The Hotel

Chapter 3

Later that day, Killian was on his way up to Emma's penthouse. He was required to clean the room from top to bottom. It was the last thing he had to do tonight and then he would be on his way home. He lugged the giant cart into the room when he heard the water running in the bathroom. Alongside the running water, there was singing. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. He ventured deeper into the penthouse, until he was standing right outside of the bathroom. He felt himself falling deeper into the trance of her beautiful voice.

He shook his head. 'If she knew you were standing right outside the bathroom door, she would fire your sorry arse, you creep.' He told himself. He turned around and bumped into the man he had seen Emma with earlier.

"What are you doing here?" Graham whispered harshly.

"I get the splendid honor of cleaning Em- Miss Swan's penthouse." Killian whispered back, trying to put as much sarcasm into his voice, so Emma wouldn't be embarrassed that one of her employees had a crush on her.

"And that involves standing right outside of her bathroom door?"

"Why are you here?" Killian questioned.

Graham flustered a bit. "Emma and I are going out for drinks."

"And you just decide to let yourself into her home?"

"She knows I'm here."

"She's in the bloody bathroom!"

The water shut off and Graham made a mad dash to the door. Killian followed him out, making sure that he left, when the bathroom door opened. He heard her gasp and he clenched his eyes shut tight.

"Killian?" Emma asked.

He turned around and almost died. She was standing there in a white and fluffy towel. It was wrapped securely around her chest. Another towel was wrapped around her hair, and laid on her head. His jumpsuit got a little tighter.

"I heard the door slam. Are you here alone?" She asked.

He swallowed and shielded his eyes. "Aye, I am now."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm uh, giving you your privacy."

She looked down and blushed. "Oh my God! This is so embarrassing." She ran back into the bathroom and he could breath again. "I'm so sorry!" She called from the bathroom.

"It's not a problem, lass."

Emma came out again in a simple t-shirt and jeans. Her hair was in a high ponytail. "Now, what are you doing here?"

"It's Friday. I'm here to clean your room."

She blushed from embarrassment again. "Duh. So who was here?"

"Some guy. Graham is it? He said you have plans."

"Yeah, we do. He should have called me and said he was coming by early."

"That's funny. I guess he just wanted to catch you while you were in the shower."

Emma rolled her eyes and went over to her fridge. "I'll just cancel. He's going to be in town for the rest of the week. Do you want something to drink? Eat maybe?"

"That's alright, love. I'll clean up in here and then I'll get out of here."

"No. I insist. Just stay." She blurted out.

"Swan, you said that we have to keep this strictly professional, and I'm really trying to obey your commands, but I really like you. And I don't think that having me eat here with you is a smart decision."

She sighed and sat down at the breakfast bar. "I know. I know what I said and I know that you like me, but Killian, I can't do relationships. They've never ended well for me because the guys never cared about me. I learned that if they can't care about you, you shouldn't care about them."

"I care about you."

"You don't even know me. How can you care about someone you just met?"

"I was messed with as a kid, Emma. A lot actually. I wasn't popular and I wasn't devilishly handsome like I am now, but I always cared about the people that I trusted. The ones that I loved. I'd take a bullet for them. Even the arse that calls himself my father. You know why? Because he's my family. But, what I'm trying to say, is that I am going to fight for you and protect you. Even if we are just friends, or boss and employee."

Emma looked up at him through her lashes. 'I hate you.' She thought. She hated that Killian was able to get under her skin and hit her in a sensitive spot. She didn't like how close he was getting. It was as if he could read her. No one was able to read her. At least, no ever tried to. "Friends." She confirmed. "Friends hug, right?"

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. He buried his head in her neck and breathed her scent in. Unknowingly, Emma was doing the same to him. He fought the urge to nuzzle her neck.

"I should go, love." He said as he pulled away.

"I know." She stood up and went to the door.

He followed her and lugged the cart out into the hall. "I'll see you Monday, Swan."

"Bye." She shut the door and leaned against it. She huffed a breath and went into the bedroom.

Killian went down to the lobby and put his cleaning cart away. Everyone was long gone, except for a few of his co-workers. He walked to his car and went home. He was anxious. He wanted Emma. He wanted to love her, and hold her, and cherish her, but if being friends was what she wanted, then that's what the would be.