My apologies for the tardiness! Two of my manuscripts were accepted and will be out in print by (cross your fingers) the end of the month. If you like Vikings and high sensuality please check my website in the next few weeks for more details.
Without further ado…
Rose30
Raoul had only begun to suggest to Meg the wonders of the horizontal cha-cha when an imposing figure dressed in blood red appeared through a closet door.
"My God!" shrieked Meg. "It's the janitor of the opera!"
Raoul, sensing how wrong Meg was, clapped his hand over her perfect bee-stung lips while the other rested on her ample bosom. "Not quite, my amorous little crocodile."
She shrieked with laughter, which made her chest jiggle. "You're a clever little weasel, Monsieur!"
Raoul cleared his throat. "I believe it is the Phantom of the Opera."
Meg leaned forward. "No, no. His sword appears much bigger than Mother has explained to me in dark stories of the night."
Both the Phantom and Raoul stared at her momentarily.
"Excuse me," Raoul said once he recovered his senses. "Have you lost your way?"
"In my theater?"
"Ah. Right. I had forgotten. You know everything about your theater, I'm sure."
The Phantom glared at him before he marched away.
Meg sighed dreamily. "Mother was right," she said. "Some men are better at leaving than coming." She patted Raoul's hand. "You're wonderful at both, weasel darling."
Her words caused The Phantom to stop and turn on his heel. He reached into his leather folder and shook a handful of papers at Meg's breasts.
"Now see here!" Raoul shouted. He shook his fists in defense of Meg's bosom, which in no way recoiled from the papers or the Phantom's hand, Raoul noted.
"Take this to the maestro. Tell him to stop this dreadful tune and play this at once," The Phantom commanded.
"You don't like paper faces on parade?" Meg pouted. She batted her eyes at The Phantom and stuck out her bottom lip, which distracted the Phantom from her bosom momentarily.
"Hypnotizing things, aren't they?" Raoul questioned with a knowing wink.
"Deliver my music," The Phantom huffed.
Raoul glanced over the first page and nodded. "Your theme music, I take it?"
"You're very fortunate I haven't killed you," The Phantom replied before he gathered his train and stormed off.
Raoul watched him round the corner and scratched his head, not quite seeing the reason behind Christine's affection. With a shrug, he turned and found Meg leaning on his arm.
"Shall we?"
He smiled. "Yes, we shall. Again and again and again."
-o-
"Oof!"
"My apologies."
"Ugh."
"I'm terribly clumsy."
"Great googly moogly, woman! How can you be a dancer and continue to trample my toes?" Joseph Buquet grumbled as he pushed Christine away. She backed into a man headed toward the drinks, who told her to watch what she was doing before he stomped off.
It had taken two songs to finally leave the dance floor, and once they stood off to the side she searched for Erik, who was still nowhere in sight.
She chewed on her bottom lip and sighed. If he didn't appear in ten seconds she would return to the lobby and see if he was in line.
Joseph grabbed her arm. "This way."
"Excuse me?"
"It's time for a refreshment, Mademoiselle."
"I'm not thirsty, but I thank you kindly."
"Nonsense. You look quite parched." He tugged on her arm and dragged her forward.
Christine dug her heels into the ground, which only squeaked. "I'm fine right here, Monsieur."
He started to protest until Madame Giry sidled up beside them.
"Joseph Buquet, unhand Miss Daae."
"She needs a refreshment."
Madame lifted her cane and immediately the stagehand stepped back. "You are through here."
"I am through here," he answered obediently.
"Mademoiselle Daae doesn't need a refreshment."
"Mademoiselle Daae doesn't need a refreshment."
Madame lowered her cane and ushered Christine away. "You look ravished."
"You mean ravishing?" Christine questioned.
"I mean what I said. You looked ravished." Madame pulled Christine so close she could smell the absinthe on her ballet instructor's breath. "Tell me, Christine, have you seen a Turkish man in hiding? You cannot keep them all to yourself."
"I haven't seen one. I swear, Madame. I'm waiting for Er—"
"Ah. Yes. Very well then. Carry on, my dear." She gazed toward the stairway. "It is time."
"Time?"
Before Madame answered the music started and Christine, along with the rest of the crowd in attendance, turned toward the stairs. The lights dimmed and the music changed. Holding her breath, Christine watched as Erik appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Oh, hell," Firmin said under his breath.
Christine glanced to her right and saw him standing several feet away. He hurriedly finished his wine and appeared to search for Andre.
"Three months of delight," she heard him say. "Pah!"
Andre appeared beside Firmin and together they stood and watched The Phantom descend the stairs to the beat of the music. Carlotta snickered until Erik drew his sword. With a gasp, she stepped back and held her tongue.
"Fondest greetings to you all," Erik said as he reached the middle of the stairs. "Did you think that I had left you for good?"
Madame grumbled something about finding Meg and another bottle of wine and slipped off, leaving Christine alone in her mesmerized state across from Carlotta and Piangi. She clasped her hands and gazed lovingly at her Red Death lover until she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders.
Erik turned away from her and threw his leather folder onto the floor. His finished opera spilled across the stairs. Christine started to step forward and stand at Erik's side but she was held back.
"Stay where you are, Christine," Joseph said in her ear. "Stay precisely where you are."
-o-
Raoul and Meg were at the end of the hall when Raoul touched his hip and realized his sword was missing.
"Oh, hell," he mumbled. "Meg, my precious little crocodile, we must return to the festivities."
"Oh, but my dearest weasel you promised me that you would bring me the angel of chocolate sauce."
"Yes, yes, hush Meg."
She pouted once more. "Don't you like the sound of my voice?"
"Why of course I do. But, my sweetest reptilian princess, you must understand: You're far too lovely to spend your time simply rambling on and on incessantly."
"Incessantly? But I have no brothers or sisters."
Raoul furrowed his brow. "Never mind. Make haste. I don't like being without my sword, Meg. It takes away my manhood."
They returned to the festivities to find Christine struggling with the stagehand in the corner.
Raoul gritted his teeth. "No one wrestles Christine in the corner," he growled like a rabid weasel.