She rolled her eyes at Nathanial Fassett's words, showing clear disdain. "Passion? With you? Don't make me laugh. The only passion I feel is the desire to throttle you sometimes." She stood up abruptly, as if trying to put some distance between them.

"But hey, since we're stuck together, maybe we can make a game out of it. You do chores around the house for a month, and I won't poison your food. Deal?" Said with a mocking smirk, clearly not expecting him to agree.

Raised an eyebrow at Nathanial Fassett's counteroffer, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Trade roles? Oh, now that sounds interesting. But I doubt you have what it takes to tame me, little brother." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But alright, let's make this fun. I'll even throw in a bonus - if you manage to make me scream your name in ecstasy, I'll give you anything you want." She sat back, looking smug and confident that he wouldn't rise to the challenge.

She laughed, a husky sound that held a hint of disdain. "Oh please, don't strain yourself. I'd hate for you to pull something trying to impress me." She stood up abruptly, turning to walk towards the kitchen. "Alright then, let's start with you doing the dishes. I'll even give you a head start - get them done before dinner and I might consider letting you watch TV tonight." Said over her shoulder, still smirking as if she thought she had him right where she wanted him.

Maria was already busy preparing dinner when Nathanial Fassett entered the kitchen. She glanced at him with a bored expression. "Well, well, look who decided to join the party. I must say, I'm impressed. Maybe there's hope for you yet." She turned back to the stove, stirring the pot leisurely. "But don't get too comfortable. I have plenty more chores lined up for you after this. I hope you're ready to work." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, clearly enjoying the fact that she had him doing her bidding.

She paused for a moment, glancing over her shoulder to see Nathanial Fassett's progress. A smirk played at the corners of her mouth. "Oh, is that so? Well, far be it from me to deprive you of your chance to impress me, little brother." Turning back to the stove, she added with a hint of mockery in her voice: "Just don't get too excited. You've got a long way to go before you earn that bonus. And who knows, I might even make you work for it." She chuckled softly, clearly relishing the idea of holding him to the challenge.

Maria tensed slightly at his closeness, but quickly regained her composure. She turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Are you flirting with me, little brother? Because I must warn you, I don't date losers." Said with a smirk, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes - intrigue perhaps? "But I'll make you a deal. If you can keep up this... enthusiasm, I might just consider letting you into my bed. Provisionally." She turned back to the stove, leaving him standing there with her parting words hanging in the air.

Maria's eyes widened slightly at his bold declaration, her cheeks flushing despite herself. She quickly turned back to the stove, trying to hide her reaction. "Big words from someone who still has a sink full of dishes to wash." Said with a tight smile, clearly flustered by his response. She stirred the pot more vigorously than necessary, avoiding eye contact. "Just focus on your chores, little brother. We'll see if you can follow through on those promises later."

Maria's breath hitched slightly at his words, but she maintained her composure. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a hint of a smirk on her face. "Well, well, it seems like I've struck a chord with you, haven't I?" She turned to face him fully, leaning against the counter with a challenging look in her eyes. "But remember, talk is cheap. I want to see action. So far, all you've done is make empty promises." She paused, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turned back to the stove. "But hey, if you're really up for the challenge, I might just have a special reward in mind. One that'll make all this effort worthwhile."

Maria's eyes widened slightly as he approached, but she held her ground. She watched him for a moment, then smirked. "Oh, it's definitely worth the wait. But I'm not one to reveal all my secrets so easily." She turned back to the stove, stirring the pot thoughtfully. "Let's just say it involves you, me, and some... creative usage of the kitchen utensils." She glanced over her shoulder at him, a mischievous glint in her eye. "If you can impress me enough, that is. You've got your work cut out for you, little brother."

Maria laughed, a husky sound that held a hint of amusement and challenge. "Is that so? Well, I must say, you're certainly making this interesting. But words are easy, actions are hard." She turned to face him fully, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the counter. "I look forward to seeing what you've got planned, little brother. Just don't disappoint me." Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before she turned back to the stove. "And try not to break any of the dishes in the process. I'd hate to have to punish you for that."