| ***this story contains strong sexual content*** Chapter One "You're going to be bad for business, I can tell," and Satine kissed Christian. His heart pounded, was he finally in love? Was this what it felt like, how could he be sure? "Do you want to go to the bed?" Satine asked, pressing against his lips. Did he? He wasn't sure. She was a courtesan after all; she did this all the time, how could he know he would be any different. Words kept pounding through his head, his father's words, "You'll end up wasting your life at the Moulin Rouge." His brother's words "There is no such thing as love, don't waste your time looking for it." He refused to believe that. "What about Harold?" He asked. Satine finally remembered, Harold could look in and see them at any time. She knew this would not be looked kindly on. "We can't do this here," she pulled away. Maybe it's for the best. Christian thought, it would be an impossible relationship. She was so experienced; she was with someone new every night, could she really love him? He couldn't have a relationship where he was always questioning. Then heard his sister's voice, his dear younger sister, who always seemed to know what he felt. "It's never easy, being in love. You have to give, sometimes more than you take. But it's worth it." Christian looked into Satine's blue eyes. Yes, this would be difficult, almost impossible, but worth it, he knew that. From the first time he saw her eyes to the taste of her lips, he knew it would be worth it. "My garret is just across the road. Would you like to come over for drinks?" Satine smiled, "Yes, thank you." Christian followed her to the door and they walked down the winding staircase to the bottom of the elephant. Before the door to outside was opened Satine turned and looked at Christian. What am I doing? She thought. This can't be good. They always not to be with a man for free, then he would never pay you. She nearly hesitated then a glint in his eyes beckoned her. I don't want him to pay me. I want him to love me, not cause he paid to, but because he does. She opened the door. Montmarte was a busy town at night. It was a town that was only busy at night. Bohemians, courtesans, and everyone in between made their living at night. The pan handlers, the beggars, even the doctors all worked after the sun went down, as if it were a town of vampires, and day was feared. Satine looked out at the bust streets. Everyone knew who she was, and it would be nothing unfamiliar for her to go with a young gentleman to his garret. Still she was wary. If Harold knew she was going with Christian he would be furious. When she came to the Moulin Rouge 15 years ago, as a young teenager, she knew perfectly well what was expected of her. Even then nearly every day it was pounded in her head, "We have no rules at the Moulin Rouge, except one. Never fall in love." She had seen what had happened when someone from the Moulin Rouge falls in love. It destroys lives. When Harold had fallen in love with a courtesan years ago, and then realized what loving a courtesan entails, it destroyed him. He couldn't bear to see her be with a different man every night. He married her, but it was still never the same, the trust was gone and the marriage went sour. 2 years later when Marie came to the Moulin Rouge, he knew he could fall for her, but didn't. There was chemistry between them that was too much to deny, yet he couldn't put himself out there and love again. Marie had an estranged husband when she came to the Moulin Rouge. He was living with a man in Rome, and having a relationship there. She had felt humiliated by the way she had been treated in her small community and left. They had an on again off again affair, controlling it when they could, but giving in just as often. For all Satine knew they were still in the midst of the affair, she daren't ask. All she knew was they were like her parents, they were her role models for how relationships work, and they only work if there is money involved. Emerald became so jealous of Marie she left the Moulin Rouge. Satine looked over the street. She saw nobody she knew, so she walked out into the busy street. Christian followed behind her, taking in her scent, something he couldn't get enough of. He was so confused. Could someone really fall in love after one meeting? It was like something you read in fairy stories, love at first sight, not real. But it was, and he felt it. "Cwistian, come jwoin us," Tolouse yelled from the window of his garret. Christian looked up at the small man, "not tonight, Tolouse." Was all he said. Toulouse was back in his window before Christian could even finish talking. The walk to Christian's garret seemed tense, no words were spoken. They walked side by side, not touching, not speaking, but feeling. They felt everything. It was so foreign, yet so familiar. So strange, yet so normal. He opened the door to the stairway that lead to his top floor garret. He stopped her, looking into her eyes again, feeling them peer through to his soul. Still, he was not sure this was what he wanted. He led her up the stairs in silence. |