The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Hertha shot Alaric a quick glance, her cheeks flaming at the memory of that dizzying kiss that had left her in a whirl. Hurriedly, she turned away, scooping up Julian and heading inside.

She felt a flush of embarrassment. Just moments before, she had been firmly rejecting Alaric's advances, and the next, she was lost in his passionate kiss.

To an outsider, it might look like she was playing hard to get with Alaric.

But heaven knows, she had no interest in playing any sort of love games with Alaric.

Deciding to give up on a man she deeply loved was hard enough. Having made that decision, she didn't want to backslide so easily.

Yet, Alaric's unexpected kiss had broken down her defenses, making it all the more difficult to keep him at arm's length.

Though Hertha quickly turned away, Alaric still caught the blush spreading across her cheeks, as striking as the glow of a sunset, stirring something deep inside him.

flushed face made Alaric's throat tighten. But with his adorable daughter in his arms, he couldn't just lose his composure. He swallowed hard, trying to tamp down his

Kimberly pulled out chairs at the dining table, shooting Hertha a stern look before turning her gaze to Alaric with a huff, "You two, put down the kids and come sit. We need to have a

Hertha's nerves tensed, and she instinctively looked

that moment, Alaric was also looking her way, even more nervous than she was. After all, Kimberly was Hertha's mother, his potential mother-in-law. Offending

cautious, not wanting to

hoping she could

the helpless look in Hertha's eyes, Alaric realized she was just

dawned on Alaric that he didn't just need backing; he had to be the

With this realization, Alaric

lips curving into a polite smile, ready to face Kimberly

Julian to the playroom to enjoy some toys, and then we'll join you for

roll her eyes