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.

years, only Hertha could make him feel this way. Just the thought

affairs, strangers passing by, with whom he never wanted a second

Though they'd been together just once, she had lingered in his heart, impossible to

sweet intoxication, would swirl in his heart, impossible

Hertha, the more his heart yearned for her, craving even a glimpse to soothe his restless

flower to flower, Alaric realized, this

into the quagmire of love, unable

words, coupled with his roguishly charming

breath on Hertha's ear made her skin tingle, and she instinctively recoiled, stopping in her tracks to turn and glare at Alaric, her wide eyes shimmering

you mocking me?" Hertha hissed, bristling like

aback, "How could I be mocking you?