She could have kept her distance and asked to leave, but that wasn't what she wanted. Instead of backing down, she chose to push him further.

Carolina reached for his hand and held it, guiding his fingers with quiet intent. She watched his reaction closely, noticing the shift in his expression as his control began to slip.

He responded without hesitation, his movements drawing her closer to that edge she could barely hold back from. For a moment, everything slowed as he adjusted, giving her time to steady herself.

"Maximo!" she cried out soon after, her voice breaking as the feeling overwhelmed her.

"Aaah... you're—" he muttered under his breath, unable to finish as he gave in to the moment.

One of his hands braced against the car while the other stayed firm at her waist. He leaned into her, his head resting against her shoulder as his breathing grew uneven.

"Oh..." she murmured when the moment passed and he pulled away.

Without saying anything, he lifted her back into the car and secured her seatbelt. Then he returned to the driver's side and started the engine. The road stretched ahead of them, and neither spoke.

During the drive, Carolina turned inward, frustrated with herself. She had let him pull her in again, when she should have resisted.

"Honestly..." she whispered under her breath.

At the same time, Maximo wrestled with his own thoughts. He couldn't make sense of it. No one would choose to be close to him like that. Yet Carolina had done it so easily. She had known exactly how to affect him, how to push him until he lost himself, even if only for a moment.

After the car came to a stop, Carolina reached for the door handle, but his grip on her arm stopped her. Her eyes followed the path of his touch as she traced upward along his arm, across his chest, until her fingers reached his face.

"What is it?" she asked, though her tone came out sharper than she meant.

He narrowed his eyes at her, irritation flashing across his expression. In his mind, she came off as completely ungrateful.

"I was only asking you to wait so I could help you with the stairs. There's no reason to snap at me," he said, his patience slipping.

"You're saying I was rude?"

"You looked at me like I did something wrong." He shut his eyes for a moment and drew in a breath before continuing. "Just let me help you, alright?"

She gave a small nod.

"What a difficult woman." He thought as he moved around the car and came to her side.

His gaze dropped without meaning to, and the sight of her lips pulled his focus. The thought lingered longer than it should have, stirring something he had already tried to push down.

"Pull yourself together," he muttered under his breath.

"Take this," he said, handing her the key. "Lock the car once I close the door."

She agreed without argument.

As he bent down, she instinctively wrapped an arm around his neck. One arm slid beneath her knees, the other behind her back, and he lifted her out with ease. The door shut moments later, and she pressed the button, locking the car.

From a distance, Dolores spotted them approaching. At first, a smile crossed her face, but it vanished the moment she noticed the bandage on Carolina's foot. Concern took over as she hurried toward them.

"Oh, madam!"

"Dolores, go open my bedroom. Carolina will stay there with me."

Her lips parted in surprise as she looked at him, but he noticed and chose not to react.

The moment he stepped inside and shut the door behind them, she finally took the time to study the room. The last time she had been there, everything had been swallowed in darkness, so she hadn't seen a thing.

Compared to her own space, which felt lighter and more orderly, his room carried a heavier tone. The walls were painted in dark gray, except for one section behind the television that stood out in a softer shade. The bedding followed the same darker palette. The window had a film covering the glass, and thick blackout curtains blocked any light from coming through.

"It makes sense it would stay this dark."

He lowered her onto the bed, and heat rushed to her face as the memory of their first night surfaced.

"Why am I staying here?" she asked. "Is there something wrong with my room?"

"This isn't about your comfort. It's about mine."

A crease formed between her brows while he sat down and removed his shoe.

"I don't follow."

Without turning toward her, he answered, "I need to keep you where I can see you. Your foot is injured, and someone has to take care of you. The staff won't stay in your room overnight, so I will. I'm not going to keep walking back and forth in the middle of the night just to check on you."

"Oh..." she said softly. "I could just message you. That way, you wouldn't have to keep coming to my room to—"

"Do you want to take a bath?" he cut in. The interruption bothered her, but she held back her response. Carolina had no intention of starting another argument.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"You're not just planning to help me bathe, are you?"

A careless shrug followed.

"Does that bother you?"

Her head moved in a quiet refusal.

"No."

"Good. Then let's take care of those clothes."

His tone carried a playful edge, and when she studied his face, even with the mask hiding part of it, she could still tell he meant every word.

"And I used to hate men like this... now I'm here, thinking it feels right. Get a hold of yourself, Carolina."

His hands moved with care as he undressed her, his touch unhurried. Every now and then, he pressed soft kisses along her skin. The mask got in the way a little, but not enough to stop him.

"Maximo?" she called. A low "hmm?" came from him, his focus still on her as he continued. "Why won't you kiss me?"

