Chapter Thirty-five
Duck for Cover or Kiss Your Enemy Senseless
"I think Regina is our best option." Katherine stated confidently. Surely Erik could see beyond his lust for a woman to the talent of Regina. Even he, the crass two faced fool that he was would not risk casting an inferior talent. Katherine was almost positive her reaction had nothing to do with the last night she and Erik had met, almost.
"Christine is the better choice she has more experience." Erik's equally confident opinion coincided with Katherine's statement. They looked at one another as if asking if the other was insane or merely tone deaf.
"Did you hear the same voices I heard or were you listening with something other than your ears? Christine missed several notes. She was reaching. I am not a singer but even I could tell she was struggling." That man had some nerve coming here to assure his mistress got the part. Well she would not stand for it. Regina Tate had clearly been the better singer. Everyone was inexperienced at some point. She refused to acknowledge the little voice resounding in her head how she had been inexperienced before the night night of the hayride in every way. A little less so today. The thought of Christine finding the same sort of pleasure with Erik's talented hands had her seething inside. She was also overwhelmed with an urge to head for the stage to remove that confident smile from Christine's face, permanently. Katherine refrained from demonstrating just how much savage still lived within her.
"I hope you are not referring to what I think you are. My opinion has nothing to do with anything other than the better choice for this opera house. Besides, with a little practice she will be as good, if not better, in a few weeks. I can train her myself." Damn if Katherine did not look tempting with her cheeks all flush and her eyes shooting fire at him. If they were alone he would most likely have kissed her senseless and damned the consequences.
"Theatre. It is The Richmond Royal Theatre. Not an opera house. It has been referred to as an opera house simply because that is all that has been performed here. I will be changing that. Regina Tate is the better singer. If you had listened with something other than your male libido you would agree with me." Katherine threw her bag onto the seat behind her planting her fisted hands on her hips ready for the challenge ahead.
Erik felt as at any moment the woman would tackle him to the ground. That image had such delightful pictures entering his mind Erik had for a few seconds forgot his purpose for being here. Everything sort of faded into the background.
Damn impertinent woman. Erik wanted to kiss her so badly his lips were burning just imagining how she would taste while at the same time he wanted to shake her for her accusations. Erik would never compromise a decision on the best person to perform any part. Music was one of the most passionate pursuits in his life. For him to defile it with anything less than perfection he would consider a sacrilege. Christine just needed practice. He could coach her as he used to. Experience was what they needed now. Later they could afford to give unknowns a change to prove themselves. Regina would be Christine's understudy. As such she would gain knowledge that would help her later as well as the practice she would be gaining on the stage.
Frustration growing right along with his anger Erik asked angrily, "Is there an office we might use to have a private discussion? There is no need to air our differences to the whole populace of the opera house." Erik emphasized the last two words. Damned if was not changing the name on that marquee as soon as he could. He wanted his opera house. He had not overpaid to own forty-nine percent of a theatre.
"I do not see..." Katherine stopped swallowing at the look in Erik's eyes. Not only anger shown out of those dark green depths. Something hot and dangerous lurked just below the surface. Something she found herself longing to unleash much to her shame.
Erik stepped closer to Katherine whispering menacingly in her ear, "Come with me willingly or suffer the consequences." His breath tickled her ear sending shivers down her spine. Whether from fear or delight she was not certain. Perhaps a little of both. She had no wish to be anywhere with him alone. She could not entirely be sure she could stick with her convictions to have nothing further to do with him. The man made every pore on her body prickle with some strange tingling. When he was near she felt breathless.
She looked at Hayden. He merely shrugged with a knowing smile. He was not about to get in the middle of this unless it became violent. Somehow he doubted Mr. Fontaine had any violent inclinations toward Katherine other than kissing her senseless. The air fairly crackled with sexual tension. He was sure it was not directed at him or Mr. Khan. He could not remember seeing two people who were more attracted to each other while both were either unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the attraction.
Katherine took a step away from Erik. She needed breathing room. When he was close she felt as if she could not take in enough air. She felt as if she were being choked. The oddest tingles traveled over her skin. Her cheeks heated in embarrassment when she thought of the dreams she had been having. She lowered her eyes not wanting him to read anything that might be hidden in the depths of her eyes. She was hardly willing to acknowledge those shamefully vivid dreams.
