A/N: Thanks so much to all of you for being patient and faithful. The story's taking an interesting turn here and I hope you like it. I'm trying to update as much as possible. Oh, and I'm working on another chapter of Indecent Proposal which should be posted shortly after this! I know it's been forever and I'm sorry, but I've just been so busy. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter Eleven:

The Fire

Christine did not know what came over her when Erik kissed her. Maybe it was his seductive words that promised so many of the secret pleasures she had tasted, or maybe it had been the way he had so tenderly and possessively kissed her, as if he was branding her as his own forever. Whatever it was Christine responded urgently to his fiery embrace and soon found herself being carried into his cabin where he was yearning to undress her. All conscience, all propriety and etiquette was gone as soon as he lifted her up in his arms and ripped the dress right from her body. It was shameless and so wrong but the only conscious thought going through her mind was how much she wanted Erik and how much she wanted him to make love to her. She knew he knew how to perfectly. He was a master lover, which was probably a bad thing in the long run, but as he laid her down on the mattress and began to slide his tongue down her body she was very grateful that he was skilled.

Erik's hands were magical as he caressed her lovingly; stroking her skin like it was the most precious and beloved thing in the world. She felt loved when he touched her like this. It was so erotic and transcending she felt like death had come upon her and she was now in heaven. Holding his head to her body, she arched in pleasure as he delved his tongue into her slick, hot passage and licked her ferociously, finding the tiny button of ultimate ecstasy and sucking it hard. Her cries of pleasure grew louder with each stroke and she writhed under him like a heathen being sacrificed to a pagan god. He certainly made love like one. Nothing was off-limits as he explored her inner depths with his mouth and slowly brought her to the brink of insanity. But it was incredible insanity. Her orgasm was shattering, rippling through her like a storm so tempestuous she screamed. But he wasn't done yet.

While she tried to come back to down to earth from her fantastic climax he flipped her gently onto her stomach and kissed a hot trail down her spine. She shivered from the intimacy and gripped the sheets tightly as he splayed his hands across her soft bottom and caressed it.

"God, you are the most beautiful creature God could have ever imagined," he whispered as he pressed his lips to the soft flesh.

She mewled in complete delight from his words and let him do with her body as he wished. Being at his mercy was more wonderful than anything she could have ever wanted; it being both sexual and empowering. To want someone so much and to be able to make a man want her so much was intoxicating. And he did want her. As he fumbled with his breeches and she felt the hard ridge of his swollen manhood she knew he was near to bursting for her. But instead of it being frightening, it was terribly arousing.

Still, Christine was a little surprised when Erik lifted her up on her hands and knees and nestled himself between her thighs from behind her. She gasped in shock, her heart pulsating almost out of her chest; consciously aware of what he was about to do, but relaxed when he kissed her neck and whispered huskily, "I'm going to take you in the most primitive way possible; the way we were always supposed to join."

Then, slowly, he edged his hard, burgeoning shaft into her wet sheath and embedded himself firmly in her. She gasped for breath, amazed at the strange erotic feel of him coming into her from behind. It was primitive, but sensual and intimate at the sane time. It felt so natural, so safe. And when he withdrew and then thrust into her more powerfully, she felt her body shake with wild desire. It took her breath away. And then their bodies began to mold as one as he rocked deeply within her, her hips returning his feral thrusts just as powerfully while sweat poured down one another's bodies. Erik groaned fiercely as he thrust and Christine moaned like a wanton, her body absolutely flying from the power of his forceful plunging. He didn't let her go, didn't let her retreat or drift away from his passion. He wanted her to remember, to feel the brunt of his desire forever on her body. No one would ever be able to make her feel like this, he promised with each push, each powerful rock of his hips. And from her screams of passion he knew that would not be hard.

He kept on his wonderful torture until the waves of rapture overcame them and a harsh, violent climax overtook their bodies. Erik gritted his teeth and growled furiously as he drove harder into her and she cried out like a banshee. She was powerless to the bliss that swept through her, taking him along with it. Together, with one last thrust, they shouted and reached their tumultuous peak; exhausted and overridden with satisfaction.

Erik sagged against her, still embedded in her, as he tried to catch his breath reach reality once again. Nothing had ever been so amazing, so astonishing as the lovemaking he had just experienced. Never had he felt so in touch, so one with another human being. They had given all of themselves to each other, receiving the ultimate gratification in return. But it wasn't just sexual bliss that they had gotten. It was more.

He loved her.

Erik reeled back as the realization swept over him. He did. He loved her.

"That…was incredible," Christine breathed as she fell onto the sheets, her breaths still coming in harsh gasps. She looked overwhelmed.

"I never knew…I mean I did, but…that was…Oh, God," she laughed. "It was like heaven."

Erik looked at her as she rolled onto her back and looked up at him with her sparkling, brown eyes. She was so beautiful.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Erik didn't know what to say. Words weren't adequate enough to describe how he felt now.

"You're so welcome."

He joined her and lied next to her, wrapping his arms around her protectively as she snuggled into his chest contently. He inhaled her sweet scent and closed his eyes in elation, realizing he was happier than he had ever been in his bleak life.

"You're extraordinary," Christine whispered lowly, her eyes also closed peacefully.

Erik smiled and stroked her hair. "Not as extraordinary as you."

She turned then and looked him in the eye, her expression solemn and thoughtful.

"This isn't just a conquest to you, is it, Erik?"

Erik looked into her eyes and saw the questions. He saw her fear and vulnerability and knew she was afraid, that she needed reassurance. She had given herself over to him completely, risking everything she had, and she needed Erik to be there for her, to let her know that it had all been worth it. She couldn't just walk from this like he'd been able to so many times before. But then again, neither could he.

Intertwining her fingers in his, he kissed her knuckles in a gesture of promise and intimacy.

"No. This means more to me than anything."

Christine eyes darted around in confusion and disbelief. "Truly?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"You best be careful, old pirate. You might me endanger yourself by making me fall in love with you."

"Too late. I've already fallen in love with you, myself."

Christine's eyes widened in shock, but before she could say anything Erik wrapped her in an encompassing embrace and kissed her powerfully. Tonight he was going to worship her, love her, adore her. Tonight he was going to make love to the woman he loved.

They went on for hours, locked in each other's arms, determined to learn everything about one another. Christine cried continuously, feeling as if her heart had exploded with happiness at the beauty she was sharing with this man. There was no anger or tension; it was just two people in love giving themselves to each other. It was heart-rending and fulfilling, as if the one thing they had spent all their lives searching for was finally found. The emotion was overwhelming. Erik had thought he had had great sex all his life, but upon making love to the woman he loved he realized there was no other way to live. He didn't want anybody else. He didn't need anybody else. He just wanted to be with Christine…forever.