For some daft reason I downloaded the wrong version of this chapter (armature!). Here is the updated copy. Don't beat me.
Hello! Kisses from Erik (not me) to my readers and reviewers. First off, this chapter will earn a solid Mature rating. If you're not old enough, (whatever that means) don't read this chapter. You've been officially warned. Forgive any grammatical errors. It was late when I proofed this.
-Leesainthesky
Ch 16 Re-cap: An angst filled Erik rips off his mask. Gabrielle takes him upstairs for some downtime...
Ch 17 -No Return
The hour was late when we finally emerged from the music room. Caron had long since retired to her bedroom across the hall from mine. Erik was watchful as he led me through the house using a small lamp for illumination.
At the foot of the staircase, he stopped, put the lamp down and whispered, "Gabrielle, allow me to assist you," he swiftly gathered me in his arms and preceded the brief journey up to his bedroom. I was surprised and charmed by his quaint chivalry.
Once I was settled into his strong arms, he picked up the lamp from the baluster and continued up the staircase.
Could this be happening? Could Erik and I have finally come to that place where desire dethrones raison d'être, ushering in those secret erotic possibilities to our budding relationship? I clasped my hands around his neck and hid my nervousness by nuzzling his warm neck. Erik's pulse quickened when we reached the door to his bedroom at the hall's end.
Here, he used his free hand to open the door, then closed it from the other side with his foot.
I was carried over to the bed where he laid me down softly on an enormous bed adorned with lush velvet and satin covers the color of blood and gold.
We were both consenting adults and we wanted to pleasure one another, so why were we both so anxious? I don't believe it was fear. The anticipation of delight, the shyness of what is not known, and respect for where we had been; these were the cards on top of our deck.
Our eyes did the communicating—Erik's smoldering jade and my miss-mated green and brown eyes burned into each other's. I arched my neck and tugged down on his, a silent invitation for a kiss.
Erik dipped down to capture my lips. Gone was the harshness of the afternoon in the stable. His technique was soft and loving as he slowly enveloped my mouth with his. We played little kissing games, pecking and nipping at each other lightly. I scooted over on the bed to allow Erik more space to lie down. He moved his hand to the back of my head applying easy pressure, forcing our kissed to become more intimate. I urged his mouth open with the tip of my tongue. He obliged and our tongues caressed in a maddeningly slow, delicious dance.
Erik eased his right hand down the side of my face to my neck, stroking my shoulder blade with the tips of his fingers. My hands rested on his back, moving gently up and down in rhythm to our kisses. As our confidence increased so did the intensity of our ardor. Erik's kisses became more frenzied as his tongue darted in, out and around faster. Lovely little sounds of pleasure accompanied his breathing. His fingers skimmed my breasts and I reached up to grasp his hands urging him to continue.
I ran my fingers through his hair and lightly sucked on the side of his neck. He tasted and smelled divine. This man, this tall dark stranger from another time, this genius and artist, was a man who yearned for love and affection; love and affection that I had decided to lavish upon him.
When Erik pulled at the laces on my dress, I sat up and removed his hands.
"Wait Erik, I whispered."
"What?" he looked crestfallen.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to stop this time, not in the least," I smiled reassuringly. "When we were in the music room you told me that you wished to slowly undress me, and you may, however these dresses are a major pain to remove, perhaps you would enjoy it better if I disrobed for you?"
He rubbed his thumb over the dimple in his chin and furrowed his brow at me.
I rose up off of the bed and began to unbutton my dress. "Would a striptease please you monsieur?" I purred seductively.
Erik's face went blank. He blinked twice before grasping my proposal. A rakish smirk appeared on his lips, "yes Gabrielle, undress for me."
He sat at the edge of the bed, leaned back on his hands and watched as I unbuttoned my dress, letting it slip into a heap on the floor. I kicked it aside and slowly unlaced my corset. Thank goodness the damn thing was a front loader. I eyed Erik and licked my lips wantonly as I discarded the garment. All that stood between Erik's lustful eyes and my flesh was a thin silk chemise. I teased him shamelessly by fondling my nipples causing them to harden, and strain against the sheer white material.
