Just like I promised, Chapter Thirty-Five:

Embracing Her Angel

After the concert, they were escorted by five large bodyguards to their limousine. Christine felt exhilarated and as if she were on top of the world. She had never felt so alive, she loved it.

With a freshly autographed picture of her favorite actor, she went inside followed by Erik. She looked at the glossy picture and grinned. She would treasure it forever.

It was a good thing that she had been with Erik or else she wouldn't have had the guts to ask him for the autograph.

Christine thought she saw jealousy in Erik's eyes when she told him how much she adored him but when he saw who it was he had smiled and took her hand. He led her to him and she had frozen under his hand.

Erik had introduced himself and Christine and when Tom Cruise smiled at her she thought she would melt right there. And then when he kissed her cheek she thought she would faint.

The night had been so perfect she didn't want it to end. But it did, with an innocent goodnight kiss in front of her hotel room door. She whispered her goodnight and went inside her room as if she were in seventh heaven.

She was so happy, she had never before like that way.

She let her hair loose from the scrunchie she put in her hair from the heat and ran her fingers through it, combing the mousse out, humming the Phantom of the Opera.

Walking to the bathroom, she turned on the water of the bath when she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was wild and tossled and she was back in her white halter top and jeans. She felt so relieved when she was back in her normal clothes.

Leaving the bath running, she went to her room and took out her pajamas for the night. Passing door that led out of the room, she saw another vase full of red roses.

She picked up the card inside and read it with a smile on her face. You were great. I look forward to performing with you again, Erik.

She enjoyed performing with him too and she felt the urge to thank him.

She went to the bathroom and shut the water, placing the key card in her back pocket. She silently shut her door and walked to his.

Christine knocked on the door lightly. Maybe he was too tired to speak to her, or he didn't want her company. Christine began to turn, changing her mind. She stopped, knowing that she needed to thank him personally.

A tired voice came from the other side of the doors. "Lucy, I said we'll talk tomorrow."

Christine raised an eyebrow. Lucy? "Actually, Erik, it's me I just wanted to-"

Mid-sentence she could hear some of the locks come undone then the door opened. Erik stood there, still in his white shirt and black pants. He had taken off his coat.

"-thank you for the flo-" Christine blinked and started again. "I wanted to thank you for the flowers and the trip and the per-"

"You want to come in?"

Christine bit her bottom lip. "No, it's all right. I just wanted to say thank you, that's all."

"Come on," Erik said opening the door wider. "You want a drink? If you agree then we're even."

Christine smiled as she walked in. "Okay, but only one drink."

Erik closed the door behind her and when she was inside, she was blown away by the luxurious room. It was bigger than her's she knew that by just merely looking at the living room of the suite. It had a black grand piano and a fireplace.

Above the fireplace there was clock that read the time. Christine couldn't believe it was already almost one in the morning. Erik went into another room and Christine went to the piano.

Next to the piano there was a radio which currently played one of Mozart's beloved piano concertos. She sat down at the piano bench and placed her fingers over the ivory keys.

When Christine turned she saw Erik emerge from a room with two cups of something. She couldn't guess what his was but she knew that her's was tea.

Christine stood, took the one he handed her and took a sip.

"Did you enjoy the concert today?"

Christine rolled her eyes. "I can finally breathe, that damned corset. But other than that it was fun. It was exhilarating and I got to meet my favorite actor."

"And before that? The interviews and such?"

Christine smiled. "It was fun…"

"Boring?"

"Lord, yes," Christine said laughing. "Who knew it would be so boring?"

Erik smiled before he took a swig of his drink. "No one said it was easy."

Christine turned from him and looked at the view of the Eiffel Tower from his window. "But you gotta admit, the views sweeten the deal."

Erik approached her and she could see their reflection on the large windows. "It's not that bad. Other times I've come to Paris I've had to stay here alone. Too boring. But I can tell you this, this time the company is infinitely better."

Christine laughed a little. "Didn't have Lucy on your last trip?"

Erik seemed to have shuddered, making Christine chuckle. "That woman does not let me breathe."

"I think you might have to ask permission." They both laughed a little and Christine pointed to the small stereo. "You like Mozart?"

He nodded as she made her way over to the piano next to it. "That mad little Austrian was almost as good as I am."

