Chapter 9

Eponine's breath came shorter as she followed Erik down. She hadn't realized until he kissed her that: A) not only did he care for her, he also wanted her, and B) she wanted him just as much. The idea that a man like him, with so much power and money, thought she was attractive made Eponine's heart melt all over again.

Erik threw his cloak on the floor as they reached the lair. He couldn't stop now, even if Eponine wanted to. Another kiss changed his idea of that; she groaned and leaned into his mouth, her tongue dancing with his.

He stood back and looked at her in the blue gown, looking very well-to-do in her own right. The swooping neckline and thin shoulder straps only enhanced his hunger and drive, and he came forward to remove it.

"Erik…" she whispered, and he stopped. The pause gave her small hands time to dart in and unknot his cravat. He threw off his jacket, waistcoat and cravat in one motion. Eponine pushed against him and before Erik knew it his back was up against the wall and her lips were joined to his again.

He spun her around and simply held her close to him. Eponine gasped when she felt his erection and tried to turn around, but he held her tightly.

"Do you want me?" he hissed in her ear. "Do you?"

"God, yes, Erik," she gasped.

He unbuttoned her gown in the back and threw it to the floor, then started to work on her corset. It fell away and she spun around, unable to hold still any longer. Unbuttoning his shirt, she pushed it over his broad shoulders.

Mustering all his self-control not to lunge, Erik reached out and, almost casually, flicked Eponine's chemise to the floor.

She wouldn't look at him as a hot blush seared her cheeks. Eponine wished silently that she had let her hair grow longer, perhaps so there would be one more thing to hide behind. Erik moaned with longing, and she felt his hand cup her cheek.

"You are beautiful," he whispered. Erik swept her up and laid her on the bed in the Louis-Philippe room. He wished he had more time to just look at her, but his erection was becoming more painful with every second he waited.

He ripped his trousers off, throwing them on the floor, and landed on the bed beside her.

Eponine caught his mouth in a flaming kiss, then began to move down his neck. She bit at his collarbone, sending desire tearing through his blood. Her fingers trailed down his chest, past his taut belly and stalled just before they reached his member.

"Keep going," he growled, out of his mind with want.

His hands clenched in fists as she stroked him cautiously, and he leaned closer to run his tongue over one of her hardened nipples. Eponine gasped and let go, her hair flying back over the pillows. Erik couldn't stand it anymore.

"Eponine, I need… you. I need to be… in you."

Her fingers ran through his hair feverishly. She couldn't think.

"Yes, Erik. Please, yes."

He raised himself high enough off the bed and thrust into her, hard and fast. Eponine cried out in pain. She hadn't been expecting anything like this. Erik held her until she calmed, then began to move inside her. Eponine rocked her hips with his, trying to relieve herself of the pain. Soon they both collapsed, and her world went dark.