Thank you for the reviews…I hope my story is still holding your interest. There are a few more chapters left and an epilogue. I am trying to put the thoughts together in my head for another story, so bear with me.

"Me Sexy? I'm not sexy at all!" Gerry Butler on himself. (Well, I've got news for him…think again Gerry!)

CHAPTER 38

"Mature" content later in chapter…sexual overtones and some sexual terms.

Thursday morning started much like any other morning, except that Erik awakened with a smile on his face. He could not remember a time in his life that he'd had so much hope for the future; he was almost afraid to dwell on it for fear it would disappear. He bathed and shaved, ran his fingers through his damp hair and dressed in his black riding outfit.

After finding out that A'awynn, Kaitlyn and Christine had all gone to Glasgow for the day; he went into the dining room and found his mother, Margarite, his father, and several of his nieces and nephews enjoying a mound of warm, fluffy pancakes. He poured himself a glass of orange juice and sat down to enjoy a couple of them also.

"Well son, good to see you up and about so early this morning." Alastair's tone held a hint of mirth and Erik lifted ambiguous eyes to him.

"I am always up this early father…I am just not always in the main rooms at this time." Erik got the impression that his father had caught on to the fact that he and A'awynn were developing a relationship.

Erik inclined his head toward his father and leaned in to speak with him. "I would like to ride over to Carwell this morning and have a look around. There may be some work that needs to be done, and I want to get an overview of the servants and staff."

Erik had been over there a couple of times, but had only viewed it from the outside; he had no idea what the inside looked like and whether it needed some tender loving care. Father and son both lifted their heads at the same to time to see Raoul and Michél enter.

"Good morning." They both said in unison. Raoul came in and gave Erik and handshake and Alastair a head nod

"Would you two care to join us as we ride over to Carwell Estate where Erik and A'awynn will be making their home?''Alastair asked.

There was no hesitation on the part of either of them. Erik turned toward Raoul as the younger man sat down beside him, "What do you suppose your fiancée, my fiancée and my sister are talking about…"

Raoul dropped his head in defeat with a whatever-it-is-it-can't-be-good look plastered all over his face, Erik nudged Raoul's shoulder and grinned helplessly, "…I shudder to think of the possibilities."

They finished breakfast and took a carriage ride over to Carwell. It wasn't a great distance, the ride took about twenty minutes and they found themselves standing in the main hall of a vast structure.

Erik was overall impressed with the architectural design, especially after finding out that it had been designed by his father. He was pleased with the color scheme and could see that great care had been given to the grounds in the absence of a tenant.

The music room was of great interest to him and it needed only a few minor adjustments. He gave the instructions to the contractor that he had summoned and the vendor from the musical supply company was given an order for instruments, parchment, pens and any other supplies Erik could think of.

He found the room that would be Lacey's and gave strict instructions as to the color and designs and the workers started immediately. The room that he and A'awynn would share was going to be an elegant black, grey and white scheme. Touches of eastern culture would be filtered in, compliments of his stay in Istanbul; and a large, deep bed with black and grey marble posts was ordered to be constructed. The furniture would all be black marble and glass with white curtains and table dressings. The master bath would have the same colors and a massive garden tub in white marble. It would be a couple of weeks before they moved in, so the work would all be done on time.

The morning passed in to afternoon with the men surveying the gardens and massive stables. Raoul was in awe at the size of the Lauchlan estate. He had thought his family was wealthy, but they had nothing compared to Erik's family. The gardens were elegant and well groomed, the castle was ornate and beautiful and the stables would make a king envious. It was ironic really, everyone's lives had been completely turned upside down in a months time.

The household servants were a stealth and pleasant group. There were about 25 servants and a main butler and house mistress; a husband and wife duo named Duff and Pixie McHugh. Erik instructed them to follow the instructions of the lady of the house when the time came, she would be the one to answer to. Everyone was enthralled by the new lord of the manor and were excited at the prospect of serving him and his new family.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The women had been having a "get acquainted" day; sharing stories of life experiences, travels and friendship. Christine found that she related well to A'awynn and Kaitlyn, even though they were older than she was. She found she liked them both very much. At this moment, they were sitting in a coffee shop, laughing at the faces a little baby was making at Kaitlyn.

A'awynn had laughed so hard her sides hurt and she could not remember laughing that hard for some time. She took another look at the baby boy with longing in her eyes. "I want at least three children; Lacey has been such a joy, but I have never had a baby."

Kaitlyn shook her head in agreement, "How many children does Erik want?"

A'awynn gave a short, confirming laugh before replying, "Erik can't even believe I want to marry him…I haven't even broached the subject of having children!"

