A/N: Thanks for your reviews guys! You are wonderful :D!

Thanks to my anonymous reviewers ABC, 123456, Balack88, MmeButterfly, Melstrife, vanilla and funnygirl.

Also, i would like to thank all of you who put this story to your favourites, story alerts etc :)... and i would really like you to drop me a line with your thoughts sometime :D...

And of course HUGE thank you to the yellow flower (sorry for not mentioning it before :( ), Lothiel and XxxCherikxxX for their support :)!

IMPORTANT: In a couple days i am leaving for a 2-week vacation. The problem is that i'll be away from the civilisation, so no internet connection for me :(... As you understand, I won't be able to update the story temporarily...

Anyways, back to our story :)... As you've probably noticed the rating has officially changed to M ;)...

SO... LET US CONTINUE :)... Christine and Erik are both acting a little :P out of character... hope you'll enjoy this chapter... let the good stuff begin ;D...

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN PotO nor the main plot of the story.

Judging by the cover

Chapter 6: A woman's scent

(One day before the…long awaited trip…)

Carlotta was walking away from her limo leaving behind her, her very personal seal. The scent of a perfume that a factory in Paris created only for her. A heavy scent full of sensual promises...

Her two teenage daughters hated it and were trying to make her change it, in vain though. Carlotta believed that this perfume was her sign. The proof of her femininity and sexuality. She was pretty sure that the chit Erik was engaged to, was wearing a pathetically common perfume, such us lemon or lavender.

...

"We will go shopping no matter whether you want it or not! And then we will stay at my house for the night, because tomorrow we have a flight to catch and I don't want you to be late on purpose!" Erik shouted.

Christine decided to not make a comment at the latter, since it had crossed her mind... missing 'accidentally' the flight... "For the millionth time, I am not coming with you! I am nor a child nor someone's doll." Christine said full of rage.

"Listen! People in my family have some standards. They like to dress in a certain way with... quite expensive clothes. Consequently, you have to get dressed like them. Otherwise they are going to find out that we are making a fool out of them from the very first second."

"No! I'm not going to wear clothes that cost as much as the national debt of a poor country. I won't be comfortable."

"Please spare me from your boring lecture about socialism!" he mocked once again.

Christine had enough. Without thinking she raised her hand and struck him at the masked side of his face. Immediately, she backed away in fear after listening to his animalistic roar. Somehow, the mask hadn't fallen from his face.

"You little bitch!" Erik growled and caught her wrist in a vice grip.

Christine didn't dare to even blink. His eyes had a murderous, lunatic sparkle in them.

"You... will... NEVER... touch... my mask... again! Am I clear?" he shouted at her face.

Christine could only nod and tried to pull her hand, but the only thing she achieved was a tighter grip. She had never considered what's behind the mask, and now he made her curious with his rage. However, in life, she knew to mind her own business and don't ask too many questions...

She was in pain, but her pride didn't permit her to show it. She remained silent... No... she wouldn't give him the pleasure to admit that he was hurting her.

When Erik swallowed his anger, read the pain on her now pale face and cursed himself. He relaxed his grip at her wrist but didn't let her go. His grip now was feather-light.

"Why didn't you tell me I was hurting you?" he asked her abruptly "It seems that your bones are very fragile."

But even when he started massaging her wrist softly, coaxing the blood to reach her fingers again, she didn't allow herself to succumb to his touch...

Her eyes were cold. "Because I didn't want to ruin your entertainment." She replied ironically. "For I understood you were enjoying this demonstration of strength and violence..."

"I think this thing has gone far enough. I'm sick of your childish behaviour. The night time you pretend to be a whore, whereas in day time a little innocent girl. From now on, the only role you will be playing will be the one of our agreement. I warn you! If you do or say anything that will make my family suspicious... I swear I will make you pay! Do you understand?"

"Absolutely." Christine responded defeated.

"I ensure you that I am not kidding. And it is not only that you will lose your job in my company, I will also make sure that you will not get a job anywhere! Because, no one would want a suspect for stealing, working for him."

"You cannot do this to me!" she spoke unable to hide her fear. But deep inside she was sure that he could and, moreover would do this...

And she hated him for that. She hated him so much!

Finally, Christine gave in and went for shopping with Erik.

...

It was almost dark when the couple was finished shopping the clothes Erik needed in order to present her by his side.

"There's a good restaurant nearby. I'll call them so they will bring us something to eat." Erik announced as soon as they had reached his apartment and were out of his car.

"No! I'd rather go and eat at the restaurant."

Erik frowned "I don't think that it is a good idea" he croaked "A woman like you, attracts many gazes on her. And besides, you look very tired. On the other hand, I have to go somewhere and I don't know what time I'll be back."

The news made Christine relax a little. The truth was that she wasn't used to so much walking and her feet were killing her.

"This way." Erik told her and put his hand on her arm to guide her inside the building.

...

Erik unlocked the door, after putting down the shopping and Christine's suitcase, and waved to her to walk in first.

The first thing that attracted her attention was not the magnificence of the apartment, but the heavy, spicy female scent that filled her nostrils and made her nauseous. She understood that Erik felt exactly the same thing as she watched him stop, raise his head on the air and start sniffing like a wild panther.

