Thank you all for your reviews and constructive input. Welcome newbies and lurkers too. There is an author's note to follow. You're why I do this stuff, besides the fun of writing about the enigmatic Erik of course. This is another M chapter too so BEWARE! - Leesainthesky

Re-cap: Erik and Gabrielle finally reveal their deeper feelings for one another and spend a passionate night together in Erik's bed…

Ch 18 – après le plaisir

There is a radiant, heady peace that envelopes new lovers after a night of intimacy. It is the finest part of any day.

Rising early to make breakfast for the household is not. If not for Caron, the Roux's would typically break-fast in their cottage. Erik seldom required a morning meal due to his late sleeping habits, however today he would be traveling to London.

Another frosty winter day breathed on the manor house. We were snuggled into the warm luxury of Erik's fine bed linins. Perfect, I finally have a compelling reason to stay in bed and I must feed the household...well f--k," I thought.

Extracting myself from a pair of masculine arms wasn't something I relished on this particular morning. Erik lay on his left side. His left arm was behind my neck and his right across my torso. I assumed he slept on his left side because lying on the leather mask would be uncomfortable.

The brass alarm clock on my nightstand ticked steadily. The velvet draperies in Erik's room were closed so there was little light. I could barely discern that it was slightly after dawn—6:47 to be exact. If I served yogurt and granola with a bit of smoked beef, or croissants from yesterday, I could sleep for another hour and one half. Yippee.

I shifted my right arm, which was numb from being around Erik for what I assumed to be most of the night. When I did, he mumbled and turned on his back, but did not wake.

In the repose of slumber, Erik looked exceptionally young. The visible side of his face was calm and relaxed with a shadow of a beard forming on his handsome jaw line. I admired his features, the dark eyebrow, long lashes and full rosy lips. His hair was uncharacteristically mussed from sleep. The slumbering was Erik adorable, a label I am sure he would have found truly and utterly unsuitable Madame Gabrielle!

I marveled at this wonder beside me; at who he was, what he was and what he knew. His talent would become unprecedented; his alter ego legendary. Would I be instrumental in making sure his legacy was one of purpose and pride? Had I come here to be his advocate and avenger? Who knew, but I intended to do my part in preserving the legacy of Monsieur Erik DuPuis as a positive one. This was of course for Erik's sake, but it was also for me. I needed to believe God had a useful purpose for my new life.

I was starring at the ornate plaster ceiling and pontificating life when I felt him nuzzle my neck. He breathed good morning to me, his voice a melodious haze. I closed my eyes and smiled with contentment.

"God morning yourself Monsieur Dupuis," I murmured turning to face him. Yarks, I hope I don't look like a troll, I worried like a giddy girl.

"I'm sure I look mess."

"You look like a goddess to me Gabrielle," His smile was sincere. He kissed me lovingly on the lips and pulled back to admire me once more.

"A goddess, me? I'd hate to see the other women you've woken up with."

Erik averted his eyes and reclined back into the pillows. His sweet expression turned hard.

It was evident he was perturbed about something I'd said, but what? With Erik, it was always a guessing game of emotions. Unsure of how to respond to his swift turnabout I reached up to stroke his shoulder. My nervousness evident by the way I bit my bottom lip.

"Erik, what is it? If I said something wrong, it was unintentional."

He continued to glare into space.

With a sigh I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, "I was afraid of this— that once we became intimate you might pull away from me. Last night was so…wonderful, so surreal. I'd hoped it would last."

Erik shifted. I thought he was going to get up, but he merely changed positions on the mass of pillows, turning his head in my direction once more. I felt the gentle touch of his hand smoothing over my hair.

His chin quivered when he spoke. When he sopke his voice emotedfury mixd withpain, "No other woman has had the courage to lay with me Gabrielle; yours is the first and only warm body ever to share my bed."

Of course, how insensitive of me not to consider the elemental details of Erik's life, I had forgotten that the man whose body I craved lived his entire life as a rejected recluse. Erik's antiquated society was overflowing with ignorant and shallow women who did not care about a man's character as much as they did his visage or his breeding. Anger snaked through my veins icily, depositing itself in my heart.

The pumping of his own life force beat an erratic rhythm from his chest to my ear. I kissed the skin covering his sternum, and then I kissed his nipple. He drew in a sharp breath and curled both arms around me snugly.

"If you'd shared that fact with me before last night Erik, I would have been nervous wondering if I could live up to your expectations as a lover— maybe it's a good thing I didn't know until now," I said as I drew circles around his other nipple.

"My expectations?" he snorted. "I was frightened to touch you for fear you might break. I know nothing ofa woman's physical desires other than what I have learned from books. I could recite an anatomy lesson or describe my fantasies, but to actually touch a woman's softness, well…let's just say that my abhorrent face had denied me such pleasures."

