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Ascent to Power	By : Hot4Gerry Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 5436 -:- 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
- 5
- 6
- 7
The Face is Not the Ruler of Passion
Erik shot to a sitting position. His hand flew to his face to cover the red mottled flesh. The misshapen skin and raw places where the mask rubbed continuously. The skin was rough to the touch and ridges and folds of skin covered the crest of his cheek. Small knots where bone tissue grew were on his cheek and forehead. His hair was thinner on that side. The malformed flesh reaching up into his hairline. Until recently he had worn a black wig. Nadir had taken him to a barber and his hair was cut in such a way as to cover most of the right side of his head. Nothing could be done about his face.
"God please forgive me. I did not realize my mask was not on. In my haste I had forgotten to replace it." Erik felt his anger rising. Not at the young woman but at himself. How stupid to forget something that was such an important part of who he was. His mask is what had given him strength over the years. The ability to strive for a place in the world. It had been the driving force for him at the opera house. Behind that piece of leather he felt like a man. All his flaws could be shielded from prying eyes. A gentle hand on his shoulder made him flinch away form her touch The hand returned and he accepted the touch. Slowly she stroked that hand down from his shoulder over the many scars on his back earned from the leather strap of his mother and then later from the Gypsy's leather whip.
"Erik? Did it seem as if I minded? Wasn’t I pleasing enough? I thought you wanted me as I wanted you. Your face isn’t that bad. Not to me. I won’t lie it is not pleasant to look at but not unbearable. Believe me I have seen worse among the crew members of this ship. Honestly it isn’t your face that would have attracted me to you in the first place. You have many attributes that would please a woman. I am a woman who is attracted by a strong body rather than a handsome face. Let me show you."
Sitting up behind him she wrapped her arms around his waist and began to kiss his shoulders and back. At first he was stiff and unresponsive but she was determined to have her night. Her hands were not idle. Never had Susan been with a man whose body was so muscled and firm. Most of the noblemen she knew were soft and overweight due to lack of exercise. Erik was quite an enticing specimen.
Erik's body was harder all over than anyone she had ever been with. Her hand could barely wrap around his cock. His length spilled way beyond what her hand could hold. She squirmed as grew wet. Her womb contracted in anticipation of having all that hard length thrusting into her.
She licked her lips thinking of how he would taste in her mouth. Her breasts ached when her mind flashed a picture of him straddled across her chest pumping his cock between them as he shoved them together making a sheath of silken skin. She could hardlywait to see him as he thrust toward her then spilled all over her. Susan was somewhat of an adventurous woman when in the bedroom. Most men wanted a quick fuck or her mouth working to have them come so she could swallow their seed.
Susan could wait no longer. She could feel the pulsebeats of her orgasm just from thinking about having him in every way she could imagine.
Erik was reaching a point where he had to find relief or go insane with need. His body and mind agreed satisfaction was better than insanity.
Pulling on his shoulder she pulled him back to lay flat on his back. Bending down she kissed him and then the kiss grew in passion and intensity with each passing second. Susan stroked her tongue along his lips then etered his mouth. She encouraged him to make forays of his own. With a strangled groan Erik flipped over and when she was under him he sought the softness of her breast with his hand. With an encouraging hand she guided his head to her so his lips and mouth could seek the joy of her softness. That pink tipped pebble begged his mouth to savor what so proudly puckered before his eyes. He took the tip into his mouth and sucked deeply. His tongue moved in an unknown caress. When she shivered and moaned Erik repeated the action but this time it was planned and deliberate.
