Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 117

But the complexity in the man’s eyes, the storms they concealed, were beyond Whitney’s comprehension. Ludwik mused in silence. Elaine was the bridge between him and the Bartels family; their interests intertwined. There was a time he had wanted her gone, his dislike manifesting as a reluctance to keep her close. But the Lippert family was eyeing him with predatory intent; Kaden was eager to make him hand over the reins of Imperial Gem Corporation to Orion.

Just waiting for him to slip up.

In such times, he needed the Bartels family.

How could this silly girl understand the depths of it all? Ludwik shot her a sidelong glance. “Enough talk. I’m starving. If the food isn’t ready soon, I might just eat you!”

“What an abrupt turn,” Whitney thought, returning to the kitchen.

Yet, even if they were just to soothe her, his words filled her with a sweet sense of being valued and finally feeling the weight of her importance to him.

ly prepared.

Eventually, two maids joined to assist, and dinner was finally

Whitney stood by the bed, feeding him like a dutiful wife, unable to resist glancing at his hands that moved with ease.

“What are you looking at? Injured shoulders don’t mean I can’t move my hands,” he declared righteously, even as his fingers deftly navigated the screen of his smartphone.

Whitney was too shocked for words, thinking that saving her seemed to justify all manner of twisted logic. Felix, too, was silently twitching at the corner of his mouth, thinking. “Mr. Lippert, just admit you enjoy being pampered by your little wife. Would it kill you?”

Clearly reveling in the attention, the man frowned. “I haven’t bathed all day Wipe me down later.”

The bowl in Whitney’s hands nearly tipped over. She stole a glance at his mature, muscular frame, her heart skipping a beat as she blushed. “Maybe… Felix should do it?”

“Did I risk my life to save Felix?”

Whitney fell silent.

And Felix, all too aware, had already left the room.

Whitney clenched her fists, trying to reason with him. “But I’d be embarrassed. We’re not that close yet,” she protested.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I allow you to admire my perfect form. Just don’t get overwhelmed,” he said, his noble arrogance on full display.

at a loss for words against his impregnable

a debt of service, one way

the washcloth with trembling hands, she undressed him, muttering to herself not to overthink it she

and graceful, his muscles well–defined, his skin smooth and pale–a stark contrast to the fashionable bronze tans of the day, exuding an

gaze, but it kept

eyes darting over his body, her cheeks flushed like tempting apples. her lips hitten

Chapter 11,

as he acknowledged her struggle against his

she’s not pouncing on me

that

you done yet? Hurry

as she coughed lightly, “Done.”

hot water, leaning against the door, panting, her face in

as she returned, ready to negotiate

leaned against the

I had maids helping me with dinner

was only because he realized she could not handle the dinner alone, so he could not bear to see her stand and bend for too long since she

out of love with me already? Yesterday in the hallway,

retort. She had never said such things.

confession into something it’s not?”

wince from him.

pressed his lips together, feigning vulnerability. “It hurts

he might truly be in pain, her face showing a hint of regret. “Then stop moving.

was at her wit’s

lips. “Alright, sleep with me then,” his

man with an incredible physique could be devastatingly charming when he

She had just settled into her small bed when he complained, “You’re so far away, it hurts

with it? Guided by his commanding gaze, Whitney eventually lay in his embrace. The hospital bed was not wide, and she was cautious not to touch his injured shoulder or head.

this, he frowned and snorted in complaint, and Whitney Instantly snapped

nodded sorrowfully, his face a mask of stoicism. “Never

of her? If it were not for him, she would be the one with

sat up, her brows furrowed with concern. “No, I’ll find

Can