Chapter 34 Honeymoon

"Isabella..." Maximo's hoarse voice burst into his thoughts, capturing the attention of the girl, who raised her face, embarrassed. "Are you okay?" - Maximo asked, who continued with his serious countenance, the young woman could only nod with a shake of her head and simulate a faint smile.

In an unexpected act for her, but very conscious on Maximo's part, he stretched out his hand towards Isabella's, to take her gently.

"Don't worry..." Maximo's expression changed to a kinder one. - You don't have to be afraid of me, I won't hurt you.

Isabella nodded, her heart racing, after a moment, she withdrew her hand from Maximo's, slowly, covertly.

Could he really be a good spouse after having rejected her because he considered her inferior? Isabella's heart skipped as she asked herself those questions.

The young woman turned her face towards the window, concentrating on the landscape and sighed heavily, although her grandmother had trusted that Máximo was a good man who would protect her, the character that he himself had shown her before, did not allow her to trust herself.

Máximo noticed how Isabella withdrew her hand from his, pretending to be entertained by the panorama in front of her, he felt somewhat uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything about it.

She thought about it for a moment, Maximilian had said that it would be very easy to fall in love with her, but Máximo did not take that for granted, not after the rudeness he had made to her on the cruise ship by rejecting her.

"I'm sorry. He blurted out suddenly. Isabella turned to him, frowning confused.

"I'm sorry I turned you down on the cruise and everything I said about you. I shouldn't..." He clarified, with a regretful expression.

"No, it's okay..." Isabella tried to calm him down, realizing that he was apologizing only for pressure. After all, he had been forced to marry her despite her disdain. "You don't have to mention that. The young woman lowered her gaze, feeling the disappointment when she remembered that painful moment.

The trip was long, with several hours of flight and a yacht ride to reach the island. Throughout the journey, Isabella was reluctant, embarrassed and, above all, shy.

"Welcome, Mr. Collins, ma'am”" Welcome to your honeymoon. With a bow, the employees greeted the newlyweds in the small harbor, just at dawn.

Isabella's face was marked by fatigue, Máximo had thought that it would be a good idea to carry her, but the young woman could barely accept that he took her by the hand.

They arrived at the huge house, lined with large windows and white walls, it looked bright and modern, it looked newly built and was located just a few meters from the beach.

Inside the house, one more line of employees immediately showed up with the couple, receiving them with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

"What do you think?" Máximo asked Isabella, who was watching everything with her mouth open. "Would you like to rest?" Come on, I'll take you to our room.

Without letting go of her hand, Máximo gave Isabella a short tour, who was amazed.

From one wing of the house, the beautiful beaches could be glimpsed, while, on the other side, the green of the tropical trees and vegetation stood out.

It was a landscape like no other.

They went up the stairs, passed a long corridor, Máximo opened the double door of the main room, but before entering, he stopped momentarily.

"Is something wrong?" Isabella asked, seeing him so still and thoughtful.

"I just thought that... The tradition is that I carry you in my arms to the room.

"Oh..." Isabella took a step back, nervous.

"We were supposed to enter the house with you in my arms, but since we're here... Can I...?" Maximo stretched out his hand towards her, feeling his heartbeat accelerate when he felt the blush on his face.

- Well... To be honest, I don't think it's necessary, I..." Isabella tried to excuse herself, but she was interrupted by Maximo.

He took a step towards her, raised his hand slowly and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. She shuddered at his touch. "I know we didn't plan it, that we didn't fall in love as we should have and that we practically don't know each other, but I'm willing to try..." Isabella closed her eyes, nervous at Maximo's caress, and tried to inhale deeply to concentrate. Her spouse's words confused her. "We're married now, we'll be rooting for the next few days on our honeymoon, and when we leave here, we'll continue to live together in our new home. We can't help it or turn back, so... Don't you think you could at least give me the chance?

Isabella opened her eyes, to look directly at him, her expression was serious and determined, there was not a hint of doubt in her eyes.

What Máximo said was true, they had already married, she could not avoid him for the rest of her life, she herself had made the decision and had said yes, so, this was not the time to fear and retract.

The young woman nodded slowly, Máximo gave a slight smile that impressed Isabella and a moment later, he took her in his arms to lift her up carried like a little girl.

Isabella emitted a small squeal and clung to his neck, frightened by the haste of the act, but obviously Máximo would not let her fall, she could feel the strength of his arms under the rolled-up shirt, under the fine fabric, huge and well-defined muscles were marked.

They entered the room accordingly, Isabella slightly separated her face from her shoulder to observe the place, open-mouthed, all the walls were made of glass, on each wall there were blinds that were obviously open, the view was directly towards the sea, marking a beautiful horizon.

In front, sliding glass doors allowed access to a beautiful furnished balcony, on one side, a double door had to be the closet and on the other side, another door led to the bathroom.

And in the middle of the gigantic room, an imposing bed with columns that had white curtains tied to the pillars stood out.

While Isabella was still clinging with one of her arms to Maximo's neck, such was the impression of the young woman from what she saw that, without realizing it, she slipped her other hand over Maximo's chest.

She could feel her spouse's rapid heartbeat, which seemed faster than hers, but why?

Confused by what she had just felt in his chest, Isabella raised her face to Maximo and at the same time, he lowered his face to her.

Their eyes met as Maximo gently slid her over the huge bed, standing above her.

Isabella's hand was still in the same place, on Maximo's heart, his face was slowly approaching hers and Isabella felt how her heartbeat was ringing faster and faster, it seemed that her heart was going to collapse the moment their lips touched.

Delicately, slowly, feeling the softness of Isabella's lips, Maximo closed his eyes and concentrated on savoring her, while one of his hands passed through the girl's neck, in an attempt to bring her closer.

Although Isabella had also closed her eyes and accepted his kiss, to Maximo, she seemed tense, because she did not take her hand off her chest, did she want to stop him?

"Sir?" “A couple of employees came in dragging their suitcases. Máximo and Isabella separated.

"Yes?" - Máximo got out of bed, as if nothing had happened. - Come in... They can fit everything in the closet.

The employees entered the closet, which was literally another room next door.

Máximo turned to Isabella, she was still on the bed, hugging his legs, with her gaze lost towards the glass walls that gave a panoramic view of the beach.

Although she seemed focused on the landscape, Isabella was actually trying to understand what was happening between her and Maximo, while controlling her breathing.

"Isabella..." The young woman turned to Maximo, barely hearing his voice, blushing immediately. - You can rest all afternoon, I'll send you lunch, don't worry, no one will bother you... In the meantime, I will go and give instructions to the employees... But tonight, we'll have dinner together.

She nodded and Maximo left the room, feeling his blood boiling, but not out of anger, it was in a different way than he was used to.

He wanted to be sweet and tender with her, but what that girl was provoking inside him was becoming more and more difficult to control.