It pleased me to see his expression darken and his breathing increase.
"Do you want me to remove this too?" I asked sweetly indicating the slip.
"If you do not act promptly, I shall rise from this bed and tear it from your body," he promised hoarsely.
I grabbed my undergarment by the front and pulled at it until it tore down the front exposing my breasts. "Consider it done."
I slowly peeled the rest of the garment from my torso, pausing just shy of my navel. I peered at Erik coyly from my lashes. "Shall I finish Monsieur?"
I noticed that Erik was beginning to perspire. Yes was all the man could manage.
Had a woman never undressed for him before?
Gingerly I slipped the slight undergarment from my hips yet clothing still graced my body. A black silk thong with fuchsia roses sewn onto the waistband remained; a relic from my future past, courtesy of Victoria's Secret's Angels collection.
Erik's body language showed me he was perplexed, but amused by my modern lingerie. He leaned forward on the bed and cocked his head in silent inquiry.
I flashed him a seductive smile, placed my hands on my behind and turned slowly to model the bit of fabric for my paramour, "A little something from the 21st century. Does it meet your approval?" I was enjoying the tease.
"Quite intriguing Gabrielle. Now off with it," he commanded brusquely.
I obeyed by hooking my thumbs under each side and sliding the thong to my ankles leaving my naked body exposed to his fiery stare.
There is something intense about unveiling yourself in front of a lover for the first time. A sort of vulnerability that says I am here for your approval; I am yours.
Erik stood and walked the few steps to stand in front of me. His eyes blazed with emotion; his beautiful mouth faintly slack with desire.
Our eyes met and locked. "Erik," I whispered breathlessly.
Slowly, his eyes devoured my nakedness, "Mon dieu. Gabrielle, you are exquisite."
Not one to approve of my own figure, I averted my eyes slightly and blushed. Thank you Monsieur.
"Do not thank me for with nature has blessed you with. I've not much experience in the course of amour, but having been in close proximity to dancers at the opera house, I have inadvertently seen many a naked body. Although none so close as to touch should I dare. You are lovely Mademoiselle."
I felt the heat of a blush creep onto my face. How funny, I'm not really the blushing type. Did I blush everywhere?
Erik stood back four or five feet from me. He still wore his lawn shirt and dark trousers. His appreciation of me was bolstered by an obvious and rather large erection straining at the wool crepe of his pants.
I felt silly just standing there so I approached Erik, He had replaced his mask by now, still not accustomed to feeling air on his face while in the company of others.
"Monsieur, I want another kiss," I demanded. He flashed me a come-hither smile and held his arms open for acceptance. Engulfing my mouth with fervor, his hands lightly skimmed over my body fondling my buttocks gently. Erik's hardness pressed into me. I moaned desperately. He paused, pulled back, "Have I injured you Gabrielle?"
"Huh…injured me?" I mumbled not clear of what he was asking.
"You moaned Gabrielle, I thought I might have been too harsh with my kisses."
"Oh that…I was expressing my pleasure for your touch. Maybe you have noticed your own expressions of pleasure, they are similar, only with a deeper timbre."
"I see," a self-conscious smile curved on Erik's lips.
"No fair Erik, you are still dressed and I am…well not."
I unbuttoned his white lawn shirt and pushed it from his shoulders. I had seen his back before when I'd massaged away aches and pains, but had never gotten a good look at Erik's chest.
He was exceptionally well muscled for a man of 46, but then Erik did not look a day over 36. I suppose living out of the aging rays of the sun all those years had preserved his completion. A spray of hair youthfully dark adorned his chest, trailing down into his trousers.
I placed my palms on his hest and ran them over his muscles admiringly. As I did so, I met his eyes and smiled appreciatively. A light tweak of Erik's nipples made him wince and gasp. I knew I had not hurt him; he was experiencing for the first time the sensation of erotic touch from the hands of a woman.
