.

Trinity wanting to caress him reached behind her. Her questing fingers found the large bulge covered by his trousers. First she pressed it with the palm of her hand then gently began to caress him. He groaned deep in his throat. Erik's hips surged forward.

As she stroked him his fingers lowered to the entrance leading to her womanly heaven. She was slick with passion. He dipped his finger into the opening. With a moan of pleasure her hips sought to deepen the penetration of his pleasure seeking digit.

"Oh God Erik please. Please."

Trinity had no idea what she pleaded for. She only knew she needed something only he could give. Instinct alone had her turning in his arms. Once facing him her lips eagerly sought out his. Feverishly their hands roamed restlessly not knowing where to caress first. Wanting to touch everywhere at once.

Erik's hands cupped her soft buttocks pulling her toward his hardened flesh. The first touch of her against him nearly drove him to his knees.

He wanted her. Desperately. He wanted to bury himself deeply inside of her. To be so close tho her until they became one.

He could not wait another moment. Bending down he scooped her up into his arms. He strode over to where the cottage once had been. If anyone came along they would be hidden among the pile of rubble on all sides. The horse was hidden behind the underbrush. He was happy to be tied to the tree giving him access to a thick patch of dried grass.

Erik lowered Trinity to her feet. Quickly he removed his cloak. Spreading it on the ground he took her hand looking deeply into her eyes. He could see no fear. No change of heart was in her deep blue eyes. She returned his look steadily. Reaching forward he grasped her hands tightly. He pulled her down to lay on his cloak.

She seemed unaware she was naked before him. Never had he been this close to a naked woman. She was more beautiful than he could imagine. His eyes feasted on the bounty that lay before him. God she was more beautiful than any statue depicting the perfect woman. More entrancing than any perfect face put on canvas.

He felt her shiver. Whether with cold or passion he could not be sure. She did not protest when he lay down beside her. Her hands reaching eagerly out to him clasping around his neck to pull him into a deep kiss eased his mind. Her fingers threaded into his hair. She did not seem to mind the misshapen texture of his scalp. Feverishly she raked her fingers into his hair caressing him. Pulling her fingers away from his head she lowered them to his waist.

When her hand lowered to his swollen flesh he almost died with the intense pleasure. Her fingers wrapped around him and squeezed him tightly. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to give the most intense pleasure he could imagine.

Wanting more he surged his hips forward. His own hands had not been idle. He allowed himself the pleasure of caressing each inch he could reach.

Lips merely caressing much softer ones was no longer enough. his tongue stroked along her lips begging entrance. With a deep sigh she parted her lips allowing his tongue to seek out hers. Tongues imitated what their bodies longed to experience.

He just had to have her. He had to possess all of her. He needed to bury himself deep within her warm womanly folds. He was desperate for fulfillment.

Releasing her lips he sat up. His hands shaking with need he tried to take off his boots. The damn things defeated him. Groweling in frustration he cursed. With a smile she sat up then pushed him to his back. Those damn boots seemed to remove themselves at the touch of her hand.

Tossing them aside she slid her hands down his chest. At the waist of his trousers she cocked her brows. As if he would say no. He would grovel on his belly at this point to have any attention she was willing to give him.

One by one the buttons on his trousers were released. If he were the one opening those buttons they would have ended up strown around the ground as he ripped his trousers apart.

Having worked the buttons free she dove her hands under the loosened material. She bent down and kissed his navel. The woman was in danger of being tossed down and taken like a stallion took his mare. He would not be gentle or easy. He would demand surrender. He would enter her hard and stroke in and out with each stroke building momentum. She would know she had been taken and possessed completely.

Fortunately for both of them Trinity was the one removing his clothing. Giving a tug on the waist of his trousers he lifted his hips allowing her to pull them down. She made slow progress. If it was her intention to kill him she was going about it in the right way.

Having removed his trousers she tossed them to the side where they landed on top of his boots. Her patience must have begun to wain because she was less cautious with his undergarment. This woman was the first person to see him in all his naked glory since he was a baby and his mother was forced to care for him.

Erik could stand no more of this slow torture. To hell with his shirt. The important parts were bare as far as he was concerned.

