A/N: Sorry for the slow update, I've been having some trouble writing… my muse seems to be taking a holiday. Hope this chapter is okay.

draegon-fire: Erik is just instinctively doubtful and hesitant and somewhat distrustful at first, but he'll open up... oh yes he'll open up… :rubs hands together gleefully:

Sparrow's Pearl: I'm very very glad you think I'm doing a good characterization of Erik… I'm trying my best:)

Chapter 7

The weariness and gloom in his face faded abruptly, expression softening. Damn these infernal mood swings! Christine thought. He has a more unpredictable temper than a pregnant woman. She clenched her jaw to suppress a grin, and he was tempted to tell him, but decided that it would not at all be wise.

He extended his gloved hand and Christine took it. He smiled at her - not a smirk or a sneer, but a real smile - and it made Christine's heart jump.

He brushed his lips over her knuckles and then swept his cape towards the cave entrance with a flourish.

"Mademoiselle."

It was almost a game to him, she thought suddenly. The mock politeness, the teasing formality - to hide another emotion?

"Erik?" Christine ventured. "Is there something wrong?"

He frowned slightly, looking slightly puzzled. "No, nothing is wrong."

She worried her lip for a moment, then blurted "Its just that… you've been acting like you wish I wasn't here!"

"No, Christine!" he replied, an utterly shocked expression on his face. "I don't wish you anywhere but here!"

"First you're angry with me, then you seem pleased, then you're snapping at me like Madame Giry during my ballet lessons! Do I irritate you somehow?"

Erik averted his eyes and paused for a long, long moment before he replied slowly, "Christine… I'm sorry if I have been... curt towards you. I am just… worried. Anxious."

He turned his head towards her, and the guilt written on his face made her long to reach out to him. "I don't want to cause you hurt, make you feel like you aren't wanted."

His eyes looked faraway, and Christine's heart panged when she thought of how he had been rejected; unwanted. Then suddenly his voice took on a completely different tone.

"You are wanted, Christine." His eyes looked bright and almost luminous in the dimness, and her pulse picked up pace under the weight of his gaze.

"Erik – "

Before she had even finished the word, his fingertips were at her lips, silencing her with the feather-light brush of skin. The pad of his thumb traced over her bottom lip ever so lightly and her breath shuddered out of her in one long rush.

His eyes lost their luminosity and darkened, the blue-green swirling with... desire. He extended his hands slowly, settling them carefully about her waist as if unsure of himself. He watched her face for a long moment, taking in her expression as if to be sure his touch was acceptable – then in one fluid motion he drew her against him, and her hands flew out automatically, splaying on his chest.

Their lips were inches apart, their breath mingling for a fraction of a moment before his mouth claimed hers in a cautious kiss…

She kissed him back, lust tingling through her entire body… but this was so much more than lust, she desired him in all his dark glory, mind body and soul… her arms wreathed around his neck as if they had a mind of their own, her fingers curling along the nape of his neck and up into his thick dark hair. He made a deep sound in his throat, muttering her name into her lips, "Christine…"

His hands pulled her more firmly to him – she gasped at the sudden intimacy of the full-body contact, but the sound choked in her throat as his hands explored her waist and hips, those elegant fingers caressing her like the hypnotic music that hummed through his body.

What raging fire shall flood the soul

What rich desire unlocks its door?

She thought she had understood those words - no, no she had had no idea! The kiss last night had been passionate, emotional - but also overwhelming, overpowering, their minds too high on the adrenaline of the situation to linger over the moment. But this was different...

Erik's lips moved to trace slow, hesitant kisses down her jaw line and neck, and she sucked in a sharp breath of air at the tingling pleasure on the sensitive skin. She arched her back hungrily, expecting more, but he merely held her tightly, his breath fanning out over her neck.

"Christine… I love you…"

He pressed his cheek to hers, the simple contact of skin of skin sending a flood of delight through him. He savored the feel of her in his arms, just her presence so close to him. He reveled in the mere feel of her hand in his hair, caressing his neck… he tensed suddenly when she ran her fingers over the edge of his mask, and nearly jerked away when she slowly pulled it from his marred cheek.

He jumped automatically, instinctively turning his head away, but she ran her small hand over the disfigured flesh with no reservations. "You're beautiful, Erik," she whispered as she tilted her head back, staring into his eyes. She touched his chest, her fingers finding his heartbeat. "Here – you're beautiful."

Tears prickled the backs of his eyes as he pulled her close again. Never in his wildest imaginings did he ever believe that she would be so willing to touch him, be near him… love him.