A/N: Thanks so much for all of the reviews! They really make my day. Here is chapter 9, and as you can probably tell from the title, there will be E/C kisses ahead. As of this chapter, Christine is almost sixteen and Erik is twenty-seven. (That's pretty close to the ages they were in the recent movie, so I don't feel that the kisses between them are quite as unethical now.) We've got six chapters left for this book, so enjoy!

Eternal gratitude to Michelle for beta-ing this monster. Even though my slippery mind forgets to thank you sometimes, please don't think I take you for granted.

Warning: I'm rating this chapter R or M or Adult (depending on the site that you're reading this on.) for kissing and sexual-type situations between a minor and an adult. The actual interaction probably only rates a PG-13 or T or Work-Safe, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Chapter 9: Erik's Kisses

I refused to believe that Erik had pushed Jenny down the stairs. She was clumsy, and blamed her misfortune on the ghost. If it had happened to anyone else, they would have done the same thing. They'd been doing it for well over a year now. The fact that it had allowed Erik to get his way was purely coincidental.

It was easy to push Isabel and her warnings out of my mind that night as Erik and I celebrated in his room. He was allowing me to have my first glass of champagne, and though it didn't taste all that great, it made me feel wonderful and brave.

I stood up and stumbled to the stereo to turn it on, then returned to him and pulled him to his feet.

A slow seductive jazz piece filled the air as I grabbed his wrists and wrapped his arms around my waist. I then slid my hands up his hard chest, and linked my fingers together behind his neck.

He seemed a bit nervous until I smiled up at him.

We both relaxed, and I rested my head over his heart as we swayed to the gentle sound of a saxophone.

Everything felt perfect with his arms around me like that. I felt a sense of belonging and understanding that I'd never felt before.

I tilted my head back to look at him again. So this is how it felt to be in love.

I slowly lifted a hand to caress his unmasked cheek, and he leaned into it like a cat.

I moved my hand to the edge of his mask, and he suddenly covered my hand with his own.

"Please don't," he whispered.

"But I already know what's underneath. It doesn't frighten me, my love," I said, and watched the tears spring into his eyes at my words.

He shook his head, and the arm around my waist pulled me tighter against him.

"It'll ruin this. Please, just let it last for a few more minutes," he begged.

I felt my heart break at his words, and slipped my arms around his waist, holding him as close to me as I could.

"Erik, I'm ready now. I'm ready for you to kiss me," I whispered, staring into his amber colored eyes.

At first he looked like he was going to protest, but then he nodded and brought his mouth to mine.

My lips parted eagerly for him, and this time I moved my tongue into his mouth, running it across the top of his teeth. He groaned and held me tighter. I rested my hand on his face, resisting the urge to just rip the mask away. I didn't want to ruin the moment.

Just when I thought my lungs would surely burst from lack of oxygen, his mouth left mine to trail kisses down my neck. He swirled his tongue in the hallow of my throat, and my knees decided they weren't going to hold me up anymore.

Erik caught me in his arms, then lowered us both to the floor. He sat cross-legged, while I straddled his lap and he claimed my mouth again. His hands trailed up my sides, and I giggled, ticklish. I felt his mouth smile under mine, and he did it again.

I tried to retaliate, but running my hands over his body didn't tickle him. It made him moan and kiss me harder. I was shocked to feel a part of him that had grown very hard poking me in my belly.

His hands moved up to hover near my breasts, and he pulled away from the kiss to see my shocked face.

He sighed, and rested his forehead against mine, grabbing my hands in his.

"I'm sorry, Christine. You have a way of making me forget myself," he whispered, smiling at me.

My eyes flicked to his crotch and then back to his face. I knew I was blushing.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" but I didn't know how to phrase it.

He laughed then, and I felt very young and ignorant.

"Don't worry about it," he said, and gave me a chaste kiss on my lips.

"You should get to bed. There are still ten more performances before it's over, and you must do your best," he said, standing and pulling me up with him.

The front of him brushed against me again, and I'm sure my face resembled a tomato.

"Goodnight," I practically squeaked, and turned to leave.

He grabbed my arm, and pulled me back to him.

I was unable to look away as he wrapped one of my curls around his finger and gave it a light tug. Then his eyes met mine, practically glowing.

"You still believe that you are ready for my kisses?" he asked, watching me carefully.

I swallowed, but nodded determinedly.

"Then, from now on, I require a goodnight kiss from you. Every night."

His tone was commanding, but his eyes looked hesitant. He almost seemed afraid that I would refuse him. It made me want to laugh.

I kept my mirth to myself though, and gave him a deep kiss, pulling away before I lost myself again.

"Goodnight, Erik," I said, and walked back upstairs, shivering as I felt his gaze on my back.

End Chapter 9

See ya tomorrow!

-Kassandra