Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

"Take it out of the lab? Absolutely not! The only way you're allowed to work on it is at the hospital."”

Sabrina muttered, half amused, half exasperated.

"You have no idea what a golden opportunity this is! If it weren't for me, you'd never get anywhere near the best medical experts in the country. Stop trying to bargain with me!"

Elysia's tone was cool, almost bored. "Then never mind. I'm not going."

Sabrina stared at her, stunned. "You're not coming? Don't you want to work on virus research with me?"

"Nope. Not interested."

"Wait-did you hear what I just said? I'm offering you a chance to work with the top medical minds, to maybe get a spot in the Medical & Pharmaceutical Association!"

"I heard you. Still not interested."

Sabrina couldn't believe it. "Do you even realize what it means to rub shoulders with those people? Or what joining the Medical & Pharmaceutical Association could do for your career?"

"I don't know, and honestly, I don't care. The Association isn't exactly a dream of mine."

Sabrina was dumbfounded. "You don't care about the Association? Are you out of your mind?"

Before Elysia could answer, Tarquin snatched her phone and cut in, his voice icy. "Maybe you're the one who's lost it. Stop bothering my wife and get lost."

He hung up, not waiting for a reply.

Sabrina just stared at her phone, so shocked her jaw nearly hit the floor. Ungrateful brat!

Absolutely clueless!

She'd offered Elysia a free pass into the Medical & Pharmaceutical Association, something most people would kill for, and all she got was a brush-off?

Was Elysia some kind of idiot?

If she didn't care about the Association, what future did she think she had in medicine?

Moron!

Sabrina gritted her teeth, seething.

"Reject me, will she? She'll regret this; just wait. Even if she comes crawling back

someday, I won't give her another chance. Stupid little nobody!"

She stomped off, not noticing a pair of eyes watching her from the shadows.

Back at home, Tarquin set Elysia's phone down and turned to her.

"If she ever talks down to you again, just let her have it. Don't bother being polite just because of her status."

Honestly, even if Elysia did want a future in medicine, she had no reason to be afraid of Sabrina. But she didn't-so why worry?

His wife afraid of Sabrina? Not a chance.noveldrama

Elysia, for her part, barely gave Sabrina a second thought. She doubted Sabrina could cause any real trouble.

Her real worry was the virus sample.

If Sabrina was willing to use her for research but wouldn't even promise access to

the sample, it meant getting her hands on it was going to be tough.

Tarquin seemed to read her mind. He took her phone, pulled her gently into his arms, and switched off the bedside lamp.

"Let me deal with the sample. You just get some sleep."

"But-"

"If you can't sleep," he added, a teasing grin in his voice, "I can help you work off some energy."

Elysia's face flamed. She knew exactly what kind of "exercise" he meant, so she shut her mouth, closed her eyes, and snuggled into his chest.

Tarquin wrapped her up in his arms, patting her back softly, soothing her to sleep like a parent with a restless child.

Once she was out cold, he carefully slipped his arm free, tucked the blankets around her, kissed her on the forehead, and headed to the walk-in closet.

A few minutes later, dressed in black sweats, he slipped out of the house.

Axel was already waiting in the car, engine quietly humming.

Tarquin climbed in. "Let's go."

Axel glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Everything's ready. I can handle it myself."

"I'll go in person."

Axel just nodded, putting the car in gear and driving off into the night.

When morning came and Elysia woke up, Tarquin was lying next to her, still in his pajamas, breathing evenly, peaceful as could be.

Elysia looked at him, her heart overflowing with quiet love.