Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1282

Whitney’s cheeks went pink as she snuck a glance at the man in the wheelchair beside her. Even in that unflattering hospital gown and smelling like a bottle of hand sanitizer, he still managed to look sharp and intense—impossibly attractive.

Her almond-shaped eyes narrowed with mischief. She reached out and gave his earlobe a playful squeeze, making Ludwik flinch. With a lazy little smirk, she teased, “Thanks for the tip. I already know exactly where I’d like to burn you.”

Ludwik just stared at her, speechless.

His ear was still tingling from her touch, a faint ache lingering.

He shot a glare at Parker. “That’s it, man. We’re done. Get lost.”

Parker rolled his eyes. “Oh please, like you didn’t ditch me for her first. I’m just the innocent bystander here.”

“Yeah? Well, I signed up for this, you didn’t. Sucks to be you.”

“Dude, you’re ruthless. No heart at all!”

Whitney watched the two guys bicker, shaking her head with a grin. She couldn’t help but tease, “Honestly, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you two were the real couple here. So, after all these years, you never had a little crush on each other?”

Ludwik looked horrified. “Whitney, gross. Don’t even joke about that.”

“Oh, god, no—me and him? Never. Couldn’t do it, not even a little bit.”

The two men looked ready to throw up at the mere suggestion. Whitney bit her lip to keep from laughing, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Well, if you guys can’t swing that way, I totally could. If you two weren’t around, I’d move in with TianaValerie and live happily ever after.”

“Don’t you dare!” Ludwik said, suddenly deadly serious. He pulled her closer, locking her in his arms. “You’re only allowed to be a weirdo with me, got it?”

Whitney squirmed, unable to break free from his grip.

Even through their clothes, she could feel the strength in his hands.

She calmly reached for the box of rubber gloves, pulling on two layers for good measure.

Ludwik stared at her. Was there ever an ex-wife as heartless as this? Didn’t she know a little flirting would be so much easier?

Whitney was a total fortress. And the worst part? That adorable face of hers, right there in front of him, taunting him. Damn it, once he was out of this hospital, he was making her his a dozen times over.

...

One week later.

The head of surgery finished his rounds with a resigned sigh, leaving Ludwik’s room. Without missing a beat, Ludwik told Felix to get his discharge papers ready.

But before Felix returned, Shane burst in, all business, and snatched up the discharge forms—