Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XXI.

Zuri had been rather pleasantly surprised that Erik was letting her back up to get her wedding dress. She sighed to herself. After she agreed to marry him they had had sex of course. Erik stoked a fire that she could not deny, but to deal with his passions all the time would be difficult to say the least.

She did not like Erik's assessment of her, however, maybe he had been right. Maybe she was still a girl. She certainly did not know how to make him happy...and that's what she had wanted all along. He was so difficult to get along with at times and then there were times where he set his sight on having her in bed. She knew this would be a difficult marriage.

Maybe she was a coward too. She loved him, but could not imagine being his wife. If the opera ghost was as commanding as she heard and witnessed, then certainly he was not the type of husband she wanted. A thousand questions spun in her head, all unanswered. He was such a vexing man that she could not hope to understand what he truly wanted from her.

She sighed to herself, maybe Madame Giry could answer her questions. "Are you ready Zuri?"

"Yes. I suppose."

"Good." Erik replied with a smile. "I want you to have a good time when you pick out your wedding dress."

"Yes Erik."

"Be happy Zuri for I will make you happy." He pulled her against his hard body quickly then gently brushed his lips over hers. He had plans to make her less resistant to him and he was going to see them through tonight.

"Erik." She whispered while her hands grasped his forearms tightly.

"Yes?"

"What are you going to do while I am away?"

"That is for me to know and you to find out. However, I will tell you one thing. You will like my surprise when you get back." Erik said with a knowing smile on his face. He offered his arm to her and from the look on her face, she was surprised that he had done so. Slipping her arm in his, she allowed him to guide her up to a hallway where Madame Giry waited. Before letting her leave he caught her hand then pressed a kiss harshly against her pink lips. "Remember what we talked about last night Zuri. You will gain freedom through me." Zuri nodded, remembering that was not the only thing he had promised her.

xxxx

Zuri sighed softly as she followed the path back to Erik's home by herself. She had spent most of the day going from store to store till she found the wedding dress of her dreams. It was a beautiful dress, designed in a medieval style with gauzy material and an empire cut which accentuated her breasts. She smiled, Erik would like it she was sure of it.

She carried two bags filled with new undergarments. Erik had torn some of her other ones so she figured it was time to replenish. Besides, he had told her she could get anything that made her happy. Erik was such a complex man that she had no idea what to expect from him. She sighed once more as she followed the path into the main part of his home. There she found her future husband sitting at his organ writing. She did not know what though.

"I am back." Zuri announced.

Erik turned around on the bench and shot her a seductive glare. "So you are. Did you find a wedding dress suited to your taste?"

Zuri nodded then commented, "Even you will like it I think."

"I am sure I will." He replied as he saw she had bags with her. "What else did you get?"

"Some undergarments." Zuri explained.

"Come here. We have much to discuss tonight." Erik commanded then smiled as she obeyed him immediately.

Zuri placed her bags on the floor and slowly walked up to him, his hand outstretched for hers. She took his hand with reluctance but smiled when he kissed the top of her hand. "What must we discuss?"

Erik smiled again, "I am glad you asked. Tonight I wanted to discuss our future. Sit down cherie."

She sat beside him on the bench and asked, "What about the future?"

"You don't trust me. It is obvious to me. I want you to trust me and you certainly aren't doing that."

"Erik," Zuri sighed deeply, "I do trust you. I am nervous, that is all."

"When we talked earlier you said that you wanted a husband who gave you freedom, don't you still want that?"

"Yes, I do. However, you are so commanding. Ever since I met you, you have been commanding me to do something. First, it was to leave; next, to stay; and finally, to be your wife. I feel confused and almost as if I have no say in anything. I suppose I would have no say in the first place. What happens when I become ugly to your eyes?"

His eyes held concern for her, "Zuri, these are unfounded worries."

"Oh? When my body becomes plump and my breasts start to sag from nursing children I doubt you will want to have me." He laughed loudly which only served to make her angry with him. "See! You are not taking this seriously."

"You do not realize that you are so beautiful and I intend to make you realize it." Erik took her hand and gently pulled her to her feet.

"Where are you taking me?" Zuri questioned him as he pulled her towards the bedroom.

"Unless you intend to make love on the floor then I am taking you to the bedroom."

"Make love?"

His golden eyes glinted with pure lust, "Unless you want me to throw you on the bed, rip your garments apart, and take you without considering your feelings. Which, in my opinion, sounds quite amusing and appealing...except for the last part. I want this to be enjoyable, for both of us."

She followed him reluctantly but knew in her heart that Erik would never do anything detrimental to her. He slid his arm around the small of her back as she shivered involuntarily. The warmth from his body spread over her like a blanket. He showed her into the bedroom and watched as she gasped in surprise. "Do you like my dear?"

Zuri stared at the redecorated area in disbelief. The sheets and comforter on the bed had been changed to a toned down mauve color. Pillows decorated the top of the bed in different yet similiar colors to the bedding. Only a few candles were lit, enough to show the changes and the way to the bed, but it was very romantic. She turned to face him, "I like the changes."

