I am splitting this chapter, my online access at home is not available, so I must upload at work and I don't have much time to type it out; so I will upload what I can as I go.

Love ya! Enjoy!

CHAPTER 18

Both Roland and Mason stood with mouths agape as Erik and Karlie headed out the door, arm-in-arm. Thankfully, neither of them was aware of the conflict warring between Erik's heart and mind.

He did not like being a part of this deception, especially when his heart was being affected. His ire was on the rise and he was working at getting it under control. His determination had been to keep his heart out of the line of fire – forever – but every time he closed his eyes he saw this woman and her affect on him had him angry at himself for allowing her to get under his skin.

For the sake of appearances, they remained arm-in-arm until they turned the corner headed down the hallway toward their rooms. Wanting to appease his boiling blood, Erik gently pinned her against the wall, which he quickly regretted as his body instantly bolted to attention in reaction to her nearness.

He looked down on her exquisite features; his lithe fingers caressed a raven curl as it tickled the surface of his hand. The texture was soft and silky, and he longed to run his hands through her hair audaciously while she moaned his name.

His angelic voice was low and filled with unrequited passion, "What game are you playing Ms. Bordeaux?"

Erik was acutely aware of her soft, feminine curves and the intoxicating scent of magnolia and vanilla. He breathed in the scent, wanting it never to fade from this mind.

She was resolute, and looked up at him with astute eyes. His hand, of its own accord, moved to stroke her soft cheek; and then she did the one thing Erik was not expecting…she leaned in to his caress.

Erik's fury dissipated as he gazed upon her succulent lips, slightly parted; and her eyes resting at half-mast as if anticipating something. Erik stroked her cheek and then boldly lowered his hand to her neck, feeling the pulse point beat rapidly against his sensitive fingertips.

"Touch me Erik," her voice was barely above a whisper, "I won't break."

The world could have gone into utter chaos at that point and Erik would have only been aware of Karlie. He leaned into her, his tall frame bent to whisper in her ear. He felt her trembling and remorseful tears immediately stung his eyes; she feared him.

He pulled away from her, careful not to touch her as he did so, "Please do not fear me Karlie…I would never hurt you."

Karlie gave him a bewildered look and her tone was equally confused, "What makes you think I fear you?"

Erik turned his eyes from her, not wanting her to see him, "Women always fear me…they tremble at the mere touch of my skin against theirs…they loathe my touch." His tone was distant and pained, but the beauty of his voice still touched her.

Karlie was seized by the sadness she heard and saw in him. This man honestly believed she feared him. How could he think that when she had witnessed the good in him and had tried to convey her attraction to him.

She approached his unyielding form and stood a hairbreadth away from him, but was not touching him. The energy passing between their two bodies was palpable and she could tell that he felt it too.

She looked up into his tempestuous eyes and found his soul lying open and bare in their striking depths.

Without flinching from the pain in his eyes or yielding to the desire she had to comfort that pain, she moved her mouth to within an inch of his, and spoke seductively, "Not all trembling is caused by fear, Erik."

That perfect time that Karlie had told Allie she would know when it came…this was it. After tonight, Erik would have no doubts about her intentions towards him.

Erik swallowed hard and fought the urge to draw her to him and claim her succulent lips. Instead, he stepped back from her, swallowed hard again, and calmed his raging desire.

His voice was low and steady, belying his inner turmoil, "Who was he Karlie…I need to know?"

Karlie reached her hand up and caressed his cheek with her palm, "Just a man, Erik. I made the mistake of thinking I was in love with him four years ago." Karlie smiled a weary smile, "The night I was going to accept his marriage proposal, I caught him in bed with another woman."

The pain of the catching him was gone, but the pain of the betrayal would most likely never leave.

Karlie's eyes twinklied with mischief, "I gave him a broken nose, a bruised instep, and a bleeding tongue – after I gave him a right hook into the bottom jaw." Karlie said with a wicked smile and a wink.

Erik was impressed, but that still not change the situation, "That is all well and good Karlie, but he is still under the impression that you and I are engaged." Erik's tone was low and inquiring; he had gained control over his turbulent body. "I was under the impression that you had a gentleman you were interested in, and you hinted this to Mason."

Karlie felt panic rising in her chest, "Where did you hear that I was interested in someone?"

