Chapter 8. Man, Oh, Man

*Isla*

I sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes after Poppy leaves, contemplating what to do. She's turned the bathtub on, so I know I have to go into the bathroom eventually, or else the tub will overflow.

I want to take a bath. It sounds luxurious. I can't remember the last time I did anything like that for myself. For the last few years, everything I've done has been for my family.

But… the idea of taking my clothes off and soaking in the tub in this amazing room seems frightening and foolish.

All of this has to be a mistake, and when they find out about it, shouldn't I at least be dressed?

Still, if I take a quick bath, maybe I can be in and out before Poppy returns. If there's one thing I've learned about this castle, it's that it is huge.

Setting my bag down on the chest at the end of the bed, I head into the bathroom and take my clothes off, hanging my wet, dirty clothes on a hook on the door, embarrassed by my old underwear and bra that doesn't really fit me correctly. I decide to leave the door open a crack so I can hear if Poppy comes back in.

I turn the bathtub off and notice there are hair clips on the sink, so I grab a few. I want to wash my hair, but then I plan to clip it up out of the way so I can be sure to wash well.

The moment my feet touch the warm water, I feel a soothing sensation ripple through my body. I'm not sure what Poppy put in this water, but it feels amazing. I sink into it, and my whole body relaxes. Not only does it smell wonderful—like roses and lavender—but it wraps around my body like a warm blanket.

I may never get out of this tub.

Remembering I was going to try to hurry, I sink down and wash my hair; using the bottles of floral-smelling shampoos and conditioners on the side of the tub, I scrub my hair and my scalp before clipping my hair up out of the way and using the body wash and a soft sponge to wash myself off. Once I'm sure I'm clean from head to toe, I sink back into the water, telling myself I'm just going to soak for a minute, and then I'll get out.

I must've dozed off because when I opened my eyes later, the water was a bit cooler, and I realized I'd been asleep.

But then I also realized that what had woken me was the sound of the door opening in my bedroom.

I sit up quickly, remembering that I had that robe but not remembering exactly where it is. I see a pile of towels nearby.

"Poppy, is that you?" I call, praying it is just the housekeeper coming back with the clothes she'd gone to find for me.

"No."

I get my answer when a deep, rumbling voice answers my question. I inhale sharply and hold it for a second. There is a man in my room—and I am naked.

Quickly, I get out of the tub, drying off as best I can. At least my hair is dry. I am frantic, and clearly, I am not thinking straight. I wrap the towel around myself, thanking the Moon Goddess that it's so huge that it will wrap all the way around me and then some, and then walk out to see who he is.

I stick my head out first, and he is just standing there, his hands on his hips, near my bed.

He is gorgeous. My breath catches in my throat, and I stand there, wide-eyed, glad he's not looking directly at me while I fight to get control of my racing heart.

He's tall, at least six foot four, with dark brown hair and eyes that glow like emeralds. His broad shoulders are ripped beneath the white button-down shirt he's wearing, and he looks to be nothing but lean muscle. Visions of what lies beneath his clothing come to mind, but I can't let them linger because I am aware that I am still naked.

His eyes land on me then, and they slightly widen as if he's just realized he's interrupting my bath. Since he is clearly someone important, I rush out, holding my towel tight.

"I'm sorry, sir," I say. "Poppy is getting me something acceptable to wear, but if I'm in the wrong room…"

"No, no," he says. "You're not." He looks me up and down, but he doesn't let his eyes dawdle on the part of me that's covered with the towel like some men would do.

I expect him to say more, but when he doesn't, I just stand there for a moment before I realize. "I… have a robe."

He nods. "Good."

I assume that means I should get it, so I rush back into the bathroom and see where Poppy has placed it. I drop the towel and put the robe on, tying it tightly and running back out through the partially ajar door.

When I'm back in the bedroom, I still don't know what to say to him, and he seems to be a man of few words.

"I wanted to see if you were all right," he finally says, his voice a low rumble that makes my body tingle.

"Oh, yes. I'm well, thank you," I say, wondering if perhaps he works for Beta Seth. Perhaps Beta Seth couldn't come.

He nods. "I heard about Mrs. Worsthingshorethinshire striking you."

"Yes, sir," I say, my hand going to my face. Is he here to investigate that incident? I withdraw my hand and clench the robe closed.

"She won't bother you again." His hands are shoved deep into his pockets, and he seems very sure of himself.

I can't help but feel bad about the entire situation. "Thank you," I say, but I still feel bad for her.

He picks up on that. "Are you bothered by her being let go?"

"Oh, uh… it's just… she was fired because of me." My eyes are glued to the ground near his expensive leather loafers.

"No," he corrects me. "She was fired for striking a guest in the face. That's completely unacceptable."

He has a point. "Yes, sir," I say. I lift my head a bit and look him in the face, and I can't help but notice his eyes are scrutinizing me now. I wish I knew what he was thinking. We are so far apart. I want to be closer to him. I want to breathe him in and wrap his scent around me. If I were closer, perhaps his hand might accidentally brush my skin…

"Well, I should go. I just wanted to check on you. If you need anything, I'm sure Poppy will get it for you."

"Yes, sir," I say. "Thank you." I manage to smile at him, but I am not very confident, not that I doubt Poppy, but I still don't know why I am there.

He takes a step backward toward the door, but before he can turn to go, the door comes flying open, and Poppy bursts through. "I'm back!" she announces. "And boy have I got some beautiful outfits for you! You're never going to—Oh! Your Majesty!" Immediately, she drops the dresses on a chair by the door and bows low to the ground.

Confusion washes over me as he shakes his head and turns to walk out. "You can get up, Poppy," he says as she lifts her head.

"You know my name?" Poppy asks.

"Yes, of course, I know your name, Poppy. Everyone knows your name." He opens the door to walk out.

She says, "Thank you, Alpha King Maddox."

And the world starts to go black as I feel like I'm going to pass out.