The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1232

Georgia blinked, snapping back to reality. She turned to her friend with a half-smile and said, "Go ahead and have fun. Don't wait up for me."

With a serious look etched across her face, she trailed behind Alaric.

Georgia's friend knew better than to intrude. She understood Georgia's need to handle her own affairs and thus stayed back, allowing her the space she desired.

Alaric, steadying a limp Hertha, stumbled out of the buzzing bar. He glanced around at the city's nightlife that was alight with the neon glow of signs and the dizzying flashes of lights. His vision blurred, casting double images, and his head swam with dizziness.

He shook his head, trying to sober up, but the world only spun faster. He swayed, nearly collapsing and taking Hertha down with him. Thankfully, he staggered, crossing his legs awkwardly to regain his balance while clutching Hertha, who was out cold, heavy as a sack of potatoes in his arms.

As Alaric faltered, Hertha nearly slipped straight from his embrace, but with a last-ditch effort, he tightened his hold and pulled her back against him. She slumped against him, as limp as overcooked spaghetti.

Alaric teased, "Hertha, you haven't been skipping meals, have you? You're as heavy as a Thanksgiving turkey!"

He remembered Hertha's recent weight loss success. She had slimmed down, so much so that he had blurted out she looked like a "skinny monkey" and not in a flattering way. Perhaps spurred by his insensitive comment, she had bounced back to her former self in just a couple of months.

A little plush, with a slender face and curves in all the right places.

Now as Alaric enclosed her waist, his hands sank into the soft, cushiony feel of her, not bad at all.

Unconscious, Hertha leaned on Alaric's shoulder, unresponsive to his banter.

She clenched her fists and followed them into the hotel. As she entered, Alaric had just finished the check-in process and was staggering with Hertha toward the elevator.

Seething, Georgia quickened her pace, getting ahead of Alaric and purposely waiting in the elevator for him to come.

Alaric's head was lolling, his consciousness waning, yet his arms were locked firmly around Hertha. Even as his body swayed, he never once thought of letting her go.

One arm secured around Hertha's waist, pulling her close, and the other grabbed her hand, draping her arm around his neck for additional support, ensuring her body did not slip.

All that existed for him was the path to the room where he could put Hertha to rest. He was oblivious to anything else around him.