"Last night you were my maestro," I purred into his neck, "You found all of the right places to caress and kiss me. Then there are your magic hands. Oh god Erik, If I don't stop thinking about what you did to me last night, I will never get out of this bed to make breakfast today."

I felt his erection twitch against my leg.

Slipping from his arms, I kissed my way downward to his stomach and circled his navel with my tongue, tickling and teasing. Erik writhed in pleasure at the contact. I pushed the covers down past his hips for better access to my intended target.

There it was, beautifully engorged and moving slightly in my direction as if it were a living diving rod. Erik could not see what was about to take place below his reclined torso.

I smiled and blew on his sex lightly. He groaned something unintelligible. My wet lips caressed the rather large tip, kissing and licking the dew gathered there. Without warning I plunged him deep into my mouth, suckling enthusiastically.

Erik writhed and moaned like he was losing his mind. The sheet next to him was wadded up tightly in his fists and his head thrashed from side to side in ecstasy—just the precise reaction I had hoped for.

Faster and faster I drove him in and out of my mouth, working the tip of my tongue against the smooth ridge for added effect.

Erik pushed against my mouth, insistent for more. He filled me so fully thatI was beginning to tire, but I dared not stop. When I sucked harder a low feral growl emerged from his throat. His release started to flutter against my tongue. The flutter quickened to a pulsing, hot surge, "Gabrielle—oh Gabrielle, oh god, oh god…" His pleadings dissolved into shouts of rapture.

I savored him. The way he looked and sounded—his smell and his taste.

Spent, Erik's body relaxed into a puddle of muscle, sinew and bone into the bedclothes.

Gently he pulled me forward by my arms, resting me against his chest. He was still breathing considerably when he whispered in my ear, "You vixen, you have introduced me to something I may well love better than my music."

"Then I trust my place in this house will be safe, at least until you tire of me my good monsieur?" I breathed back.

"At least, but I shall never tire of you."

I smiled contentedly and snuggled into his warmth, "Did your enjoy your morning exercise Erik?"

"Hummm, indeed. Did you enjoy your breakfast Gabrielle?"

A dainty giggle escaped my lips, "a epicurean delight."

"If that's the way you feel my darling, then I must indulge you every morning," he smirked with a devilish twinkle in his eyes.

I pushed my self up and propped on one elbow. I smiled back and cocked an eyebrow at him, "Really now, you are a generous man aren't you?" I attacked his lips before he could continue our tête-à-tête.

Oh my, I thought, what have you gotten yourself into Gabrielle?

I wouldn't exactly call it a Pandora's box that had been opened; after all, that was a tragedy for the Greeks. There was nothing evil or unpleasant about what Erik and I had discovered together.

By all accounts Erik was a man wired for monogamy, the only sort of relationship I was interested in too. But one must consider what living a life of celibacy without fair reason is like. Certainly this torment was what inspired him artistically. Erik DuPuis' searing, tragic and darkly provocative music is what made him the most passionate of all the composers of his day. His compositions also had a modern angst-ness to them—one of the very reasons the composer's musicstimulated me so.

As we lay in his generous bed, I wondered if he too were pondering what next? I had never slept with a man from the 19th century before. What was the proper etiquette? Even thought Erik was not what one would call typical, there had to be uniform precepts from his time that even he would adhere to.

As for me, I hadn't had a lot of experience with multiple lovers. In high school and college I'd been too preoccupied with music and work to be much of a player. When I was younger, I was outwardly shy, not too many guys were beating down my door. Lots of studying and artistic pursuits could earn you the geek-girl label too. I did manage to have lots of male friends.

Finally ensconced in the diverse university culture, I met a man who found me more interesting than the typical collegiate Muff's.

Mark and I experimented around sexually, but I had this unpopular idea that I wanted to wait until marriage before I gave up the goods. Maybe I just knew that he wouldn't be around long. We talked about getting married some, but he moved to Seattle, I stayed in Chicago and that was that. I dated around, but the early days of my journalistic career were spent moving from one broadcast market to another. I didn't have a chance to get close to anyone in particular.

There was this un-glorified one-night stand the summer of my internship in Europe. I was an assistant news writer for the BBC in London. Josh was an A & R (Artist and repertoire) guy from Warner Bros. We had met at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert and attended the after party where we both got extraordinarily slammed.

The final stop of the evening was back in my flat. The sex was not memorable; talk about a minuteman. He said he would call. I told him not to do me any favors. Men always promise to call you soon, but they seldom do, wankers. God forbid a romantic attachment might challenging a man's freedom before he decided if he wanted to bed you again. Thenext dayIremember having an incredible hangover and a case of the skank blues.

Threr were a few other semi-serious boyfriends since then. An enormous amount of messing around and heavy breathing went on in those days. Then along came Tony.Our attraction to each other was instant and fierce. I fell fast and hard. Tony did love me, but heloved sexualvariety more.