Erik surged to a sitting position. His hands on her shoulders he guided Trinity to lay flat on her back. He then laid down. He stretched his long length beside her.

Lowering his mouth to her breast he suckled the tip rasping his tongue across the puckered tip. Trinity pressed his head down to her with her hand at the back of his head. Lifting her shoulders she arched into his mouth giving a loud strangled moan.

The burning need that had started between her thighs was travelling to her stomach. Her muscles were clenching in response to his suckling mouth and caressing hands.

Leaving her breast his mouth sought her lips once more. He lowered his hand travelling down her soft stomach. His fingers lingered only a moment as he knew there was a more desired destination. He paused with his hand resting above her womanly canal.

Needing to hear her moans again he dove through those tightly curled hairs on down to the little pearl of pleasure hiding among her folds. Using his fingers he parted the folds guarding that little precious jewel. His fingers were rewarded with her hips lifting in search of their counterpart. Her moan was a bonus.

"Erik please. Please do something. I am burning."

He inserted a finger into that wet canal. His finger caressed the walls within. Each downward stroke was met with an upward thrust of her hips.

"Oh God Erik more. I need more."

Not knowing what she asked for he inserted two more fingers. A gasp then an upward thrust of her hips was his reward.

Trinity wanted the torture to end while at the same time she longed for it to last forever. In desperation searching for something her hand found his hard manly flesh. Wrapping her nimble fingers around him she began to stroke him. Little droplets of moisture coated the tip. She ran her finger over that wet tip. He growled deeply thrusting forward with more power than he realized. The pleasure in that one thrust almost brought him to completion.

He would not relieve himself without warm womanly flesh wrapped around him Too many nights he had dreamed of this. He would have it all now. He would come inside a woman for once in reality. He would know what other men shared with women. Bliss until now that had been a fabrication of his mind in dreams.

He stroked her a few more times wanting to hear her moaning and begging him to relieve the burning. He craved her calling and begging for him as an addict craves his drug of choice. He removed his fingers from that inner warmth. Soon his swollen flesh would be buried deeply in that same wet canal.

He placed his knee between her thighs. She spread apart for him willingly. Her hand was still tightly wrapped around him. The tip grazed her little bud. The shockwaves of heat streaked all along her nerve endings. The pleasure was so intense Trinity thought she might faint.

Grabbing her wrist he gently but firmly pulled her hand from around him. He pushed forward teasing her opening. Feeling no resistance he inserted the tip. Locking his fingers with hers he placed her hands above her head.

If she were a virgin he would hurt her no matter how gentle he was. Wanting to give her as much pleasure as he received he released his right hand from her left. Snaking his way down he found that little nub again. After a few strokes she was bucking up against him seeking her release.

Gently he eased forward. It was killing him but he would not rut at her like and animal. The tip of his manhood touched the barrier blocking his entrance to further penetration. He stopped feeling her stiffen. Her nails dug into his shoulders.

Oh God if she asked him to stop could he? Would he do as she wished? Yes damn it he would. He might not want to but he would.

"Yes or no Trinity. This is your last chance. Yes or no."

Her hips thrusting up toward his answered his question. She forced him deep within her womb. He broke through that fragile barrier. For a moment neither moved. Erik because of the intensity of pleasure streaking through him. Trinity was still because of the slight discomfort.

When he felt her moving against him he found a rhythm. Not moving after her initial tentative movement she gradually began to move under him with more forceful thrusts towards him. She took him deep inside her with each powerful surge of an upward tilt of her hips. Her thrusts matched his in motion and passion.

Withdrawing almost completely he thrust into her deeply yet again. He was flush against her. Not even a hair could pass between them. He repeated that action over and over. Each stroke coming faster and harder than the one before. His thrusts were so forceful he rocked her body with each deep penetration.

The only sounds to be heard were their moans of pleasure. Erik could feel the coil tightening. He climbed the peak. The pleasure near an unbearable intensity. A few more strokes and he knew he would reach the pinnacle of pleasure somewhere among the heavenly stars then ride the pleasure back down to earth.

