ALL I KNOW OF LOVE
Erik and Christine are the creation of Gaston Leroux; the reference to Persia and some of its customs are derived from Susan Kay's book, "Phantom". All other characters and the backdrop of the story are the creations and property of GerrysJackie.
Some places and all names are fictional.
PLAYERS:
Erik – Gerard Butler - Perfect
Christine – The face and coloring of Zooey Deschanel (Failure to Launch, Elf) – and the body of Marilyn Monroe, except 3 inches taller
Gustav - Billy Connelly – Because I really like him.
Patrick Connelly - Paul Bettany – (A Knights Tale, Firewall, A Beautiful Mind)
Pascal – Mel Gibson's looks (slightly older with graying hair) with the cunning and cruelty of J.R. Ewing from "Dallas".
Madam Marie Forsythe – Miranda Richardson
James Lumpkin (the butler) – Daniel Davis (the butler from the TV show "The Nanny")
Kamilla – Georgie Henley (Chronicles of Narnia)
Duke Sergei Beauvais – Derek Jacobi (Underworld:Evolution)
Kaveh Hushmand - Oded Fehr (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns) - Thank you Mlle.Fox, for suggesting this striking actor as a model for Kaveh.
Use your imagination on all others.
This story has taken a while to develop, but I hope it has been worth it. I have several chapters already written, but I am taking my time. There is humor, drama, and romance in this story, so I hope you will enjoy it.
This rendition of Erik is one of a man who has suffered greatly in his life, at the hands of just about everyone in his life, but his spirit is still intact. He is less self-loathing than others that I have written, but he is very much aware of his self-proclaimed faults. He is dangerous and ruthless, but has had enough of death and destruction. Women are still a mystery to him, and he needs a strong, independent woman who is his equal in every way.
This Christine is not a drop-dead gorgeous woman, but her beauty is less assuming and soft…Erik will see it.
I will try to update twice a week, depending on how quickly I write chapters. I don't anticipate this being a particularly long story, but we'll see.
Enjoy.
Short but sweet. Thanks for the reviews - they mean a lot to me! I am posting this without a read through - it usually takes a couple of times for me to catch the mistakes and fix them. If you spy them, let me know - I will go back and make it right!
CHAPTER 16 – Teach Me
They weren't expected at Gustav's and Teresa's until next weekend; in the meantime, Christine decided to make a new dress for the ball. She and Beth bought the material and everything else that was needed and Kamilla and Giorgia lent helping hands.
Erik had not initiated another intimate session, and Christine, although very keen on the idea, wanted him to take charge. Her blood raced at the thought of his mouth on hers and the feel of his hands against her body…he had awakened a rampant maelstrom of desire within her and only he could appease it
They had played several games of chess and he had even challenged her to Billiards; a game she found quite entertaining – especially when she had the opportunity to observe Erik without him being aware of her wandering eyes.
She noted with growing interest the many pleasing attributes her husband possessed: He moved with masculine grace and predatory power, his body was in top form – from the dark tresses of his thick hair to the tips of his leather boots – and everything in between!
The mask had become a distant memory in her eyes; she knew it was something he felt obligated to wear for her sake and sake of others around him, but she hoped that he would find it in himself to relinquish the hold it had on him.
However, it was Tuesday morning and Christine had not seen Erik for a couple of days; she was told that he was completing an assignment for the Duke – a commission, so to speak.
"What sort of assignment, James?" Christine asked the butler.
James grinned, knowing that this young woman was responsible for the smile he had seen upon Erik's face earlier in the day.
"What would give you the idea that I know the answer to that question?"
Christine put her hands on her hips and scowled at him, "Because you know everything that goes on this manor, and probably the surrounding manors on all sides of Vassadelle." Christine teased.
"Why Lady Christine, you wound me!" James mocked, exaggerating the shocked look on his face, "I know what's going on in every manor from here to the border of Spain!"
They both laughed and Christine realized how dear this man had become to her.
"Alright, James…" Christine gently prodded.
"He's finishing an opera the Duke has asked him to write…but you didn't hear it from me."
Christine could do nothing but laugh softly as she watched James walk away from her, pretending as though he had said nothing.
She determinedly turned toward the music room and was about to knock, when the door opened and Erik appeared before her.
"Ohhh!" Christine startled.
"Christine." He purred and bowed his head.
"Yes, I was just coming to see what you were doing?"
He had an amused smile on his face, "Really; and how did you know where I was?"
"I was taking a chance that you were in the music room."
He looked so wonderful in his black pants and blue shirt. His eyes danced in pools of sea green – could the man be any more awe-inspiring than he was? She thought not.
She also noticed that his hair was loose again, and it hung around his face in raven waves…had it not been for the slight graying at his temples, Christine would have thought him no older than twenty-five.
"Well then, you found me….is there something I can do for you?" he remarked, with a slight smirk.
His mind suddenly filled with images of her writhing beneath him as she screamed his name out at the pinnacle of her release.
"Yes…" She responded, "You can teach me to use a sword."
