Artemis loosened the tie from around his neck. He walked exhaustively to the ensuite bathroom of his hotel room. He untucked his shirt and took off the tie entirely. He rotated his neck around and felt the bones crack. He needed a hot bath right now. He was emotionally drained and not looking forward to the marathon of business meetings he had scheduled for the morning. Today had been his day off and it had turned out more miserable than the next day sounded. He started unbuttoning his shirt as the bath filled. Hot steam started inundating the room, filling his lungs with its cleansing power. He made quick work of the rest of his outfit; letting it drop on the cold tile. He sunk into the hot water and sighed. This momentary physical relief allowed him to let go, if for just a moment, his mental and emotional strain.
He let his head tilt back, chin pointed up to the ceiling. His stress melted into the bath. He didn't want to think right now. He just wanted to feel. Feel the silky smooth water around his overworked body. He was so relaxed his ears refused to register the sound of a window opening and closing and a soft thud of a body dropping onto the carpeted hotel floor. So much for constant vigilance. Had Butler been with him he would have already knocked down the door to Artemis's room and had the intruder on their back and his foot over their head. But alas, the bodyguard had retired from his post, trusting Artemis could make wise decisions now that he was older, like cutting all underworld ties that might put him at any danger.
The thud had been rather small though, so only a very trained ear specifically listening for suspicious sounds would have picked it up anyway. Oblivious to this, Artemis began composing a little symphony to accompany his current mood, it was soft and sad and heartbreakingly beautiful. He let the imaginary notes carry him away. The intruder meanwhile examined the scene around the room. It was surprisingly messy, taking into consideration who was residing in it at the present moment, there was books piled up on the desk, various notes sticking out of them. There were several ties strewn on the hotel's expensive furniture. They looked like they may have been contenders to be worn today but had undoubtedly lost. There were several items that looked like technology of the future; certainly worth millions, and no doubt the reason for his stay in Paris. She fought her instinct of taking a closer look and continued to stalk the room for the object of her affection.
She blinked a couple of times to readjust her night vision and continued to the only source of light in the room. No longer caring if she was discovered or not, she strode purposefully towards the door. She could hear, as she got closer, the sound of water swishing about and his voice humming slightly. She paused as her hand was about to grip the doorknob. Maybe she should wait. He was obviously not in a position to be having any sort of conversation right now and she shouldn't even be here. But no, if she didn't do it now who knows what other opportunity she might have before what they had was irreparably lost forever.
Still she hesitated, maybe she was being too hasty; who's to say he would still even want her after she'd humiliated him like she had? They had to be on an even playing field then. She thought as she heard the water swish once more. She smiled wickedly at the idea. Arty had to listen to her, and she had a way to ensure that she would have his complete attention. With one swift movement she unzipped her suit and removed the one piece. It was showtime