Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 66

Whitney peeked through the parted curtains, her eyes taking in the opulence of the private courtyard complete with its own shimmering pond. He had booked the entire venue—this guy was loaded.

The man watched her intently, attempting several times to take her hand, but she resisted, tucking her hands away and awkwardly leading the way.

Ludwik gave a low chuckle. His towering figure was emanating a grace charm as he closed in on her and whispered, "What about what I said back in the room? Have you thought it over?"

Whitney bit her lip, "I don't quite follow what you mean by ‘a real shot’."

He turned back, grasping her slender shoulder with a firm, serious grip, "I meant, let's give a real relationship a shot. What do you say we see if this one-year trial marriage can transition into a lasting union?"

Whitney's heart skipped a beat as if something inside her had exploded.

She stood there, dazed, her silly expression oddly endearing.

Ludwik knew about her past relationship, but when it came to matters of the heart, she seemed utterly clueless. She was pure as untouched canvas and couldn’t stand a man’s flirtatious movement at all. Her constant blush and watery eyes were too tempting to resist.

He tickled her neck again as his voice became hoarse with urgency, "Well? What's your answer?"

In a panic, she pushed his hand away; her mind was already a whirlwind from the intimate moment they'd shared in the suite.

And now he was talking about dating? Oh God, that was a total mess.

Whitney hurried towards the hot spring pool, her heartbeat erratic. There, on a stone bench, she saw a table set for dinner, adorned with a sumptuous spread of fine cuisine and pastries—had he arranged a romantic hot spring dinner too? Was this his idea of a date?

She shook her head in annoyance. What was she even thinking?

Noticing her gaze fixed on the cake, he assumed she was just hungry. With a helpless chuckle, he pushed a slice into her mouth, "Eat! And then give me your answer."

Whitney glared at him silently. Did she look like a hungry kitten to him?

Her cheeks flushed with irritation as he pressed her for the answer, "Nobody forces one to date like you do."

Considering he was the one who'd suggested a 'trial marriage', Ludwik held back his frustration, "How about we soak in the spa first?"

He pointed out, "There's your swimsuit."

Whitney looked down to see matching men's and women's robes laid out on the floor.

She turned to look for a changing room.

But before she could, Ludwik was peeling off his shirt and revealing his well-defined and enticing chest.

"Ah! What are you doing, L?"

"Getting changed for a bath. What, should I go in naked?"

"I meant, where's your pool? Get to your own pool."

"My dear lady, must you be so proper with me? I am your husband, after all."

"A fake one!"

His brow arched, and he approached her with long strides, "I just talked about getting serious, and you're back to 'fake' again?"

Whitney pouted, "I didn't agree to anything."

He halted, and his expression was unreadable, "Then I'll wait for your agreement for just one sec. Make it quick, or else I'll—"

With a fluid motion, he unbuckled his belt, and his trousers fell to the floor in a swoosh.

"Ah—" Whitney's shriek echoed again, "Just put on your swim trunks! Why are you being such a rogue?"

He let out a low chuckle.

Her face turned a deeper shade of red, her hands covering her eyes. Even in that brief glimpse, she'd seen the sculpted legs, as well as the narrow but powerful waist. The man's waist was deadly—too sexy for words.

Was she his first one?

As if reading her mind, he leaned toward her earlobes and let out a husky chuckle there, "Indeed, you are. Remember what I said that night at the hotel? You were my first, and so far, the only one I'm interested in. Remember my words and don't doubt me so easily, little kitten."

Unbeknownst to her, his large hand had found its way to her belly.

Through the sweater, Whitney felt an intense heat. The atmosphere was extremely simmering.

He looked down and narrowed his eyes with desire; he was leaning in for a kiss but Whitney backed away.

Seeing the white skin of her neck, his breathing intensified. The warmth of the pool made his heart race.

Whitney raised her eyebrows, "What little kitten? You have no respect for me. If I agree to date you, you can't just touch and kiss me whenever you want. You need to respect me. Marriage is about equality, you know."

"OK," he conceded with a frown of discomfort and his gaze was grim.

Whitney nearly melted under his intense stare, her cheeks blushing with indignation, "You ate Elaine's lychee today. You're tainted."

A laugh rumbled in his chest as he eyed her, "Still jealous? I told you about Elaine's role. Besides, I didn't even touch that lychee. Satisfied now?"

Whitney pouted, "What about her saying you bit her finger?"

Ludwik massaged his brows, "You actually believe that? Do you have any idea how many women try to feed me their homemade treats? If I indulged every single one, I'd have keeled over by now."

Whitney stifled a laugh, her voice playful yet pointed, "Smooth talker."

The man's hand captured her delicate chin, his voice deep and laced with a raw desire, "I don't like other women getting close to me. You're the exception, though I can't quite put my finger on why."

Whitney remained silent. Her cheeks turned a shade of crimson under the moonlight.

Could it be that he was speaking the truth?