In his eagerness Erik was at first not as debonair or skilled as he would have wished but what he lacked in skill he more than made up for in stamina and a willingness to please his partner. He had seen lovers in he opera in all manner of lovemaking. He had read countless books on the subject. None of that mattered in this moment when he was faced with a flesh and blood woman. A willing one at that. His body was racing miles ahead of his brain. At this rate he would explode without having even ventured into that heavenly warmth. Erik could hardly believe he was about to fuck a real woman. Not his imagination. Not that hard fucking mannequin. He cringed in embarassment as he remembered how many times he had coated the area of the place that should have been the entrance to its womanhood with lubricants. He would lay with it fondling it as he imagined Christine beside him. Pulling at his cock with his hand until he was ready to climax he would then climb on top of it to fuck his dream woman. Not very satisfactory but when a man has no other outlet he does what he can. He never wanted to rape a woman. The mannequin never said no. She never responded but she never rejected him either.
Each place Erik placed his hand seemed to please her. When his hand brushed the curls at the apex of her thighs he thought for a moment he had hurt her in some way as she gasped loudly. Until she grabbed his hand back and guided it back to that wet warm place he had never seen in such close quarters and most assuredly not touched. He then knew the sounds she made were the sounds of pleasure not pain. He had seen women behind the opera stage in all manner of dress but never this close and never had he touched any of those women as much as he had longed to.
The accidental rub of a finger on the small nub of nerves between he feminine folds had Susan lifting her hips up from the mattress. Not knowing what caused the reaction he simply repeated what he had done and elicited a response with a more intense reaction from the woman.
Seeing in his mind Christine writhing in pleasure and hearing her cry his name in passion drove Erik to shove his hips against the warm flesh under him. His hard cock throbbed against her. The feel of a small hand wrapping around his swollen shaft drove all thoughts from him except to seek an end to this torture and finding relief from this burning in his loins and the steady buildup of pressure needing to be released.
With each stroke of his finger she matched a stroke of her hand. Erik ground his hips lustily into her massaging hand. This was something he had dreamed about but never thought to experience. He never thought such small appendages could give and receive so many delightful sensations. All he wanted to think of was Christine and hearing her moan and seek to return the caresses he was giving her. In his mind each stroke of his hand was given to his beloved Christine.
"Oh God Erik now. Take me now. I shall lose my mind if you don’t possess me now." Susan bucked her hips against Erik's hand. She was in a frenzy of need. She could not remember a time when she had felt so hot and wet just from a man stroking her clit.
Hearing her voice was interrupting his illusion and he was not pleased. He kissed her fiercely to prevent further speech. Using his knee he pushed her willing legs apart and settled between her thighs. He positioned himself and felt the warm wetness against him. He wanted to surge into that tight wetness so badly he had to struggle to keep his head. Both of them. The only thing keeping him from erupting at that moment was his willpower alone. His body was screaming for him to take her and drive into her until his need was satisfied. Knowing if he gave in to his baser instincts it would be over all too soon. He wanted to make this last as long as his body would allow. If he could have eternity he would wish it to start in this moment.
"Oh God Christine. Love me. Please love me." Erik in his haze of lust with thoughts of another woman he did not feel her momentary stiffening. The moment was fleeting and passed almost as quickly as it came. The young woman had been used by men before to substitute for a fiancée who wouldn’t contemplate a sexual relationship until after marriage. Some had frigid wives or a loved wife who’s health could not withstand intimacy any longer. Many reasons had driven her lovers to her bed. Never had it been love. Most didn’t even care for her at all except the pleasure her luscious curves gave them. She had long ago given up on the idea of finding love. She was sure it didn’t exist. It was just something fictional poets and romantics made up to excuse the passion they felt and the expression of that passion with physical deeds. She had never made love with anyone. She had only ever fucked the men who joined with her.
Her own parents had proven to be less than faithful to one another. Each had partners coming and going in a constant stream for gratification. Love was never an issue. Susan had decided long ago that if she was going to married off to someone she didn’t know let alone love she would have as much fun in her life as she could. Many lovers had come and gone but none took her heart with them. She guarded that most sacred organ diligently. Tonight may well be her last night to indulge herself as her fiancée was supposed to meet her in London if his business affairs were settled in Italy.
Reaching down he felt between her legs with his fingers. He inserte one then another as she moaned. A third then a forth had her bucking up off the bed.
"Fuck me now Erik. Fuck me hard."
