I am truly sorry for the length of time between updates, my internet situation does not look like it is going to improve; please bare with me.

I will not post anything tomorrow, as I will not be at work. Forgive me.

Mlle.Fox, I will be needing you soon, you can email me through my work email I sent to you earlier. I hope you're still with me my friend.

I have started my "Dear Frankie" fic, I will continue to write it until I can get internet and then I will post it chapter by chapter, it is called "Second-Hand Hearts". I hope many of you will be interested in it.

Thank you for your patience and your reviews. God bless.

CHAPTER 22

Erik could not figure out what he had said that was so funny. Audrey was obviously tickled about something…maybe she found the thought of her daughter flirting with him to be a hilarious vision.

"What is it that you find so amusing?" Erik asked, slightly perturbed.

Audrey tried to calm herself, she knew what he was thinking and she needed to set the record straight.

"Erik, you are, by far, the most intelligent man I have ever known…and I know you are not familiar with women and our ways." She took his big hand in hers, "Erik, I find it amusing that you are concerned about my daughter flirting with you when most men would jump at the chance to have a beautiful young woman pay them the compliment of flirting with them." Audrey iterated.

Erik furrowed his brow and looked away. It was obvious to Audrey that he still felt unworthy of female attention, but he seemed to have accepted that, rather than despise it. Audrey was not convinced he was where he needed to be.

The conversation lulled as they pulled up to Demi's house. Erik got out first and helped Audrey down, followed by Roland.

Karlie watched from the window as Erik emerged from the carriage. Just laying her eyes on him gave her great pleasure. He had somehow become so important to her and the more she knew about him, the more he important he became to her.

Demi ran out of the house and threw herself into Erik's arms, hugging him to her as though he were her source of breath. Erik grinned from ear to ear, feeling slightly embarrassed but hugging her back.

"I think God sent you to be my personal angel, Erik." Her eyes were filling up, "What you did for Michael and me was beyond the normal reach of friendship…" She reached up and kissed his cheek, and Erik felt tears in his own eyes, "…I will never be able to repay you for her generosity and kindness."

Erik shook his head and pulled her to him for a rare initiated hug, "I did not do it to get repayment, Demi…I did it because I could and it made me feel good." Erik chuckled low in his chest, "There are few things in my life that have brought me joy, but I find that being able to make those few people that I care about happy…is my greatest source of joy."

Demi smiled through her tears and moved to the side to allow Michael to greet him at the door. Michael held out his hand and thanked Erik again for all that he had done. They made their way into the house and Erik caught sight of Karlie and Meg. He immediately averted his eyes when he found both of them looking at him as though he were the most handsome man on earth.

Dinner was ready to be served and Demi seated everyone. Roland, being the oldest male present, said grace; and dinner was commenced. The conversations varied with seating arrangements; Karlie had made sure that Demi seated her next to Erik, and Meg was across from him. She liked Meg a great deal, but the girl had her sights on Erik…and that just would not do.

"What you did for Michael and Demi was extraordinary, Erik…you are full of surprises; like the salary you gave me and everyone else, not to mention the bonuses." Karlie stated, placing her hand on Erik's to emphasis her words.

"You deserve it Karlie, you have worked all these years for no salary, and you're the best I have ever seen." Erik stated, "I don't know why you weren't getting a salary, and I don't need to know…but you're getting one now."

Erik noticed throughout the meal that every time Karlie had an opportunity to touch him, she did so; his hand, his arm, her thigh rubbing against his…Erik could feel his heart rate speed up with each fleeting touch.

The meal ended and everyone retired to the living room. Erik decided to sit at the piano and play Christmas hymns, the few that he knew. Everyone was mesmerized by the beauty and fluidity of his playing. After he exhausted his Christmas tunes, Erik played his own compositions.

He got up from the piano and decided to take a walk. He put on his jacket and headed outside. Karlie got up and followed him out the door.

"Could you use some company?" she asked.

Erik turned toward her and nodded. She came toward him and Erik could not help the pull of his body. She captivated him all over again.

Erik held the door open for her and they proceeded down the sidewalk. They walked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the night air. Karlie glanced over at Erik and her heart skipped a beat, she knew she could not risk his self-doubts and loathing coming back into play. She needed to make a move; he needed to know.

"Erik, why do we do this?" She asked, after they had been walking for a few minutes.

Erik looked over at her and frowned, "Do what?" he asked.

Karlie took his hand in hers and caressed it with her fingers, "Avoid the attraction we feel toward each other." She stated, deprecatingly.

Erik suddenly stopped walking and pulled her to him, she had never let go of his hand. "Do you know how hard I have been trying to get you out of my system, Karlie…do you?" He stressed, demandingly, his eyes full of tension and unshed tears.