At least I was free from the worry of whether or not Erik wouldcall me the next day or if he wouldbesneaking out of bed to make an early escape. He lived here, plus technology was still a few years away from the personal telephone.

Being wrapped in his protective embrace was the first true peace I'd felt since arriving here seven months ago.

"Gabrielle, as much as I loathe removing myself from the bliss of your soft warm body, I must rise. There is much preparation to be done before my departure for England today," Erik explained ruefully.

I caressed his left cheek and kissed the divot on his chin, "I know Erik, and I have got to get going on breakfast. It wouldn't look good for the cook to be the last one out of bed while the household starves."

No one moved. I believe it was discomfort as well as comfort that kept us immobilized. I imagined walking around naked in front of a woman was not something Erik was accustomed to. Because of his gentlemanly modesty, I too felt awkward about exposing myself for the three or four feet I needed to walk to fetch my clothing.

Oh to hell with shyness, I had to get up, someone needed to initiate this, if not, one of us would kiss the other and we'd be off to the races again. By then it would be so late that the entire household would have guessed where the two of us were and what we were doing.

I looked around for where my chemise landed last night. It was wadded up several feet from the right side of the bed. In one swift motion I threw the covers from my body and sprang forward.

Erik rolled fully onto his right side and propped up on his elbow. As I strode to my pick up chemise I knew a pair of intense jade eyes were ogling my backside. Ever so gracefully I knelt to pick up the slip, turned around and held it at my waist. Might as well give him another look at my breasts before shutting down the peep show for the day. He smiled appreciatively, his eyes roving over my chest then back to my eyes with a look of approval.

I slipped the garment over my head and shook out my tangled hair, "Erik, it's a good idea for you to exit the room before I do, that way you can check to see if the hallway is clear, otherwise, I might run headlong into a most embarrassed Caron Spencer."

"I suppose you are correct Gabrielle, although it would be humorous to see the look on her mother's face when she mentions her scandalous discovery," he smirked wickedly.

"You are the little mischief maker aren't you? Aren't you the one who instructed me not to irritate Mdm. Roux? Besides, there's my reputation to think of," I was teasing of course, but he appeared to consider my suggestion seriously.

"Yes Gabrielle, you are correct. Forgive me for being so inconsiderate. You've done nothing improper here with me. I would not wish to cause you undue embarrassment."

He rose from the bed, his form hidden somewhat in the darkened room. Turning from me, he walked to his armoire.

Naked, Erik appeared even taller than when fully clothed. His lean muscled form was difficult not to stare at. The man had an exquisite bottom. What in the hell was wrong with the women around here? I wondered. He is romantic, talented and in possession of a crushing charisma difficult to deny. After just one night of love play I had learned that Erik was also a most devoted lover.

I stared shamelessly. Erik opened the armoire and drew out a black silk robe lined with gold. Of course Monsieur DuPuis had elegant and expensive taste in lounge wear. He threw the robe around his body and tied it hastily. When he turned back around I had slipped all of my clothing back on and stood waiting for him to proceed from the room so I could return to mine at the opposite end of the hall.

If I intended to make it down to the kitchen before the others woke, I had to move.

I watched Erik run his hands through his hair in an attempt to put some order to it. His actions were confidant yet bashful. He strode over to me, the handsome silk robe swirling around his ankles. But when he stopped in front of me, he placed his hands lightly on the sides of my face and spoke softly, "Gabrielle, I hate to leave you today, I would much rather spend the next week in this bed getting to know you better, but go I must. Eugene requires my expertise in explaining a new design concept to our client."

"I know Erik. Hey, you could take me with you! I would love to go somewhere—anywhere with you. I'd sure like to see some place beside Paris too."

"Mon cher, I would be delighted to have you accompany me, however you have quests to cook for and entertain. It would be rude to abandon Caron."

"Damn it Erik, do you have to be so logical?"

"You know I am right. And Gabrielle?"

"Yes Erik?"

"Stop cursing darling, it is coarse."

"Bite me."

"I very well may you incorrigible wench," he playfully nipped the bottom of my lip and went to the door.

"The manor is still as death Gabrielle, I think you may proceed to your room undiscovered," he instructed while peering into the darkened hallway.

I waited until Erik had made it to the water closet before I eked out into the hall. I closed his door carefully then tip toed toward my room.

No sooner had my hand touched the doorknob than I heard the door to Caron's room open behind me. "Gabrielle, where have you been?" She asked expectantly.

- o -

Nosey wench eh? Breakfast gets interesting then it's off to paris for a little clubbing! in the next two chappies.

To myreviewers Hestia, PrincessPersephone, asow007, Dunny, The faithful and talented KayeBlueEyes, and Padfoot's niece, (The killdares? Cool) Thank you! for taking the time! Now you readingright now, review for me please, just a short note will do.

-Leesa