Hey y'all, thanks for sticking by this story! I know it's been a slow start up but now I'm hoping things are going to start getting more interesting. I hope everyone enjoys this chappie!

Christina could feel Erik's fingers digging into her sides before one hand slid up into her hair to hold her so he could deepen the kiss. When they both came up for air Chris let her head fall to his shoulder, her own heaving from that kiss. The effect his kiss had on her. His breath teased her ear and neck, his hand grasping her hip, cherishing it. It had been so long since she'd felt anything close to this it was as if she were a young innocent discovering the joys to be had in another person's body.

She could feel the tenseness in Erik's body, his muscles taut with tension telling her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Chris nipped at his ear before pressing a hot kiss to his neck suckling gently. To say she was hurt when he pushed her away was probably an understatement. He saw that hurt flash in her eyes before she buried it away.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, it's not that I don't want you because god knows I do" he pulled her down for a searing kiss as proof of his desire "I want you so badly it hurts but I think we should allow this…relationship to progress a little further before we take that step"

Grudgingly she had to admit that she liked that idea, she was no longer a brash young girl who fell into bed with the first guy that tickled her fancy. Almost as though he was reading her thoughts he pulled her close before saying "I want to know that what we have is real and not just infatuation before we make love. I'm far too old for one night stands and much too conservative for friends with benefits"

Christina laughed "Where did you hear about Friends with benefits?" she asked still giggling.

"I'm not completely reclusive, I do own a television set" he replied with a grin.

"I see" she kissed his jaw "And I agree, doesn't mean I'm not disappointed" she said, wiggling a little bit, enjoying his groan before he set her on the bench next to him.

"Vixen" he said though his laughing eyes took the sting out of the insult.

"So where do we go from here then?" she asked grinning at him.

"I'm not entirely sure. It's been a long time since I 'dated'. I'm a bit out of practice"

"Well how about you come to my place for dinner tomorrow night?" she asked, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"I would love to darling but I have a business dinner I must attend" he traced her jaw line with a gentle finger "But I would like it if you would accompany me"

Feeling just a little bit of pride at that she smiled "I'd love that"

Erik pressed a soft kiss to her lips "Perfect, I'll be by to pick you up at 7pm. We're having dinner at the Victorian Manor"

"Fancy schmancy eh?" she teased "I have the perfect little black dress that-" her thought was cut off by his kiss.

"You tease me," he murmured before pulling her back onto his lap for deep kiss that had her grasping at his shoulders and pressing herself to him desperately. When they finally pulled apart they were both gasping for air.

"God this is a lot harder than I thought it would be" Christina muttered, delighting in his shiver as she kissed his neck.

"You are a wonderful balm for my poor battered ego" Erik said with a chuckle.

"Why is that?" she asked as she ran a hand through his hair, watching his eyes shut as his head pitched back in pleasure.

"Need you ask?" when she continued to look at him he sighed, "I'm not what society would consider a 'handsome fella'"

"That's bullshit Erik and you know it," she pressed a silencing finger over his lips when he began to protest. "You have the most unique green/yellow eyes, the color isn't the only thing that's unique. When you're angry or sad they turn dark green, just like they do when you're aroused" she blushed as she continued "Your lips" she traced a finger over them "Kissable" she did just that "Your jaw…strong" a finger traced it "your body?" she breathed, her hands running over his shoulders, down his back and up to his face again "Delicious. You're so graceful when you walk, like every movement is so effortless"

Enjoying his blush as she gushed about him Chris pulled his face to her level "Never think for a moment that you are unattractive. You're downright sexy Erik and I'm going to spend the rest of my days proving that to you" she kissed him, hotly, desperately.

When she thought she could take no more Erik pulled away, gasping for air and in shock. Her words had stirred more than just his heart and breathing…every word made him desire her even more. "Christina you are driving me mad" he muttered before claiming her mouth again, his hand starting at her hip before sliding up to the curve of her waist and a little further till it was resting gently against the side of her breast.

When she felt his hand against her breast she thought she would die. Before she could explore him he pulled away and sat her down on the bench before pushing himself off and away. It was painfully obvious that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Damn his self-restraint!

"You make me feel terribly slutty for wanting you so damn bad"

He laughed before kneeling in front of her "You could never be that my dear, I'm very flattered you feel that way. I've never felt this way about anyone before…this loss of control, this desperate need to feel you" he kissed her "Because I feel that way I don't want to mess anything up. I want to know everything about you, what makes you sigh in pleasure, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry before I make love to you."

"You know if you weren't such a smooth talker I would not be nearly as willing to go along with this 'wait' plan" she teased with a quick peck to the lips.

Erik laughed before pushing himself to his feet and drawing her up with him "I have some work to do before my meeting tomorrow, will you be terribly mad if I have Stephan drive you home?"

"Not at all, I should probably grade some papers anyway. Thank you for today, for everything" she gave him a soft kiss and turned to hobble into the house.