With one hard strong thrust Erik entered the warm depths of a woman for the first time. With that entrance into a heaven he had never known he lost all his control and his thrusts and groans of pleasure were the only sounds in the room. One last shred of sane thought and he remembered to pleasure her even as the moment of his own climax neared.
His hand between them found her little pearl of pleasure. He stroked his finger in unison with the strokes of his body. He found he got the most pleasure if he pulled out of her to almost the point of separation and then driving into her with a hard thrust of his hips. With each thrust her groans grew louder and more prolonged. She was writhing under him in a frenzied manner.
Images from the past spent with Christine flew across his memory. With each memory an intense wave of pleasure gripped him. Soon he was thrusting into the woman with rapid hard thrusts. Each stroke harder than the one before causing the heat to burn hotter in his entire body. Soon his thrusts were almost violent in nature. His hands were groping her firm breasts with ungentle hands. His mouth sucked on her delicate skin. His teeth nipped little bites along her neck and on the puckered tips of her breasts. The taste of her was sweeter than any honey more heady than any wine. His Christine was one fuck he would not soon forget. His desire intensified as he repeated over and over in his mind that last sane thought. His tender feelings for his beloved were over shadowed by his baser longings. No he did not make love to his beloved. He fucked her as any stagehand had ever fucked one of the ballet rats who were so free with their young lithe bodies.
Erik lifted one of her legs by wrapping his hand around her thigh so his penetration could be deeper within her warm feminine entrance to heaven. He was sheathed in warm wet womanhood. The coil tightened in him even as he felt the body beneath him stiffen and heard her cry out his name at the end of her tortured journey. He felt her tighten around him deep inside her wetness. The clenching of her muscles in her climax added to his pleasure and drove him to the point he knew he had reached what his whole body had been striving to achieve. His teeth clenched flexing his jaw muscles. His teeth were clamped to tightly his jaw began to ache. That little bit of discomfort was overshadowed by the intensity of lustful pleasure shooting to every nerve ending. He felt more alive than at any other time in his life. A few hard strokes and Erik quickly followed with his own release. He spilled his warm seed into her waiting womb.
Not wanting the moment to end he continued to thrust into her and in his mind he was hearing Christine’s gasps of fulfillment ringing in his ears. Needing to catch his breath he finally withdrew himself from her. He lay beside the woman gasping for breath with his eyes closed not wanting to return to reality any time soon. The image of Christine lying beneath him replete with spent passion and her eyes glowing with renewed lust for him too enticing to discard for reality.
Erik's cock began to soften. He thrust tightly against her not willing to give up that wet warmth just yet. Had there every been more perfect creations than a man's cock and a woman's womb?
The feminine form next to him was still and quiet. Only the rise and fall of her chest giving evidence she lived. Her eyes were closed and her mouth had a small smile lingering at the edges of her lips. Tendrils of sweat dampened hair clung to her forehead. Erik thought he had never seen a more beautiful sight. He reached out with a shaking hand and brushed the hair from her cheek. Her skin was so soft and warm. Erik’s skin tended to be slightly colder than a normal persons. Nadir surmised it was because of living so long in dark and damp surroundings. Susan did not seem to mind. She had not shied away like Christine had.
Knowing this could be his one and only chance to be with a woman Erik planned to take advantage of his time with her. Sleep would no longer be welcomed. He had much exploration and experimentation to pursue. He did not seek slumber now. His body was to fired with want and need. A satisfying climax after thrusting wildly into her softness tamed the beast of his raging desire for only a moment. A few caresses on her dewy wet curves had him swollen and aching for that mad rush to feel all control slip away and the raging, gripping ride to the pinnacle of pleasure overtake him again. Then feel the fast plunge downward releasing his hot seed into her warm embracing womanhood.