Christine smiled. "I think I was the only five-year-old that really appreciated The Marriage of Figaro. I was raised on that music. Father adored it." Christine looked over at Erik. "I was practically raised watching Amadeus."

Erik reached for something on the mantle of the fireplace. "Maybe you can recognize this one." Pressing a button on the small remote control, the song changed to the somber familiar notes.

"Requiem," Christine said smiling. "Dies irae, dies illa, Solvet saeclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla." When she finished singing the verse, she tranlsated. "Day of wrath, that day will dissolve the earth in ashes as David and the Sibyl bear witness."

"You remembered," he said to her, smiling.

Christine touched one of the keys absently. "I had a great teacher."

They didn't say anything for a while. That was until Christine started playing a very familiar tune.

"Mary Had A Little Lamb?" Erik asked almost laughing.

Christine laughed also. "That's the only one I know. I taught that one to myself, you know."

"Anyone with hearing can figure that one out," he said placing his cup on the mantle.

Christine smiled and pretended to play by putting her fingers over the keys lightly. "I've always wanted to learn, I just never had the patience. It's something I had always lacked."

"Patience is a virtue, I taught you that one, Christine."

Christine chuckled recalling the memory. "You made me wait in the pouring rain outside the auditorium. I caught a cold that week."

"Believe me I felt bad for that one but it was a lesson that needed to be learned." Erik stood behind her. "I will teach you a very simple tune." He placed her hands on the keys and placed his own hands under hers. His hands moved slowly and lightly over the keys.

Christine nodded with her head every time he touched a key to remember which one it had been. It was like she was a child. They were student and pupil again for the briefest minute.

She could feel his cheek against her hair as he looked down at their fingers. She bit her lip, trying to remember the melody when his hands were removed from hers.

She continued the song, smiling at the simple but beautiful melody. She enjoyed it. She was about to tell him when she felt his fingers brush against her neck, moving her hair then his lips lightly press against her neck.

Her hands went stiff over the keys. "Erik," she said silently.

He didn't stop. His hands from her shoulder to her arms. She felt his lips on her skin as it moved down to her upper arms. It was gentle, like delicate butterfly wings brushing against her skin.

She didn't know what to think. The touch was soft and gentle, not like the kisses they shared before. But it was different this time, they were alone in the middle of the night in his hotel room.

Al though reason screamed at her, she hoped that he wouldn't stop.

His hands explored her shoulders and back until it came to the bottom of the shirt. His hand slipped underneath the fabric to touch her flat stomach.

Closing her eyes, she leaned against him, enjoying the way he made her feel. She let out a soft sigh as his hands went over her breasts and made their way to her back again where she could feel his fingers trying to unclasp her bra.

She stood up forcefully and turned around. She looked at him and saw the hurt there. She almost sprinted to the door when his hand caught her wrist.

"I'm sorry," Christine found herself saying. "I'm sorry-I didn't mean- I shouldn't be here-I'll just-"

He took her hands in his and their fingers became intertwined. Erik didn't speak but his eyes spoke for him. He wanted her.

But she didn't know if she was ready. "Erik, I'm truly sor-" she didn't finish because in the next moment, his lips met her own. Closing her eyes, she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her, deepening the kiss.

He pulled away and moved his kisses to her collarbone then his lips trailed the outline of her neck. She was so lost, she didn't want any of it to stop.

But he did, and she could feel his fingers at the band of her jeans on her hip as he spoke softly in her ear. "Christine, I never stopped loving you."

She shut her eyes, finally knowing how he felt.

He kissed her right in the crevice under her jaw, making her gasp slightly. "Be mine tonight." His hands went up her back again. "Let me love you."

He's asking for permission, she thought. No one did that this day and age, they just did it. They wouldn't think twice about it.

Christine thought for only a moment, knowing that she was in the arms of the one person who truly cared for her.

She responded by giving him a kiss and letting him explore more of her than he had before.

That night she was embraced in the wings of her angel.

Christine stretched lazily placing her hands over her head. She smiled contently in her sleep, loving the way the silk sheets felt against her bare skin.

Bare skin?

Her eyes shot open, remembering what happened the night before. She could remember the Requiem playing somewhere and Erik's lips on her own, his hands on her hips. His hands caressed her skin so softly, so right, so invited.

