Bon Appétit

He looked up at her and asked, "Christine, is there anything you need?" She nodded, telling him, "I am going to get the honey." Erik immediately slipped off the chair, watching Christine's hand as it slid off his.

"No my dearest, sit down. I will get you anything." He allowed his hand to grasp Christine's, but rather than help her to her seat, Christine suddenly moved forward.

Erik backed away instinctively, and they watched each other. Erik stood straight, a few good inches taller than Christine, and she looked up at him. "It is only honey." She told him, wondering why he was so determined not to touch her. Erik himself wondered why Christine was afraid to sit with him, and trying to move away.

He nodded, but the movement sifted the air between them and Christine's perfume waifted to the odd hole that was his nose.

Erik was intoxicated by her scent, and whispered quietly, "Christine." His voice entranced Christine, and she whispered back, "Erik." Together they stood, Erik's left hand holding Christine's, and Christine's right hand holding Erik's shoulder.

She leaned in slowly, knowing that any sudden movements would startle Erik. Erik held his breath as Christine leaned closer, until their hands rested at their sides and Christine slipped her other hand down Erik's back. Erik shuddered as passion raged through his body.

He had never been so close to a woman, so caressed by her curves. Christine's face was mere inches away from him, and Erik dared not move any closer. Christine gently whispered, "Erik, please tell me, what do you hide behind this mask?" Erik's passion left as immediately as it had appeared, and he looked at her, now a cold, hard glare.

"It isn't something I want to discuss." Christine felt his body grow cold, so different from the warm, living being he had been. She continued to hold his hand as her other hand slipped from his back. Erik turned and Christine let go. He walked over to the jar of honey and brought it to her. "Would you like this spread on your bread or perhaps dip these strawberries inside?"

Erik asked her. Christine had lost her appetite, but she shrugged nonchalantly. "Strawberries." She said.

Erik knew the moment they had shared so few minutes ago was lost, but he wanted her still, he wanted that sweet perfume to caress him, for her arms to enfold him. Christine came back to her chair and Erik gently asked, "Would you like to play a game?" Christine didn't know what to say.

She nodded, hoping that Erik wasn't mad at her. She hadn't meant to infuse him, it was only that her curiosity held her fascinated by whatever lay beyond that strip of fabric. Suddenly Erik disappeared and Christine gasped.

She looked past the bookcase/door, only to find that Erik had reappeared just as fast behind her. "Erik, you frightened me." Christine said.

Erik whispered, "I am so sorry my dearest. Please forgive me." Christine was surprised at how crushed Erik could become by one simple comment. She knew he had most likely lived a hard life, only abuse would lead a man to live such a life as he did. Christine wanted to reach out to Erik, to tell him everything was ok, but at that moment she felt his strong hands on her shoulders.

"You said you wanted to play a game Christine. If you allow me, I shall tie this sash around your eyes, and you can guess at what food I am presenting you." Erik said.

Christine was astonished. No proper man would blindfold a lady!

Yet Erik was not a proper man, and Christine wondered if Erik was ashamed to be seen by her. She agreed none the less, and sighed as Erik's gloved hands wrapped a black sash across her eyes, plunging Christine into total darkness.

It was rather frightening, and yet exhilarating. Christine knew that when she returned to the Opera, she would have an experience like none other; and she would speak not a word to anyone, especially Raoul.

"Can you see my dearest?" Erik's sultry voice penetrated Christine's ears, and she couldn't imagine how a man could arouse her with only words. She shook her head no, and Erik replied, "Christine, you do look so gourgues."

Erik was feeling an intense passion as he watched Christine with the black sash across her eyes. He had never been with a woman, and he knew no woman would ever be with him; yet he imagined how it would be, with Christine tied so she could never see his face, and he could have her, the love he desired.

So long as she never touched him either. Erik sighed as he picked up a strawberry, dipping it into the honey. He pulled his chair closer, licking his lips as Christine gently nibbled the confection.

She giggled and told him, "This is sort of interesting." Christine had never done anything quite so outrageous, and she knew she was breaking every social taboo she had learned, yet none of that mattered as another honey-dipped strawberry passed her lips. She couldn't see what Erik was doing, but he was keeping his hands as far away as possible, and Christine admired his self-control.

She had allowed herself to be blind-folded, at the mercy of this stranger, but it gave her a feeling of intense desire. She wondered how it would be, to have Erik remove his mask and kiss her, in total darkness.

Erik; meanwhile; was at the mercy of his own intense desire. He watched the gentle twitch of Christine's cheeks as she ate the strawberry; her lucious lips moving in a slow dance. Erik gripped one strawberry so hard it busted, and he wiped his hands off. He noticed a banana, and a blush came to his face.

He couldn't subject Christine to such obvious lust, and yet he knew that if those lips could never touch his own body; they could at least touch this one, simple piece of fruit. He gently peeled the skin off the banana, and dipped one end into the honey. He watched as Christine waited patiently, and for the first time that night he sifted his gaze down.

She was so precious, her bosom rising and falling with each breath, and Erik knew he could never touch that gentle area. Slowly, softly, he let the banana graze Christine's lips, as his own passion flared.

He felt his manhood straining against his trousers as Christine nibbled the end of the banana. Christine smiled as she felt the gentle push of a honey-dipped banana. She ate it slowly, and heard Erik's ragged breath.

Christine gently licked the honey off the banana, and suddenly Erik moaned. "Christine, we have to stop this. Let us, play music!" Christine wondered what she had done wrong, why had Erik suddenly stopped?

She asked quietly, "Are you not enjoying our game?" Erik's voice came to her, "My dearest, I belive I am enjoying it far too much." Christine whispered gently, "I too was enjoying it. Why must we stop?"

Erik was ashamed to admit his desire. His lust was deep and horrid, and he couldn't remove the sash from Christine's eyes until his throbbing manhood settled into rest.

He should have known that doing this silly game was far too inappropriate. Christine stood and attempted to remove the sash.

Erik raced behind her and quickly said, "Please, no, Your eyes can sometimes distract from the true beauty of your voice. Sing for me, without light."