I bit my lips and consider his trousers. A wet spot graced the place where his sex strained for freedom. Not sure how to proceed with 19th century men's clothes, I fumbled briefly with his waistband before finding the buttons on the side. It took some effort to pop open the four buttons, but I managed to do it with out bumbling like a dork on prom night.
The offending pants slid from his narrow hips with ease, resisting briefly at his erection. After I freed him, Erik took over, shaking the trousers from his legs then unceremoniously kicking them across the floor.
Pale candlelight illuminated the room with a warm flattering glow, yet even in the darkness I could make out Erik's form. He was simply beautiful.
Sculpted and lean with light olive skin, he stood tall and majestic. What Mother Nature withheld from his visage, she more than made up for in other ways.
You're not a little fellow are you Erik, I marveled silently.
I cleared my throat, "Impressive darling."
This time Monsieur DuPuis blushed, a feat I never thought possible.
In a move that I found most primal, Erik swept me up once more and carried me back to his bed.
"What now my dear?" he growled at me hungrily.
I want to touch you and completely satisfy your needs. You know there are ways of pleasuring one another without consummating the relationship. You have communicated to me that you have honorable principles concerning virtue. Quite frankly, even thought I am from a very free society, I have never been a fan of allowing myself to be poked my every man who flirts with me.
Erik was circling my right nipple with the smooth palm of his hand while I talked. He was joyfully distracted, but as I finished, he spoke up. "If we are to have that sort of relationship, then let it progress as such Gabrielle, I do not wish to pressure you into any affections on my behalf. I cherish you and will be respectful of your wishes."
"My dreams are often filled with images from my unbounded imagination and the pages of erotic books such as the karma sutra. I have imagined many ways to bring forth and receive rapture should another human being ever risk intimacy with me."
He cupped my cheeks and murmured seductively, "Darling Gabrielle, I am sure we shall be able to find ways to entertain ourselves."
Dear lord. I felt the depths of my femininity clench with intense desire. Surrendering to his embrace, I kissed Erik as if trapped in an inferno and he was the cool water of my relief.
Long graceful fingers glided over me creating delicious chills to vibrated throughout my body.
One hand brushed through Erik's dark hair while the other lightly swept over his stomach and down to the tangle of dark hair below his navel. My fingers teased the soft flesh of his inner thigh. Erik tensed and gasped. His muscles soon relaxed while his breathing accelerated.
Erik stroked the inside of my leg in kind, I was so sensitized I thought I would come from his simple touch. I opened my legs enough to allow his probing fingers access. Erik surprised me by sitting up abruptly. His eyes were misty with longing when he asked me if he could look at me. "I have never seen a woman's sex before, pictures yes, but I want to know you and explore your secret garden of delights."
"Whatever you wish Erik, " I answered, my voice thick with desire.
He kissed me, then moved to position him self between my legs. I felt a bit self-conscious spreading my legs for him, but I quickly got over it when he ran a finger delicately over my soft folds of flesh. His face registered amazement as he explored me, sliding his fingers over the sensitive area. His insistent probing found the small bud hidden within. When he touched it I jumped.
"What did I do?"
"That's the most sensitive place on my entire body Erik, when you slide your finger over it gently or touch it, I experience the most exquisite pleasure a woman can experience.
"Ah he smiled knowingly, a perfect pearl within a fine oyster."
He tugged the outer lips apart revealing the wet pink pathway to nirvana."
This flicker of the small gas lamp cast mellow azure shadows across our bodies. I watched Erik's face study me with interest. He moved one of his graceful fingers into my wet warmth causing me to gasp and moan.
"Ummm Erik, yes, please more," I pleaded. He slipped another finger into me and begun pumping them in and out of me. My hips thrust to meet his motion. Eventually he had four fingers inside of me. I was writhing and undulating wildly against his hand. Erik began to slide his thumb over my wet bud. I gyrated against his hand.
