Well, we've reached the point in the story where Erik has admitted, to himself at least, that he loves Christine and will never love another. He is a typical male, he will not easily divulge this information to her (although, we females already know these things, so Christine is aware of his feelings). But, she is also aware of the fear he has in loving; the fear of losing or hurting the object of his love.

Christine, for her part, is not going to tell Erik of her love for him because he is not ready to accept it. He needs to get over his personal hurdles before he hears her say it, and knows that she means it with all her heart; however, she will take advantage of every opportunity she has to show him how she feels.

So, sit back and enjoy the next few chapters – they should prove quite interesting.

THE DAWN THROUGH THE NIGHT

Book IV: Let the Games Begin

CHAPTER 18

The rest of the week passed uneventfully, but Christine noticed that Grace was unusually distant with her. She knew the young girl resented her for what Erik had told her.

Saturday rolled around and Christine knew she did not have to play governess, but she wanted to spend time with Grace and smooth out the wrinkle that Erik had inadvertently placed in their relationship.

"Nancy, when Erik comes down, will you please tell him that I took Grace to the store; I want to buy her some hair pins and clips. She had beautiful curls that I would enjoy arranging in different styles." Christine stated as she walked past Nancy.

Grace was headed down the stairs and heard her, "I don't want to go anywhere with you." She stressed.

"Grace, you will behave and go with Madam Christine…your father would not want to hear you talking to her this way." Nancy scolded.

Grace furrowed her brow and stared daggers at Christine, "I don't know why he should care; she hates him."

Nancy shot a look at Christine's apologetic eyes, "Go with Christine, Grace."

The child stomped off, showing her temper to be every bit as formidable as her father's is; Christine could not help but smile at the resemblance.

The carriage ride was interesting. Christine felt Grace's eyes boring into her with such force, that it made her uncomfortable.

"Grace, there has been a misunderstanding." Christine finally admitted.

Grace did not acknowledge her voice.

"Grace, look at me."

The girl reluctantly obeyed, bringing her tearing eyes to Christine's. "Why do you hate Papa?" Grace finally asked; her voice so full of pain.

Christine moved from her seat and sat beside Grace. She tried to take the child into her arms, but much like her father, she recoiled from Christine's touch.

Christine dropped her arms and her voice, "Grace, I don't hate your father." Christine assured her, "Quite the contrary actually." She stated in a low voice.

Grace looked hesitant to believe her words, "He said that you think of him as a monster."

Christine smiled and dropped her eyes, "I have thought many things of your father, but I have never thought him a monster."

"Why did he say you did?" She asked with sad eyes.

Christine noticed a visible softening of her features and reached to move a dark curl that hung in her face, "Erik and I have known each other for about nine years…"

Christine went on to tell Grace about Erik had given up the love he had for her so that she could be happy with Raoul. She told her about the crimes at the opera house, and how everyone blamed them on The Phantom.

She told her about Erik dual identity and her betrayal of his trust.

"He thinks that I was repulsed by his deformed features, and that I thought he was a monster…like so many others before me." Christine stated. "I was so very young Grace, only sixteen when he revealed to me that he was a man." Christine smiled down at the beautiful child.

Grace reached her hand over and gently touched Christine's. When Christine looked over at her she said, "Papa told me about the opera house and a about his life as the The Phantom; he told about the gypsies and the way people treated him." She was crying, but she continued to speak, "I wish I could have been there to keep Papa from being so lonely."

Christine pulled the sobbing child into her arms, "Grace, Erik is not lonely anymore; he has you, Nancy and Sam..." She stated.

Grace pulled back from her embrace and looked deep into her eyes, "No Madam Christine, he is very lonely, all I want is for him to be happy and smile more often...his smile is so beautiful and it makes me happy."

Christine marveled at the maturity of this little girl. She somehow understood the loneliness that drove her father and wanted to end it.

"I want to his loneliness also, Grace." Christine caroled, "I know he needs the love that I have for him and I will show him, over the course of the next few weeks and months that I love him more than life itself."