Christine had been quietly listening, for the most part, but her unassuming, timid voice spoke barely above a whisper, "Why does he think himself so disgusting? He is by far the most attractive, sensuous man I have ever known."

She had said it so matter-of-factly that A'awynn almost did not hear her; but she had, and she turned to Christine with resolute eyes. "He is the most attractive and sensuous man; but as he was growing up, instead of hearing affirming words of praise and comfort, he was told he was no better than an animal; he was taught that he was unworthy of basic human love, affection, touch or comfort."

A'awynn tried her best not to blame Christine for any of Erik's mental and physical anguish; after all, she was just a child. "He was beaten when he displayed any humanity at all and eventually just shut down inside."

Tears were slowly trickling down her cheeks, "Margarite was the first ray of sunshine in his dreary life and, I daresay, the first chance he had to actually display emotions and feelings…she let him use music as his outlet and allowed him to grow as a person; but inside, he still saw himself as nothing better than a beast."

A'awynn closed her eyes and pictured the first time she had seen Erik, "I think I fell in love with him the first time I saw him…even though I had no idea who he was."

A'awynn smiled a brilliant smile, "He was riding Nucis bareback across the open fields and I have never seen anything so magnificent in all my life…all I knew was that I would never forget the sight."

A'awynn opened her dreamy eyes and focused them on Christine, "I felt a sudden attraction to him; like we were destined to be together…I loved him even then."

Her face was shining with an inner light, "The first kiss was…was…there really are not words to describe how wonderful it was!...and every one since then!"

A'awynn's animated face was bright, "He is an expert at everything he does…I can't wait for the wedding night!" All the women burst into a fit of giggles at that; paid the bill and headed home.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Erik entered the stables and found Nucis enjoying a bucket of feed. He approached the black stallion and talked in soothing tones as he brushed his shiny coat. The two shared a special bond that only comes from mutual respect and love; and Erik treasured this animal as a member of the family.

He was in the process of finishing the rub down when A'awynn walked into the stables and came near. Nucis was so large, that a tumultuous tremor ran through her body. The power the stallion possessed was present in every sinewy muscle that moved under Erik's brushing motions. She was mesmerized by the long, elegant strokes that Erik used and the grace with which he moved.

"That horse loves you…as sure as if you were his flesh and blood." Her words startled Erik and he quickly turned toward her, taking in her long, brown leather skirt and black boots; and the white, lacey blouse that emphasized her ample bosom quite nicely, to Erik's delight.

Erik's voice was breathy and low; filled with desire, "We have an understanding; he doesn't ask questions and I won't bore him with the answers." Erik smiled as A'awynn laughed at his humor.

She moved toward him with purpose in her steps, "I love it when you smile, it sends little bubbles of joy up my spine." She caressed his cheek and watched as he leaned into her hand, accepting her touch without reservation.

Erik pulled himself out of the daze her touch had put him in, "Which horse would you like to ride so I can ready it?"

A'awynn smirked and shook her head, "Oh no you don't, you are not getting out of this one Erik Bryant; I am riding on Nucis with you so that I can feel your gorgeous body pressed up against me." Erik tried to calm the nervous jolt that shot through him.

He accepted her as she hugged him to her, wrapping his arms around her and breathing in the fresh smell of her hair. His voice was filled with unrelenting passion, "A'awynn…you tempt me sorely…I am a mere man of flesh and blood."

The green of his eyes had deepened to reflect the desire raging through his virgin body, "You are a wicked, wicked woman." Erik's lips brushed hers ever so gently, soliciting a moan from her.

Erik mounted Nucis and swept A'awynn into the position in front of him and between his muscular thighs. She leaned against him, placing her hands securely on his thighs…and Erik inwardly groaned. This was going to be the sweetest torture he had ever had to endure.

He eased Nucis out of the stables and into a slow trot as they headed for the great outdoors. "Where would you like to go A'awynn?"

She turned her head up and looked at him, "Take me to the brook, I want to listen to its age old song."

She leaned back against him, allowing her head to rest in the crook of his shoulder, "If we go that far out, it will be really late when we return." Erik addressed this issue as if he felt it should concern her.

Her soft, leisurely voice graced his ears, "I'm not going anywhere…are you?" Erik shook his head, rejoicing in the freedom this woman gave him. "I want to see your eyes dance in the moonlight; I want to wish upon a falling star; I want to dance on the clouds and talk to the man on the moon; but most of all…I want to do all of this with you."

