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.

Hertha could make him feel this way. Just

fleeting affairs, strangers passing by, with whom he never wanted a second encounter, let alone

just once, she had lingered

the mere memory of that night, its sweet intoxication, would

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

flower to flower,

fallen into the quagmire of

his roguishly charming demeanor, seemed

her skin tingle, and she instinctively recoiled, stopping in her tracks to turn and glare

are you mocking me?" Hertha hissed,

could I be mocking you? I was