He lingered for a moment before pulling back slightly.

"I already kissed you earlier, didn't I?" he replied.

Her eyes stayed on him. "That was different. Why not now?"

"The mask's in the way."

"Then take it off," she said, as if it were nothing at all.

"No." His answer came fast. "If I take it off, you won't want me to kiss you." He turned away from her, his hand lifting to touch the mask. "I'm not something you'd want to see."

"I don't think that's true," she responded, her voice steady. A short laugh slipped out of him.

"You've only seen the part that's still intact. What the fire did... it's not something anyone wants to look at." His voice dropped. "Not even me."

His words settled heavily between them.

For a moment, she thought about pushing him, about asking him to try anyway. But what if he was right? What if her reaction betrayed her? The thought alone made her hesitate.

"It's your face," she said in the end. "You decide what you're comfortable with. I won't push you."

"At least she knows when to stop."

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Still without clothes, he carried her straight into the bathroom, holding her with ease. "I've already seen more than just your chest, Carolina."

"Aren't you planning to shower too? You seemed pretty interested not that long ago."

"Oh... but... You're unbelievable."

Color rushed to her face, and the reaction entertained him more than it should have. Before everything changed, his humor had been lighter, easier. He used to joke without restraint, except when work was involved.

For a brief moment, he forgot what people called him. A quiet laugh slipped out as he looked at her. Carefully, he lowered her into the bathtub, where the water had already been prepared at the right temperature.

While she worked shampoo through her hair, he pushed up one sleeve and began washing her back.

"You're really not going to shower?" she asked, unaware of what held him back. If he kept the mask on, there was no chance he would undress in front of her.

"I'll do it later." Normally, he would have taken offense at a question like that and answered sharply, but this time he noticed there was no ill intent behind her words.

Once she finished, he lifted her again and brought her back to the bedroom. He dried her hair with care, then moved toward the door.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'll get you something to sleep in." A faint hint of mischief showed on the side of his face that remained untouched. "Unless you'd rather go without anything."

The thought crossed her mind to say they probably wouldn't be sleeping at all, but she held it back. Instead, she only shook her head. Máximo noticed, and although disappointment flickered through him, he said nothing. He turned away and left to do what he had said.

When he entered her room, his attention went straight to the wardrobe. It stood open, but there was nothing inside. A quick glance at the dresser brought the same result.

"What?" he muttered. His gaze shifted to the corner, where her suitcases rested. "That can't be right..."

He didn't bother opening them at first. The moment he nudged them, he could tell everything was still packed inside. Nothing had been taken out. It looked like she was ready to leave at any time.

His jaw tightened, but he forced himself to breathe through it. She had only just arrived. It made sense she hadn't unpacked yet. There was no reason to get angry over something like that.

He lifted one of the suitcases onto the bed and opened it. Inside, her things were neatly arranged. His hand paused when he reached her underwear. Without hesitation, he picked a few pieces up, studying them.

He pictured how they would look on her, and the thought lingered longer than it should have. What caught his attention was the contrast. Some were simple, like the ones she had been wearing earlier. Others were smaller, more delicate, with lace and sheer fabric.

"Did she bring these for me?" He pondered, a faint crease forming between his brows.

Doubt followed right after. She already knew what he looked like. That thought didn't sit well with him. Another possibility crossed his mind, one he didn't like at all. Maybe they weren't meant for him.

He continued searching and pulled out a nightgown. As he lifted it, something small slipped into view. He picked it up and quickly recognized what it was.

Back in the bedroom, Carolina lay on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she waited.

The door opened, and he stepped inside. Without a word, he placed the folded clothes on the bed, switched off the light, and walked straight into the bathroom.

His silence caught her attention, but she let it pass. She had already decided he was unpredictable. If he was upset, it could have been over something she didn't even notice.

When the sound of running water finally stopped, she knew he would be out soon.

By then, she had already changed into the nightgown Nadia had left for her. The fabric felt light against her skin, and the small piece she wore underneath made her sigh under her breath.

The bathroom door clicked open, but she kept her back to him, wrapped beneath the covers. Darkness filled the room again, just like before. The scent from his shower drifted through the air and reached her, and she found herself drawn to it.

The mattress dipped as he climbed onto the bed. A moment later, his hand settled at her waist and pulled her closer.

"Don't touch me," he said in a low voice.

She understood right away. He didn't want her hands wandering where his scars were.

"Alright," she answered.

His lips brushed along her neck, then lingered near her ear. Without thinking, she shifted back against him, and the reaction drew a faint smile from him.

"You really like this, don't you?" His question caught her off guard, and her eyes widened at once. Was he really going to speak to her like that?

"I am your slut..." she managed between uneven breaths. "I'm yours."