Erik slowed Nucis to a cantor and enjoyed the feel of her against him. It hadn't been long ago that Erik would have only dreamed of moments like this; he had long ago given up hope of ever having love and romance in his life. He realized now that he had never even given it a chance, really. He had considered himself unlovable and unworthy, and the world as a whole had never done anything to refute his belief. He locked himself as far away from the world as he could and went about stirring up trouble to assuage his loneliness and self-hatred.

That path had almost cost him his sanity, and in the end, it would have cost him his life. Erik was thankful that God had been there all along, forgiving him of his impudence and lack of wisdom concerning Him. God had saved him in more ways than one, and it started with Him saving Erik from his worst enemy…himself.

Now, here he was…with a beautiful woman in his arms; a woman that wanted to marry him for love and not any other reason. She had leaned back against him in a totally relaxed state, and her eyes were closed; allowing Erik to gaze upon her without hindrance.

He had, for as long as he could remember, felt that no woman could ever compare to Christine; but this was one time that Erik did not mind being wrong. Where Christine was prudent and genteel, A'awynn was feisty and playful; where Christine was demure and tame, A'awynn was bold and spirited; where Christine was indecisive and childlike, A'awynn was confident and very much a woman; these were the qualities that committed him to her.

Of course, the male in him admired her long, sinewy limbs; her slender, but soft womanly curves; her soft-as-satin auburn hair and her creamy skin. Everything he wasn't…she was, and he wanted to delve into her with abandonment and never come up for air.

She had completely transformed him; him…the Phantom, the Opera Ghost, Angel of Music, the Devil's Child; whatever he had been…she had completely changed him. To the naked eye, the changes were subtle; but to Erik…they were huge. He no longer carried a plethora of agonizing, self-destructive thoughts; he no longer seethed with bitterness at a world that had antagonized and belittled him; he no longer desired to hide away in a dark dungeon and rot, with only his inner turmoil to keep him company.

He marveled at how such a massive change and been instigated by such a tiny woman; not that she was tiny in stature or character, but compared to the mountain of issues she had faced in him, she was tiny.

Erik chuckled at the reality of it; he had known her less than a week, but she had taken what was once darkness and gloom and made it light and hope…he would spend whatever remaining time he was granted on this earth, to help her see what an influence she had been on his life.

Normally, silence was foreboding and eerie; but Erik loved what was being said in the calm, serene contact between their bodies. He skimmed his hands faintly over her arms as she leaned into him even more. His left arm encircled her waist, securing her against him in a protective manner. His right hand rose to her soft, silken tresses and gently manipulated her head to the left, exposing the sheer expanse of her creamy neck. His long, articulate fingers caressed her flesh with mind-blowing tenderness and A'awynn moaned with pleasure.

Erik lowered his lips to the spot where his fingers had just been and floated his lips over her heated skin; running on instinct, Erik ran the warm tip of his tongue along the juncture between her ear and her shoulder. He felt her shiver in his arms from the ecstasy he was creating with his mouth.

His passion-laden voice only added to her pleasure, "You will have to stop me if I am coming on too strong; I am not sure I am capable of pulling myself away." He never lost stride with his tongue and mouth as he spoke, he was already a master of her body.

A'awynn turned slightly in his arms so that she could look him in the eyes, "Erik, if you stop…I shall have to beat you profusely about the face and neck…."

Never taking her eyes from his face, she slid her gaze down to his masterful lips and opened her mouth slightly, beckoning him to come and explore. He wound his hand gently around her neck, cupping her head in his hand, and slowly pushed her mouth toward his.

His lips barely grazed hers as he intricately worked her mouth with his. He gently sucked her bottom lip, nipping its moist flesh with his teeth and then laving at it with his tongue, easing the pleasurable sting. A'awynn surrendered to the passion coursing through her veins; how did he become so good at this in such a short time?

She lay back across his left arm, allowing him a delectable view of her ample breasts as their subtle, hardened peaks pressed firmly against the material of her blouse. She desired him and this knowledge filled Erik with male pride. A woman, not just any woman, but a beautiful woman, desired his touch…his attentions…his kisses.

Erik took her mouth in a hungry kiss, supporting her head with his strong arms as he delved into her softness. His tongue left no doubt of the demands of his body, as he dominated her equally thrusting tongue. A deep, seductive moan sounded in Erik's throat and he lifted her into his arms, draping her across his hips. A'awynn smiled with female pride when she felt the obvious sign of Erik's arousal pressing boldly against her soft, shapely backside. The lull of Nucis' slow but determined cantor only added to the heat in Erik's groin, making him flush with desire.

Erik pulled his mouth from hers, willing his body to behave. "Do you know what you do to me?" Erik rubbed his smooth cheek against the creamy surface of hers.

