A/N: Here is another chapter decicated to all those kind souls who take a moment to give me a little encouragment. Thanks to you all and enjoy your reward.

Chapter Thirty-seven

The Blood Begins to Race

For the first half of the round the two men traded blow for blow. Erik kept in mind Ox's advice. He went in to deliver quick blows then backed off just far enough away that any fist thrown in his direction only connected with a glancing blow. In order to reach Erik Bull had to let his guard down. An opportunity Erik took advantage of. His fist connected solidly with Bull's chin. The man staggered back. Blood was beginning to flow freely from his mouth. Both men had blood on their faces from split lips as well as bloody noses.

Bull shook his head roaring as he charged Erik. Erik tried to step to the side. He felt the bone breaking blow to his own jaw. It felt as if his head nearly came off his shoulders with the force of the solid blow he received. Erik staggered back. Damn one more hit like that and he would be kissing the floor in an undignified heap.

He would be damned if he would fall down in front of de Chagny or Katherine. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. It came away covered in blood. The crowd roared in a fever of excitement. This sound no longer gave Erik the feeling it did in the beginning. Now it was just an irritating background noise. He no longer fought to impress the crowd or win their favor. He fought to expel the demons that threatened to overtake him at times. Those demons haunted him less with the passing of time.

The ting-ting of the bell signaled the end of the round. Ox gave Erik a swig of water to cleanse his mouth. It still disgusted Erik to spit like that but it was a necessary thing.

"Your doin' fine boyo. One good tap and he'll be sleepin' for the rest o' the night. Any loose teeth yet? You know I been a thinkin' ye' must have an iron jaw. As many times as ye' been knocked in ye' jaw one would think ye' would at least lose one little ole tooth."

"Well you do not have to sound so disappointed. That hit he just gave me near took my head off. That would have been better than a tooth would it not? Again I am sorry to disappoint you."

"Now none o' that Erik my lad. Tis a fine compliment I be payin' ye'. To be able to take blows to the head without losin' a bit o' smarts is a true gift for a boxer. In case it has escaped ye' notice half these gents comin' to the ring are shall we say a might dim in the noggin'? Makes for a head scratchin' moment wondrin' why lads enter time and time again. Well now I believe I'll be chattin' with some o' these fine lassies. Do no' get yourself killed in the next round boyo." He gave Erik one of his typical body jarring smacks to his back then went into the middle of a crowd of men where Ox pretended interest as he scouted out what woman he would bless with his talents tonight.

Erik looked over at Bull. He wondered what motivation Bull had to enter the ring. Erik had his own reasons. His reasons were becoming less pressing since his mind had been occupied with a certain light haired, blue eyed beauty.

Most of the time now he fought to keep his skills honed. It was more about pitting his skills against a worthy opponent. To win against an opponent equally capable or even better was a heady drug in itself. The adulation of the crowd when he was the victor still pleased him but it was no longer his main concern. Now his matches were more about his own personal satisfaction in winning against another man.

The ting-ting signaled the beginning of the next round. Erik kept from sustaining too much damage while wearing his opponent down a little at a time. Round three ended with Bull barely able to find his way to his corner.

This was raw brutality and much to her shock Katherine loved every moment of it. Not the part where Erik received such bruising jabs but the matching of skills for no other reason than to see who was the stronger or sometimes more clever combatant. A good combination of the two could make a smaller man the victor.

Erik's muscles had rippled in his arms as he threw punch after punch. Katherine had swallowed repeatedly with difficulty as she saw the massive bulging muscles on Erik's back. The scarring seemed to escape her notice as she had trouble tearing her eyes away from the beauty of Erik's half naked form on display before her.

Hearing the woman next to Raoul shouting out those indecent suggestions to Erik once more, Katherine had to force herself to keep herself firmly in her seat. Although much more of this and she would be tackling that woman in a very unacceptable manner. Katherine glared in the oblivious woman's direction. If her look alone could kill that woman would have expired within the next few seconds much to Katherine's delight.

Coming back into the center of the ring after a short break round four was about to commence. Erik had forced himself not to look once at either de Chagny or Katherine. He knew if he looked into her eyes he would be too distracted to defend himself. Why she left him feeling weak kneed yet stiff as poker in other places he could not fathom. He had never felt quite this way before. Sure he had had desire for a woman. This was somehow different. Somehow more important than anything he had felt before. It was not just lust. He did not know how to describe it, he just knew it was different and he wished to pursue it.