The memory of her fingernails digging into his back from the immense pain flooded back. She had bit her lip to keep from crying out and Erik held her against him whispering sweet words into her ear. She shook her head trying to be rid of the memory.

She looked around at the strange surroundings. The curtains were drawn over the large windows making everything dark, she didn't even know what time it was.

She was on a four post bed with dark colored sheets around her. On the night stand next to her there was a phone and a small lamp. On the wall next to the double doors there was a leather chair. And on the chair there was a dark figure watching her.

She sat up looking the figure over. Erik sat there with his back against the chair bathed in darkness, his eyes intently looking at her, with his fingers steepled in front of him. He looked as if he had been there for a while.

"Good morning."

She pulled the sheets closer. "H-how long have I been asleep?"

He shrugged. "Awhile."

Christine pulled the sheets over her body in a futile attempt to cover herself. "You should have woken me up."

"I could watch your sleeping face for eternity."

Christine bit her bottom lip.

"I have your breakfast." He got up and brought a tray to her. It had a plate with eggs and bacon, toast, a glass full of orange juice and a vase with a small rose.

Christine smiled. "No one has ever made me breakfast in bed." You have never made love before, her voice taunted.

She shut that voice up by starting to dig into the eggs. She smiled and spoke with her mouth full. "These are really good." She hadn't noticed how hungry she was.

The mattress sunk beneath her as Erik sat next to her. "I'm glad you like it." She could feel his fingertips grace her back sending her senses reeling. He kissed the back of her neck and moved closer to her. "I love you."

Christine turned to him and smiled. "Me too."

His eyes seemed to light up and it seemed to fuel him. He kissed her lips then her shoulder. "I have dreamed of this for so long."

Christine smiled then buttered a piece of toast and offered it to him.

He took it gratefully and asked her, "What shall we do today?"

"Anything you want," she said kissing him quickly before taking some bacon into her mouth.

"I have to do an interview today. After that I can free my schedule. Then we can go anywhere you want."

"London!" Christine said smiling.

"Maybe next week."

Christine finished her eggs. "I was only kidding."

He kissed her temple. "If London is what you want, then I shall have it on its knees before you." He stood and walked to another part of the room that she imagined was the closet. "How about dinner, then we'll board the plane and go back to LA."

She bit back the need to groan, going back to LA was like realizing the reality of this fantasy. She didn't want to leave Paris. Finishing her juice, she put the tray on the table beside her. "You know this city better than I do. It's my first time here." Wrapping the sheets around her, she started looking for her clothes on the floor.

"I'll be back when I can. You can go around the city with Lucy or-"

"I don't think so," she said retrieving her shirt. "No offense, but I just don't like her."

Erik laughed in the other room. "She's just jealous. I pay more attention to you than her."

"Every time we're near each other, she acts like a rabid dog." She reached her jeans, looking around for the only article of clothing she was missing. Spotting it, she walked to it but was cut short when she was lifted high up from the floor.

"Oh no, you don't."

She squealed with laughter as he put her on the bed and pinned her down with a kiss. He breathed in heavily. "I don't want to leave."

"I'll be here," she reassured him. "I won't go anywhere."

He kissed her again.

"Come on, Erik," she said lightly pushing him off. "You got dressed, give me at least a chance to."

"Can I watch?"

Christine laughed wryly. "Come on, you'll be late."

He sighed and kissed her again. "Fine. You win." He started leaving but turned and gave her yet another kiss. It was as if he thought that when he left she would be gone.

"I'll be here when you get back," Christine told him.

He kissed her forehead. "Okay, now I'm really leaving."

Christine leaned against the door and sighed, smiling. She heard keys jingle and then a door close.

Christine bit her bottom lip. Paris was the best town.

Just as she was about to pick up her shirt again, she heard the door open and the bedroom door opened again. Erik stood there, throwing the keys on the chair he had been sitting on.

He shrugged. "I have like another hour or so."

He shut the door stifling Christine's laughter.

Aww, sweet, no? They're so in love? (starts choking) Sorry, too much fluff. I'm glad everyone likes it so far. I had been debating whther or not to up the rating but all they did was kiss anyway, well, that I described at least. Anyways, for the next chapter, I will be upping the rating, just to be on the safe side. Okay, let me know what you think of this chapter! One question: Do you think that they are moving too fast? Remember, ten reviews and an update! To come:
Chapter Thirty-Six: Stroll Through Paris