Yes, things are coming to an end shortly. I must say, I have enjoyed writing this and hope to be able to do another modern story sometime; when an idea make a full run in my head.

In the meantime, I have other ideas bumping around in the empty vat that is my brain; when they become organized, I will put them on paper for your enjoyment.

Enjoy.

BEYOND THE SHADOWS

CHAPTER 22

When Erik's eyes opened the following morning, he experienced the strangest thing; he felt joy in his heart and a genuine thankfulness for the life that he had.

In about a week's time, Christine had turned him into a better man and given him a purpose to get up every morning. He marveled at how well she fit into the crook of his body as she rested beside him. He had never thought to experience this phenomenon, but he thanked God for giving him the chance.

He gently hugged her closer to him and felt her stir in his arms. She turned over and lay facing him, with a huge grin on her face.

"Hello there, handsome." She stated.

Erik reached over and pulled the hair from her eyes, "Hello, beautiful."

Christine moved in closer and placed a kiss upon his mouth. She lifted teasing eyes to his and smiled provocatively, "I'm willing to bet that we have enough time to take care of some urgent business before breakfast."

Erik lifted his brow and smirked, "That depends on the nature of the business, Mrs. St. Clair."

She smirked back, slid her hand down his chest and abdomen, and wrapped her hand around his erect staff. Erik moaned and allowed his head to drop back onto the pillow, as she adored him with her hands and mouth.

They made love again, slow and sweet - and then again, rough and rowdy…after that, they were both famished. They took breakfast out on the terrace, packed up, and headed home; they had a masquerade party to prepare for.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

They walked toward the front door and were surprised when it was flung open by Rebekah, Rachel, and Meg; they all ran out and bombarded them with hugs.

Rebekah, always the mothering sister, pulled Erik to her and looked deep into his eyes.

"I've never seen you look so happy, Erik…I love you, I hope you know that – always." She said through the tears running down her cheeks.

Erik smiled down at his sister and pulled her in for a deep hug, "I know that, you have never ceased to show it, even when you were giving me premature gray hairs."

Rebekah responded by giving him a sisterly thud on the arm and smiling. She knew she had given Erik a hard time when she was younger, but he had never failed to show her his love.

Christine came up to him and stood in the crook of his arm. She kissed his cheek and smiled at Rebekah.

"Now, if everyone will move out of the path, I am going to carry my wife over the threshold of our home." Erik announced, as he reached down and effortlessly lifted Christine into his arms.

Christine wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder as he walked through the door and into the hallway. He gently placed her back on her feet and placed a kiss on her lips.

"Well, I think the first order of business is for me to move my things into OUR room…don't you think?" Christine inquired with a smile.

Erik laughed, "I'll race you up the stairs and to the room!"

He took off in a mad dash and flitted across the steps to prevent her from passing him. She tackled him once they got to the top of the stairs and Erik mockingly surrendered as she tickled him without mercy.

"That was completely unfair!" She protested, as she pinned him beneath her on the floor.

Erik wore a wolfish grin as he pled his case, "From where I am, I don't see it that way at all!"

Christine laughed and claimed his mouth in a passionate kiss, completely forgetting that they had a smiling and entranced audience.

"You two need to get a room!" Nadeesh yelled with a grin on his face.

"We have one! We just haven't made it there." Erik teased back as they got up and made their way down the hall.

It only took a few minutes for Christine to move her belongings into their bedroom. She had never seen, what once were, the sleeping quarters of the former bachelor, Erik St. Clair.

His taste in décor was as refined and cultured, much like the man himself. Christine admired the burgundy and cream-colored drapes, furniture, flooring and anything else that she laid her eyes on.

"How much do we need to get from New York and bring here?" Erik asked as they finished the last of her clothing.

"Just Cheshire, and all my pictures of Daddy." Christine stated, "The rest of it holds memories of a life I am leaving behind."

"What about your car?"

"I am going to donate it to the free clinic on 34th Ave.…they are always needing a car to take patient's back and forth for dialysis or other treatments." Christine stated.

