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A New Beginning	By : Lum Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 5783 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Disclaimer: please see the prologue

A New Beginning

Chapter 16

Reason and Passion

Not Censored

Madison crossed her arms in a defiant stance as she glared at her father. He refused to see reason and she was becoming very cross.

“What do you mean you refuse?” he asked her for the third time.

“I mean what I say father, I will not marry James. He is a friend to me and no more.”

Johnathan sputtered in unbelieving outrage, “but you have to, we came to terms, papers were signed and I gave my word. You cannot ask me to go back on my word,” he explained indignantly.

She stared at him as if by willing it she could make him agree with her. Her jaw clinched, squaring off her jaw in a look that signaled that nothing could change her mind. “Did you,” she began, “or did you not tell me that I could choose any man that I wanted?”

He blinked a few times, uneasiness settling in his stomach as he realized that he most likely would lose this battle of wills. “I did,” he replied, “but why are you so set against James? He seems to be nice enough young man who comes from a good family with above modest means. Is he not handsome enough?”

Madison’s irritation faded into a look of outrage, “please tell me that you do not think that I am anything like those girls I lived with at finishing school. Do you honestly believe that I would reject a suitor just because he is not handsome enough? I cannot marry James because I want more out of life than he could give me. I want to travel the world, see the cultures and countries that I read about. He wants a normal life of raising a family and planning next year’s crop, I want to explore the world and have adventure.”

Johnathan regarded his daughter thoughtfully and said with a sigh said, “I give up, marry whomever you want for I’ve had enough of dealing with this nonsense. You are sure that you won’t reconsider?” Upon seeing her stern expression he turned in his chair to face his desk. “ I’ll send word to the Applegates then. But mark my word, Madison, you will be married and you will take this ball seriously. Don’t think that you can drive off every young man who tries to court you, I won’t stand for it.”

He turned back to her noticing that her look of scorn had suddenly become a look of gratefulness and hope. As she kissed his cheek, muttered her goodbyes and left his study he was left to wonder just how much he had spoiled her, and if her stubbornness would be his demise. ‘I am getting too old for this nonsense’ he thought to himself and picked up a fountain pen and a piece of parchment.

Erik was agitated. The builders were very nearly incompetent at translating his design into a solid piece of architecture and required near constant supervision. He had hoped that after a few weeks of building he could trust to leave them alone for a day or two at a time, but now it looked as if he would not be able to get away during the day.

The sun was just now beginning to descend and he had called an end to the work day. Despite a few minor setbacks the house was coming along at a steady, if less than desirable, pace. He began to make his way back up to the plantation house before is eyes fell on the stables.

He paused mid-step and sank back onto his heel. It had been a while since he had visited his horse in the stables, or even take the black Arabian for a long ride. Construction was consuming the majority of his time, and Madison the rest. A stray thought intruded on his thoughts, she often visited the stables before the evening meal. He wondered if she might be there at this moment and before he had made a decision to see if she was indeed visiting the horses his body had changed directions and he began to walk towards the stables.

The soft snorting and whickering of the horses captured his attention as he heard a soft voice humming from inside.

Madison was stroking the nose of the stallion that Erik had travelled to them on and humming to him softly. His big brown eyes stared down at her, long eyelashes blinking away dust and a soft snort ruffling the strands of hair around her face.

She stroked his velvet nose and held up another cube of sugar, the horse turning his attention to his hand as he nibbled the treat from her palm.

“You will spoil him,” a voice said behind her. She gasped, dropping the sugar cube and spinning around until she was faced him. He looked down at the now dirt covered sugar cube before he turned his attention to her, the hint of a playful smile on his face as he said “it looks as if Amin’s treat has been ruined, you are not teasing him are you?”

Madison’s face colored. She might have mistaken his seemingly innocent comment at face value if not for the secretive smile he wore. “Amin (pronounced Ameen), that is a very pretty name. Does it mean something?” she asked, ignoring his inappropriate comment and trying to change the subject all at once.

His smile widened, crinkling the skin around the eye that was not covered, “trying to change the subject, are you?” She looked up at him, trying her best to feign innocence and responded, “changing the subject? What do you mean? I merely remarked that your horse has an interesting name.” He took a step forward, slowly closing the distance until he stood a few inches from her. It was an improper distance for someone who was not a family member or a husband.

Erik looked down at her, his tall frame forcing him to bend his head at this short distance. “I think that you know perfectly well what I am referring to,” he said huskily.

Her cheeks burned pink, showing that no matter what she protested, she did understand his meaning. In a moment of unplanned boldness she stepped closer to him, narrowing the distance between them until a deep breath caused her chest to brush against his. She looked up at him, craning her neck, and golden waves spilled around her shoulders.

He raised a hand to finger a strand of her hair, it felt like silk against his slightly calloused palms. Erik brushed a lock from her face, pushing it behind her ear, his hand lingering on her cheek.

She closed her eyes for a moment as a shudder of building desire assaulted her body.

He misread the tremor for fear, forehead knotting in tension and dismay he stepped back from her and began to apologize, “I am sorry Madison. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.”

She looked up at him confused and grabbed his arm before he could turn and flee, “You didn’t.” Her gaze met his and held it, willing him to believe that she spoke the truth.

His hand rose to touch his mask faintly, the supple leather warm to his touch. He was startled when her other hand rose to cover his own, her fingertips touching it, half expecting her to rip it away like Christine nearly two years ago.

An electric spark ran between them through her hand on his before she lowered it to grasp the folds of her skirt nervously. “This is the first time that you have called me Madison.”

Erik looked at her contemplatively. Had he? Was this the first time that he had called her by her name? He had said it so many times to himself, thought it, that he could not remember if he had ever said it out loud to her.

She made him feel dizzy and out of control, and for the first time in his life he reveled in these feelings.

“Madison,” he repeated, and drew in a breath as she closed the space between them and laid a hand on his chest, feeling the soft white cotton shirt he wore.

“I like the way you say my name,” she confessed to him. His eyes searched hers for a hint of doubt.

He leaned forward, his face dipping to hers and he whispered her name against her lips before he kissed her softly. His heart was pounding wildly, afraid that at any moment she would rear back angrily or he would wake from this, what was surly a dream. But when she dropped her skirts and spread her other palm against his chest, leaning into the kiss and pressing her lush mouth against his soft lips more firmly all doubts flew from his mind. She was real, and willing, and desired him.

He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her closer, if it was possible, until she was molded against his front, breasts flattened against his broad chest, and the other hand tangled in her hair.

Madison kissed him enthusiastically, moving her hands from his chest to wrap around his neck. She was faintly aware of the white leather mask digging into her cheek but not caring as she was pressed fully against him, her hips lining up with one of his powerful thighs.

A slight tremor traveled down her spine as her womanhood throbbed in time with her frantic heartbeat. Her palms were sweating and her skin felt as if it was on fire but all she could think about was the feel of his lips on hers and his hand against her waist as he kissed her passionately.

Author's Note: And you guys thought that the last chapter was a cliff hanger. *smiles evilly* This scene has been rattling around in my head for quite some time, I’m just glad that if came out so well. I’m really excited about the direction of the story, now that I have the rest of the story plotted it should be much smoother sailing now.

Unless classes get evil again. I already know how the story is going to end (or at least for the most part) and am contemplating a sequel series. What do you guys think? Oh, and before I forget thanks for the reviews! They encouraged me to get this chapter out sooner than I have been. *hint hint* Thanks also to my silent readers, I know you’re out there!
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A New Beginning