Mentally shaking off his silent musing he brought his mind back to the task at hand. Gathering his wits as well as his reserve stamina Erik circled his opponent looking for an opening. Bull losing patience with this useless dance around the ring stepped toward Erik dropping his arm slightly to ready his fist to take a swing at Erik. Erik seeing his golden opportunity gathered all his power into that one swing at Bull's jaw. His fist connected jerking Bull's head back with the force of the hit. He staggered a few steps then went down to his knees. He fell forward. He would not be getting back up any time soon. Erik was clearly the victor.

Erik raised his hands as he always did when he had a victory. Turning around he came to a sudden stop when his eyes locked with a pair of soft blue eyes burning into him causing that now familiar prickling of ants crawling along his skin. That gave way to heat scorching along every nerve ending centering in his manhood.

The shouting of the crowd had Katherine returning her eyes to Erik after once again sending the oblivious hussy sitting next to Raoul a scowl that would have had anyone who knew Katherine wrapping their arms around their hair.

She smiled as she wiggled in her seat to get more comfortable. Yes, Erik was definitely a much better view. Katherine did not take her gaze away from Erik for quite some time. Indeed she did not really try. When Erik had won his match with a knockout she had risen with the rest of the crowd applauding his victory. Her own hands stung from the force of bringing them together so hard. Every ripple of Erik's muscles had tightened the coil in her abdomen. It was hard to sit still with the tingling between her thighs. It may not be proper or accepted but Katherine wanted Erik. She wanted him in every way a woman can want a man to share intimacies with her. She wanted him to repeat what he had done to her the other night while going further. She wanted all of him whatever that entailed. Not ever having been kissed or touched by anyone other than Erik she had no idea what really came next. She was more than willing to find out.

She could no longer deny how she felt. He drew her no matter how hard she tried to fight against him. Why she could not have fallen for Raoul or Hayden she had no clear idea. Of course Fawn might have something to say if she showed an interest in Raoul. Hayden poor man had fallen head over heels for Christine. If Katherine did not have such a strong attraction toward Erik she might have made a play for Hayden just to save him from Christine. Since Katherine's affections were heading in another direction, Hayden, poor soul, was on his own.

When Katherine had thought of romance she had never envisioned the mess that was unfolding before her eyes. Were they all doomed to be left with broken hearts? The thought of Christine with Erik had Katherine's mouth firming while the light of battle lit her eyes. She was not without charms. At least Matthew had reassured her she was pleasing to the male eye. Raoul had seemed to think she was attractive. How did one go about letting a man know you wanted his attention without making it seem as if you were too eager?

"Katherine...Katherine," Raoul called to her twice slightly louder the second time.

Blinking her eyes in confusion Katherine turned to Raoul with a question in her eyes. Her mind had been wandering through a delectable array of images of Erik with her wrapped in h

is strong arms. Things she would die if anyone knew she would even think such things let alone wish to explore some of them. Sudden heat in her lower abdomen began to spread outwardly over her skin. This was the same heat she had felt when Erik had kissed her. Recalling what had happened next she quickly lowered her eyes sure that everyone would be able to see her thoughts clearly displayed on her face.

"Would you be alright if I left you alone while I went over to that table? I think I might like to see if anyone may join in the bouts. It seems a good way to release some frustrations. Lord knows I have many of those." Thinking of Christine, then further to complicate things he thought of Fawn. He had not meant to kiss her. Well in all actuality she had grabbed him then kissed the socks nearly off his feet. They had been talking then suddenly they were not. They were in a deep kiss. One that curled his toes while leaving him breathless, wanting more.

He thanked God it had been dark. They had been in the front corner so he did not think they had been observed. If Matthew had seen anything Raoul was sure he would not be able to breath right now. Not that he could blame Matthew. What he had done was far from what any gentleman should do with a young woman, especially given his marital status as well as Fawn's innocence. He was convinced he might have given her, her first kiss. She had been tentative and shy. Once she caught on good God she had nearly burned him alive.

Raoul had been so hard and aroused long after he had gone to bed. He had been sorely tempted to give himself release but for some reason it just did not seem right to use the same method for release he used after a night at the club looking at those damn postcards and pictures of women of all shapes and sizes posed in ways to make a man's blood boil.

That kind of thinking naturally led to thinking of Fawn and how she would look spread across his bed with nothing but moonlight covering her body. Matthew was going to scalp him yet. Damn if he did not think she was worth it. He grew hard just imagining such things.

