Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

to scare me. Yes, I deeply regret it, and I’m suffering the consequences. But it wasn’t as your friend saw.”

Whitney finished, her voice breaking, tears spilling over as she stubbornly turned her head to wipe them away.

She did not want him to see her weakness, her vulnerability.

But her fragile, tender state unwittingly tugged at Ludwik’s heartstrings.

His eyes widened with surprise, then narrowed as he licked his lips and spoke in a husky voice, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you were bullied? I thought you…”

“You never gave me a chance,” she shot back, her voice filled with accusation, “Preston wasn’t the only one who bullied me tonight. Without understanding the situation, you embarrassed me.”

Facing her accusation, Ludwik’s face tightened, “Does it hurt much?”

“What do you think?”

“Lie down. I’ll apply the ointment.”

“Don’t…”

“Don’t argue!”

He was imperious and authoritative, not to be denied, lifting her shirt and steadying her slender waist to apply the ointment.

despite its medical nature. Her face flushed as

fingers were

gaze growing heated as he

swallowed hard, schooling her in a rough whisper, “Whitney, there

what?” Whitney was

can be misconstrued,” his voice was seductively

ears reddened, understanding dawning on her, “I meant it literally. Be

His voice was now hoarse

inappropriate and buried

14:58

Chapter

the

over her, and from his angle, her waist seemed as soft

up, quelling the rising fire within

“Thank you…”

spot where his fingers had touched felt like

between them was steamy, and

pulled her

on, I patch you up, and that’s how you repay me?” Ludwik’s voice held a note of

to

“What would you like me to do, Mr.

had ruffled his feathers. He caught sight of her innocent eyes and decided to

flushed a furious

said that in a moment of compromise, and he