A few hours later Erik was immersed in design specs and arguing Nadir with the proper output to input ratio for the pipeline he had designed and Chris was grading papers. The way 6th graders view the world was astounding, it was also a tad bit amusing to see how her students had taken the information about Napoleon and interpreted it.

The phone shocked her out of her paper grading stupor by the shrill ring of her cell phone. She glanced at the front screen and saw that it was an 'unavailable' number so she hit the ignore button and continued. Ten minutes later her phone rang again, a little annoyed now she turned the damn thing onto vibrate, hit the ignore button and turned back to her papers. As though the world was conspiring against her the phone started vibrating. Unable to take it anymore she picked up the phone and issued an angry "Hello?"!

Nothing but deep, heavy breathing came from the other end. Chris hung up and flung the phone onto the table. Slightly shaken up Chris went to her front door to make sure it was locked, after that was done she checked all her windows and the sliding glass door that led to her patio. Convinced that she was safely locked in she returned to her kitchen table and finished the papers. Her eyes burned from the strain of reading for so long, so she made herself a cup of tea and went to bed. From her bedside table her phone continued to ring every ten minutes. She didn't bother answering it; the heavy breathing sicko was making her a little nervous.

Christina finally fell into an uneasy sleep and woke up feeling cranky and out of sorts. Dragging herself to the shower and into her morning routine helped. Her students seemed to notice her bad mood so they behaved very well for her; once the final bell rang she collapsed at her desk as the final student scampered out of the classroom. She heard a knock and looked up to see Nick standing there, looking handsome and a bit…cocky? What was he up to?

"Bad night?" he asked, leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed over his chest.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that" she tried to smile.

"Want to talk about it?"

Chris shook her head "Not really." She glanced at her watch and almost groaned she still had that business dinner to get through. "I should get home"

"I could drive you, maybe we could get a cup of coffee" Nick pushed himself away from the jamb and approached her desk.

Chris thought she'd made it clear that she didn't really want to see him in a social setting anymore. Something about him and she didn't know what it was, but something just set her on edge about him. That story that Erik told her and his side of the same story disturbed her, it shouldn't…it was almost six years ago but it still bothered her. Something about Nicholas was almost…predatory and she felt like the prey, a feeling she was not comfortable with at all.

"Nick, I told you I wasn't interested. I'm sorry but I have plans tonight"

"Another man?" He asked suddenly, his sherry brown eyes lit up in a way that made Chris's skin crawl.

Deciding that maybe honesty was best she nodded "Yes"

Nick's mouth formed a grim line "You should stay away from him, he's a bad man"

Christina frowned "I'm not sure that's any of your business Nicholas. Now, I have to go" she grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder and hurried past him, anxious to be away. What she had taken for charm was really just an act, a very well constructed façade that anyone could fall for.

Making sure her car doors were locked before she drove off, Chris looked out her rear view mirror and saw a form watching her drive away. This was getting creepier and creepier by the minute. Was Nick the heavy breathing sicko from last night?

Once she arrived home she put all her flustered thoughts firmly out of her mind. Ensuring to lock her front door she dropped her back in the closet in the entry way and hurried upstairs, she wanted to look perfect for Erik tonight.

By the time 7 O'clock rolled around Christina was a vision. Her black dress had spaghetti straps that criss crossed in the back and the skirt fell to her knees in a pool of silk and moved with her beautifully. The neckline was low but not obscene, she matched the dress with a diamond teardrop necklace that had been a gift from her parents and matching earrings. Her curly locks were pulled to the side, draped over her shoulder with only a few curls escaping. A spritz of perfume and a pair of stiletto heels and she was ready to go. Stuffing her cell phone and all the necessaries for the evening into a black clutch as she hurried to get the door when she heard the bell ring. She pulled the door open and nearly shrieked when she saw not Erik, but Nicholas on her doorstep!

"What the hell are you doing here? You can't be here! You have to leave, now Nick!"

"Wow you look great," he said, ignoring her protests. He attempted to push his way into her townhouse but she braced herself against the door and refused him entrance.

"Nicholas, I'm not playing some game with you. I'm 'telling' you to leave right now and if you don't I 'will' call the police!"

He pasted an expression of faux hurt on his face "Come on Chris, just coffee!"

Christina's look was a mix of confusion and anger, how had the sweet, fun guy she'd dated turn into 'this'?! Finally anger won out when she saw Erik's familiar SUV pull up to the curb.

Turning a furious glare on Nick as she elbowed past him out onto her stoop, ensuring to make sure her stiletto heel dug satisfyingly into his toe as she locked her door before storming down the stairs to the car where Erik had stepped out, a look of anger on his face.

She heard Nick's cry of protest as he followed her down the stairs "Seriously Chris?! Montgomery? The son of a bitch who stole my dad's work? Is that why you were asking all those questions?" he fired the questions off in rapid succession his anger increasing with each inquiry.

