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

by, with whom he never wanted a second encounter, let alone to

together just once, she

mere memory of that night, its sweet

Hertha, the more his heart yearned for her, craving even

flitting from flower to flower, Alaric realized, this

quagmire of love, unable

with his roguishly charming demeanor, seemed somewhat

of his breath on Hertha's ear made her skin tingle, and she instinctively recoiled, stopping in her

are you mocking me?" Hertha hissed, bristling

aback, "How could I be