"That's a great cause, Christine." Erik stated with a proud smile on his face.

She walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and smiled as he returned the gesture.

"Now, my husband, before we have to get ready for the party tonight, I want to hear some more of that superb piano playing." She playfully demanded.

Erik led her to the music room and played for a solid two hours as his wife listened with a look of pure bliss on her face.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Getting ready for the masquerade was a harrowing experience. Christine wanted to look sexy and innocent – not an easy task for a woman whose husband could melt her resolve with just a lift of an eyebrow!

She managed to get her costume on and chose to wear a push-up bra to accentuate her full bosom. Erik had commented on that particular part of her anatomy, and she soon determined that he was a breast man…he wanted them all the time and made contact with them as often as he could – but she was not complaining.

Her custome fit her beautifully, and she knew Erik would not be able to take his eyes off her for the entire evening; after all, wasn't the whole purpose behind the costume in the first place?

While she was in the process of arranging her hair in manner befitting of her costume, Erik walked into the bathroom looking achingly gorgeous.

Most men would look ridiculous in a ruffled shirt with an open front, and puffy sleeves; but not Erik…he looked delectable! Christine mouth was watering already, and they had not even left.

His black, silk pants clung to his strong thighs in all the right places, and his shapely, tight backside was so tempting that Christine was certain she would be warding off a few pinches that were sure to come Erik's way; that thought made her smile with pride and green with jealousy.

"Darling, I am not sure that you are fit for public display in that outfit…the female population is likely to chase you down and try and have their way with you." Christine remarked as she raked her hungry eyes over his magnificent form.

Erik grinned seductively and lathed his eyes over her comely shape, "As long as the only one who catches me is you…I don't see a problem." He teased.

He motioned for her to turn around. He came forward and planted his hands in her thick hair. He manipulated it into the style she wanted and pinned it to stay in place. He lingered for a moment and planted a kiss upon her neck; then he took her hand, led her down the hall, and eventually, onto the waiting helicopter.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Erik! My man, it is good to see you again!" Rodney, Duke of Wellington, stated as he approached them.

He held his hand out, Erik gripped it firmly, and the two men shared an exchange of pleasantries. Erik placed his hand on Christine's elbow and presented her to Rodney.

"Rodney Chesterfield, I would like you to meet my wife, Christine St. Clair…" Erik watched with amusement as Rodney's face lit up with merriment.

"Wife!" He exclaimed. "A couple of days ago, she was your girlfriend…now she's your wife?"

Rodney took Christine's hand and bowed over it, placing a chaste kiss upon it. He lifted up and gave Erik a knowing wink to which Erik just nodded his head.

"Christine St. Clair, Rodney Chesterfield, Duke of Wellington." Erik stated.

"It is, indeed, an honor to meet you, your grace." Christine stated and curtsied.

"Oh posh with the formalities, just call me Rodney." He offered with a grin, "The lovely creature coming up behind you is my wife, Clara."

A robust woman in her early forties with dark brown hair and soft brown eyes planted a kiss on his cheek and smiled up at him.

Rodney kissed her back and the love the two had for each other shown easily in every look they shared.

"Clara, this is the architect that designed our home, Erik St. Clair and his lovely wife, Christine."

Clara regarded Erik with a motherly scan and smiled, "My, but you do look ravishing in that outfit, my lad…quite the eye catcher." Her smile was approving and Christine giggled at the Scottish brogue with which she spoke.

Erik bowed in recognition of her compliment and placed a kiss upon her hand.

"Thank you, my lady." He replied.

Christine noticed that the female attendees were looking at Erik with more than just mild interest. She had to smile at that; Erik had stated, more than once, that he would never draw the attention of women; if only he would look around and see them watch his every move.

Erik did look every inch the Latin lover in his Don Juan costume. To go along with the white ruffled shirt and black silk pants, he wore a black velvet vest with intricate designs embroidered on to it; black leather shoes, a black mask to cover the entire upper portion of his face; and the final, and most sexy touch, a black cape with Spanish detail.

