It was only when Erik awoke the next morning he could be sure that last night had not been merely a realistic dream. He could feel the warmth emanating from the body that was pressed intimately against him. Her hair actually tickled his nose, and he reached out to brush it aside so he could bury his nose against her neck. She let out a cooing sound of contentment, and at that he opened his eyes.
Her skin felt softer than any fabric he had ever worn. Unable to contain himself, he slipped his hand down her side and around her hip to cup her bottom and stroke it gently. Gianna rocked her hips back at him, making contact with his arousal which was growing by the moment. She was not quite awake, and Erik decided he would wake her up in a most unusual way.
The hand that he initially placed between them snaked its way around, and he began using it to tease her. Her wetness coated his fingers, and he could not help but feel pride in the knowledge that he was the one who had brought this out of her. She let out a husky moan and turned onto her back, her legs flopping open in a silent invitation he could not refuse. For a moment, Erik just gazed at her body, drinking in the sight of it barely flushed with desire. The tips of her breasts were already hardening, and he watched with amazement as she brought her right hand to her breast to caress it. The sight of her touching herself nearly made him explode on the spot. He took a deep breath to quell his raging desire, then slid down her body, being careful not to wake her. At least, not yet.
Last night he had seen her hesitate when she was kissing her way down his body. He knew she had wanted to touch his cock with her mouth but her innate modesty had gotten the best of her. He would show her there was much pleasure to be gained from that act by demonstrating the effect it could have on her. Placing his hands on her hips, and facing the most hidden part of her, he reached out his tongue to taste her. The moment her essence made contact with his tongue he groaned. She tasted like nothing he had ever had before; sweet, salty, and intoxicating. She tasted better than the finest wines and brandies. And he wanted more of it.
He flicked his tongue against her rapidly, and her hips began to buck against his face, craving something more intense. He gave it to her by licking and probing, then finally plunging his tongue inside her. It was at that moment he felt her awaken.
Gianna had not wanted to wake up. She had been having a most pleasant dream. Erik had been seducing her, whispering hot blandishments in her ear, telling her all the things he was going to do to her when she began to feel a most peculiar sensation between her legs. It felt like someone was touching her there, so she turned over, sure the feeling would dissipate. At first, she seemed vindicated because the sensations evaporated, but then they returned more intense than ever. Her bones felt like they were melting, and she could feel another climax coming as she unwillingly opened her eyes. Gia looked down in disbelief that Erik lay between her thighs and was using his mouth on her in such a way. She had not even thought such a thing would be possible, let alone pleasurable for a man. But from the sounds he was making, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Gia found she could no longer control her body, and she gave in to her body's command to push his head down to urge him on. She could feel the rasp of morning stubble against her inner thighs, and that was the last clear thought she had because a moment later she was being stretched almost to the point of pain by his sudden entry. She could only hold on as his thrusts intensified and when she came she found herself grabbing his firm backside.
The feeling of her hands clutching his ass and her inner muscles contracting around him was enough to send Erik spilling over the edge. He surged forward one final time, grinding his pelvis against hers before he fell against her. He nuzzled her neck and chin, and then began to kiss her mouth, sharing her taste with her. He broke the kiss, and looked into her shining eyes and said, "Good morning."
"Indeed," was the only coherent thought she could muster. Gia lay on her back with her head against the pillows, her skin still tingling. Erik lay on his right side, his head propped up on his hand, the effect of which covered his deformity.
She reached out to him, and cupped his left cheek in her hand. "Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Hide from me," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Erik lay down on his back and placed his hands behind his head, "I suppose it's my natural reaction. I am not used to showing my face to anyone. Tell me truthfully now while you're not in a lustful haze that it does not bother you. If it does, you do not have to endure it. I will wear a mask when we are together." He did not want to impose himself on this woman who on more than one occasion last night could have left him with good reason, but had stayed instead.
Poor Erik, she thought. Whatever had happened to him to make him so sensitive about his face? His deformity was slightly shocking given the contrast to the left side of his face, but he was still an undoubtedly handsome man. He had the most amazing eyes she had ever seen on a man or a woman. The way he had looked her as he touched her was enough to make her desire him. Even when his eyes had pleaded with her to accept him after he removed his mask, she had been aroused.
"Erik, there is no need for you to wear that mask," she said as she turned on her side so she could look at him directly as they talked. "Your face does not bother me. If you can accept me and all my bodily imperfections, I can overlook the small matter of your face."
The small matter of his face! She made it sound like he only had a slight rash or sunburn! "Are you certain Gia that you are not in need of spectacles?"
