The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 2005

Hertha shot Alaric a quick glance, her cheeks flaming at the memory of that dizzying kiss that had left her in a whirl. Hurriedly, she turned away, scooping up Julian and heading inside.

She felt a flush of embarrassment. Just moments before, she had been firmly rejecting Alaric's advances, and the next, she was lost in his passionate kiss.

To an outsider, it might look like she was playing hard to get with Alaric.

But heaven knows, she had no interest in playing any sort of love games with Alaric.

Deciding to give up on a man she deeply loved was hard enough. Having made that decision, she didn't want to backslide so easily.

Yet, Alaric's unexpected kiss had broken down her defenses, making it all the more difficult to keep him at arm's length.

Though Hertha quickly turned away, Alaric still caught the blush spreading across her cheeks, as striking as the glow of a sunset, stirring something deep inside him.

The reaction from that kiss hadn't fully subsided yet, and seeing Hertha's embarrassed, flushed face made Alaric's throat tighten. But with his adorable daughter in his arms, he couldn't just lose his composure. He swallowed hard, trying to tamp down his strong reaction, and followed Hertha inside with Helena in tow.

As soon as they entered, Kimberly pulled out chairs at the dining table, shooting Hertha a stern look before turning her gaze to Alaric with a huff, "You two, put down the kids and come sit. We need to have a talk."

Hearing the words "we need to have a talk," Hertha's nerves tensed, and she instinctively looked at Alaric for some support.

At that moment, Alaric was also looking her way, even more nervous than she was. After all, Kimberly was Hertha's mother, his potential mother-in-law. Offending her could make marrying Hertha even more challenging.

So, Alaric was extra cautious, not wanting to upset the mother-in-law.

He looked at Hertha, hoping she could back him up.