chapter 34

T he brisk evening air nipped at my face and it was the best feeling in the world . If you looked up the word "excitement" in the dictionary, you wouldn't find a picture of me. In fact, you probably wouldn't be able to find me anywhere in there. You would think as a writer I could come up with one. There were no words for a moment like this.

His soothing, warm voice caressed my ears as we turned down onto a well-maintained driveway. "We've arrived, love." Decorative stones lined along the gravel drive, but it was giant trees that had me entranced. They went on as far as the eye could see. And suddenly, amongst all the good things, I missed home.

Washington was always green. No matter the time of year. For a short time, I was home, and Erique was with me.

"How far from town are we?" I asked.

"Not far. Why is it that you ask?"

"I'm getting a bit hungry," I said.

"We should have food inside and other supplies as we arrive. However, my dear, if nothing is to your liking, I will have the delivery boy change the order tomorrow."

Why was I not surprised that he'd already thought of it. He has ruined any other man for me. If I ever went home, I'd never recover.

God, I wanted him.

"Maybe sometime this trip we can go get food together…" I said.

He didn't answer, which was surprising, but his expression said it all. I was pushing it.

The moonlight was enough to see the small cottage and matching barn coming into sight. It was something out of those paintings you find at the secondhand store.

We weren't going to be found out here. No managers. No counts. No murder. Nothing.

"Oh Erique. It's perfect!" I said. Before the carriage came to a complete stop, I opened the door and jumped out onto the grass.

"Melody!" Erique shouted, pulling the carriage to a stop.

I wanted to cry and scream and shout and sing as my lungs expanded, taking in the fresh forest air. Not a scent of Paris anywhere.

"You could not have waited a moment longer? You are mad, woman," he said, wrapping his arms around my midsection and placing a heavy kiss on my neck.

Lost in the freedom of our new temporary world. My head rolled back, and my lids closed. "Do you feel that?" I asked.

"I feel you," he said.

"It's so quiet here, Erique. But the good quiet," I said. "The air is clean. And we're safe."

"I will put Ceasar in the stalls and meet you inside," he said, then gave me a kiss as if it were the first time.

The cabin was smaller than our home under the theater. A cold and stagnant studio layout. Perfect for just the two of us. And at the center, against the wall, a beautiful stone fireplace.

Just as I got the fire going, Erique emerged from outside, both suitcases in hand. "I will get the fire, Dear," he said, setting the bags near the bed.

"You can't do everything. Plus, it's already done. Now you can come and warm up right away."

"I do not need a fire to warm this body when I have you," he said stalking towards me with the most delicious mischievous look in his eyes.

Empty was the space where she rested her weary head as I reached for her.

My eyes snapped open to confirm my worst fear. She had taken the opportunity to run from me in the night.

Daylight, though dampened by the surrounding foliage, now beamed through the opened windows.

‘She would not do that to us. Not now. Not after everything,' the Ghost said as I hurried for a shirt.

Without thought, I ripped the door open but halted before stepping through its threshold.

Clenched fists fidgeted as they hovered above the stream of soft light. A kiss from the sun had long been a memory. Would it burn or merely sting as hot water did?

I pushed into filtered light glancing every which way. Searching for evidence of her absence.

Ribs threatened to burst open while my heart pounded behind them. I ran to the barn.

Cesar still roamed in his stall flicking his tail around without a care in the universe, feeding on freshly lofted hay.

I pushed the hair back from my false face, calming what nerves I could, and stepped out into the shade again.

Perhaps he was right. "Then where have you gone, little mouse?" I whispered into the trees.

Like a siren, her voice called to me. My ear perked in the direction its sweet sound came.

Down a forgotten path I followed, still uncertain if this was wishful thinking or was it truly her I heard.

Sun peeked through swaying branches. Twigs snapped beneath my bare feet. Leaves rustled as the light breeze caressed my exposed flesh, as these fingers brushed along low hanging foliage and wildflowers. It was a dream I had written about once.