The dark wing of his exposed brow arched at her suggestion, "You want to learn how to wield a sword?" he repeated incredulously.
Christine arched her own sculptured brows and a playful light lit her eyes, "Yes, I do…then I won't be the helpless female I discovered that I am and have found that I despise, passionately."
Erik could not argue with her logic, he knew how important her independence was to her; she never wanted to feel the victim again.
"Swords are too big and bulky for the female frame, even one as tall and deliciously winsome as yours." He purred. "You are more suited to the art of knife wielding."
There he was again, stating that he found some aspect of her attractive. She had always considered herself a bit too voluptuous for the male standard of attractive; but Erik seemed to appreciate in her curves.
"I assume you are seeking a means of protecting yourself against would-be attackers." He stated.
Christine nodded and noticed a fleeting look of pride cross his features; she knew at that moment that he would teach her everything he could about knife throwing and wielding.
"When do we begin?" Christine challenged.
Erik shook his head and smiled; a beautiful, full-mouthed smile that made her knees go weak.
"Tomorrow, 10 am – do you intend to use your newly acquired skills on me?" Erik inquired.
Her smirk was arrogant and terribly adorable, "Only if you try to stay away for extended periods of time – I prefer you here – with me…I would hate to have to pin you against the wall by your shirt tails…"
Erik amusingly scoffed at her threat and found himself oddly aroused by her show of aggression.
"That's not an entirely unpleasant thought….being pinned by you." He smirked impishly.
His ornery look made her laugh and she realized, in that very moment, that all she wanted to do was make this man realize he was as attractive as he was capable and brilliant; she knew he felt she only wanted friendship, but she wanted far more than just his friendship. For the first time in her adult life, Christine wanted a man to completely possess her – not own her – but possess her; body and soul – and she him.
She moved toward him, placed her hands on his chest, and absently played with the buttons on his shirt. She fixed her wistful eyes on his and was mesmerized by the seductive glint she saw nestled in his green orbs.
"The night I heard you singing to Timmy…your voice is very…angelic." Christine whispered.
Erik felt his heart speed up from the closeness she instigated; and his body sprang to life like the parched desert receiving rain for the first time in years. Embarrassment clouded his eyes and he backed away from her.
Christine did not let him retreat; she took a step towards him for every step he took back. It only took a few steps for him to be backed up against the hard surface of the wall.
She nuzzled the warmth of his neck and breathed in his heady scent – a mix of exotic Persian spices, rich leather, and expensive Brandy.
She moved her lips over his scorching flesh and felt a tremble move through him. Her breath whispered over him as she spoke.
"Would you sing a song…just for me?"
Erik had never sung for a woman before. Nicholle had shown no interest in his music – or anything he did, for that matter.
He swallowed deeply and tried to ignore the rampant surge of desire that sprang into his parched loins. His voice was hoarse and husky…
"We go from talking about throwing knives and being pinned down to talking about singing…you are certainly full of surprises."
Christine smiled and leaned her full bosom into this hard chest. His eyes closed in sensual alarm as he felt his body once again betray him.
Christine relished the power she held over him. She had seen the courage and fortitude he possessed, and had witnessed the legendary man that everyone knew him to be…but one touch from her, or even a word from her, and he was soft and pliable in her hands.
"Play for me…" She purred.
She slowly withdrew from him and he casually strode over to the piano.
"This is a song I wrote a couple of weeks ago." He stated with a slight measure of unease.
The melody flowed expertly from his deft fingertips and then his voice joined the melody and Christine melted into his musical kingdom.
"Let me fall…
Let me climb…
There's a moment when fear
And dreams must collide.
"Someone I am
is waiting for courage…
The one I want,
the one I will become
will catch me."
Christine stood in the curve of the grand piano, enthralled by the words he was singing and the voice with which he sang them. He admitted in the words that he had fears and reservations just like any other man…but he had never shared those fears with anyone.
"So let me fall…
If I must fall…
I won't heed your warnings…
I won't hear them.
"Let me fall
if I fall…
though the phoenix
may or may not rise…
"I will dance so freely…
holding on to no one…
You can hold me only…
If you too will fall
Away from all these
Useless fears and chains.
"Someone I am
is waiting for courage…
The one I want,
the one I will become
will catch me.
"So let me fall…
If I must fall…
I won't heed your warnings…
I won't hear.
"Let me fall…
if I fall…
There's no reason…
to miss this one chance…
this perfect moment…"
His voice paused for a moment while his hands descended the keys in cascading order; then, he lifted his head and looked straight into Christine's eyes…
"Just let me fall." (1)
As he finished the melody, Christine slid carefully onto his lap.
She purposefully drilled her plump backside into his rapidly growing erection, indicating that she knew he was interested.
"What are you afraid of, Erik?" Her melodious voice asked through the cloud in his mind.
He lifted his head and caressed her face with his eyes. She had understood the meaning of the song…even Kaveh hadn't understood.
His voice was soft and low as he answered her question with alarming honesty.
"You."
TBC
(1) "Let me Fall", Music by Richard Marx, Lyrics by Linda Thompson,
Performed by Josh Groban