She giggled but quickly grew serious, "I'm sure. In fact, I think if you didn't wear that damned mask all the time, perhaps your skin might improve a bit. If you like, I can even purchase some beauty creams for you to try, and then there's the makeup in the dressing rooms—" she thought aloud. He cut her off with a sound kiss, rolling her onto her back once more so he could show her again how much he appreciated her thoughtfulness.
Gis responded ardently to his attentions, arching her back into the kiss as their tongues entwined. As he kissed his way down her body, she could not help but note, "You know, for two people who up until last night had never done this before, we seem to be getting an awful lot of practice."
At this, Erik could not help but laugh, and it echoed throughout the chamber. It was a wonderful sound, and Gia could only hope she would hear more of it. She knew little of his past, but she imagined it must have been a lonely one filled with great sadness. Perhaps laughter would help heal his profound wounds.
"I'm making up for lost time," he breathed into the valley between her breasts, and while he was there he could not resist suckling them again. Everything about them fascinated him. The way they looked, felt, and tasted was all so new, it reminded him of a line from Hamlet about "the undiscovered country". So much about sex had been, up until last night, only a theory to him. To discover that is was as glorious as he had imagined it to be was one of the few times in his life that Erik had not been disappointed. Beneath him was a wild, wanton woman who was reveling in every touch, every stroke he gave her. It was as wondrous an experience for her as it was for him. For in those moments when they were lost in each other's bodies they could leave behind all the pain of their pasts, the slights, the loneliness. There was only pleasure. Together, these two twisted and damaged people could create something powerful between them.
He reached between them and found her slick and hot, more than ready for him. He entered her slowly, and purposely made his movements long and drawn out. She whimpered and cried out to him, "More Erik, I need more." Gia raked her nails across his back, leaving marks, but still he would not increase his pace.
Her body was aching for release, and she feared this measured ravishing would make her insane. She locked her legs around him and squeezed, and that elicited a growl of approval. He pushed her up against the bed and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely as he put his hands on the headboard. The only sound was their heavy breathing and the slight squeaking of the bed until they both reached their ultimate fulfillment.
If Erik had his way, they'd spend the entire day this way, in his bed, exploring the many avenues of passion. On second thought though, he thought, maybe they could try this somewhere else. He pictured leaning her over his desk and taking her from behind, or perhaps they could bathe together. He made a mental note to check one of his books later.
Erik lay heavily against her chest, but his weight was not an unpleasant one. Gia would dearly love to lie in his embrace all day, but the hour must be late, and there was supposed to be an afternoon performance. By God, they hadn't even discussed what he thought about last night!
"Erik, I must be going soon. There is a matinee, and there will be questions if I am not there," she said softly and she ran her fingers through his hair. "As enjoyable as this has been, I cannot afford to lose my place."
"You will not lose your place. Dupoix would never fire you. And if he did, I would take care of things," he replied harshly.
"You will do no such thing!" Gia added sharply. "He has a family and this opera is more than your playground, it is a business. Try to remember that."
Erik was speechless, and so she continued, "And another thing, we cannot keep doing this."
"Why ever not? You certainly weren't complaining a moment ago when I was inside you. Or is that faulty memory of yours acting up again?" he teased.
Her gaze became all seriousness as she said, "There are consequences to this Erik. You know that. Consequences that I believe neither of us are prepared to deal with."
He quickly grasped what she was saying as delicately as possible. Pregnancy would be a hardship. The idea of her body swelling with his child was oddly appealing, but he knew it could end her career or even her life. He also could not help but wonder if a child would also bear his mark upon his face. The very idea of bequeathing that on to an innocent child made him shudder.
"I understand. I shall have to make some preparations for the next time."
"I have heard that most men do not like using those devices. They find them, ahem, inhibiting," she blushed.
"We shall have to find out together if that proves to be true, my dear," he returned as he rolled off her and then got up out of the bed.
He stood before her completely nude, and he was a magnificent sight. Whatever was he doing in bed with her? He could probably have any woman he chose if he was not so caught up in what the world thought of his face. Now that daylight was upon them, Gianna felt slightly shy, and she loosened the sheet so she could wrap it around her. He made his way to his wardrobe and donned a black dressing gown which he tied loosely at the waist, leaving a great deal of his chest still exposed to her.
"Is there a place I can change, in private?"
"Alas my dear, like the attic, there is no place for you to change but here. I am more than willing to assist you, or perhaps you would prefer for me to watch?"
Having him help her was out of the question. If they touched again, they would inevitably end up back in his bed, which was exactly what he wanted. She had the courage to disrobe before him last night, today then, she would dress before him. She walked over where her clothes lay in a heap, and fished out the chemise. She pulled it on, and only then did she allow the sheet to puddle around her. Erik pouted, clearly put out she had covered herself.
