If there ever comes a day

When we can't be together keep me in your heart,

I'll stay there forever...

Chapter Fourteen

Nightingale's Passion

Christine stared at her reflection in her room, needing to look wonderful for him tonight. She knew that tonight was the night in which she would become a woman in all sense of the word. If she was completely honest with herself she was rather nervous.

Growing up in the Opera House she was less innocent on some matters then some would originally believe. The older girls of the ballet corps were anything but modest when it came to their love affairs. She and Meg would giggle and blush at some of the things those girls would say with a hint of pride in their voice.

But the thing Christine had noticed the most was the difference of opinions. Some enjoyed it immensily and others wished not to speak of it, wishing they had never done such a thing. Christine had always been frightened of the idea of allowing a man to see and touch her while she was naked, the idea did not hold very much appeal.

Two things had caused her opinion to change rapidly. The first being when Meg had gone and made love to a man. Christine had been so shocked to hear her friend admit to doing such a thing. If her mother had ever found out Christine knew Meg would have been in for a rude awakening. But Meg had believed she was in love and the man, one of the patrons for the opera house before Raoul had come into the picture, had treated her well.

Meg had admitted she had enjoyed it but he had quickly pushed her to the side, never speaking to her again. Christine had always thought that she was not a very passionate woman but the night of Don Juan had had changed all that...because of Erik.

The words he had written for her to sing had been sinful and full of passion...when he had come out onto the stage and sang with her, running his hands down her body...Christine had known passion and desire then, and she wanted to experience that with Erik, who in his own right was a very passionate man.

She pulled the pins from her hair and allowed it to tumble down her back and shoulders as she studied the outfit she had chosen to present herself to Erik in. It was even more revealing then the little she had worn that night Erik had taken her down to his home in the opera.

The white corset was pulled tight, revealing her small waist and pushing her breasts up to where they were nearly spilling over the top. She wore matching panties and a transparent robe...nothing more. She felt slightly uncomfortable but wanted to look beautiful for Erik tonight. He deserved that much.

Slipping out of her room she slowly made her way towards his rooms, her heart pouding in her chest like a bird trying to get free. This was not sinful, he was her husband. Husband...that word meant much to Christine and it was hard to believe that they were now at this moment.

She did not knock, suddenly to nervous to do so. She quietly opened the door and went inside. Several candles illuminated the room and her eyes searched for Erik. He was standing by the window his back to her. She was suprised to find him shirtless in only a pair of black trousers. The scars on his back were once more there for her to see and she wished she could make them disappear along with all of the pain he must have suffered.

On silent steps Christine went to him, surprised he had not heard her. He must have been deeply in thought. Her slim hand reached out and touched the rough planes of his back. He stiffened at the feel of her cool hands and her breath fanning his flesh.

He turned to her, the surprise on his face more the evident. He had not believed that she would come to him tonight, thinking she would not wish touch him. Her clothing surprised him even more and he felt his body hardening in response to the sight of his angel clad so sinfully in front of his eyes. He said nothing as he looked at her, needing her to make the decision of whether or not they should do this.

The candlelight seemed to make her eyes glow as she reached out and ran her fingertips over the muscles of his chest. His heart began to pound as his body refused to move or touch her. Christine wanted to encourage him and slowly slipped her robe from her slim shoulders.

The sight of her made his resolve snap and he leaned forward, catching her mouth in a soft yet hungry kiss. Christine's hands went to grasp his shoulders. His arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her close to him, knowing that these feelings would be forever imprinted in his memory. He pulled away to look into her eyes, surprised and aroused to see the glazed look in her eyes.

Perhaps this was not going to be as difficult as he had originally thought...

Needing to be in control he placed several kisses on her neck. Christine's head fell back at the feel of his warm lips pressing against her skin. Christine's hands trailed down his chest, pressing herself against him. He kissed her once more. Very gently he picked her up in his arms and carried her to his bed. He laid her down and simply looked at her.

He wanted to tell her how much it meant to him that she was with him like this, that she was willing to love him this way...but words seemed so inadequet. She held her hand out to him and Erik sat down beside her. She sat up as well and took his hands, placing them on the strings of her corset. His eyes found hers and remained there as he slowly pulled the strings lose. Her head fell back on her neck and she suddenly felt Erik's fingers slowly roam down the pale skin of her neck and down to where she was slowly being revealed to him.

Christine kissed him again, unable to help it. When her corset slowly fell to the floor she stared directly at Erik, wanting to see his reaction. For reasons unknown to her she was not embarrassed to bear in front of him like this. With hesitant hands he reached out and touched her, illicting a breathy moan from Christine's lips.

Gently he pushed her onto her back so not a single part of her was hidden from his gaze and his touch. Gently he began running his hands over her, his eyes remaining on hers, unbelieving the way she began to gasp softly for breath. Erik leaned forward and kissed her with renewed passion.

Christine's hands found their way to his back, gently running her hands over the scarred flesh. Erik shifted, laying his body down on hers. They both gasped at the feeling of their bare chests meeting. Christine buried her face against Erik's neck, the feelings overwhelming her as his hands softly caressed her breasts.

"Erik..." she breathed his name against his ear, her warm breath causing him to shiver. She kissed his ear and allowed him to slowly remove her only item of clothing, her undergarment. His long, musician hands slowly caressed the inside of her thigh which caused Christine to moan.

With little effort Erik had removed his trousers, leaving them both as vulnerable as the day they were born. Erik needed a moment to let the feeling of her naked against him fully sink in. Erik kissed her, his lips loving yet persistant.

A cry of pain erupted into the room then silence when Erik joined them together. He wiped the tears from her eyes, kissing them away and whispering to her how much it meant to him that she was with him like this. The pain disappeared and was replaced with intense pleasure. Christine's hands and mouth slowly encouraged Erik to continue. He moaned softly against her mouth as he ever so gently began to make love to the woman who meant everything to him.

Christine stared up at him, watching the emotions cross his face. She knew she was giving her angel a precious gift and it made it even more worth it. She had fallen deeply in love with this man and the feeling of being so close to him was amazing. This moment would forever be in her heart and soul. When they reached the ultimate summit it was her name that he cried out as they became one forever.