Her moans and contracting muscles around him signalled she had reached her moment of release.

Now he could seek his own. Each downward stroke was harder and came at a quicker pace than the one before. He clenched his teeth inhaling a hissing breath. God this was incredible. Nothing he imagined could compare.

He could still feel her ripples of pleasure coursing through her body. She tightened around him intensifying an already almost unbearable pleasure.

His right hand found her left. He gripped her fingers on both hands tightly. His lips sought hers in a deep passion filled kiss.

One last mighty thrust brought him the relief he sought. His seed spilled out flowing into her waiting womb. His whole body stiffened in ecstasy.

Not wanting to end the pleasure just yet he moved within her a few more times before collapsing down on her. Not wanting to crush her he moved to the side intending to lay beside her. Her arms wrapping tightly around him held him in place.

The longer he lay there the further the pleasure moved away. Guilt for his actions flooded into his mind.

God what had he done? What about his love for Christine? What about Trinity? How could he use her in this manner?

Disgusted with himself he sat up. He had taken her like a two franc whore. He had treated her with less respect than he would one of those whores. For God's sake he had taken her on the cold wet ground out in the open.

Damn it he had not even given thought about what result from their coupling. He had been a virgin in a sense also. Hie had never been with a woman. He had used masturbation as his source of satisfaction for many years. He was not ignorant of the ramifications that can occur after two people have sexual intercourse.

He should be flogged. Her family should gut him then hang his rotting carcass from the highest tree for all to see.

How could he betray his love for Christine in that way? He was a man yes but he should have been in control of his urges. He had ruined Trinity for any decent man. He had taken her innocence. A young woman's innocence is of paramount importance for an acceptable marriage in the class she belonged to. He had treated her like a woman of the streets.

He felt her soft hand touch his shoulder. Jerking away he tersely said, "Do not! Do not touch me. Please do not touch me I beg of you."

His words took her by surprise. She had just given him her most precious possession. Now he could not stand her touch? Her anger was beginning to mount until she heard him weeping.

"God Trinity I am sorry. Please forgive me. If I could take it back I would. How could you let me touch you? How could you bear this face close to you? I am the disgusting monster they said I was. I am a beast."

Not knowing what caused his pain she was at a loss. She tried to think over things they had spoken about. Nothing gave her a clue. Then she recalled the men who brought him below in the hold of the ship. They had spoken of a chandelier at the opera house and how it had dropped in the laps of the audience. How he had caused it to fall and taken the young soprano who starred in the opera down under the stage somewhere.

Until she knew more she could not help him. She would not allow him to punish himself for something she had done freely. Something she wanted to do again.

Did she love him? She was not sure as she had not ever been in love before. She had to feel strongly for him of she would not have given into their passion no matter how much she wanted it.

Getting to her knees she moved so she could wrap her arms around him. He made no move to stop her as she nuzzled the side of his neck.

Crossing her arms over his chest she pulled him back against her. He sighed heavily then relaxed.

She placed her right hand on his right cheek. Her fingers felt the lines of mottled flesh covering his face. The flesh was similar to the burn victims from the fires during the war.

"Erik you were not the only one seeking pleasure. You did nothing I did not want you to do. In fact I was an eager participant. I am not shamed by what happened. I would do it again and I will if you allow it. You are not a monster. You have a most handsome face. God's brush strokes gave you something others might say is hideous. When I look at you truthfully I do not see that part of you. When I look at you I see a blending of all of you. If I see anything individually it would be your beautiful eyes or your inviting lips."

"If I hear you say one more time how hideous or monstrous you are I shall have to do damage to you. Believe me when I say neither of us wants that."

She stood up and gathered her clothing. She started to dress before he had even stood up.

When he stood the stickiness of his body reminded him he had not bathed. Damned it he would put his clothes back on without bathing.

He picked up his clothing. His strides quickly taking him past her.

"Where are you going?"

"I did not get to bathe. Give me ten minutes then we can leave."

"Well I suppose you will need the soap and handkerchief. Here you go."

She tossed them in his direction. Luckily she tossed them right to him as her eyes were focused on his body and not where she was tossing the soap.

