Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1300

"Your best friend-she might've just hit her limit."

Whitney took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

First off, she hadn't even known Valerie had the baby... She'd missed so much. "I'm sorry, Ludwik, but I have to go see her!"

"Yeah." Ludwik's warm voice rumbled into her hair, his hand gently rubbing her forehead. “I knew you'd be anxious. That's why I didn't try to stop you just now."

Suddenly, it made sense-why he'd insisted on a moment together before she

left.

Her heart twisted a little. She looked up at him, her eyes shining and damp. After a moment, once she'd steadied her emotions, she rose on her toes, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "We've got plenty of time ahead of us. No need to rush tonight."

Was that... her way of making a promise?

Stubborn woman.

Not long ago, in their room, she'd sworn she'd never forgive him.

But now, something rippled in Ludwik's deep eyes-like still water stirring into waves. His rough palm cupped her slender neck and pulled her in, pressing her tight against his chest.

Whitney let out a soft gasp, her lips brushing against his throat.

to kiss her hair, voice thick with emotion. "Whitney, I'm taking that as a promise. A lot of time... like the

held her so firmly she

against his collarbone, she promised quietly, "Ludwik, I meant what I said.

His voice trembled,

seemed to whirl with emotion. He tipped up

her

away, she leaned in to kiss

"Is this goodbye

his big hand off her waist. "But

Under the

cheeks glowed softly, like peach blossoms at dusk. She looked at his impossibly handsome face, biting her lip as she reminded

be better if you helped your mom deal with Bryce, so she could

peace?" He

again. Neither

that again." His heart

He loved hearing that.

strong arm, finally letting her feelings show. "When I come back, I want to marry you

was fierce, his eyes

pushed him away before he could say more, jogging off toward the steps leading

the private jet, the Lippert family crew and pilot