Tangled Temptations

Chapter 235

Eloise was taken aback. Then she smiled faintly. "Having a child changes everything. We can't be as reckless as we once were."

Her face was gentle as she spoke, a serene glow about her.

Harvey had always loved this side of her, and in the late night, with just the two of them and their child sleeping in the next room, he couldn't help but feel a pull.

His gaze was pure and unadulterated, the way a man looked at a woman he desired. Eloise noticed. Without missing a beat, she steered the conversation back. "You should talk to Linda over the next few days. It's getting late..." Her implication was clear. He should return in the morning to pick up their child.

Harvey glanced at his watch. He wished she would ask him to stay, but she made no such invitation. He wanted to, so he muttered, "I'm pretty tired and I have an important meeting tomorrow morning. I can sleep in the guest room. I won't disturb you."

Eloise agreed. She led him to the guest room but did not enter.

Harvey tossed his jacket onto the end of the bed, noticing she hadn't followed him

in. He smirked, "What, are you afraid of me?"

Eloise sidestepped the question. "I'll get you some toiletries."

Harvey remained silent, his gaze fixed on her.

Once Eloise left the room, he sat on the edge of the bed, loosening his tie. His mind was in turmoil, his hand reaching into his jacket pocket for a smoke. Instead, he found a small, hard box. The gift he'd bought her from a trip to New York.

Eloise hadn't accepted it.

Holding the small box, Harvey's expression was unreadable.

When Eloise returned, Harvey was sitting on the edge of the bed, smoking, one hand supporting him on the bed, the other holding his cigarette. His sharp profile was highlighted in the soft light. He looked up as Eloise entered, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you have a razor?"

Eloise replied softly, "I don't have one."

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and extended his hand, "Give me the things."

Eloise, without suspicion, handed him the toiletries. But Harvey didn't take them. Instead, he gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto the bed. Then, a warm body was pressing down on hers.

"Harvey!" Eloise was annoyed, but she kept her voice low, careful not to wake Linda next door.

them to the edge of the bed. His other hand snuffed out the

chestnut hair fanned out around her, her face pale. Harvey released her hands, but pinned her down even more firmly with his body. Their bodies were so close, Eloise didn't

clumsily trying to put them on her. These were the

to wince,

concerned about her feelings, he

was done, he spoke in a low, gravelly voice. "Remember that time in the hotel? After we finished, you left first, but you left one of your earrings behind. They were the same style as these.

past, he was able to spin it into

dare to push too far. Now, with her under him, he had to be careful. He lowered his body, his face buried in her neck, murmuring, "Eloise, after all this time, have I not won even a

tried to push him off, to no avail. She bit her lip, turning her face away, her voice soft. "Harvey, I won't play games with you. Yes, you're the best choice. We have a past, and

on her brow seemed more prominent. Harvey couldn't resist, his fingers tracing over it gently, causing

softly. "Your voice is

Eloise a moment to understand what he meant. She couldn't help

her surprise,

side, his jaw tight, his Adam's apple bobbing. His voice was

her fingers brushed the doorknob, Harvey spoke again, his

a limited-edition teddy bear by her bed. She should have been happy, but today, she just couldn't muster the energy

the covers. He opened his eyes, reaching out to stroke

her face against his chest, silent. Harvey

Linda remained silent.

towards introversion, so he never forced her to speak when she didn't

eggs and vegetarian balls to cheer the little girl up. She found Linda curled up under the covers, only a tuft of

gave Eloise a reassuring

During this time, Denise called. Eloise

call, Eloise watched Harvey. His gaze was

by 9, Linda was finally willing to

bear and insisting on going to

After dropping their little girl off at kindergarten, Eloise couldn't help but

the car, both of them felt a weight on their hearts.

"This

like this,

extinguished his cigarette and handed her a tissue. "Don't