Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Rafael watched her again. He was in no hurry to pull out of her. He loved the sensation of having her like this, completely at his mercy.

“Say you want it,” he said, seductive, brushing his lips over hers.

“It’s just…” She stopped speaking. She was clearly hesitant.

“I get it. My age bothers you. I’m 45, but I believe that won’t be a problem. You must be around my son’s age—he’s 25.”

Maitê lifted her face, surprised.

“I’m 24 and I live alone in a tiny studio apartment. But it’s not that…”

He slowly pulled away, slipping out of her with care. He adjusted his pants and didn’t move any farther than necessary. He stayed right there, listening to her speak. She told him a little about her life: the cramped studio in a peripheral neighborhood, the nurse’s salary that barely covered the bills, the exhausting shifts, the mother who lived in the countryside and occasionally needed help. She spoke with humility, without self-pity, but with a raw honesty that touched him more than he expected.

The night before, Rafael had imagined she had a more comfortable life, perhaps a boyfriend who helped pay some of the bills. But that didn’t matter. Not to him. What mattered was that she was here, now, saying yes to something most women would refuse out of pride or fear.

When she finished speaking, he nodded slowly. He reached out and gently held her chin, lifting her face so she would look into his eyes.

“I’ll get you an apartment near the city center. And a car.”

Maitê blinked several times. It felt like her life was about to change dramatically. An apartment downtown. A car, money, luxury.

But there was one question burning in her mind.

“Are you married?”

Rafael held her gaze without blinking.

“I’m divorced.”

“Were you faithful?” she asked, curious, almost without thinking.

He gave an amused smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it softened the hard lines of his face.

“My life with my ex-wife is irrelevant.” He leaned in a little closer, his scent invading her senses once again. “So… do you accept?”

Maitê took a deep breath. Pride screamed at her to say no. Desire screamed to say yes. Fear whispered that she would regret it. But her body had already decided.

“I accept.”

His smile spread slowly, satisfied, almost triumphant. He didn’t ask if she was dating anyone. If she had a boyfriend, she would certainly end it. He would make it very clear in the contract: absolute exclusivity. She would be only his. One year. Long enough to get this madness out of his system, to satisfy the desire that had consumed him since the night before. After that… he would see.

“What’s your name?”

“Maitê Fernandes. And yours?”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. She really didn’t know.

“Rafael Valença.”

Maitê blinked.

“You… you’re the owner of this hospital?”

He simply nodded, without show or pride. It was a fact.

“You work here?”

“Yes. You’re my boss.”

He pressed his body against hers again. His large hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

“I’m your man,” he corrected possessively. “And you’re my woman. The contract will be ready on Monday. As soon as you sign, it’s official.”

Maitê felt a shiver run down her spine. The way he said “my woman” didn’t sound like part of a business deal. It sounded like a declaration. Like possession.

She lifted her face, her brown eyes meeting his.

“And if I want more than a year?” she asked softly.

He smiled, brushing his lips over hers in a kiss.

“Then we’ll renegotiate. But for now…” He kissed her properly, his tongue invading her mouth. “For now, you’re mine. And I take care of what’s mine.”

When he pulled back, Maitê was breathless and her legs were shaky.

“Monday,” he repeated, straightening her skirt. “In my office.”

She nodded, dazed.

He opened the door, glanced at the empty corridor, and offered his hand to her.

“Come on. I’ll take you home.”

No one saw them leave holding hands. Most of the staff were focused on the emergency wing, treating victims of a serious highway accident.

They exited through the executive reserved entrance, where the black SUV waited. He opened the passenger door. She got in, her legs still weak and her body sore and sensitive from the incredible sex.

“Monday at eleven, be in my office. Give me your phone number. I’ll send you the address.”

Maitê took her phone from her bag.

“Do you have an office somewhere other than the hospital?”

“I have several,” he replied, without going into detail. “This one is downtown, in the holding building. It’s more… private.”

He saved her contact as “Maitê” and put the phone away.

“I want you to use contraception,” he said suddenly, looking straight ahead at the exit ramp. “I don’t want any more children. Daniel is my firstborn. I was married for ten years and honestly, I don’t see myself as a father again.”

The words came out as cold as the air conditioning blowing on her face. She turned to the window, pretending to look at the scenery. She found him cold and calculating. It sounded like he was dictating business rules, not talking about a relationship.

She didn’t answer right away. She stayed quiet, processing. She didn’t know what would become of this strange arrangement, but she also wasn’t going to pretend it could all end in a second. Not after what she felt in that room, not after the way his body claimed her like he owned her. She knew she would get attached, and she knew it would hurt when it ended.

While he drove, Maitê mentally made plans. She would keep working at the hospital in the meantime. She would save every cent of her salary. She would put aside everything she could. When he eventually moved her out of the apartment and took the car back, she wouldn’t leave empty-handed. That would be the least of her problems.

The worst would be dealing with a broken heart. Because even knowing it was just an agreement, part of her already wanted more. She wanted the Rafael who looked at her like she was the only thing in the world—not the Rafael who laid down rules about children who would never come.

“Okay,” she said finally, trying to sound neutral. “I’ll start taking it. I already do, actually. But I’ll make sure it’s up to date.”

Rafael nodded without looking at her.

“Good.”

He stopped the car and looked into her eyes.

“Any questions?”

Maitê took a deep breath.

“And if… I can’t be satisfied with the rules?”

He studied her for a long second. His brown eyes darkened.

“Then we’ll talk,” he answered slowly. “Everything will be based on conversation.”

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

He reached out and slowly ran his thumb across her cheek in a tender gesture.

“Monday, eleven sharp. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t.”

He leaned in and kissed her. Then he opened her door.

“I’ll send the address tomorrow.”

She got out and looked at him one last time before closing the door.

“See you Monday, Rafael.”

“See you Monday, Maitê.”

The SUV pulled away slowly, leaving her on the sidewalk of the neighborhood where she lived. She stood there for a full minute. She was afraid of getting hurt.