The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Alaric stood rooted to the spot, digesting Hertha's words before the penny dropped. He hurried after her, "Hertha, they're newlyweds, basking in their honeymoon bliss. Is it really right for me to intrude and expect thanks?"

"There's nothing wrong with it," Hertha said.

"Every moment of a honeymoon is precious, don't you know?" Alaric said.

"I wouldn't know; I've never had one," Hertha replied nonchalantly, not slowing her pace.

"How can you say you've never had one? Three years ago, we had our moment, and that night gave us two beautiful kids," Alaric whispered, edging closer to Hertha with a mischievous grin, his words laced with an intimacy only they could understand.

Just thinking about that night made Alaric's throat tighten and warmth spread through his abdomen.

this way. Just the thought of her was enough

strangers passing by, with whom he never

together just once, she

of that night, its sweet intoxication, would swirl in his heart, impossible

his heart yearned for her,

years of flitting from flower to flower,

quagmire of love, unable to

heartfelt words, coupled with his roguishly

skin tingle, and she instinctively recoiled, stopping in her tracks to turn and glare at Alaric, her wide eyes shimmering with @mix of alarm

mocking me?" Hertha hissed, bristling like a

could I be mocking you? I was