His hands were still on hers, pressing her palms tighter against his face.
"Helene, Helene," he said and she felt the vibration of his voice in her own hands.
Had his eyes always been this deep, this intense, this beautiful? She found herself growing dizzy as she met his gaze.
He hesitated, his hands trembling over her, his lips parted as if he were afraid to speak.
"Helene, I believe…that I am…that I am falling in love with you."
She caught her breath in disbelief.
I wasn't dreaming then…I didn't imagine those words last night…
Yet, even before her mind could accept the words her heart and soul had begged to hear, he had slowly pried her hands from him, dropping them gently at her side.
And he walked away from her, his breathing ragged as he stood leaning over the organ. His fists rested on the closed keyboard, the knuckles white against the polished black wood.
She followed him, but he did not look up at her.
"Helene…forget what I just said…I cannot…"
She saw the pain and guilt in his eyes, as if his words had somehow betrayed Christine.
"Erik, don't be afraid to love again. You truly loved Christine even though she choose another. I loved Theo, even though his infidelities hurt and humiliated me. But he is gone and I love you now, more than I loved him. More than I thought humanly possible. Don't be afraid to love me, Erik."
As she spoke, She ran her fingers all along the edge of the mask. When she had traced its outline completely, she removed it, drawing of his wig as well.
She laid them on the bench and kissed him, tasting the almost sinful sweetness of his lips as if for the first time.
His arms went around her, bending her back against the instrument, curving her body along his as he responded to her kiss with a hunger that was not born of lust.
He did not let her go until they were both completely breathless, until she felt herself on the edge of unconsciousness.
He stroked her cheek for a moment, seeing how pale she was, the dark circles beneath her eyes.
"Come up to the roof with me, Helene. You need some air."
As he helped her into her green wool cloak, she reached up and touched the choker.
"Erik, I didn't thank you for the necklace. It's so beautiful."
He laughed, pressing his lips to the hollow of her throat.
"I'm sure you can find some way to find you way to express your gratitude later. You can be very….eloquent, my dear."