by Kailin Gow
“I’m sorry, but Annette’s pulling at me from every side. It’s exhausting just keeping her down. Every time I try to hit a note, she’s poking me in the ribs, as it were. I think she’s deliberately trying to sabotage by attempt to gain the stage.”
Eric scratched his head and rubbed his eyes. I could see how exasperated he was becoming. The perfection he’d spent so many months working on was on the verge of being ruined.
“You talk to Annette, if you really want this to work,” Kristine said.
She put her hands on my waist in the way she had a habit of doing. It felt prissy and arrogant, and I wanted to fight her into a more suitable stance.
“Tell her to stop fighting me,” she went on. “If she could relax and let me get through this, I’m sure I could make the show a greater success than it is.”
His eyes bore through mine and I knew he was reaching in for me. Tender and concerned, his gaze lacked the harshness he usually reserved for Kristine.
I’m here, Eric. Don’t give up on me. I’m fighting as hard as I can.
“She’s fighting for her life, Kristine. I can’t very well tell her to give up. She’d never listen to me, as she shouldn’t.”
My heart rate increased and I knew Kristine was getting riled up again. I could feel her anger course through me and the more I fought it the more heated it became.
“She’s winning, Eric,” she said in agitated frustration. She reached for the sofa, letting her hand pass over the fabric as though longing to recline. “Damn it, stop looking at her like that. She’s winning. I can barely stand it anymore. She’s taking over.”
What? I am?
He held his gaze steady, searing through Kristine’s façade and looking directly at me.
My hand reached up to touch his cheek and it was by my will. Kristine no longer had control. I smiled with giddiness, elated with my victory.
“I’m winning, Eric.” I said in a voice that was soft and joyful; a tone Kristine could never simulate. “I’m beating her.”
A smile came to his lips while a long, slow breath seeped through his lips. “Annette,” he murmured with uncertainty.
“I can beat her, Eric, so long as you're there to help me.”
“I’ll never stop fighting for you, Annette. I brought this on you. It’s me she wishes to destroy.”
“I won’t let her ruin you or me.”
He brought my fingers to his lips and tenderly kissed each digit.
“Every ounce of energy is being used to keep her from beating me and I’m feeling so fatigued. What a strong-willed woman she is.” I looked longingly at him, eager to taste his lips and fill the crush of his chest against mine. I leaned in closer.
“Forgive my suspicion, Annette,” he said, his fingers gripping my hand and halting my approach. “I want to be sure it’s really you. Beyond a doubt.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Sing. Sing as only Annette can truly sing.”
Smiling with the sense of assured victory, I plucked a sheet of music at random and set it in front of him. Just hearing the first few introductory notes heightened my senses and I was suddenly filled with the pain and betrayal the song needed. I sang.
“Yes,” Eric moaned with relief. With his eyes closed and his lips curved into a smile, he mouthed the lyrics that emanated from my throat.
After only one verse, he abruptly left the piano and pulled me into his arms. “It is really you, Annette.” For the longest moment he looked into my eyes, drinking in the undeniable truth. I was back. He kissed me and I felt the softness and complete tenderness of his embrace. As though kissing a delicate flower, his lips barely brushed against mine and his hold of me was gentle and tentative. “How I’ve missed you.”
I clung to him, enraptured by the sensations of his arms, his chest and his hands. The warmth of his skin left me drunk with desire and I knew how badly I wanted him. “Now, Eric. Take me now.”
My hands reached for his pants and prepared to eagerly rid him of the garment that kept us apart. For a moment my breath caught in my throat and I stiffened in Eric’s embrace. As hungry as I was for him, that move had not been my own. My fingers fumbled with the button of his jeans then yanked at the zipper.
He guided me into his bedchamber, his hands never leaving my body, his lips never far away. His breath swept across my cheeks and I could hear the struggle with every intake of air as he tried to maintain a degree of control over his passion.
