The Masked Parisian

The Embrace

Erik looked over at Christine, across the long dinner table and watched as she nibbled at the food on her plate. He couldn't push the sight of her on that summer day at her home, bathed in sunlight. She was living in light, but not the untainted light of the country. This sun was powdered and rouged and he couldn't help longing to see her unadulterated again.
"How would you feel about returning to your home for two days?" Erik asked Christine. She was taken aback by the question, surprised that he was so willing to visit Domfront again.
"I would like that very much. I love my home and I have been away from it for months now." She knew that the leaves would be beginning to fall and that was her favourite time of the year at her home, in her gardens.
"Then it shall be done. We shall leave when you are ready." Erik stated firmly. Christine grinned up at him, wondering where this kind gentle man had appeared from.

Erik had noticed that Christine was exhausted after dinner. She had been so busy over the past week that he could not blame her. He watched, in wonder, as her eyes began to flutter closed. Erik laughed and wondered how she could be so devastatingly beautiful. As he approached her, he watched as Christine extended her arms, obvious that she wished him to carry her to her bed chambers. He was not sure if he would be able to leave once they were together in her quarters. But he had to remain strong and be the man she needed him to be.

Christine mewed into Erik's neck and he lifted her into his arms, her shoes falling to the floor with a thud. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled into the skin below his ear.
"May we leave soon? I long to be back at my childhood home." Christine whispered sleepily into his skin.
"If you feel more alert tomorrow, we shall travel then." She nodded into his flesh, hoping very much that she would be awake enough when the next day came.

Erik looked upon Christine as he laid her down in the bed. It took all of his strength to think of leaving her. However, when she pulled at his shirt and begged:
"Stay, please." He could not resist. However, he was still in his formal wear and she was very much still dressed.
"Change into your night clothes, my love and I shall do the same. Then I shall return." She nodded sleepily and he helped her onto her feet, to ensure that he would not have to undress her himself, as he was sure that would be too much for his inexperienced body to handle.

Christine quickly undressed, adorning a white nightgown. She let her hair down from the pins and laid them on her vanity, before sitting down upon her bed. She felt more alert now, as she heard Erik knock on the door.
"Christine?" He called to her and she invited him in. When he entered, Christine's eyes roamed over his body, which was covered by a thin pair of cotton trousers, and a night coat. His face still wore the mask and she was sure that she would rid him of at least that before he climbed into bed with her.

Erik was shocked to find Christine so awake after leaving her in such a daze. She stood from the bed and his eyes tried as desperately as they could not to roam her body in the thin nightgown. She approached him. He expected her to go directly for the mask. However, her arms stroked his biceps and she looked up at him with pleading eyes that he could have never denied anything.
"Let me see you." She begged, her head falling to his chest.
"Christine, you do not know what you are asking." She looked up to his solemn face, anxious about revealing himself to her.
"You shall be far too hot in my bed with this house coat on." She stated and he knew she was right. He sighed, letting her untie the belt and push the fabric over his shoulders. He gasped as she placed her head on his chest, hearing his heart.
"I love you." She whispered, giggling when she felt his heart rate pick up pace, beating incredibly fast.
"I love you, Christine." He replied and his heart continued to thud on. He felt her hand brush in his as she led him to the bed. She beckoned him with wanton eyes and he was unsure if he would be able to resist her, were she to pursue him.

Christine knew that nothing scandalous would happen in that bed that night, as she was waiting for marriage. But, she wanted to feel Erik's skin against hers and she longed to feel his arms hold her all night, as she slept. He was nervous and his body was rigged as he sat on the edge of her bed. She knelt behind him and placed both of her hands on the plain of his back. He was broad and muscular, the muscles quivering under Christine's touch, that made a strange wanton feeling bubble within her. She kissed his shoulders and leaned to kiss the lobe of his ear.