Grace beamed in the knowledge that Christine loved her papa. She wanted him to have a wife like all the other papas she had seen and wanted him to get hugs and kisses like all the others.

"You can't tell him anything that I have said, Grace." Christine stressed, "It is best that I show him and not tell him, at this point in time."

Grace smiled mischievously, smacked her mouth shut and sealed the imaginary button that rested on her lips. Christine chuckled and cupped Grace's small chin in her palm, "Us ladies have to stick together when it comes to our men." Christine said, winking at Grace.

"Are you going to give Papa hugs and kisses like I see the papas get?" Grace innocently asked.

Christine chuckled, "Oh yes, my dear child, I am."

Grace gave Christine a big hug and the rest of the day progressed well. Christine was able to get the items she needed and they returned home by early afternoon.

Plans were forming in Christine's mind and she was formulating ways of making them happen.

Two months have passed…

Christine settled in and learned the normal flow of the household. Erik worked many hours, but his involvement in the work was reaching its conclusion.

Christine took every opportunity she could, to ruffle Erik's feathers, with Grace's help, of course. He began to realize that she would touch him at every opportunity, and went out of her way to talk with him.

The whole process was driving Erik insane. He new she wanted to be his friend, but the touching was almost more than he could bear. He tried to hide his wretched reaction from her, but he wasn't sure if he was successful on all occasions.

Christine was very much aware of his reactions and beefed up her efforts even more. She was not going to give him any slack when it came to making him realize she loved touching him, being around him, talking to him…everything; she wanted him to realize that she loved HIM!

She showed up at his worksite on several occasions, with Grace and Jean Luc in tow. She had a packed picnic lunch, a smile, and intelligent conversation; this made him irate. He couldn't show his irritation because the children were there, but Christine could feel it and it brought a smile to her face.

One of those days, they sat in the park enjoying the afternoon sun. Grace was skipping in the grass chasing a butterfly and Erik was lying back in the grass watching his surroundings from under half-closed eyes.

Jean Luc ambled over to Erik's reclining figure and proceeded to plop himself onto Erik's stomach, jolting the resting man to an alert state. Jean Luc straddled Erik's chest, bounced up and down, and giggled.

Erik responded by lightly tickling the giggling boy, and Jean Luc giggled even louder. Erik lifted the boy in the air, while still lying on the ground, and twirled him around with his long arms. Jean Luc felt like he was flying and his animated face lit up with joy.

Christine watched the whole display through happy tears. Jean Luc was interacting with Erik as a son would a father, and he even sought Erik's company on many occasions. Erik did not know this; Christine would simply lead the boy to where Erik was and Jean Luc would take over.

She wished Erik's blood flowed through Jean Luc's veins; as far as she was concerned, Jean Luc would grow up thinking that.

On other occasions, she disrupted his home with loud games and laughter, making Erik sigh and hold his head. His frustration made him vulnerable and Christine pressed him at every chance she had.

She refused to tell Madeline and Brigitte to stay away from him; she made him deal with his animosity toward both of them, and he was beginning to warm up to his mother; something she had thought she would never see.

Brigitte found the opportunity to speak to him one afternoon, when Erik came home early.

He was walking down the hallway, toward the dining room, when Brigitte approached him wearily.

"Erik, may I speak with you?" She asked.

Erik did not speak, but ushered her into the library and shut the door.

His eyes focused on hers, letting her know to begin the conversation.

"There are so many unspoken words between us…" She began. She raised her eyes to his and bit her bottom lip, "…please forgive me for not believing in you." She begged, her voice faltering.

Erik wrinkled his brow; he could se the weight of her guilt bearing down on her frail shoulders.

"I'm so sorry…" She was wracked with sobs.

Erik could do nothing but watch the formidable woman, he had come to consider as a rock, crumble before him.

He walked up to her and wrapped her in his arms; a rare display of affection which she relished. "We have all made mistakes in our lives, I know this better than anyone else…all was forgiven years ago, Brigitte." He lifted her chin to look in to her eyes, "Let bygones be bygones."

He pulled back from the hug and looked deep into her eyes, "Why did you never marry Brigitte, you're an attractive woman…" her eyes shot up to his with a questioning glint, "I have always thought so." He said softly.

