Authors Note:

Oh dear, I fear I have been completely remiss; ok now, two chapters ago there was a little song Erik sang to Elaine. It is from Ken Hill's Phantom of the Opera, the first stage production of Gaston Leroux's novel of the same name. I did change the lyrics. The song is called "Ne're forsake me, here remain". Believe it or not, this stage version is even more sad than ALW version. It is well worth a listen, at least 3 songs are on my favorite list on my iPod. Most of the songs are repurposed songs from operas. If you are a real phanatic, it should be on your bucket list.

I just want to say thank you soooo much to all the new readers out there. Welcome to Luxembourg! We are about 2/3 of the way through this tale, but stay tuned... I have a lot more action in store for you. I will be updateing more regularly now, I hope. I hope to bring you to higher heights but also lower lows.

But for now, this chapter is dedicated to the romantic in all of us...

Warnings: mature sexual situations, angst, sweetness...

Enjoy- AW

Erik walked as if he was in a daze as he followed Elaine back to the cabin. Several times she looked back at him with a smile. He just followed behind her silently, completely under her spell, yet his mind was filled with trepidation. As they walked, he studied everything about her. His eyes traced from where the touch began, at her strong but slender hands, to the shoes on her small feet. Her delicate fingers entwined with his. With his eyes, he traced her arm into her dark cloak, then down to the light colored dress she wore flowing gingerly by her calves, her feet covered by small slippers. His gaze brushed over her shoulder up to her neck. He admired her silhouette; the gentle curve of her chin giving way to the lines of her lips, the sweet little turn of her nose, up to those wide, bottomless eyes. Those eyes turned to him as he stared at her, mirroring the depths of her compassion.

"Should we go in?" She asked quietly.

"What? Oh, yes." He said, not realizing until that moment that they had arrived at the front of the cabin. He had been quite distracted. His heart pounded and he felt his face become warm as he opened the door for her to enter the cabin.

Once inside, he strode over to the piano, almost by instinct. He gathered his papers nervously, with the vague pretense of trying to recreate some order. Within his head, he was being haunted once again by intense feelings of insecurity.

What am I to do now? She will realize her mistake soon enough, I am sure. It is one thing to proclaim your love verbally. It is quite another to show it. This blessed, lovely creature could not possibly, not really want to be with me. She is so experienced in the ways of this world, and I am but a fumbling fool, hopelessly in love.

Outwardly, his silent movements betrayed the fact that he was becoming more and more flustered to Elaine, who was eyeing him, doing some studying of her own. She just let him walk past her, and took off her cloak slowly as he started to shuffle through his papers. She gave him a moment to compose himself, and then approached him slowly with a gentle smile and a soft touch.

I can see the pain of his past in the tension in his brow. I will have to wield my gentlest hand to deal with him. There are so many years of hurt and layers of armor to go through. To strip those away too quickly will leave him feeling vulnerable. He is so afraid to open his heart, to want too much.

Her warm hand surrounded his, causing him to halt his movements at her touch. She pulled him slowly away from his crutch, the hastily rearranged papers abandoned. He raised his gaze slowly, and looked into her soft hazel eyes, shining with understanding. His gaze drifted down to the gown flowing over her curves, her bosom obviously unrestrained. He swallowed and looked away. His chin was caught by her finger and a soft kiss was planted on his lips, reassuring him.

"It's alright, Erik." She said, her loving gaze filled with endless patience. Her words calmed him as only her voice could. Wordlessly, Elaine led him to the sofa near the picture window. She sat him down and sat next to him, as she stroked his hand, looking into his face. He was withdrawing into himself, despite the fact that he so wanted to lower his defenses and be with her. The fear of being hurt again was making him wary of Elaine's actions. Why did she love him, why did she want him? He could not fathom the reasons. He closed his eyes, growing frustrated with himself.

"Turn around, please." She said, turning his shoulders, making him face away from her. complied, even though he was confused by the request. In a few minutes, he finally felt relaxation permeate his being as her hands worked the knots from his tense shoulders. She stroked his neck, back and upper arms until she felt the strain within those muscles release. She brought herself close to his ear.

"There is no need to worry, Erik. I love just holding you." she said as her arms wound around his chest, her head resting against his back in a comforting way.

"Elaine, it is just that…" He stammered. His words were quieted by a gentle kiss against the bare part of his scalp, exemplifying her acceptance of his ugliness, both inside and out. He squeezed his eyes shut, made speechless by her compassion.

