You are all so generous with your words; filler chapters can often be boring – moving from one phase to another, but you all made me feel good with your words, thank you.
Just for your patience and wonderful kindness, I am posting this chapter sooner than usual; so, here is chapter 11, we are about mid-way through this story now; I hope you will enjoy the coming events.
Just a reminder, I do not believe in rushing things. The "M" rating will come into play at the end of the story; although, there are mature references throughout. I do not go with the adage that everyone immediately jumps into bed together; relationships are about so much more than that.
Often times, its all the flirting and sensual foreplay leading up to the actual act, that makes our temperature go up.
Just so that everyone is on the same sheet of music, ERIK AND CHRISTINE WILL NOT CONSUMMATE THIS RELATIONSHIP UNTIL THEY ARE MARRIED!
That said, enjoy!
BEYOND THE SHADOWS
CHAPTER 11
Christine slept soundly and awoke to the sound of the birds chirping outside her window. She couldn't remember the last time she had heard the sound of birds chirping in New York.
She threw on a pair of white shorts, a polyester pink shirt, and her tennis shoes and jogged down the stairs. She smelled the heavenly aroma of pancakes as she drew closer to the dining room.
Everyone was there, except Sachin, he was still at his friends house. They were feasting on pancakes, waffles, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Christine flashed a bright smile at Erik, making his heart jump and his palms sweat. She sat down next to him and purposefully rubbed her thigh against his as she scooted closer to him in order to reach the pancakes.
Erik felt like bolting out of the chair and running ice-cold water all over his body, a particularly stiff member of his body was in immediate need of dousing.
They had all finished eating, but Christine had not moved away from him; so, Erik was fighting his growing interest with every fiber of his being.
"Do you play golf, Christine?" Erik asked, trying to keep his voice from cracking.
"Putt Putt." She chuckled.
Erik smiled at that, lighting up his entire face. Christine thought him a very handsome man, but when he smiled…he was beautiful.
"We thought was would take the boat over to the mainland and play 18 holes." Nadeesh injected, "Rachel and Meg have skipped out…they want to go sightseeing, but Rebekah is coming."
Christine felt an opportunity coming on, "That's sounds great…a double date with a gorgeous man, and I get to learn to play golf!" She beamed at Erik, "I win all around!"
Her smile and laughter were infectious, and Erik watched her rush up to take a shower and get ready.
"Christine?" he shouted.
She stopped at the top of the stairs and turned around to smile at him as he came around the corner from the dining room, "Yes?"
"We'll leave in about an hour; meet us down at the dock." She nodded and went about her beauty regiment.
OOOOOOOOOOO
She had not seen Erik's "boat" before. What he described as a "boat", Christine would describe as a yacht.
"Erik, she's beautiful…when you said boat, I was looking for a little bitty thing…I guess I should have known better." Christine stated as she came aboard.
Erik met her at the entrance, took her hand, and helped her into the front of the vessel. She loved everything about the yacht; the colors, the décor…everything.
Erik gave her the tour and Christine fell in love…she had always wanted to ride on a yacht…and this man had helped the dream become reality; and he hadn't even tried.
She sat at the stem, watching the water beat against the side of the boat, as they made their way toward the mainland. The smile never left her face as Erik watched her from the bridge.
Meg had rushed up to join her and they both pointed and laughed on many occasions.
They docked at Largs, headed inland, and rented two cars. Rachel and Meg went in one direction and Erik and Christine, Nadeesh and Rebekah headed in the other.
Christine had never laughed so much in her life. She and Rebekah spent most of the morning chasing balls that were lodged in tree branches, buried in sand dunes, sinking in watery muck; anywhere that wasn't in the middle of the fairway.
Erik and Nadeesh could do nothing but shake their heads and give words of advice and encouragement. Christine noticed how Erik was an incredible golfer devised a plan that would get him closer to her and teach her to play golf.
"Erik, I know I don't swing correctly, can you show me how?" Christine asked, knowing he would have to put his arms around her to do so.