Rolling onto his left side he tentatively placed his hand on her stomach. He had plans of taking her several more times and examining each curve and crevice if she allowed it. He wanted as much as he could have to take with him in memory of this night. If it was to be his only encounter or if as he suspected he was drugged he would have his memories. He no longer thought he was dreaming as his dreams had never been of the pleasant sort. They tended to be more nightmare than calming pleasant dreams. This was more like one of his daydreams as he pleasured himself after seeing a particularly attractive woman in the opera house. Clothed or unclothed Erik had an appreciation for the beauty of women. Countless times he came upon a half naked woman in dark corners or storage rooms spread out waiting for a lover to join her. He would watch from his dark corner as the woman would idly stroke her own clit. When the need to find fulfillment hit they would insert their fingers finger fucking with one hand while the other rubbed with increasingly frantic strokes along their clit.
Who was Erik to turn down these gifts of glimpsing smooth feminine flesh? He would look his fill hidden in the dark shadows then rush to the privacy of his bedroom to release his desires with hard, fast strokes of his hand. Those nights his cock would return to full arousal several times before he could quiet the beast in him. He had always thought it was because he had been deprived of a woman's touch. He was beginning to think he was just a fucking stallion who needed to be pleasured several times before his cock would be satisfied.
Not able to resist he found her moist center between her warm folds of skin at the apex of her thighs. The gliding of his finger over the little erect nub forced a groan from Susan’s throat. Her hips lifted to find that stroking finger again. She felt the friction again. The flash of heat that coursed through her body shocked her in it’s intensity. Never had a lover taken the time to give her so much. So few of her lovers wanted anything more than a quick fuck and then to run back to the one who owns their heart. This man had given her more pleasure in the last few hours than all the lovers she had the last six years. God he was amazing. He was a fucking genius when it came to pleasing a woman. He was willing to do anytihng. He had let her guide him.
Erik watched her face as he inserted his finger into her. To be allowed this liberty was a gift. Surely he had never thought to be given a privilege such as this. The look on her face resembled someone in extreme pain. Her panting quickened in time with the tempo of his finger strokes. Her hips raising to meet that stroking finger and ride the ones inserted inside her. Soon she was begging Erik to give her that sweet release. Her promises of giving him anything he desired had his mind debating what new delights he could have her grant him. The possibilities were endless. One came to mind. Almost in the same instant he took her hand and placed it on his throbbing erection. Those talented hands brought him to a quick climax.
Washing her after his release was a sensual experience in itself. He made sure he cleaned each and every inch. A woman’s body was such a pleasurable sight. This intimacy had been denied him all his adult life. From the top of their head to the tip of their toes a woman radiated magic. He found this woman a complete delight.
Her crying out in ecstasy at his touch gave him a powerful feeling. To have someone under his control in this way was heady and intoxicating. The power was similar to what he felt as he took the life of someone with his lasso. Her joy and his were one and the same. What pleased her pleased him as well.
Giving her time to rest Erik absentmindedly caressed her learning each inch of soft pliable skin. He did not want to seem a rutting animal so he waited what to him seemed an unbearable amount of time but was only a mere five minutes before making his intentions to have her again known to the woman. The delighted smile was unexpected and welcoming. Erik wanted to learn all the ways to pleasure a woman and at the same time satisfy his own needs. He had heard enough chorus girls and ballerinas behind the stage backdrops and in the passages of the opera house complain of inconsiderate lovers. Just as a precaution should he meet a woman who allowed him these liberties again he wanted no ill thoughts on his prowess to be bandied about. He wanted to be known only as a highly skilled lover.
Many times during the night Erik sought out the willing woman in his bed. After a short time it no longer seemed appropriate to envision Christine. Susan was a knowledgeable woman and was not shy about making her wants and likes known. He waited for her to inform him of what she liked to perform with a man and what she did not like. Amazingly she had no dislikes that he could discern. She seemed willing and he could proudly say quite enthusiastic to all of his suggestions.
When her mouth performed an act he had not deemed quite proper he protested but his baser instincts won out and he happily returned the act for which she was most grateful.
