Chapter 4 A day off

"Downstairs, now!". Maximo. She could already recognize not only his voice, but his tone.

"No," she replied calmly and lay back down, book in hand.

"Carolina, do you want me to drag you to the dining room?"

"Well, to want it, I don't. In fact, since we're about what I want, go away and leave me alone."

"What?", he asked, shocked by her boldness.

Carolina was satisfied. If he was going to 'drag' her, it would be necessary for her to see him. Besides, she was glad he was feeling offended, after the way he'd treated her.

"Is this because I haven't paid you yet?", he asked and she shook with anger.

"Oh, get out of here!"

"This is my house!"

"And mine too, since I am your wife!" She answered and he didn't say anything. She smiled, feeling victorious.

Carolina turned around and stood with her back to the door, going back to reading.

Maximo entered the room and saw her, lying on her back, and he couldn't ignore the sight she offered him: her long shapely legs, her round bottom... She was wearing a short nightgown. He swallowed hard and walked over.

'What could I expect from a woman with a body like that? It must have been very easy for her to fool around with men, right? But now, he's mine!'.

Carolina felt a presence behind her and frowned in disbelief, and looking at the wall, yes, there was a shadow there.

She turned around immediately and found herself face to face with a very tall man, with light hair, skin slightly tanned by the sun - which indicated that he did leave the mansion. He was wearing dark wash jeans, a belt with a thick buckle, a light green button-up shirt, and Carolina could tell he had strong arms. One arm, scarred.

However, what drew attention was his face. One side, the same as the scars on his arm and neck, had a half mask. On the other side, the visible side, Carolina realized how handsome he was! Slightly full lips, apparently a harmonious size for the face, the nose appeared sharp, but she couldn't be sure because of the mask. Full yet pale eyebrows, and eyes... Eyes as green as emeralds. And shiny like. However, the glow was one of anger, contempt.

"Satisfied?", he asked, gritting his teeth and fury flashing in his eyes. Only then did Carolina remember that she shouldn't stare at him. He himself said so the day before.

"No," she replied and ran her eyes over his body and back to his face.

"You're pretty brazen for a virgin," he sneered, looking her up and down, dying to see just how brazen she could be.

"I'm not virgin. I got married, had a wedding night and, also, a little action at the office." She said seriously, looking him in the eye. "Unfortunately, my husband is a jerk, a boor!"

He got even closer to her, and Carolina smelled Maximo's perfume. Woody, perfectly matching him.

"I told you not to look at me, didn't I?" His voice was menacing.

"I'm not blind. Thank God," she snapped, ignoring the clear warning in her husband's voice. "Or what? Are you going to pierce my eyes? Rip them out? I wouldn't doubt anything coming from you!"

"I'm not a monster! You say that because of my appearance, don't you?"

"Have you gone mad? As if the rest was not enough, he is crazy!" A voice in the back of her mind warned her to shut up! What if he was like her father? What if he hit her? She was alone on an isolated farm. And Maximo was huge, much bigger and stronger than Gaspar. One slap from him would dismantle her face.

He took a deep breath and moved quickly, suspending her on the bed, bringing her to her knees and he leaned lower, bringing his face closer to hers.

"Hey! You are hurting me! She complained and tried to get free.

Maximo looked at her nightgown, at her almost bare breasts in that small piece of cloth. He released her, went to the door, closed it angrily and returned to Carolina. She swallowed hard.

He started to unbuckle his pants and she knew what he wanted. She wanted the same, but Carolina was willing to be strong this time.

'No way in hell I'll let him get the best of me, right now!', she thought.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Castillo. That hooker is off tonight!" She said bitterly and saw how his eyes widened in surprise. "Please, leave!"

She pointed at the door, angrily.

Maximo looked at her in anger and bewilderment. Was she really ordering him out of her room, denying the fire he was sure she felt, just like he did?

"I want you," he said, moving closer to her. Maximo was aware that he was becoming addicted to her. "We are married. Isn't that what husband and wife do? This was supposed to be our honeymoon! And if I want kids..."

"Oh, too bad. I'm not working tonight. Get. Out!" Her gruff tone made her seem, to his eyes, like a kitten, furious, claws out, but cute, nonetheless.

Carolina had tears in her eyes, but from anger and frustration. How could he treat her like that?

Maximo wanted to grab her by force and kiss her. He wondered if perhaps, kissing her like he had earlier in the office, she would feel the same passion and give in to him. Then, he took a step forward, but Carolina, who was very angry, threw the pillow at him.

He looked at her, and chuckled, throwing the pillow to the floor.

"A pillow? That seems to me more like an invitation to your bed!"

Carolina looked around and this time she threw the book at him.

"Kittens are also very dangerous, with sharp claws and pointed teeth", he thought bitterly.

Since he didn't expect her to have that kind of courage, he didn't deviate. The book hit the side of the mask, and he felt a slight sting on the skin of his scalp.

Carolina looked at him, her eyes wide. She thought he would dodge!