Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 37

Natalie brimmed with confidence. “Don’t worry, I’m a die–hard fan of romance novels. The push and pull of love, the fiery passion, the golden rule, they may spar in the living room, but they reconcile in the bedroom. I know how to set up a whirlwind romance better than anyone.”

Taryn could not help but think that the super fan, Natalle’s confidence might be a bit misplaced.

in the room, a tall man stood by the bed, where a soft bundle lay, breathing out a sweet warmth.

She preferred to sleep on her stomach, he had noticed. Her curves arched invitingly, delicate hands softly curled in her inky hair, her fair face tinged with a rosy flush.

She was undeniably beautiful, pure, and delicate, yet utterly captivating.

His breathing grew heavy, and he could not help but loosen his tie. Beneath his fine shirt, his muscles tensed ever so slightly.

There was no computer in the room. Was she not supposed to be here to work on her designs? The man lay beside her, pulling her into his arms. This was the first time for them to share a bed. Before, there had only been a distance between them, a formality as they sat on the sofa in the bedroom. To his surprise, his hand brushed something soft – the tail attached to her pajamas. Her hat even had little

ears.

Lifting the blanket, his gaze darkened as he saw what she was wearing. What was she implying with this? A fire ignited in his chest, spreading through his limbs.

Something was not right.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he suddenly remembered the soup Taryn had given him. How sharp he was, instantly suspecting who might be behind this trickery.

His head throbbed, desire heating his eyes as he leaned down to capture her lips in a kiss, gentle at first, then deepening…

Whitney woke up to the kiss, her breath stifling as she pushed against a solid ‘wall.‘

Gaining clarity, she opened her wide eyes to see a shadowy figure above her. “Who are you?”

“It’s me,” the man murmured with a low, husky laugh.

“L.. What are you doing?” Whitney realized the nature of his kiss and suddenly remembered the woman on the phone and the woman in his car. Her face cooled as she pushed him away.

Thinking she was startled, the man gripped her delicate wrist, his voice low and teasing, “You invite me to this kind of hotel, dressed like that. What do you think I’m going to do, Madam?”

asked me to

I say no?” He

stifled, noting his body’s unusual

matter with

asked, lifting

and it

his elbow, his eyes smoldering, “The old

only made things worse.

10 Hink of amething” she

West jesen something

waist with his arm,

ne a math he murmured referring

Whitney realized what he was implying

I’ll

as your husband Il carry you to the

angered hand landed on his

stern. Do you even know what

cold haughty and

profile, her anger like a tiny universe exploding. “And do you know what you’re A Coveting drunk and dragging me here, blaming some soup your mother gave

talking about? His anger made him look

face shappened his

hands into tiny

his handsome face tired from working straight from the previous morning to now. Seeing her dressed like this, he naturally

was

what was she playing

allowing for argument, he scooped her up and

again, his voice rough with seduction, “The marriage contract is clear. You need to fulfill your duties. Consider it doing me

advances, her mind spinning with questions about

he pleased outside, without explaining to her, and then come back and

He was truly despicable.

you need help, go find another woman! I’m not here for your amusement,

did you say?” He suddenly

her voice laced with sarcasm, “Girlfriends, lovers, you’ve got plenty, right? With your money, do you think you can trample over someone’s life? I only sold you a year of my womb, not myself. After a year, we go our separate ways. I have the right to refuse you, Mr. L. If

into an