"Shhh, my love." She said. As her arms held him securely, her grasp lessened the disquiet in his mind. They held each other silently, looking out of the window as the moon shined like a beacon through the trees.

"Let us rest, it has been a long day." Elaine whispered in his ear, her hands rubbing his chest. She was looking forward to falling asleep in his arms; innocence retained for yet another day.

"I just want to stay like this a bit more." said Erik, holding her arm tightly, not willing to let go of the sweetness of the moment, to abandon the security of her embrace.

Eventually, Elaine urged him to standing and they made their way to the bed. Emotions rolled mercilessly through his brain as they walked over to the bed, the few feet trip an endless journey. He looked at the profile of her body, barely concealed by her loose gown as she looked back and smiled sweetly at him. Somewhere within him, his passion awoke, pushing out the feelings of doubt and fear. The need to accept her riverside offer drove away his insecurities. His world became reduced to just her breath, her eyes, her body, her soft skin and his longing to see, to feel, to taste...to experience her.

Suddenly, Erik pulled Elaine to him, turning her around just as they arrived by the side of the bed. He cupped her face and planted a deep, sensuous kiss on her full, luscious lips. It took her by surprise, stealing her breath away. She nearly lost herself as his tongue delved deeply into her mouth, rekindling the urges within her. She returned the kiss in kind, her hands wrapping around his sculpted chest, her own trembling beginning.

Only once before had his body been granted such attention and tenderness; it was with this same elegant woman. It was not to such a high degree and never with such intention before. The unfamiliarity of it left him uncertain of what to do. Every stroke from her magical hands made his heart ache and sent his mind reeling, his brain struggling to accept the reality of the situation.

The pressure on each others lips grew urgent. His eyes opened to gaze upon the fuel of the internal fire, now roaring within him. Elaine's eyes were upon him, looking into his own eagerly, her face flushed, her chest rising and falling with her deepening breaths. Every bit of his body wanted to feel every inch of her against him. His breathing quickened as she untied her robe and pushed it backwards off her delicate shoulders, leaving only a filmy chemise hanging over her shoulders, lying low over the full curves of her bosom. He closed his eyes yet again, his disbelief of her continued seduction making his heart ache and his lips tremble. He was nearly overcome with emotion.

He felt her soft hands hold his face and she kissed his chin softly, her lips roaming over the skin of his neck as her hands flowed over his shoulders, working to free him of the burden of his shirt. She sensuously slid his shirt off of one shoulder as her fingertips played over his skin, her intense, purposeful touch reaching into his tortured soul. As her hands passed over the tense muscles of his chest, his breaths became deep and labored; she walked around him slowly, pulling the shirt off and letting it fall to the floor. Gentle fingers traced the shiny, white crisscrosses on the skin of his back, and were followed by the contact of soft lips. He gasped, her kisses a healing balm, permeating him with warmth. Her lips and hands circled him slowly, the tender touches finding their way around his shoulder, then around to his chest. They stroked each scar they encountered lightly, her lips kissing him, making him draw breath with each touch. He opened his eyes, looking at her in complete surrender.

Her powerful fingers caressed his body, moving over the sculpted muscles of his shoulders and chest, to the tense hard abdominals, then down to the solid muscles surrounding his hips and thighs. She explored him slowly, building the divine tension, her stimulating, playful nibbles finding his neck once again as his arms surrounded her. She kissed him and held him closely when his body shook, his labored breaths laden with feeling. She held him, until she felt his arms pulling her against him, their bodies now separated by only a few sheer threads.

She pushed him back a little, so that he sat on the edge of the high bed. Slowly, with her eyes focused on his, she slid one side of the chemise then the other off her shoulders, letting it slide, painstakingly slowly, off her body. She was now completely free of all restrictions.

He gasped as this beautiful woman revealed herself to him, without shame, without reservation. His prior study of the elegant representations of the human body rendered by sculptor's hands and the quick glimpses he caught during his nighttime wanderings at the opera house had not prepared him for the fire he experienced upon seeing her yielding body before him, the vision of loveliness meant for his eyes. His pulse speeded up as his eyes wandering over the delicately colored expanse of her skin; it was alive, waiting.

