The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1968

At that moment, Alaric's gaze was fixed on her, and in an instant, their eyes met.

An invisible current seemed to spark between their gazes, igniting a palpable tension in the air.

Hertha's heart, once brimming with curiosity, now throbbed wildly with a scorching heat.

And Alaric, gazing into Hertha's big, luminous eyes, felt a strange flutter in his heart.

Most crucially, Hertha's hand rested in his pocket, its cool touch against his thigh through the thin fabric, stirring a response he was struggling to control.

Looking at Hertha before him, he felt intoxicated by her presence, his gaze slightly dazed, his mouth dry, his lips inching closer to hers.

Frozen in place, Hertha stood there, forgetting to withdraw her hand from his pocket.

With wide eyes, she watched as Alaric's face drew closer, his handsome features illuminated, his soft stubble glinting in the sunlight.

His breath, tinged with a familiar, mild mint scent, brushed against her face.

Hertha's heartbeat quickened, her breathing shallow, her body's reaction prompting her to close her eyes in anticipation of his kiss...

She felt the warmth of his lips, his breath hot upon hers, just a second away from a kiss...

"Beep beep!"

"Who's car is that, blocking the road? Move it!"

The impatient honking and cursing from the road snapped Hertha back to reality.