He observed as she slid on the silk drawers, then added the garter belt and tugged on the stockings rather ungracefully. She topped it with her corset and petticoat, then went about adding the bodice and skirt. Gia could not find her hair pins, so she would have to wear her hair down. She could only hope that no one would see her as they returned. The dress was more than slightly rumpled after spending the night carelessly on the floor, but she kept her head high and her shoulders back, defying anyone who might wish to question her appearance.
Now that he was certain she was leaving him for the present, Erik hastily dressed by putting on the trousers from last evening and a fresh lawn shirt, this one with some ruffles along the edge. He turned to his dressing table and added a fresh wig, and then he walked over to the mirror and picked up the mask where it lay and put it in place. Gianna reflected that not many men could look as intensely masculine as he did in that ensemble. He radiated a simple understated elegance effortlessly. But with the mask on, it was hard for her to think of him as anything but the Phantom. To her, Erik was the man behind the mask.
"Come along now. I shall bring you home so you won't be late for this afternoon's performance. But after that, you are mine Gianna. There are no performances on Monday. Tonight I intend to have you a half-dozen times at least," he said as he held his hand out to her, his voice painting erotic pictures in her mind. He guided her to the gondola, and for the first time, he did not hand her the mask. When Gianna made to put it on, he stopped her.
"I trust you," was all he said. Coming from Erik that meant a great deal to her. On the trip back they discussed the overall performance, and he asked her if she had any idea what Dupoix was planning for the next opera.
"There have been some rumblings of performing Il Muto, but since The Magic Flute is rather light, I imagine he'll want to follow up with something more substantial. We haven't done Orpheus and Eurydice in some time, and I know that is a favorite of his." Gianna was surprised how easily they could slip into such a professional conversation when only an hour ago they had been in throes of passion.
He did not say anything, just grumbled a bit under his breath. The only good thing about Orpheus and Eurydice was that it would be a marvelous showcase for the ballet. He was sorely tempted to instruct the manager that their next work would be his own. The manner in which he had so quickly acceded to his demands made Erik confident that the man would comply. But it was still too soon for him to drag all those memories up. He would have to think of another alternative.
The trip back was uneventful until Erik and Gia found themselves in the corridors backstage. Adrienne Leveau was gossiping with Claire Margaux, one of the ballet dancers who was friendly with Meg Giry. It was impossible for them to go any further without detection, and they waited calmly in the hallway hoping they would move along soon. In the meantime, they were forced to hear their conversation, which as usual, Adrienne was monopolizing.
"Claire, I went by that fat cow's room this morning. You know she doesn't even keep the door locked! I've been in there before just to have a look, and I decided to see if I could surprise her in bed with her lover. Imagine my shock when I found the bed had not even been slept in! I can't wait to expose that hypocrite!" She was positively jubilant, and could barely contain her glee.
"Perhaps she was invited to spend the evening with the de Chagny's. I've heard they are a most hospitable couple," stated Claire.
"If that were so, then why did Madame Giry and Meg return? They are close friends with the vicomtess, and I saw them earlier this morning. She was with her 'friend'. I can't wait to find out who he is. He must be hideous to be fucking her. No real man would want her," she concluded with a hiss. Both young women laughed and ran off arm in arm.
Gia turned to Erik who was positively fuming. The look in his eyes was frightening. Adrienne Leveau had no idea who she had just insulted. He would hurt her, and as much as Gianna disliked the girl, she would not have that on her conscience.
"Please, Erik, don't do anything to her on my account. She's just a stupid girl. She doesn't know any better," she implored him.
"She insulted you. You are not fat," he looked at her intensely, "You are far better looking than that overblown whore." To prove his point, he backed her up against the wall, and began to kiss her. Gia felt his hands gathering her skirt, and knew she had to do something. There were too many people about, and they might be discovered.
"Not here, not now. It isn't safe."
He had to agree with her. Displeased he responded, "Some other time then," and then he dropped a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. "Forgive me for leaving you here, I think I should be going back. Soon this place will be crawling with people. I shall be waiting for you later. I have not forgotten about your dinner with the de Chagny's. You must tell me all about it."
It was as if he had thrown a bucket of cold water over her. The last person she wanted to think about was Christine. Without a word, she nodded, acknowledging she understood. Erik looked around before he backed away slowly and slipped into one of his secret passages. Once he had gone, Gia made her way back to her room, and did a quick inventory to make certain nothing was missing. If that girl dared touch her books, Erik would be the least of her troubles. Thankfully nothing was, and so Gia undressed, put on her old robe and settled into bed to take a quick nap. In scant two hours time, she would have to report to the costume room and face Adrienne.