My senses were overloaded with pleasure and I just wanted to get closer to him still. But confusion began to weigh on me as a fog rolled in, leaving me unsure which move was mine. My hands had a mind of their own as they roamed over his body. It’s the pure desire I have for him, I told myself. The desperate need to touch him has me losing control of my actions.
His fingers combed through my hair and gripped the nape of my neck, bringing me in as his lips captured mine.
“You’ve no idea how I feared for you, Annette,” he said between kisses. “How I longed to have you back.”
He stopped suddenly and held my gaze, his eyes solemn and filled with remorse. “I’ll never let anything happen to you, my love.” His lips traveled down my neck as he began to unbutton my shirt.
My breath caught high in my throat and my eyes widened with surprise at the shock of sensation as his lips brushed over the swell of my breasts. He pulled my shirt off and brought his strong hands to the small of my back, pushing me to arch my chest up to him. Burying his face between my breasts, he sighed and uttered my name repeatedly.
I tried to remain on my feet, but the exhaustion and overwhelming sensations made it virtually impossible to remain upright. If we could lie down, I’d feel better. I’d regain control of my failing limbs. But he kept a strong hold of me as he worked to rid me of my jeans.
Every moment left me dizzier and every sensation from his hands more confused. My hands went to his jeans and pried them down. He chuckled and kicked free of his boots before leaving his pants in a pile on the floor. With one quick motion, he pulled his shirt over his head and flung it across the room, revealing his broad muscular chest that tapered down to a strong washboard stomach. He was breathtakingly beautiful.
“I’ve waited for this moment, my sweet. To take you in my arms. To take you completely.” His fingers traced over the lace of my bra and my skin responded instantly.
My lips parted and my eyes hooded with hunger.
He pushed me back onto the bed, rolling with me until he had me straddling him.
“Tu est magnifique.” I heard myself say as my hands played over every muscle of his chest.
In the heat of his passion, he ignored the words that weren’t mine and simply smiled as he wrapped his hands around my waist and pressed me closer to him.
I wanted to scream, but my voice was choked. I wanted to run, but my limbs no longer responded to my command. I wanted to slap Eric out of his lustful haze, but my hands simply roamed over his chest bringing forth additional hunger and longing.
Battling for control, I became lightheaded and the room darkened until I was enshrouded with unbearable gloom.
Dizzy, spent and exhausted, I collapsed over Eric.
Chapter 6
The moment I opened my eyes I knew Kristine was back in control. I had known it moments before I’d collapsed on Eric and was thankful for the complete black out. At least it had stopped Eric from giving his affections to Kristine.
“Good morning.” Eric walked up to the bed and sat beside me. After setting a cup of coffee on the night table, he brushed the hair off my face. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever rise.”
“What time is it?”
“Late enough that you're going to have to rush to make your return to the stage.But not enough that you can’t have coffee and a proper breakfast.”
“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” Kristine almost brought a frosty edge to my voice, but was quick to warm it up.
Eric brought his fingers to m
y forehead. “You were beyond exhausted. I even feared you might be ill.” His fingers pressed tenderly against my temple. “You're warm.”
“Only because you're here, love.” Kristine sat me up. I could feel the energy it took for her to hold all her vibrant sensuality still. But she managed it too well. She turned away from him and by God if I didn’t feel my cheeks heat up with a blush.
“You gave me quite a fright.” He gently kissed me and handed me my coffee. “You went out without warning.”
“Oh, Eric. I’m so sorry.” Kristine took a sip of coffee, but I felt her tongue swirl around the unsweetened java. “I hope you don’t think I was toying with your desire.”
“Don’t worry. I know how dreadful these past days have been. It’s perfectly understandable. Now come.” He led her into the kitchen.
Eric had prepared a veritable feast and Kristine was prepared to take full advantage. While she filled up on poached eggs and a few toasts, Eric watched with amusement. I tried to find solace in the love I saw in his eyes, but being under Kristine’s hand again left me fearing for what was to come.
