Tangled Temptations

Chapter 354

Eloise was caught between surprise and delight. Harvey stood outside the car, gazing at her with a look that turned her smile into a blooming rose.

His voice was husky. "Do you like it?"

Eloise buried her face in the roses; her voice was unusually sweet and alluring. "I love it." No woman could resist the charm of a man bearing flowers.

Harvey smiled faintly. He closed the car door, gracefully walked around to the driver's side, and got in. The sleek black sports car pulled away slowly, its silhouette against the streetlights like a shooting star.

At the hotel entrance, Jeffrey stood quietly for a long time.

...

Inside the car, Harvey played a soft melody. Eloise sipped some champagne and relaxed against the seat, feeling a bit tipsy.

They approached a red light. Harvey stopped the car and turned to her. "Home or the apartment?"

Eloise sobered up a little. She whispered into the roses, "Does it matter? If it's all the same, I'd like the hotel."

The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken tension.

Harvey watched her. Then, after a moment of silence, he unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over to her. Eloise looked up, about to speak, but he was already kissing her deeply.

After a long while, he lifted his head. His voice was a deep rasp. "Eloise, do you know what you're saying?"

With one hand clutching the flowers and the other around his neck, she seemed torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer. Behind them, impatient car horns blared. Harvey buckled up, his Adam's apple rolling seductively. "Then, to the hotel it is."

Perhaps it was the rarity of Eloise taking the initiative that had Harvey so excited. He drove to the nearest five-star hotel and checked in with efficiency.

No sooner had they entered the presidential suite than Eloise found herself pinned against the door, possessed by him. He was more forceful than usual, having held back for so long. Making love once would not be enough.

Harvey carried her to the main bedroom and laid her on the bed's edge. Her designer gown soon joined the white roses scattered across the purple fabric on the carpet.

In the bedroom, passion reigned. It was not until the early hours of the morning that they finally rested.

Harvey held Eloise, kissing her, feeling thoroughly content, body and soul. "What's gotten into you tonight?" he murmured in her ear.

Eloise, damp with sweat, leaned onto his shoulder and said lightly, "It might be the champagne."

He kissed her again.

They both remembered that they hadn't taken any precautions that night, but neither thought to remedy it.

In the early winter chill, Eloise didn't want to move from the warmth of his embrace. Neither did Harvey. After a while, Eloise spoke softly, "We should get up. Time to go home."

Harvey kissed her, feigning displeasure. "That's the trouble with kids. If only we could just sleep in till morning after making love. But no, we have to head home in the middle of the night."

Though he spoke thus, he began to dress her. Her gown was ruined, so he gave her his shirt to wear. Finally, he draped his coat over her. And he, in a simple grey sweater, didn't look out of place.

He walked her down to the lobby to check out. It was 1:30 AM. The receptionist recognized them and discreetly processed their departure, wishing "Mr. and Mrs. Horigan" a warm welcome back.

Eloise flushed with embarrassment. Harvey, unfazed, casually inquired as he took the receipt. "Can we get a membership card for a discount next time?"

The receptionist obliged.

Back in the car, Eloise couldn't help but protest, "There won't be a next time." Harvey put the membership card away, adjusted his sweater, and then looked at Eloise. "Mrs. Horigan, are you not feeling good? Because I feel fantastic."

Eloise's cheeks turned pink, and she dropped the subject.

Harvey slowly started the car.

Just as Eloise was about to rest her eyes, she caught sight of a red sports car not far away with a woman inside who looked emotionless, staring at them. She had long black hair and a gaunt face, looking so much like Ravenna.

clearer view, but the red car had already turned

and asked softly, "What's

Eloise was still shaken.

whispered, "I thought I saw Ravenna. Harvey, why would she be here in the middle of the night? Could she be

frowned. He gently patted her hand. "I'll have

did she start to unwind a bit, especially after Harvey

her head, saying softly, "I'll call about the surveillance right now. Don't worry, okay?" He told her to sleep while he went to

the hotel parking lot footage within half an hour. The woman

the footage several times before thanking his contact, "You've been a great help, Coen. Dinner's on me

polite exchanges, Harvey returned to the bedroom to find Eloise still awake. He touched her head. "I checked. It's not

and offered a faint smile. Perhaps she was

she fell asleep. She dreamed

dim lights, Max's car was flattened by a dump truck. Through the window, he lay bloodied and motionless, but

towards him. Her white silk nightgown was

looking up quietly at her, reaching

trembling fingers touched his warm body. "I'll call

He spoke to her, voice heavy with finality, "It's too late, Eloise.

for his death. She began to drag him towards the car door,

pulled, she couldn't budge him an inch. Tears streamed

"

Eloise's palm. He looked at her intently and whispered, "Eloise, this is for you... I have to go. With those words, his body slowly started to fade. In the air, red petals of blood began to float up, gradually fading

Max was gone...

final smile, and three silent

"Max! Max! Max!"

the dream. She was drenched in sweat,

name.

warm embrace. "Eloise, you were

tender as one

him, tears still clinging to

remembered everything from

Max." She clung to his

continuously comforting her, "It was just a

a dream."

tears fell. She was

chest, her voice as fragile

the car. I tried

"In the dream, he

a twinge of guilt. If she had accepted the amulet before, would Max have avoided

couldn't wish him well anymore, but

him dead.

Harvey about her feelings.

a past love, he couldn't be entirely unfeeling, but he understood that Max's death

back, whispering, "Let's visit the chapel

silent. Later, she lay in his arms, unable to fall asleep. Outside, rain fell, just like the day Max died, a fine misty rain, the world gloomy. But in Harvey's arms, there was warmth. He hadn't fallen asleep either, and

his arm. "You wouldn't want

the tip of her nose gently, insisting, "I want

in his embrace. Her voice was soft as she recounted bits of the past, and Harvey listened patiently and tenderly. He was a man

Max had truly been moved by

as he looked

was of their college days, with no horrific car accident, just trees, bicycles, and the library. All the

lie, but he knew that Max was gone forever, etched in Eloise's memory. If

He didn't left the bedroom, since he didn't want Eloise to

if she awoke. He just stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly watching the rainy

yet tinged with new regrets, regrets

dealt with Joan and Monica, Harvey had to

was their respective life journeys. If they wanted to live well,