Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 278

It seemed like an eternity since he had felt this way.

A wave of frustration washed over him as he gazed down at her, his eyes a mix of disdain and something deeper...

Whitney met his gaze, but quickly averted her eyes, mumbling in confusion, "Sorry, I didn't expect you to look down."

The space between their bodies grew slightly.

Ludwik wasn't sure whether he felt relief or a sense of emptiness.

Suddenly, his hand shot out, lifting her chin forcefully.

With annoyance lacing his voice, he sneered, "So you say you're not trying to seduce me? With all these little games you play, what exactly are you after?" Whitney's eyes flickered, glancing at the cellphone lying on the edge of the bathtub.

A message had popped up from Kelvin just as she had entered the bathroom!

After reading it, thoughts of her uncle swirled in her head, sobering her up despite the warm bath. Years of entertaining clients had fortified her tolerance to alcohol. Was she truly drunk, or just pretending? Only she knew the truth.

Ludwik was right; she did have a motive, a spontaneous one at that.

Being humiliated and intoxicated by him tonight was indeed an opportunity, and she had no other choice...

With her decision made, Whitney masked her cold intent, leaning closer to him with a mocking anger, "Me, seduce you? What for, to get bored by Elaine's leftovers?" "Get away from me," she pushed him lightly.

But it was like a cat's paw against his chest.

Ludwik narrowed his eyes at her little hand, grabbing it tightly, "Whitney, don't push your luck, and watch your mouth!"

Whitney scoffed, "My mouth was clean before, and you didn't like me any better. We're divorced now, you have no say over what I say."

She paused, her movements restricted, then suddenly kicked at his leg, mocking, "Actually, you like it when I'm unrestrained, don't you?" Ludwik's lips tightened.

woman, shamelessly rewriting

you even

didn't kick you

sent him to the hospital twice, though thankfully, nothing serious had

facing her remained a struggle, a blow to his

Ludwik quickly stood up, pulling her harshly, his tone growing more hostile, "Enough! Don't try these cheap tricks

you're that lonely, the parking lot is full of options,

his words harsher, trying to regain control of his wayward

Whitney's eyes briefly faltered.

disgusted by him? She despised him too, especially after whatever

But for a cause...

back her anger, stubbornly staying put on the

she pouted, "Who asked you to touch me. Let me go, you're hurting

phrase was ripe

darkened, trying to discern her

hoarse, "Didn't you say I was all brute force? Not hurting you would be a

hurled at

steamy bathroom, his

memories of uncontrollable moments from three years

deep red as she turned away, "You brute, I

part of what I said was brutish?" Ludwik licked his lips, capturing her chin, his gaze deepening, "Clearly, it's

"I didn't think anything!"

more she admitted, boldly accepted, "Fine, I thought about it, and so did you! You must've thought first, otherwise why would

his restraint thinning, "Whitney,

what if I do? You find me

forward, wrapping her arms around his heated neck, provocatively saying, "I love seeing you contradict yourself, torn between desire and disgust, torturing yourself." "You're asking for it!" he pinned her against

already hoarsely out of control, damn it, Ludwik felt extreme annoyance, why did this woman always

Elaine in his life. How could he justify