When Susan kissed her way down his body he was pleasnatly relaxed with his cock half aroused. When he felt her lips on his cock he jerked up protesting like a fool. A few strokes he was willing to put his portests behind him.
How she ever got his whole length into her mouth he would never know. The swirl of her tongue over the tip of his dripping cock forced a groan of pleasure from him. Grabbing her head he held her still as he thrust upward into her wet mouth. When she made a humming sound his cock nearly spilled right then. He felt the vibration all the way to his toes.
His thrusts became faster and harder. Soon his cock shot his climatic release into her mouth. Instead of gagging then spitting out the contents she swallowed then licked her lips kissing her way back up his body.
Wondering if she would allow him this new form of sexual pleasure he tentatively kissed her over different areas of her body trying to work up the courage to approach this new tantalizing mouth manipulation. She must have grown frustrated with his tarrying for she took two handfuls of his hair guiding him down between her legs.
That was all Erik needed. He eagerly parted her folds. He placed his tongue on her little bud. Flicking his tongue over her brought her hips up as she groaned. She began to speak of things Erik was sure no true lady would ever say let alone think.
"Oh God Erik that feels so fucking good. No.No no. Don't move your tongue down. Stay right their. Yes. Oh God yes." She arched her back as her hips undulated against him.
Erik of God I need your fingers. Now. Inside me. Yes just like that. More Erik. More. now fuck me hard. Yes fuck me. Fuck me. You are fucking amazing. Oh. Oh yes fuck me harder. Harder." Hitting the peak of her climax she screamed. Erik was sure half the ship could hear her.
Merde but his cock was hard again. At this rate he would die within a short time. God it would be worth it.
He filed this act away in the back of his mind to be retrieved later. This was one act he found highly arousing and greatly satisfying.
After the sixth time of being together she protested that she was tired and her body was getting quite sore. Erik was primed and ready to climb the heady heights of bliss but had to cool his ardor. He had hopes of an early morning lovemaking session and an idea that he might like to try a romp in the tub if she was willing. She may think him a lecherous man but he had many years of deprivation to make up for. He intended to grab as much from this willing creature of bliss as he could before their time together ended.
To his delight she was agreeable to the early morning lovemaking and his suggestion for the tub. Both were highly successful. Thank the Lord above he was no longer a virgin was his last thought as they drifted into sleep early in the morning following the most satisfying bathing experience of his life. Neither woke again until late afternoon.
The cabin boy he summoned to bring water for their bath almost broke his young neck trying to see who the woman was that was lying there stretched out on his bed. Laying on her stomach with her hair fanned out over her face prevented him from seeing anything except her shoulders and dark hair.
Try as he might Erik could not stop his chest from puffing out in pride. Ugly Erik, The Phantom had a willing woman in his bed and she did more than give him two torturous kisses on the lips that left him wanting. Christine's paltry offerings upon his lips before she left him dimmed somewhat in light of what he had experienced the night before and this morning.
After the young man had brought the final bucket of water he scooped Susan up and took her to the bathroom. He lowered her carefully into the water and waited for an invitation to join her for their second shared bath. Just because they spent the last hours passionately entwined he would not presume to assume he would be welcome to share a bath once again with her although that was one delight he longed to share again. Two dark lust filled orbs stared at him from her glowing face. With a searching glance up and down his body she smiled in open invitation. Her dainty hand stretched out and took hold of his. From there he let his fantasy take over once more. It was all he could have hoped for and more. Who knew that soaping another person could be so damn arousing?
Had they not had to get ready for their departure from the ship later they would have spent the day in bed. He must not have been too much of a disappointment as she gave him the address of her residence in England and a card of introduction to hand to her butler should he find time to visit her. The only thing to keep him from seeing that wonderful woman again would be if the earth caught fire and blew them all to kingdom come.
"Erik you do realize that within a matter of a few hours it will be all over the ship that we spent the night together? Simple deduction and the cabin boy can discover who was missing at the breakfast table. Along with the fact that our own tablemates will think it odd that we both missed breakfast. These people do seem to love gossip and live to spread it among themselves and the other passengers. I hope you don’t mind. My reputation is already in ruins but I would hate to see someone else suffer because of my bad name."
