Heartless Ending Book 3 of the Heartless Series

Chapter 31 - Wounded

Emelia's POV

2 Year Ago

That first training session was brutal, after doing nothing to keep my fitness and strength up for so long, it was quickly apparent that I was extremely out of shape and had no strength at all. After hours of torture he finally let me go for a shower, my legs were like jelly and could barely hold my own minimal weight up. I sat on the cold tiled floor of the shower to wash myself, and just enjoyed the hot water running over my skin. Knocking at the door interrupted my bliss. "Do you need help? You have been in there for 40 minutes." I shook my head declining Maxwell's help, but the door started opening and I scrambled to push back against it. Now realising that he couldn't hear me shaking my head and answered him. "No, I'm fine I was just getting out." The resistance on the door disappeared and it immediately slammed shut. I didn't mean for it to slam but without his weight on the other side to hold it open, it just happened. "Sorry." I shouted through the door. I didn't get a reply.

I quickly turned the water off and dried myself with one of the big fluffy towels. It felt like clouds caressing my skin as I wiped the residue water away. Looking around there were no clothes for me to put on in here, I would have to go out into the room and ask him for some. I tightly wrapped the towel around myself and covered my shoulders with another leaving my hair to drip freely down the back of the towel. There were nothing I could do about my exposed legs, with a last inhale of breath for courage I exited the bathroom. Maxwell looked up as he heard the door open and walked towards me. "If there is no hot water left, next time we shower together." He threatened as he walked past me. slamming the door for a second time in a small span of time.

I didn't know what to do, I needed clothes but I didn't have any here. I desperately wanted to cover myself properly before he came out of the bathroom. In desperation I went into his closet and slipped into a big grey hooded jumper and added a pair of oversized black sweatpants to the mix. I rolled up the pant legs up so they stopped at my ankles and shoved the sleeves up to my elbows for a better fit. I sat on the chair from earlier just waiting silently for his return. The water stopped and I knew he was finished. The door cracked open and his light footsteps on plush carpet advanced into the room, I stood and turned to face him. I was stunned, frozen into position as I took in his entirely muscled naked body.

After a few moments I averted my eyes to the floor and tried to soothe my now desert dry throat. "Why are you naked?" I squeaked out stunned, he chuckled. "Well if someone didn't use all the towels then I wouldn't have to walk out here naked." I heard movement of fabric but didn't dare look back up in case he was still without clothing. Bare feet came into my line of sight and I could tell he had pants on as his ankles were covered in a black material. "I'm sorry." I said, hoping no punishment was coming my way. "I'll forgive you this time." I swallowed again. My throat was so dry, I needed water but didn't dare move.

He raised my chin to meet his eyes, they danced with mischief. "Did you like what you saw?" I didn't know what to respond, I fumbled in my brain for words but found none. He was the first guy I had ever seen naked. I had read books that depicted the male physique but it was nothing compared to seeing it for myself. He laughed at my reaction and walked away from me.

"Sit down, the maids will be here any minute to bring us dinner." He said pouring himself a drink. I was so parched, I needed I drink badly. He saw my discomfort and handed me a bottle of water. I thanked him with a small smile and took the bottle from him, I struggled to open the cap which added to my distress. "Let me." He outstretched his hand for me to hand the bottle back to him. I was frustrated that I hadn't got the strength to even open a bottle of water after that gruelling workout he just put me through. I snatched the opened bottle back from him and drank the water down in small relieving gulps. After my second gulp I put the bottle back to my lips for more, in a motion so quick he squeezed the water bottle, causing water to squirt all over me. I looked up in shock meeting his angry eyes. "Why di..." I didn't even get to finish my sentence before he snapped at me. "Next time you will think twice about snatching, when all I did was help you." I was ashamed of my behaviour, I'd never been rude in my life before. I was just so desperate for a drink.