Unmasqued

"First and foremost… although I find my brother's interest in you quite amusing, I will not condone his foolish scheme to marry someone of your class. I have the opportunity to make a much better match for him, and he will comply. So it is just as well that you have not made the announcement of your engagement."

Before she could react, he reached out and closed his fingers over the ring Raoul had given her. With a harsh snap, he jerked it from the chain around her neck and thrust it into her face. "You will not be needing this."

Before she could react, he jammed it into his pocket.

"Secondly…" He moved closer and grasped her chin, his fingertips digging into the soft give of flesh under her skin. Her small mask felt ever more stifling under his nearness, yet acted as a flimsy barrier between them. "I do understand his attraction to your very… titillating… person, and I will do whatever is necessary to promote his goal to place you permanently in his bed… among other locations. I am sure he will be quite pleased with that arrangement. His future wife can produce an heir, entertain guests, and bear the title of vicomtesse… while you can serve… other needs."

His face moved closer; she could smell tobacco and clove on his breath. Their masks nearly touched. His breath was hot, pulsing with desire, and she tried to pull away, but he pressed her back against the wall, his body pinning her there from the waist down, his erection most evident. The sword from his costume pressed into the top of her tender thigh, caught between their bodies. Philippe's free hand slapped up against the tapestry next to her shoulder, whilst his other hand kept her chin positioned. Surely he would leave a mark on her white flesh!

"You should know, Miss Daae… my brother and I share everything." He forced his mouth over hers, stifling any cry she might have made.

Christine struggled, but he was too strong, and he had maneuvered her so that the unyielding wall behind her kept her imprisoned under the onslaught. His tongue jammed into her mouth, his teeth biting at the edges of her lips as though he would take her all in. His jaw worked, moving over her mouth as his fingers held her face still and helpless under his attack.

When she was at last able to wrench her chin away from his grip, he'd already redirected his attention to her bosom. Thrusting fingers down into the scooping gold neckline of her gown, he slipped his cool hand down and under one of her breasts, folding it into his palm. He squeezed and fondled it in a rough, demanding manner, while capturing her wrists in front of her waist with one strong hand. Her breaths were coming faster now, matching with his. She felt warm and close and confused.

"We have quite a lot of fun at Chateau de Chagny," Philippe told her, tweaking her nipple viciously. Pain-pleasure whipped down into her belly and Christine gasped in surprise, her eyes flying wide open. She looked up into his and saw dark lust burning there… lust and promise and complacence. "I am quite certain you will find it very… satisfying. And if you should consider declining my brother's invitation, please remember that we are the patrons of the Opera House, and as such, we hold your livelihood… and that of many others… in this very hand." Using said hand, he squeezed her breast enough to pull a startled, pained cry from her.

"Do we have an understanding?" he asked, looking down at her with a mocking smile that told Christine he did not care whether she understood or not. He thumbed his finger over her nipple, back and forth, sliding over it, pressing it one way and then the other…

"No," she moaned, trying to pull away even as her breath heaved, her nipples tightened, and her labia swelled. Mon Dieu,

how could that be? Terrified more by her body's reaction than the man in front of her, Christine tried to twist away. He released her, placing his foot next to hers and causing her to tip off-balance. She tumbled over the side of the chaise next to them and he pushed her, landing on top of her and the slide of golden chains around her neck.

His weight pinned her awkwardly onto the half sofa, and she heard a low, deep chuckle near her ear. "You might be a bit shy at first, Miss Daae, but I have no doubt you will come around and learn to enjoy our accommodations. Despite your protestations, you appear to be quite… persuadable." His heavy legs straddled her waist, his cock pressing down through his pirate breeches into her quim, and he brought her arms up over her head, stretching them long. Her breasts lifted under her gown, her nipples brushing up from under her silk chemise and onto the rough brocade of her bodice.

Looking down at her from behind his mask, his dark eyes glittered with lust. He licked his tongue over his lips. "Although this is not the time or place to sample all of the treasures you have to offer, I cannot resist a bit of a peek."