M rating goes into effect here!

Rose33

Erik did an amazing job of keeping Christine's lips and tongues occupied. He whispered in her ear and told her exactly what he wished to do to her, planting kisses along her wrists and her neck. No wonder his manuals were so dog-eared, she thought as he caressed her stomach with his broad hand. Soon enough, with kisses and promises, she'd forgotten what she wanted to talk about.

"Oh, I am definitely one with the raging fires and all-consuming passion," she sighed as she linked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

He knelt over her, his arousal pressed against the inside of her thigh. "Bodies entwined," he murmured. "Perfectly fit together."

"Oh, yes. Yes! Yes!"

His head jerked back. "Did you…?"

"No, not yet. But I'm ready." She unfastened each button and shimmied his trousers down his hips. His clothes were soon piled atop hers where they lay forgotten.

"Christine, I love you," he sang softly as he gazed into her eyes.

"Erik," she whispered back. She ran her finger along his ear, saw the desire in his pale eyes. She wasn't sure if it was physical or emotional need, but she granted him reassurance that both would be sated. "I love you too."

He fit his mouth over hers and slipped his hand beneath her. As he held her close, he penetrated her with one long, swift stroke and settled deep within her body. His eyes remained open, his gaze meeting hers. With a soft kiss to her forehead, he moved inside of her, stroked her gently at first, then faster, harder. She cradled him between her thighs, pressed her heels against the back of his legs and urged him deeper, wanting to feel each inch of him.

She needed him, not only as a lover but as her companion. Liberated, uninhibited, she ran her fingers through his hair and murmured how much she cared for him, how she'd always wanted to know him. At last the time was right, finally there were no more games and no more deception. They had always been connected, but now they were one.

Each thrust became more urgent, each moan turned louder, filled with increased desire. She begged him to not hold back, to give himself freely—just as he desired from her. It sent him over the edge, drove him so deep she felt her body tingle with release. Her legs trembled, her body limp beneath his. Barely able to catch her breath, she savored his final kisses, the way he ran the heel of his hand over her nipples until she was completely satisfied.

"Stay with me," he requested. He laid his head on her chest and closed his eyes. "Stay with me forever."

She kissed the top of his head, wanting to stay with him, but not in the basement. The humidity would do nothing for her hair, she was certain of it.

"We belong here, together."

So much for silence, she thought as she closed her eyes and hoped a kiss was answer enough.

-o-

Christine was able to adapt. Erik was certain of it. She would learn to forget the sun, the way the clouds hung white in the sky, the feel of daytime. She would love the night, savor each sensation. Intrigue would draw her to darkness, and the hidden promises he would show her would keep her content for a lifetime.

It was nothing short of perfect. Their lives were etched like stars in the sky. Nothing could stop destiny.

For the majority of the day he walked around in an ignorance-induced fog while Christine napped. He busied himself with revising old compositions and taking an inventory of his wine cellar. The wine cellar reminded him of Madame, and thoughts of the ballet mistress reminded him of the Vicomte.

Just what was the little handsome twit doing, he wondered. Off tying a new bow in his perfectly groomed hair? Ravishing a clueless, buxom Meg? Staring longingly at his own reflection? The possibilities were endlessly long and boring, which is why Erik felt his gut twisting. That idiot knew something—and as much as it threatened to kill him, he'd have to feign a civil nature in order to uncover the truth. Then he could kill the fool.

He glanced at Christine, who was asleep on her stomach, her mouth wide open. He smiled lovingly at her angelic though somewhat drool-covered lips and considered wiping the spittle from the corner of her mouth.

"Oh, Christine," he sighed.

She wouldn't appreciate him killing her childhood friend. True, there was a chance she wouldn't know it was him. He rolled his eyes at the thought. If anyone, even a mouse, ended up dead everyone whispered. It had to be the Phantom of the Opera. It wasn't as though some accidents were the unfortunate result of hiring a crew of drunken idiots. They had to blame the Phantom.

He flexed his hands as he paced. The Vicomte could easily be shrugged off, especially since he seemed fixated with his precious crocodile. But, Erik still wanted to kill Bouquet for laying his filthy hand on Christine. Nothing would ever change his murderous rage.

Violence was the perfect answer to a life hounded out by everyone, met with hatred everywhere. Never a kind word from anyone, no compassion anywhere.

He glanced at Christine again and knew it was no longer true. She was different. In all of his life he'd never met anyone quite like her before. She expected more from him, which he realized was exactly what he needed. For once someone had faith in him, which only rekindled the faith he had in himself. He wondered if it made her perfect or just as faulted.

All he knew for certain was he loved her and she loved him.

Slowly he stepped forward and studied his beloved Christine. "Believe, believe in me. Believe that my life can change, that I'm not stuck in vain. We're not the same, we'll be different tonight," he sang softly. "The impossible is possible tonight. Believe in me as I believe in you…"

"Tonight…" Christine whispered. She turned over and grasped his hand. "What are you singing? A new composition?"

He shook his head and sat beside her. "It's what I feel for you…for us. When I first took you by the hand and led you through the mirror I thought for certain you would understand…as long as I kept you by my side and allowed you to hear no other voice."

"Why would you…? I don't understand."

"I thought it was the only way. If you could only see the way I love you, then you would understand why I feel this way about our love. That is why you must stay here with me. I must protect you, which I failed to do at the Bal Masque. If you were harmed in any way, I would never forgive myself. You mustn't ever be far from—"

"Lay down." She tugged on his arm until he did as she requested. "I've heard you rustling papers and stomping about for the past hour. You've run yourself ragged, my dear, and now I must insist that I care for you." She leaned over him and rested her chin on his chest.

"No, Christine—"

"Yes, Erik." She smiled warmly and gazed into his eyes. "I insist. Tell me where your pantry is located and I will make you supper."

He hadn't known it was possible to tempt another with the promise of comfort. Not sex, not hours of passionate kissing and caressing, but merely a lazy evening.

"You cannot leave, Christine."

"I won't leave you. It hurts me each time you think I will leave you. Perhaps in the past you have been unable to trust others, but you have my word. I'm here with you."

He kissed her knuckles and nodded. Now that he was in bed he felt tired again.

"Stay here," he said as he wrapped his arm around her.

"It is warm and cozy, isn't it?" She smiled and snuggled closer. "I can imagine this bed beside a window where the sunlight streams through in the morning, and the sheer curtains dance in the breeze. Can't you see it? A large oak tree, and a bluebird singing only for us."

"I will sing to you."

She chuckled softly. "Are you jealous of a bluebird?"

"Protective."

"I've never had a man protect me from a bird before. You shall be the first."

"I will protect you from anything."

Her fingers grazed along his chest. "I have no doubt. My brave, passionate lover, defending his little chorus girl."

"I'm serious."

She was quiet for a moment. "I know. I only wish…"

"What do you wish?"

"Nothing. I'm quite content here."

And that's how she would stay as long as she remained at his side. However, if anyone dared to harm her? He only hoped that his good intentions could be backed up with the proper actions.

Lyrics twisted from "Tonight, Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins, "Down Once More" from ALW's The Phantom of the Opera, and "If You Could Only See" by Tonic.