She felt the ache inside her begin as his eyes wandered down her body. She could sense the turmoil within him. His eyes met hers with such longing, such intense desire that her breasts swelled and ached, craving his touch. A warm moisture blossomed between her legs as she saw his eyes wander over her, his gaze as intense as steaming lips across her skin.

"Touch me."she said, softly, her breathy voice echoing her ache.

The emotions heightened within him; combinations of awe, lust and adoration. Even though the heart within him was pounding furiously, his hands were surprisingly steady. He gasped as the softness and smoothness of her skin met his hands, thinking how the sensation of silk paled in comparison. Gently, her hands covered his, and led them sensuously over her warm skin until they found the roundness of her breasts. He touched their pink tips softly, his body mirroring their response to his attentions. The gentleness of his touch heightened the sensitivity of her flushed skin, his slowness amplifying the aching within her. She held back as he caressed her, but only for a minute. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, kissing him eagerly. He felt his excitement grow against her as her breasts grazed his chest.

He pressed her against him, his hands holding her back firmly, breathing deeply, barely able to hold back his emotions as he experienced the sensation of her skin against his, a sweet ache within his chest filled his soul. He had never experienced this kind of contact from a woman; never had he experienced the intense sensations of pleasure released by the feeling of human touch; skin against skin, body against body. He gasped and arched his head back; overwhelmed by the signals that the skin on his chest, hands and face were sending to his brain. She stroked his hair and face gently, bringing him back to the passion at hand.

She led his mouth to her neck; he followed her lead, inhaling her scent, sliding his lips down to the nape. As she shivered in his arms, he pressed his face against her chest, kissing her bosom gently. He held one her pink tipped breast to his lips, nearly breaking down as he tasted her tender, sweet skin with his mouth, his tongue touching gently. He held her back firmly as he filled his mouth with her luscious fruits. She gasped, feeling the ache between her hips grow as she felt his hungry mouth against her skin, taking her over. Her head bent back, the tender music of passion arising in her throat; her low moans of pleasure gripping his heart.

He kissed her body feverishly, his hands and lips roaming over her uncontrollably. He wanted to feel everything, touch all of her, and taste all of her. Most of all, he wanted to her to continue to utter those sounds of pleasure, her moans blessed music to his ears. He wanted it all, before she would stop him. He was sure lightning would strike him down. He feared the earth would open up and hell reclaim him, punishing him for partaking of the treasure of this woman from heaven, punishing him for daring to feel so loved.

Just when he thought he could bear no more pleasure, her eager hands wandered down to his waist, her fingers tracing along the top of his pants. She loosened his trousers and let them fall from his hips, leaving his loins uncovered and aching. He inhaled loudly as her feathery hands touched him intimately, surrounding his length, stroking him firmly. He held her around her shoulders and looked at her face; her eyes were filled with intention, mouth open slightly with the gentle smile of passion. His body shook with the intensity of her touch. She pressed herself against him, as if needing to do it to keep him from falling.

Elaine shared in the intense awakening as she saw the expressions of bliss playing on Erik's face, his eyes half closed with extreme arousal. The pleasure he was revealing to her stirred the desires deep within her with startling efficiency. Instantly, she felt the need to feel him against her body, to feel him deep inside her. She wanted to hold him close and watch as he experienced the thrill of orgasmic release within her, to hear him moan loudly as she acted upon her adoration, giving him love in its purest form. She wanted him to experience the divine union that she knew his passionate, lonely soul had been denied for too long.

She eased her caresses on him, reaching over to pull the blankets on the bed back. They melted together into the temple of their passion. Once they stretched out on the sheets, they pressed their bodies together again, limbs entwining. He experienced the intense sweet sensation of her soft skin against his, her leg wrapping around him, his body on fire with her touch,. Her hands flowed through his hair, over his strong shoulders and against his neck as his mouth and hands roved over her skin urgently. She rolled with him, wrapped securely in his tight embrace, until she came to lie above him, mouths busy with a sensuous kiss. She slid herself across his hips, the core of her warm, intensely stimulated body rubbing against his manhood.

They both shuddered at the sensation, yet continued to move against one another, moans of pleasure echoing between them. Their lips and mouths teased each other, their eyes seeking out each other. She knelt over him, struggling to catch her breath as he held her possessively against him, the action producing pangs of need within her. Stroking his face, she felt him shiver. He looked at her with longing and sadness, as if he was unsure of her intensions, incredulous. She stopped moving for a moment to capture his gaze and smiled at him, just a little, nodding as his head shook. She brushed his lips with hers as she tilted her hips, positioning herself against him then moving her body, leading him inside her.