He looked into her beautiful eyes and calmed his voice, "Karlie, I can't do this again…the reason I came to America was to avoid love and the pain it carries with it." Erik stated, pain in each word. "I have to fight this attraction…I do not wish to hurt you or myself…anymore."

Karlie lifted her hand to his cheek and watched as his eyes closed at her caress; this man needed her in so many ways…and she was going to fight for him – no matter what it took.

"Erik," her tone was a whisper that captivated him, "look at me, I am not hurting or in pain…don't make the mistake of assuming that I am Christine, or Meg, or any other woman whose fickle ways have tread upon her heart." She continued to hold his hand and they walked a few more minutes until they came to a park bench.

She gently urged him to sit down and when he did, she sat down beside him. Erik was rigid and defensive in his stance and Karlie smiled up at him with all the love she felt for him in her eyes.

"This is not a one-sided attraction, Erik…I am attracted to you as much, if not more, than you are attracted to me." She stated, continuing to caress his hand.

"How can that be, Karlie?" Erik asked, completely dumbfounded. "You are so full of life and vigor; you're beautiful – both physically and characteristically…" Erik drew his hand up and wrapped a raven curl around his finger, completely entranced. "…you deserve the best life has to offer…that includes love." He lowered his hand and his head. "What I feel is of no consequence."

Karlie saw the tears in his eyes and knew that he loved her and was afraid to admit it; afraid that his heart would not survive another rejection. She moved herself into the crook of his arm so that he had no choice but to lift it up and over her shoulders. He wrapped his arm around her to keep her warm for he could feel her trembling.

"Do not fight it Erik." Karlie said as she settled into his warmth. She reached up and gently kissed the corner of his luscious lips, lingering for a moment to relish in the fresh smell of his aftershave and soap.

Erik closed his eyes at the feel of her soft lips against his face. When she pulled away, he looked into her eyes and was certain he saw a deep longing in their blue depths. He couldn't believe his own voice when he heard it.

"Do that again." He whispered.

Karlie smiled and caressed his smooth cheek with her fingertips. She wound her fingers in the wavy hair at the nape of his neck and pulled his lips down to hers. She tenderly kissed the corners of his mouth and felt his heart speed up under the sensitive flesh of her fingers.

She pulled back and ran her thumb along the length of his full, bottom lip; his mouth was slightly open and she saw the tempting tip of his tongue resting just beyond the surface of his lips.

She pressed in again, and gently kissed the corners again; only this time, she turned his face down toward her some more and softly skimmed the tender flesh of his lips with hers. Erik was too spellbound to kiss back.

Erik was in a trance; his mouth was still slightly open as Karlie pressed into him. He had one hand behind her back, pressing her femininity into him and the other rested overtly, just above the curve of her elbow.

He suddenly pulled away from her and stood, he would not allow his body to demand more than he was willing to allow it to have. He felt repulsed that he had begged Karlie for a kiss.

"We should be getting back, we will soon be missed." He stated, his voice cracking with emotion.

Karlie grabbed his hand, stopping him before he turned to walk away, "Erik…what just happened here?"

Erik caressed her cheek gently with his palm; "I am sorry for putting you in that situation, Karlie…" he smiled sadly, "…but thank you for humoring me."

"Erik Xavier Clairvaux, don't you walk away from this…" Karlie stated, raising her voice at him. "That was the most sensual experience I have had…and I will not let it go."

Erik looked down at her with dozens of questions floating in his eyes, "What do you want from me, Karlie?" he asked, pointedly.

Karlie stubbornly lifted her chin, looking into his eyes with strength and determination; "I want the truth Erik…where do we go from here?"

A single tear inched down his cheek as he closed eyes. This beautiful woman was standing before him offering him a chance he wanted to take so desperately…dare he trust his heart…again?

"Karlie…I think myself this strong man who has no weaknesses; in fact, I have trained myself over the years to have no weaknesses…but that was before I met you." Erik whispered. He looked earnestly into her eyes, willing her to understand his hesitancy, "What you have the power to do to me…petrifies me." He finally admitted.

Karlie looked up at him, aghast at what he had just admitted to her. She recovered quickly and moved into his embrace, she reached up and played with the strands of black hair that danced in the breeze. Erik pressed her to him, allowing her to feel the demands of his body.

"Let me in Erik, I can't show you that what I say is true, if you don't let me in." Karlie reasoned with a smile.

Erik enjoyed her closeness and contemplated his doubts. Life was just not worth the living if he couldn't share it with someone…that chance was worth taking. The trepidation in his heart could not stop him from taking the risk…all he had to lose…was his heart and his sanity.

"Karlie?" he asked, pressing closer to her, he swallowed hard and could feel his heart beating frantically in his chest, "Would you allow me to court you?"

To Be Continued…