Brigitte was taken aback by his compliment; he had never said anything about the way she looked. "Thank you Erik, that means a great deal coming from you." She smiled at him, "There has been only one man I loved…" She admitted, "…but I never felt myself worthy of him."

Erik shook his head and asked, "Worthy of him?" Erik exclaimed, "What was he, a nobleman?"

Brigitte shook her head, "I don't believe he was, but he sure carried himself like one."

"Brigitte, you are beneath no one." Erik stressed, "You have beauty and class well beyond many women in the upper-class, don't be silly in thinking you are not worthy of someone." He dropped his eyes, wondering who this man was. "Did he even know of your love for him?"

She smiled up at him and quietly answered, "No, I suppose he never knew." She hoped her eyes did not give the truth away; that he was the object of her love.

"What a loss." Erik murmured. He looked back at her earnest eyes, "Could he have made you happy?" He asked.

Brigitte smiled at him; a beautiful, embracing smile, "Yes, he could have made me very happy."

Erik considered that for a moment, she had never taken the chance on love; and yet, she expected him to abandon all the reservations he had and surrender to its sweet poison again.

He changed the subject, "What happened to the Opera Populaire?" He inquired, "Paris is without a noteworthy opera now."

A sad, forlorn look rested in her features, "It was never the same after you left." She admitted to him, "It became known to us that many people frequented the opera house because of the legendary Phantom and his roguish deeds."

Erik scoffingly laughed, but there was no humor in his actions, "These are the same people who called for my torture and subsequent demise after the fiasco at the opera house."

"Erik, once it was known that you were not guilty and all the horrible things that had happened to you became public knowledge…you were suddenly the most powerful and sought after man in Paris." She stated, "But no one could find you."

"I didn't wish to be found." He stated, dryly. "My plan was to die and never have to contend with the human race again."

Brigitte bowed her head at his admission, "I never knew how much I cared about you, until you were gone…and I felt that I had run you off."

Erik walked over to her and lifted her chin to his eyes, "Nonsense Brigitte, what happened, happened for a reason." His words eased her mind, "If it hadn't happened, I wouldn't have Grace."

They headed out the door together and Erik turned to her and said, "Maybe there is something I can do about that opera house…sometime in the future."

His words caused her face to light up and hope to fill her eyes. "I knew that if anyone could, it would be you."

OOOOOOOOOO

They never spoke of the past again. They continued to develop a very strong bond of friendship.

A few days later, it was Madeline's turn. She had not pressured him; she waited for him to see that she was genuine in her love for him and that she wanted to be a mother to him if he would let her.

"Say something Erik…anything." Madeline pleaded.

His back was to her and he was unrelentingly rigid. She had just told him about his father's abuse and the drug addiction that had caused his deformity. She spoke of the cloud she had lived in through most of his childhood, and the seething hatred she felt for his father.

She had told him of Étienne, and his unsavory ways and the second round of addictions she had endured; the last one nearly taking her life.

"I'm sorry mother…I didn't know." Erik finally choked out. "I should have known something was wrong...I should have protected you."

Madeline heard the regret in his voice and slowly approached him. She reached out and silently took his hand, startling him from his stupor. She led him over to the couch and sat him down, much as she would have had he been ten-years-old.

"How could you have known, my son?" She cooed. "You were just a child…" she reached up and finally caressed his cheek, "…we were both victims, but I am so terribly sorry for what my intolerable behavior toward you caused."

She sat at the opposite end of the couch, but reached over and pulled his hand, causing him to cast weary eyes toward her. She patted her lap, and insistently indicated for him to rest his head there.

"Forgive me." She cried as her tears cleansed her soul.

Erik gave into the call of his heart and pulled her into his embrace. Holding her with all the pent up love he had felt for her over the years.

"I love you Erik…more than you will ever be able to understand."

Erik felt tears sting his eyes as he heard her speak words he had longed to hear years ago. He rested his head in her lap and closed his eyes at her touch. Years of anger and remorse drifted away on the wings of unseen angels. Erik knew that the bitterness and pain he had been through because of this woman would remain a part of him; she had suffered too; and somehow, that made the brutal memories easier to bear.

