Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1298

As the man's gaze lingered on her, she turned her head with a cool, cutting look at his strikingly handsome

face. "What are you so happy about? This has nothing to do with you."

"Oh, really? Without me, where would these three adorable kids have come from?" Ludwik replied with a

casual grin, effortlessly pulling her into his broad arms.

"You've got some nerve. Don't think for a second I'm going to forgive you—not tonight, not ever."

Whitney shoved at his chest, her words icy and final.

"No forgiveness, then. Fine by me," Ludwik said, suddenly seeming unbothered.

He didn't let go. Instead, he tilted her chin up, their noses brushing, his deep voice rumbling as he looked

straight into her stormy, tear-bright eyes. "I love you, and that's enough for me. How about another round—

buy three, get one free?"

He gave a sly wink. "And by the way, our little girl is staying with the Lipperts. If you want her, you'll have to

stay too. I mean, you need a man around the house, don't you?"

"Oh, you mean like a guard dog?" Whitney shot back, picturing it and letting a smirk curl her lips.

Her smile was as tempting as strawberries blooming in the dead of winter, a soft, sweet scent that made his

heart itch.

leaned in, eyes dark with intent, and captured her lips in

kiss. "Big bad wolf, ready

waist, pulling her against his

could feel just how

he deepened the kiss, claiming

protest.

bottle—she's not done eating..."

had disappeared, his strong fingers now entwining with hers, guiding her hand

into dangerous territory.

need to be

starving."

tried to kick him,

laughed, scooping her up

and settling

straddling her across his

pinned her

from wriggling away.

control, kneading her delicate hand with his,

Whitney, help me out

brushing her neck, voice thick with need. "Just a minute,

quick—don't you have other things

now

fuzzy and her

he drew her

voice

things

have to do later?"

smiled, mysterious and