Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XXVII.

Zuri awoke to find herself lying on her stomach with her head facing the wall. She

moaned softly as she felt his fingers drift up and down the curve of her back. "What

time is it?" She questioned him while turning over on her back.

"Early morning cherie." His mouth found her shoulder and softly pressed a kiss into

her pale skin. "Early enough for us to make love again."

"Mmmm..." She replied simply.

Erik chuckled, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Take it as you will Erik." Zuri replied.

Erik rolled her over on her back as he whispered in her ear, "I choose to interpret

that as you wanting to have relations." Erik then smiled at her as his lips caught

hers in a searing kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer

to her body. He pulled back saying, "I take it that you won't protest."

"Does it look like I am?"

"No." He mumbled as he nipped at the shell of her earlobe. "However, you made such a

fuss last nigiht, what should I have expected?"

"Don't be cruel Erik. If you are going to arouse me then do not begin this talk of

how I made a fuss. If I remember correctly, Erik, you were making a fuss as well."

Zuri retorted in a playful manner.

Erik smiled at his wife. They were bound by common law, even though they did not

know each other more than a year. She flashed him a look as if she was saying,

'you're mine too.' "I was validated madame."

Zuri giggled, her thoughts were on how silly he was acting. Who knew that he had a

playful side to him? "Are we going to talk all morning or are we going to make love?

I am getting cold." She shot him a pouty look.

Erik growled as passion filled his veins. "Then I shall make you hot beyond measure.

How does that sound temptress?"

She pulled him between her legs and wrapped her limbs around his waist. "That sounds

delightful...husband."

Erik nuzzled his lips against her neck. For a moment he forgot everything that had

happened over the previous month and a half. He forgot his anger and contempt for

women. He forgot that he had become a rapist briefly. Instead he only felt warmth

and love. He knew Zuri, felt her body, and heard her voice. There was only Zuri.

xxxx

Zuri's father paced his study. His eyes were narrowed in contempt as he thought of

his disobedient daughter. He would take her to task when he found her. How dare she

disobey him! He knew that she would be trouble ever since she was born. First, she

had killed her own mother then this. She would always be the thorn in his side.

He finally sat down and steepled his fingers as his thoughts wondered to how he

would punish his daughter. He would find her and bring her back to wed. There was no

uncertainty there. She could not hide forever and when he found her, she would face

his fury.

xxxx

Erik lovingly stroked Zuri's dark hair as he kissed her cheek. She was in a deep

sleep now that they both had been sated. He laughed to himself, he did not know how

he had received her. Be it fate or God, he loved her desperately and passionately.

She was like a necessity that he could not stop clinging to.

Zuri caught his hand in a soft grasp. "Erik, why are you up? Why aren't you

sleeping?"

"We have to leave soon. I am admiring the way you look...almost wanton."

"I will pretend you did not say that Erik." She replied as he nuzzled her neck with

his soft lips.

"I do not mean that to be demeaning Zuri. I think you look absolutely passionate and

lovely with your hair flung around you like a wild woman. I admire that look."

Zuri raised an eyebrow, "Wild woman? What is that supposed to mean?"

Erik laughed softly at her look of confusion. "I mean that you are more than what

you think you are."

She simply smiled at him then asked, "When are we leaving for Paris?"

"Soon. I do not want to remain here for long. Your father must have influence over

the police. They will be after us soon."

"He has influence over everyone." Zuri admitted sadly.

"Then we need to hurry away from here. I want to get back to Paris as soon as

possible." Erik said as he sat up. He watched her as she stood from the bed and

began to pick up her clothes to put them on. "Eager to go cherie?"

"Very eager. I want to get away from here. I'm scared."

Erik stood up and swiftly went to her. After pulling her hard against his chest he

murmured, "I am not going to let anyone hurt you."

"Erik please forgive me. I should have never left. I could not take it if you

rejected our child." Zuri apologized as she held to him tightly.

"We are both at fault. I should not have been angry. It is exciting that we are

having a child. I will not know what to do." He said as he laughed at the last

comment.

Zuri smiled, "Do not feel bad. You are not the only one."

"Zuri, you will be an excellent mother. You have a big heart. Even now I can imagine

you playing that role quite well."

An eyebrow rose slowly, "You can?"

"Oh yes cherie. Every man wants to see his wife nursing a baby that is of his own

flesh." Erik replied with a wink.

She shook her head at him. Erik was a truly unique man...and she loved him. She

loved him more and more with each passing day. He truly was a man in which she

loved. Even after what had happened between them, she still had found her heart

loved him.

"Oh you."

He raised an eyebrow at her this time, "Yes?"

"Get dressed monsieur. I do not have time to dilly dally with you." Zuri replied as

she reached up and gently pressed a kiss to his forehead then left to put on her

garments.

Erik smiled to himself. She was right to want to get ready. They would have to be

ready to leave soon. He despised the fact that they would have to leave to go back

to Paris. They would have to travel a week to get back. He wanted to get back, but

he wanted to stay and keep her in bed with him. He sighed then picked up his clothes

and began putting them on. They would have to leave very soon.



Author's Note:

1) I appreciate any and all revies that I receive. Even if they are negative. I do appreciate your thoughts.

2) I am wondering if there are any POTO fanfiction writers or artists out there who are interested in contributing there work to my up and coming POTO fanzine. If you are, email me at silver_melusine@yahoo.com.