Remembering my penchant for muffins, Kristine plucked one out of the basket on the table and walked away, picking crumbs off and popping them in my mouth. She gazed at Eric to ensure he’d caught the confirming move. “I’d better get going.”
“I’ll bring you.” He walked up to me, gave me a quick kiss and winked. “I wouldn’t want you getting lost.”
My heart melted and I longed to kiss him forever. He was so incredibly handsome, and when he looked at me that way, I knew I wanted to be his for the rest of my life.
A warm sensation enveloped me and I knew that he was having the same effect on Kristine. Was that what had appealed to her? His great looks? But he’d been scarred back then. Had he always worn a mask when with her? Had she loved him despite the disfigurement?
When she arrived at the Met Kristine hesitated a moment before remembering where my dressing room was. We crossed the path of a few cast members, but she haughtily ignored them and walked on.
I was devastated as she came upon Judy and turned away from her greeting, leaving Judy red-faced and huffing away.
She’s a friend. Can’t you at least say hello?
“She’s a two bit dancer in the show. As lead I hardly think it’s appropriate to cavort with such common performers.”
I wanted to knock her head into a wall. How was I ever going to repair the rifts Kristine was creating?
She entered my dressing room and quickly slammed the door before heading to the rack of costumes. Yawning and thoroughly unimpressed by all of them, she flicked hanger after hanger, giving each gown a disdainful grimace. “This shoddy workmanship would have never been tolerated in my day.” She obviously had no idea what gown to wear for the first act.
It’s the green one with the billowy sleeves and scoop neckline.
“I know.” She yanked it off the rack and threw it on the back of the chair.
A gentle knock rapped at the door and while Kristine’s excitement grew, so did my apprehension.
The door creaked open and Aaron peered in. “Is my star back and ready to wow the crowds of New York anew?”
“Aaron, darling.” Kristine waved him in. “I’m so happy you came to see me before I went on. I’m worried about the effect my Christmas break might have had on my voice.”
Though he entered the room, he seemed reluctant to get close. Kristine took a step towards him and he backed away. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Besides, the holiday crowd is always a bit more forgiving.”
While his eyes remained on me, his hand reached for the back of his head and he rubbed lightly. Poor Aaron. The last time I’d seen him he was an unconscious heap on the floor. Did his head still hurt from the bump he received on the head from Chace?
“Chace was only trying to protect me, Aaron,” Kristine said. “I do hope you’ll forgive him.”
“I’ll admit if he wasn’t first chair violinist, he might have been out on the street.”
Kristine feigned sadness. “Please forgive him, Aaron. He’s young and meant no harm.” She held an intense gaze on him. “You know, I really missed you, Aaron.”
He smiled and relaxed. “You’ve only been away a few days.” He chuckled and reached out for my hand.
Kristine eagerly accepted it and pulled him closer. “I was hoping you’d missed me as well.”
His smile broadened and he pulled me into his arms. “You know me too well, Annette. I thought of little else since I last saw you.”
“Really?” Her voice remained soft and lacked the heavy sexual undertone she was apt to use. She brought my hands to play along the nape of his neck and up into his hair. “Then I guess my Christmas wish came true.”
“You know, I was thinking… I was hoping…” He seemed uncharacteristically nervous and unsure. This confident business man, impresario and man of the world was shaky in my presence. Or was it Kristine who was affecting him so? “I was hoping you’d like to join me. I’m flying to Paris to celebrate the new year.”
“Paris.” The word was a hush, a wish. A long forgotten memory. I felt Kristine’s longing.
“I go every spring to visit my family, but I’ve been longing to go with you. It’s breathtaking in the winter, and so romantic. I know you would love it.”
“It does sound wonderful. But what about the show?”
“We’d leave for only a number of days. Besides, I’d like to bring you to the Paris Opera House. I think it could be an excellent learning experience for you. Not only are they opening a spectacular new opera, but I’d like you to see for yourself the ingenuity of my ancestors. When my great grandfather had the House constructed, it was an absolute marvel of engineering and design… and the acoustics – simply to die for.”
