Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 727

"That scoundrel," she fumed, her anger boiling over. "Even on his last legs, he can't shake off his true nature." She was especially incensed, warning him, "That was the past. We've cut ties long ago. I'm married now." Ludwik's gaze darkened.

With a flippant tone, he retorted, "Doesn't make much of a difference. On your wedding night, instead of being with your husband, you were in my bed, Whitney. Have you forgotten? I doubt you could forget; we were...busy all night." "Shut up." Damn it, why did he have to bring that up?

Whitney's face flushed with anger, her beauty and her porcelain features shimmering under the light, ensnaring Ludwik's gaze. It was maddening how familiar he was with every inch of her, his temperature rising uncontrollably as he reached out, his hand brushing her cheek.

Whitney shivered at the touch, those memories imprinted on her very skin.

Angry at her own instinctive reaction, she hissed, "Ludwik, what the hell do you think you're doing? Don't you dare, Danny is sleeping right next to us. I swear, if you try anything, I'll bite you. And besides, you're not even...in the game anymore. Can't you behave for once?" His hand stiffened at her words, a sharp pain piercing his heart.

His face went pale instantly.

Whitney bit her lip, regretting her harshness. Men had their pride, especially concerning certain matters, which to them were more critical than life itself.

"I didn't mean to belittle you, but you're really crossing the line here!"

"Crossing the line? Knowing my condition, you should worry even less. Even if I wanted to, I...I can't have you."

Ludwik was visibly frustrated, his touch on her lips restrained, yet his flirtatious nature hard to conceal. "Talking about biting me? You know that reminds me of a certain flavor, Whitney, damn it..."

"..." What was he even saying? Whitney thought he was speaking in riddles, but she understood all too well, feeling harassed in the quiet of the night. Her face turned crimson, "Just shut up. You should be keeping to yourself at this point. Stay away from me. You're still a man, after all; stop talking nonsense."

"I'm no longer a man," Ludwik said coldly.

a bleak outlook from him. There had to be a way to help

came back? Maybe you could show

his audacity. Was he really seeking treatment, or just looking for an excuse to be close

just any man to her, after

our grudge runs? Besides, you deserve this fate. Maybe you won't harm any other woman now." "I don't want to harm any other woman; I just want to harm you. Without you, I might as well

chuckled bitterly, his handsome face

his thick lashes drooping, his whole demeanor

the victim too well or if she was seeing things. Was he

but she didn't

me, do you not need...that

quite good. With modern medicine, there's still hope." Seeing her soften, Ludwik pretended to be more dejected, wrapping his arms around her. "I don't know why,

Whitney was livid. "Get

stubbornly stayed by her side, his embrace filled with the warmth and scent of a man, his gaze drooping even more. "I'm so

was quite the contrast to his

of his touch. He was still strong,

could he

her face gently, "You're touching

Damn it, she really should kick him where

dimmed, he tenderly fixed her hair, his voice hoarse, "No more jokes. I fear I might accidentally

you anew, but I dare not, fearing I

me, please, leave Bryce. Even if you

disturb you, but Bryce...he's

Whitney frowned, puzzled by