Allright, so I decided to lengthen this chapter a bit...at loss for an ending to the section, I had made it very rushed...this should be better!
Chapter Two
"Hello there," I said, staring to the side so as to display my rouged profile. "How kind of you to …visit…this-" As my eyes turned to the Duke's, my mouth went dry and all my routinely practiced lines forgotten. "-this…this evening." I frantically searched for something…anything to say, but instead found my gaze locked on his tousled black hair and deep green eyes. Oh how I wish I could drown in those eyes…those beautiful, luscious eyes…
"Champ-…Champagne?" I stuttered hopelessly. "I mean to say; would you like some?"
"Oh, no thank you." The sound of his velvet-soft voice sent my heart into euphoria; my knees threatened to collapse and I struggled to say upright. Why was I acting so foolish? This man was no different than the hundreds of others I had encountered…all rich, greedy and eager to be served.
Play the part...smoldering temptress…
I slowly turned back towards the Duke and approached him seductively, purposely avoiding eye contact.
"I don't believe we've had a proper introduction…my name is Christian…Toulouse's new writer. I…I do hope you like what I do…" he said cautiously.
I was making him nervous! He liked me...he wanted me...
And I wanted him as well...
"Well then…why don't we…begin" I said, taking a seat beside him on the bed and hesitantly placing my hand upon his. His skin scorched my own with desire and I jerked back as he abruptly stood.
"Actually…I'd prefer to do it standing." He announced.
"Oh."
"Oh no…you may sit. You see, sometimes its…well, its quite long….and I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable…"
"Very well…" I murmured breathlessly.
He faced me cautiously, opened his mouth, and began to sing.
The second he opened those beautiful lips of his and let out the most euphoric, wilting melody human ears have ever witnessed, I was frozen in time.
OIOIOIOIOIO
"I cannot believe it; I am in love with a handsome, wealthy Duke..."
His hot breath danced upon my face as he slowly leaned in. "A Duke?".
"Oh, well not that the title's important or anything..." I murmered. My lips ached with anticipation...we were merely inches apart...
"I am certainly no Duke!" He laughed.
I quickly pulled away. "What?"
At that very moment, a quite unexpected visitor arrived.
The Duke. That is, the real Duke.
It wasn't until dear Christian was left begging him to become involved in his newest play, that I realized the true meaning of his earlier words.
"…my name is Christian…Toulouse's new writer…"
But it was too late. The penniless man's voice had stolen my heart away, and I was left with a mere broken soul as Harold and I heard the Duke's conditions on investing in Christian's new play.
One…"The play must end with our Courtesan belonging to her Maharaja, and certainly not the sitar player..."
Two…"I must have the deeds to the Moulin Rouge…" To this, Harold and I reluctantly consented.
But it was the Duke's third and final condition that sent my blood running cold…
"I will require a contract binding Satine to me…exclusively and eternally…"