Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

“Who’s this nemesis of yours?” He took a sip.

“Imperial Gem Corporation’s obnoxious boss!”

His eyes darkened, “What beef does he have with you?”

“It’s an old family feud, a cutthroat business rivalry! You into business? If not, you wouldn’t understand,”

The assistant behind the boss stifled a laugh. The lady sure spoke her mind.

His eyes playful, L asked coldly, “Does your nemesis even take you seriously?”

“He said I have a small chest. That’s a grudge I won’t even let go!”

His gaze trailed down to the base of her neck. He frowned, failing to remember, and slowly said, “So he did, but haven’t you grown bigger?”

Whitney suddenly crossed her arms, her face turning red, “L, Whose side are you on?”

The assistant thought, “What an extremely interesting question.”

Elegantly taking a bite of spaghetti, he crossed his legs. “Don’t worry about the painting.”

“Why not?”

“Imperial Gem’s Mr. Lippert isn’t fond of landscape paintings.”

Whitney’s eyes sparkled. “You’re guessing? That’s what I thought, too! A man that handsome couldn’t possibly have such an old soul as to like landscape paintings, right? I’ll let you in on a secret. That creep likes young girls!”

The assistant twitched, glancing at the boss.

Noticing the man’s suddenly grim expression, Whitney was puzzled, “What’s the matter, Mr. L?”

He narrowed his cool eyes, “You could try a different approach to win him over.”

དེ་རི

Chapter 28

“How so?”

Your sign–in rewar. Come to claim your free coins.

“Come here.” He beckoned with a finger.

Suspicious, Whitney approached, her clean, soft nightgown revealing a slender waist as he pulled her into his

embrace.

She gasped, landing on his lap, his muscular physique solid and powerful.

Suddenly close in his arms, Whitney squirmed uncomfortably. He held down her struggling hands, his voice sinfully low, “There are a few ways a woman can please a man. Which do you think?”

Whitney caught on, her brows furrowed, “You mean I should seduce my nemesis? He can get lost; besides, I wouldn’t betray you.”

He raised an eyebrow. Whether he was pleased or cold was unknown. “You are quite loyal to me.”

“We have an agreement.”

“Shall we practice?” He suggested, seducing the young woman with his mature charm.

“Practice what?”

“Charm a man,” he murmured, his breath warming the delicate skin below her earlobe.

Whitney’s cheeks flushed a deep pink as his gaze darkened like ink, his large hand settling firmly on the small of her waist. He coached in a low voice, “To charm a man, you need to be soft–soft in your demeanor, tone, and movements.”

“How do I… be soft?” Whitney felt as if she were intoxicated, not by wine but by his intoxicating presence. How else could she explain following his lead so willingly?

The next moment, she felt weightless, gently lifted and placed on the tabletop.

Chapter 29

The plates were just beside her, and towering above was a man of statuesque stature.

exuded a warmth that seemed

bringing his handsome lips close to her ear. His cheek brushed against her hair, hovering just an inch from her lips, neither advancing nor retreating. He simply hooked his lips and

with her? Whitney felt like she was running out of breath, her face blushing furiously as she

noticed her rising temperature and arched

like a

his eyes

to be outdone. She straightened her back, deliberately draping her hands

leaned toward the man’s chiseled jaw, her lips brushing

drew near, she did not kiss him,

she heard his breathing deepen into a

lips, her eyes provocatively challenging him, “So, Sir, are you

chest heaved with a dangerous edge.

he took control of her chin

S G B F

mind went blank, struggling

smirked, rolling his lips over hers, not

released her. Now, his eyes were tinged with red, staring at her flushed face for a moment before he turned irritably

after, Whitney heard the sound of running

taken the time to set her down before he went

her crimson face,

it turned into a kiss? She hurriedly began to clear the tableware, trying to calm herself, but her heartbeat was still skipping beats, the air thick with innuendo. And then she wondered, why had he taken a

Could it be…

flushed even

that kiss. The man had kissed her twice before, and both times, she had been too busy resisting. But tonight, in addition to resistance, there seemed

man’s flirting game

covers, thanking her lucky stars he had not entered her

next day, Whitney woke up

1/2

15:01

tie, Madein?”

he gone

to tie

towering height required her to stand on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting

“I have to travel for work. I’ll

at the sight, and Whitney’s face turned even redder

called out to her, inviting her down for breakfast, but she

stomach growled, hunger striking quickly now that she was pregnant. Whitney opened the curtains to see if the man had left; she would head down

eye in

in the passenger seat, a mass of curly hair obscuring her face, but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous.

the man approached, holding the tie Whitney had playfully knotted,

He did not refuse.

drove

tightened on the drapes, the previous tenderness

Unlikely, a secretary would not act so

Who was she?

pondered, yet also felt ridiculous for doing

she was his girlfriend. After all, she and this man were married only by agreement because of the sudden arrival of the child, and he still

normal for him to have had a girlfriend

all, the deal was just for a year. Maybe when it ended, he would marry

Whitney thought, but her heart still

he flirt with her last night if that

he just an expert in the game, with many women

doused

night? Or did she think he was a good

been enough? After experiencing all that despair, she would not

20/3

15:01

reaching for his tie. He glanced at her with an air of noble indifference. He seemed to

curved his lips and said, “What do we

your own business, Whitney snapped

hands and standing tall before

“Has he gone

on tiptoes, and she looped the tie around his neck, knotting it tightly,

“I

and Whitney’s face turned even redder as she ducked back into

down for

curtains to see if the man had left; she would head down to eat once

caught Whitney’s eye in the car, waiting for him

face, but her silhouette was unmistakably voluptuous. She wore a tight red dress that was both understated