Erik shrugged his broad shoulders and answered, "A few weeks ago I was in a local café and overheard you and your friend discussing some man you were secretly interested in. Your friend encouraged you to let him know."

Karlie tried to hide her rising panic…he had overheard her discussing HIM with Allie; but by the tone of his voice and the words he used, he had no idea that the object of her interest was him.

"Erik, trust me…things are not as they appear." She chuckled nervously.

Erik saw the pain of the betrayal still in her eyes and reached gently and squeezed her arm, "I am sorry Karlie, I am familiar with feeling betrayed…" He lifted her chin with his fingers, and her hurt eyes meant his earnest ones, "…but a woman as lovely as you are will have no problem finding love again."

That said, Erik lightened the mood, "I'm not sure what good our little display did, this…Mason…will not buy the idea of you being engaged to a man like me." Erik stressed, "One look at me, and he surely saw that I was not serious competition for him." Erik's hand was on his mask.

Karlie stood there staring at Erik with an incredulous look on her face, "It amazes me Erik; the one thing that you don't want others judging you by is the one thing you judge yourself by…now, are you going to take me to dinner or am I going to die of starvation as we stand here?"

Erik's brow furrowed at her and cocked his head sideways, "You…actually want me…to take you to dinner?" He asked, with surprise. "I thought this was all an act?"

Karlie smiled, and once again lifted fiery eyes to his, "It started out that way, but…" her voice trailed off as she approached his enticing figure, "I am beginning to really love the idea of going to dinner with you…and besides, I have a confession I must make and I would rather do it with a full tummy…" She once again took his large, warm hand in hers, "…so, where would you like to take me?"

Erik had no choice…so to dinner they went.

OOOOOOOOOOO

It would be an understatement to say that Erik was a tad bit uncomfortable with being in public, especially in the company of a woman. He had not experience to draw on for this situation so he was functioning entirely on instinct.

Karlie, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. Erik apparently never read the newspaper; therefore, he was not aware of the fact that he had made the front page of the entertainment section several times since his arrival in town.

Everyone wanted to know more about him. Mothers were seeking his hand for their daughters and fathers wanted to know his secret for being such a success in his business ventures outside of the opera house.

But Erik was completely unaware of his fame, and would have been appalled had he known; his nature was still that of a reclusive genius, hell bent on hiding his wonderful attributes and talents from the world.

However, tonight, Karlie would have none of that. She was literally beside herself with joy at actually being on a date with him…although, if she called it a date in front of him, he would, most likely, bolt for the nearest door.

His demeanor had improved dramatically over the last few weeks. He had gone from tall, dark, eerily handsome, and brooding, to tall, dark, downright sexy, and approachable. He still carried that air of mystery with him, and probably would as long as he wore the mask.

"I was really going to marry that imbecile at one point in time." Karlie offered, her smile being one of unbelief at her own desperation.

She expounded on his appeal, "He was handsome, rich, silver-tongued, and educated; everything I had always wanted in a man…and he seemed to enjoy my company on an intellectual level."

Her eyes took on a regretful glow, "My best friend had even warned me not to get involved with him…but I knew everything and turned a blind eye to him and a deaf ear to her." Karlie confessed.

"I have had many admiring men in my life, Erik. They all had one thing on their minds…but Mason…he seemed different." Karlie smirked, realizing the ludicrousness of that misjudgment.

Erik smiled and replied, "Why pick me to use as a scape goat? I doubt very much that being seen with me would make a man of Mason's considerable charm jealous."

Karlie just looked at him with stubborn eyes, "I will not even grace that with a reply Erik…you won't believe anything I say." She began a new subject, "I want to thank you for all that you have done for my department, your generosity is most appreciated…I don't know how I could show you my gratitude."

Erik raked his eyes over her while she was not looking and thought to himself, "I can think of several ways you could express your gratitude." His thoughts made him smile seductively.

He pushed his taboo thoughts aside and behaved himself, "It was my pleasure…and having you across from me for dinner is thanks enough."

Karlie tentatively smiled at him and lifted shy eyes, "I have a confession to make Erik, and I am certain you will not be pleased." She paused only briefly, "The night of your nightmare…it was me who bound your wounds and cleaned you up."

Erik almost choked on this wine; shock and horror were etched on his face, "You?…you saw me without my mask?"