She ran her fingers through his dark hair, humming lightly as she did so. Both shed silent, cleansing tears for the lost years and their minds were filled with hope for the future. No words were spoken, as mother and son finally created a bond.

After these nights, they all carried on a friendship that grew with each game of chess, each shared music lesson with Grace and Jean Luc, and every smile and laugh. Grace had started calling Madeline, grandmamma; after Erik told Grace about her being his mother.

They ate meals together, went to church together, played games together, talked and laughed together, played chess together; but Erik never crossed any boundaries with Christine; he maintained an employee/employer relationship and never treated her like anything other than the friend she had asked to be.

Christine found in him a man she could respect and whose company she enjoyed immensely. She also found that her pulse picked up when he was in the room or even when she thought about him. She found that he occupied her thoughts day and night.

Then came a crucial night about three months after Christine moved in…

Erik had come home about six o'clock, played with Grace and Jean Luc and given them each a music lesson, and then immediately went to his study. Christine did not wish to debate or argue with him tonight…tonight, she just wanted to talk.

She followed him into the study, without him knowing it, and watched as he languidly reclined in his desk chair. His eyes were closed and he seemed oblivious to the world around him.

Christine knew that over the past few months she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. She had seen the man that hid behind the mask of indifference he wore every day. Even with improved relations with his mother, he still lacked self-confidence.

She felt it was time to have a discussion about the events that culminated eight years ago and why he acted as he did. She wanted to understand him.

He began massaging his head again, and Christine became concerned; his headaches were coming more often and she did not know what was causing them. He had become silent and foreboding a great deal of the time, and she feared that it was because of her.

"Your headaches are becoming a regular occurrence." She said, as his head whipped up to look into her eyes.

He looked at the woman who haunted his every thought with her smile and natural beauty. He had memorized every aspect of her; the way she moved, the light that rested in her eyes every time he was blessed to be able to look into them, the lilt in her voice that sang to his heart…everything.

She mocked him with her presence every day, and she was wondering about his headaches… 'She better be thankful she has no idea about the other parts of my body that ache.' He thought.

"You'd ache to if you looked like this." He smirked, cynically, dropping his eyes from her steady gaze.

Christine came forward and moved to stand behind him. She took his head between his hands and began massaging his temples and soft spot behind his head and above his neck.

Erik moved to escape her skilled hands, "Sit still, I won't hurt you." She stated with a calm voice. She firmly, but gently held him down. "Why do you say such things?" she asked, her heart wrenching in her chest.

Erik sat silently, enjoying the feel of her hands on his head…no woman had ever touched him…he wondered if she knew that.

"Don't play coy with me, Christine…" He retorted back. "…I know what I look like."

His voice faded off as her hands worked magic; it was ironic really, the one who was the very source of his headaches was the same one who had the ability to remove them.

"Do you Erik, or is all you see, when you look in the mirror, a mask?" Christine asked.

"What else is there to see?" Erik asked, disgustedly.

Christine came around and stood in front of Erik's chair. He had no choice but to look up at her.

She crossed her arms in front of her and stared boldly at him, "I know that you cannot be that imperceptive or blind, Erik." She scolded, "If you had not been so cantankerous and obsessive; and courted me like a man is supposed to do, things would have been drastically different eight years ago."

Erik scoffed at her, "That's ludicrous!"

He ripped away from her hands and stood with his back to her. His height was still intimidating, but she found that it added to his charisma.

"The night of the Don Juan performance, you completely enthralled me…I would have done anything you asked." She watched him hang his head and wondered what he was thinking, "I had thought you could not be any more compelling than you were when you took me to your lair and sang 'Music of the Night' to me…but 'Point of No Return'…"

"Christine, stop!" Erik injected, loudly. "You know you were under the spell of my voice…" he reminded her, "…you would have never reacted to me otherwise."

Christine walked over and stood in front of him once more, "How do you know?" She dropped her chin and looked at him over the top of her eyes.