"Well I suppose it would be best to keep our differences private. We would not want any negative publicity for the threatre," Katherine stressed her own interpretation of what the building was. An opera house seemed to have connotations of only high brow presentations. At least that was how Gamm had made it seem when she had old Katherine of the most famous opera houses. Katherine wanted a diverse repertoire. People needed more than just music. Not everyone could understand the languages in which operas were performed or cared for the form of singing.
Richard showed them into his private office. When he stepped out into the hall closing the door on the two combatants facing off in his office he could only hope he had an office to return to when they had finished their discussion. It was a toss up if they would verbally fight or spend the time kissing each other senseless. Richard could not remember ever seeing to people causing such sparks to fly when in each others presence. It will be an interesting season that was for sure was his last thought on the matter as he walked away.
For a few seconds silence reigned over them after Richard had shown them into his office. Neither seemed willing to be the first to speak now that they were the only two in the room. The objects occupying space in the room seemed to hold more interest than the people in the room.
Erik deemed it best to be the first to speak so he said, "Do not ever accuse me of letting any attraction I may or may not have for a woman guide my decisions. Your shrewish behavior was less than impressive."
Katherine was incensed and let it show in her tone as she answered his gibe at her with one of her own, "Shrewish behavior? Why you pompous, egotistical, ignorant... You can not deny having an intimate relationship with Christine. I have first hand knowledge after all. Lord knows what..." At this point Erik interrupted with his own angered response. With each word they each took steps that brought them closer together until they were nose to nose.
"Ignorant am I? You harpy." Erik spat out.
"Uncouth lout." Katherine volleyed.
"Harridan." Erik returned with only slightly less force.
"What does...?" Katherine caught herself before she could finish the sentence. She was not about to confirm to him that she was the ignorant one. She had no idea what a harridan was but it did not sound like a compliment.
"Pompous ass." Was Katherine's breathless counter insult as Erik stepped even closer stealing her voice along with her breath.
"Mouthy bitch of a woman." By now they were within an inch of touching. As quickly as it came their anger seemed to melt as other sensations flooded the air around them. Slowly the distance between their lips shortened. Of one accord they closed their eyes. At first their lips were only brushing in a tentative caress. With a tortured groan Erik grabbed Katherine to him grinding his lips into her much softer ones. Her arms went around his neck with a groan just seconds after his arms enclosed her in a tight embrace.
Erik lost his head entirely. The only thing that mattered at this moment was keeping her close to continue fueling the flames threatening to consume him. He felt her hands stroking from the back of his neck to the sides of his face. When one hand was on each side of his face cupping his cheeks for one moment he paused fearing she may remove the mask. That thought flew out of his head as he felt her tongue stroke along his bottom lip. God, had there ever been a more sensual action than a woman's tongue stroking him? This woman in particular?
Erik let his left hand caress along her waist up toward her chest. When his fingertips encountered soft round flesh he curved his hand to cup her in the palm of his hand. Her quick intake of breath made him bolder. His thumb flicked over the taught tip of her breast. The first stroke drew her closer into his hardened manhood. He lowered his hand from her waist to her bottom pulling her into him. His hips ground of their own accord against her. It had been a while since Erik had joined with a woman. Had he ever been this hard? He had not been this engorged with only a few caresses since he first joined with Susan. He felt as if he had never had a woman before. He was a callow youth. An untried man. This felt different. Better. He felt the flames of desire heating his blood.
Katherine was lost in a whirlwind of emotions. At this moment he could ask anything and she would follow his command. The fact that at any moment they could be interrupted did not even cross her mind. Her whole being was focused on the man giving her so many new sensations. Her mind felt as if it were overloaded. Awash in unknown never before experienced sensations. She tingled everywhere while her skin seemed to have caught fire.
A discreet knock on the door had them pulling reluctantly apart. Neither seemed able to utter a word or be willing to move away from the other. They continued to hold each others gaze caught in the magnetic pull of attraction. An overwhelming all consuming attraction neither expected nor totally welcomed. It could not be denied or ignored any longer. They searched each others faces with the heat of their shared passion still firing their blood.
Erik had not had such strong feelings for any woman since Christine. This felt even stronger than what he felt for her. This was not the insane desire he had felt for Christine. He was in full control of his faculties. He was not a man desperate for the touch of a woman. Well he desperately wanted her to touch him but this desperation was different than what he had felt when he pursued Christine. This felt just as dangerous to his peace of mind. His hands were still on her waist, the trembling he felt in his hands disturbed him. Why should he feel nervous? She was just a woman. That was all. Just an attractive woman. One that made him glad he was a man.
