Forward progress...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.

I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.

Character portraits:

Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)

Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)

Meckenzie - Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)

Vince - Pierce Brosnan (slightly shorter)

Karen - Bette Midler (only about ten year's younger, seven inches taller, and long,brown hair)

Ms. Jennison- Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)

Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)

All other original characters, you can use your imagination.

Enjoy.

CHAPTER 27

Erik knew that he could take her anywhere and she would love it, but he also knew she was a simple woman with simple tastes.

She did not desire fancy dishes with exotic spices, so Erik chose a quaint Italian restaurant in downtown Boston; one he had enjoyed on a few occasions for business dinners.

Caesar's Palace had exceptional food, but a more relaxed atmosphere, so Christine would feel more at home.

She had chosen a black pair of slacks, a deep violet, satin blouse and black dress boots. Her eyes shone like the sun in the romantic lighting and Erik couldn't take his eyes off her.

They were shown to their seats by the waiter and Erik pulled her chair out for her, allowing her to sit down.

The waiter took their orders and Christine had a chance to look around. The place was authentic Italian décor with simple taste…quite perfect, in her humble opinion.

There was live entertainment, and the music was excellent. Erik stood and came around to her chair.

He took her hand, bowed, and looked into her eyes.

"May I have this dance?"

Christine smiled and took his hand. She hadn't danced in years.

Being this close to him was like touching heaven, but not being able to enter through the pearly gates. She longed to give into the desire which was heating her flesh and beating in the rhythm of her heart.

She had never wanted a man as she wanted Erik; she had never had dreams about a man like the dreams she had about Erik; and she knew she would never love another man like she loved Erik.

His arms were firmly but gently holding her to him. She could feelthe hard length of him pressed against her soft curves and all she wanted to do was remain this way for theduration of the evening.

He danced like a dream; elegant, smooth, and strong. His muscles rippled under his shirt and Christine could feel the raw strength of him just begging to be released.

"They say dancing is a prelude to making love in the mind of a woman." Christine whispered into his ear.

Erik felt his body react to her words and the images they caused in his mind. He was getting used to being in a constant state of arounsal in her presence, he just hoped she wasn't aware of it.

"Is that a fact?"He groaned.

Her eyes said it all and Erik swallowed hard, notsure if she was playing with him or being serious.

"Well, it would be the closest I have ever been." Erik stated as the music ended and he pulled her to him.

"The closest you've ever been to what?" Christine asked, baffled.

Erik looked deep into her eyes and saw no guile and no amusement, "Never mind…I think our food has arrived."

He escorted her back to the table, slid her chair out for her, and then walked over and sat down.

Christine was still contemplating what he had hinted at. Did he mean what she thought he meant? She knew that he had never done anything with Summer, but she was certain he had engaged in casual sex in college, that was all college boys thought about, wasn't it?

Erik was a very attractive man, in every way possible – handsome, intelligent, kind-hearted, and filthy rich. She found it very hard to believe that he had never been with a woman; some lucky woman had to have had him at some point in time.

She laughed aloud and, after realizing what she had done, clasped her hand over her mouth to hide her embarrassment.

"Are you alright?" Erik asked with concern in his tone.

"Yes, I'm fine…I was just thinking about something." Christine lied.

He scowled at her, as though he knew she was lying, but he didn't say a word.

"What you did for 'Kenzie was amazing…she has wanted to go to Disney World and swimming with the Dolphins since she was three…I could never afford it." Christine admitted, quietly.

"It was my pleasure." Erik answered. 'Neither one of you will want for anything as long as I am around.' Erik thought.

He pulled the small black box from his inside coat pocket and scooted it across the table to her, holding his breath as she scanned his face for answers.

"I bought you something first, then I knew I had to get Meckenzie something…but I wanted to give you yours in private." Erik explained.

Christine smiled coyly and pulled the box over to her. The package was so simple and elegant, just as she liked it.

She tenderly untied the ribbon and handed it to him; she stuck her wrist out to him and whispered pleadingly as she closed her eyes in thought.

"Tie it around my wrist while I make a wish."

Erik smiled at her animated features and did as he was instructed, whispering his fingers along the sensitive flesh of her wrist as he finished the deed.

Christine opened her eyes and stared into his dark green, passionate eyes, hoping her wish would come true.

She opened the box and gasped…putting her hand to her mouth to muffle the sound.

"Erik, it's beautiful!" She whispered.

"Like you." He breathed back.

Her eyes filled with tears and she could not help the timid smile that covered her face.

"Are those diamonds?" She marveled.

Erik chuckled, knowing she wasn't being facetious, she was genuinely surprised and awed by the gift.

"Yes, and that is a genuine pink sapphire." He offered. "They compliment your eyes."

"Why did you buy this, Erik?" She asked, hoping he was not trying to buy her affections.

"Because I wanted to…I have never had anyone besides Vince and Karen to buy for…and quite frankly, they are getting boring." He teased.

Christine smiled and relaxed. "I shouldn't accept this, it's too expensive."

"That is for me to decide…it's my money." Erik objected with a smile.

He reached over, took the bracelet from the box, and gently untied the ribbon from her wrist. He latched the bracelet on and admired how it paled when put against her beauty.

"Does this mean I'm yours?" Christine asked in a teasing tone.

When Erik looked into her eyes, he saw nothing teasing about her eyes, just a direct question and a desire to know the answer.

"Do you want to be mine?" He asked back.

She smiled deeply at him, stood up, and headed for the door. Erik panicked, thinking he had offended her in some way. He ran after he and caught her elbow.

"Where are you going, don't you want dessert?" He pleaded.

She leaned toward him in a seductive manner and whispered into his ear, leisurely grazing her lips along the outside surface, "Your luscious, full lips are going to be my dessert."

Erik felt himself harden at the implication of her words. She wanted to have a make-out session…with him.

He quickly paid the bill, took her arm, and they headed out the door and toward the car.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Let's go to your place, and watch a movie…or…at least put in a movie." She murmured.

"As you wish." He purred.

Ever since she had mentioned having his lips for dessert, he had but one thing on his mind.

"Christine…" He began.

She leaned over the console and placed her finger to his lips to silence him.

"Don't…you'll ruin it." She whispered. "Don't try and fight it anymore, don't try and analyze it…just let it happen."

She leaned her head on his shoulder for the remainder of the trip, and didn't say a word.

They arrived at Erik's home, parked the car, turned off the alarm system, and went inside. He turned up the lights and called Indigo.

The feline came traipsing down the hallway, knowing that she was about to get a treat.

Erik didn't disappoint her and opened a can of fresh food. He put her in the utility room and shut the door, knowing she would get the hint.

"What movie would you like to 'put in'?" Erik asked.

Christine finished taking her coat off and placed it over the chair in the dining room. She walked back toward the family room and admired his décor, once again.

She came around to the front of the couch where he sat and pushed him back onto the leather, landing herself atop him with strategic agility.

"I'm not really interested in a movie…just find a music channel that matches the mood." She purred.

Erik placed the channel on soft jazz and put the remotes down.

Christine was lying atop him and she was well aware of his erection pressing against her abdomen, but instead of making her nervous, she felt a swell of desire race through her.

"You never answered my question." Erik whispered.

"What question?" Christine asked back.

"Do you want to be mine?"

TBC