Gabrielle, your sap is dripping from you. You are enjoying my ministrations, no?"
"You stop, I'll kill you," I rasped. He grinned and continued his torture.
The warm wave was coming. I closed my eyes tight. Sparks the color of fireworks danced behind my lids. Warm waves of sweet release washed over me again and again and again. I vaguely heard Erik's moan when my insides clenched around his fingers. When I had spent myself, I closed my thighs on his hand to squeeze the last bit of sensation from my body.
For all I knew I had crushed the virtuoso's fine fingers; I didn't care at that at point. Erik extracted his hand from between my legs and sat up to look at me. "My you're a strong little thing aren't you? Were you pleased Gabrielle?"
"No," I panted, I hated it. Do it again."
He laughed heartily, one of the few times I had heard that rich resonant sound from Erik's lips. It was divine music.
"Attentions such as yours must be rewarded Monsieur. On your back now!" I ordered with a sly grin.
He obliged, moving onto is back and arranging himself comfortably among the plush down pillows.
I began at his lips, slowly laving his lips with my tongue; I kissed every inch of the man's face, eyelids, nose, scars and all then moved to his neck. Gabrielle, you vixen he moaned when I nibbled on his ear. Note to self; Erik had sensitive ear lobes.
His neck received a generous licking, as did his collarbone and nipples. He especially enjoyed having his nipples sucked on. I had heard that a man's are more responsive than a woman's. If this is so then I must have been driving him wonderfully mad.
The taught belly that bore only slight signs of softness was my next target. I drew circles with the tip of my tongue around his navel and hipbones. He twitched when I touched his hipbone.
"I think you may have just tickled me but I can't be sure. No one had ever tried before," he seemed amazed.
How sad that there had been no a playful parent or ornery sibling to joke about with the little boy.
I eased my way further down in the bed and flicked my tongue over his inner thighs and up toward his sex. Erik was standing at full attention above my head. I had to touch him. He was magnificent. I laughed to myself when I thought of a line I had once read in one of those putrid dime store romance novels. She took his throbbing manhood in her hand and stroked it.
Well it did seem like a winning idea. I kissed the tip. A startled cry of ecstasy tumbled from his mouth. "Gabrielle, Gabrielle you temptress, you tease me so.
I responded by smoothing the liquid that had seeped from him as a lubricant for my touch. While I slid my fingers up and down over his length, he grew larger and harder. Erik reached down and placed his hand over mine to show me how he wished to be touched. I mirrored his grip and speed and worked my magic on him. Faster and faster my hand moved to match his breathing and thrusting. Erik's moaning increased as my other hand cupped him from below. In an instant he stiffened. I felt him contract and looked around for something to catch his release with. I did not want to see his lavish bedclothes soiled. Seeing nothing at all for such a use, I wrapped my mouth around him. I had hoped to save this fun for another session, but hey, a Mademoiselle's gotta do what a Mademoiselle's gotta do.
A primal, dark sound came from deep inside of Erik. It was as if he were releasing years of sexual frustration in this one quick, substantial release.
Both our bodies shone with sweat and invisible pheromones permeated the air around us. I moved He was still panting heavily when I crept up to lay my head on his chest. One muscled arm flopped over me, the other one rested above his head on a pillow.
Here we were, two lost souls finding one another in the most unlikely of circumstances. Soothing hurts, fears and loneliness with mutual contact and affection. If our relationship were to change, let it be for the better, I prayed, because for people of extreme passion like Erik and I, we were past the point of no return.
- o -
Finally a little action for our M. Dupuis. It is only the beginning for our passionate friend. Thank you all for your feedback. It encourages me and makes me a better storyteller. KayBlueEyes, you rock! Mbin, I respect Laroux but am not interested in totally ugly Erik either; mamsellejenelle, gotta love that Chaucer; BelacanionTheRez, I bid you welcome; Pertie, little Daae323 and Dunny, I hope you enjoyed the lovin'. There will be more to come. - Leesa