I am so thankful that everyone seemed to enjoy the choice of songs. It is so hard to find quality songs that fit into a modern setting; especially if you don't want to use only classical music. Erik, with all the genius that he possesses, would be a lover of all styles of music. I tried to keep that in mind when choosing songs.
I hope you enjoy the one song in this chapter – from Christine to Erik.
Mlle.Fox…Christine's dress has a split in the side, up to her thigh; sorry for not clarifying that.
I have gone back to chapter one and posted a few changes that were indicated. Go back and reread; I think it would be good.
Patience my young padawans…they relationship is moving past that annoying "Getting to know you stage", and will soon progress…there is some hot stuff coming up next chapter….Erik, all by himself; his hard, aching flesh; and a hot tub! ((Evil laugh), I live for this!)
Enjoy.
BEYOND THE SHADOWS
CHAPTER 13
Erik was captivated. He had just shared a very suggestive dance with this woman and she looked at him as though he were a sex god. She had flirted with him…even touched him openly and without reserve. What was he supposed to think of that? The woman had many talents and Erik was having a hard time concentrating on anything but her.
As he sat down, Christine slinked up to him and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Did you like that?" she murmured seductively.
Erik swallowed hard; what game was she playing?Her warm breath in his ear was wrecking havoc on his control and he felt his body respond even more to her; he hadn't considered that a possibility.
Her breathy voice hit his spine again, "Maybe this will put you in the mood." She purred.
'If only you knew.' Erik groaned in his head; trying to mentally quell his engorged shaft before Christine became aware of it.
She heard the music begin and she let her body tell a story…
"When you light those candles
Up there on the mantle, setting the mood,
Well, I just lie there staring,
Silently preparing to love on you.
Well, I can feel the heat from across the room…
Ain't it wild what a little flame can do…
Make you wanna do…"
She turned and focused on Erik; he was already regarding her with smoldering eyes….
"I melt, every time you look at me that way…
It never fails, anytime, any place…
This burning in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt…
I melt.
She swayed up to him, placed her index finger under his chin and lifted his hungry eyes to hers…making him see her desire for him…
"Don't know how you do it…
I love the way I lose it, every time.
What's even better…
Is knowing that forever you're all mine…all mine…
The closer you get, the more my body aches…
One little stare from you is all that it takes…"
She walked behind him and draped her arms over his shoulders; her lips caressed the sensitive flesh of his ear as she sang softly,
"I melt, every time you look at me that way…
It never fails, anytime, any place…
This burning in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt…
I melt.
"I melt, every time you look at me that way…
It never fails, anytime, any place…
This burning in me is the coolest thing I've ever felt…
I melt."
As she was retreating toward the piano, she turned around the held his gaze one final time,
"Every time you look at me that way…
I melt…I melt…"
Erik was about ready to come out of his skin. He had never had a song arouse him in such a way…truth be told, it probably had nothing to do with the song, and everything to do with the singer.
Nadeesh played his guitar while Rebekah played the flute; but Erik and Christine did not hear any of it. Their bodies were silently communicating with each other across the invisible, sensually charged force field.
When the performances were over, everyone stood up and thanked each other for a wonderful evening.
"Erik, those songs you performed were so beautiful." Meg breathed.
'If this man was not the center of Christine's interest, I'd sweep him up for myself', Meg thought.
"Yes they were…I didn't know you could sing so beautifully." Christine stated, as she came to stand beside Meg.
Erik smiled; once again leaving Christine without the ability to breath, "Your voice is reminiscent of the angels; you took my breath away." He sighed. "Your dancing was graceful and elegant, as ballet and contemporary dance should be – you are an artist." He bowed over her hand, took it in his, turned it so the wrist touched his lips, and he heard Christine's quick intake of breath.
Knowing she could not understand a word of French, Erik drew her body close to his and whispered in her ear…"Mes maux de corps pour vous. Je veux vous embrasser partout, commençant à vos orteils et finissant avec vos lèvres succulentes."
Christine swallowed hard and felt her body react to his sensual words, she had no idea what he had said, but his use of French, his warm breath on her ear, and his intoxicating scent overwhelmed her.
"I didn't know you spoke French." She breathed.
"I speak several languages, but I thought French was the most appropriate for this occasion." He teased.
"Tell me what you said." She whispered into his ear.
At this point, there was no one but Christine and Erik in the room, everyone else ceased to exist.
He boldly brushed his lips against the sensitive flesh just in front of her ear, "Someday, perhaps." He whispered again, "J'aime cette robe sur vous. Vous êtes la femme la plus belle que j'ai jamais vue."
Christine felt her nipples harden at the feel of his lips against her skin; he smelled so good and he completely enraptured her with his voice. Her body reacted in other areas, too; she was going to lose herself completely in this man.
"What did you say?" She whispered; her eyes closed from the sensations she was feeling.
