I know things are moving slowly, but they are building their relationship as best they know how. Neither of them were prepared for the immediate and strong attraction they felt for each other; but once they realize there is nothing they can do to stop it, the sky's the limit!

Nothing is going to be revealed quickly, be patient my lovlies.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 13

Dinner parties - actually, parties in general – Erik had always hated them. However, he found himself engaging in meaningful conversations as the evening past and disliking them a little less than he had originally.

Rafe Chaucer was a smart, young, intelligent ad executive that Erik would have normally found atrocious and annoying, simply because of his obvious good looks; but not tonight.

Tonight, Erik was on top of the world. He didn't figure that it would last too long, so he was going to enjoy it while he could. He wasn't much of a drinker, so he steered away from the alcohol and chose Ginger Ale as his beverage for the night.

Christine, bless her, seemed intent on hearing every word he said and her eyes seldom left his person. Erik was rather baffled by this, having thought, for the greater part of the last six years, that no woman would want anything to do with him with half his face concealed.

Her smile was intoxicating and her laugh was so full of life, that Erik found himself lost in every aspect of her. In the eyes of the general population, she was not considered a great beauty, but her inner glow and the deep, keen intelligence burning in her green eyes had captured Erik's heart.

Her heart shaped face was smaller than it should be, making her eyes seem exceedingly big; her full lips dominated her lower face, and Erik found himself wondering if they tasted as good as they looked.

Dinner was winding down and Erik knew Evie was going to ask him to join her for some entertainment.

Evie had been monopolizing Meg and Rafe with plans for another photo session. Evie had told Erik that Meg had what it took to be a super model, and she wanted to help get her there.

As Erik watched Rafe watch Meg, it seemed to Erik that Rafe was a bit more serious about Meg than she was about him.

Who am I to give anyone advice about relationships? Erik asked himself.

After a couple of hours of mulling over details, finishing their lobster, and emptying two bottles of wine, Evie directed everyone into a large, studio-like room with a grand piano in the middle – beside the grand piano, rested a cello.

"It is common knowledge to those of us who are present, that my brother Erik is a renowned artist whose paintings are coveted from around the world; what some of you don't know, is that he is also an accomplished musician."

Erik smiled and interrupted, "So is Evie…as you will soon find out."

Christine's eyes followed Erik as he made his way over to the piano and deftly glided onto the bench. Evie sat down at the cello and Erik cleared his throat.

Christine's breath hitched in her throat as his eyes meant hers and she felt the warmth of his gaze infuse every inch of her body. This was the moment she knew had been coming, the moment that he sealed her fate with his voice.

"This is a piece that I wrote several years ago…in another lifetime; when I was a different man."

His voice was distant and laced with sadness, but Christine sensed that he was trying, with all that he was, to rise above it.

"She stares through my shadow,

She sees something more.

Believes there's a light in me

She is sure…

And her truth makes me stronger…

Does she realize

I awake every morning

With her strength by my side?"

His resonating baritone conquered every reserve that Christine had within her. She felt the warmth spread up her spine as his voice caressed her soul as deftly and as thoroughly as she was certain his hands would caress her body.

"I am not a hero…

I am not an angel…

I am just a man.

A man who's trying to love her,

unlike any other.

In her eyes, I am."

It was obvious that the song had been penned for a woman; a woman who had owned Erik's heart, and possibly still did. Christine remembered the shadowed image of pain she saw in Erik's eyes, and knew that this woman, whoever she was, held the key to that pain.

"This world keeps on spinning

Only she stills my heart.

She's my inspiration…

she's my northern star.

"I don't count my possessions...

but all I call mine

I will give her completely

'Til the end of all time.

Evie joined him on the chorus, her voice blending perfectly with his. She played the cello like a professional, complimenting Erik's piano with beautiful harmony.

"I am not a hero…

I am not an angel…

I am just a man.

A man who's trying to love her,

unlike any other.

In her eyes, I am."

No one moved or said a word, until Erik lifted his head and made eye contact with Evie. They shared a moment that no one else would ever share…Erik felt the joy of the music encompass him and knew that Evie felt it, too.

He stood and took an elegant bow, bowed to Evie, and then proceeded to play some soft background music while the others mingled and talked about anything and everything.

Christine walked over to stand beside him while he finished his playing.

"That performance was remarkable, Erik…I've never a heard a voice like yours." She looked down at him and smiled softly, "I didn't know that Erik Argeneau was a composer and a musician as well as being an extraordinary artist."

"I can't reveal all my secrets...where would the mystery be?" He teased. "I must say, there is much I don't know about you."

He smiled and stood up, towering over her once again…but he leaned his head down to talk to her, making her feel as though her thoughts and opinions were important to him.

"Do you sing?" He murmured.

Christine's heart sped up at the closeness of him; she smiled coyly and looked down at her fidgeting fingers.

"Compared to you, I'm sure that I sound like a croaking toad." She whispered.

He leaned into her, once again, and whispered into her ear.

"That's a matter of opinion…don't you think?"

His breath was warm on the surface of her ear and down the side of her neck. He smelled so good, and Christine had to suppress the mental image of her lips reigning kisses all over the toned surface of his chest.

"How about that walk?" he asked in a hushed tone.

Her stomach took a leap at the chance to be alone with him again; and she felt her body about to melt into a gooey puddle.

She couldn't even muster up a verbal response; she merely nodded her head and smiled up at him.

Erik gave her his arm again, led her through the large apartment, and out the door.

TBC

Song is an excerpt from "In Her Eyes"; lyrics by Michael Hunter Ochs and Jeff Cohen; Music by Michael Hunter Ochs, Jeff Cohen, and Andy Selby – recorded by Josh Groban on his "Awake" CD.