He grabbed her arm and wrenched her back "Answer me damnit!"

Erik dashed around the vehicle just in time to see Chris twist her hand in his, wrenching Nicholas's arm behind his back and slamming him against the SUV.

"What about 'go away' are you having a hard time understanding? My life is 'my' business, NOT yours! Who I involve myself with is MY concern and if you ever so much as lay a finger on me again I will end you so completely that your family will wonder what happened. Stay. The. Hell. Away. From. Me." She flung him away, satisfied by the look of total shock on his face.

Wisely he said nothing as he stalked back to his car, getting in and slamming the door. As he took off Chris turned around to face Erik, she could feel the anger flowing off of him in waves.

"Erik, I'm sorry." She attempted a shaky smile, unwilling to admit just how badly she was shaken and grasped his hand, bringing him back to the present "Hey, I'm sorry about him. I didn't expect him to be so…crazy"

His eyes focused on her finally and he forced a smile on his face "Are you injured?"

Not physically, she shook her head in the negative but he could feel her body trembling. He pulled her into the safe haven of his embrace and rested his cheek against her head "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner my dear" he brushed a kiss to her head and pulled away to look at her, she looked scared…in a way he hadn't ever seen before and he'd seen her in the middle of a fire fight in a war zone.

He cupped a hand against her cheek and tipped her head up "Chris, I'm not mad at you. I'm upset that you are so shaken and that he bothered you. Would you like me to handle it?"

"No Erik, that's not necessary. I think he's learned his lesson. I just never suspected him to behave like that"

Erik brushed a curl away from her head and leaned in for a kiss "Shall we? I don't want to keep my business associates waiting"

"Yes, of course. I'm sorry Erik" she allowed him to open her door for her.

As he settled himself in the driver's seat he looked over at her and smiled "You look incredible tonight Christina"

The blush that crept up her cheeks was beautiful. "I apologize in advance if this meeting bores you, to tell you the truth these men bore me to tears and I usually have some idea of what they're talking about"

"Spending time with you is entirely worth it"

They pulled up to the restaurant that was an old Victorian manor that had been turned into a posh restaurant. The valet offered Erik his ticket and took the car off, Erik escorted her into the house, the scent of roses in the air for the entire house was surrounded by rose bushes. The entry way blended into the reception area, that had one time most likely been a salon, a dark wooded podium stood with a petite blonde all dressed in black behind it.

"Mister Montgomery, your party just arrived," she informed him with a wide smile, she gestured for them to follow. Expecting to be taken through the main dining room Chris was shocked to be taken back into the entry way and up the first flight of stairs. The room they entered had windows the entire way around the room, with one table set up in the center and full staff waiting to jump to action along the wall. Erik nodded his thanks to the young lady and steered Chris to the table with a hand on the small of her back.

Christina smiled when she felt his slight jerk when he encountered the smooth skin of her back rather than the silk of her dress. He nodded to the three men waiting at the table for them.

"Gentlemen, this is Christina Davies. Chris, this is Christopher Hayden, CEO of Hayden Engineering Company and Richard Ball, an Engineer from B&E Petroleum Distributors. And you of course know Nadir Khan"

Chris smiled at all the gentlemen, murmuring her 'hello'. Erik held her chair out for her before seating himself next to her.

Chris managed to look interested throughout dinner, though Erik was distracted through much of the meal, Nadir leaned over to her and kept her company while the men beat their chests and talked business. After what seemed like an eternity Chris saw the other men push their chairs out, collect their coats and leave with promises to send something to someone…Chris hadn't really been paying much attention.

Most of her dinner had been spent thinking about the incident before Erik picked her up. Her spider sense was tingling again but she couldn't exactly tell why. Surely Nick's behavior was odd but no reason for her suspicions to be roused, was there? With a mental slap Chris brought herself back to the present and saw Erik watching her carefully.

"Are you done my dear?" he asked in reference to the unfinished cup of coffee in front of her.

"Oh. Yes, I am. Thank you" she stood up and took Erik's hand as they walked out.

"I'm sorry if that was a terrible bore for you darling."

Chris pulled herself closer to Erik, pressing to his side "Not at all. I'm sorry, I've been distracted all evening haven't I?"

"Understandably. Would you care to talk about it?" he asked, before closing her car door. She hadn't even realized they had made it outside, nor that he had talked to the valet and handed his ticket over.

Once he was in the safety of the vehicle he looked over at her, her color had never returned fully and she looked concerned. "Christina, did he do anything?"

"Hmm?" she asked, confused before she understood the question "Oh. No, he had just showed up when you pulled up. I didn't realize he was going to be so pushy" she passed a tired hand over her eyes, warding off the headache that was forming. She pulled out her cell phone to check the time and gasped in shock to see 32 missed calls, all from an unavailable number.