They still stood looking at each other without moving or speaking. If they had not heard the rattle of the doorknob Erik had just made his mind up to take her back in his arms and damn the consequences. As it was he was damn close to shoving something against the door to use as a barricade.
Richard opened the door cautiously. The couple standing together as if frozen suddenly moved apart quickly. Katherine blushed from her chest to her hairline running smoothing hands over her disheveled hair. Erik pretended to have an interest in picking lint off of his suit sleeves.
Richard cleared his throat. He may not be the smartest man alive but it did not take a genius to know what had been going on behind the closed door in his office. One look at Miss Montgomery's face would have anyone with even a little imagination realizing why she blushed.
"Well so, uh, did you come together? Uh, what I mean is did you come to together yet...er rather join in a…did you finish? What I mean is did you come to some decision about our new diva?" God he felt the sweat dripping from every pore. His forehead felt as if he had just been doused with a glass of water. Damn he knew he should have sent one of the theatre runners to inquire if they had come to an agreement or if they needed more time.
Feeling less in control than ever in her life Katherine wanted nothing more than to beat a hasty retreat putting as much distance between her and Erik as possible. She bent down picking up her bag she had not even noticed she had dropped then turned saying over her shoulder as she headed toward the door with quick steps, "I will concede to Mr. Fontaine's judgment in this instance. Whatever he wants is fine by me. He seems to be better acquainted with one of the ladies than anyone else. He must know her potential for..." She hesitated as her mind filled in the words she dare not say. "He knows what she is capable of. Tell Christine de Chagny she has won her position. Get her to sign the usual contract. Good day gentlemen."
Outside the door Katherine picked up her skirts then began to run back to the auditorium. Her less than ladylike behavior concerned her not one bit at the moment. All she wanted was to leave before Erik came out to tell Christine of their decision or rather her cowardly capitulation to him. Why could she not control herself when in his presence? She behaved as if she had no willpower. She began to wonder if it had been his intention to sway her with kisses to doing as he wished. At the moment she needed to get away from Erik and Christine. Whether or not she could manage not to attack the woman was anyone's guess. Katherine herself was unsure. Which was why she thought it might be better to find Hayden and leave.
Erik knew he should be feeling triumphant. It felt a little flat having Katherine practically run out of the room to get away from him. He was still aroused and damn frustrated. Having no way to relieve his tension immediately he took it out on the only other person around. Richard had to listen to him rant and rave over nonsensical complaints that could have been taken care of with a simple request. Being a man he guessed Mr. Fontaine was, to put it delicately, a little less composed than he would wish. Richard prayed he could keep his eyes north of Mr. Fontaine's belted trousers. The rather prominent bulge had not been hard to see upon first entering his office. Knowing first hand how uncomfortable that state could be he sympathized. Being around half naked dancers daily had its benefits as well as its drawbacks. Many a night he went home to relieve himself of his own swelling in his trousers. He would allow Mr. Fontaine this release in anger since Richard himself was not of the persuasion to seek men nor was Mr. Fontaine by the looks of it the type to seek relief from another man.
Having vented until he could find no more scathing words Erik went to find Nadir. He needed a good boxing match. Tonight. He was ready to do some damage to another person. He would rather lay Katherine down and fuck her from dusk until dawn but unfortunately that would not be happening any time soon. It would have shocked him if he were to realize there was a very willing woman within a few hundred feet of him who would gladly give him relief. All he needed was to ask. Christine did not even enter his mind until he returned to the auditorium to announce the ones who would be joining the performers for their next production.
Christine pulled him into a tight embrace when she heard she had won the position of lead soprano. Erik had only just begun to return to a normal state when Christine grabbed him rubbing her body against his. Being a man with normal needs and desires he had no control over his body's reaction. He was so damn tempted to say to hell with it all and take Christine up on her open invitation to a rowdy romp among the sheets. Why he had not done so already was a mystery to him. Katherine's face flashed into his mind looking on with disapproval. Knowing he would hate himself later he gently pushed Christine away. He bid everyone a good day then quickly left.
As he rejoined Nadir he remembered he had not spoken to Meg. He had not spoken to her at Katherine's either other than his less than polite observation. He had meant to question her about her condition. If he found out Raoul had anything to do with her plight he was a dead man. If not Raoul then whoever the man was he was going to regret ever taking his first breath.
Once in the carriage heading back home Erik informed Nadir of his plans not bothering to look at him to see his censure as he stated, "I think I will be seeking a match this evening. I have a need to expend some energy."
