MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 32
As disconcerting as his meeting with Alexandria McGuire has been, Erik felt invigorated and renewed. What was it about a beautiful, desirable woman wanting to bed him that had his spirits so high?He couldn't rid himself of the silly grin that had been on his face ever since he got back to the hotel. He was treating himself to a hot bath when his cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hi gorgeous."
"Christine…do you have any idea what your voice does to me?"
"I think I do, it's probably the same thing that your voice does to me.
He chuckled pleasantly and pictured her lying on her bed with the phone to her ear…blushing shamelessly from impure thoughts of him.
"You're coming home tomorrow, right?"
Erik heard the hopeful lilt in her voice as she waited for his response. If possible, she was even less self confident than he was.
"Yes, my plane comes in at 2:30 and my car is parked at the airport…don't worry, I'll be there at 5:00, just as I promised."
"I miss you so much, Erik…I never thought I could feel this way about anyone."
"I know what you mean; I had almost given up on finding anyone who would love me, especially with the scars and all."
"You're the only one who lets those scars bother you, Erik…all I see is an extremely attractive man who has captured my heart."
Erik sighed loudly and chuckled.
"I got the contract…the final contract will be coming to me in the mail within a few days, but the junior CEO was very impressed and liked every design I showed her over dinner tonight."
There was a very loud pause at the other end of the phone and Erik waited for her to say something…anything.
"Christine….are you there?"
"You didn't tell me that the junior CEO was a woman."
Her voice was slightly accusing, but once again, Erik had to chuckle.
"I didn't know that Alex McGuire was a woman until she approached me at the restaurant."
"Was she beautiful and smart?"
Warning bells went off in his head, and Erik knew he was treading on thin ice…instinct assured him of that. The best thing was honesty, and he knew this.
"Yes, she was…and very open and forward about her sexuality; but I'm yours Christine…and you know that I love you"
"So you didn't give into her feminine wiles?"
Finally, Erik heard a smile in her voice.
"No…I found it flattering that she wanted me…but that's all…." Erik chuckled again, "…for so long, I hid away from society thinking women would only find me disgusting and loathsome."
"Until I found you."
"Yes, until you found me and I had no choice but to fall madly in love with you."
Christine giggled, "I love you too, Erik…I'm sorry for being jealous."
"Don't be…it's flattering to me; especially since I don't get what you see in me to begin with."
"Everything." She breathed, causing a thrill of pleasure up Erik's spine.
"I want you to know that you can trust me, Christine…don't ever doubt that."
"I trust you, it's the women I don't trust."
"Well, it does take two…If I don't give in…nothing happens."
"I love you, Erik…I suppose I ought to be getting some beauty sleep." She sighed, "Then, when I wake up, I'll be that much closer to seeing you."
"I love you too, Christine – and you're already beautiful….I'll see you soon."
♫♫♫
He was prompt, and Christine rushed to set the table as Erik made his way up the stairs to her apartment.
When she opened the door, she practically threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"I feel like a lost puppy when you're gone." Christine murmured.
"Believe it or not, that makes me smile."
Christine swatted him, this time on his forearm, and smiled warningly at him.
"How often do you go on trips like this?"
"Only when my designs are being requested and the client requests for a personal meeting…not more than once every few weeks or so."
Christine lopped her arms around his neck and drew him down for a delicious kiss. She moaned sensually as he teased her lips with his tongue and then moaned even louder when he took her mouth with deliberate, demanding strokes of his tongue.
She melted against his hard frame and could feel the evidence of his desire through his blue jeans…he was happy to see her, and that made her press against him even more surely and smile against his mouth.
He broke the kiss and planted her firmly on the ground. She licked her lips to savor the flavor of him and then watched him walk toward the small kitchen.
He was wearing faded blue jeans, a green v-neck sweater, and a brown sports jacket. His brown boots were slightly scuffed and he hadn't shaved…in a word…he looked beautiful; and Christine couldn't take her eyes off him.
"I love your beard stubble, it's so soft."
He grinned and pounced on her as she passed by him. "Come here and I'll show you just how soft it is."
She giggled as he attacked her cheek with his beard and rubbed her neck with it. Everywhere she moved, she exposed another part of her against which he enjoyed rubbing his cheek
"There, now I believe I can enjoy the rest of the evening." Erik breathed, smiling impishly and winking at her.
"Do you have to shave the scarred cheek, or does it not grow hair?"
Erik held her in his arms and removed the mask that concealed his scars. Christine put her hand to the warm flesh and rubbed gently.
"It's so smooth and soft."
Erik smiled and kissed the palm she had against his cheek.
"After countless surgeries and all the tissue damage, there are no hair folicules left…I don't have to worry about shaving my right side."
Christine rose up to her tiptoes and kissed the softness of his cheek, "I love it…it's so beautifully different from the other cheek – but they both belong to the same beautiful man."
Erik could have sworn his heart was singing.
♫♫♫
The meal was superb, as Erik knew it would be. He especially enjoyed the French fries; they were one of his favorites.
"Would you like dessert now, or when we get back from the game?"
Erik thought for a moment and decided that now would be good…he had other plans for after the game.
"Now."
She dished up the chocolate mousse she had made last night and watched Erik's eyes light up at the anticipation of devouring the masterpiece in front of him.
It didn't take him long to polish the plate clean and smile broadly. He leaned back in his chair, like a man content, and closed his eyes.
"A man could get used to this."
"To what?" Christine asked.
"To the little woman putterin' about in the kitchen, rustlin' up some grub, and lookin' all purdy."
Erik was talking with a very thick, southern United States accent, and Christine could not keep from laughing.
"You are so silly!" She giggled again, watching as he arose to chase her around the kitchen, which wasn't much of a chase; for the kitchen was small.
She ran into her bedroom and locked the door, telling him she was going to finish getting ready to go and she would be out in a few minutes.
They would be leaving in twenty minutes to get to the school on time. Christine needed to be there by 7:15 to get ready for her solo, and the game started at 7:30.
She emerged, wearing blue jeans and a Central High School Bobcats sweatshirt. She had her hair swept up in a ponytail and it poked out the back of a ball cap that covered her head…Erik thought she looked adorable.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Ready." He replied.
TBC