Erik hesitated; to him, it was an opportunity to wrap his arms around a beautiful woman; but to her, it was a lesson in golf. She had asked him to show her how to swing the club, so that was what she wanted from him, not groping, inexperienced hands.
He came up behind her and she felt him push into her back and bring his arms around to rest on hers. He took her hands in his and molded them to the grip of the club. His soft, mesmeric baritone caressed her ear as he instructed her on the correct way to hold the club and swing at the ball.
Erik had to refrain from wrapping his arms completely around her. He couldn't believe that she was allowing him to hold her so close. He quietly took in the scent of her hair and felt the softness of her skin against his.
"Now, you need to remember to do that every time you have to swing, regardless of how hard or how soft. Remember never to take your eyes off the ball, until you see it leave the tee." Erik stated.
The next few holes were easier for Christine when it came to playing golf, but her body was in an uproar; she still felt his hands on hers and the masculine feel of his taut muscles pressed into her. His voice was a weapon that the state department could use for apprehending female fugitives; all he would have to do, would be to whisper into their ears and they would be like putty in his hands.
They had all agreed to meet Rachel and Meg at a delightful little Scottish inn for lunch. The game ended, Erik won…naturally; and they all wound up at McNeil's Pub for lunch.
Overall, the day had gone wonderfully. Meg showed her some outfits she had bought, some of which she bought for Christine. Christine placed a call to the Klawson's, back in New York. They were watching Cheshire for her; they loved him as much as she did.
"Who's Cheshire?" Erik asked, as she flipped her cell phone closed.
Christine smiled up at him, "My cat."
Erik chuckled at the love he heard in her voice, "I haven't had a pet since I was very young…but I remember loving cats."
When he said that, Christine could not help the little burst of joy that bubbled in her heart; she didn't know why, but it made her very happy to know that he loved cats.
They got back on the yacht and Christine stopped Erik before he could take the helm.
"Do you suppose Nadeesh could do the driving, I would like to ask you a few more questions, if you don't mind."
Erik had been excited about her asking for Nadeesh to do the driving, he thought that she actually just wanted his company; but she wanted to continue the interview.
Meg and Christine sat at the stem, waiting for Erik to come. Christine had told Meg all about the golf lesson Erik had given her, and Meg could see the love burning in her eyes.
"When are you going to tell him how you feel, Christine?" Meg inquired.
"I've never told a man that I loved him…not before he said it first." Christine stated.
"You know, as well as I do, that Erik will never say that…he doesn't even know what love is between a man and a woman." Meg pointed out. "This is so exciting, Christine…he's uncharted territory; you are attempting to go where no woman has ever gone before!"
They each cast the other a silly grin and then broke out laughing. Christine loved the thought of that. Erik had no preconceived notions about romance or sex; he knew nothing on the physical part of it. She was certain he pleasured himself, what man didn't; but her touch, and hers alone, would be the first, and; if she had her way, the last, that he would ever know of a woman's touch.
Erik headed toward them and sat down next to Christine. He did not indicate that he had any idea what they had been discussing. He seemed a little nervous about continuing the interview.
"I had almost forgotten that the only reason you are here is for this interview…I don't know why I did that." He murmured, sadness reaching his eyes.
Christine looked him straight in the eyes and responded to that, "That may have been the initiating reason, but things have changed."
Erik's look was as blank as he could make it, to avoid reading anything into what she had said.
"Have they?" He asked.
She smiled at him and asked the first question. "Tell me how you came to know how to do all the things you do."
Erik smiled, "After I got the girls situated, I concentrated on my ambitions. I was a gifted artist, a talent I got from my father; I taught myself to play the piano, violin, and guitar; and I learned that I didn't sing too bad…so these are what I concentrated on.
"I designed my first house on a dare…when I produced the blueprints and designs, it went from a dare to a commission; and that was all I needed." He shrugged his shoulders as though there was nothing special about him, "There has never been a time when I did not have a job since that time…I was eighteen.