He leaned in, again touching his lips to her flesh, "I love that dress on you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
She smiled bewitchingly at him as they pulled apart, "You're the most alluring, sexy, and attractive man I have ever known." She watched his brow furrow slightly, "Believe it Erik, I wouldn't say it if it weren't true."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"You're in love with him, aren't you?"
Rebekah came up beside Christine as Erik kissed her hand and walked away.
The woman's expression of deep love on her face was all Rebekah needed to know; the answer was in Christine's eyes.
Christine looked at Rebekah with tearing eyes, "I have never known a man like him. He defies words."
"Erik's heart is a beautiful thing, Christine…he has risked it and gotten hurt…badly." Rebekah stated. "I've done my share of the hurting, but he has never failed to be there for me…and I won't allow him to be hurt again."
Christine smiled at the woman who was apparently Erik's self-appointed protector. She had never known such a close family bond, like what Erik and his sisters had.
"What are your intentions toward him?" Rebekah probed.
"I thought I would never meet a man who would convince me to leave journalism and start a family…I once thought Hayden was that man…I think I was trying to make him that man…" her voice drifted off, "…but he was not." She looked up at Rebekah and smiled, "Even though I have only known him for three days…my heart tells me that Erik is that man."
Rebekah felt the tears of joy trailing down her cheek, "I'm so happy to hear you say that!" she pulled back and wiped her tears, "Come, I'll pour us some lemonade."
Christine followed her into the kitchen and Rebekah poured them some lemonade. Christine studied the younger woman with intensity and saw how she kept putting her hand to her abdomen and lovingly caressed it.
"Rebekah, are you pregnant?" Christine asked.
Rebekah smiled and then turned to Christine and sat down across from her. "Two months, I just found out."
Christine grinned, stood up, rushed over, and gave Rebekah a sisterly squeeze.
"Nadeesh knows, but not Sachin or Erik." She smiled absently, "Sachin has been wanting a little brother for so long…Erik…" She lifted sad eyes to Christine, "…Erik loves children, and so longs for one of his own…this news will make him depressed at first, but then he will rejoice."
"There's nothing that would keep me away from him if he will allow me in…I will give him everything I am." Christine murmured.
Rebekah knew she meant it, it was written all over her face. At last, a woman had entered their lives that was worthy of Erik and all he had to offer; Rebekah wasn't going to let this go away.
"Hang on, Christine…don't let him go…" Rebekah said with tears in her eyes, "…he needs you so bad, he just doesn't know how to show you…not really." She smiled through her tears, "I've watched him flirt with you and I've never seen as happy as he is when he's around you…but he doesn't realize these are signs of love."
Rebekah stood up and embraced Christine, "He has an explosive temper, but he doesn't stay mad for long; he has self –esteem issues…but he longs to rise above them; and when he loves…he loves with everything that he is…nothing less." Christine shook her head and wiped her own tears away.
"Now, go get some rest. When the time is right for another conversation, it will present itself." Rebekah started to walk out, but Christine's voice stopped her.
"The bullet still lodged in his brain…what problems does he have from it?" She had to know if his life was in danger.
Rebekah smiled, "He suffers with migraine headaches several times a month and he takes seizure medication…but he's only suffered with seizures one time." She smiled again, "He won't allow anyone near him when he is in such pain; he is used to working through it alone." She opened her misty eyes, "When Lana did what she did, I thought we were going to lose him…he was in so much pain and he had several seizures over a short time span…those were the first and the last I have witnessed."
Christine frowned at that, "I won't let anything happen to him, Rebekah…" She assured her, "…He will never be alone again…not if I can help it."
Rebekah smiled at her determination, "The doctors are keeping a close eye on the bullet, if it starts to move, they are going to have to risk removing it." Rebekah trembled and Christine knew what was coming next. "The surgery could cost him his ability to walk or move, his muscles could atrophy…or he could lose his life." She visibly shook off that image, "Thankfully, any movement that has occurred as been to the outward part of his brain…it is moving closer to the surface, which will make it much easier to retrieve should they need to."
Relief flooded over Christine as she realized that it could have been much worse; Erik was a strong man and in very good health, otherwise. She lifted a silent prayer to heaven that surgery would never be necessary.
They embraced again, and Christine headed to her room…it was 10:30 in the evening and she needed to get some rest. Meg, Rachel, and Rebekah were going to go to Ireland tomorrow to do some sightseeing, but Christine had opted to stay on the island and be with Erik.
She did not care that she had not known him for very long, she felt a connection with him that only comes from being soul mates. She knew they were meant to be together; now all she had to do was convince him.
She changed into her nightshirt and slipped into the bed. Since coming to Scotland, she had not had any trouble sleeping and she felt invigorated and inspired. This was where she belonged. New York held no appeal for her any longer, and there was nothing there for her. Scotland held her hope and her heart…in the man, Erik St. Clair.
French to English translation
My body aches for you. I want to kiss you all over, starting at your toes and ending with your succulent lips.
TBC
Song – "I Melt", Words and Music Gary LeVox, Wendell Mobley, and Neil Thrasher; recorded by Rascal Flatts.