A'awynn purred with feminine power, "Yes, I do Erik…and I will continue to do it...you have the same effect on me." She ran her tongue seductively around the outline of his ear; relishing the moan that he gave.

His eyes were half-mass as his heart beat frantically in his chest. His right hand inched around her waist and came to rest just below the swell of her breasts. The bad girl in her yearned for him to cup her heavy fullness in his hand and ease the ache that was throbbing there, but he settled for raking his thumb along the lower surface of her breast, teasing her and making her squirm with frustration.

Erik opened his heavy eyelids and noticed that they had come upon the brook, and Nucis came to a halt. Erik reluctantly allowed A'awynn to set back from him and he descended to the ground, his aching, throbbing erection begging for release. He reached up and pulled her down, purposefully rubbing her soft curves against his hard surface, making his desire known.

They walked hand-in-hand down to the water, listening to the song that the water made as it beat against the rocks; it was the most relaxing sound that Erik had ever heard. The moon shimmered in the night sky and the stars winked at the couple as they enjoyed the beauty of the night.

They laid the blanket on the ground and sat upon it; A'awynn leading into Erik's chest as he supported himself on his arms. He breathed in the freshness of the damp, summer night and listened to the sonnet that the owls, crickets and wolves made. There was nothing like it…anywhere. The only words to describe its sensuous pull were words that he had sworn he would never sing again…but that was a lifetime ago…

"Night time sharpens; heightens each sensation.

Darkness stirs, and wakes imagination.

Silently the senses abandon their defenses…"

The magnetic passion in his voice sent chills up her spine and she closed her eyes at the sheer magic of the moment.

"Slowly; gently, night infers its splendor.

Grasp it; sense it, tremulous and tender.

Turn your face away from the garish light of day,

Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light;

And listen to the music of the night."

Erik looked at A'awynn as she leaned against him, lost in the beauty of his voice. He sang with the same passion and fire that he played the piano.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams,

purge your thoughts of the life you knew before.

Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar,

And you'll live as you've never lived before."

Erik lifted his hand and ran his fingers softly over the surface of her cheek, still mesmerized by the knowledge that this woman loved him.

"Softly; deftly, music shall caress you;

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you.

Open up your mind… let your fantasies unwind

In this darkness that you know you cannot fight…

the darkness of the music of the night."

He deftly touched her cool skin as she leaned against him in a trance.

"Let your mind start to journey to a strange, new world…

Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before.

Let your soul take you where you long to be…

Only then… can you belong to me."

The last musical phrase was sung so softly that A'awynn could barely hear it, but she knew that he spoke of the commitment they had to each other.

"Floating; falling, sweet intoxication,

Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation…

Let the dream begin…let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write…

The power of the music of the night."

A'awynn opened her eyes and pulled back from Erik, he looked like night itself; seductive and secretive; serene and haunted; she reached her hand to his cheek.

"You alone can make my song take flight…"

Help me make the music of the night."

She sat silently for a few moments after Erik quit singing, words just seemed so inadequate. Quiet, majestic tears strolled down her cheeks as she saw the night through the eyes of Erik.

"You wrote that, didn't you?" A'awynn was discovering the depths that this man possessed. "I will never grow weary of hearing you sing; your voice would make the angels cry."

Erik nodded and willed away the tears that threatened, "I wrote it many months ago…for Christine; now, I find that I cannot even picture her face anymore…only yours."

A'awynn stroked his cheek and caressed his lips with her thumb. She gently brought his mouth to hers, coaxing his lips apart with the warm tip of her tongue. Erik gently laid her back on the blanket and pulled her to halfway beneath him, never allowing her mouth to leave his.

He skillfully made love to her mouth, drawing moans from her that would have awakened the whole house. The kisses were getting very heated and Erik was becoming more and more aroused; painfully so. He ended the kiss, stood up and drew A'awynn into his arms, carrying her to Nucis.

"We must cease this or I will not be responsible for my actions…" Erik grinned seductively at her."Two more days, A'awynn, and you will be mine."

A'awynn chuckled lightly, "and you will be mine!"

They rode off toward the castle and when Erik stood at her door, he kissed her goodnight; making her melt once more. "Good night my love…I will see you tomorrow evening. I will be at your door around 8:00 p.m." Erik stated while caressing her chin with his thumb and forefinger. He gently placed a kiss on the tip of her pert nose and quietly left.

Unfortunately, tomorrow was filled with catering people, servers, chefs and bakers, the orchestra, the vicar and the rehearsal tomorrow night…passion would just have to take a vacation until tomorrow night.

TBC

Chapter 39 preview – Erik and Vicar Flynn McCairn have a heart-to-heart.