"Raoul. Raoul." Now it was Katherine's turn to try to attract Raoul's attention.

He cleared his throat while he fidgeted with his cuff links. His face flushed with color. Katherine wondered if he were getting ill. He looked as if he had a temperature. Or perhaps it was too warm in here for him.

It was rather hot now that she thought about it. The heat overtaking her could have something to do with a certain man only partially dressed. Perhaps it was time for her to make a discreet exit.

"Yes Katherine?" He had not been caught in the middle of a very vivid daydream about a woman since he hit puberty. He was looking forward to seeing Fawn tomorrow he suddenly realized. He had even gone to the tailors to have a suit he chose altered for the occasion. He had not anticipated seeing a woman in this manner perhaps since he had first seen Christine at The Paris Opera House. The thought of Christine effectively drove out any lustful thoughts. He was legally still bound to Christine. It was not proper to think of one woman while still tied to another unless a man planned making the new woman his mistress which he did not. It was not proper but it was commonly accepted. At least in France it was accepted. He wanted Fawn in every way a man could want a woman. He would settle for nothing less.

"If you will not be long I will wait for you in the carriage." At his look of concern she smiled assuring she would be fine for a few minutes. Remembering her skills getting Erik under control he had no doubt anyone foolish enough to try anything with her would come away with less than he had in the beginning. He remembered the knife she kept strapped to her thigh when she left the estate at any time.

Katherine welcomed the fresh cooling night breeze. The moon was still fairly bright. Walking to the carriage she stepped up taking a seat. She allowed her mind to return to Erik. She relaxed closing her eyes to allow her mind to take her where it would. All thoughts led to Erik. She felt the carriage dip as someone stepped up then she felt the seat dip with the weight of someone sitting beside her.

"Did you get what you wanted?" Katherine asked with her eyes still closed with a small smile accompanied by a dreamy look on her face.

"Not yet but the night is still young." The deep voice had her eyes popping open startled to find the man she had been thinking of sitting there beside her.

Katherine turned to him to give him a haughty dressing down for assuming she would welcome him. The words got lost somewhere between her vocal cords and her lips. She could utter not one word so captivated was she by his closeness. She could smell a hint of his cologne. His hair was wet as was his shirt. He must have used the pump outside to wash off with before coming to her. The thought of him sluicing off with his shirt off was almost as mind scrambling as her first sight of him with his shirt off getting ready to enter the ring.

Now that Erik was here he could think of not one intelligent thing to say. He felt his hands begin to tremble. He folded them in his lap hoping to still their shaking. What was the matter with him? His whole body felt as if it were about to catch fire while tremors raced up and down his body. His mouth had taken on the dryness of a desert. What the hell was the matter with him? Surely he could not be nervous. No that was impossible. He had been with many women. All of them beautiful with much more experience than Katherine. It was ludicrous to think she made him nervous. Preposterous. Erik wondered how many more adjectives he would have to list in order to convince himself Katherine did not scare the shit out of him with her innocence. To be her first lover was a huge responsibility as well as the pressure men put on themselves to impress a woman with their prowess. At this moment he felt all thumbs with not one clever thought in his head.

Should he mention how pleasant the evening was? Perhaps he should mention the sultry breeze blowing that was gently scented with honeysuckle and lilac? Should he inquire about her day? No that might bring memories of the days activities at the theatre to mind. Erik had never had to speak with a woman about mundane things. All the women he had ever been associated with did not care for much conversation beyond telling him what they liked as well as how to do it to them. Or to mention some piece of jewelry they had seen in a shop window.

Somehow that did not seem an appropriate conversation for a proper young woman. Hell he should not even be sitting here beside her without a chaperone. He glanced around belatedly making sure no one was around. He should have thought of that aspect before he saw her leave the building without Raoul. Damn if he would not give that boy a piece of his mind for allowing her to come out here unescorted. Anyone could have approached her. Taken advantage of her. Kissed her. Held her in his arms. Touched her soft skin. His thoughts sort of derailed from where they were first headed leading him into forbidden territory.

Erik had avoided all the congratulatory backslapping in order to chase after Katherine. Once out in the fresh night air his own body's fragrance hit his nostrils causing him to grimace.

He had soap, a towel and some cologne in his buggy. Erik hated to be sweaty and smelly. He had gone to one of the pumps after retrieving his articles he would need to freshen up. Sniffing his shirt he found it to smell somewhat like the stale smoke of the barn but that could not be helped. If he had known Katherine would be here he would have brought a fresh shirt. He was thankful he at least smelled somewhat pleasant.