"Damn it..." he mumbled full of anger.

Before Christine had the time to comprehend what was going on, Erik had already caught her by the waist and guided her to the large sitting room. After that, he leaned close to her looking with dark eyes full of desire and whispered in a warning's tone in her ear.

"At last alone." Christine inhaled sharply at his statement, what did he mean? What was he going to do to her?

"I know that you enjoy the game you are playing, my precious angel. Feeling you by my side and not be able to touch you. But now you are here with me and me alone, and I can punish you..."

Christine was a trembling mass after his sexual statement. Feeling paralysed after this shock, she put her hands on his forearms in order to prevent herself from losing her balance. And then his mouth captured her lips, silencing any kind of protest.

His lips were so soft, so gentle, so bold and so experienced that she abandoned her defences almost immediately.

Without wanting to, Christine whispered his name, perhaps because she wanted an explanation about the kiss. After all, they were alone and didn't have to pretend. But her senses, not being used to any kind of passion and desire's fever, fail to obey her. So, she remained inside Erik's embrace shaking like a leaf, while feeling panic and lust suffocating her at the same time.

The sweetness of his kiss drifted her away. And then, without being entirely conscious of her actions, she turned her head so that the mask was not on the way of their kiss and stood at her tiptoes to pull him closer to her.

Erik went crazy as she began running her hands over his body. And when she ran them in his dark hair and coaxed him closer to deepen the kiss, he lost control.

As she was caressing him, she felt under her palms his muscles strain at her touch, and her heart lost a beat "Is it possible for him to feel something?" she foolishly thought. But didn't dare to give an answer...

That disgusting female scent was gone from her nostrils. She smelled only Erik. His own special male scent...and felt that a part of her had suddenly woken and responded boldly to his fiery desire.

Her lips were kissing him back and her body moulded to his as, with an erotic growl, he pulled her violently to his chest. Erik's hands were running up and down her back caressing and massaging her softly, eager to feel the skin underneath. His fingers itched to tear her shirt open and touch her hardened nipples that now were pressed on his chest, but a thought stopped him in time.

Christine, feeling dizzy from all those new emotions, dared to open her eyes and shivered as she locked gazes with Erik. His eyes were dark and sparkled with hot lust and desire.

Suddenly, she felt like she was hanging from a cliff where she could fall at any moment. But the strange thing was, even though she was aware of the danger, at the same time she felt very safe. Safe inside Erik's embrace...

"You are kissing like an innocent girl... like a virgin..." he mumbled in a hoarse voice, and from the look in his eyes she could tell that he did like it... a lot...

Christine didn't answer. She just stared at him, without knowing that her expression was begging Erik to touch her everywhere, to feel his hands caressing her body to relieve that irresistible need which was torturing her and had turned to physical pain. Suddenly, just the idea of him touching her body drove her to the edge... She moaned and pressed herself onto his erected body.

"You like it... You want me too..." while he was whispering those words he caught her hips and grounded his erection violently on her aroused body.

Christine couldn't take it anymore. She raised her arms and hugged him tightly. Her fingers laced at the nape of his neck and slightly pulled him to her. Erik understood what she wanted and bent his head to hers. His warm tongue and upper lip caught her full bottom lip and suckled making a sexual sound. Christine opened her mouth innocently and allowed her tongue to caress his.

When Erik felt Christine taking the lead, he pushed her onto the nearest wall and caught her thigh bringing it around his waist. His painful erection was now planted against Christine's wet core. It was something totally new to her and felt slightly scared, but his gentle caresses ensured her that everything would be fine.

"Erik? Aren't you going to introduce me?"

Realising for the first time what she was doing, Christine tried ashamed to pull herself from his embrace, trying to hide her racing heart. But Erik held her tightly to him, keeping them in place... on the wall, with Christine's leg wrapped around his waist.

Christine started trembling at the feel of his rock hard member against her centre, and turned red thinking of the sexuality their position showed.

Erik suddenly released Christine and turned to face the other woman. She was a tall red-head with tanned skin.

"Carlotta" he asked clearly annoyed by her presence "How did you get in here?"

"I have a key. Did you forget it?"

The sensual huskiness of her voice and her effort to block Christine out of the conversation, made the latter reconsider her opinion about the sad widow who is forced into a marriage she doesn't want.

While scrutinising Carlotta, Christine saw in her gaze lust and only lust for Erik. It was the first time in her twenty three years that she met a woman who so boldly expressed her sexual hunger to a man. And then she totally understood Erik's need to protect himself from this woman.

What she failed to understand was where he found the power to resist such a sensual woman. Christine didn't doubt for a second the other woman's abilities that made men fantasising her.

Then the reason why Erik had kissed her struck her. He knew that Carlotta was in his apartment...he had guessed it from her perfume.

"Won't you tell me how much you missed me?" Carlotta took another step closer to Erik. "Your grandfather is very depressed with the news of your engagement. You know, of course which was always his dream." She added meaningfully while turning to face Christine. "Sorry" she mockingly said "I didn't want to hurt your feelings, but I am sure that Erik has warned you how difficult it is to be accepted in our family..."

