Felix left with a sense of grievance.
Whitney rubbed her hands together, relishing the feast before her. She reached for a skewer of konjac, followed by some spicy beef and mushroom balls sitting on his side of the table. As she eagerly dived into the meal, she directed him, "Grab me some of this, that, and oh—more of those, please."
"Are you a pig?" The man glanced up, his aristocratic hands remaining still. "Waitress, could you get some veggies for this little piggy here?"
His voice, too magnetic and pleasant, immediately drew attention from the nearby diners.
Whitney's face flushed with annoyance as she looked around enviously. "Look at everyone else's boyfriends. They're doing so much for their girlfriend."
Her gaze wandered, observing the young couples around them, some still in their school uniforms, with the boys diligently serving their girlfriends and cooing endearments like, "Sweetie, careful, it's hot."
"Sweetie, want some bubble tea?"
It was all about pampering.
The more Whitney watched, the more she envied, especially compared to the icy glacier beside her, who seemed clueless about doting on a lady.
Ludwik, looking unimpressed, finally picked up a skewer and methodically placed meatballs into her plate. "That's as far as I'll go. Eat."
He was not one for such feminine displays of affection.
Deep and commanding, his voice drew near with a dangerous warmth, his clean, masculine scent enveloping her.
His fingers, long and strong, moved with purpose.
Whitney's cheeks warmed under his care, especially as she caught the envious glances from other girls around them.
Every woman has a touch of vanity, desiring their man to show care and affection, especially in love.
Content, she continued eating.
Unable to stomach his food, Felix walked past their window and was stunned. There was Ludwik, holding a cup and a napkin, tenderly helping his lady with her drink and wiping her lips clean. Was that really the stoic Mr. Lippert they all knew?
Felix could not resist taking a sneaky photo and quickly sharing it in the gossip group and the secretaries' work group.
[Check out our high-and-mighty Mr. Lippert, catering to his wife at a barbecue joint. I'm getting slaughtered in broad daylight here.]
Parker: [...]
Nolan: [Holy smokes, that's a slap in the face of romance. Ludwik at a barbecue? Wake me up!]
The secretaries' work group exploded with excitement, begging Felix for more. [Mr. Lippert and his lady look so in love! Felix, we need more!]
Meanwhile, the spice overcame Whitney, and Ludwik cautioned, "Stop with the spicy meatballs. Have some seaweed; it's good for the baby."
"I want bubble tea," Whitney pouted.
"Quiet."
He carefully wiped her lips with a napkin, and as he leaned closer, their eyes locked, her flushed lips tempting him.
Whitney looked up, catching Felix's reflection in the window, his phone aimed at them. She suspected that Elaine might see the photo. With a coy glance, she teased, "I want my bubble tea. Otherwise, I'll have to drink something else."
"What?" Ludwik was losing patience.
Suddenly, her plush lips met his, her eyes soft and seductive.
He took a deep breath and kissed her back passionately, his grip tightening. "Drink something else?"
He wrapped his arm around her waist, his whole body reacting, "You're quite the flirt, aren't you? Damn it, I want to take you right here..."
Whitney's face flushed deeper, her playful seduction working all too well.
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