Christine

Today is our last full day together before rehearsals resume. Only Erik's promise that he will stay with me in my dressing room every night as he did before keeps me from feeling dejected.

"Will you wear your trousers to bed every night like before as well?" l smirk. Though it's late morning, we're still lying in the enormous swan shaped bed.

"That depends on how well you behave," he replies, trying not to smile.

I'm delighted that he's actually teasing me back. "Hmph, I could say the same for you."

"Those wonderful little sounds you make suggest otherwise." I can feel a blush rising to my cheeks. "Don't be embarrassed, my love, coaxing those sounds from you is one of my greatest pleasures."

"Then by all means, coax away."

Erik meets my challenge with admirable enthusiasm. After, I lie with my head on his chest, my fingers trailing up and down his torso. Once he's good and relaxed, I attack his ticklish ribs then jump out of the bed before he can grab me. I run, giggling, and put a table between us. Erik stands and pulls his robe on, staring at me. "Oh, my dear, you are going to regret that." He stalks toward me with deliberate, menacing slowness. As he starts around the table, I run around to the other side, keeping my barricade between us. We continue our back and forth game around the table for a few moments before I break away, running towards the settee. Erik follows me with that same unhurried gait. "You know I'll catch you in the end, Christine. It will go much better for you if you simply come to me right now." His voice is dark and forbidding, causing anticipation to pool low in my belly. I take off again. Our cat and mouse chase continues until Erik has me backed into a corner. I can't stop giggling as he stalks towards me with an ominous smirk. He grabs me on both sides of my waist and hauls me over his shoulder. "Now then, I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't soon forget."

He carries me back over to the bed and lays me down before pinning my wrists above my head again. This time, instead of tickling me, he positions his body over mine. He gazes down at me for a moment, eyes smouldering then kisses me. The kiss is slow and searing. His mouth trails along my jaw until he reaches my neck then he nips his way down. His free hand is everywhere, brushing along my collarbone, my breast, my waist, my thigh. He kisses his way back up my neck then breathes into my ear, "What should I do to you, Christine? What do you think you deserve?" His deep, sensuous voice causes me to go molten.

"Please, Erik," I whimper.

"Please, what?" He murmurs against my skin, his hand brushing across my hip.

"Please."

"What do you want, Christine?" He teases a tender spot below my ear with his tongue.

"You," I beg.

"I'm right here."

"Take me, please!"

He pulls back, gives me another scorching look, then abruptly stands and walks away. I'm left panting and trying to calm my pounding heart. Once my muddled head clears enough, I look over to see him sitting on the settee, reading a book and looking supremely unconcerned. Had I actually made him angry? I must have. He must have been furious to do such a thing. I rise, pull on my robe, and walk over to him on shaking legs.

Erik

I watch Christine's approach from the corner of my eye. When she stops in front of me, I ignore her for a moment before finally setting my book aside. Her lip is trembling and there is silver lining her eyes. Before I can say anything she throws herself into my arms.

"Erik, I'm so sorry. I was just playing. Please don't be angry."

I'm utterly stunned. At no point during the proceedings was I angry! I was playing as well, I thought she knew that.

"Christine!" My voice is strangled. "Christine, I'm not...I wasn't angry."

She pulls back to look at me. "Then why would you do that?"

"I was just teasing you."

"Erik, that wasn't teasing, that was torture!"

My heart sinks. I intended to repay her for her impertinent tickling, but I never meant to upset her. "I'm sorry, my love. I didn't mean...I didn't realize...I'm so sorry."

She buries her face in the spot where my neck meets my shoulder and I'm horrified to feel her shaking. "Christine! What can I do to make it right?"

"Don't ever do that again, Erik."

"I won't. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me." She nods, but won't look at me. "Please, Christine, tell me what to do."

"Just hold me."

I gently stroke her hair and murmur to her. "I love you, Christine."

"I love you, too. I won't tickle you anymore if you don't want me to."

"No, I don't mind, not really. I'm sorry I took things too far."

She finally looks at me again. "Can we...can we start over?"

"Yes, I'll be tender this time."

"I don't want you to be tender," she says, her voice husky. "I want you to be exactly as you were before."

This I can do. I put my lips to her ear and drop my voice, making it low and threatening, "What shall I do to you, Christine?" She shivers and I stand, lifting her and carrying her back to the bed.

We spend the rest of the day snuggled together either in the bed or on the settee. We talk, we read passages aloud from our favorite books, and we sing quietly to one another. We eat dinner, and all too soon it's time to make the trek back up to her dressing room.

"Why do we have to leave so early?" She complains.

"We need time for your lesson."

"But can't we do that here? It will be so much better with the organ."

She's pouting again in that way I can't resist. Her lessons always tire us both out so much, I was hoping to make the long journey back up to her dressing room first. She's right though, the organ is very helpful during her lessons. "Fine," I acquiesce.

"Can I practice playing more as well?"

"Of course."

Her voice is spectacular as always. Her skills at playing the organ are still rudimentary, but she's trying so hard. "Shall I accompany you on the violin?" She looks at me with sudden melancholy. Damn, her father played the violin, I didn't think. "I'm sorry, my dear, nevermind."

"No, Erik. I'd like to hear you play. Please?"

Against my better judgement, I retrieve and quickly tune the instrument. I try to play something upbeat and joyful to prevent any further grief. By the end she's smiling and I breathe a sigh of relief as I put the violin away. "And now, my love, we really must go."

Once we're in her dressing room, it's time for bed. I act as though I'm going to get in with my trousers still on and she laughs. When I'm finally in a state of undress she deems acceptable, I slide between the sheets and Christine lays her head on my chest. I kiss her hair and she falls asleep almost instantly with me not far behind.