"I knew about investing and all its advantages, and I was aware of the downfalls – but I was a smart businessman, and knew where to invest and in what to invest…I have amassed a fortune that is in excess of $13.6 billion.
"Music is my passion…and to keep from wearing it out or abusing the gift it gives me, I choose to keep it as a hobby, not a way to make a living." Erik dropped his eyes and smiled, "But it seems that I make as much money off my music as I do off my architecture…I still find that hard to believe."
Christine was amazed at the depth of character Erik possessed. He was strong, both physically and mentally, and had endured situations in his life that would have destroyed a lesser man.
"Do you desire to have a family…wife and kids?" She asked.
Erik's eyes became distant and shadowed, and his tone was acrid, "We don't always get that which we desire."
"You have made everything else in your life bend to your will; why not make that happen too?" Christine asked, not thinking it a difficult question.
Erik felt hot tears stinging the sides of his eyes. He fought their cruel agony and tried to smile.
"The other things in my life depended on no one other than me…" he pursed his lips tightly and then finished with a dull tone, "…to take a wife would require my dependence on another persons feelings toward me, and that has not ended favorably for me in the past."
Christine smiled seductively, "Maybe you haven't found the right woman."
Erik laughed bitterly, missing the sensual glow of her eyes, "Perhaps not."
"How and where did you meet Nadeesh?" Christine asked, trying to take the weight off the questions.
Erik chuckled, "A stroke of luck, that's how." He looked over at the man who was like a brother to him, "I met him in India when I was twenty." Erik dropped his head in thought, "He is the youngest son of a very wealthy and influential family in India…they own several hotels around the country." Erik looked back over at Nadeesh, "He is actually three years younger than I am, but we met in the lobby of the hotel I was staying in.
"We were inseparable…he was the first real friend I ever had. My sisters and I stayed at his family's home and I wound up designing several hotels for his family's business." Erik smiled, "I became very wealthy from the designs his family bought.
"Two years later, our friendship was put to the test when I found out he had been secretly seeing my sister. She was only thirteen when he started seeing her and she was fourteen when she became pregnant…" Erik stared back at Nadeesh through narrow eyes, "…I'll admit, I wanted to kill him.
"We sat down and discussed the options; there would be no terminating the pregnancy…that was out of the question. I agreed to let him marry her once she turned eighteen, if that is what she wanted. She had to finish school and keep her grades up and Nadeesh would be responsible for watching the baby and supplying all their needs."
"He came with me back to the states and became my financial adviser and manager, and they married when she turned eighteen." Erik turned his eyes back to Christine, "They have a very strong love for each other; everyone who deserves it, should be that blessed."
Christine looked at him with a new twinkle of admiration in her eyes; he had gotten his sister through a very rough time, and had handled it as though he were a seasoned parent.
"So, in essence, you gave him the job that would allow him to support Rebekah and Sachin….is that correct?" She asked.
Erik shrugged as if it was no big deal, "Yes, but he earns every penny." He grinned.
Christine was sure he did. She had caught something in his last answer that intrigued her,
"By your words, one would think that you believe love only comes to those deserving of it." she observed.
A very despondent look crossed his face, "Doesn't it?"
Christine lifted a questioning brow, "Love is no respecter of persons, Erik."
He scoffed at that, "If only that were true." He murmured, "Some of us have no problem falling in love; but being loved back is, apparently, too much to ask."
As they approached the dock at Wee Cumbrae, Erik completed his thoughts, "My head tells me to not love again…I will only get hurt. My heart tells me to take the chance and offer my love again, regardless of the inevitable outcome." He stood up to leave the boat, but turned and said one more thing, "Either way…I lose."
As Christine and Meg watched his forlorn figure descend the stairs and head up to the house, Christine muttered under her breath so that only Meg could hear, "Not if I have my way."
"I can't believe that some woman hasn't snatched him up." Meg observed.
Christine turned to her best friend and smiled radiantly, "I can't either, but I am so glad they have not…because he's mine."
"You go girl…show him what love really is." Meg challenged.
TBC