Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"No, I was talking about Ashton Fuller..."

Ludwik wanted to bring up Ashton and his ex-wife-he'd heard from Parker it was a real mess.

Wasn't Ashton's ex-wife supposed to be Whitney's best friend?

But he thought better of it, worried Whitney had enough on her plate. He hesitated, then muttered, "Never mind. Just hurry back and keep me company, I miss you."

Whitney paused for a second, his voice slipping right into her ear.

Her cheeks warmed, a little flutter of heat rising up. She bit her lip and said, "You'll have to wait."

"What else could possibly be up?" Ludwik grumbled.

"My parents, obviously!"

Ludwik frowned, but didn't argue. He sighed, sounding bored, "Ms. Valentine, you sure keep yourself busy-except when it comes to your own little family."

"Excuse me? I care plenty! I'm just about to check in on our daughter."

His tone softened, a quiet laugh rumbling in his chest. "That's more like it. If I wasn't still recovering, I could take care of her myself. I've got tons of experience, you know."

he was half bragging, half playing

day, he'd been both mom and

of the freezing Atlantic, both of them barely

a little mocking. "Oh right, all that experience. That's why you looked after Danny so well he was always skinny, sick every other week, and

just as healthy

five pounds lighter, that's

long hand over his brow, exasperated. "You women and your obsession with

face dropped in a

a kid makes a big

was pointless. She cut him off, cool as ice. "No point in talking if you

buzzed. Ludwik glanced at his phone, scowled, and tossed

bad mood? You've been on the phone for

don't you just leave?" Ludwik

something terrible

your ass, running your

you like I'm your mother. And Whitney-what, she saved the galaxy last time around? You should see your face when you're talking to

the mirror next

cursed him for