The Billionaire's Secret Quartet

Chapter 1423
Hertha barely came up to Alarie’s shoulder, and as he stumbled beside her, his entire frame seemed to press down upon her,
casting a shadow that enveloped her in its dark embrace. His gaze, which had been looking downward, met Hertha’s face head–
on.
Flushed with worry and anxiety, her cheeks bore a touch of pink, and her round, doe–like eyes were wide with surprise as they
locked with his.
Alaric hadn’t expected to be this close to her se abruptly. He could feel her breath, quick and erratic, and the subtle scent of her
body wash was unmistakable in the air.
A warmth spread through his lower belly, his throat tightening in response.
Impulsiveness was Alaric’s hallmark. He was never one to deny himself what he wanted.
He lowered his head, his lips inching closer to Hertha’s.
The sight of his handsome face looming larger before her, his breath warm upon her skin, sent Hertha’s heart racing, her
thoughts a tangled mess.
Every inch of her body screamed to kiss him, yet her rationality held her back.
Just as Alaric’s lips were about to claim hers, Hertha put up her hand, blocking him, her eyes wide with refusal. “Alaric, this is too
much,” she protested. “In the corridor outside the meeting room, you acted out to spite your fiancée, and now this? By what right
do you think you can kiss me?”
Alaric’s advance halted, his lips now touching only the coolness of Hertha’s fingers. The heat from his lips clashed with the chill
of her fingertips, a fiery dance that sparked something wild within.
Capturing her hand that had stopped his kiss, Alaric’s voice was husky as he spoke, “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
As he spoke, his fingertips gently caressed Hertha’s arm, the rough touch against her smooth skin sending a tantalizing shiver
through her.
Hertha realized she was clutching his collar, pulling him down towards her, an action that was as ambiguous as it was
suggestive.

It looked like she was the one pulling him in for a kiss.
Quickly, she let go of his collar, withdrawing her other hand from his grasp, and took a step back to put some distance between
them. Her gaze darted around without focus, her voice losing its confidence as she said, “You’re overthinking it. I just didn’t want
you to scare the kids in the neighborhood.”
“Scare them? Do I look that terrifying?” Alaric arched an eyebrow, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, trying to suppress the
desire that had been stirred.
She had been so persistent in her pursuit of him because of his looks, and now she was dismissing him as if he were some kind
of boogeyman. He had merely wanted to check out the local playground, and here she was, worried he’d frighten the local
children with his uptown vibe.
Whatever pleasure Alaric had felt moments before was now replaced by annoyance.
“It’s not that you’re scary, it’s just you’ve got this aura about you, not like the folks from around here. The parents at the
playground are mostly elderly. They’re not used to seeing someone like you. If they get intimidated, it’ll spoil their fun with the
grandkids. I was concerned you’d be a disturbance, that’s why I pulled you aside
Hertha, who had been at a loss for words to explain her earlier urgency, suddenly found herself with a plausible excuse.
But she hadn’t anticipated Alaric’s follow–up question, which once again put her on the spot.
“You don’t have kids, nor do you have elders to watch them for you. How would you know how these grandparents would react to
me?” Alanic inquired, his eyebrows lifted inquisitively, his captivating eyes hinting at something more.
Hearing this, Hertha’s heart skipped a beat. She had been proud of her quick wit, but now she felt like she had just shot herself
in the foot
Damn, how could she answer this question without raising Alaric’s suspicions?