A/N: Well, here we are one chapter away from the end! I plan to post chapter 30 on Christmas Day (Tuesday, the day my hubby leaves for work for his usual 72 hour shift), so please hang in there with me, and don't forget to check back on this very special holiday. Thanks for hanging in there with me, and as always please review because I can't wait to hear what you think of this one!

Chapter 29

It had been a long day and Lizzie had found herself in the worst of moods. A rude patron had accused her of giving the wrong change, her feet were killing her, and to her dismay, the influx of customers that entered the chip shop seemed never ending. If she heard that little bell sound one more time, she would surely yank it down herself, and toss the blasted chime into the toilet. After having stayed an hour longer at Marie's request to help diminish the busy queue, she yearned to leave that place and melt into the loving embrace of her dashing masked man. As much as she desperately longed to see Erik, he had already informed her that he would be performing with the band that night. Heaving a depressed sigh, she opened the door to her building. Coming home to an empty flat was extremely unappealing. It seemed that even her son had his own plans, dining with his friend, Catriona, and probably would not be home until late. Her mother and Nadir had been behaving in an oddly secretive manner, making their own plans, and spending time away from the flat. Sadly, all Lizzie had to look forward to was a long, lonely evening, only to wake up early in the morning and do it all over again.

Erik wasn't home, she knew, but still was drawn to his front door like a moth to a flame. She missed the man desperately, despite his stubbornness. No amount of pleading had persuaded him to hypnotize her. To Lizzie, it was downright frustrating. She couldn't help wondering if their relationship would be more intimate if she'd only allowed him to hypnotize her the first time instead of insisting that they were only friends. Already she'd cursed herself about a hundred times. She hated feeling like a schoolgirl, she hated that he refused to help her get past it, and she hated that those other women had experienced the gift of his hypnotism, but above all, she hated that he stubbornly refused to comply with her wishes. The more she thought about it, the more peeved she became. Why, she would have loved to give him an earful of exactly how she felt at that moment, she thought angrily; if only he were there...

Her hand was poised to knock, when a voice took hold of her, gripping her like a heavenly hand.

"Lizzie," the voice whispered, stilling the breath in her throat, sending tingles up and down her body.

Her heart thumped with excitement, and all of her previous hostility seemed to vanish into thin air. Her masked man was there, and every inch of her longed to be near him. "Erik?" she called out uncertainly, looking behind her and toward the direction of the stairwell, not quite sure which direction the sound of his voice came from.

"Lizzie," his voice whispered again.

She could feel a light, intoxicating brush of breath on her ear as he spoke, and she swung around to locate it.

"Follow my voice."

Helplessly compelled by the ethereal, masculine timbre, her feet obeyed, carrying her up the stairs to her front door. It mattered not at that moment where that voice directed her, Lizzie thought, she was certain she would follow it to the ends of the earth. Her eyes were wide as she searched for him, her gaze darting forward and behind her, yearning only to give herself up to those deep blue eyes.

"Erik," she breathed, finding her own voice trapped inside her throat. "Where are you?"

"I'm here, my love."

A small gasp escaped her as she felt him suddenly behind her, the gentle weight of his head touching hers. His hands were feather light as they grasped her arms, rendering her breathless and intoxicated by his touch. Before she could utter one word, his hand strayed to her eyes, effectively shielding them with one elegant palm.

"Close your eyes."

Obediently, she complied, mesmerized by his pure, sensual tone. She imagined that if he had asked her to stand on her head, she would have done it gladly. Her hand rested softly in his as he opened the door and led her inside. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she tried to imagine what he had in store for her; giddy that he had changed his mind after all. His voice certainly had a hypnotic effect, but her mind still felt in control. Step by step, she focused on the sounds of their feet as they walked through the flat, the tempting smell of his cologne that wafted teasingly to her nose, the gentle feel of his thumb as it brushed her knuckles. Eyes still closed, they stopped, and Erik withdrew her hand from his, and the scent of him drifted further and further away.

"Erik?" she asked, puzzled, her eyes longing to open and find him.

There was no reply and her whole body tingled in anticipation. She felt him lift the strap of her purse from her shoulder, exhaling a breath of surprise at the sudden contact.

His melodious voice whispered in her ear again to stand very still and keep her eyes closed.

Her hands balled into fists down at her sides, as she fought the urge to reach for him, not knowing how much longer she could stand there idly. His fingers took hold of one of her coat sleeves, slowly, and then moved to take the other.