"I don't know about you but I am starving. I am getting cold. The sun has started to go down. There is a full moon tonight so we should be able to go further even after dark. On dear God! Erik you don't suppose there are vampires do you? Well no matter. I think the full moon brings out werewolves."

Did she think werewolves less dangerous than vampires? She was a strange woman. Her muddled logic confused him.

"I do believe you are correct about werewolves. Vampires can come out any time after the sun sets."

She stared at him for a few seconds. She wasn't sure if he was serious or just trying to frighten her. Furtively she looked around then she gathered the rest of her clothing and moved closer to him.

Only having her undergarments on she shivered. It was starting to get cooler. She was not scared of fictional characters. Certainly not.

Just to be safe she moved directly behind him. She matched him step for step looking over her shoulder all the time.

Having come to a stop she ran into his back.

"Trinity do you plan to join me?" Cursing his tongue he fought to remove the image of them entwined in the warm water.

Stepping away from him she said, "I'll just stand at the edge and guard your things. Some wild animal might come along and take them you know."

"What would a wild animal want with my smelly clothes? Are you sure you aren't frightened?"

"Erik this is the countryside of France not deepest darkest Africa. I am not a child to be frightened by every little thing."

An owl hooted. Trinity stepped even closer to Erik grabbing his arm tightly.

He liked the fact that she felt safe with him. Not one person had ever relied on him as comfort or protection other than his comforting Christine from the dark shadows with his voice. More often than not people wanted protection from him.

He did not question her convoluted reasoning out loud but silently he pondered her words. What did wild animals have to do with vampires and werewolves? The woman's thought process boggled his mind. He was beginning to get a headache.

Trinity was regretting mentioning vampires and werewolves. All she needed was Frankenstein and she would have her three most greatest fears. Damn.

She moved rght to edge of the reservoir. One more step and she would be joining Erik in his bath. A delicious shiver ran down her spine.

"Come on don't dawdle. The sooner your done the sooner we can hit the road. I don't know why men say women take so long to get ready. My brothers spend more time in front of a mirror on a Saturday night than I do. My father is almost as bad. I do believe he enjoys looking at himself in the mirror. I never thought about it before but I think he is quite vain. That would explain all the mirrors in the hall. He gets a glimpse of himself as he takes each step."

Seeing him just standing there she scolded him. "Come on. Move your feet. If you stand there much longer grass will grow around you."

The quicker he was back by her side the better she would like it. Damn scary books and stories. When she saw her brothers again she was going to make them eat those books they gave her as her last birthday present.

God he was grateful for the magpie. He glanced over his shoulder. She was already halfway dressed. She was shimmying into her petticoat. Damn if he did not harden immediately. One taste and he lusted for more. It had been less than a full hour since he had been so mind numbingly satisfied how could his body be ready again so quickly? Women in the opera house complained all the time about one minute wonders who could only make love once then fell asleep.

He had made love to Trinity a hell of a lot longer than a minute. He definitely did not want to sleep. He wanted to bury himself deeply in her warmth once more. Her voice speaking to him ended his list of what he wanted her to do to him and what he would do to her.

"Ill eat while you bathe. I'll save you an apple."

For now Erik was glad she did not want to discuss the matter of what happened earlier. He needed to think. He did feel something for her. Exactly what he was not sure. It had only been about three days since he had begged Christine to love him. He had spent the last two years lusting after her. Willing to grovel and beg for any notice at all. He had never received more than Christine wanting his expertise as her teacher.

He could not not leave Trinity along the way as he had intended. What if she carried his child? Beneath the prayers that she not have his seed embedded in her womb was a voice whispering a prayer for just the opposite. That was a dream Erik kept buried so deeply even he was not aware of it.

She would remain his companion until he reached his home. After that he was not sure what would happen. They would continue to travel together until they were both safely in his home.

Although he prayed to God he was not sure he believed in that celestial being. Nothing he prayed for had ever been granted. Retaining just enough belief he prayed for everything to work out so that Trinity did not get hurt. He prayed she continued to offer him leniency for his selfish action.
God willing he would soon be home.