Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 653

Tarquin and Elysia were both momentarily stunned, speechless.

Despite the fire raging inside him, Tarquin hadn't actually considered staying over. He turned to Elysia, waiting for her to make the arrangements...

Elysia froze for a few seconds before quickly declining, "No way, no way, our couch is too small. It'd be a terrible night's sleep for everyone if we tried to squeeze in. He should head home."

After she said this, she hurriedly looked back at Tarquin. His intense gaze made her avert her eyes momentarily before she mustered up the courage to say, "It's bedtime for the kids, and you should be heading out too."

Tarquin: "..." He knew it. He knew she wouldn't let him stay.

He didn't respond but turned to the kids instead, "I've got an early start tomorrow, and it wouldn't be convenient to stay here. But, how about I finish the bedtime story before I go?"

At the mention of a bedtime story, the children immediately perked up, especially Evan and Emmett, "You know bedtime stories?"

"Yep, want to hear one?"

"What stories do you know?"

"What do you want to hear?"

you know any stories

"I do!"

want to hear it!

and turned to Elysia, "I'll just finish a bedtime story for them, then I'll leave, okay?"

on his way now. His presence made her anxious, too anxious. She felt

a wolf eyeing

was as if he might pounce

eager faces of the little ones, her heart softened. Her lips moved slightly, and she finally relented, "Okay, fine. But it's already

"Deal!"

"Bigfoot stories can

blame me if you end up crying

kids fell silent, but Elysia couldn't help but interject, "Don't scare

a smile, "Just having a bit of fun. You sure you

for a moment,

refocused on the TV, trying to

smile lingered as he watched her for a few seconds before

close, Elysia turned back once

the children bombarding him with questions,