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.

only Hertha could make him feel this way. Just the thought of her was enough to stir

women were fleeting affairs, strangers passing by, with whom he never

just once, she had lingered in his heart, impossible to shake

sweet

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

flower to flower, Alaric realized,

had fallen into the quagmire of love, unable to extricate

words, coupled with his roguishly charming demeanor,

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

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

taken aback, "How could I