Just to put everyone's minds at ease; Erik has been through enough…the bullet will not move and surgery will not be necessary. I had seriously considered a really dramatic scene with Erik's life being in danger, but the thought just makes me cry.

Nope, won't happen.

Enjoy this lovely scene of minds eye candy…get it…minds….eye….candy! Instead of eye candy, which we can see; this will be minds eye candy because you must imagine it.

There is nothing sexier than a gorgeous man in the throes of ecstasy…enjoy!

Steamy content – read with extreme caution.

BEYOND THE SHADOWS

CHAPTER 14

Erik paced the floor of his bedroom, not believing that he had actually flirted with Christine. What had come over him? This was completely against his character! It was true that she had started it; but, for the first time in his life, he was almost tempted to finish it.

'Those songs and the way she moved her body, that's what came over me.' Erik thought, replaying each move she made in his mind. He had been in a strained state of arousal since the moment she took his hand in hers and led him onto the dance floor.

He had enjoyed their suggestive dancing, more than he should have. Her undulating body with its sensual curves was enough to make him almost lose his self-control…almost.

Her voice was truly a treasure, Erik knew talent when he heard it, and Christine Daae belonged in front of the spotlight. If he had known her when she was younger, he could have made her a star.

It was entirely possible, that she was certain he would enjoy her little act; after all, most men would give up body parts to have a woman like Christine fawning all over them…but Erik was not like most men, he knew it was a mockery…even if she didn't. The minute he attempted to deepen the relationship, she would flee – he was certain of it.

It was after midnight when he finally slid into the hot tub to relax; his body was still on fire from the alluring and seductive show Christine had put on. He hoped the lull of the waves, the heat of the water, and his own expert hand would appease his hard-on and his longing for her; if it did not, he was in for a long night.

The feel of the pulsating jets against his body coaxed Erik into a euphoric state. He felt the gentle, massaging, flutter of the water against his pleasure-greedy flesh and firmly gripped his erect shaft in his hand. His other hand found its way to his taut, masculine nipples and rubbed them in a circular motion.

He kindled his erection slowly at first, massaging it with his thumb and index finger. The massive, purple, head was peaking out above the water and it was moist with his excitement, causing it to shimmer in the low lighting. His eyes rolled back and his head rested against the rim of the hot tub as unbridled bliss poured over him. The soft hum of the hot tub, his own rapacious moans, and the thrusting movement of his hand were the only sounds that registered in his mind.

His beautiful body glistened with the soapy water, as it playfully tickled the hairs on his broad chest. His six-pack abs rippled with pleasure as he massaged his aching flesh with his long, deft fingers and strong hand.

He had given himself pleasure on many occasions, but none was as titillating as this particular time. He moaned with pleasure has he envisioned Christine lying blissfully between his legs with her eager mouth wrapped around his rock-hard cock.

Her tongue was skillfully devouring the sensitive underside as she settled into the pumping action. Erik could almost feel his hands wrapped in her glorious hair as he watched her take him fully into her mouth.

The storm building in his body threatened to explode and he was helpless to stop it. His breathing deepened and quiet, masculine gasps of pleasure permeated the room as he felt his body tense with the need for release. His magnificent cock demanded exoneration as Erik sped up his pumping action and increased the pressure of his hand.

In his mind, he was drilling into Christine's hungry body, giving her pleasure she had only dreamed of with his name cascading off her succulent lips as she reached her orgasm.

Every nerve ending in his body rushed to his cock as he cried out with his deliverance; the warm, heady sensation washed over his body as his seed spilled forth and his body thrashed from the force. Her image prancing across his mind gave him a consummate climax; he had never experienced such pleasure.

After a few minutes of afterglow bliss, Erik washed up, dried off, and went to bed. He sure hoped that this would ease his frustrations when it came to a certain dark-haired siren, whose presence 'bothered' him in more ways than he cared to admit.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The next morning; having slept fitfully, Erik decided to get online and check his business dealings and investments. Then, for the first time in a month or so, he checked his personal email it had not changed over the years; it was the only way many old acquaintances were able to contact him.

One particular message immediately caught his attention.

FROM: georgiapeach

TO: angelofmusic

Erik;

I do hope that you kept your old email address, or this will never reach you; if you did, I hope this email finds you doing well. I cannot believe it has been two years since we last saw or talked to each other; my, how time does fly.

I could not do it; I hope you understand that. Your constant need for companionship, your horrible face, and your eerie voice made it hard for me to commit to you…any woman would have a problem. You're a nice man, Erik; don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Just a word of advice; you might want to look for an older woman who is betting a little long in the tooth, so to speak; they aren't quite as picky as woman my age tend to be. With any luck, in a few years, you might find yourself a companion.

Now, on to the real reason for this email; I am getting married! I am so happy! I have decided to invite you and a guest; I assume you will bring one of your doleful sisters…or that meddlesome dark skinned man.

Anyway, I am to be married to Stuart Radcliff on April 9, of this year…oh, I just remembered, that's your birthday. He comes from a wonderful, influential and extremely wealthy, old southern family.

The wedding ceremony is at 2 pm, at Royal United Methodist Church, 2131 Peach Orchard Lane, Savannah, Georgia; I'll be getting back to my southern roots!

I do hope to see you, and whichever member of your family you decide to bring, at my wedding,

Lana Simmons

Soon-to-be Ratcliff

'If is weren't so sad, it would be laughable.' Erik thought to himself. Her biting insults and harsh phrases had ceased to wound him while she was in his life; they certainly didn't bother him now.

