Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XX.

It had been Erik's intent to wait a longer than a month to get married. Afterall, Zuri was a reluctant bride, but she would rather have him than a stuffy baron. She had told him so. The problem was making her realize her need of him as he needed her. Thinking about her even now nearly drove him to take her. What could he do with her until she realized the need to be with him?

Soft footsteps disturbed his thoughts. He looked up to see his future wife standing in the archway of their bedroom. She was beautiful. He wished now more than ever that he had taken a different approach when they had first met. Had he clearly thought things through, he would not have been in this mess.

"I thought you were going to sleep for a while." He commented as she descended the steps in a cream-colored night gown.

"I have some questions that were on my mind."

"Ask away."

"Am I your first?"

Erik looked at her in surprise. He had never thought that she would ask such a thing. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I was wanting to know because you seem so knowledgeable."

He laughed at her explanation. He was hardly knowledgeable, it had only been instinct that had guided him. "I hate to shatter your illusion of an expert lover Zuri, but it was only instinct. I have read the Kama Sutra, but that is really the only material I have read up on in that subject area." He watched her blush in embarassment and quickly said, "Now it is my turn. What is it about me that makes you feel helpless?"

"Lack of control." She murmured softly.

He raised an eyebrow, "Meaning what Zuri?"

"Don't you get it!" She shouted in an aggravated tone, "Men get to decide everything. I can't make one decision without a man's approval."

Erik sighed as he stood from his seat and quickly caught her in his grasp. "I never thought I would see the day when my match was standing in front of me."

"What do you mean?"

"We are well matched dear Zuri. Our hatred has turned into love for one another. Don't you agree?"

"No. I never hated you in the first place."

"Zuri, I will give you power if that is what you wish. However, there is one condition."

"Yes?"

"I want you to marry me."

"I can't! You know that it would never work!"

Erik pushed her up against one of the walls and pressed a commanding kiss against her lips. His hands went to the front of her gown and tore it open. She gasped, allowing his tongue to explore her cavern and taste her. He paused, giving her a chance to breathe then finally said, "You say it will never work, but you are only in denial. Look at me and tell me that it will never work. Look me in the eyes Zuri!

He knew she would never look at him for her feelings were too strong for him. "Marry me! It is not an option Zuri! I'm not giving you one."

"I...need...to...think." She managed to say between breaths.

"Think about this Zuri!" Erik shouted at her then finally took action. He cupped her soft breast then quickly lowered his mouth over her breast, suckling the exposed bud into his mouth. He felt her arch against his mouth while grasping thick tufts of hair.

"You...unfair bastard!" Zuri panted heavily.

He pulled away then smiled predatorily at her. "Admit it. You know that we would be perfect together."

"Oooh! Erik, you self-serving, pompous, arrogant..." Before she could finish her statement he pressed another kiss to her lips while wedging a knee between her thighs.

He finally tore away from her lips, noting how red and swollen they were, then murmured, "You are the one to talk. Tell me Zuri, if this is so improper, why did you come to me in the first place?" He continued before giving her a chance to say anything, "Could it be that you wanted adventure and when you came here you got more than you expected? Or maybe your fantasy of me hasn't been fulfilled?"

"You know why I came!"

"Of course I do. You came to fulfill your fantasy of meeting the opera ghost."

"Why are you doing this to me? You see Erik, we are not perfect for each other. You won't even give me a choice!" Zuri cried out then tore away from him and fled to the bedroom. Tears fell down her cheeks as she climbed on the bed and drew the covers over her body.

She heard his heavy footsteps draw nearer until at least she saw him with an enraged look on his face. Her eyes met his as he moved to the bed and pulled the sheets away from her frame. "I suppose my assessment of you was right. You are a little coward."

Zuri cried out her anger as she launched herself at him in anger. "I am not! I want to be reasonable! Weren't you the one who did not want to marry?!"

