Not knowing why she did not stop him Christine slowly opened her mouth. His hand found the back of her head and it tangled in her hair as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. Her eyes widened slightly before closing her eyes and allowing him to show her what he wanted. She hesitantly kissed him back, sliding her tongue along his causing him to groan. He picked her up in his arms and she did not protest when he sat down in a chair, cradling her in his lap.
His kiss became deeper and Christine could feel a strange heat spread throughout her entire body to settle between her legs. He bunched her skirts up around her waist so her bare legs were there for him to run his hands along. Christine's hands settled on his chest as he pulled his mouth away to rain kisses down her neck. She gasped when he gave her several wet kisses on the tops of her breasts. When she felt his obvious arousal guilt flooded her. What was she doing?
Scrambling off of his lap she shoved her skirts down and put a hand to her flaming cheeks. Erik's chest rose and fell with the quickened breath that escaped from his mouth. Taking a deep breath she turned and walked out of the room, as soon as the door was closed she ran the rest of the way to their room, collapsing on the bed, her whole body shaking from unsuppressed emotions.
His Past
"Madam?" Susannah said softly, not wanting to interrupt the mistress. Christine looked up from the book she was reading and smiled. It had been five days since the incident with Erik and they had spoken very little to each other. She was getting rather lonely and she did not like the feeling.
"Yes, Susannah?" she wondered. The woman came in and smiled at the young woman.
"Madam, the master sent me up here to get you ready," Susannah said. Christine frowned.
"Ready for what?" she asked. Susannah seemed surprised that Christine did not know. Although the servants had noticed that the two were barely speaking, which caused Susannah to cry. Too many couples were like this. Cold and unfeeling toward each other and only putting their differences aside in the marriage bed, and that only with the hope of conceiving a child. She wished they knew how precious marriage was and learned to care for one another. Susannah knew far to well that marriage was a wonderful thing, and when it was gone there was nothing you could do about it.
"The master is throwing a ball. Did he not tell you?" she asked. Christine's eyes flashed.
"No, he did not," she said, "What a surprise."
"Dozens of people are coming, it should be quite nice," Susannah said. Christine shook her head.
"I do not think I wish to go," she said. Erik had embarrassed her in front of her brother and Raoul, she could embarrass him in front of the whole of France, it made no difference to her. Every move that man made was beginning to annoy her. She hated his short temper!
"Madam...your family was invited," Susannah said, hoping to change the young woman's mind. She did not want the young couple to argue over something as trivial as a ball. Christine's face immediately lit up at the idea of her family come.
"Truly?" she whispered. Susannah nodded.
"Yes. The master invited them," she said. Christine was suddenly deep in thought. Why would Erik invite her family? Was he trying to get into her good graces so he could finish what they had started in the study? That idea caused a blush to stain her cheeks. She would not deny the fact that she had felt something when he had touched her that way but she pushed it away as being a surprise, that had to be what caused her to feel that way, it was just a surprise.
"Then I suppose I have to go!" she said, causing Susannah to smile.
xXx
Erik paced back and forth in the hallway outside of his rooms as he waited for Christine. Guests were arriving every minute and he could hear the commotion downstairs. She was taking ages to get ready! He had known that she might not come just to spite him and so had invited her family, knowing they were the one thing that would force her to come.
It had spread through France that Erik Desslar had been married and he knew there was great speculation. He did not care what other people thought but he liked surprising people and he was sure Christine was going to surprise many people downstairs. No one would have believed that he would marry such a beautiful woman. The idea made him smirk. Christine was beautiful, and it made him angry that he had yet to taste all she had to offer. He should be given an award for his restraint!
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master," Susannah said, appearing at the door with Christine. He cursed every single God he knew in that moment for making the woman so damn gorgeous. How the hell was he supposed to keep his hands to himself when she looked like that? She wore a deep red dress with a corset beneath that pinched her waist in and pushed her breasts up so they nearly spilled over the top of her bodice. Her chocolate curls were all pined to her head, several tendrils lying against the pale skin of her neck. No woman had ever been more tempting then she was at that moment.
"About time," he growled, trying to hide his obvious arousal. Christine rolled her eyes and began walking down the hall ahead of Erik, not caring to wait for him. His long legs brought him to Christine quickly and he grabbed her wrist, turning her to face him. She sighed and said nothing, staring at him.
"Do not forget who you belong to!" he whispered dangerously. Christine smiled.
"How could I?" she asked, looking at his hand as she tried to prove a point.. His hand on her was reminding her of their little explosion in the study and she could almost feel his lips on her. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of such thoughts.
"And, if Monsieur de Chagny should arrive, I do not want you speaking with him," Erik said, interrupting her thoughts. This made Christine angry.
"He is one of my good friends, I have every right to talk to him!" she said.
"We have had this argument before!" Erik reminded her.
"And I am planning on having it again because you are so stubborn!" Christine cried.
"Stay away from him," Erik said, proving her right in the fact that he would not give in.