From the tree line, I watched. There she was, basking in the sun as she stared from the safety of the shore. The wind flicked her hair and whipped the fabrics of her skirt about, carrying a song I did not know, but lovely on her lips nonetheless. This angel had come far.

Fear disabled me as my eyes cut down to the direct line where the true sun started. Bright and terrifying as any nightmare.

With trembling hands, I extended one slowly into the unknown, retracting it almost immediately as the earth's light stung.

Hesitation held me as I contemplated another try.

"Erique?" My gaze sliced up at the sound of my name.

Even from where I stood, love glistened in her eyes as the sun kissed every bare part of her. Fear would be no more as my foot pressed into the sandy shore of the lake. These eyes shied away, attempting to adjust to light they had not endured since childhood.

Light in my arms, she was, as I embraced her. Every burning step a forgotten memory. Adoration grew in twinkling eyes as I twirled her about. Just as I envisioned.

My heart swelled with glee and the overwhelmingness that this moment was. Never did I think I would bask as she does. For the light of day caressed my flesh in the same warmth.

"Good morning, baby," she said, overflowing with dawn's embrace. Warm hands held my cheeks and eyes searched my face. "Are you alright?" she asked.

"I… Everything is… beautiful."

With a gentle swipe of her thumb, she removed the escaped joy resting in the seal of my mask.

After a short while, she accompanied me for our morning meal. Happiness shone on her face after every bite as she gazed outside. I would harness daylight and bring it home with us if only to continue this sight.

She smiled. "I was thinking that we could work out by the lake. If that was ok."

The light would take some getting used to, but I didn't want this time away to be about work. Even if we enjoyed it.

"Actually," I said, clearing my throat. "I was hoping you would like to go for a walk around the lake?"

Her eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion, and it melted me. A smile spread slowly across her dimple imprinted face.

"Would you like that?" I asked.

A quick happy little nod from her was all I needed.

"Warm by the fire, my Love," Erique whispered, and walked to his bag.

I had brought the basket of random food we had left from the walk with me. Cheese, bread, wine, and salami. Perfect time for snacking.

I never thought this day would come. We had walked the lake and it took forever. It was only because it got cold that we even came back inside.

"I thought we could read tonight," he said, joining me on the rug by the fire. "It has been a while since we've read and I thought on this special evening, it was only appropriate."

I glanced at the small worn cover over. Frankenstein .

"Are you sure you want to read it? It's so sad."

He nodded. "Nothing would please me more." There was an extra softness to his answer. Like he'd been waiting for this all day.

I pulled a piece of salami and nibbled on it as we settled in.

"I will start," he said. " You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings... "

His reading voice always soothed me. Sent me into a place of fantasy and safety. All while setting me ablaze with unbridled want.

It didn't even have to be a song for his words to sound like music. How could someone be so blessed with such a thing?

Yes, I missed movies and music. But admittedly, over the past few months, I hardly noticed the absence, at least when I had time with Erique.

I just know that I was calm with him.

Soft orange light flickered against his mask and lips moved smoothly as he read. Tempting as it was to stop him, I tortured myself, and held off. Even though I was a little frustrated.

Believe me when I said the things he did to me were enough. I was the luckiest girl in the world. But my need for him was greedier than logic. And the reaction my body was already having at just mere thoughts of him and I together…

"Are you listening, my Angel?" he asked, his voice filled with knowing.

I hoped the fire hid the heat blushing across my cheeks, because they burned hot. "Yes, of course," I answered. "You know how I love to listen to you read."

"By the look in your eyes, I thought perhaps you were lost in some sinful thought," he smirked. "And I would hate to have to put down this book and remind you of what trouble those kinds of thoughts can cause."

My heart raced as I bit my lip. "That would be so horrible, yes. Continue please."

