Powers of a Stranger (working title)

Ch. 5

(recap) Marquis walks in saying he will accompany Elisa for her bath.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he gave a toothy grin, "Then I will accompany you. It's time I had mine too."

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I was caught off guard and couldn't find the words to retort. I watched quietly as the maids silently left. Gwen left last and as she walked out she had a big smile giving a thumps up as if to say "Good luck!" Marquis turned and closed the door. The small click of the lock turning was deafening. Swallowing the lump that suddenly formed in my throat, I stayed rooted to the ground, frozen in place.

Looking quite serious, he blatantly asked, "Well, am I to help undress you? Since you were acting so childish a moment ago?" Folding my arms as if to protect myself from any advances. I let out a snort before replying.

"Oh, please. It's childish to have them help me. I am a grown woman. I can undress and bathe myself. Anyway, if you want a bath. You go right ahead. I'm not." Slowly he took a step closer to me and without saying one word, he shrugged out of his jacket. He began to unbutton out of his shirt, showing smooth tanned skin with a lightly subtle patch of chest hair that was followed by hard rippled abs that trailed a nice little line heading down. In which I couldn't help but stare at where the line lead to. Noticing where my attention had headed, he chuckled and then proceeded to remove his slacks... Oh dear lord what do I do? I didn't know what to do and did the only thing I could think of doing. I ran into the wash room and pretended to wash my hands like an idiot. Great. Bad move.

I had my back facing the tub, and heard the gentle splash of him getting in the water. Knowing he was completely naked unnerved something inside of me. It started in the pit of my stomach and worked its way throughout my body. I felt my face grow hot just thinking of him. Looking down into the sink, I tried to ignore it. Ignore him. It wouldn't work. I kept thinking back to that thin small trail of hair...

"You know, you should get in with me. There's plenty of leg room. Plus the water will be cold by the time you get in." Looking appalled, I saw only his face in the mirror looking up.

"So what! I can fill it up with fresh warm water!" Making a tsk-tsk sound, he shook his head.

"That, my sweet is a waste of perfectly good water. You can't be wasteful." Showing an innocent smile, he continued, "You should be resourceful and use what you have available."

Still unable to look at him directly I shrugged my shoulders, "You have money. It shouldn't matter."

"Ahh... my little one, it does. I may have money to spend, and yes, maybe I should care less. But I have mouths to feed, staff to pay, and a very old beautiful home to take care of. I haven't renovated the home to whatever accommodations you are use to from a five star lodging house but its cozy and Mine. So it wouldn't be fair to be so wasteful." I shut my eyes and tried to remain calm. He was really working my nerves.

"Are you being serious right now?"

"Are you going to stand there with your back turned all morning?"

I shook my head yes and replied, "Absolutely."

Knowing I would have to turn around eventually and risk seeing him naked before walking out made me really nervous. I couldn't get my body to move. Then the next thing I knew, I was in the water with him. As he pulled me in, the silk night gown I was wearing became transparent clinging to my body showing parts of me I wasn't ready to let him see again since the first time. I had landed on his lap, facing him so I tried to wriggle free but his hold on me only tightened even more. I did the only thing I could think of and hugged him so he wouldn't see through my night gown. It was all I could come up with. He was enjoying every moment of my awkward discomfort. With his eyes twinkling, he grinned looking at me.