Erik lifted his visible brow at that, "Because, I just know…You can't stand there and tell me that you would have chosen me over him."

Christine heard the disbelief in his voice, "If you hadn't petrified me with your explosive temper and had shown me the side of you that I have seen over the past few weeks…" She reached her hand up and caressed his cheek, "…yes, I would have chosen you…even with the idea in my head that you were a murderer."

Erik did not move at her confession, he stood quiet and motionless. Finally, his voice was heard, "Alright, I'm willing to admit that my left side may be somewhat…acceptable…" he conceded, "…but there has only been one woman who saw what's under this mask and was able to say she loved me."

Christine knew this to be true. She foolishly had avoided him after she unmasked him. It hadn't been because of that, but Raoul had demanded so much of her time and he forbade her to wander very far out of his sight.

Erik was in a quandary, he had debated over telling Christine about Grace's parentage for weeks. He did not know how to bring it up; now seemed as good a time as any.

"I did love Desiree…but it was more of a calm, serene love…rather than a passionate, all-consuming love." He missed the surprised look on Christine's face. "I didn't really know that I loved her until she was gone." He was not looking at Christine; but instead, focused on the floor.

"When I fled Paris all those years ago, I was hell bent on ending my life." He stated, not aware of the sharp intake of breath coming from Christine. "I ended up in a small community outside of Toulouse…after days of riding, I finally happened upon a house and barn that looked to be deserted. I had been whipped in the prison cell, and my wounds were infected and festering…" His eyes were lost in memories, "…I injected a complete vile of Morphine and went into a deep coma, hoping to never wake up…"

Christine wiped the tears from her cheeks as they mournfully reacted to his pain. She put her arms across her abdomen to quiet the gnawing ache that had developed there.

Erik lifted somber eyes to her and smiled regretfully, "My last chance at love was gone…and I had no desire to fight the hatred I feel for myself…it seemed like the best course of action at the time." He spoke of his own demise as one would speak of the weather…and that terrified Christine.

He had stopped speaking for a moment, and then he jarred himself back into his story, "Anyway, the house was not abandoned as I had thought. A young widow lived there, in complete destitution. She apparently came into the barn for her water pale and found me, in a drug induced coma." Erik stated, still appalled at the fact that he had not had the correct amount of morphine to kill him.

"After three days of absolute agony, I awakened to her perkiness and over the next two months, she broke through my defenses. She refused to allow me to wear the mask in her presence." Erik smiled, remembering Desiree's eager eyes and sweet smile, "I stayed around to help her get back on her feet. I cut wood for her to cook with and bought oil for her lamps. She was six-and-a-half to seven-months pregnant when she found me. Her husband had died before finding out about the baby."

Erik smiled an iridescent smile, "She held me in her arms and danced with me; pressing her sweet, female curves into my untouched carcass, it felt wonderful…but I did not ever act on the feelings she evoked in me."

Christine released the breath she had not known she was holding. He had not fathered Grace; why did that knowledge calm her heart? The idea of him being with any woman other than her…left a strange, gnawing feeling deep within her.

"She went into labor and the baby was breech," Erik choked out, "and the doctor couldn't hear the heartbeat…Desiree insisted that he cut the baby out of her." Erik shed his own tears at that moment, "She died in my arms, after making me promise to take the infant and raise her as my own." Erik looked up at Christine, "She told me she loved me and had wanted to marry me…right before she died." He smiled slightly at that memory, "I so wanted to believe her…"

Erik walked past Christine, not wanting to see the look on her face, "Grace is Desiree's daughter and the child of her late husband…and before you ask," he held up his hand as she indicted a question, "Grace knows…" his hand dropped as well as his voice, "…I could never reproduce something of such beauty…"

Christine stood, and walked over to him, his back was straight and rigid. She put her hand on his shoulder and gently prodded him to look at her. He slowly turned to face her.

"She's your daughter Erik, in all the ways that count." She said, smiling tenderly at him. "Would you have married her?" Christine wondered how she could feel jealous of a dead woman.

