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 the thought of her was enough

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

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

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

flower to

into the quagmire of love,

words, coupled with his roguishly charming demeanor, seemed somewhat

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 with @mix of

are you mocking me?" Hertha hissed, bristling like a cornered

could I be