He glanced to the side allowing his gaze to run down over her silhouette. God even from this angle she stirred his blood. He had to taste her again and damn the consequences.

Not giving a second to change his mind he put his arm around her then drew her to him. Placing his lips on hers he kissed her hungrily. She whimpered. Not in protest as he at first thought. She wound her hands around to the back of his head threading her fingers in his hair. She scooted closer to him. Erik nearly went up in flames when she lowered her hand to his lap. Once there she hesitated. It would seem her bravery or her knowledge stopped with her hand nestled against his straining manhood.

Katherine had thought to give him the same kind of pleasure he had given her but some part of her mind that was still able to function kept her from going further. Raoul her mind whispered. Raoul could return at any moment. As far as that went anyone could come along. Dear God the man stole all her sense of propriety. Her sense of self-preservation completely deserted her.

Erik drew reluctantly away from her tempting lips. He rested his forehead against hers as he spoke softly, "We have to stop. God I do not want to but we must. People will be coming out soon." Inhaling a calming breath Erik gave her a hard kiss on her lips just before he jumped down to the ground.

Turning to face her he asked, "You are still coming on Friday are you not?" He tried his damnedest to keep the urgent pleading from entering his voice. Was that his pathetic voice almost pleading with her to grace his table with her presence? Next would he be groveling at her feet for a kind word or pat on his head? That scenario had an all too familiar ring to it. Erik removed such unworthy thoughts from his mind. This was Katherine. Not Christine. Erik was somewhat shocked when a little voice in his head shouted "Thank God". Had he truly once and for all removed Christine's stranglehold from his heart?

Erik hoped Katherine never learned the power she wielded over him. No one had made him feel like this since Christine. Hell this was worse. It had taken years for him to think of Christine in romantic terms even when she turned fifteen and started to become a woman. He had continued for almost three years to give her lessons as nothing more than her Angel. It had taken that long for him to gather his courage. With Katherine all he wanted to do was drag her off to the nearest bed, learn every inch of her then learn about the inner workings of her mind. He wanted to know her fully in every way possible. With Christine it had been their shared love of music that pricked his interest at first then he had noticed her physical beauty. With every other woman he had known over the years his only interest had been centered on the pleasures in the bedroom. Katherine he feared could cut him in ways Christine never had if they were to become close then something separated them.

"I will be there. I...I...would you kiss me once more? Please?" The thought had barely formed in her mind that she wanted to taste his lips once more before the words were coming out of her mouth. Flushing at her boldness she waited with her breath locked in her chest.

Erik felt himself tremble. Damn if he was not coming down with some illness or other. Erik stepped up onto the step of the carriage. Not getting in to sit down beside her, he stood perched on the step as he reached for her. Wrapping his hand around her upper arm he gently pulled, encouraging her closer to him. She scooted across the seat toward him. When she was within bare inches of him he put his hand behind her head pulling her into the kiss. Fire streaked through both of them as soon as their lips met. Erik groaned deeply.

Releasing a dazed Katherine Erik once again stepped to the ground. A thought struck him just as he was about to leave. Turning back toward her he asked, "Why have you not said anything about my face?" It galled him to ask but he needed to know.

Katherine leaned out of the carriage so her face was once again close to his as she asked, "Your face? Are you fishing for compliments? You are handsome. Devilishly so. Does that satisfy you?"

"You did not notice anything different about me tonight?" He could feel her breath brush across his face. She smelled of mint. He wished he could see her more clearly. She had not kissed him as if she minded his face.

"Of course I did. You were half clothed. How could I not notice? Not one woman in there missed that I am sure." Katherine to her chagrin sounded quite miffed at the thought of other women ogling him. Lusting after him.

Erik chuckled. She did sound rather put out at the prospect of those other women seeing the same thing she had. He could not help the boost to his pride that thought gave him. He could not understand or quite believe she had not noticed the absence of his mask but had noticed the other women ogling him.

"Good night Katherine." His breath brushed across her lips. It was almost as arousing as his kiss. Not quite but almost.

"Good night Erik. I look forward to seeing you on Friday." Katherine hoped she did not sound too eager. A lady should not give a man the impression she was eager for his company without the benefit of a chaperon. Since she had already committed more errors than she could count in her lapses of judgment what did one more matter?

Erik had to force himself to walk away with a sedate stride when all he really wanted was to jump in the air while whooping like a fool.

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