A/N: I know it's been a while and I apologize! Schoolwork, exams, and the holidays coming up have been taking up a lot of time. Plus, I have been working on an original novel but this story is coming close to the end. Thank you to my beta Halley for doing a great job. This chapter will not have been thought of if it weren't for her bugging me about adding in some lovin' for these characters.

This chapter contains mild sexual content. And please don't forget to review!

Chapter 29: Finally!

The next morning, Stephanie woke in a glorious mood, more so when she found Etienne's arms wrapped around her waist, hugging her close to his naked chest. A girlish giggle rode in her throat as she grinned lazily, rethinking about last night…

"Ah, here you go my lady," Etienne said as they stood outside her door. Taking her hand, he bent down and pressed his lips on the back of her skin, his eyes glowing with all the pent-up love he had. "This has been one night I'll never forget."

He was loathed to leave her, but being a gentleman, Etienne kept his urges in check. The last thing he wanted was to compromise her virtue and reputation. He didn't want anymore gossip to spread about her within the household.

She nodded, but didn't want this dream to end. The rest of the family retired as soon as they returned, leaving the lovers alone.

"I fear I must bid you good night, my dear," Etienne murmured. "God, I hate to leave you!"

"Then don't," Stephanie whispered coyly, her lashes batting playfully. "We're the only ones up. Everyone else is in bed…"

Unconsciously, Etienne gulped, his eyes following the motion of her tongue across her lips. He knew how well that tongue felt and the taste of her mouth. He couldn't get enough of her kisses and was sorely tempted to take her on that offer. However… protocol called.

"I'm sorry Stephanie but I cannot." His chest ached by her crestfallen countenance. But he knew this was the best for both of them. No matter how he felt for her, he couldn't bear the thought of ruining the woman he loved. She should be cherished, worshipped on the holiest of nights—the wedding night. And that is what Etienne intended to do.

What he didn't plan on was Stephanie's bold move.

First, her hand trailed over his chest, softly fingering the soft material of his shirt, her expression boring disappointment. The only warning he had was the wicked gleam in her eyes before pulling his face to hers, kissing him with all the longing and love she had.

Etienne couldn't help himself but to respond most empathically. His arms, on their own accord, wrapped around her waist, his mouth hungrily devouring her, his tongue sliding in and out of the warm depths. He lost tracked of how many times he kissed his lady love, but each time was like the first. Hungry. Passionate. Tumultuous.

His past agreements of being honorable were quickly dissipating. She was too much of a temptation for him to refuse. The collision of their impassioned minds and dispositions would result in a fierce meeting of body and soul. Such a burning thought sent his blood in a frenzy, his rational being clouded by the woman in his arms.

Unconsciously, Etienne swept Stephanie off her feet, not losing a beat as he carried her towards his quarters—the place where it all began.

Standing in the threshold, both ceased their lavishing attentions, merely long enough to recollect that the first time they met; Stephanie was lying quite tantalizing in her black dress and to wake, finding herself in a different part of time. It was amazing how much transpired since than and how much their opinions of each other changed.

Etienne's brow rose in question, reaffirming if this was what she wanted. He would stop anytime were she to wish it. All that mattered was her and her comfort of which direction their relationship would take.

Her assent was a tiny nod, her countenance conveying the understanding of what they were about to commit. She understood he believed her to be a virgin, the strict mindset of a woman's purity marked by the dictation of society. Whether or not he was, Stephanie wasn't going to reflect on his previous doings before her arrival. But she couldn't help but wished that there was something of hers she could give specially and exclusively to him.

Then she realized she did.

The naked lust on his face had melted into unconditional love. She had given him the greatest gift of all—her. She accepted him at last into her heart despite their previous disputes and prejudices. She wanted him, she loved him. And the moment was now.

Very gently, he set her on the ground. Gingerly, he caressed her cheek, marveling that he could touch her in the way he dreamt for so long. One finger tilted her chin up as he kissed her with all the tenderness and devotion. The shocking reality that he would make Stephanie his brought tears to his eyes.

"You have made me the happiest of men," Etienne whispered against her lips. "Oh Stephanie… how I love you."

He sealed his declaration with a fervent kiss, bringing her warm body closer to his. Like a man possessed, Etienne took charge as he led her towards the bed, his hands wandering over her dress, untying the laces in search for her womanly secrets.

"No, no," Stephanie shook her head, placing her hand on his chest. Smirking, she switched places and pushed him on the bed. Groaning, Etienne reached for her only for Stephanie to move back, her grin widening.

Bending down, she removed her shoes and stockings. Looking directly into his eyes, Stephanie proceeded to take out the pins that held her curls, allowing them to fall over her shoulders. Her gown was already loose (thanks to Etienne), but she continued to leave it on. Resting her legs on either side as she straddled him, she bent down to press a warm kiss to his lips and then down his long neck, nipping at the flesh.

Etienne's eyes closed at the feel of her silken lips against his skin, growling deeply as her tongue continued in the same path. His hands, which were holding her waist, were bunching the material so tightly that as Stephanie was slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt his control broke.