He smiled proudly, "I am glad. Now, I wish to know if you might indulge me in allowing me to take off your garments." She tensed at the thought of him taking off her clothes.

"So soon? Can we not talk about the future or something else?"

Erik noticed her nervousness and smiled as he gently pressed a kiss against her forehead in an almost fatherly fashion. "Very well then. Do you mind if we lay down so we may talk?"

She shook her head, "No, not at all."

Erik smiled as she climbed on the bed to lay down. Erik soon joined her, his body eager to close the gap that lay between them. She turned to him, her eyes meeting his relaying a strong desperateness. "I hope I do not seem forward or rude Zuri, but I must ask you if you have had your cycle yet."

Zuri blushed, "You are being quite forward, however, since you are my future husband I suppose you must know. I have not."

"The fact of the matter is that we may have a child due to our sexual acts. Do you think you are ready?"

"Eventually, you and I will be married and it won't matter what I say Erik. You are my future husband. If I have a child by you then I will love it because a child deserves love."

"You twist everything around. Can you not answer a simple question?"

She narrowed her emerald-colored eyes at him in disdain, "No Erik, I am not ready for a child. However, I suppose I have no choice if I am pregnant."

Erik bit his lower lip in hope that he could turn their conversation around. "I want to understand your point of view. I have been focusing on me for the longest time and I do not understand women as I should. Explain to me what you want...what a woman would want from her future husband."

"Love and respect."

He watched as a tear fell down her cheek. "I am your last resort."

"I am sorry! I told you before that I am sorry that I used you!"

"I am not mad Zuri. I understand why you came to me now. I understand why you wanted me. You wanted a man who would not use you as your father has. You've never had a taste of freedom until now, have you?"

Zuri looked at him; her future husband, whom was both vexing and lustful, had finally understood her. She bent her head as he eyed her carefully. "I suppose now you will think me a selfish person."

"Selfish? Zuri, you are the least selfish person I know. You came here to help me and I appreciate that. Although I did not appreciate that at first."

She kissed him as his left hand caressed her right hip. He pressed a kiss against her lips as she wound her fingers of her right hand into his thick, dark hair. Erik pulled her over his body. His other hand pressed against the back of her head and pushed her lips harshly against his.

Zuri pulled back to look at him as he smiled at her. "What intentions did you have for me tonight?"

He smiled seductively at her as she stroked his hair softly. "I wanted to make you happy so you would trust me. My intentions were to make love with you."

She smiled back then rolled off him and pushed herself up on her knees. Erik eyed her as she began to unbutton the front of her dress. He raised an eyebrow at her as her camisole was slowly revealed to him. Licking his lips, he pushed himself up on his elbows. "I want you to make love to me. Erik, I need you."

He reached up and gently caressed her face. Her hand caught his in a soft grasp as she gently kissed his palm and nuzzled her cheek against it. "Then let me." He pulled her dress over her head and threw it in the floor. Their eyes connected while he slowly pulled her camisole over her head and threw it in the floor to join her dress. He then lay her back against the soft pillows and bedding and gently kissed her lips softly as he did.

"Erik." She murmured against his lips.

"Yes?" He quietly replied.

"I love you."

He smiled at her then slowly pressed his lips against hers while reveling in the softness of her lips. Zuri reached up and wove her fingers in his thick hair as she felt him kiss her lips deeply. Erik's soft hands caressed her breasts while she gripped his hair tightly. He laughed softly as she looked up at him with a confused look. "You are quite a domineering person if you think about it cherie. Domineering and stubborn."

She questioned, "Do you like that?" She then pulled him down and pressed her lips against his.

"I like it very much." Erik replied in a lustful tone.

They each smiled at each other. Erik was feeling happy for the first time in a long while. He watched as she leaned up and whispered in his ear, "I am waiting. Take me Erik."

Erik smiled, their eyes connecting once more before he pressed a deep kiss against her lips. She pressed back, her hands moving to the front of his shirt while he pulled back and watched silently as she unbuttoned his shirt. He shrugged it from his shoulders and after taking off the garment, threw it in the floor to join her things.

He pressed a kiss against the junction of her neck and shoulder as Zuri wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He laughed softly, "Anxious?"

"Erik...I don't want you to be slow like this." Zuri replied while watching him raise an elegant eyebrow. "I hope I do not seem like a wanton."

"What brought on this change?"

"I think Erik that I have finally realized that freedom comes through the man that is perfect for me. I don't mind if you are commanding...that is you and I love you Erik. I don't want you to change because of me."

"What you are saying to me is that you want me to stay the same even if we argue all the time."

Zuri looked up at him and replied, "Yes you fool!"

Erik cocked his head to the side as she gave him a playful slap. "Women," He muttered jokingly, "can't make up their minds."

Zuri smiled again while gently pulling his head to hers. Their lips met, Erik's tongue invaded her mouth and caressed her own. She closed her eyes as waves of pleasure washed over her body. His kiss was drugging and she realized that she would never be able to live life without Erik. She felt him pull away then whisper in her ear, "Now, I am going to have wild, passionate sex with you."

"That sounds wonderful Erik."