When I set the empty bowl aside, he stood up.— You should lie down now. If you need anything, I'll help you. Then I'll head home.
I nodded and tried to stand, but before I could, he was already beside me, lifting me into his arms in one swift motion.
— Rafael! — I protested, startled. — I was just… going to lie down.
— And you are. — he replied simply, without meeting my eyes.
I could feel the warmth of his body, and every step he took seemed deliberate, controlled, as if he feared losing control and getting too close. I could hear his heartbeat, fast and steady, even though his face stayed firm, almost expressionless.
— Wait… I need to brush my teeth.
He stopped for a moment, exhaled deeply, then turned and carried me to the bathroom. He set me down in front of the sink but stayed close — so close that all I'd have to do was reach out and our skin would touch again.
— Give me that — I said, taking the toothbrush from his hand. — My knee's the problem, not my hands.
— You can wait in the living room — I added, trying to sound firm.
— Not a chance — he said quietly, impatient. — Don't forget you're without your crutches. I'll stay here by the door.
I rolled my eyes but gave in. I brushed quickly, pretending not to notice him watching me. When I finished, he stepped closer and lifted me again.
His scent, his breath brushing against my neck… it made me dizzy, and I knew he felt it too. His body was tense, jaw clenched — as if carrying me demanded more strength than it should.
He laid me down gently, adjusted the pillow behind my head, and lingered there — too close. I could swear he thought about leaning in, or maybe it was just my imagination.
— Thank you — I murmured, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.
He looked away, hardening again.— Will you be able to sleep through the pain?
Without waiting for an answer, he went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water and a pill.— Here, it's the painkiller the doctor prescribed.
I took the glass from his hand; our fingers brushed lightly.
— Rafael… you're overdoing it. — I tried to laugh, but my voice came out faint.
He pretended not to hear. He set my phone on the nightstand and stood there for a moment, watching me.
Then the thought came, reckless and impossible to ignore:Maybe I should use all this care to test him.Rosana used to say that if he truly liked me, he wouldn't resist being provoked for long — that all it would take was getting close, looking him in the eyes, leaving him breathless… and he'd give in.
The idea made me blush. What if she was right?But what if he really didn't feel anything?The thought alone squeezed my chest.
— The spare key's hanging by the door, on the key rack — I said, trying to sound neutral again. — You can lock up when you leave.
— Good night, Helena.
His voice was rough, low.
And before I could say anything, he turned and left silently, closing the door softly behind him.
I stared at the closed door, my heart racing. I knew there was something he was trying to hide.And maybe, just maybe, it was time to find out how long he could keep resisting.