"I think I could have found happiness with her…if she truly wanted to commit to me in that way…" Erik felt the ache in his heart at the chance that was lost to him, "…yes, I would have married her."

"You said your love for her was calm and gentle." Christine voiced, trying not to sound envious.

Erik shrugged his broad shoulders, "It was; I'm surprised I felt it at all…I had closed my heart to everyone." He spoke with conviction as he stubbornly dared her to respond.

"I'm sorry Erik…I'm sorry that she left you." Christine stated, "And you know your deformity is not hereditary…any children you sire will be beautiful."

Erik furrowed his brow and shook his head, "Yes, well we'll never know…will we." He wasn't indicating anything with his words, just stating the cold facts as he saw them.

She moved closer to him, and Erik stood his ground. His heart was slamming against the wall of his chest, and he could feel his pulse beating rapidly in his neck. Why did he allow her to do this to him?

Christine leaned into him, reveling in the intoxicating scent of his cologne and the power that naturally emanated from him; she caressed his perfect features with her palm. If only he could understand the irresistible, sensual intensity, he possessed that made her unable to deny her love for him.

Erik was unaware of the closeness of Christine; he was lost in the warmth of her touch. The only time he became aware of it was when he felt her warm lips touch his. His eyes shot open and he gripped her shoulders with his hands, firmly but gently holding her away from him.

What game was she playing? She infuriated him in one moment and intoxicated him the next. Having her under the same roof was pinning him on the brink of insanity. Seeing her act as a mother with Grace just as she did with Jean Luc…he realized what a wonderful mother she really was.

It hurt him deeply to accept the fact that he would never have children with her, or anyone for that matter; he had found, over the years that he enjoyed them very much and wanted to be surrounded by them.

"Don't play with fire Christine," his voice was low and menacing, "you will get burned." There was a look of agony in his eyes, "Why do you torment me with the taboo?" He spat.

He pushed her away from him, disgusted at the reaction she was forcing from his body. He had always been in such control of his sex drive. He had pushed those desires deep down into the dark crevices of his mind, and ignored them when they threatened; but Christine robbed him of all his good sense and control.

He tried to put as much distance between her and him as was possible at that moment…and he thought he had succeeded, until Christine roared up from behind him and planted herself in his path.

"What is that supposed to mean?" She demanded; fire burning in her brown eyes.

Erik gave a cruel laugh, knowing he was asking for it, but unable to stop the words before they flowed from his mouth.

"Come on Christine, why would you even want to put her lips to mine…no woman ever has…" His words were biting and Christine felt the pain of each one. Hadn't she just told him how handsome she found him?

"…I'm only flesh and blood…I have never touched or been touched." Erik saw her eyes widen and felt the shiver go through her, "Surely you knew this…my repulsive flesh drove you away, why would anyone else feel any differently?"

He was breathing heavily from the exertion of his anger, she managed somehow, to bring out the worst in him lately, "I know it must come as a shock to you, but I have desires and needs like any other man."

He looked deep into her eyes, "I have spent the greater part of the 34 years I have been alive, burying my desire for companionship and fulfillment deep within my body…" He raised his chin in defiance, "…rest assured, I will not touch you…but don't play with my control."

He was looming over her, his gorgeous eyes livid and burning. He started to leave, but viciously turned on her and grabbed her arm in a firm grip; "If physical pleasure is what you seek…" his eyes raked her body, and he couldn't hide the desire in his eyes; and he couldn't seem to stop the words that were spilling forth.

"…there are many men, far more adept than I." His meaning was quite clear. "Take a lover if you must…but don't bring him here." He warned, released her arm as if stung, and turned to leave.

It was Christine's turn to be livid. Her words stopped him in his tracks, "How dare you!" she spat, fury flinging from every word. Erik turned slowly to find her not a foot away from him. As he finished his turn, her open palm landed against his exposed cheek in a shrill slap.

"I know you're a man, Erik…I have never had a doubt about that…no woman could ever deny that." She was speaking in a very low scream, "How dare you think I would want some clandestine affair after all that I have been through with Raoul."

