The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 2018

Alaric kissed her with such fervor that it nearly took Hertha's breath away. Yet, Hertha could tell that this kiss, contrary to his passionate declarations, lacked the sweetness of genuine desire. It felt more forced than spontaneous.

Hertha felt like she was suffocating under his intense kiss. She quickly raised her hands, her fingers entwining in Alaric's hair, gripping his head, and pushed him away forcefully. Free from the kiss, Hertha gasped for air and glared at Alaric above her. "Have you lost your mind?"

Alaric, too, was breathing heavily, his seductive eyes shimmering, locked onto Hertha below him. "If you keep ignoring me, I might actually lose it. Tell me, are you mad at me?"

He wasn't afraid of Hertha confronting him; he was terrified of her indifference. Looking at Alaric's earnest and somewhat innocent expression, Hertha felt a tug at her heartstrings. His good looks had always been her weakness; a single innocent glance from him, and she’d melt. She couldn't bring herself to leave him. The only option was to confront the issues head-on.

Taking a deep breath to steady her racing heart, Hertha asked, "How many times have you been with Georgia?"

Alaric tensed up, his gaze growing anxious. "Why would you ask that?"

It was a sensitive topic between them. Mentioning Georgia now could only hurt their relationship, Alaric feared.

"If I'm lying, I'm a scoundrel!" Alaric was desperate to prove his innocence.

"And in three years of being engaged to Georgia, nothing happened? She never tempted you?" Hertha asked, disbelief coloring her tone.

Truth be told, one time was beyond her expectations; she had braced herself for a number too numerous to count. In three years, for a couple engaged to be married, wasn’t once almost too hard to believe?