Erik chided himself for the old familiar pain that engulfed him upon any recollection of her. She had wormed her way into his heart, after years of decay and remorse, and then she had destroyed it.

He had nothing left to give.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

He left the computer and went to the kitchen in search of breakfast. He assumed Christine had gone to the mainland with the other women to do some shopping and sightseeing.

He found the dining room empty, except for a note sitting against the fruit bowl.

Hi There Erik,

Come to my room when you decide to eat breakfast, I have something to share with you.

Christine

Erik lifted his exposed brow and smirked. What was going through that wonderfully active mind of hers? She never ceased to amaze him with her suggestions and candor.

She was certainly a breath of fresh air when compared to Lana. His heart still constricted painfully when he thought about her, but he knew it wasn't because he still loved her; it was because he realized, belatedly, how preposterous it had been to love her in the first place.

Every word that had proceeded from her mouth had been an insult toward him. She had belittled him on many occasions throughout the day. She refused to be seen with him – fearing odd looks and whispering voices. She allowed just enough give in the chain she had around his heart, to keep him interested; but not enough to allow him close enough to touch her.

Christine was a completely different woman than Lana. She did not seem to care about his deformity. She openly flirted with him; although, Erik was smart enough to know that her flirting did not mean she wanted to date him or have anything more binding than friendship with him.

He would enjoy whatever opportunity he was offered with her; she did his heart and self-esteem, good. He would see how far Christine was willing to take these "lessons" she offered him; he was certain she did not intend for him to take her seriously.

Last night had been therapeutic for him. She had danced with him…and not a simple two-step or the waltz; no, she had danced erotically with him. He almost felt like a normal man.

He meandered up the stairs and knocked on Christine's door. He had a plan forming in his brilliant mind that would set things in motion. He was not sure how much of being near her, his heart could take, without caving in…but he was suddenly willing to risk it.

Christine answered the door and Erik just gazed at the sight she was. She wore a white sundress, with lace accents, white leather sandals, no hose; her hair was loose and flowing, with a white ribbon, and no make-up.

He gave her an approving smile, and then watched as she raked her eyes over his form. He had put on a pair of Blue Cult jeans, a black muscle T-Shirt, and black leather polo shoes by Ralph Lauren.

Christine smirked seductively and purred, "As my grandma in Alabama used to say, 'You look good enough to eat!'"

Erik chuckled as she showed him into her room. She had prepared breakfast and had it sitting out on her balcony table, ready for them to enjoy.

"How did you get the cook to prepare French toast so early in the morning, she normally waits until much later to cook." He smiled, "She's not an early riser."

Christine put on her most hurtful look, "Your cook didn't make this, I did."

Erik had not expected that, "You did?" He repeated.

Christine giggled and shook her head, "I can cook, if that is what you're thinking."

Erik was not thinking anything of the sort, "No, it's just that…no woman has ever cooked for me – except my sisters and Ms. Carter."

Christine was not blind to the shocked appreciation in his eyes, she felt wonderful knowing that she was the first (and hoped to be the last) woman to cook for him.

She came around to stand beside him and boldly reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. She noted his quick intake of breath, and the astounded look on his face.

He immediately placed his fingers where her lips had touched him…not believing that she had actually taken a chance and kissed his hideous face.

They sat together and ate the breakfast which Christine had prepared for them. Erik had never had anything so delicious…of course, he realized that it could have tasted like cardboard and he would not have cared…she was willingly spending time with him and eating with him.

As Erik finished his third, and final, piece of French toast, he decided it was time to put his plan in motion.

"The breakfast was delicious, thank you." He complimented.

She bowed her head in response and smiled, "You are most welcome."

"Christine, I was hoping that you would take a hill country tour of Scotland with me today." He stated, trying not to sound desperate or doubting.

Christine looked up at him and smiled sweetly, "I would love to."

Erik had expected some sort of delay in her decision; surely, she would have to go over the pros and cons of being seen with him? But, there had been no hesitation in her voice or in her eyes.

"Good, we will leave in about a half an hour; just give me a chance to arrange a few things." He jumped out of his chair and headed toward the door. "By the way, you look absolutely ravishing…don't change a thing."

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Christine was having a hard time maintaining her cool; she was nervous, excited, and anxious – all at the same time.

Erik had retrieved her from her room, exactly thirty minutes after he had left it. Christine had heard the helicopter, but had not known that she would be sitting in it; which she was.

This was a new experience for her and one to which she was looking forward. Erik sat beside her, looking unbelievably handsome in the same clothes he had been wearing earlier, except he had put a white shirt on over the muscle shirt; unbuttoned and hanging loose…Christine had to check several times just to make sure she was not visibly drooling.

As they flew over his island and toward the mainland, Erik pointed out various spots of interest, making sure Christine was comfortable and happy.

For her part, Christine was having a hard time concentrating on the individual points of interest that he was showing her…he smelled heavenly and she just wanted to curl up in his arms.

She wondered what kind of car they were going to take on their tour. She hoped it was one where she could sit really close to Erik; bucket seats would be a problem, but she could manage.

The helicopter landed in Crianlarich and Erik helped her out, thanked the pilot, and they walked over to the one thing Christine had not expected, but was so happy to see; a K 1200, Limited Edition, Ocean Blue Metallic BMW motorcycle.

She glanced over at Erik and caught him looking at her; she grinned and winked at him. He could have sworn her heard her say "Perfect", as she headed for the bike.

She pulled her hair up and put on the helmet, then swung her leg over the bike and sat in the back seat.

Erik sat down in front of her, marveling that she was willing to be this close to him all day; he already had it figured out; half way through the tour…she was doing the driving.

TBC