Of course, the delicious thoughts of us together started back up as soon as those captivating eyes returned to the pages.

This time away was going to be it. We were totally going to do this thing. I mean, even Erique's stubborn ass could only wait so long. Right? He'd been pining almost five months already. Before we were even a thing.

"Ok, that's enough for tonight," he said. Erique set the book aside quickly and closed the short distance between us.

"We aren't even through the first chapter," I yelped as his kiss scorched me.

"There's always tomorrow."

His body was on a mission that would not be detoured now. He grabbed me by the nape, massaging as we melted into the other.

"I thought it was going to be you this time. You radiate need, so loudly, my dear. Concentration was impossible. It is I that has lost this time," he said.

Our tongues danced together as he laid me onto the rug beneath us. Was this it? Was he finally going to allow us to connect? This had already been a magical day. With Erique walking in the sun's light and all.

But my wonderful Erique stuck to his conviction and fucked me with his mouth again, forcing me into a soul rocking orgasm. Though, by the look on his face, you would have sworn it was his.

In between feverish kisses, telling me it wasn't near over, he sang sweet words, "I love you. I love you so much."

Since we'd left the Garnier , he'd been more affectionate than usual. He was already very affectionate. I loved it, but it was a lot.

With strength only desire could wield, I rolled us over, forcing Erique onto his back as I straddled his pelvis.

I moaned at the pressure of his hidden, hardened desire as it pressed against my ultra-sensitive clit. Rocking against him, I undid his shirt and kissed his mouth every time he tried to speak. My hand ran through the mix of silky chest hair and scarring, down to his abdomen.

" My Heart …" he panted into my mouth.

"I respect your boundaries, you wonderful man. But I need to give you something," I said desperately.

"I don't need…" he started.

Ravenous was her mouth on mine again, too quickly to form words or thought. A burst of white light blinded my mind as she mauled the fastenings of my trousers.

My beautiful angel made it harder every day with her insatiable need for me. Only making mine for her worse. Weakly, I tried to raise a hand to stop her, so I told myself. She pressed my wrist to the floor. "Do you want me to stop?" she asked. "I will. I just…"

I shook my head meekly side to side. We would be one soon. Together for all eternity. It did not matter anymore.

A whimper deep within my chest rolled to an escape as my cock sprang free of its blasted cell. I trembled beneath her as a newly born fawn learning to walk.

Wide, sparkling, brown eyes stared at the pulsating thing in her hand. Hope begged I was enough. A wet tongue ran across her swollen bottom lip, and I suddenly wished those swollen lips were around this rotten flesh which ached for her.

Gentle fingers ran along the sensitive length of my want as I twitched and shivered under foreign touch. Pleasure pulled my head back, but disbelief forced eyes on her. This cherub's face lowered next to my straining cock. Involuntary were the sounds resonating from within my throat. My eyes slammed shut as she hummed and ran her face along the pillar of flesh, worshiping it like it had given her everything.

My body writhed against my will as stars formed behind my eyes. Lightning bolted and webbed out from the center of my body, begging for release. More intense than any pleasure I'd given myself. "You are… you are more demon than I," I barely managed out.

Never had I enjoyed torture in my life until now. A devilish smirk branded my heart's face as she kissed the tip and dug her nails into my chest, then dragged them downward.

"Yes," I cried.

Attempting to prolong climax was proving ineffective. The wetness of her tongue from base to tip had me undone. My back arched and hips rolled against her hands as I grasped the rug to keep me grounded while love stroked me through the body numbing, mind-altering eruption.

The ceiling swirled and my chest heaved, as if breathing for the first time.

Through glazed, sated eyes, I raised myself enough to see over the mess on my abdomen. Glowing light surrounded my Melody as she rested her head on my pelvis. My satiated cock laying against her temple.

Divinity was she, as I ran tingling fingers through her soft hair.

"I'll get something to clean up with," she said.

Long enough had it waited. It will happen tonight.