She was worried about him? A man who had taken many lives and burned an opera house full of people almost to the ground? It would have been laughable if it were not so tragic. If she only knew what sort of man she had spent the night with she would more than likely turn white haired from the fright and pass out, not recovering until the ship had docked.
It was sweet of her to be concerned though. Other than a handful of people there had been no one to care if he lived or died. It felt good to have someone care even if it were a fleeting sentiment.
After she dressed she kissed him with renewed passion and he was tempted to say to hell with seeing the shore of England approach. After all he had seen it before. How many times would a man such as he get the opportunity to lay with a woman such as the one in his arms? Hell, after his failure with Christine he had doubts of ever savoring the loving embrace of a woman. During the night he had learned that she may present a façade of an uncaring reckless pleasure seeker but deep down she was just a sweet scared young woman. She was far from being the heartless carefree loose woman she showed the world. Reluctantly he let her leave. To release her from his arms was almost harder and more painful than letting Christine go and watching as her lover rowed her away from him to freedom.
Shaking off his melancholy he renewed his promise to himself to begin again. Perhaps now he would find the courage to seek companionship from another woman. God had granted him the miracle once and if it did not seem greedy maybe he would grant him the pleasure again. Perhaps with happier results.
Just to further reassure himself he not had a drug induced euphoric experience he pulled out the little leather pouch from his luggage and checked the contents. There were still five vials in the case so he had not been drugged. He had not resorted to morphine. This was concrete evidence that he had indeed had a woman in every way possible in his bed the night before and in the early morning hours as the sun chased away the shadows of night.
He couldn’t help the foolish grin he had plastered on his face as he left his cabin after dressing and packing the few items he had around the cabin. As hard as he tried that stupid grin refused to stay in hiding. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror Erik was shocked to think that by God he looked almost handsome. Hoping Nadir would attribute his unusual good sprits to the fact that he was starting life over with a clean slate he left his cabin.
Nadir had his own idea of what had taken place in Erik’s cabin. An all too eager young cabin boy had let slip he had seen a woman in Erik’s cabin and she had been obviously without clothing. For a few coins Nadir got a thorough recounting of all that the young man had witnessed. This information was most enlightening. Nadir planned to use the information to teach Erik a lesson in teasing. Something that had been too long neglected in his life. Nadir hoped Erik had developed a less vengeful nature over the last few months. He had been very obliging and reasonable lately.
Erik should have known Nadir would ferret out anything of interest happening on the ship. The man had a sixth sense when it came to digging up things people wished to hide. He had after all been the head of an elite Persian police force.
Damn Nadir and his prying. He was intrigued by Erik’s never before seen foolish grin and the fact that he had slept late. In his embarrassment at his question of where Erik had been during breakfast and tea later he had let slip he had been in bed. He need not know Erik was not alone. Not only was he not alone but he had been fucking a willing woman senseless.
Damn him and his bloodhound skills. One look at Erik’s face and a huge grin spread across Nadir’s lips. Erik was sure Nadir knew something and was just playing with him trying to draw him out into openly admitting to his late night activities.
"So Erik how was your night? Strange that you and Susan Manchester were the only two missing this morning. You wouldn’t have happened to have seen her this morning would you? Word around the ship is she did not return to her cabin last night but she was seen just a few minutes ago entering her cabin."
Nadir noticed Erik’s uncomfortable shifting and unwillingness to look him in the eye. A telling gesture. If one could not look another in the eye they were lying or hiding something. The shifting about was a telling sign that Erik had something to hide. He had that one nervous quirk when he had done something he knew would cause himself discomfort if others knew his secret or it was something he did not wish to share. Nadir had to look twice to reaffirm that his eyes were not deceiving him. Erik was blushing. A pink tinge was slowly creeping up his neck into his cheeks. They had actually done the deed. The evidence was all there in front of his own eyes.
