Thank for all the great reviews! You are all so much fun! I am so happy you are enjoying the story. This chapter is short and steamy, so look out! XOXO

Gerardphantomhot- I really loved your cheer, it made me laugh a lot!

Chapter 24

Erik carefully laid Meg down in his warm bed, and then went to light another candle because the one on the nightstand was burning low. Meg continued to admire the radiant jewel on her hand, and could not help but imagine the Princess who once wore it. She had no idea how Erik could ever have attained such a ring, and even though she had tried to protest, she was thrilled that it was hers.

Erik looked over at Meg as she goggled wide-eyed at the ring he had given her and could not help but laugh a little to himself. She was truly glowing with happiness. Making her smile was enough to give purpose to his entire life.

"Oh Erik really, I can hardly believe it's mine," Meg said wistfully still staring at her finger.

He gazed at her as she lay in his bed and thought, neither can I.

"I love it so much, but I am terrified that something might happen to it, or that someone may try to steal it away," she added concerned.

So am I, he thought with his eyes fixed on her.

"Erik, are you listening to me?" Meg asked, suddenly aware of the fact that he was not responding to anything she said.

"Forgive me, my dear. I was listening. I think sometimes I just become lost in your beauty," he answered kindly.

"I love you…so very much," she replied.

"Do you?" he said mischievously, as he walked over and sat next to her on the bed.

"More than anything," she said staring up at him with her sultry dark eyes.

He traced the outline of her neck with his finger, "Meg, I will miss you immensely tomorrow. I am afraid it shall be difficult for me to endure your leaving knowing that you are still not my wife."

"I am so sorry Erik, but I don't what else to do," she responded, feeling extremely guilty.

"Perhaps I can give you something to remember me by," he said in a seductive tone that almost made her dizzy.

Erik's finger now was outlining the stain skin on her collar bone, and his touch made her whole body yearn for more. He slowly allowed his finger to move further down to the crease in her robe, and he slid his hand inside. Meg began to breathe more heavily. Erik's hand caressed the soft skin around her breast, and a hot stirring sensation began to build in her stomach. She closed her eyes and bit her top lip. She was not sure what he was doing, but she knew she would not deny him anything that he wanted from her.

"Marguerite, look at me," Erik said firmly.

Meg opened her eyes as he continued to run his powerful hands over her chest. She felt her face blush as she looked into his gleaming green eyes. He gently began to pinch the satin flesh of her nipple and her body's arousing response made her let out a throaty moan of pleasure.

The manner in which Meg's body reacted to his touch made Erik long to ravage her right at that moment. She did not shy away from him, and the sounds of enjoyment that escaped her made him feel simply mad with lust. Her voluptuous breasts were the most erotic feeling that his hands had ever known, but he knew no matter what happened that he had to remain calm and in control. He was going to make sure that he was in Meg's mind while she was back at the opera, and he knew exactly how to accomplish this.

"Erik, oh my God," Meg whispered as his fondling of her breasts became much more aggressive.

Erik's hand continued down across Meg's trembling stomach. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. The heat and smell of her made Erik's body now begin to respond with unyielding carnal need.

He tried to keep his hand steady as he explored the tender skin beneath her abdomen. She continued to move and whimper with pleasure from his touch. She seemed so vulnerable to his every movement. He was completely intoxicated with his feeling of dominance over her, and he wanted more. Erik allowed his finger to find the warm wetness between Meg's legs, and it gratified him to know he had caused it. His head started spinning, but he forced himself to remain focused on her and not his own salacious urges.

Erik's hand began to move gently in a circular motion in the supple flesh between her legs, and Meg had never felt anything like it before. Her hips began to thrust against him and she suddenly felt as though she had no control over her own body.

"Erik," she managed to get out through her cries of delight.

"Tell me Meg, tell me how I make you feel," he demanded.

"I…I… I have never felt like this before, I…" her words were incoherent with the hot sensations that Erik was sending rushing through her body.

Suddenly to her great dismay he stopped what he doing. Meg felt like a speeding train that had just fallen off its track. She somehow instinctively knew that she wanted and needed more, much more. She looked at him with confusion and disappointment.

"Erik," she said almost panting.

"Yes, my dear, what is it? Look at me, and tell me what you want," he commanded.

"Please….please don't stop," she begged, frustrated and flushed with desire.

"Why… Meg? Tell me, say what it is you need from me," he said in a deep voice.

"Erik…I want…." she began, but she could not seem to bring herself to say the words.

He began to gently touch her again, and the rousing sensation gripped her entire body once more.

"Say it, Meg," Erik commanded harshly this time as the movements of his hand between her legs became much faster.

"God, Erik, I…I want you to keep touching me, and I never want you to stop," she moaned as she ached for more.

Suddenly a powerful feeling that she could not control began to well up inside her. Her hips began to pulse wildly, and she felt as though she might actually die of pleasure.

"Erik?" she cried out, almost frightened of what was happening to her, "Oh Erik!"

"Relax my dear, it's alright, just let it go," Erik said soothingly.

As if she had been waiting for his permission, Meg allowed the wild spasms of physical ecstasy to seize her body. Powerful sensations overcame her whole body again and again. She screamed violently unable to hold it in any longer.

"Yes, my love, yes," Erik encouraged as he continued to send her over the edge with his caress.

The way Meg cried out and her hips bucked against his hand made Erik crazed with passion. Nothing in the world excited him more than knowing she wanted him, and that he could make her respond to him in such a way.

When it was over, Meg lie on her back with her chest heaving as she inhaled deep breaths. Her face was flushed and her lips were reddened. She looked up at Erik as if he was some type of God, and he knew instantly that he had accomplished his goal.

"What in the name of heaven?" Meg breathed, "How could you possibly do that to me?"

Erik smiled at her from behind his white mask, "I read about everything," he replied with a smirk.

"You learned how to do that in a book?" Meg asked amazed.

"I have found over the years, Marguerite, that there is little knowledge that one cannot find in a book," he said as he leaned over and kissed her softly.

Erik continued to try to control himself because although Meg appeared to be quite satisfied, he was still aching with dire sexual need.

"So… you can do it again?" she asked with anticipation.

Her innocent question caused Erik to laugh out loud. It was a sound that was strange even to him. He had no memories of laughter in his entire life before Meg, but she never ceased to say things that he found extremely humorous.

"Yes my dear, as far as I know, I certainly can," he answered.

"How lovely, perhaps, you really are a fantome," she said still beaming at him.

Meg let out a wide mouthed yawn like that of a cat curling up for an afternoon nap. She laid her head on the down pillow, and Erik could see that sleep would find her momentarily. He affectionately stroked her cheek, content for the moment that she would not forget all about him in a few hours when he had to let her go.