Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 66
Whitney peeked through the parted curtains, her eyes taking in the opulence of the private courtyard complete with its own
shimmering pond. He had booked the entire venue–this guy was loaded.
The man watched her intently, attempting several times to take her hand, but she resisted, tucking her hands away and
awkwardly leading the way.
Ludwik gave a low chuckle. His towering figure was emanating a grace charm as he closed in on her and whispered, “What
about what I said back in the room? Have you thought it over?”
Whitney bit her lip, “I don’t quite follow what you mean by ‘a real shot“.”
He turned back, grasping her slender shoulder with a firm, serious grip, “I meant, let’s give a real relationship a shot. What do
you say we see if this one–year trial marriage can transition into a lasting union?”
Whitney’s heart skipped a beat as if something inside her had exploded.
She stood there, dazed, her silly expression oddly endearing.
Ludwik knew about her past relationship, but when it came to matters of the heart, she seemed utterly clueless. She was pure as
untouched canvas and couldn’t stand a man’s flirtatious movement at all. Her constant blush and watery eyes were too tempting
to resist.
He tickled her neck again as his voice became hoarse with urgency, “Well? What’s your answer?”
In a panic, she pushed his hand away; her mind was already a whirlwind from the intimate moment they’d shared in the suite.
And now he was talking about dating? Oh God, that was a total mess.
Whitney hurried towards the hot spring pool, her heartbeat erratic. There, on a stone bench, she saw a table set for dinner,
adorned with a sumptuous spread of fine cuisine and pastries–had he arranged a romantic hot spring dinner too? Was this his
idea of a date?
She shook her head in annoyance. What was she even thinking?

Noticing her gaze fixed on the cake, he assumed she was just hungry. With a helpless chuckle, he pushed a slice into her mouth,
“Eat! And then give me your answer.”
Whitney glared at him silently. Did she look like a hungry kitten to him?
Her cheeks flushed with irritation as he pressed her for the answer, “Nobody forces one to date like you do.”
Considering he was the one who’d suggested a ‘trial marriage‘, Ludwik held back his frustration, “How about we soak in the spa
first?”
He pointed out, “There’s your swimsuit.”
Whitney looked down to see matching men’s and women’s robes laid out on the floor.
She turned to look for a changing room.
But before she could, Ludwik was peeling off his shirt and revealing his well–defined and enticing chest.
“Ah! What are you doing, L?”

“Getting changed for a bath. What, should I go in naked?”
“I meant, where’s your pool? Get to your own pool.”
“My dear lady, must you be so proper with me? I am your husband, after all.”
“A fake one!”
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His brow arched, and he approached her with long strides, “I just talked about getting serious, and you’re back
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Chapter 66
to ‘fake‘ again?”
Whitney pouted, “I didn’t agree to anything.”
He halted, and his expression was unreadable, “Then I’ll wait for your agreement for just one sec. Make it quick, or else I’ll-”
With a fluid motion, he unbuckled his belt, and his trousers fell to the floor in a swoosh.
“Ah-“Whitney’s shriek echoed again, “Just put on your swim trunks! Why are you being such a rogue?”
He let out a low chuckle.
Her face turned a deeper shade of red, her hands covering her eyes. Even in that brief glimpse, she’d seen the sculpted legs, as
well as the narrow but powerful waist. The man’s waist was deadly–too sexy for words.
“Are you done yet?” she asked, exasperated.
“Open your eyes!” Ludwik commanded. He pried her hands away and stepped into the pool, his tall frame imposing.
Whitney sat down, trembling. As long as he was there, she wouldn’t dare change.
He returned to the edge and tugged an unlit cigarette in his mouth, exuding a rakish charm as he reached for her delicate ankle.
S
Peeling off her thin socks, her cute pink toes emerged. His gaze deepened and his breath hitched..

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Yet he gently eased her feet into the warm water and said in a low voice, “This is good for a pregnant one.”
Whitney looked at her ankle in his grasp. His hand was so large, and the palm burned against her skin. His calm and collected
demeanor was so manly, but she felt like she was burning up with embarrassment. They had never been this close before,
“Let... let go...” she said.
“Doesn’t it feel good?”
The innuendo in his words was unmistakable.
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Whitney shot him a furtive glance. Her mind was too overheated to think straight, and she couldn’t bring herself to look up at his

handsome face, “I’ll answer your question. Just stop torturing me like this.”
He smirked, the cigarette adding to his roguish look, “You could have just given in earlier.”
Letting her go reluctantly, he pinched her little toe. His Adam’s apple was rolling with suppressed desire.

Whitney retracted her foot, biting her lip, “So, are you serious about giving this a try with me?”
Leaning in close, he breathed onto her face when he spoke up, “Sweetheart, do you have any idea how precious even a second
is to me?”
“I used to earn tens of thousands in a second too,” Whitney retorted with a touch of high–society pride.
He scoffed, tilting her chin up and looking at her with oceanic eyes. He said in a ow baritone, “I don’t have time to play games
with little girls. I need a real wife, not a roommate who won’t even let me in the door. You’re the mother of my child, and there’s
no one better suited to be the mom. I don’t want to find my child a stepmother. We can get along, nurture some affection, and
build a complete family if we want. I have no desire to waste energy on a second romantic relationship.”
Whitney burst into laughter at his serious yet languid expression.
A second romantic relationship?
Was she his first one?
As if reading her mind, he leaned toward her earlobes and let out a husky chuckle there, “Indeed, you are. Remember what I
said that night at the hotel? You were my first, and so far, the only one I’m interested in. Remember my words and don’t doubt
me so easily, little kitten.”
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Chekkenoveret to her his large hand had found its way to her belly
Through the weater Whitmes et an bende heat. The atmosphere was extremely simmering
Me locked down and narrowed his eyes with desire, he was leaning in for a kiss but Whitney backed away
Seeing the white sum of her neck, his breathing intensified The warmth of the pool made his heart race.

Whitney raised her evebrows, What te kitten? You have no respect for me. If I agree to date you, you can’t just touch and kiss
me whenever you want. You need to respect me. Marriage is about equality, you know”
DC he conceded with a frown of discomfort and his gaze was grim
Whitney nearly mehed under his intense stare, her cheeks blushing with indignation, “You ate Elaine’s lychee
andley You’re tarbed
A laugh rumbled in his chest as he eyed her “Still jealous? I told you about Elaine’s role. Besides, I didn’t even touch that hichee
Sansted now?
Whitney pouted, “What about her saying you bit her finger?”
Ludwik messaged his brows. You actually believe that? Do you have any idea how many women try to feed me ther homemade
treats? If indulged every single one. I’d have keeled over by now.”
Whitney stiffed a laugh, her voice playful yet pointed. “Smooth talker.”
The man’s hand captured her delicate chin, his voice deep and laced with a raw desire. “I don’t like other
women getting close to me. You’re the exception, though I can’t quite put my finger on why.”
Whitney remained silent. Her cheeks turned a shade of crimson under the moonlight.
Could it be that he was speaking the truth?