"Carlotta!" Erik said in a hazardous voice.

"But it is true." She simply said and smiled charmingly while moving even closer to him.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?" Carlotta asked in a low voice and ran her red fingernails onto Erik's shoulder. "You usually do so. I am sure that your... fiancée... will understand that in our family we are being quite effusive with our relatives..."

"What Christine understands is that I love her and that I want her beside me...as my partner in life... as my beloved wife..."Erik took a step back and pulled Christine into his arms and entangled their hands. Then he turned her, her back to his chest, and put their hands enlaced on her stomach. Christine could do nothing than to lean against his strong chest.

"Oooh! How sweet!" Carlotta gave Christine a venomous look. "Out of curiosity, Christine, was it?" Christine fearfully nodded "How did you react when you saw what lies under his mask?" the couple froze.

Christine felt Erik stiffening and the grip of his hands at her stomach tightened. "The poor man" she thought "He may act so badly to everyone, but perhaps this is because of what is lying behind his mask. Of course this does not excuse what he is doing to me, but..." A strange urge to sooth him filled her and started scratching his arm slowly.

Carlotta put her hands on her mouth like she was surprised. "Oh! Don't tell me that you haven't shown her! I know that your distortion is not a side to behold and that unfortunately it can't be remedied by any kind of plastic surgery, but Erik...she will be your wife!"

"A distortion ! ?" Christine decided that she hated that woman and spoke for the first time till she had entered the apartment.

"Sweetheart, please, don't act this way." She slowly turned into Erik's embrace and softly pecked him on the lips. Erik was flabbergasted. What was she doing?

Christine raised her hands and caressed both sides of his face drawing small invisible circles with her thumbs. Erik was staring at her awestruck and didn't realise it when he nuzzled his masked side into her palm, causing Christine to giggle.

"I know that you feel uncomfortable with this matter." She smiled softly "But I love you just the way you are." She stated in a lower voice, but making sure that Carlotta heard her. Then, she traced his strong jaw line with her index finger and when she reached his chin's cleft, she stretched and shyly licked it, making Erik hold his breath.

"So from now on..." she stopped and turned to the other woman "Harlotta, isn't it?" Erik and Carlotta's jaws dropped.

"It's CArlotta!" she replied behind clenched teeth.

"Oh yes, of course. Well, Erik has not told me many things about you. In fact, when we are together we prefer doing other things than talking. Anyway, for your information I know what is behind the mask, and I would advise you never to bring up this subject again because it annoys my love. Am I clear?"

"WOW!" Christine thought. She was really proud of herself.

Carlotta was taken aback "Perfectly..." she mumbled.

Erik was at a loss of words. He didn't know what to believe. Was it possible, once in a million, for Christine to mean what she said? No...of course not. And first of all, because she had not seen his face. He closed his eyes. "No. She is just an excellent actress. I told her... I made her to act like my fiancée and she does exactly that. It's clearly professional..."

He resumed his role "Thank you, my little angel." He smiled softly "But since we are not going to meet her again anytime soon, don't trouble your little head. And now..." he turned to Carlotta "If you don't mind cousin, I would like to stay alone with my fiancée. You see tomorrow we have a flight to catch and we have plans for the night...a lot of plans..."

Carlotta rolled her eyes.

"And that reminds me..." without leaving Christine from his embrace, he presented a small jewellery box "That I have something for you."

Before Christine had the time to react, Erik hid the small box again saying "Never mind, we will talk about it later... in private..."

At that moment, his mobile phone started ringing. He looked Christine apologetically and he finally freed her.

"It won't last." Carlotta stated dryly as soon as Erik left the room "He is not going to marry you. Erik and I were meant to be together, and he knows it." She paused "His pride makes him resist and deny our common destiny. And since I am not going to give up...I advise you to leave him before you get hurt...little angel..."

"She really means it... poor Erik." She immediately frowned "Why for the past half an hour I pity a man who thinks I am a common... prostitute?" she sighed and decided to play one more card.

She raised her head proudly and pulled Erik who had just returned to them. Erik was more than happy to oblige and closed his arms around her, permitting her to put her hands possessively on his "I can say cousin" Christine mocked "That you are simply jealous of what you cannot have."

Carlotta cursed under her breath and without another word she left them.

When the couple heard the door closing exhaled and Christine pulled away from him immediately.

"I may regret it... but I wish for Carlotta to return if it means that Christine will come into my arms again." His eyes grew wide "STOP IT NOW YOU DOOFUS!" he mentally cursed himself.

Christine was blushing after her performance and didn't dare to look at him. Erik had to admit that even though she was a... not the best woman in the world, that night she had really saved him and felt deeply grateful.

"Thank you." He said softly.

Christine thought she didn't hear correctly and turned her face to him abruptly, but the gentleness in his eyes assured her that her hearing didn't fail her.

"You are welcome." She replied, and for the first time after their first meeting gave him a genuine smile.

Erik's heart almost stopped... but his mind didn't allow him further happiness...

They had a lot to do...

A/N: so, how was it? just let me know ;)...