Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 44

Whitney’s cheeks were flushed with anger as she took several gulps of the drink.

L quirked a grin, asking. Tastes bad, huh?”

“Yes,” Whitney lied defiantly, although, in truth, it was not bad at all–he was quite the chef.

His brows arched quizzically, and he leaned closer, “Let me be the judge of that.

Instead of tasting from the glass, his lips found hers in a sudden kiss.

“Hey!” She protested, words muffled. How could he do this again? Whitney struggled, but his absence had clearly affected him, his kisses growing more fervent, Gradually, her resistance faded, her grip crumpling the

fabric of his shirt.

His back was a landscape of strength, which Whitney dared not touch as her cheeks blushed even deeper. Finally, he pulled away to catch his breath, looking at her intently. “Now, you can explain properly.”

How could he? After teasing her, he had the nerve to ask for an explanation?

Pushing him away, Whitney stood up, her voice tinged with annoyance. “There’s nothing to clarify. Mr. L, your personal phone line was answered by some other woman. That alone tells me all I need to know about you. We may be in a contract marriage, but while I won’t meddle in your colorful private life, don’t you dare flirt with me. Got it?”

The atmosphere in the room turned icy.

He stepped forward, his presence chilling. “Me? Colorful private life?”

“Isn’t that so?” Whitney went on, feeling a need for clarity. “Eight days ago, I called you in the afternoon, and a woman answered.”

Frowning, he pulled out his phone and shoved it into her hands. “Check for yourself,”

Whitney took the phone, surprised by his boldness. Guilty men would never hand over their phones so easily. yet he was utterly indifferent.

Feeling a bit awkward but determined not to lose face, Whitney scrolled through the call log.

Eight days back, she checked once, and the record was gone.

“You deleted it, Mr. L. Or maybe that

pushed her against the wall, his voice laced with mockery. “If I really had someone else, why would I hide it from you? Who do you think you are? Besides, I don’t have any secret chambers for

sting of pain shot through Whitney’s

How dare he?

she think she was?

in her voice was palpable as she pushed him away.

whispering with a mix of arrogance and tenderness, “And just so you

blinked, slowly comprehending

with a sudden realization–was she

reddened as she stammered, “Don’t talk nonsense to me. I don’t understand it anyone’s benefiting, it’s

want to benefit, I’m at your service,” he said, his

waste of breath, Whitney huffed, still upset about the mysterious

her waist, his eyes gleaming with pleasure. “All this fuss over a phone call. You’re just jealous, aren’t you? I have to admit it’s

tightened. T’m not jealous. You

breathed out, tickling

shoved him away, losing patience. “Can’t you

bedside cabinet, which he opened to reveal some medical

Whitney asked, “Got

“Would I be injured if not for you?

but obediently applied the antiseptic and wrapped the wound with fresh bandages,

out of the blue,

knew.

it? Do I look like I want

had yet to explain the phone call or

just have to go see that Ludwik, my dear rival. He’s got

turned frosty. “Ludwik interested in you?

he’s quite the catch! Though he’s a scoundrel at heart, a one–time investment wouldn’t be

lips thinned in displeasure. “And how would

and

you would know best. We’re

He pulled her closer, his voice a mix of threat and amusement. “Ludwik wouldn’t give

stood up abruptly, grabbing

chambers for lovers to choose from, don’t I? I’ll just pick