Disclaimer: I don't own the bit of "Do, a Deer" from the Sound of Music.

A/N: Hi! I wanted to post this before I go away camping this weekend. Keep the comments flowing! Thank you and thank you Halley for a great job. Please don't forget to review!

Chapter 16: Singing Lessons

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Stephanie moaned as she collapsed on the settee. Fixatedly, she glared at Etienne and pointed a finger accusingly at him. "You! 'Don't worry, my mother has strict morals and won't allow it'," she mimicked. "Yeah right."

Narrowing his eyes as they flared into a brilliant blue, Etienne scowled, "That makes us both. How was I to know she would agree?"

That morning when they went down for breakfast, they were greeted with the news that Etienne would teach Stephanie to sing for Raoul's party. The modern-day woman's jaw dropped as she stared hard at them shocked beyond belief that this nightmare was coming true. Etienne's expression was nothing like hers; his eyes widened and reluctantly agreed to keep the pretense given. There was nothing else to do.

However, part of him was looking forward to spending time with her. At least, he could show his true side and fervently hoped her good opinion of him would improve.

But his resolve to do so was quickly fading as she grumbled and complained, directing the blame on him for making her think otherwise. This entirely wasn't his fault. He wasn't the one to get them both into this, so if anything she should be fuming towards his parents. He did admit it was wrong of him to lead her on a false truth, he believed it as well. This was as much news to him as it was for her, but he was determined to make the most of it. If only, she saw reason too…

Stephanie was upset. She loved singing, except only in the shelter of her car and home. To sing in front of a large crowd and Etienne was pretty intimidating and she knew she was bad. Though, taking her frustration out on Etienne wasn't going to solve her predicament; she was mad at him for assuming they were home free.

Another was the other night. What was she thinking? First, she had kissed his cheek before going to bed and then later inviting him to sit on her bed after he so rudely disturbed her sleep. The former she figured was a spur of the moment after sharing a wonderful time at the opera. It was friendly, nothing remotely romantic, but she couldn't help the twinge of guilt in her heart. It may have not have meant anything to her, though Etienne could have taken it the wrong way. And the more she thought about it, the more she could see the reason why he waltzed into her bedroom.

Did he expect something? Did he figure the kiss was an invitation for him to go into her bed? If that wasn't true then having him sit there sure was an opener, even though sex wasn't on her agenda. Any other guy would have taken advantage to the invite, but not Etienne. He was hesitate and almost perplexed when she made the offer. If anything he was practically flustered for the first time since they met. She may not like him, but she wasn't cold-hearted for him to sit on the chilled floor.

What was the worse of the whole episode was that she enjoyed it. Talking to him, being near him felt so right that she for a second she wanted him to stay as he took his leave. She had felt the words rising to her mouth, but realized the mistake of it.

Not only would it appear she was trying to insinuate something, but that she was going to cheat.

Dan…

Stephanie still felt some loyalty towards him. She would never be able to forgive herself were she to act out of whim. Any feelings for Etienne were based off the fact she was lonely and he was very attractive and the only single male nearby. But if that was the case, then her rebound would have been with Bernie no second thoughts. And she ended that date early.

She was so confused, torn between her love for Dan and her growing attraction towards the temperamental Etienne. It would have been better if Etienne made some remark about her mismatched eyes that would have gave her cause to hate him and not worry so much over Dan. Yet, here she was with no other excuse but his behavior and that argument can last for so long.

I'm in trouble if I can't get a grip. These lessons won't be of much help unless I prove what a hopeless cause this is and convince everyone to forget it, she thought.

Etienne took her into his music room and stood behind the piano. Looking at her pointedly, he explained how their lessons would be conducted. "Every morning we will meet here, nine to eleven. I expect you to be on time, no tardiness would be accepted regardless of the excuse. And if you are late or disobey me or fail to practice, rehearsal will be held out longer until I decide when. I do not tolerate foolishness nor failure to do what is instructed. What I say goes, no questions asked. When you're in this room, you will focus on the music and the notes; do not let yourself be distracted by any means. Is that clear?"

"Ever heard of 'more sugar, less vinegar'?" Stephanie retorted.

His brow furrowed. "And no sarcastic remarks either. We'll conclude now at eleven thirty."

"Eleven thirty?" Stephanie cried. "I thought you said two hours!"

"Yes but also any kind of disobedience during the lesson will cause for punishment. Would you like to try for twelve Mams'elle?"

"No…"

"Good. Now that we're on the same page, let's begin." Music poured from his fingertips as Stephanie came towards the instrument. She couldn't remember how warm-ups went and so relied on the one song that made it easier—

"Do, a deer, a female deer

Re, a drop of golden sun

Mi, a name I call myself—"

"What are you doing?" Etienne interrupted his brow arching.

"Warm-ups, well… it's been a long time and I can't remember how the notes went. This is refreshing my memory that's all."

"A strange way," he murmured.

"Yeah but it's quite catchy isn't it?" she smiled.

"If it helps, but just this once."

"Yes sir!"

Etienne's mouth opened but she was quick to interject. "And I wasn't mocking you. Please continue."

Frowning, he returned to the piano. "Once you have finished with your… rendition we'll see how wide your range is."

Nodding, Stephanie quickly went over the chorus in her head. Once she was positive she had it, she began singing.

Her voice came out shrill and off-pitched. Painful was putting it nicely as Etienne cringed. She wasn't joking earlier when she said she couldn't sing. This was going to take a miracle. A BIG miracle.

Etienne had her stopped and walked over to stand behind her. "To sing properly, you're going to have to learn the right techniques in breathing. Now…" He placed his hands over her diaphragm and pulled her taut to his body.

Stephanie stiffened under his touch. His hands were warm and his chest was hard. She shivered as his hot breath washed over the nape of her neck and ear as he whispered.

"Mlle Larson, you're too tight and tense. Relax… I'm not going to hurt you. Good… now breathe in and out, gently and slowly." His hypnotic voice murmured, "Try not to move your shoulders…very good. Like that."

He added some pressure to her belly, causing her eyes to roll into the back of her head. Stephanie wasn't sure what she wanted to do more—hit him or kiss him. As tempting the latter of pressing her mouth against his was, she knew she couldn't betray her heart. No matter how goddamn her body wanted to. It was wrong. Purely wrong. She had Dan. She had Dan. She had—

Suddenly, Etienne's hands trailed up her arms fluidly as they came to rest on her shoulders. Stephanie suppressed the urge to moan as his lips came closer to ear once again.

"Correct posture will aid your voice to come from within the soul."

Becoming lost in his direction, Stephanie felt her back and shoulders go into the right position without him touching her.

"Perfect," he purred, a smirk dancing across his lips.

Etienne could barely control himself to turn her around and take what he wanted. By the mere touch of her skin underneath his palms sent electric shocks down his spine. And noting her reaction to him drove his senses to madness.

She wanted him. He could tell with her strong scent, the parting of her lips, the closing of her two beautiful orbs and how easily she melted against him. What woman could resist his charms?

Lust, the cruel voice inside mocked. That was the cold douse he needed to snap from his burning thoughts.

Etienne mentally shook himself. He refused to have her come to him in a mindless state. He wanted her to come to him on her own with no barriers, no regrets. And the singing lessons wouldn't help much if he were to continue to drive his student to distraction.

"Again!" Etienne barked, ceasing the trance.

Startled, Stephanie blinked several times before she realized where she was and why. Etienne sat back at the piano and played the keys and this time she didn't hold back her voice.

If these lessons are going to be like this, then it won't be so bad, she thought, eyeing her maestro. Not bad at all.

TBC…