"Can't you see it Zuri? I want you damn it! I love you!"

She looked up in surprise then murmured, "What??"

"You heard me. I love you and you are going to be mine." He said while pulling her in his arms. "I know what it is that you need."

"What is it that I need Erik?" She questioned him as his hands grasped her hips tightly.

"First, answer me this. Why are you pulling away when you want to be married?"

"It wouldn't work Erik."

"Why?"

"Because you are too controlling!" She finally snapped at him. "You wish to control me and I do not want that. You purposely make me angry so you can have some advantage over me and it isn't fair."

"I don't want to control you. You are far to stubborn to try to control. It is hard to incite any kind of passion from you so I have to make you angry."

"You didn't answer my question. What is it that I need from you Erik?"

"You need a man who is willing to show you what true passion is. Your father has only taught you to be a prim and proper little girl whereas I can teach you to be a woman. If you marry me then you will only know passion and love. We would have a family as you want. Who knows, you might even be pregnant with a child right now." He stopped when he saw her face turn white with shock. "Don't worry Zuri, I doubt my seed has taken root yet."

"Erik, we have been fools. We should have taken precautions. I will really be ruined if I am pregnant!" She exclaimed.

"Why? Because of this?!" Erik growled while pointing to his face.

Zuri had never felt so angered in her life. First she had been accused of being a coward and now he thought that she actually cared about how he looked. A very feminine growl escaped her lips, surprising Erik then making him smile, which only angered her more. "You listen to me Erik, I have established myself as being a person who could care less for your deformity. I love you damn it and I think it is awfully unfair of you to accuse me in such a way!"

She grabbed his white shirt and pulled him close enough to where she could kiss him. Their lips met fiercely as Erik lifted her on the edge of the bed. Her hands grasped tufts of black hair, pulling him closer to her mouth. He pulled back and smiled as he asked, "Does this mean you will marry me now?"

"Yes!"

He kissed her lips hungrily while she wrapped her legs around his hips. "Good," he murmured, "Because I will not take no for an answer."

Erik smiled inwardly, he knew that he had won finally. Zuri now belonged to him and he intended to keep her with him forever. He knew that if he had goaded her long enough she would finally give in to his demands. "Are you going to take me?" She questioned in a small voice, almost as if she was afraid to ask him.

"Yes." He replied with a smile.

xxxx

"She said yes to you?" Antoinette questioned with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"Yes. Why? Did you doubt it?"

"I thought Zuri would be a little more reluctant."

"She is...well was. I convinced her that she would have a much better life with me than a stuffy baron who could care less for her."

"And you care for her now?"

"Why Antoinette, I am shocked that you would accuse me of not caring for her. Of course I care for my future wife."

"You don't love her do you?"

Erik shot her a look of annoyance, "I never said that."

"She's going to be awfully sad if you said you love her and you really don't. It will do you both good if you get over your previous obsession then make her your focus. Afterall, what woman wants to be second best to another?"

"I did not come to get a lecture from you. I came to ask you a favor."

"More like command it." Antoinette muttered beneath her breath.

"I heard that Antoinette." He growled loudly.

"What is the favor you wish to ask?" She asked him as he glared at her.

Erik smiled as he handed her a small bag of francs. "Take my bride out tomorrow and buy her a wedding dress. Whatever makes her happy, I want her to have it. She hasn't had much of happiness in her life."

"You are letting her come back up? What if she tries running away?"

"She won't do that. Besides, if she does, I know where she lives."

"Anything else?"

"I have a plan for tomorrow. Make sure you keep her away from my home until 7:00. I am sure she will enjoy the company."

"What are you planning to do?"

"I am planning something special for her. That is all you need to know. Will you do this favor for me?"

"I was going to take the ring back tomorrow."

"You can take it back the day after. I need this favor Antoinette."

"Fine."

"I will bring her up to you tomorrow morning. Be ready then." Erik replied then disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.