Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1299

Whitney stared at the man's mouth, catching the hint of a smirk playing at the edge of his lips.

She'd known him long enough to be sure he wasn't genuinely asking for medical advice. No, that look was the same one he'd had just moments ago-full of mischief and a little too satisfied.

His gaze lingered, warm and suggestive, making goosebumps race down her back despite the heat of the room.

Whitney bit her lip and tossed the bar of soap at him.

Ludwik dodged easily, the laugh rumbling in his throat. "Feeling a little put out? I was holding back, you know. If I hadn't, you'd be down on your knees, giving me a kiss for my troubles."

The image flashed in her mind her on one knee just a while ago.

A kiss, huh...

She shot him a glare. "Keep dreaming. If you ever try that, I won't hesitate to break something else."

Ludwik just grinned, his voice low and rough. "Seems like I'm all healed up, Dr. Valentine. Your bedside manner did the trick, I'll give you that."

Whitney's cheeks were burning.

She tried to keep her cool, professional composure, but her mind kept replaying those moments-how he'd coaxed her, half teasing, half commanding, until he'd gotten what he wanted.

fine. He was smug, strong, and she couldn't get the upper

her embarrassment and flicked water off her hands. "Glad you appreciate my hard work.

fast.

remembering his strange comment from earlier. "Right...

stepped closer, suddenly serious. Buckling his belt, his tailored suit pants made his legs look even longer and more powerful. He had a presence- commanding, magnetic-as he crossed the room

him.

"The helicopter's ready for you on the back lawn. You can leave tonight if you want, but I'd rather you

where?" Whitney was

but there was a cold edge as night pressed in around them.

then her heart started

saying? Is something wrong

her. Both of them are

"What?!"

a baby girl. She went back

pale, her eyes

hadn't anyone

a few days ago. She'd sensed something was

hard at

to

you need to