Her back slammed hard on the bed, temporarily knocking the wind out of her. Staring up into his molten leaden orbs, Etienne pulled the sleeves and skirt off her, leaving her in her chemise and undergarments. Breaking away from her, he peeled off his shirt, revealing the lean, rippling torso. It was just as Stephanie thought, shivering as she remembered being pressed against the wall earlier.

Her turn was up and Stephanie lifted her chemise, her bra and panties remaining. If it were any possible, the gaze Etienne was giving her became more pronounced of his desire.

Stephanie's boldness slid into shyness. Here she was giving herself completely to this man. It was both frightening and exciting. Strange, as she would later recollect, she never felt this way when she and Dan were intimate.

Tentatively, she maneuvered his hands to the clasp and with deliberate delicacy Etienne pressed kisses to her collarbone, conveying his reverence to her beauty. The rest of their clothing soon fell to the floor and within seconds, Etienne and Stephanie were joined as one body, moving to the same rhythm as their heartbeats drummed in time. He took her so gently, as if she would break into pieces, that tears sprung to her eyes. This was what it felt to be loved, completely and unconditionally.

Caresses became soft, kisses stolen every few seconds until the couple drifted off to sleep, not once letting go of the other.

Stephanie never felt this sort of peace as she lay betwixt Etienne, the covers wrapped around them, as she meditated on what will happen next. They took a big leap, there was no going back. She couldn't turn to fear not after what they experienced. Etienne wouldn't allow it. Frankly, she didn't want to lose this either.

I love him, she thought. God help me, but I love him.

No guilt. There was no guilt attached to that statement. Stephanie felt her feelings for Dan were at last liberated.

Could it be that this was meant to happen? She wondered. Could that be my purpose for coming? It made sense with her former promise to stay away from him and the coincidences that forced her to retract that vow. But why would Fate do that to her? Why lead her to Dan and then to Etienne?

Her concentration was swayed as she felt the light caresses of Etienne's lips pressed along the back of her neck.

"Permit me, my love, to tell you how ardently I admire and love you," he whispered, hugging her closer.

A huge smile graced her lips. I could get use to this.

Stephanie rolled to her other side to get a better look at him. The sight she caught was enough to take her breathe away. His soft brown hair was all mussed up, stubble covered his lower jaw, and his turquoise eyes were filled with sleepiness and love.

Slender fingers reached out to touch her cheek, to make sure she was real. A lazy grin grew on his countenance.

"It wasn't a dream," Etienne mused quietly. The reality struck him and he bolted from the bed, the sheet caught in his feet causing him to fall to the ground. Stephanie couldn't help but laugh at his clumsiness, but hearing him moan she scrambled over to the edge to look to see if he was all right.

His cheeks were burning as he took in her lack of clothing. His mortification further his discomfort at his own state.

She grinned, chuckling to herself as she beckoned him back to bed. Like a child, Etienne shook his head fervently, pulling the sheet to cover himself. He was livid that he allowed this happen after he promised he wouldn't ruin her.

"You didn't ruin me Etienne," Stephanie said, as if reading his mind. "Everyone does it at least once and I know you're not innocent."

Etienne's blush grew as he knew exactly what she was referring to. "But I- I should have—"

Stephanie sighed. "Hon, let it go. What was done was done. You don't regret it do you?" Her question was filled with uncertainty as she gazed at him.

"Of course not but it was wro—" He stopped himself mid-sentence and forced a laugh. "Apologies."

"No need to. I know what you mean and I will admit it was wrong of me to practically rape you the other night. Wow… I never said anything like that before."

They looked at each other and burst into laughter. Nothing for them was conventional so far and it was only fitting that their unusual courtship continued in the same path. After a while Etienne, at last, stood and bowed to her.

"I believe it's natural for the gentleman to ask if the lady's sleep went well, but I can judge for myself with that contentment upon your lovely—"

She gasped in mock-surprised. "Why Etienne! How scandalous your statement is alluding to! I suppose my impertinence is rubbing off you."

"Indeed it has." He growled, pouncing on top of her.

xxXXxx

Christine awoke around the same time as Stephanie, a self-satisfied smirk painted on her lips. Her lower half was still a little sore from the celebration she and Erik had, but she wasn't going to be the first to complain.

Turning to her side, she watched as her husband slept—his chest rising and falling in a peaceful slumber. It was the little moments like these that Christine cherished when Erik was the most vulnerable.

Breathing deeply, Christine was pleased how well the Masquerade went and how Stephanie and Etienne's performance was outstanding. She noticed how right after Etienne took Stephanie away and hoped her son would confess his feelings. She would love to have her as a daughter-in-law if Etienne could get his act together.

Glancing towards her husband, she noticed the faintest hint of a smile blooming. In her heart, she knew that everything in Paradise was the way it should be. The Fates are at last appeased and hopefully in the near future there would be a wedding to plan.

TBC…

Disclaimer: I borrowed the line "I ardently admired and love you" from the greatest writers of our time-- Jane Austen.