Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 12

In an instant, Whitney's gaze trailed down the chiseled collarbone of the man before her, her eyes widening with a mix of shock and a hint of desire she could not quite conceal.

He seemed to relax, noticing her stare.

Damn it.

Not only did this guy have a face to die for, but his physique was the epitome of rugged charm. Broad shoulders tapered down to a lean waist, each muscle in his abdomen as defined as if it were etched in stone. And those legs—long, firm, and peeking out from the bottom of his towel—were downright sinful.

Wait a minute, was this guy her arch-nemesis? Looking like this?

Whitney could not believe it. A tear of appreciation escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"Got an eyeful yet?" A cool, teasing voice floated down from above her.

"Or are you so satisfied with the view that you can't tear yourself away?" The man's playful yet piercing gaze drifted to the towel around his waist.

Whitney's cheeks flamed red. It was not like she meant to gawk at that particular area.

"Sorry!" She stammered, trying to turn away.

"Miss," he drawled, amusement lacing his voice. "you're about to pull off my towel."

Whitney blinked in confusion, then looked down. Damn it, why was she holding onto one end of his towel?!

She tried to hand it back to him, but as she turned, her foot caught on the rug, and she stumbled, causing the towel to unravel from around the man's waist.

"Ah! Sorry!" She exclaimed, eyes shut tight.

"Careful!" He frowned, reaching out to catch her as she fell.

“Thud.”

Whitney slowly opened her eyes to find herself sprawled on top of him.

And to her utter mortification, her hand was still clutching the towel, now draped across her back and covering them both.

Which meant he was completely...

Whitney suddenly realized just how compromising their position was.

"Don't move!" he warned her in a husky voice.

Whitney froze, her face burning even hotter.

"I won't look. I'll just slowly hand you the towel!" She said, her eyes closed tight, hand shaking as she tried to grab the fabric.

But the man did not respond, his breathing growing heavier.

Peeking through her lashes, Whitney caught him looking down her neckline, his eyes smoldering.

She looked down and let out a sharp scream, immediately scolding him, "You pervert, what are you looking at?"

His gaze then shifted down her legs, and Whitney followed his eyes to see her pleated skirt was way too short!

She blushed furiously and warned him, "Close your eyes!"

"You dressed like this for me to look, didn't you?" He teased, his voice rough and provocative.

That was because someone else had made her change!

Whitney tried to shift her angle slightly, but the man suddenly grunted and growled, "Be careful, or your face might touch something."

Whitney stiffened, her cheeks blazing.

He began to pull the towel from her back, gently easing her off him.

Whitney sat to the side, covering her eyes, panting. "Okay, are you decent now?"

Looking at her flushed appearance, the man hooked the corner of his lips in a faint smile.

"Stand up slowly," he advised, not wanting her to stumble again.

Seeing him wrapped in the towel once more, Whitney dared to open her eyes. The man seemed oddly familiar.

Looking at his perfectly sculpted features, Whitney remembered the purpose of her visit. "Hey, are you the owner of Imperial Gem Corporation, Mr. Lippert?"

"And who might you be?" He asked, towering above her with an air of indifference as if he did not know her at all.

"I'm the owner of Skye Gem Ltd.! Your sworn enemy," Whitney declared with a mix of frustration and anger.

"Never heard of it," he replied arrogantly, his gaze deep and unreadable.

He claimed not to know her? But he had emailed her insults about her figure! Whitney refused to believe he did not recognize her.

"Are you Mr. Lippert or not?" She pressed, seeking confirmation.

He gave her a fleeting glance, his look dark and warning, "Is it safe for you to be standing here dressed like that? Or are you interested in watching me change my pants? If something else happens, I might just have to pin you down."

Whitney was dumbstruck, and upon glancing down, she noticed her shirt was about to tear!

And the man, unhurried, began to unravel the towel.