"How the hell should I know where that young woman is. I am not her keeper. Have I suddenly become a chaperone? Has someone hired me as a child minder? If so, someone failed to inform me or offer me ample compensation. What business is it of yours or anyone else‘s where she was or when she returned to her cabin?"
"My aren’t we in a temper this morning? I asked simple questions Erik. Nothing that warrants this level of anger. Did you not sleep well Erik? Odd thing is you look extremely well rested and miracles of all miracles you had a real smile on your face and not your normal sneer. With this level of protest you sound as if you have something to hide or maybe you are feeling guilty for some reason. As we both know Mademoiselle Manchester is many years from being a child. I am inclined to believe she has never had such innocence."
"I care nothing for your beliefs or opinions. Are you so bored this morning you must delve into the comings and goings of others? If you must know I do not smirk. I have done nothing that would cause me guilt. I rested quite well thank you. My temper as you call it is no more than irritation with you because of your incessant questions. Now I think I have answered all of them. Are you entirely happy now Nadir?"
"Not completely but we can remedy that with a little more details from you."
Nadir saw the lovely lady in question coming up behind Erik. The grin on her face matched the one on Erik’s earlier. When she stopped at Erik’s side he had his suspicions further confirmed how Erik had spent his night and early morning. Nadir's earlier deductions were reinforced. May Allah be praised for his unfailing mercy. That young woman was going to earn a place in her God's heaven he was sure. He could not even care that she had spent the night acting less than a lady. To Nadir she was a heaven sent answer to a prayer.
"Erik I just wanted to be sure you hadn’t lost the card I gave you or my address. We did get a little side tracked during the exchange not that I minded one bit. You kept me occupied most satisfactorily." The whole time she had been speaking her hands were tightly wrapped around Erik’s upper right arm as if she were afraid he might bolt if she did not hold him still. Looking at his face I think that is precisely what Erik had on his mind. If that young bounder thought he was going to get away without giving me details he was quite mistaken. If I had to hound his steps until we departed from the ship he would tell me what had occurred. In great detail.
Nadir could only look on in wonder as Erik patted his vest pocket and assured her had in safely tucked away. The breath whooshed from Nadir in surprise as the young woman reached up and as bold as you please kissed Erik on his equally surprised mouth. It was not a quick peck on the cheek. No, that young woman kissed Erik on his mouth with familiarity and quite a bit of passion. Nadir could not miss the wandering hands of the little harlot.
When Erik was released from her encircling arms and she turned and walked away Darius and Nadir both stood in silent expectation of an explanation. Their folded arms across their chests indicating they were willing to wait for him to divulge the information they sought. They had plenty of time and no particular place to be at this moment.
Taking his eyes away from Susan’s retreating back Erik noticed the fixed stares of the two men. Their stance suggested they were ready to stand there until both of them died or Erik gave them the information they wanted. He hoped to play innocent and ignorant of what they wanted.
"What? Am I not properly dressed? Did I forget something? Does my vest not match my suit? Have I still a bit of shaving cream on my face?" He ran his hands down over his suit and over his freshly shaven face. He straightened an already immaculate cravat.
"Erik you are a sly one to be sure. I had hopes you would brave a conversation with the woman but this is beyond anything I could have imagined. So how was the encounter? Leave nothing out. Go into great detail. Spare me nothing. As you know I do not indulge as I still mourn for my wife but I am not against second hand pleasure."
"I have no idea what fantasy is in your mind Nadir. I spent a quite boring evening and fell asleep early."
"Then you must have done the deed wrong. A man does not let a woman looking like that young lady leave his bed unless she was not happy with his performance. Too bad my friend. Perhaps you will fair better the next time as you have now broken the ice so to speak. Do not worry all men have a night of failure now and again. I am sure your disappointing performance will in no way change her mind about you." Nadir placed a comforting hand on Erik’s shoulder casting his head downward to hide the knowing grin from Erik’s eagle eyes.