Erik froze as he felt her warm body open up to him, unable to budge as waves of pleasure washed over him, the feeling of her wet center rubbing against him making his mind empty itself instantly. He could only think of the warmth of her pleasure. The blood pounded within his head, ringing in his ears. They kissed deeply as her body moved against his hips. His hands became numb as he held on to her waist, feeling her back arch with pleasure against him. As he penetrated her, all at once he felt her firm, tight body surround his arousal, the sensation causing him to let out a guttural groan as he arched, pushing himself deeply into her. Their bodies instinctively found their rhythm, and soon he was stimulated beyond belief within her gorgeous body, her love filling his heart.

He heard a sound that pulled him from the height of rapture, the sound of a painful whimper that sent a chill through his body. His eyes whipped open. Elaine had lowered her head against his chest and was crying silently. His concern for her became paramount. He pulled her up, off of him and he started kissing her gently, holding and stroking her face, his eyes seeking out hers.

"Elaine, did I hurt you?" He said, his face showing his worry. She looked up at him and laughed gently between tears. She kissed him deeply, making his heart stand still. She stroked his cheeks and lips.

"No, Erik. You heal me." she said, breathing deeply. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close again. He understood what she meant, and felt, deep in his heart, the same healing warmth within him. The pain and sorrow of his past, his epoch of torture was just a memory. She started to shower his face with gentle kisses, blanketing him with tenderness. The loving, sweet kisses soon gave way to deep passion once again; she held his face in her soft hands as her eyes drifted over him with intense adoration.

"Erik, I love you. Please, let me heal you." She whispered, her lips mere inches from his. He closed his eyes, struggling to hold himself together as her body continued to send pleasurable sensations to the sensitive skin of his loins. One of her hands found his, and she kissed it tenderly. Her every move made his heart ache and twist within his chest.

"I think those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard." he said just before her lips silenced him. She shifted, sliding down; he found himself buried deep within her flesh once again. His mind became a blur of pleasure and instinct. They moved with each other in concert, both bodies stretching and contracting against each other, building the burning fire within, the tension sweet and heat intense.

His body tightened, his muscles clenching and his neck arched as his head pressed back hard against the unyielding bed below him. He felt the rush of intense sensations start, beginning low in his pelvis. The orgasmic release began traveling upwards, causing him to convulse against her. He grasped her hips firmly and held her to him as his hips began to move of their own accord, the muscles of his loins pushing him deeply into her body. He exploded within her, unable to breathe as the ecstasy burned his mind and soul, sending shock waves throughout his frame.

Her body responded to his urgent thrusts by a blossoming of warm pleasure deep between her hips that left her shuddering with climactic release. She could not believe the intensity of the orgasm that was possessing her. She released all other thoughts and floated in the bliss of their passionate lovemaking. Their voices, loud cries of rapture, filled the air.

They moved feverishly, pressing desperately together as if they wanted to crawl into each other's skin and make this happiness last forever. Their trembling bodies entwined, and they struggled to kiss as they gasped, their skin glowing with the heat. The extreme pleasure gave way slowly to a decrescendo, then to the peace of afterglow; they caressed each other tenderly, kissing breathlessly. They turned together, maintaining as much contact as possible, to lie on their sides facing each other. They stared wordlessly into each other's sleepy eyes, faces shining from the effort of passion.

The intensity of the physical release opened Erik's heart, and shortly thereafter, he was taken over by the emotions that he had been holding back. He pulled himself against her chest and was powerless to stop the tears that flowed from his eyes. His body was racked by deep tremors as he released the pain, the loneliness and the anger that had been killing his soul for so long.

Elaine held him tightly, silently as he cried in her arms, hoping that he would eventually find comfort in her presence once again. She felt his pain, her eyes growing moist. Erik's tremors eventually quieted down and she released her hold, placing her hand on his face, kissing his tear streaked cheeks, then his curled lips. Eventually, he regained his composure and looked into her eyes admiringly.

They kissed tenderly, whispering sweet words of love until sleep possessed them both. Elaine drifted off into a quiet, deep sleep, wrapped securely in Erik's grasp. Just before he surrendered himself to sleep, he whispered softly in her ear.

"I will love you until the day I draw my last breath, Elaine. That, I promise."