As he reached for her scarf, a gentle rush of music filled her ears. The soft strumming of the guitar rung out clear and sweet, and as the soothing sound of the violin joined in, she quickly recognized the tune to be the very memorable one that Erik and the band had played just for her. Though it was the second time she heard the song, it did not fail to capture her, and with her eyes closed, it seemingly caressed her once more with its mesmeric melody.

"Open your eyes."

She felt as though she was in a daze, and her eyes fluttered open finally, drawing a breath at the sight around her. Candles, large and small danced in her vision, showcasing her flat with dozens of twinkling lights. On every shelf and on every table, the tiny torches flickered and sparkled about the room, illuminating the area like a bright moonlit night. Barely able to speak, her eyes found Erik just feet before her dressed sharply in a suit of black. His eyes shone like deep blue orbs and his gaze fell heavily upon her.

Her feet felt as though they were planted to the floor. "Erik," she began weakly. "It's so beau-"

He approached her, his face serious, his eyes commanding, and put two fingers to her lips to silence her. His eyes wandered the length of her body, and his hand gently cupped her cheek.

"You are so beautiful, Lizzie." It came out in a ragged whisper, and his fingers had taken to following the soft contour of her jaw line, and tenderly brushed across her neck. "I have stayed awake nights wanting you, dreaming about the feel of your body…"

Shivers ran down her skin, and she moved to reach for him, but his hands steadied hers once again at her sides. Her chest heaved with excitement as she realized that his game did not allow her to touch him. She forced herself to remain very still, and watched as his hand met the air a half inch from her heart, her body shuddering as he trailed both breasts torturously slow down to her waist without ever making contact.

"I love you more than I've loved anyone, Lizzie," he continued, circling around her now, his hand trailing the back of her shoulders.

Lizzie had never experienced something so erotic. Though she remained fully dressed, her body tingled as Erik's hand seemed to draw the energy from her body, awakening every nerve, arousing her with the sensation.

"I still wonder how it is possible that you could care for a monster like me…"

Her mouth fell open to protest. "You are not-"

His fingers met the softness of her lips once again.

"I want you to say that you love me," he commanded softly, his blue eyes piercing hers.

"I love you, Erik."

Inches before her now, his hand lifted her chin to him. "Say that you want me, Lizzie."

Their lips were a breath apart as she looked up at him, desperate to receive his kiss, her heart racing. "I want you, Erik."

"Say that you need me."

"I need you," she whispered.

Suddenly, he separated from her, and puzzled by his departure, her eyes searched his curiously. Standing four feet away, he raised his arms slowly in a grand gesture, and in time with the music snapped his fingers once, releasing a wondrous drizzle of fragrant crimson rose petals. In awe her eyes watched as the petals fell around and on top of her, drifting downward and dancing in the air like bright red feathers. Her palms opened to catch some and as the last ones made their floaty descent, her eyes fell to the masked man who was now on one knee before her.

"I want you to say that you will marry me." His voice was husky as his soulful cerulean eyes looked up at her, and between his thumb and index finger he held a ring.

Her mouth fell agape once again as her eyes treasured the shiny silver band before her, adorned with a trio of round diamonds. Her breath was caught in her throat as her mind fought to register his request.

The song ended with a powerful crescendo, then faded quietly into silence, and Lizzie was sure he could hear the thumping of her heart.

Tears began to fill her eyes as she bent down to him, and took his face in hers, her thumb running along the white fleshy mask. "I will marry you."

His lips took hers desperately, his body shuddering with relief, embracing her with his heart and soul. He pulled away finally, fighting back tears, and smiled with a happiness he'd never known. Carefully he set the ring upon her finger, admiring its glittering splendor, as though it were made only for her hand.

"There is one thing I want, Erik" she told him, her hand tightly wrapped in his and her eyes were serious as she looked up into his handsome face.

He nodded, his hand falling to the silky softness of her hair. "Anything, my love."

"I want you to..." she began, and took a breath, fixing her gaze on his seductive blue eyes, "take me to my bed and... and make love to me."

A smile curved at his lips and he ran gentle fingers through her silky strands. "I will," he told her tenderly, meeting her chocolate brown gaze, her lovely eyes laced with desire.

He no sooner said that then picked her up, reveling in the blissful realization that this woman would be his forever, and together made their way through the trail of rose petals, past the twinkling candles, and into the sweet haven of her room.