Erik shook of the hand on his shoulder in anger. “What the hell are you spouting off about now? My night was quite vigorous and I can assure you I met the task quite energetically. I..hepaused glancing around to make sure no one would overhear.I fucked that young woman in ways you can only imagine. Failure indeed. I performed amazingly well judging by the moans escaping her mouth each time we were together. If I had not pleased her she would not have given me her address in London and a card of introduction." Indignantly Erik pulled out the card Susan had given him and waved it under Nadir’s nose.
Nadir could stand it no longer. He burst out laughing and Darius joined in. Nadir knew Erik’s arrogant pride would not let a slight to his manhood pass without comment.
"Erik if there is one thing predictable about you it is your pride. Now enough of your denials. Tell me all the details without getting overly graphic. I should be advising you that a gentleman never divulges what happens with his lady behind closed doors of the bedroom. Just this once I will break my own set of values and ask how the evening progressed and was it all you had hoped?"
"As I have said before Nadir you are becoming more and more like a gossipy old woman every day. I do not think I shall bore you with the details of my night. All I will say is I can no longer wear white at my wedding as I have been deflowered."
"That custom is for the bride not the groom. Is this your way of telling me you experienced the joys of flesh to flesh with that young woman?"
"Take the words any way you please. I shall not say one more word about the matter. Now unless you have some other topic of conversation I would like to enjoy watching the shoreline come into view."
"So I am to suffer in my disappointment. Might I remind you that you are indebted to me for giving five long torturous years in that hell of prison so that you could escape the Shah’s wrath as well as that demented mother of his? Oh how I suffered. Day in and day out I endured but if you do not think that five years of torture were enough to have your gratitude then I guess there is nothing more I can say except you break my heart Erik."
"You forget Nadir I am aware that you spent your “years of torture” in a palace with servants waiting on you hand and foot. You were too important to kill and much too well liked to be mistreated by the Shah. If the Shah had been dead then your days would have been endless torture if you had been left in the hands of his bloodthirsty wife. Thankfully she had no say in your punishment. Now I think we have settled the matter so no more questions and no more attempts to gain my sympathy. You are erring on the side of femininity with each passing day Nadir. That is something I think you may want to curtail."
"You are an ungrateful lout. I only ask for a crumb of sympathy and you make fun at my expense. You wound me. You wound me deeply. My heart bleeds at your cutting remarks." Nadir looked at Erik hopefully.
"I still am not revealing any details. Might I suggest you take a few acting lessons Nadir. You could use the guidance. If my schedule is not too full I will be free to help with this matter."
"Ungrateful lout."
"Yes you have told me so many times."
"Well you are. You are completely without gratitude."
"Yes I am aware."
As much as Nadir badgered and harangued him during the last leg of the voyage Erik kept his word and divulged not one thing more about the night before. This was something Erik wanted to savor in the privacy of his mind for many days to come. This was his triumph and his alone. He had threatened no one. Begged not one time. He had not kidnapped anyone or forced the union. Everything had been done willingly. Something Christine had never been. Not one time had she willingly sought him out. He had always come to her and then entranced her with his voice and music to come to his home. Once the music and song were but echoes in his cavernous home she wanted nothing more than to return to her room above.
This was a good start to his new beginning. As the coastline of England came into view Erik wondered what other wonders were in store for him. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply the fresh ocean air. The air he breathed in his new freedom. Never again would he be a ghost. Now he was a man. He would live as one from this day forward. Forever in the light. Never would he revere the dark over the brightness of light. He had a fresh new outlook on life. He would savor each new experience as if there were no tomorrow. Who knew how long this newfound happiness would last? Any time in he had hoped for a small scrap of happiness it had always been just out of his grasp. Not any longer. It was his turn to live the life as other men do. As Raoul does. The name dimmed his happiness but only for a moment. Today he began a new era in his life. One where he got the things he wanted. He would no longer live and be denied the things he wanted in life. He felt almost reborn.
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Ascent to Power