"It has been a while since you have sought to have yourself pummeled by an opponent. My offer of whacking you still stands you know. After all what are good friends for? This sudden need for abuse would not have anything to do with a certain light haired young lady nearly running out of the building tugging a surprised Hayden along behind her would it? Just exactly what kind of conversation did you conduct with that young woman? If you have been improper Erik I will have Darius take up your oft made suggestion for a bout of boxing. I value my life too much to challenge you in that manner, but Darius has expressed several times his curiosity as to who would be the victor as you yourself have wondered many times. Perhaps now would be a good time to discover the outcome."
"I need Darius too much just at the moment to lose him over some silly game of mine is bigger than yours. I did not do anything to Katherine that she did not allow me to do. Since I know you will not cease with the interrogation I will confess we kissed. Quite a few times as well as quite passionately. We were interrupted. That is as much as I am willing to tell you."
"Katherine is it? My, my. Just the other day you acted as if your tongue would rot if you spoke her Christian name. It was Miss Montgomery this. Miss Montgomery that. At the risk of damage to my person I do think you might have more feelings for the young woman than you care to admit. Her name has been peppered throughout all our conversations since you first met her. Not all of it has been to criticize."
"Well she...we...that is we...damn it we are business partners. Why must you always see things that are not there? Why we can hardly stand one another. This passionate response is an aberration. She is without doubt too outspoken to be considered a proper lady. Not that I would spurn a woman for that. Indeed that quality is to be admired. She is quite obviously less than a meek woman. Remember how she attacked me? Not that a woman with spirit is a bad thing mind you. It makes one wonder how one might bring all that passion out behind closed doors. Her skin is not the smooth pale white considered to be proper for genteel women. Glimpsing that sun kissed skin makes one wonder if it extends beyond what the eye can see. That thought brings to mind how it got that shade and if it is the same all over."
Giving a shiver at his own words Erik straightened in his seat hoping he had not given any unfounded ideas to Nadir. No, he was not really attracted to her at all. It had just been the heat of the moment and proximity. He had no real need to kiss her soft pink lips or taste her mouth with that silky tongue of hers sliding along his own tongue and lips. His hands did not tingle in anticipation of filling them with the soft mounds of her breasts. The tent in his trousers, well, that must just be because he had been without a woman's company for many months. He was not enamored with Miss Katherine Montgomery.
"So it would not bother you at all if I have invited some young man to be her dinner partner Friday?" Nadir was sure this carrot dangled before the horse would have Erik off and running to rid himself of an unwanted guest.
"I...you...You can damn well un-invite him. There…well there is already sufficient numbers to make the gentlemen equal to the women. Another man would upset the balance. Tell the young man we are so sorry but we no longer have room at our table. He may come next week some time. Preferably when I am not at home." Erik smugly smiled at his solution to a potential irritation. What possessed Nadir to invite someone else? Huh! They had no need for another at the table. Katherine would just have to make do with him. Why it did not occur to him that Katherine would be seated anywhere other than by his side he refused to open that Pandora's Box.
"Is it not lucky then that I had not thought to invite anyone else?" Nadir settled back to enjoy the remainder of the ride home. Things were indeed looking quite promising. Not just for Erik. Thoughts of Meg kept Nadir happily occupied the rest of the way home.
Erik mentally argued with himself over his feelings or lack thereof the rest of the way home. He had absolutely no interest in Katherine other than business or a lighthearted dalliance. Who would want a woman who acted less than proper? His reaction on the night of the hayride was nothing more than a temporary lust filled moment. Liar. It was a temporary insanity that had him kissing her as if he were lost in a desert and she was a tall glass of water. Liar. She was not even all that pleasing to the eye. Liar. She had no musical skills whatsoever. Well Hayden did say she had been taught to play the piano when she was younger. How accomplished could she be after all those years without playing or practice? No she had nothing to attract him at all. Liar! His conscience shouted at him that he lied. He chose to ignore that dissenting inner voice.
He could not help it if his mind continued to drift back to the kisses they had shared as well as the intimacy during the hayride. When Nadir had told him they would be going on a hayride and what it entailed he had scoffed at the simple countrified enjoyment. Now he could not help wondering when he might have that experience again. With Katherine.
A/N: I am posting earlier than I expected because I very happily received a few more reviews than normal. I do love my reviews. If I continue to get a fair number of reviews I may be encouraged to post more often. Quid pro quo.