In a word, he lookedlike a dark, dangerous lover and every woman wanted to be Christine at that moment.

"Shall we dance, my love?" Erik asked, as he pulled her to his hard body.

Christine had never danced the Tango before, and Erik enjoyed teaching it to her. The dance was passionate and intimate, and the two of them made a striking couple on the dance floor.

Erik's elegant and graceful movements made Christine comfortable and confident. It did not take long for her to get the moves down and the two of them moved together like a well-oiled machine.

"I am so pleased to see him happy." Rodney whispered to his wife as they danced. "He has had a very troubled past and a violent childhood."

"You're a good man, Rodney…" Clara cajoled, "…a good man."

The evening progressed with dinner and more dancing. Erik danced with Clara a couple of times and Christine danced with Rodney.

Erik had been approached by several of the nobles, requesting his services with their summer homes, or family estates…Rodney had been correct, they would certainly keep him busy if he desired it.

"Thank you for caring about Erik, your grace, he speaks highly of you." Christine said as she shared a dance with Rodney.

"Erik is like the son I never had…we have a great deal in common and he is worthy of far more recognition than he has received, but he refuses to allow me to do anything for him." Rodney stated. "Of course, that doesn't stop me from talking." He remarked with a wink. "I'm glad you came into his life…I have never seen him so happy and content." Rodney could see the love she had for Erik shining in her eyes and radiating off her, "It is good to see young people in love."

The evening started to wind down and Erik and Christine had meant numerous people and danced every Latin dance there was.

"Rodney, I do believe Christine and I will call it an evening. This has been a wonderful evening, thank you for inviting us." Erik declared.

"Where are you staying?" Rodney asked.

Erik smiled, knowing he would ask them to stay here, but he was anxious to spend his first night with Christine in their bed.

"We were married last night, had our honeymoon at The Ritz, flew back home to get ready for tonight, and came here." Erik announced, "I want to take my wife home."

Rodney laughed, knowing how anxious Erik was, "Alright Erik, I understand…I'll talk to you tomorrow, same time."

They left the main hall of Rodney's elaborate home; although, Christine had to admit that their home was more practical and easier to live in. – and equally as spacious.

"Did you have fun, my love?" Erik asked as they were in the helicopter headed home.

"I did…I had no idea you were such a dancer." She teased, casting him a bright smile.

"Ahhhh, there is a great deal you have to learn about me…and I about you." Erik teased, "The first thing I wish to learn as soon as we get home, is how quickly I can get you out of that outfit and into my bed."

A thrill of desire ran up Christine's spine as she anticipated being in Erik's arms and making love again…he was such a magnificently giving and talented lover…even if he'd had no experience until her.

She crawled into his lap and straddled his hips as she claimed his mouth in a fiery kiss of passion.

Erik knew the pilot could not see them; there was a plastic barrier between them that Erik had petitioned just yesterday. He feathered his hands up her thighs and under her skirt, enjoying the feel of her skin against his hands.

Their tongues melded together with driving force, making sucking noises as they devoured each other in passionate interludes.

"Woman, you have completely bewitched me." Erik breathed, as he reined kisses down her neck, over her bare shoulders, and back up her neck.

He brought his hand around and cupped her breast through the thin material, finding her taut nipple ready for his attention. He fluttered over its rigid sweetness with the tip of his thumb.

Christine whimpered at his maddeningly enjoyable touch, and threw her head back with a moan. Erik kissed up that long throat and left little, pink, bite marks up her neck.

Erik pulled out of the kiss and smiled, "This will proceed in our room at the house…I want to hear you scream my name in ecstasy while writhing beneath me, or on top of me, or in front me on your knees…" he grinned and looked upward, "…probably all three, but it will be in our bed."

Christine grinned at him with a slight pout on her lips, but she was already moist and ready for him, and they were still fifteen minutes from home.

TBC