Without another word, he moved beneath the covers, pressing himself against her back. The heat from his body spread into her, making her feel like she was burning from the inside.

Her clothing shifted out of place, and she instinctively tried to remove it, but he stopped her before she could. A faint mechanical sound reached her ears, and she frowned, confused for a second. The thought vanished the moment a sudden sensation made her gasp.

"Oh!"

"You like that, don't you?" he murmured near her ear. Her response came in soft, broken sounds as she struggled to steady herself. "So responsive..."

When he finally moved forward, the feeling made her tense for a brief second before she gave in to it. The sensation spread through her, and she couldn't hold back the reaction.

His movements didn't slow. There was no hesitation in the way he handled her, shifting her position and guiding her without pause.

"Má... oh— Don't stop..."

The intensity built repeatedly, each wave hitting harder than the last. She lost track of time, of everything around her, as the feeling took over.

At some point, her body trembled under him, and the reaction seemed to pull him deeper into it as well.

When it was over, he leaned over her, his arms wrapping around her as his breathing tried to steady.

"That was... a lot," Carolina said softly. Though she couldn't see his face, he gave a small nod while catching his breath.

"You've got quite the spark," he remarked, and a laugh slipped from her.

"I didn't even know that myself."

He drew her closer, keeping her within his arms.

"Still, I had no idea you were into using things like that."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, confused at first. Then it clicked. "Oh... you mean that thing you used?" A faint amusement colored his tone.

"I know you enjoy what I can offer," he replied. "And you don't need permission for that. But I'm talking about this."

He took her hand and placed the small object in her palm. It was light, unfamiliar, and she turned it slightly, trying to understand it.

"But... what is it?"

"It's yours. A vibrator."

Carolina turned toward him, caught off guard.

"Hi?"

"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean," he said. "I can't stand that." His hand lifted to her face, brushing along her cheek before he pulled her closer. When their lips met, she didn't resist. The kiss felt warm and steady, leaving her lightheaded.

"Hmm... but I really don't—"

His hand moved lower, cutting off her words.

"So responsive..." he murmured under his breath. "I found that little item in your things, Carolina."

"But that's..." she tried to explain. "Maximo... that can't—"

Her voice broke as his touch shifted, making her lose her train of thought.

"Then explain how it ended up there."

"Maybe..." She paused, then suddenly reacted. "Wait... I know!" Her hand gripped his shoulder as she shifted closer, her body moving with intent. "Stepmotherrr!"

He pulled back slightly, then moved over her, positioning himself above. Without thinking, her hands slid along his arms, tightening around him. One side felt rougher beneath her fingers, but she didn't pay attention to it. That reaction didn't go unnoticed.

"Let go of my arm," he said. She didn't respond. Her focus stayed elsewhere, lost in the moment. "I said let go of my arm!"

His voice rose this time, sharp enough to cut through everything, and the room went still right after. The only sound left was his uneven breathing. He caught her wrists and guided them above her head. With his size, one hand was enough to keep her from moving.

Without holding back, he pressed closer, and the reaction it drew from her came instantly.

He lowered himself over her, his lips brushing along her neck while he murmured something she couldn't quite make out.

"Maximo... you're heavy," she said softly. A slight nod followed, and he shifted, easing himself down beside her instead.

"Sorry," he replied after a moment, "for raising my voice."

"It's fine. I didn't even notice I was holding onto you like that." A small laugh slipped out. "Actually... that's on you."

Even in the dark, he turned his head toward her.

"My fault?" he asked with a quiet laugh. "Go on, explain that."

"You left me all confused."

"Me? You're the one who keeps pushing things."

"You're the bold one here," she responded, laughing again.

In the dark, it was easy to ignore what lay beneath. If there had been light, he might have remembered things weren't that simple.

"Let's get some sleep. I'll head to the bathroom, clean up, change, and put the mask back on."

"Wait," she called out. Her hand reached for him, brushing against the uneven skin marked by the flames. The contact made her pull back almost instantly. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"It won't kill me," he replied, bitterness creeping into his voice. "If the fire didn't finish me, a mask won't either."

"If you want, I can go back to my room. You'd be more comfortable that way."

A quiet sigh left him. It would have been easier, that much was true, but he pushed the thought aside.

"No. I'm staying. I need to keep an eye on you, and that's enough reason. Sleeping with the mask isn't a problem."

He didn't give her a chance to argue. He stood up and moved toward the bathroom.

"Maximo!" she called just as he reached the door.

"Hmm?"

"I need a bath too. You... well..."

"I'll help you once I'm done."

"Okay." With that, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Only then did the light come on.

