Chapter Seventeen

A Scorpion's Emotions

"Love doesn't make the world go round,
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

Christine sat in her and Erik's bed as she hummed softly to herself and read one of the books from Erik's library. Her head still hurt if she got up to quickly or stood for any period of time so Erik made her stay in bed as much as possible. When Erik's hand gently touched her cheek she jumped in surprise, not having heard him come in. She opened her mouth to say something but he pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.

She gasped softly against his lips when he suddenly kissed her with all the passion she knew he was capable of. Gently he took the book from her hand and set it aside, pushing her onto her back as he continued to kiss her. Christine's fingers tangled into his hair and she allowed him to devour her mouth with all the passion she craved.

Erik pulled back slightly so he could part her robe and expose her flesh to his hands and his mouth. His eyes pleaded with her to understand how much he loved her and how much he needed this. Christine smiled and pulled him closer to her. Erik kissed her and she could feel the way he was trembling against her.

"I love you, Erik..." she whispered. Erik stopped moving, his eyes meeting hers. She smiled.

"Christine, I-"

"Shh, do not say anything until it feels right," she whispered, pressing a hand to his mouth to silence him. He nodded and kissed her fingers, one by one. Christine smiled. She knew he was not aware of it but he was becoming more and more comfortable around her, something that made her heart sing. She helped him remove his shirt and and jacket.

Her small hands smoothed over his chest and back and she willingly kissed the flesh revealed to her. She needed this closeness with him. He was the only one she had in the world who she loved so much she would willingly give her life for. She gasped softly when he removed his trousers and boots, still slightly unused to the feeling of him naked against her.

She knew he had yet to find the person who had hit her and she knew it was making him angry. But she was surprised he had come to her for his pleasure. He had been so cold and distant lately she had not know what to think, wondering if he felt anything for her anymore. Suddenly overcome with emotions Christine pressed her face into the hollow between his shoulder and neck.

Erik could suddenly feel her hot tears against his skin and he frowned, wondering what he had done to make her cry. He tried to pull away but she clutched frantically at him with her slim arms.

"Why are you crying, angel?" he whispered. She pressed closer.

"I thought you no longer cared for me," she whispered brokenly.

"What would make you think such a thing?" he asked. Christine turned away from him, feeling ashamed of herself. Erik gently forced her to look at him and he did not like the tears she so gallantly tried to hide.

"You have been so distant lately, Erik," Christine whispered. Erik immediately felt guilty. He had been so caught up in finding who it was that would dare to hurt her that he had not realized that for some unknown reason she needed him as much as he needed her. She was as alone as he, and he had been virtually abandoning her.

"I know I have not been a very good husband, Christine," he said, just as quiet. He pulled her close and stroked her cheek.

"I just want to spend time with you, Erik," she whispered. Erik sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. He wanted to tell her what made him the way he was in a way she would understand.

"Christine, all my life I grew up knowing that I was going to be alone. I accepted that until I met you. Even then I was aware that your love for the Vicomte could easily outweight your love for me. It is still hard for me to believe you are my wife," he whispered. Christine ran her hands down his chest, realizing he was going to open up for the first time. He turned to her and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"I still cannot believe that your are lying in my arms like this. It is sometimes hard for me to remember that you are here with me because I always believe I am dreaming," he whispered. Christine slowly straddled his hips, not entirely sure what she wanted to do but knowing she had to do it. Erik looked up at her in surprise and grasped her hips so she would not fall. She braced her hands on his chest and very slowly impaled herself on him. Erik's eyes rolled back in both pleasure and surprise, unbelieving that his little angel was being so naughty.

"You are not dreaming, Erik," she gasped.

Erik helped her begin a movement that gave them both pleasure. The fact that she was willing to let him touch her would have normally been enough to make him climax but he wanted to see her face sufused with pleasure. Soon Christine could not support herself enough to stay upright and collapsed on his chest, his body still moving deeply within hers.

Christine rained kisses all over his face, wanting him to know how much she loved him. She knew how hard life must have been for him but she needed to show him that someone in this world loved him and cared for him. The way he gasped and moaned her name as they made love was enough for Christine to know that he loved her, even if he had yet to say the words.

His climax came upon him hard and he rolled her beneath him, shuddering into her neck as Christine gave a soft cry of pleasure. Erik pulled the sheet over them and held her tightly to him, refusing to ever let her go. He was going to give her more of his time because she meant everything to him, nothing and no one else mattered except for the woman in his arms.