The Year 3000

Chapter 9: Confused

Scarlett's POV

After King Niall had taken Michael, I was left alone and I didn't know what to do. I was still tense from Harry's latest visit, so I thought about taking a shower to help me relax and take my mind off of the things that Niall could be doing to Michael. I really hoped he wouldn't punish him. I shivered from the very thought of it and slowly got to my feet.

Sighing, I ran my fingers through my messy hair. One glance at the master bathroom was all it took for me to make a decision. Walking to it, I grabbed one of the fluffiest white towels I could find out of the many options.

I pulled the bathroom door shut and crossed the absurdly large room to slide the glass shower doors open. Leaning over to turn the water on, I set the towel down on the closed toilet seat. As I was waiting for the water to heat up, I spared at glance at my reflection in the large mirror placed directly above the sink. What I saw made me cringe. My eyes were red and puffy from all my crying, my face swollen.

I looked like an absolute wreck.

I shook my head and tore my eyes away from the sight. The water was starting to warm up. I quickly stripped and hopped in, sliding the glass doors behind me. As soon as the deliciously hot water hit my skin, instantly soothing my raw bottom, I sighed in pure ecstasy. Thanks to Michael, my nimble fingers were able to glide through my wet hair freely, with only a few tangles.

For countless minutes, I did nothing but stand underneath the soothing water, merely enjoying the warmth it brought me. I was just about to reach for some ridiculously expensive looking shampoo, when I heard heavy footsteps come from behind the closed door.

My heart stopped when I realized something.

I didn't lock the door.

Again and again, I skimmed through my coming into the bathroom. Every time I came up with the same answer. Not that a locked door would have stopped Harry, but maybe it would have given him some pause. After our last encounter, the last thing I wanted was to be found defenseless in the shower. How was I so stupid?

"Shit, shit, shit," I chanted over and over as I tried to think of something. It might not even be Harry, as slim as the chances might be. I felt my blood run cold when I heard a knock on the door and a voice call out.

"Scarlett? Is that you?" Harry's unmistakable voice rang out, oceans of amusement in his taunting tone. I was too frightened to answer, and I guess he took my silence as a yes, because the next thing I heard was the doorknob turning and the door creaking open.

***

Harry's POV

After taking time to collect myself, I came back into my room looking for Scarlett. I needed to apologize for getting angry with her after her punishment, especially since she had just surrendered herself to me. We were making progress, and I had to go and fuck it up. But my God, she had just looked so goddamn kissable. I wanted to kiss away her pain, her tears. I needed to feel her against me after she had been gone for so long.

Maybe I was taking advantage of her vulnerability. Because she was so vulnerable. Behind that fearless façade, Scarlett was unimaginably fragile. Just the thought made my heart pound. I craved such fragility. Ever since her mother, no one had even come close to satisfying my loneliness. Until Scarlett. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was her mother's daughter. In so many ways, she was just like her mother: the planes of her face, the shape of her eyes, the slight curve of her chin. But there was just something else in Scarlett, something more I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, it made my entire being ache with desire and longing.