Carolina remained under the covers, her mind drifting from one thought to another. The way he acted didn't make sense to her. At times, he seemed controlled, almost distant, and then suddenly, he would shift into someone else entirely. She only hoped he wouldn't wake up in a foul mood again, because if he did, she might actually snap at him.

She knew she had never raised a hand against anyone, and she didn't think she ever would. Even so, she had let him get close to her without holding anything back. The memory of how he reacted when she grabbed his arm still lingered in her mind.

"At least it's dark. He's already intimidating... and when he gets angry, it's worse." She pondered.

In the bathroom, water streamed down Maximo's body as he stood beneath it, letting it run over him.

"She didn't recoil from my skin..." The thought crossed his mind. "But that was because she was caught up in the moment." Or maybe she believed whatever she would gain from it made it worth it.

After everything changed, rejection had followed him more than once. Even someone he had once paid had turned him down. That had happened not long after Jade left him. Her words had stayed with him, cutting deeper than anything else. She had made it clear that no one would ever want him again, no matter what he offered. That moment had left a mark on him.

And yet, Carolina hadn't reacted the same way. She hadn't pulled away, even after seeing parts of what he tried to hide.

"So this just means she knows how to handle it. And I'll make sure she's rewarded for that. She's bold... and she knows how to keep up."

The image of her lingered in his mind, and he let out a quiet breath. Desire had always been something he never held back, something that had never been fully satisfied before. What he had with Jade had never been enough, though he had ignored it because of what he felt for her. Carolina, on the other hand, didn't shy away.

A low sound slipped from him without meaning to. From the bedroom, Carolina caught it, and her attention shifted toward the bathroom door.

"I can't believe that..." The thought lingered, and a hint of sadness followed. If he still wanted her, then why hadn't he gone after her? "Get a hold of yourself, Carolina."

Sleep eventually took over. When she opened her eyes again, the room had changed. The window stood slightly open, and the space beside her was empty. Maximo was gone. She pushed herself up and pulled the sheets aside, expecting to find a mess. Instead, everything was clean. At some point, he had taken care of it.

Her gaze moved toward the bathroom, then to the door. She needed to go, and waiting for him wasn't an option. With care, she got to her feet, slipped into her nightgown, and made her way to the bathroom with a slight limp. Her foot still throbbed, swollen and sore.

On her way out, she walked straight into something solid. Looking up, she met Maximo's green eyes fixed on her.

"I told you not to walk around."

"I needed to use the bathroom," she replied.

"Are you ready for your shower?" he asked, his tone serious.

"That depends."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"On what, Carolina?"

She could tell his mood hadn't improved, but that didn't stop her.

"On what kind of shower you're planning to give me."

Before she could react, he had already lifted her and thrown her over his shoulder, drawing a startled sound from her.

Even with the way she affected him, Maximo forced himself to stay focused. He had things to deal with, and letting himself get distracted by her wasn't an option.

This time, the bath felt entirely different. He kept it quiet and restrained, settling her into the tub without even brushing his lips against her skin. The lack of contact left her annoyed, though he couldn't figure out why.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied, her tone sharp.

He understood what that answer usually meant. When a woman said "Nothing" in that tone, it rarely meant nothing at all. Still, he didn't push it. He wasn't in the mood to argue, and he had never been the type to press further. If she chose to leave it there, then so would he.

After that, he carried her back to the bed and mentioned that breakfast would be brought up. Once she had changed—after he briefly stepped out to get her fresh clothes—he didn't linger. He turned and left without another word.

"What a strange man," she said to herself after he was gone.

Not long after, someone brought in her coffee along with two small boxes. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry.

"It can't be..."

Curiosity took over, and she opened the first box. Inside, a white gold ring rested neatly, set with a delicate stone. The second box revealed a bracelet, its surface catching the light in a way that suggested fine craftsmanship.

For a moment, irritation flared inside her. Then her thoughts shifted to the day before, to the conversation she had with the bookstore owner.

A smile slowly formed.

Bastian had shown her everything. Photos, plans, and the work he had started with the children in the village. It had stayed with her. Teaching had always been something she wanted, and now there was a chance to finally do it. It wouldn't bring her money. That didn't matter. What mattered was being able to help.

"At least these can be put to good use," she muttered to herself. Returning them or arguing about it wouldn't change anything. She already knew how Maximo was. Stubborn, unyielding. Pushing against him would only drain her, and nothing would come from it. Besides, she wasn't planning to stop what they had. She enjoyed being close to him. Just thinking about it made her cheeks warm.

Another thought settled in her mind. Bastian would still be around.

They hadn't known each other long, yet something about him felt easy. Over the years, she had struggled to build connections. Women kept their distance, and men only brought trouble. Being seen with her often turned into something else, something unpleasant.

"With him, it won't be like that."