His eyes were burning holes through her as he desperately tried to control his rage, he spoke through clenched teeth, "How could it have been that bad?" he started pacing the room like a caged animal, "Tell me Christine." He stopped with his back to her and his back ramrod straight, "He has everything you could possibly want; handsome of face and body; a title to offer prestige and status; money to grant your every wish…" he turned his head only enough to allow her a glimpse of his white mask, "…he gave you a beautiful child…"

Erik had calmed enough to turn toward her, "I know what you think of me…I heard how you spoke of me when you thought I wasn't listening." There was still anger in his voice as he stroked his lips where hers had touched his, "How could you even stand to touch me after having him?"

Christine balked slightly from the knowledge that he had heard her insulting words about him on the occasions when she and Raoul had discussed him. She had been cruel and harsh, only wanting to make Raoul feel better…she had been an ignorant fool.

"Yes, Erik. I said some things that I should have never said…I did not mean them." His head rose slowly to meet her eyes, he clearly did not believe her. "I wanted to please Raoul and make him feel better about himself…he was very intimidated by you."

Erik grimaced at that and shook his head, "Intimidated…by me?" His eyes narrowed and he laughed without humor, "I find that hard to believe."

She spoke to him with determined strength, "That doesn't change the truth of it." She watched as a shadow crossed over his eyes, "Did you not see the stricken look in my eyes that night?" she questioned him. "You awakened feelings in me that I had never experienced before…yes, I said some things…things that I did not mean." She pleaded with her eyes, "You were…an enigma to me…you frightened me."

She sauntered up to him and stood a mere inch from him, she was not touching him, but Erik could feel the warmth of her body mocking him with its closeness. She reached her palm up to caress his perfect cheek, noticing how he moved slightly to avoid her touch.

"You pull away from me with her body, but your eyes tell me a different story." Christine purred.

Before she could continue her thought, he shoved her against the wall, pinning her between his hard, hot body and the cold, unyielding wall. She lifted sultry eyes to him, daring him to act upon the desire she knew he felt. He pushed against her, breathing hard and fighting the longing rushing through him.

"What do you want Christine?" He hissed, "Do you want me to admit that you stimulate me beyond reason…that I spend the entire day in a state of arousal just from the thought of seeing you when I come home?"

He roughly pulled her to him. His eyes were centimeters from hers and his breathing was erratic. Neither said a word as they tested each other.

Erik finally spoke through clenched teeth, "So be it."

He claimed her mouth in a cruel, bruising kiss. He wanted to hurt her, just as she hurt him everyday that she teased him with her dancing eyes and pouting lips; he wanted to hurt her for causing a reaction in his long-dormant body that could only result in further agony for him.

He had never kissed nor been kissed, but he knew how it was done. He kept his mind on what he was doing and ignored the fire that ignited in his body when his mouth claimed hers. He wanted to punish her for making him love her.

He violently thrust his tongue between her soft, yielding lips. He was too intent on proving his point that it did not register in his brain that she was returning his kiss with fervor.

Christine's body reacted to his onslaught with eagerness and passion. She had never been kissed like this…with passion and fire. Even in anger, Erik elicited a need in her that she never even knew existed. He may have meant it to be a punishing, painful kiss…but Christine wanted more.

She fenced with his tongue, wanting him to feel the desire she had for him. He kissed as though he had been doing it for years; he felt and tasted so good.

His erection pressed against her abdomen, making his desire quite evident. She instinctively wanted to press against it and yield to its ageless promise. She felt a strange desire in her womanly core to have Erik buried deep in her body; something she never felt nor desired with Raoul.

Erik ended the kiss, breathing heavily from a mix of fury and desire. His voice was low and controlled when he finally spoke, "That is what I want to do to you every time I look into your eyes or catch a whiff of your scent on the air." He was speaking through clenched teeth, "But I can't," he spat, "you're not mine…and you made it quite clear that you never will be."

He pushed away from her, thinking what a fool he was. He knew she despised him and yet he had opened himself up again, laying his vulnerability in front of her like a rug. He ran a frustrated hand through his thick hair, turned, and walked out.

TBC