“You make it sound splendid, Aaron.” Kristine nodded and tilted up to kiss Aaron. “I’d love to go to Paris with you. I’d go anywhere with you. These past days have been a rush of confusion and fatigue and I’d love to get away from it all.”
He kissed my lips, hesitant and wary. “You constantly surprise me, my sweet Annette.”
“These days apart have only made me realize just how much you mean to me.” Kristine kissed him, passionately drawing him in and enveloping him with my arms.
Aaron’s resistance faltered and he held me tight, crushing my breasts to his chest.
Kristine pulled away and reached down to the hem of my shirt, preparing to pull it off. “You’ve no idea how I’ve longed for you.”
Aaron regained his professional composure and stilled my hands. “And I you, my love. But you’ve a performance and little time to prepare.”
“The consummate professional, even in the light of excruciating passion.” Kristine did a good job of hiding the intensity of her disappointment.
“Your performance will be interestingly enhanced,” he said with a wicked smile.
“Care to stay and watch as I become the famed Adelle.” Though she maintained a sweet and innocent tone to my voice, I felt the power of her passion grow. She put her hand to the green gown and fingered the garment in a seductive fashion. The woman could bring sensuality to virtually any movement she made.
“Tempting, I assure you.” Aaron swallowed and his eyes dipped to my breasts. “But I have little faith in my ability to control myself much longer.”
Kristine was elated by this admission and the look of hunger in his eyes.
He nodded in salutation and put his hand to the doorknob. “I’ll make arrangements for our trip.”
The moment he stepped out the door I felt the celebration in Kristine’s heart. She was positively euphoric and I couldn’t understand the depth of her joy. Why was this trip with Aaron so vital to her?
She hurried to pull the shirt over her head and step out of her jeans.
A shuffling sound from behind the dressing screen caught her attention and she swirled around, my eyes wide and my lips parted to scream. While her stance spoke of
fear, I felt her confidence and glee, almost her anticipation.
Eric emerged from behind the screen, his eyes dark and menacing as I’d never seen before.
“Eric,” Kristine said in a soft and demure tone that was very much my own. She even brought the green gown before me in a chaste move to cover my seminude body. “What are you doing here?”
“I’d promised to watch over you, to assure Kristine didn’t return,” he hissed. “I wasn’t quite prepared to see Aaron return into your life so quickly.”
“E… Eric… I….” Kristine did a marvelous job of fidgeting, blushing and stammering. “I work for Aaron and he has my complete career in his hands. It’s important I maintain a good relationship with him.”
I fought to say a word, just one word that would tell Eric that Kristine had returned.
“This is has nothing to do with your career.” The words were spat with such hatred, I cringed.
“Paris is the heart of the opera, Eric. Going there and seeing the Paris Opera House, seeing a true French opera is an experience I’ll never forget. I can’t simply let it go by.”
“Why won’t you simply admit that it’s Aaron you want?” he bellowed. His fists were tight. While he’d warned me of his capacity for anger and violence, I’d never seen it brought about as it was now. “You’ve always said he was the one for you and only he could make you truly happy.”
Kristine winced internally, but she kept a façade of shock and dismay. Had those words been meant for her or for me? Was he reliving his tumultuous time with her?
She glanced at the floor, solemn and thoughtful then raised her gaze to him. “I’m sorry, Eric. You’re right. I… I guess I just haven’t yet admitted to myself how much I truly care for Aaron.”
No, Eric. Don’t believe her. Please, can't you see that she’s back?
He stepped forward, his eyes black and his lips grim. His dark hair cascaded down his shoulders and framed his face in an eerie fashion, adding a demonic dimension to his wrath. With his eyes firmly locked on mine, he reached for my neck, as though possessed. Deliberately strong and forceful, he held me at arm’s length, his thumb playing over my throat.
